Mobile Internet in Europe: the best Europe SIM Cards and Other Ways to Connect

The joys of travelling in Europe! With the proliferation of mobile internet, staying connected has become easier than ever. However, navigating the complex world of SIM cards and data plans can be overwhelming. Fear not, dear traveller! Here's a comprehensive guide to help you find the best Europe SIM cards and other ways to connect while exploring the continent.

Lets explore how to connect to the mobile Internet in Europe to stay online while travelling abroad? In this article, we will tell you how to choose a travel Europe SIM card and what additional options exist for connecting to mobile Internet. We will compare offers of international providers and popular European local operators. You will also learn why an eSIM is a better deal for you rather than the Internet roaming.

Mobile Internet in Europe: choosing the best option for connection

Staying connected on the go is a fundamental aspect of modern life, and Europe's vast and diverse landscape offers a wide range of options for mobile internet users. With the advent of 4G, 5G, and other advanced technologies, it's easier than ever to stay online, whether you're travelling through Europe or calling it home. However, with so many providers and plans to pick from, it can be overwhelming to determine which option is best for your needs. In this text, we'll explore the various factors to consider when choosing a mobile internet provider in Europe, including coverage, speed, cost, and features. We'll also examine the pros and cons of different types of plans, including pay-as-you-go, contract-based, and data-only options.

To make sure you always stay connected to mobile Internet in European countries, you can use one of the following methods:

• SIM cards (physical and virtual);
• roaming service;
• pocket router;
• free Wi-Fi hotspots.

Let's consider the specifics of each option and find out which of them are the most favorable and affordable.

SIM cards for traveling in Europe

Residents and visitors to European countries use two types of SIM cards:

• traditional physical SIM cards from local and international operators;
• virtual eSIM cards, which are already embedded in a smartphone.

The most common places where physical Europe SIM cards for travelers are sold:

• special vending machines or branded points of sale in airport lounges, train stations and bus stations;
• branded stores, most of them are located in the central parts of major European cities;
• supermarkets or gas stations.

You can buy travel Europe SIM cards in advance, via Amazon or eBay. In this case, the choice of offers will be limited. In addition, you'll have to wait a bit for delivery.

If you're looking for information on how to get a SIM card for Europe, you'll be interested to know that when buying offline, in most cases you'll need to provide an ID. The most common ways to recharge are at the cash registers of local supermarkets and gas stations.

There is a more convenient way to stay in touch in any European country — the innovative eSIM technology. This is a virtual SIM card, which is embedded in a smartphone as a chip. eSIM technology makes it possible to use cellular communication and the Internet without a physical SIM card of an operator. That is, you do not need to buy anything else and insert it into the slot of your gadget.

For tourists, the technology is convenient as it allows you to switch between data plans for different countries online. Also on any provider's website you can choose the duration of the package and the amount of traffic.

Advantages of eSIM technology:

• one virtual card can support data plans of different international providers, but you can use them only one by one;
• to change the operator for eSIM, you do not need to go to the company office, services activation and deactivation is available online;
• eSIM can not be removed from the smartphone, that is the reason why it is impossible to lose or accidentally damage the chip.

The eSIM technology is supported by most new models of smartphones and devices. To ensure that your device has an eSIM, check it on this page.

Each European country has its own local mobile network operators. There are also international providers that offer prepaid SIM cards in Europe.

Read also: What is eSIM and how does it work

1. Yesim

International provider Yesim offers the following European regional data plans:

• 3 GB for 7 days — 9 EUR;
• 5 GB for 15 days — 13 EUR;
• 10 GB for 30 days — 19 EUR;
• 20 GB for 30 days — 25 EUR.

Among additional services there is a virtual number available, VPN, possibility to make international calls, launch broadcasts in audio and video format, send voice messages, use voice mail and exchange data.

It should be noted that Yesim service works not only in Europe, but also in North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa and all parts of Asia. You will be able to stay in touch in most countries of the world.

2. Vodafone

One of the popular operators among tourists who like to travel in Europe. Vodafone offers physical SIM cards, mobile internet connection and calls to all destinations as well as internet sharing.

