Getting reliable internet abroad is the single most important logistical challenge for remote workers, and the three main options each solve the problem differently. Portable WiFi hotspots, eSIMs, and local SIM cards all have specific advantages that depend on your travel pattern, device setup, and tolerance for inconvenience.
Local SIM Cards: The Cheap and Reliable Standard
Buying a local SIM card at the airport or a phone shop in town remains the most cost-effective way to get mobile data in most countries. A prepaid SIM in Thailand costs $5 to $15 for 30 days of unlimited or high-volume data. In Portugal, Vodafone and NOS offer tourist SIMs for 10 to 20 euros with generous data allowances. In Mexico, Telcel SIMs start at around $10 for a month of data.
The advantages are straightforward: local network access means the best possible coverage and speeds in that country, pricing is the lowest available, and you get a local phone number which can be useful for apartment rentals, deliveries, and local services that require phone verification.
The disadvantages scale with movement frequency. Every new country means finding a phone shop, navigating a purchase in a potentially unfamiliar language, swapping the physical SIM card, and configuring APN settings. If you change countries monthly, this process becomes a recurring minor annoyance. If you change countries every two weeks, it becomes a genuine time sink.
Some countries add bureaucratic friction. India requires passport photos and registration that takes hours. Indonesia requires passport-linked registration. Japan’s tourist SIMs have historically been data-only with limited functionality. Research the specific requirements before arriving, as the experience varies dramatically.
eSIMs: The Modern Convenience Play
eSIMs eliminate the physical card swap by installing a digital SIM profile on compatible devices. You purchase a plan online, scan a QR code or install via an app, and mobile data activates within minutes. No shop visits, no language barriers, no tiny SIM card to lose.
Major eSIM providers for travelers include Airalo (the largest marketplace with plans in 200+ countries), Saily (from the NordVPN team, with built-in VPN features), Nomad eSIM (stackable regional plans), and Holafly (unlimited data plans in select countries). Pricing ranges from $5 to $15 for a week of data to $20 to $50 for a month, depending on the country and data volume.
The convenience advantage is significant. You can purchase and activate an eSIM before landing, ensuring connectivity from the moment you clear immigration. Switching between countries requires purchasing a new eSIM plan rather than a new physical card, which takes minutes instead of an hour at a phone shop.
The cost disadvantage is equally significant. eSIM plans typically cost two to five times more per gigabyte than local SIM cards. A month of data in Thailand via Airalo might cost $20 to $30, compared to $5 to $10 for a local SIM with more data. Over a year of travel, this difference adds up to hundreds of dollars.
Coverage and speeds depend on the local carrier the eSIM provider partners with, which you typically cannot choose. If the partner carrier has weak coverage in your specific area, you are stuck with poor performance until you buy a different plan. Local SIMs let you choose the carrier with the best coverage for your location.
Device compatibility is another consideration. Most phones released after 2020 support eSIM, but older devices, some Android models, and many basic phones do not. Check your specific device’s eSIM compatibility before relying on this option.
Portable WiFi Hotspots: The Multi-Device Solution
A portable WiFi hotspot is a small battery-powered device that connects to cellular networks and creates a personal WiFi network. You connect your laptop, phone, tablet, and any other devices to this single network. Hotspots either use physical SIM cards (that you swap by country) or built-in eSIM technology with global data plans.
The Solis Lite is the most discussed option in nomad communities. It combines a portable hotspot with a power bank, connects up to ten devices, and offers pay-as-you-go data in 130+ countries. The device costs around $100 to $150, with data priced at roughly $6 to $12 per gigabyte depending on the region.
Skyroam (now Solis) and GlocalMe are alternatives with similar functionality. Both offer global data plans and multi-device connectivity. Pricing structures vary between daily passes, monthly plans, and pay-per-gigabyte models.
The primary advantage of a hotspot is simplifying multi-device connectivity. If you work from a laptop, take calls on a phone, and occasionally use a tablet, a single hotspot connection covers all of them. This is particularly valuable when your accommodation WiFi is unreliable and you need a backup for work calls.
The disadvantages: hotspots add another device to charge and carry (typically 150 to 300 grams), battery life ranges from 8 to 15 hours depending on the model and usage, and per-gigabyte costs are the highest of the three options. Video calls and large file transfers consume data quickly, making hotspot-only setups expensive for heavy users.
The Decision Matrix
If you stay in each country for one month or longer and your phone supports dual SIM: use a local SIM for data and keep your home SIM for calls and messaging. This is the cheapest option with the best performance. The inconvenience of buying a new SIM each time is offset by the savings and speed advantages.
If you move frequently between countries, staying days to weeks rather than months: use an eSIM as your primary data source. The convenience premium is worth paying when you would otherwise be visiting phone shops every few days. Consider a regional plan if your travel is concentrated (Southeast Asia, Europe) to reduce per-country costs.
If you need reliable backup internet for work-critical situations: add a portable hotspot as a secondary device regardless of your primary strategy. The cost of carrying a hotspot is trivial compared to the cost of missing a client call because your accommodation WiFi failed.
If you are extremely budget-conscious: local SIMs everywhere, no hotspot, and free WiFi at cafes and coworking spaces as backup. This requires more logistical effort but minimizes connectivity spending to $5 to $15 per country per month.
The Hybrid Approach Most Experienced Nomads Use
The common pattern among long-term nomads is a combination: eSIM for immediate connectivity upon arrival in a new country, local SIM purchased within the first few days for primary data and calls, and accommodation or coworking WiFi for heavy data tasks like video calls and file transfers.
This layered approach costs slightly more than any single option but eliminates the risk of connectivity gaps. The eSIM ensures you are connected from the airport. The local SIM provides the cheapest and fastest ongoing data. The fixed WiFi handles bandwidth-intensive work without burning through mobile data.
The total monthly cost for this approach typically runs $20 to $40 per country: $5 to $10 for the local SIM, $5 to $15 for a minimal eSIM backup plan, and coworking WiFi as part of workspace costs you are already paying. Compared to the $100+ per month that some nomads spend on premium eSIM plans or hotspot data, the hybrid approach offers better coverage at lower cost.
