Getting ripped off on mobile data abroad is almost a rite of passage for travellers. But it doesn't have to be. The market now offers several competing options — carrier roaming, local SIM cards, portable Wi-Fi devices, and eSIMs — each with different price structures, hidden costs, and trade-offs. This guide breaks down the real cost of each option so you can make an informed decision for your next trip.
Option 1: Carrier roaming. This is the default if you do nothing — your home carrier charges you for data used on foreign networks. Rates vary wildly by carrier and country, but typical pay-as-you-go roaming costs range from $5 to $20 per megabyte. Yes, per megabyte. Loading a single webpage could cost $1-2. Some carriers offer daily roaming passes ($8-15 per day), which cap your costs but still add up quickly on a two-week trip. Verdict: the most convenient option, but by far the most expensive.
Option 2: Local SIM cards. Buying a prepaid SIM at your destination is a tried-and-true method. In Southeast Asia, a local SIM with 15 GB might cost $5-10. In Europe or Japan, expect $15-30 for a tourist SIM. The data itself is cheap, but the hidden costs add up: time spent finding a vendor (30-60 minutes), taxi or transport to a mobile shop if the airport kiosk is closed, passport registration requirements in many countries, and the risk of getting an incompatible or poorly configured SIM. If you're visiting multiple countries, multiply these costs and hassles by each stop.
Option 3: Portable Wi-Fi (pocket Wi-Fi). Popular in Japan and South Korea, pocket Wi-Fi rentals typically cost $8-15 per day. For a 10-day trip, that's $80-150 before the deposit (usually $50-100, refunded on return). You also need to pick up and return the device — usually at the airport, which means you're locked into specific travel logistics. The device needs daily charging, adds weight to your bag, and if you lose it, the deposit is gone. It does, however, let you connect multiple devices.
Option 4: eSIM data plans. eSIM plans from providers like Hypr eSIM offer transparent, prepaid pricing with no hidden fees. A Japan plan might cost $5-15 for a week depending on data allowance. A European regional plan covering 40+ countries might run $15-30 for two weeks. There's no physical device to carry or return, no registration process, no passport copies, and installation takes two minutes. The only requirement is an eSIM-compatible phone, which includes most smartphones released since 2019.
Let's do a real comparison for a common scenario: a 14-day trip to Europe visiting three countries. Carrier roaming with a daily pass: $10/day x 14 = $140. Three local SIMs: roughly $20 each plus time and hassle = $60 plus 2-3 hours of your holiday. Pocket Wi-Fi: $12/day x 14 = $168 plus deposit logistics. Hypr eSIM Europe+ plan: $20-35 total for the entire trip, installed in two minutes from your couch before departure. The eSIM isn't just the cheapest option — it's the cheapest by a significant margin.
The bottom line: for the vast majority of international trips, an eSIM provides the best combination of low cost, convenience, and reliability. The only scenario where a local SIM might be cheaper is a very long stay in a single country where you need a large data allowance. For anything involving multiple countries or trips shorter than a month, eSIM wins on every metric. Stop overpaying for data abroad — the cheapest option is also the easiest one.