Your guide to international SIM cards

Choosing the right SIM card for your trip can be confusing. Learn how to use your phone overseas like a pro.

 

Use your phone like a pro overseas 

Whether it’s for booking hotels on the go, navigating around new cities, documenting your adventure or just keeping in touch with family, phones have become one of the most useful items in our luggage. Most of us plan to travel with our mobile phones, but what’s the best way to use them overseas?International, local and travel SIM cards can allow you to stay connected while you travel, but each has pros and cons. In this guide to using SIM cards overseas, we outline how you can choose the best option for your next trip and avoid being stung by unexpected costs.

 

How to use SIM cards overseas

Okay, let’s start from the top. A SIM card (standing for Subscriber Identity Module) is a small plastic card that is inserted into your mobile phone. It allows your phone network provider to identify your device and the subscription you’re paying for, making it possible to send and receive information as per your phone plan. The terms “international”, “local” and “travel” SIM cards are sometimes used interchangeably, however, they mean slightly different things.

 

Differences between international, local and travel SIM cards 

Local SIM cards

“Local” SIM cards are bought when you arrive at your destination and only work within one geographic area. For example, if somebody visiting Australia wants to use their phone here, they might buy a prepaid SIM card from a local phone store, which will allow them to use their phone only within Australia.

 

International SIM cards

“International” SIM cards can also be bought when you arrive at your destination, but work across multiple countries. For example, if you’re travelling to the USA and then Canada, you might buy a T-Mobile SIM card when you arrive in the USA, which will work across both countries.

 

Travel SIM cards

“Travel” SIM cards are designed to provide you with coverage for a broader range of countries and can be bought before you leave Australia. They are single prepaid cards that connect to the networks of multiple countries overseas and are offered by third-party providers instead of directly through the carrier.

 

What about data roaming?

If you’re researching overseas SIM card options, chances are you’ve come across the term “data roaming”. Data roaming refers to when your existing SIM card connects to a new carrier when you land overseas.

For example, if you arrive in the USA and have data roaming enabled on your phone, your SIM card from home may automatically connect to a local carrier’s network like T-Mobile.

Not having to visit a local phone store to swap SIM cards might sound like a convenient feature, but data roaming can come with notoriously high fees that aren’t always obvious until you receive your next phone bill. For this reason, it’s recommended that you explore an overseas SIM card unless you’re travelling for a very short period.

 

Should you use a local, international or travel SIM?

Now that we’ve covered the key differences between local, international and travel SIMs, let’s weigh up the pros and cons of each option.

 

Local SIMs

Pros

  • Cheaper than using data roaming
  • Readily available at phone stores, electronics stores and sometimes supermarkets
  • Data limits and talk/text benefits can be tailored to your needs
  • Can be pay-as-you-go options with no lock-in contracts or plans.

Cons

  • You won’t be connected from the moment you land; you’ll need to visit a store when you arrive at your destination
  • Will only work within one country
  • You won’t be able to retain your Australian phone number (more on this later)
  • May be more difficult to understand in non-English-speaking countries.

International SIMs

Pros

  • Cheaper than using data roaming
  • Readily available at phone stores, electronics stores and sometimes supermarkets
  • Data limits and talk/text benefits can be tailored to your needs
  • Can be pay-as-you-go options with no lock-in contracts or plans
  • Will work across multiple countries, such as the USA and Canada, or England and France.

Cons 

  • You won’t be connected from the moment you land; you’ll need to visit a store once you arrive at your destination
  • You won’t be able to retain your Australian phone number
  • May be more difficult to understand in non-English-speaking countries
  • May be slightly more expensive than purchasing local SIMs in each country you visit.

Travel SIMs

Pros

  • Can be bought and set up before you leave Australia, meaning you’ll be connected from the moment you land
  • Allow you to retain your existing Australian phone number
  • Allow you to avoid switching out SIM cards each time you reach a new destination on your trip
  • Data limits and talk/text benefits can be tailored to your needs.

Cons

  • Generally more expensive than buying a local or international SIM card when you arrive
  • You don’t deal directly with the phone carrier. Instead, you deal with your chosen travel SIM company.
  • Service can be less reliable than local and international SIM cards.

Which option is right for you?

With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when picking a SIM card option for your next trip. On the surface, travel SIMs might seem like the most convenient option. However, with more and more phone carriers offering affordable international SIM cards that are easy to top up on the go, travel SIMs have become less popular.

