Budget Nomad Course Part 10: Staying Connected on the Road

How to Get Cheap Internet Abroad: SIM Cards, eSIMs & Pocket Wi-Fi Explained

Welcome back to the Budget Nomad Course! You've learned how to find cheap flights, book affordable accommodations, and stretch your travel budget. Now let's tackle one of the most crucial aspects of modern nomad life: staying connected without breaking the bank.

Whether you're working remotely, navigating unfamiliar streets, or video calling loved ones back home, reliable internet access isn't a luxury—it's essential. But here's the good news: you don't need to spend a fortune on international roaming or expensive tourist packages. With the right strategy, you can stay connected for as little as $5-15 per month.

In this lesson, we'll break down your connectivity options, compare costs, and share country-specific hacks that have saved me hundreds of dollars over years of travel.

Understanding Your Options

Before we dive into specifics, let's clarify what tools are available to you.

Local SIM Cards

These are physical cards you insert into your phone to access local mobile networks. Once installed, you pay local rates for data, calls, and texts—typically a fraction of what international roaming costs.

Best for: Solo travelers staying in one country for more than a week, anyone who needs a local phone number.

eSIMs (Electronic SIMs)

Think of eSIMs as digital SIM cards. Instead of inserting a physical card, you download an app, purchase a data plan, and scan a QR code to activate. No need to swap cards or visit a store.

Best for: Short trips, country hopping, or anyone who wants instant connectivity the moment they land.

Pocket Wi-Fi Devices

These are portable routers that create a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing you to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

Best for: Traveling with a partner or group, people who need to connect laptops and tablets, or destinations where SIM cards are expensive or complicated.

I regularly use all three options depending on my destination and needs. The key isn't choosing one "best" option—it's knowing when to use each.

Option 1: Local SIM Cards – The Budget Champion

For most budget nomads, local SIM cards deliver unbeatable value. Here's what makes them special.

The Advantages

Cost-effective: This is usually your cheapest option. In Thailand, unlimited data costs just $9/month. In Romania, I paid €5 for 50GB that lasted two months. Compare that to international roaming rates of $10-15 per day.

Local phone number: Having a local number makes life easier. You can book restaurants, order food delivery, register for services, and communicate with landlords without using WhatsApp.

Unlimited data plans: Many countries offer truly unlimited data packages. I've streamed Netflix, uploaded videos, and taken work calls without worrying about running out.

No extra devices: Unlike pocket Wi-Fi, you're not carrying another gadget that needs charging.

The Drawbacks

Setup complexity: In countries where you don't speak the language, buying and activating a SIM can feel intimidating. Staff may not speak English, and registration requirements vary wildly.

Repeat purchases: Every time you enter a new country, you need a new SIM. This gets tedious if you're country-hopping frequently.

Single device only: Your SIM works in one phone. If you need internet on your laptop, you'll have to use your phone as a hotspot, which drains battery quickly.

Registration requirements: Some countries require passport registration, which adds bureaucracy. Turkey and China have particularly strict rules.

My Strategy for Buying SIM Cards

When I arrive in a new country, here's exactly what I do:

Skip the airport kiosks. Airport SIM vendors charge 2-3 times more than shops in the city. The only exception is if you absolutely need connectivity immediately (for transportation apps, for example). Even then, buy the smallest package and upgrade later.

Head to convenience stores. In most countries, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or local equivalents sell SIM cards at regular prices. Staff at these stores are often more patient with tourists than airport vendors rushing through customers.

Ask locals or check Facebook groups. Before you buy, search for "[Country] Digital Nomads" or "[City] Expats" on Facebook. These communities share updated information about which carriers have the best coverage and current promotions. This research has saved me countless times.

Bring your passport. Most countries require ID for SIM registration. Some may also ask for a local address—your hotel or hostel address works fine.

Critical Pre-Travel Step: Unlock Your Phone

Before you leave home, ensure your phone is unlocked. Contact your carrier and request an unlock—this is typically free if you've finished your contract or paid off your device. An unlocked phone can accept SIM cards from any carrier worldwide.

To check if your phone is unlocked, try inserting a SIM card from a different carrier. If it works, you're good to go.

Option 2: eSIMs – Convenience Meets Technology

eSIM technology has revolutionized travel connectivity. If your phone supports it (iPhone XS or newer, Google Pixel 3+, Samsung Galaxy S20+), this option combines affordability with incredible convenience.

How eSIMs Work

Download an eSIM app like Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad. Browse data plans for your destination, purchase one, and scan a QR code. Within minutes, you're connected—often before your plane even lands.

