Originally Posted by
Hornetcoach
HawaiiTrvlr, are you looking for a Sim or an eSIM? They are different. A Sim is a physical card you might buy at a local phone store or airport and install in your phone. An eSIM is basically a service you buy that works with the hardware already in your phone. Nothing to physically install, you just load the necessary software into your phone. The advantage is you don’t have to mess with the SIM card in your phone, or to store it somewhere while you use the purchased SIM card. eSIM is really easy. You buy it from an eSIM provider like Airalo, Ubigi or others before your trip. You install it in your phone typically by scanning a barcode. It will activate itself when it finds cell phone service on arrival. It’s cheap, easy and reliable. Sorry if I am repeating what you already know but your question suggested that perhaps you didn’t.
Thank you. I think I need the eSim vs getting an actual SIM card. I did ask my friend who lives in the UAE if he has any recommendations. I am just trying to avoid the Verizon traveling plan (at $10 per day; that will add up for a 10 day trip). I should have done the eSim thing when I went to France last summer. I thought I could get away with using wi-fi in the hotel and different public places. I still needed my phone to do the tap for the Paris metro. All told, I racked up an extra $50 in roaming charges for the limited time (about 6 days) I wasn't strictly on wi-fi.