In 2019, nearly 7 out of 10 English people travelled abroad. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you always need a suitable means of communication. To this end, the international SIM card gives access to various telephone and Internet packages. There are different ways to take advantage of the solutions offered by the operators. We answer all your questions about the best current offers and the use of the international SIM card through this guide.
Here is our commitment, to make sure that we provide the best user experience and content quality:
You can support us by using our links to make your purchases (at no extra cost to you)! This sometimes earns us a commission which allows us to remain independent. More about us
Our selection
"A single SIM card to call from all over Europe and surf the Internet, that's what the Orange Holiday international SIM card offers. It is…"
"Get a US number with this offer from Telestial. Once in the U.S. territory, local calls and SMS are unlimited. And the operator offers $10…"
"With the Explod Elite international SIM card, you can have a U.S. number that can be used in over 100 countries. Importantly, you can keep…"
"The flexiroam X is a microchip that fits on your standard SIM card. Put on sale by a virtual operator, it interacts with a very…"
A single SIM card to call from all over Europe and surf the Internet, that's what the Orange Holiday international SIM card offers. It is sold with 2 hours of calls, 1GB and 1,000 SMS.
31,99 £ on Boutique OrangeFor 39.99 euros, consumers can immediately use their SIM card thanks to the included phone and data credits. Note that these are valid for 14 days after the first use. To access this offer, go to an Orange store before leaving, or to a tobacconist and some gas stations. As for the top-up, the operator offers one for 29 euros. For this price, you get one hour of calls, 500 SMS and 500 MB. All this can be used for 14 days. With this prepaid package, it is easier to control your spending.
Get a US number with this offer from Telestial. Once in the U.S. territory, local calls and SMS are unlimited. And the operator offers $10 credits for calls to other countries.
13,40 £ on TelestialInternational calls will be charged at 19 cents/min with this international SIM card, an offer valid for 30 days. Once the credit runs out, you can top up the card with $20, $30 or $50 credit. For the connection, the available recharges are 1 GB and 2 GB. In all cases, the operation is done either from the mobile, or via the operator's website, or by opting beforehand for an automatic recharge. With the JT Travl App of the brand, the management of your account is easier. This international SIM card is compatible with all models of phone thanks to its shape in three cuts.
With the Explod Elite international SIM card, you can have a U.S. number that can be used in over 100 countries. Importantly, you can keep it for consecutive trips.
76 £ on ExplodThe Explod international SIM card is a prepaid card without commitment. You can use it even without the operator's application! This 100% roaming card remains operational for a whole year. To purchase, the order is done by Internet and the delivery is ensured by the operator itself. No need to move to get your SIM card. It will be useful, whatever the duration of your trip. You will have 4 choices of packages at the time of purchase: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Elite. They differ by the content of the package and the price. Note that this offer is more suitable for calls than for an internet connection. Nevertheless, there is a particular package that corresponds to this need. It is the Data SIM card, specially dedicated to internet addicts. Its price is different from the SIM card that includes calls and SMS.
The flexiroam X is a microchip that fits on your standard SIM card. Put on sale by a virtual operator, it interacts with a very practical application, essential to use it properly.
See on FlexiroamThe biggest advantage of this microchip to put on your SIM card is its compatibility with all SIM card formats. It is in line with the services of major operators and low cost operators. Note that the provider works with 580 partner networks, which explains its wide coverage, especially in terms of Internet. Especially since it connects to the best network wherever you go. Another strong point of the microchip: you have the possibility to alternate the 2 chips via the application without removing either the classic card or the Flexiroam X! During the whole time the microchip is in use, your usual operator suspends your subscription so as not to impact the bill. The choice of plans is made from the application.
Any specific needs?