ProductReview has a list of travel SIMs available in Australia, where you can read real customer reviews and judge whether they’re a good option for your trip.

 

Can I use an overseas SIM card if my phone is locked?

When you buy a new phone, it’s often “locked” to a certain carrier. For example, if you walked into a phone store to buy the new iPhone, chances are you’ll purchase the device on a plan for a set period, like 12 or 24 months. Until that period is complete, your phone will be “locked” to that phone company’s network and you won’t be able to simply insert and use a new SIM card.

But don’t despair - if your phone is locked, you can still use local, international and travel SIM cards overseas, but you will need to contact your current carrier and request them to unlock your phone, which they’ll do for a fee. Keep in mind that this process may take a few days or weeks, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

 

Does my destination make a difference?

Unfortunately, there is no single phone company that operates affordably across the globe. The carrier you use and the price of data and phone calls will depend on your destination, which is why it pays to do your research before you arrive.
Let’s dive into a few international and local SIM card options within three popular travel regions.

 

SIM card options for the USA

1. AT&T Prepaid SIM

AT&T is the largest phone network in the USA. They offer prepaid SIM plans that work across the US, Canada and Mexico, making it a convenient option if you’re travelling through North America.

 

2. T-Mobile

Like AT&T, T-Mobile also offers affordable prepaid SIM cards, with the option to add talk, text and data for Canada and Mexico for an additional $5.

 

SIM card options for the UK and Europe

1. EE

EE is the most popular phone network in the UK and has a range of prepaid SIM cards that work across Europe, including data-only options if you don’t need to use talk and text.

 

2. Orange Holiday Europe

If you’re travelling through Europe for less than two weeks, the Orange Holiday Europe plan could be a great option for you. This prepaid international SIM provides 20GB of data plus talk and text across 30 European countries, valid for a total of 14 days. You can also easily top up or extend your coverage over the internet.

 

SIM card options for Asia 

With so many countries in Asia, where you choose to buy a SIM card will depend on where you arrive.

For example, if Thailand is the first stop on your adventure, you might buy an international SIM card from Thai company TrueMove H, which includes coverage across 20 countries in Asia. However, if you’re landing in Bali first, you might visit Telkomsel for an Asia SIM card.

If you’re visiting multiple countries in Asia for a short period, an international SIM card that includes coverage across the region is your best bet. However, if you’re only visiting a single country, you may consider a local SIM card with coverage only within that country.

 

How to buy a SIM card overseas 

Local and international SIM cards are an affordable and reliable option for many overseas trips, but require you to visit a store on arrival and switch out SIM cards. With some planning ahead, this can be a minor inconvenience and considered necessary housekeeping before your adventure begins.

Here are a few things to consider when buying a local or international SIM card when you arrive at your destination:

  • Many arrivals terminals have phone stores where you can set up your SIM before even setting foot outside the airport. Research the airport before you arrive to see whether there’s a suitable provider you can visit.
  • If there isn’t a phone provider at the airport, you might feel a little vulnerable without an internet connection on your phone. Remember, you can use the free airport WiFi for any necessary communications when you land, like contacting your accommodation, ordering an Uber or locating a phone store near you.
  • Many prepaid international and local SIM cards have certain freebies attached, like the use of certain apps without consuming any data. Take note of these when buying your SIM.
  • When you switch out your SIM card, keep the old one in a safe place because you’ll need it when you return to Australia. The inside of your phone case can be a good place for safe storage.
  • With a local SIM card, you’ll be issued a new local phone number, however online messaging apps like Whatsapp can still retain your existing Australian phone number which you can use for talk and text.

The verdict

When it comes to simplicity, affordability and reliability, buying a new prepaid SIM card from a local carrier when you reach your destination is the best option. If your trip spans multiple countries within the same geographic region (such as Europe), buying an international SIM card from a local carrier when you arrive could be worthwhile.

However, if your trip spans multiple countries across different continents, organising a travel SIM card before you leave Australia could save you the hassle of regularly switching SIMs.

There are countless mobile providers across the world and many have plans geared towards travellers like you. It’s a great idea to research the local carriers within your destination, such as T-Mobile in the USA and EE in the UK, before you leave Australia to determine whether they offer a suitable package for your needs.

With a bit of preparation, you’ll be able to stay connected with family back home, navigate with confidence and enjoy your trip to the fullest.


*Information correct as of October 2022.