Table of Contents
Promo Codes/Links
🔹 Airalo: https://airalo.tpx.gr/DvrGks1h and use code WANDERLYN10 for 10% off
🔹 Mobimatter: https://mobimatter.com/#gowanderlyn and use code GOWANDERLYN to earn up to 50% cashback
🔹 Trip.com: https://www.trip.com/t/zoUaaAXVpR2 (no discount code but this link takes you directly to the eSIM page)
Intro: why you must have data in China
Today I’m breaking down some tried and true eSIMs that actually deliver. Because in China where mobile data is needed for basically everything from paying for the subway to accessing the menu in restaurants, having the right eSIM can easily make or break your trip. So let’s cover some great options and everything you need to know about eSIMS. I’ve also reached out to these companies to get a special promo code only the best for my viewers. So make sure you check the description box to get your special discount. And later in the video, I’ll share some tips around eSIMs to make sure you’re not wasting your money, as well as an uncommon tip to make sure you always have data. Something that will reassure even the most nervous of travelers.
Quick refresher: what is an eSIM
Let’s start with a refresher on what is an eSIM. And for those of you who want to skip straight to recommendations, you can go to this timestamp. So, eSIMs are basically the digital version of your traditional SIM card. And a travel eSIM will give you mobile data to use when you’re traveling. And on that note, I often see people in travel groups saying that eSIMs are not really necessary that you can just turn on international roaming. And while it’s totally fine if your carrier happens to offer a daily or a monthly data plan for a fixed price, unfortunately, not every carrier offers this. And even for the ones that do, often from what I’ve seen is that the rates are much higher than what you would pay for an eSIM. So, I would still shop around and see what’s your best option. So, eSIM are much more convenient than their physical counterparts because now you no longer have to worry about hunting down that SIM vending machine or that SIM booth hoping and praying it doesn’t overcharge you for the SIM cards and then you have to fumble with the little card slot switching in a new SIM card and then pray that you don’t lose your original SIM card when it’s time to go home. With eSIM, you can purchase in about 2 minutes online, take another two minutes to set up on your phone, activate it right before you get on the plane, and then you’ll have data as soon as you land. It’s pretty great, honestly. eSIM are also really convenient in the context of trying to travel if you want to stay connected to your apps like Google, Facebook, Netflix, YouTube, as the local SIM cards and a Wi-Fi won’t be able to access these sites without an additional VPN.
What to check before buying your eSIM
Now, before we dive into the recommendations, you need to quickly check two things. First, make sure that your phone is unlocked. If your phone is locked to your carrier, it will only work with that company’s SIM cards, and it won’t accept a foreign eSIM. You can check this by going into your settings and looking for something along the lines of carrier lock, and it should say no SIM restrictions. Or you could give your cellular company a quick call to check. Next, you’ll want to make sure that your phone supports eSIMs. Most phones from the past five or so years should support them, but you can double check by dialing *#06#, and that will pull up your device info. If you see a section that says EID, then your phone is eSIM compatible. Hopefully, your phone passes both checks and you’re good to proceed. Now, before we continue, please take a second to tap the like button and consider subscribing if you’re finding this helpful so far. My goal is to make China travel easy through this channel, and I appreciate your support. All right, we’re finally ready to jump into the part you’re all waiting for, the eSIM recommendations. These are in no particular order since they’re all very highly rated and all work well.
eSIMs for China travel
First up, we have Airalo, a cost-effective eSIM with reliable and fast data that’s especially great if you’re visiting multiple destinations. A lot of you have mentioned that along with China, you’re planning to stop in places nearby like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and so forth. That’s exactly what I do. And it used to be such a headache to have to manage data across all these different places. I would have to either buy a new SIM card at each place or juggle multiple eSIM plans and then have to remember to turn off the old plan, activate the new plan in each place. It was just a lot. And this is where Airalo really shines. They have regional packages all around the world and their Asia package covers China plus 17 other countries all under one plan. I’ve purchased this plan so many times now, including for a trip two years ago where I went to seven different destinations, and it couldn’t have been easier. I set up the plan ahead of time. I activated at the airport, and then that was it. I had data in all seven places. Honestly, so easy. And if you do have any issues, their team is super nice and responsive, which is always helpful. This is a data only eSIM, so no calls or texts, but you can use hotspot if you want to connect a friend or connect your laptop. And the price is very fair, too, especially with the 10% discount that Airalo has kindly shared for my viewers when you use the link and the code in the description. That means you can get a 5 gigabyte plan to use across 18 countries for a month for only $18. And if you don’t need that much data or you’re not staying for that long, then there are even cheaper plans as well. There’s also this global option covering 100 plus countries for you globetrotters. So, make sure to check that out. And if you want a step-by-step guide on how to set up an eSIM like Airalo so you can have data the moment you land in China, let me know in the comments and I can work on putting that together.
Up next, we have MobiMatter, which is actually an eSIM marketplace, and it gives you access to multiple carrier options and data plans, make it very easy to select exactly what fits your usage needs and budget. What I really like about MobiMatter is the fact that they’re very upfront with their details for the eSIM. So, for example, it’ll tell you what kind of speed you can expect, where your data will be routed, if you can hotspot, if you can top up data, the kind of information that’s not often shared upfront. These rates are also just insane. Look at this option where it offers 20 gigabytes for only $14. So, if you’re looking for a no frills eSIM with extremely good rates, then this is definitely one you should consider. and make sure to use the link and the code in the description to get additional cash back.
Last but not least, we have Trip.com which offers really solid plans for really low rates. They have a bunch of plans on their website, so just make sure you pick the one that says mainland China in it. I’ll link one of them in the description as well. And if you prefer for your data to reset on a daily basis, they have some options for that, too. like mobile matter. If you’re looking for something that’s simple and inexpensive that just works, then this is great. So, these are a couple of great eSIM options for you to consider. There are a ton of others, but these are my personal picks lately.
Must-know eSIM tips
Now, let’s move on to talk about some must know eSIM tips to make sure you have a smooth experience. My first tip is to make sure you buy your eSIM and set it up before your trip. This is because you need to set up the eSIM on a stable internet connection and that’s much easier to do in your home country than banking on the airport Wi-Fi at your destination. But don’t buy your eSIM too early either as most companies will require you to use it within 2 to 3 months. So if your trip is many months away, I will wait until you’re a little bit closer within the two month range and then buy it. Then after I purchase the eSIM, I usually try to add to my phone immediately. So, this usually involves scanning a QR code that gets sent to my email after purchase. But don’t hit activate. That’s really important because once you activate, your plan actually starts. I usually wait until I’m about to board the plane. It’s usually the last thing I do is to activate the eSIM and that way I’ll have data the moment I land. Speaking of landing, once you arrive at your destination, remember to turn off your primary SIM to avoid roaming charges. And then you’ll enable data roaming on your new eSIM, select it for the data and then it should automatically connect you to the best local network. I also recommend downloading the apps for the companies I mentioned earlier which will make it very easy for you to manage your data, see how much you use so far and to add more if needed. By the way, for more must know China travel tips, make sure to check out my website for a free China essentials guide. It’s a great cheat sheet of things to ensure you’re ready for your upcoming trip, free for a limited time. So, make sure to grab yours soon. You now know some of the best eSIM options for China. And if you’re conflicted about which one to get since they’re all so good, you can actually get multiple since they’re all digital. And some phones will even allow you to have two active eSIMs at once. This is actually a good idea if you’re nervous about, you know, running out of data and you’re outside. So, maybe you want to get an extra 1 GB or so as a backup plan. All right, that’s all for now. Let me know which one sounds interesting for your upcoming trip.