Best international SIM card in 2021
Best entry-level international SIM card
Best premium international SIM card
Best international SIM card with app
Your guide :
Rate this buying guide :By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!
| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Orange Holiday
|
Telestial Pure World Direct SIM Card
|
Explod - Elite International SIM Card
|
Flexiroam X
|
|
A single SIM card to call from all over Europe and surf the Internet, that's what the Orange Holiday international SIM card offers. It is sold with 2 hours of calls, 1GB and 1,000 SMS.
|
Get a US number with this offer from Telestial. Once in the U.S. territory, local calls and SMS are unlimited. And the operator offers $10 credits for calls to other countries.
|
With the Explod Elite international SIM card, you can have a U.S. number that can be used in over 100 countries. Importantly, you can keep it for consecutive trips.
|
The flexiroam X is a microchip that fits on your standard SIM card. Put on sale by a virtual operator, it interacts with a very practical application, essential to use it properly.
|
|
|
Network coverage
|
|
|
|
|
|
Validity
|
6 months
|
30 days
|
12 months
|
Between 15 days and 12 months
|
|
Number of countries
|
30
|
80
|
194
|
120
|
|
Management via app
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Commitment
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!
We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.
We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.
To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!
The international SIM card is not necessarily suitable for all travelers. It all depends on the length of your stay. For a professional trip, this SIM card can do the trick, but the French packages are much better. No extra cost is applied throughout the use. Long-term travelers always turn to the best international SIM card. It is valid in several countries, so there is no need to change your card when you cross a new border. Expatriates don't need an international SIM card as much. A local SIM card is more suitable since they will stay in the destination country.
Like all chips, this one comes in 3 formats. They are not the same size and require specific types of phones. The mini SIM card is suitable for GSM models. It has a storage space of 2 to 32 kb. The micro-SIM card is for high-end smartphones. With a size of 2.3 x 1.2 cm, it has a storage capacity of up to 128 kb. iPhone owners need the third version of the international SIM card. This is the nano-SIM, the smallest and also the most powerful card.
The operators give the opportunity to benefit from very convenient services, which are often available online. The card itself is ordered from the operator's website and is delivered to your home. There you can also find the rates of the proposed packages. They are different for all countries, it is more convenient to see them directly on the site. Refilling credits on the internet is also very convenient when you are traveling. In addition, all the charges applied are clearly displayed at all times.
And so it is possible to compare the packages on the internet, more exactly on the website of the operator in question. The price of each package is different, as is its content. The more expensive the package, the more credit and the number of initial gigas are more important. Also check the number of SMS that can be sent.
Major operators such as Orange and La Poste Mobile include international packages in their offers. You just have to choose a personalized package to benefit from international calls and data up to 60 GB usable everywhere. The card can be purchased prepaid or unlimited on the operator's website or at its point of sale.
Another option, other operators, not telephone, offer international SIM cards of the most interesting. The number obtained is not French and can be used in several countries. These cards can be bought on the internet. The last possibility is to go to some supermarkets and tobacconists to find your SIM card before leaving.
This international SIM card is intended for making calls rather than surfing the internet. The credits for calls are more numerous compared to the gigas. Generally, the number associated with these cards is valid in several countries and on all networks. This is very useful when you need to cross a border during your trip. Internet use is moderate with this type of SIM card. Check the validity of the credits at the time of purchase. The best operators offer reloaded SIM cards that are valid for months at a time to make your life easier.
This one is for heavy data users. It's a good option if you use a lot of apps. Watching unlimited videos is not a concern, as the operators provide more considerable datas. However, be aware that the network the SIM card is used with is not the same. Some packages are exclusively for the 3G network, others, more expensive access easily and quickly to your applications and content on the Internet through the 4G network. The use of data can be limited to a day or counted over a longer period, a few months or a year.
The international SIM card is for travelers who go all over the world. It is operational in several countries. The goal is to allow users to keep the number during several trips. It limits their expenses whether it is for the purchase of the SIM card itself or for the recharges. The coverage extends to a hundred countries with this one. In addition, the cost of calls is very low compared to the rates offered by local SIM card operators.
The local SIM card is characterized by a somewhat limited use. That is to say that it works only in a specific area. A French SIM card can only be used in the UK. You buy it once on the spot. You have to look for a store as soon as you get off the plane. Note however that it is not always that easy to get one. Some countries are more complicated in the sense that you need some documents, which are just sometimes impossible to provide in some cases.