If a subscriber has not used the traffic for a month, the remaining gigabytes are passed on to the next time. You can accumulate traffic for three months, but not more than 15 GB and 45 minutes of calls. Detailed data plans are grouped by country. As a rule, each country in Europe has its own official Vodafone website with a detailed description of the starting packages.

3. Orange

The operator is characterized by a stable mobile Internet at good speed throughout Europe. Messengers, mail and other popular applications work quickly and without failures. There are many attractive packages for four weeks. If needed, it is easy to switch between data plans. It is also possible to distribute the Internet to an unlimited number of devices.

The operator works in all EU countries without exception. On the official website, you can easily find up-to-date information on starter packages on the network.

4. O2

This British mobile operator is distinguished by not charging roaming fees when traveling within the EU and the traffic does not exceed 25 GB. In addition, calls and SMS messages while traveling in Europe are offered under the same conditions as in the UK. If you exceed the limit, you have to pay £3.5 extra for each additional GB. If your data plan has 15 GB rather than 25 GB, for example, the same amount of traffic will be available within the EU.

O2 has many travel data plans — they are tied to specific countries, so it is more convenient to learn the terms and conditions on the official websites.

Roaming in Europe

Data roaming is a service provided by mobile operators to connect to the Internet, make outgoing and incoming calls abroad without changing SIM cards.

For those who want to stay in touch with a SIM card of their home country provider, there is a roaming service that can be activated even before traveling. To do this, you need to choose a suitable package of services with minutes and/or gigabytes and pay for them.

The disadvantage of this option is an expensive subscription fee. Due to the high cost of the service, roaming is suitable only for short-term trips. You should also remember that in roaming you will have to pay not only for outgoing calls, but also for incoming calls.

Read also: What is data roaming: a guide for travelers

Pocket Wi-Fi for Internet in Europe

A portable pocket router is a device for wireless internet distribution with an integrated SIM card slot. The main advantage of a portable device is that the speed of the Internet connection is always the same, regardless of the number of devices and users.

Also advantages include the coverage up to 30 meters and a connector for an antenna in most models. Pocket Wi-Fi of this modification is used in a weak signal area.

The pocket router works as a converter of 3G or 4G mobile communication into a Wi-Fi signal. You do not need to connect any cables to this small device. To set up wireless Internet distribution, all you need to do is turn on the router and authorize it on your mobile device.

Portable Wi-Fi can be rented or bought. The average rental price is 5-6 EUR/day, and to buy a router you will have to pay from 100 EUR — the price depends on the manufacturer and functionality.

You can connect 5-10 devices to the router at the same time, in more modern models it is possible to connect more than 10 devices. Service providers offer several data plans — unlimited per day or per month, as well as with payment for the traffic volume.

You can order devices on the official website of manufacturers or in online stores, and receive them by mail or order door-to-door delivery.

A portable Wi-Fi router is characterized by its very compact size. Therefore, even the most responsible people often lose the equipment or forget it in the room. In this case, you have to pay a rather large fine to compensate for the loss.

If you use a virtual eSIM card instead of a portable router, you will not get into such an unpleasant situation. By installing Yesim application on your smartphone and choosing the optimal data plan, you will be able to use high-speed Internet for both personal and business purposes.

Free Wi-Fi

In Europe, you can always find locations with free Wi-Fi. These can be cafes and restaurants, various entertainment venues and shopping centers.

In most European countries you can find places with free Internet access through Wi-Fi Space. This is the service that displays an up-to-date map of free Wi-Fi hotpoints with passwords for connection.

This method does not guarantee an interruptible Internet at high speed. In addition, suitable points with free Wi-Fi will not always be nearby. Therefore, you will have to look for other places with available Internet of acceptable quality from time to time.

In addition, this option is not safe — no one guarantees the safety of personal data. Free connections are insecure, so there is a risk of stealing passwords, documents, personal photos and other users’ information.

Connect to Yesim mobile Internet provider and you will not have to be exposed to such an additional risk as an unsecured connection.

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