ROAMING & SIM COMPARISON

Travel eSIM vs carrier roaming vs airport SIM cards

Once you travel outside the EU/EEA — to Turkey, Switzerland, the UAE, the USA, Thailand or Japan — home mobile contracts switch to Zone 2 or Zone 3 roaming. Here is how a prepaid travel eSIM (from 3.50 € incl. VAT; custom & group plans — price negotiable) compares with carrier roaming passes and airport SIM booths.

See plansfrom 4.49 € · custom & group plans — price negotiable

Side-by-side comparison for a 10-to-14-day trip outside the EU

Home carrier day passes typically cost 5 € to 15 € per day (50 € to 140 € over a two-week holiday) or throttle speed after a small quota. Airport SIM counters bundle large tourist packages at 25 € to 50 € and require queuing with your passport after landing.

Criterion	Frog eSIM (Prepaid)	Airport SIM Kiosk	Home Carrier Roaming
10-day trip cost	from 3.50 € incl. VAT (custom & group plans — price negotiable)	25 € – 50 € at arrival hall	50 € – 140 € (day passes or MB billing)
Passport / ID queue	None — instant online delivery	Mandatory passport scan at counter	None
Home SIM & WhatsApp	Both stay active on your phone	Physical SIM swapped out on single-tray phones	Both stay active
Connection moment	As soon as the plane lands	After immigration, baggage & kiosk queue	As soon as the plane lands

The classic border traps: Switzerland, Turkey, Monaco & ferries

Travellers driving through Switzerland (Basel, Lake Constance, Gotthard tunnel), taking a ferry from Greece to Turkey, or passing through Monaco and Andorra frequently trigger non-EU roaming without noticing.

Installing a destination eSIM before departure and disabling Data Roaming on your home SIM eliminates surprise roaming bills completely.

When a group or company trip needs multiple eSIMs

For business teams, film crews or family holidays travelling together, individual prepaid plans start from 3.50 € incl. VAT and tailored multi-person or multi-country packages are available (custom & group plans — price negotiable).

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions

A real question about your trip?

support@esimkaart.ee ↗

Is a travel eSIM cheaper than airport SIM cards?

Yes. Airport kiosks pay high terminal rents and sell bundled tourist packs for 25 € to 50 €, whereas prepaid travel eSIM plans start from 3.50 € incl. VAT (custom & group plans — price negotiable).

Why is Switzerland not included in EU roaming?

Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the EEA, so European operators are not required to include Swiss mobile data in standard EU roam-like-at-home plans.

Do I lose my phone number when using a travel eSIM?

No. Your physical SIM remains in the phone for calls and SMS while the eSIM handles mobile data.

Can I get a refund if my trip is cancelled?

Yes. Uninstalled eSIMs are eligible for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

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