It is true that the international SIM card is more expensive than the local SIM card, but it is still more economical in the long run. Calls come back more affordable and you don't pay for incoming calls and texts. Then, don't forget that the tourist packages that go with the local SIM cards are very expensive most of the time. In any case, the privileges remain the same. You have access to internet and all the other uses of a SIM card whether it is international or local.
To avoid data roaming
Data roaming allows the SIM card to work even abroad, in other words on a network other than its own. The problem is that this implies separate charges. This is where the problem lies, as they are never displayed beforehand or even while using the services. Consumers are therefore faced with the unpleasant surprise of seeing their bill rise once they return. This never happens with an international SIM card, as all charges are displayed and the card itself is intended to be used abroad.
No hidden charges
With the international SIM card, you have access to a history of all activities. It's easier to track all the charges that have been made because of this. Especially since all charges are mentioned beforehand.
To take advantage of local rates
Once you arrive at your destination, the rates are the same as those applied locally. No rip-offs, no extra costs. It's the best way to stay connected and communicate abroad while making big savings.
Delivery of the SIM card before departure
When you buy an international SIM card, you receive it before you leave. This saves you the time of searching for an outlet when you arrive in the new country. Then the card detects the network as soon as you get off the plane. This means you can make calls and connect to the Internet right away.
Easy recharging system
These SIM cards are already topped up and the credits are available for months. Some consumers don't even need to top up until the end of their trip. But it is necessary to do so if you stay abroad for a longer time. New credits can be unlimited. They can be accessed online.
In our opinion, the best brands of international SIM card in 2022 are :
Explod provides a unique American number that will be very useful to you, no matter where you are going. The Explod SIM card has no commitment. The brand does not require any monthly payment. So it is a prepaid and 100% roaming offer.
AIS or Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited is a reputable operator in Thailand. The cards it presents are connected to 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE networks. They offer good coverage and stand out from other cards in the country.
Orange is no longer to be introduced. This major operator does not fail to propose an interesting offer through its international SIM card. It is functional in about thirty European countries.
This company covers a large part of the needs of British consumers, almost 100% to be more precise. It offers a good internet connection in the most remote areas.
TrueMove H is the second most popular Thai mobile operator. Its Travel SIM World card comes with various options that satisfy travelers from all over the world.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Your phone must be unlocked
If you have a GSM phone, it must be unlocked to detect the network of the new SIM card. Ask your carrier for help in doing this.
Make the APN configuration
You cannot connect to your phone's mobile data network if the APN settings are not configured correctly. Instructions for this are included with the card. If this is not the case, contact the operator's customer service department.
Use apps to check your data usage
One of the benefits of using an international SIM card is the ability to control costs. Icing on the cake, there are applications that check your consumption. It helps to limit the use of data-intensive apps. Plus, these tools help you determine if the plan you've taken fits your needs.
Remove the local SIM card when you get off the plane
It's advisable to only use the international SIM card if you have a dual SIM phone to make it easier to receive calls and access the internet.
WhatsApp automatically identifies your number once you get there
Once you arrive at your destination, the WhatsApp app recognizes your number without you needing to register it or update the app.
With a prepaid SIM card, it's easier to limit expenses. You only pay for the credits you really need. However, you need an unlimited card if you have a lot of usage. Consider the extent of usage before deciding. If you don't use all the privileges that come with unlimited offers, it's better to get an unlimited card.
If your phone is no longer locked, it should take over your SIM card right away. Apart from that, you should know that a GSM phone is more convenient, especially in its quad-band version. It is the most widespread and advanced cellular transmission technology. It is recognized all over the world.
Thefirst great advantage of an international SIM card is the ability to keep a single number in several countries. This gives it better coverage, especially compared to what local cards offer. Consumers benefit from the competitive rates offered by operators of all kinds. And card usage can be tracked and managed via the app or customer area provided by the operator.
Users of an eSIM-enabled phone have no problem with the international SIM card. Both types of SIM cards can be used at the same time. The data provided by the eSIM serves you in this case to enhance the use of the international card. Then, it is possible to deactivate the line you do not need.
Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.
Copyright © 2022 - Made with ♥ by buyingbetter.co.uk
Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!
