Traveling from the US to Europe: why an eSIM beats carrier roaming

Why US carrier roaming costs so much

US carriers' international roaming model is simple, but expensive: a flat daily fee. You pay separately for every day you use the internet — no matter how little or how much you use.

• Verizon TravelPass charges roughly $12 a day in Europe (it used to be $10). Only on the days you use the phone — but separately for each line.
• AT&T International Day Pass also charges about $12 a day — again, for each phone and each day of use.
• Some T-Mobile plans include international data "for free," but the speed is often throttled to 2G levels (around 128 Kbps); if you want normal speed, you'll still have to buy an add-on.

Do the math: a 10-day trip to Europe × $12 = $120 for one phone. For a family of three, that figure reaches $360. And that amount is for internet only, with no guarantee of a specific data allowance.

What works and what doesn't

Let's compare the two approaches.

With carrier roaming: your US number works, and calls, SMS and iMessage continue as usual. The problem is mainly the price, and in some cases the speed.

With a travel eSIM: you connect to local networks and use fast, more affordable internet. The trade-off is that most eSIM plans provide data only — meaning your US number isn't included.

But modern phones can run two SIMs at the same time. Your US number stays active for calls and SMS (with data roaming turned off), while the eSIM carries all your internet traffic. That way you don't lose your number and you avoid the high roaming costs.

The eSIM solution and why it works

A regional Europe eSIM covers dozens of countries under a single plan — France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece and others. When you cross a border there's no need to buy a new SIM; the same eSIM automatically connects to the local carrier's network in the next country.

This model is completely different from a daily roaming fee. You buy a set amount of data and a usage period in advance — for example, a few gigabytes for 10 days. There's no extra daily charge. No matter how many days of the trip you use the internet, the price doesn't change.

As a result, a regional plan covering dozens of countries usually costs less for the entire trip than just one or two days of a carrier's roaming fee.

Step by step: what to do

1. Check your phone. iPhone XS and later, as well as most modern Android models, support eSIM. The phone must not be locked to a carrier's network (most fully paid-off devices are unlocked).
2. Buy before your flight. Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi so everything is ready when you land in Europe.
3. Name your lines. Label the US line "Calls" and the eSIM "Data" so there's no confusion.
4. Turn off data roaming on the US line. This prevents an accidental $12 daily roaming charge. The line can stay on for calls and SMS.
5. Set the eSIM as your primary data line. When you land in Europe, the phone will connect to the local network and the internet will start working.

The QR code and setup instructions are sent to your email. So getting ready in advance takes just a few minutes.

Honest expectations

A few things are worth knowing in advance.

A travel eSIM is mainly for internet (data). If you're going to make a lot of calls on your US number, keep the line active or use services like Wi-Fi Calling or WhatsApp. Speed depends on the local network you connect to — it's usually high in big cities and can vary in remote areas. If your data runs out, you can top up the plan later. Some older or carrier-locked phones may not support eSIM, so it's worth checking before you buy.

To be honest, if your trip is built mainly around calls made on your US number, TravelPass has its own advantages. But for most people the main need is internet, and on that front an eSIM is the more affordable choice.

The bottom line — get ready with LimitSim

LimitSim's regional Europe plans are made exactly for this: set it up before you board and start using it the moment you land. Prices start from around €0.50–0.95 and cover dozens of countries — cheaper for the entire trip than a carrier's few days of roaming.

You can pay by bank card or cryptocurrency — the crypto option isn't available with most competitors and is a real advantage for anyone who runs into payment problems. The QR code arrives in your email instantly. Browse the Europe plans and get ready before your trip.