The magic happens because eSIMs are digital. There's no physical card to insert, no store to visit, and no language barriers to navigate.

Top eSIM Providers

Airalo is my default choice for most trips. Their regional plans are perfect for country-hopping. For example, their Asia plan works across 15+ countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. No need to buy new SIMs at every border.

Holafly specializes in unlimited data plans. They're pricier than Airalo, but if you're doing video calls all day or uploading large files, the peace of mind is worth it.

Nomad offers a good balance between price and coverage, with particularly strong options for Europe and Latin America.

Cost Comparison

Let me give you real numbers. A 7-day, 3GB plan for Europe costs $8-12 on Airalo. Traditional tourist SIM cards at airports charge $30-40 for similar data. The savings add up quickly, especially if you're traveling for months.

For a 30-day, 10GB plan in Southeast Asia, expect to pay around $15-20 on eSIM apps versus $25-35 for physical tourist SIM cards.

Pro Tips for eSIM Users

Buy during sales. eSIM providers run frequent promotions. I've scored 20-30% discounts by waiting for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or random flash sales. Sign up for newsletters to catch these deals.

Use dual SIM mode. Here's my favorite hack: If your phone supports dual SIM, keep your home number on eSIM for banking notifications and two-factor authentication, while using a local physical SIM for data. This setup gives you the best of both worlds—you stay reachable on your permanent number while enjoying cheap local data rates.

Download the app before you travel. Don't wait until you're at the airport with spotty Wi-Fi. Set up your account and browse plans while you're still at home.

Option 3: Pocket Wi-Fi – The Group Solution

Pocket Wi-Fi devices aren't always the budget option for solo travelers, but in specific scenarios, they're incredibly useful.

When Pocket Wi-Fi Makes Sense

Traveling with others: If you're traveling with a partner, friend, or group, splitting the cost of one pocket Wi-Fi device often beats everyone buying individual SIM cards.

Multiple devices: Need to connect your laptop, tablet, e-reader, and phone? Pocket Wi-Fi handles them all simultaneously without draining your phone battery.

Unreliable destinations: In countries with spotty public Wi-Fi or where SIM cards are expensive or complicated, pocket Wi-Fi provides consistent connectivity.

Short trips: For vacations under two weeks, renting pocket Wi-Fi can be more convenient than navigating foreign mobile shops.

Your Options

Rental services like Travelwifi, Skyroam, or Solis rent devices for $8-15 per day. Order online, and they'll ship the device to your home or hotel. This is only cost-effective for trips under two weeks—longer trips make purchasing your own device smarter.

Buy your own device. I bought an unlocked 4G router for $60 and simply insert local data SIM cards. This works brilliantly in Southeast Asia where data is dirt cheap. My router has paid for itself many times over.

Country-specific deals: In Japan, pocket Wi-Fi is actually cheaper than tourist SIM cards. I rented one for two weeks for $70 with unlimited data—far better than the $100+ tourist SIMs available at the airport.

Important Considerations

Battery life: Most pocket Wi-Fi devices last only 6-8 hours on a full charge. You'll need to carry a power bank or stay near outlets.

Weight and bulk: It's another device to pack, charge, and keep track of. For minimalist travelers, this can be a dealbreaker.

Limited range: Pocket Wi-Fi typically covers about 30-50 feet. If you and your travel partner split up for the day, only one person has internet.

Country-Specific Hacks: Where I've Found the Best Deals

This is where years of travel experience really pay off. Every country has its own connectivity landscape—different carriers, pricing structures, and hidden deals. Here are my hard-won secrets for popular nomad destinations.

Southeast Asia

Thailand: Skip the airport entirely and head to 7-Eleven. AIS sells 15-day tourist packages with unlimited data for 299 baht (about $9). Coverage is excellent throughout the country, including islands. The competing carrier DTAC offers similar deals, but AIS has better coverage in rural areas.

Vietnam: Viettel has the best coverage, especially if you're venturing beyond major cities. Get 8GB for 30 days at 200,000 dong ($8). Buy directly at Viettel stores, not from street vendors who may sell expired or already-activated SIM cards.

Indonesia: Telkomsel is the undisputed king of Indonesian connectivity. Their 30GB monthly plan costs about $10. However, Bali has terrible connectivity outside tourist areas. If you're staying in Ubud or other inland locations, consider pocket Wi-Fi instead.

Philippines: Globe or Smart both work well. 8GB for 30 days costs around 300 pesos ($5). Load credits are available at every convenience store. Pro tip: Buy a "Go" SIM card for tourists—it comes pre-registered, saving you hassle.

