Can I Buy an eSIM in Advance? Yes, Here’s Why It’s the Smart Travel Move
Get instant connectivity the moment you land. No airport hassles, no local SIM stress.
Summary
As you finalize your itinerary and pack your bags, a crucial question for seamless connectivity often arises: Can I buy an eSIM before I travel? Absolutely, and here’s why planning ahead is a smart move for stress-free travel.
Pre-purchasing your eSIM ensures you land with instant internet access, avoiding the scramble for local SIMs or unreliable public Wi-Fi. This guide will walk you through the benefits of securing your eSIM ahead of time, from instant connectivity to peace of mind.

Why You Should Buy Your eSIM in Advance
While the general benefits of eSIMs are clear, the advantages of purchasing your eSIM before your summer trip are even more compelling. This proactive approach can save you time, stress, and money, allowing you to fully enjoy your holiday from the moment it begins.
Avoid Airport Hassles and Unreliable Wi-Fi
Imagine landing after a long flight, eager to get to your accommodation or hail a ride-share. The last thing you want is to be dependent on potentially slow, insecure, or non-existent airport Wi-Fi to purchase and activate your connectivity. By buying your eSIM in advance, you bypass this common travel headache. You can complete the installation and activation process comfortably at home, ensuring you have a stable internet connection for the setup.
Immediate Connectivity Upon Arrival
With an eSIM purchased and activated pre-trip, you'll have instant internet access the moment your plane touches down. This means you can immediately access maps, call a taxi, notify loved ones of your safe arrival, or check your booking details without any delay. This peace of mind is invaluable, especially when traveling to unfamiliar destinations during the busy summer travel season.
Plan Your Data Needs Effectively
Buying in advance gives you the time to research and select the perfect data plan for your specific travel needs. Nomad, for instance, offers a variety of plans tailored to different durations and data usages. You can use our Data Calculator to estimate how much data you'll need for your summer adventures, ensuring you don't overspend or run out of data mid-trip.
Peace of Mind for Your Summer Holiday
One of the greatest benefits of pre-purchasing your eSIM is the peace of mind it provides. Knowing your connectivity is sorted before you even leave home allows you to focus on the exciting aspects of your summer holiday planning, rather than worrying about staying connected abroad. It's one less thing to stress about in the whirlwind of travel preparations.
Understanding eSIMs: Your Digital Travel Companion for the Holidays
Let's quickly recap what an eSIM is and how it revolutionizes international travel, especially during busy holiday seasons.
A Quick Refresher: What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into your device. It replaces the need for a physical card and can be activated by scanning a QR code or using an app.
How Does an eSIM Work?
eSIMs can store multiple profiles at once, so you can keep your home SIM active (for calls/SMS) while using your eSIM for travel data. This is ideal for two-factor logins, banking alerts, and staying in touch. It is particularly beneficial for frequent travelers or those embarking on multi-country trips, as it eliminates the hassle of managing multiple physical SIMs.
The Benefits of Using eSIMs for Your Summer Travels
For your upcoming summer holidays, an eSIM offers a multitude of advantages over traditional connectivity methods:
- Cost-effective Data: Skip roaming fees by connecting to local networks at near-local rates
- No Physical SIM swaps: One less hassle to worry about when traveling
- Eco-friendly: No more plastic cards
- Easily top up or switch plans via app: Skip the queues and no more waiting in line
If your phone is eSIM-compatible (check supported devices here), this is the easiest way to stay connected during travel.
Nomad eSIM: Your Go-To for Pre-Trip Connectivity
Nomad is your ideal partner for securing seamless and affordable connectivity for your summer travels. We offer travel eSIMs for over 200 countries and regions worldwide, ensuring you're covered wherever your holiday takes you.
After buying your eSIM, you will need to go through the process of installing it in your phone and activating it before it can be used. The process of eSIM installation and activation often requires you to have a stable internet connection. If you wait to purchase or install your eSIM only upon arrival, you are subject to the availability of WiFi at the airport; so it is always a good idea to purchase and install your eSIM before your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I buy an eSIM in advance instead of a local SIM upon arrival?
Buying an eSIM in advance offers immediate connectivity upon landing, avoids airport Wi-Fi dependency, allows you to keep your home number active, and provides peace of mind, especially during busy summer travel periods.
How far in advance can I buy a Nomad eSIM?
Nomad eSIMs typically have an activation window of 60 days from purchase, giving you ample time to buy it well before your trip.
Do I need internet connection to install my eSIM?
Yes, a stable internet connection is required for eSIM installation. This is why it's highly recommended to install it before you depart, while you're still connected to your home network.
Can I use my home number for calls and texts while using an eSIM for data?
Yes, one of the key benefits of an eSIM is that you can keep your primary physical SIM active and receive calls/SMS to your home number while using the eSIM for mobile data.
What if my travel plans change after I buy an eSIM?
Nomad eSIMs have a validity period. If your plans change significantly, contact Nomad customer support. It's always best to check the specific terms and conditions of your purchased plan.
Make Your Summer Travel Seamless with Nomad eSIM
Whether you’re jetting off to Europe, Asia, or beyond, ensuring seamless connectivity is paramount for a smooth and enjoyable journey. By buying your Nomad eSIM in advance, you're not just purchasing a data plan; you're investing in convenience, peace of mind, and instant connection to the world from the moment your summer adventure begins.
Don't let connectivity worries overshadow your travel excitement. Plan smart, travel connected, and make your summer holiday truly unforgettable with Nomad. Ready to get connected for your summer travels? Explore Nomad’s eSIM plans and secure your seamless connectivity today!