How do I save money on mobile data whilst travelling abroad?+
HelloRoam provides cheap eSIM plans starting at £0.77, which saves budget travellers up to 84% compared to EE or Vodafone international day charges of £10 or more. You buy only the data you need with no contracts and no surprise charges. A cheap e-SIM also beats airport SIM card kiosks, which mark up prices two to three times compared to buying online before you travel.
What is the cheapest way to get data abroad?+
A cheap eSIM purchased before you leave home is the cheapest way to get data abroad. HelloRoam's affordable eSIM plans cover 185+ countries from £0.77 with no shipping fees or shop visits. Buying online costs far less than airport SIM kiosks and skips the queue at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport when you land.
Is eSIM worth it for a two-week trip to Europe?+
An eSIM saves real money on a two-week European holiday. EE international day passes can add up to £140 for 14 days outside included roaming zones. A HelloRoam cheap data eSIM covers the same trip across Spain, France, and Italy for far less, on local networks. Set it up at home in minutes before you fly.
eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi for budget travellers: which is better?+
A cheap eSIM beats pocket Wi-Fi for budget travellers on almost every measure. Pocket Wi-Fi devices cost £40 to £80 to hire, require return shipping, and put everyone on one slow shared connection. A HelloRoam e-SIM costs far less, works on your own handset, and gives you a private cellular connection in every country HelloRoam covers. The only pocket Wi-Fi advantage is sharing one plan across phones that do not support eSIM.
How much data do I need for a week abroad?+
Most travellers need 1 to 3GB for a week of light use: maps, messaging, and social media. If you rely on hotel Wi-Fi for streaming and video calls, 3GB covers most people without running short. Heavy users who stream music, upload photos, or make video calls over mobile data should pick a 5GB or 10GB plan to stay comfortably covered.
What SIM card is best for international travel?+
A cheap eSIM is the best value option for international travel because you activate it before your trip and have data the moment you land. HelloRoam offers prepaid plans across 185+ countries from £0.77. Unlike a SIM card from an airport kiosk, you skip the queue, skip the markup, and skip the card swap at arrivals. Cheap places to travel like Thailand, Vietnam, and the Canary Islands become even more affordable when your data bill is fixed upfront.
Can a tourist buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport?+
Most international airports sell prepaid SIM cards, but they are marked up two to three times compared to local city shops. You also have to wait in a queue, show your passport, and sometimes wait for the card to activate. An eSIM skips all of that. Buy it online at home, scan the QR code, and your plan is ready before you even board your flight.
Is free Wi-Fi safe to use whilst travelling?+
Free Wi-Fi at airports, hostels, and cafes is convenient but not secure. Shared networks are easy targets for data interception, and some fake hotspots are set up to steal personal information. A HelloRoam eSIM gives you a private cellular connection that is far safer than any public network. For banking and personal accounts, always use your cellular data rather than a free shared hotspot.
Do I need to turn on data roaming when using an eSIM?+
Enable the data setting on your eSIM line to connect abroad. Because you have already paid for a fixed prepaid data plan, there are no extra charges from enabling data on that line. The toggle simply lets your e SIM card connect to local networks at your destination. Your cost stays exactly what you paid at checkout with no overage surprises.
Can I use Google Maps offline to save data?+
Google Maps lets you pre-download offline maps for any destination before leaving home, which cuts data use dramatically whilst navigating. Download them over Wi-Fi at your hotel or Airbnb. You can still use your HelloRoam eSIM for real-time transit updates, live traffic alerts, and searching nearby spots when you need current information. As of April 2026, HelloRoam plans start from £0.77.
Are eSIMs good for international travel?+
eSIMs work brilliantly for international travel because they activate instantly, connect to local networks at local rates, and cost far less than carrier fees. HelloRoam covers 185+ countries with plans from £0.77. Budget travellers get predictable pricing: pay a fixed amount upfront with no surprise charges showing up on your phone bill after you return.
Can I add more data to my eSIM?+
HelloRoam eSIM plans are flexible prepaid packages, so you pick the size you need at checkout. If you run low on data during your trip, you can purchase a new plan for the same destination through the HelloRoam app. Plans start from £0.77 across 185+ countries, with no hidden fees or automatic top-ups you did not ask for.