Latin America

Mexico: Telcel has the widest coverage, crucial if you're traveling beyond major cities. Get their "Amigo Sin Límite" plan—20GB for 300 pesos ($15). Buy SIM cards at Oxxo convenience stores, which are everywhere.

Colombia: Claro is the most reliable carrier. 15GB costs around 40,000 pesos ($10). Registration requires a local ID, so bring your passport. Note that coverage can be spotty in rural areas—download offline maps before leaving cities.

Argentina: Personal or Movistar both work. Data is more expensive here than neighboring countries—10GB costs about 3,000 pesos ($10). Argentina has widespread public Wi-Fi in cities, so you might not need much mobile data.

Europe

The Balkan secret: This is one of my favorite travel hacks. Data is incredibly cheap in the Balkans. In Albania, I got 100GB for €10. Romania's Orange offers 50GB for €5. Bulgaria has similar pricing. If you're spending time in this region, stock up.

Portugal: MEO or Vodafone are your best options. 20GB plans run about €10. Bonus: Portugal has excellent public Wi-Fi in cities, so you might not need much mobile data. Many cafes, libraries, and public squares offer free internet.

The EU roaming advantage: Here's a powerful strategy for long-term European travel. Buy a SIM card in a cheap EU country (like Romania or Bulgaria), then use it across the entire European Union thanks to roaming regulations. I bought a Romanian SIM card and used it successfully in 10 countries without additional charges.

Spain: Vodafone or Orange. 20GB for €15-20. Spain has great coverage, but data is pricier than Eastern Europe. If you're staying longer than a month, look into Yoigo or Simyo—discount carriers with competitive rates.

Eastern Europe & Caucasus

Georgia: Magti or Beeline both work well. 20GB costs 20 lari (about $7). Registration is easy at any store—just bring your passport. Coverage is good even in mountain regions.

Turkey: Turkcell is the most reliable carrier, but tourist registration is strict. Bring your passport and expect bureaucracy. You may need to visit a physical store and wait while staff processes paperwork. 30GB costs about 200 lira ($10). Alternative: If registration seems too complicated, use an eSIM for Turkey instead.

Armenia: VivaCell-MTS or Beeline. 10GB costs around 3,000 drams ($8). Armenia has surprisingly good connectivity even in remote areas.

Middle East

United Arab Emirates: Etisalat tourist SIMs at Dubai Airport are actually reasonably priced—15GB for 7 days at $27. But if you're staying longer, get a Du SIM from a mall for half the price. Registration requires passport and local address.

Jordan: Zain or Orange. 10GB costs about 15 dinars ($21). Data is expensive in Jordan compared to neighboring countries, so download content before arriving.

Africa

Morocco: Orange Maroc is your best bet. 10GB costs 50 dirham (about $5). Coverage is good in cities but spotty in mountain areas—download offline maps before heading to the Atlas Mountains or Sahara.

South Africa: Vodacom or MTN are the main carriers. Data is more expensive here than you might expect—5GB costs around 150 rand ($8). Stock up on data when you're in major cities, as rural coverage can be inconsistent.

Egypt: Orange or Vodafone. 20GB costs about 150 pounds ($5). Egypt offers some of the cheapest data in Africa, but coverage outside Cairo and tourist areas is limited.

My Personal Connectivity System

After years of trial and error, here's the exact system I use:

For short trips (under 2 weeks): eSIM only. I purchase a plan before departure, activate it when I land, and enjoy instant connectivity. No stores, no registration, no hassle.

For medium stays (1-3 months): Local SIM card every time. It's the cheapest option, and having a local phone number makes daily life much easier for deliveries, bookings, and local services.

For country hopping: I use a regional eSIM for basic connectivity, supplemented with local SIMs when I stay somewhere more than a week. The eSIM keeps me connected during transitions, while the local SIM provides better value for longer stays.

For couple travel: My partner and I share a pocket Wi-Fi device while each maintaining an eSIM for when we split up during the day. This combination gives us flexibility and cost savings.

My emergency backup: I always keep $20 credit loaded on Airalo. If my SIM card stops working, gets lost, or I'm in a connectivity dead zone, I can activate data within minutes. This peace of mind is worth maintaining.

Advanced Tips to Stretch Your Data Budget

Want to optimize even further? These strategies have saved me hundreds of dollars.

1. Download Everything Offline

Before leaving Wi-Fi, download maps, translation apps, travel guides, and entertainment. Google Maps lets you download entire city maps. Netflix and Spotify offer offline modes. If you have these resources available offline, you'll need far less mobile data.

