As any seasoned LGBTQ+ traveler knows, hopping from country to country is rarely as simple as spontaneously buying a plane ticket, securing a visa, and brushing up on how to say “where’s the sauna?” in the local language. Navigating foreign SIM cards, battling overpriced data plans, and hoping your phone doesn’t disconnect mid-chat on a hook-up app are just some of the many challenges you might face.

Embedded SIMs, or eSIMs, are the solution to these issues and more. From cheaper bills to security, we look at five ways digital eSIMs make life infinitely easier for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Talk to International Mates at Local Rates

Starting with the obvious, eSIMs are kind to the wallet, eliminating the worry of facing steep roaming charges on your monthly bill. Digital eSIMs allow you to enjoy local rates or even the convenience of a second phone line through a plan that suits your needs. So whether you’re calling your mom, keeping up with work emails, reading a Two Bad Tourists city guide, or getting to know the locals, you won’t find yourself nervously watching your online minutes tick by. That means more euros, yen, or pesos to spend on the good stuff—whether museum entrance fees or late-night rides back to the hotel.

Freedom of Choice

You get to choose from a variety of data options and validity lengths that best suit your plans, whether you’re visiting a single country, a region, or going all out on a global adventure. SimLocal is one of the top providers of eSIMs, offering a range of deals with reliable coverage across 150+ countries. For extended adventures, you can even have multiple active plans—up to an impressive 10—on your phone, enabling you to instantly switch between them as you cross borders. You really can’t beat that level of flexibility.

No More Awkward SIM Swaps in Foreign Airports

You’ve just landed, you’re jet-lagged, and now you’re expected to open your phone with some sort of tiny paperclip tool that’s been hiding in your wallet for months (if you can even find it). With eSIMs, there’s no need to fumble with tiny plastic cards or wonder why your current SIM doesn’t fit like it should. Instead, eSIMs are built directly into your phone, allowing you to download a data plan before you even step on the plane. It’s as simple as using an app or scanning a QR code and—boom—you’re connected and ready to go.

Secure Connections

You can’t put a price on security, but if you could, it should at least be affordable. eSIMs allow you to connect discreetly, hide your phone from prying online eyes, and protect against location tracking. Additionally, in places that may not be LGBTQ+ friendly, you don’t need to explain why you need a SIM card to a suspicious vendor or, worse, deal with someone overly curious about your apps and photos. Because you can download eSIM profiles remotely, you don’t have to rely on local shops or engage in potentially awkward or unsafe conversations about your travel habits.

Spontaneous Travels Just Got Easier

If you’re lucky enough to have the time and budget, there’s nothing quite like extending a holiday with an extra spontaneous trip. One minute you’re savoring tapas in Madrid, and the next, you’re booking a last-minute flight to Athens after hearing about a legendary queer rooftop party. Or perhaps—since we’re all daydreaming here—you fall for a charming stranger at Pride who invites you to the Amalfi Coast for an extended holiday romance. With digital eSIMs, you won’t spoil the mood by worrying about your phone bill.

Now, there’s no need to hunt down a local SIM card whenever you decide to cross borders on a whim. Instead, you can switch to a new data plan in seconds, allowing you to keep living your best, most carefree, jet-setting life.

Featured image by Pexels from Pixabay

This article is sponsored by SimLocal