Best eSIM for travel with kids? That’s something I’ve been searching for during our family adventures. Travelling with children is one of the most rewarding experiences, but it also comes with its fair share of logistics.
As a mom of four who works remotely while worldschooling my children, staying connected isn’t just a luxury, it’s essential.
For years, I relied on a patchwork system: picking up local SIM cards in every country and occasionally trying international eSIMs for short trips.
While eSIMs were a lifesaver for the first hours after landing, most of them quickly became too expensive to maintain in the long term. Most charge high amounts for just 1 GB of data.
Recently, I discovered Sim Local, and it has completely changed how we stay connected on the road. This is my honest Sim Local review and why I now consider it the best eSIM for travel with kids. Make sure to read on for a discount!
What is an eSIM and How Does it Work?
If you haven’t used one before, an eSIM is simply a digital SIM card. Instead of swapping out tiny plastic SIMs at the airport, you download your eSIM directly to your phone.
The biggest perk is that you can run it alongside your regular line. That means I can keep my usual WhatsApp number and texts active while using my travel eSIM data.
No juggling SIM trays, no hunting for a shop in a new city. I scan a QR code before my flight, and the minute we land, I’m connected.
For parents, this is a game-changer. When you’re managing luggage, passports, and four kids in tow, the last thing you want to do is figure out where to buy a SIM card.
The Problem With Other Travel eSIMs
Over the past few years, I tried several well-known international eSIM providers. Here’s what I found:
- Expensive to maintain for long-term travel. Data packages disappeared in days, meaning constant top-ups.
- Hotspot restrictions. Many eSIMs didn’t allow tethering, or they charged extra. With kids’ tablets in the mix, that was a big issue.
- Not truly unlimited. Most “unlimited” plans slowed down to unusable speeds after 1–3GB.
- Data-only plans. No calls or SMS meant I couldn’t easily contact local drivers, restaurants, or guesthouses.
The result was that, as a digital nomad mom, I was still buying local SIM cards everywhere we went just to stay connected affordably.
Sim Local Review – The Best eSIM for Travel
Here’s why Sim Local feels different, and why I’m sticking with it:
Unlimited data that really is unlimited
Sim Local offers 10GB of full-speed data every single day. That’s enough for me to use Google Maps all day, hop on video calls, upload content, and still let the kids stream Netflix without slowdown.
Hotspot and tethering included
Every plan includes a hotspot at no extra cost. I can share my connection with all four kids’ devices plus my laptop without worrying about hidden fees.
Plans with calls, SMS, and data
Unlike many eSIMs that only provide data, Sim Local offers tailored plans that include calls and texts as well. This means I can book taxis, confirm restaurant reservations, and contact hosts directly.
Best network coverage
Sim Local partners with top providers like EE, Orange, Three, and Lyca Mobile. The coverage has been strong everywhere we’ve tried it, from Sri Lanka to Europe.
Affordable for long-term use
Most plans work out at less than $1 per GB. For the first time, I don’t feel like eSIMs are just for short-term trips.
100% refund policy
If something doesn’t work, Sim Local offers a full refund. That peace of mind is rare in the travel eSIM market.
Who is a Sim Local eSIM best for?
I’ve travelled to more than 60 countries with my kids, and we’ve been worldschooling on and off for around six years, balancing stretches of settled life with long-term travel.
In that time, I’ve tried countless ways to stay connected abroad, from juggling local SIM cards to experimenting with different eSIM providers.
That experience has shown me what works and what doesn’t, and it’s why I now confidently recommend Sim Local as the best eSIM for travelling with kids.
Based on our travels, here’s who I think will benefit most from a Sim Local eSIM:
• Families travelling with kids. Share data easily across tablets, laptops, and phones without extra hotspot fees.
• Digital nomads and remote workers. Unlimited high-speed data (10GB per day) keeps you connected for Zoom calls, uploads, and client work.
• Single parents or tech-challenged travellers. No fiddling with SIM trays or searching for shops. Just scan a QR code and connect instantly.
• Frequent travellers and long-term explorers. With plans available for over 220 destinations, Sim Local makes far more sense than buying a new local SIM in every country.
If you want to dig deeper into how it works, here are some helpful resources from Sim Local:
Unlimited eSIM plans with daily 10GB full-speed data
Adding Sim Local to your travel toolkit makes life easier, whether you’re a family worldschooling abroad, a single parent managing a holiday solo, or a remote worker balancing travel and deadlines.
How to Activate a Sim Local eSIM
It only takes a few minutes to activate a Sim Local eSIM:
- Check if your phone is eSIM compatible (most recent iPhones and Androids are).
- Purchase your plan from Sim Local before your trip.
- Scan the QR code and install the eSIM.
- Arrive at your destination and enable mobile data.
That’s it, you’re online immediately.
Discount Code for Sim Local
If you’d like to try Sim Local for your next trip, I have an exclusive discount for my readers:
Use code TRAVELMADMUM for 5% off
Here’s the link
Purchases made through my code also support this blog, helping me continue to share our family travel experiences and tips.
Applies only to popular destinations**
Final Thoughts on the Best International eSIM
For years, I accepted that buying local SIM cards was the only affordable way to stay connected while traveling long-term with kids. But now, with Sim Local, I finally have a travel eSIM that works for both family life and remote work.
It’s reliable, affordable, and family-friendly. More importantly, it means that when we arrive in a new country, I don’t waste time hunting for a SIM card. I can focus on exploring with my kids, exactly the way travel should be.
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