Staying Connected Abroad: Four eSIMs and One Travel Router I Actually Use
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I use two things to stay connected when I travel: a travel eSIM on my phone, and a small travel router that every other device connects through. I’ve used eSIMs from Airalo, Nomad, Holafly and Orange, in Canada and across several countries in Europe. Setup is easier than it sounds. Below is how each part works, what the makers say, and what to check before you go.
First, what an eSIM is
An eSIM is a SIM card that lives inside your phone. You buy a data plan for the country or region you’re visiting, install it by scanning a QR code or tapping a button in the provider’s app, and your phone uses it for data while you’re away. You keep your home number for calls and texts. Apple says you can use your travel eSIM alone or alongside your home line, and that you choose which line carries mobile data in Settings.
Before you buy, check three things:
- Your phone supports eSIM. Apple lists the iPhone XS and later. Google lists the Pixel 4 and later. For other Android brands, check the maker’s list, because I couldn’t confirm one for every brand.
- Your phone is carrier-unlocked. On an iPhone, Settings > General > About shows “No SIM Restrictions” if it is.
- You can install before you leave. Installation needs Wi-Fi, and Holafly recommends doing it before the trip.
Airalo, Nomad and Holafly: how they differ
Each person in a couple needs their own eSIM on their own phone. All three allow sharing through your phone’s hotspot, with limits that vary by plan and by the local network.
| Airalo | Nomad | Holafly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan style | Fixed data for a set number of days; country, regional and global plans | Fixed-data plans, plus unlimited plans with a fair-use limit | Unlimited data, chosen by number of days |
| Install | In the app, by QR code, or by entering the details manually | In the app, by QR code, or manually; QR codes can be used once | QR code, manually, or in the app |
| Hotspot | Allowed if your device and the local network support it | Supported on most plans | Allowed, with a separate data limit for hotspot listed on each destination page |
| Top-up | In the app, on eSIMs marked rechargeable | “Add more data” on active plans (not on unlimited) | Extra days on the same eSIM, for purchases since 30 Sept 2026 |
| Support | 24/7 chat in the app | 24/7 chat and email | 24/7 customer service |
All from each company’s own pages as checked on 28 October 2026. Plans and policies change often, so check the provider’s page before you buy.
Things the sales pages don’t make obvious:
- “Unlimited” has limits. Nomad’s unlimited plans slow to 512 kbps after 2 GB in a day. Holafly says it doesn’t throttle, but a local network’s fair-use rules can slow you down for up to a day.
- Most are data-only. Airalo and Nomad’s help pages say their data-only eSIMs have no phone number. For calls and texts, use your home line or an app such as WhatsApp or FaceTime. Keep your home SIM active for texts like bank codes.
- Don’t delete the eSIM before the trip ends. Nomad’s QR codes work only once.
- Roaming. If you keep your home line switched on abroad, your home carrier may still charge roaming fees. Apple suggests checking your home plan’s international terms.
I’ve also used Orange’s eSIM on these trips. Setup was easy in every case.
Why I carry a travel router: the GL.iNet Beryl AX
When I check into a hotel, an Airbnb or a friend’s place, I connect the Beryl AX to that Wi-Fi once. Then my phone, tablet and laptop all connect to the Beryl, not to the hotel’s network. That does two things for me:
- One device to connect. Instead of signing each device in to a new network, my devices connect to the router I carry with me.
- VPN for everything. The router has a built-in VPN client, so all my devices’ traffic is protected on someone else’s network. With the VPN on, I can also appear to be in my home country, which lets me read local news.
What GL.iNet says: Wi-Fi 6, a 2.5G port, 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz. VPN client speeds of up to 300 Mbps with WireGuard and 150 Mbps with OpenVPN. It measures 120 x 83 x 34 mm, weighs 196 g and is powered over USB-C. It runs OpenWrt-based firmware. Besides Wi-Fi, it can connect to the internet by ethernet cable or by tethering to a phone.
Hotel login pages: many hotels show a login page when you first connect. When I first got the Beryl, a VPN or ad blocker running on the router could stop that page from loading. A software update fixed it for me, and it isn’t an issue now, so keep the firmware up to date. GL.iNet’s help page covers captive portals and, for older setups, lists the same kind of workaround: turn the VPN and its ad blocker off while you log in, then turn them back on. It also warns that its public-hotspot login mode may expose your traffic to the hotspot provider until the VPN is on.
How to choose
- A short trip to one country: a fixed-data plan from Airalo or Nomad is usually enough if you mostly use maps and messaging.
- Heavy use, or a long trip across several countries: look at an unlimited plan (Holafly, or Nomad’s unlimited), and read the fair-use rules first.
- You want to share a connection: check the hotspot rules for the specific plan before you buy.
- A router is worth it if you travel with more than one device, spend time on hotel or Airbnb Wi-Fi, or want a VPN on everything without installing anything on each device.
Sources
- Apple, Use eSIM on your iPhone while traveling
- Google, eSIM on Pixel phones
- Airalo, Tethering and personal hotspot and regional and global eSIMs
- Nomad, installation guide and unlimited plan details
- Holafly, how Holafly eSIMs work and unlimited data
- GL.iNet, Beryl AX product page and captive-portal help