2. Use Wi-Fi Strategically

I plan my work schedule around cafe Wi-Fi. Large file uploads, video calls, and cloud backups happen at accommodations or coworking spaces—never on mobile data. This discipline dramatically reduces my data consumption.

3. WhatsApp Over Everything

Once you have internet access, use WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal for calls and texts. These apps use data instead of voice minutes, making international communication essentially free. Voice quality is excellent on decent connections.

4. Buy Data in Bulk

If you're staying three months or longer, purchase the largest data package available upfront. Mobile carriers always give better rates for longer commitments. I've saved 30-40% by buying quarterly instead of monthly.

5. Airport Free SIM Hack

Some airports offer free SIM cards for tourists with small data packages. Bangkok, Istanbul, and Singapore do this. The included data (usually 1-3GB) isn't much, but it's enough for your first day while you find better deals in the city.

6. Ask for Discounts

At mobile shops, if you're buying multiple months of service, simply ask for a discount. I've gotten 20-30% off just by asking politely. The worst they can say is no, but carriers often have flexibility for bulk purchases.

7. Join Facebook Groups

Search for "Digital Nomads in [Country]" or "[City] Expats" groups on Facebook. These communities constantly share the latest deals, SIM card locations, and troubleshooting advice. I check these groups before arriving in any new destination.

8. Enable Data Saver Modes

Both iOS and Android have settings to reduce background data usage. Enable these features and designate which apps can use data in the background. This single change can reduce consumption by 30-50%.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with perfect planning, connectivity problems happen. Here's how to solve the most common issues.

SIM not working after purchase: First, restart your phone. If that doesn't work, check that you've enabled data roaming in settings. Finally, verify your phone's APN settings match your carrier's requirements—the shop staff can help with this.

Running out of data unexpectedly: Check which apps are consuming data. On iPhone: Settings > Cellular. On Android: Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage. Often a single app is the culprit, and you can restrict its background usage.

No signal in advertised coverage areas: Not all carriers are equal. If you're experiencing persistent connectivity issues, don't hesitate to switch carriers. The $10 you "lose" by buying a new SIM is worth it for reliable internet.

Registration problems: Some countries have strict registration requirements. If staff say they can't register your SIM, try a different store or ask your accommodation host for help. Local assistance often resolves bureaucratic hurdles quickly.

Quick Recap: Choosing Your Connectivity Strategy

Let's summarize with a simple decision framework:

Choose local SIM cards if: You're staying in one country for more than a week, you want the cheapest option, you need a local phone number, and you don't mind a bit of setup.

Choose eSIMs if: You're taking a short trip, you're country-hopping frequently, you want instant connectivity, your phone supports eSIM technology, and convenience matters more than absolute minimum cost.

Choose pocket Wi-Fi if: You're traveling with others who can split the cost, you need to connect multiple devices, you're visiting a destination where SIM cards are expensive or complicated, or you're taking a short vacation.

My recommendation for most budget nomads: Start with local SIM cards as your default. They offer the best value and flexibility. Use eSIMs for short trips or as backup connectivity. Consider pocket Wi-Fi only for specific situations where it makes financial sense.

Final Thoughts

Staying connected while traveling doesn't require spending a fortune. With local SIM cards, eSIMs, and strategic planning, you can maintain excellent connectivity for $5-15 per month in most destinations.

The key isn't finding one perfect solution—it's understanding your options and adapting to each destination's unique landscape. Some countries favor physical SIM cards, others make eSIMs more practical, and occasionally pocket Wi-Fi is the smartest choice.

Start by researching your destination in Facebook nomad groups, arrive with your phone unlocked, and don't buy at airports. These three simple rules will save you money everywhere you travel.

In the next lesson, we'll tackle another crucial budget nomad skill: finding and securing remote work opportunities that fund your travels. See you there!

Action Steps for This Lesson

1. Check if your phone is unlocked. Contact your carrier now if you need to unlock it before your next trip.

2. Verify eSIM compatibility. Look up whether your phone model supports eSIM technology. If yes, download Airalo and browse plans for your next destination.

3. Join Facebook groups. Search for "[Your next destination] Digital Nomads" and "[Your next destination] Expats" groups. Browse recent posts about SIM cards and connectivity.

4. Create a connectivity budget. Based on this lesson, estimate what you'll spend on connectivity at your next destination. Factor this into your overall travel budget.

5. Enable data tracking. Set up data usage monitoring on your phone now, so you understand your typical consumption patterns before you travel.

   
   

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