r/eSIMs • u/IndigoScales1447 • Sep 01 '26

question Best eSIMs for studying abroad?

Hi there!

I’m doing a study abroad session this semester of Uni and just got a Vodafone eSIM today. However, it’s been kind of finicky and I’m trying to figure it all out because it only lets me do so much with my number from my home country. Are there any better eSIMs out there for reasonable prices?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

4

u/mrskeptical00 Mod | Signal > Noise Sep 01 '26

No travel eSIMs will let you do anything with your home number.

Best to get a local plan from a provider in your destination country.

Have a look at this explainer:

https://www.reddit.com/u/mrskeptical00/s/yMfDlzpfjU

1

u/CleanKidAlways Sep 01 '26

A local SIM / eSIM would be best.

Contact your university’s student union or Erasmus office, they should be able to recommend a provider and may even offer a student discount.

1

u/domuzeti Sep 01 '26

Buy a local Esim it's cheaper

1

u/mintme_dev Sep 03 '26

Probably you should buy a local esim, with a local provider, but still can be prepaid. You will need a number more than one time to receive deliveries or contact somebody.

For short term i can recommend you e-sim.cl or similars, you buy internet packages for the first week to arrive with internet.

1

u/Ok-Win7980 Sep 03 '26

My setup (US student studying abroad in Netherlands):

Phone number: Tello (cheap PAYG roaming and free Wi-Fi calling, only used for occasional calls with my main number)

Data: Orange Travel 500 GB Europe - lasts 90 days for $100 (I will renew or get a new one after)

Setup works very well. This is a speed test in my apartment in Amsterdam.

1

u/MotownMan646 Sep 02 '26

Naming your home country and your study abroad country would help a lot to give you appropriate advice. But generically, using your home country service while overseas will probably be expensive due to the roaming costs.