Guides · Arrival · 4 min read
Why to Set Up an eSIM Before You Land
Having mobile data working the moment you land makes the airport exit simpler: maps, booked rides and messages, without hunting for Wi-Fi.
The walk from arrivals to your first ride is often the busiest part of a trip: queues, offers of taxis, tired decisions. Working mobile data from the moment you land takes a lot of that pressure away.
What an eSIM is
An eSIM is a SIM you download instead of insert. Most recent phones support one alongside your usual SIM. You buy a data plan for your destination online, install it at home, and switch it on when you land.
Why set it up before you fly
- Maps straight away. You can check your route and the official taxi or ride pick-up point before you walk outside.
- Booked rides. App-booked rides show the driver's name, car and number plate, and keep a record of the trip.
- Messages home. You can tell someone you've landed and share your trip details.
- Less reliance on public Wi-Fi. Airport and café networks are convenient but shared. Using your own data for anything sensitive, like banking, is a sensible habit.
How to do it
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Choose a plan with enough data for maps and messaging. Read the reviews and the provider's coverage map for your destination.
- Install it at home over Wi-Fi, but leave it switched off until you land.
- On arrival, turn on the eSIM line and data roaming for that line only.
- Keep your home SIM active for calls and texts if you need bank security codes.
A small extra
Download offline maps of your arrival city before you fly, in case coverage is patchy.
General information for planning your own travel. It is not medical, legal or security advice, and it cannot make any place or situation safe. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.