Travelling this December? 9 things to sort before you go
Simvaya team · · 3 min read
December is one of the busiest times of year to travel. Flights are full, arrival halls are packed, and the last thing anyone wants after a long flight is to hunt for Wi-Fi just to say they've landed. Most of that can be sorted at home, a few days before you leave.
Before you book
1. Check your phone supports eSIM
Dial *#06# and look for a line called EID. Our guide Does my phone support eSIM? covers the other checks, including whether your phone is network-locked.
2. Map out every country on your route
Changing planes on the way, or visiting family in more than one country? Put your stops into our trip planner. It compares one plan that covers every stop with a separate plan for each country, and shows which works out better for your trip.
3. Work out how much data you need
Maps, ride-hailing apps, video calls and photo uploads use more than most people expect. In the trip planner, pick light, moderate or heavy use and it sizes the data for the number of days you're away. If you run low, many plans can be topped up from your dashboard.
A few days before you fly
4. Buy and install your eSIM at home
Install it over home Wi-Fi a day or two before you leave, and keep it switched off until you land. Check your plan's details for when its validity starts.
5. Keep your home SIM in, but turn off its data roaming
Your own SIM can stay in your phone, so texts such as bank codes can still reach you. Turn off data roaming on that line so it can't run up a bill using data abroad, and ask your network what calls and texts cost while you're away.
6. Save what you need offline
Download offline maps for the cities you're visiting, save your boarding passes to your phone, and keep a screenshot of where you're staying. If the airport is busy or your flight is late, you'll still have them.
7. Sign in to your dashboard on your phone
Your eSIM, its install instructions and your receipt all live in your Simvaya dashboard. Sign in once on your phone before you leave, so you aren't resetting a password at the airport.
When you land
8. Switch on the travel eSIM
Turn the travel eSIM on, set it as the line for mobile data, and switch on data roaming for that eSIM only. Roaming on the travel eSIM is what lets it join local networks; it doesn't add charges.
9. Keep an eye on your data
Your dashboard shows your usage when the network reports it, and we send you an alert when your data is running low. Don't delete the eSIM until your trip is over: most eSIMs can't be installed a second time.
Buying for someone else?
If family are flying in for the holidays, you can buy them an eSIM as a gift and choose the day it's emailed to them. Or send a gift card and let them pick a plan for their own trip.
Safe travels, and land connected.
