37 Travel Essentials You'll Be So Glad You Bought Before Your Next Trip
A set of Tide sink packs so you can easily hand-wash your clothes, meaning you can pack less and re-wear more! Simply fill your sink with warm water, add one sink pack, agitate and soak your items in the water, then rinse, dry, and be thankful for all the extra carry-on space.
A super sleek and adorable handheld fan you can easily fold up once you've cooled off. You'll be the envy of everyone in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride queue when you whip this puppy out of your bag. Oh, and did I mention it triples as a flashlight and portable battery charger?!
A magnetic wallet that attaches to any iPhone with MagSafe capabilities (so basically, any iPhone model 12 and up!) that can hold up to five cards (yes, there's an ID window, too!) so you can say goodbye to your bulky wallet that barely fits in your shorts' pockets. You can also use it like a stand to prop your phone up when you want to watch some Netflix on the flight.
A travel-size Bounce wrinkle release spray, because who has time to iron while traveling?! There's also no telling if that dusty hotel iron is actually going to work. All you have to do is spray, tug the fabric a few times, then smooth the wrinkles away with your hand. It's also perfect for refreshing any clothes you plan to wear a few times during your trip, thanks to the fresh scent.
An extremely popular jumpsuit that has become a bit of a viral sensation — and for good reason. Flight attendants swear by it since it's super easy to pack and wrinkle-resistant. If that's not the ultimate seal of approval for a travel outfit, I don't know what is. Plus, reviewers say it's super lightweight and breathable, so you never have to worry about sweat marks!
Olay Cleansing Melts — a small, water-activated square pad that foams up into a rich, creamy lather that's cleansing enough to remove SPF and makeup! This is INNOVATION, people!!!!! No more wasting space with bulky liquid cleanser bottles and worrying about it spilling all over your other toiletries.
And a pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes so you can take the exact amount of makeup wipes you need instead of bringing an entire pouch or a bulky jar of cleaning balm. You can also bring one with you to refresh your skin while you're gallivanting about.
An all-over anti-chafe balm for anyone who is not actually about that hike life but still lets their super-active friends convince them to tag along. You can swipe this on your thighs, ankles, feet, neck, armpits, or anywhere else that needs some extra protection from the friction that's threatening to ruin your serene afternoon.
A lightweight microfiber towel — it folds down into a super compact mesh carrying bag. Best of all, it dries super fast – no more hoping your towel dries by the time you have to pack it again! It also holds 5x its weight in water and is great at absorbing sweat, so this is a must-have for any hiking and camping adventures. Or if you're one of those people who go to the gym on vacay. I do not relate to you, but I respect you.
A pair of sunglasses you wear *over* your prescription glasses and achieve what was once thought impossible in this category — they're actually stylish!!! These are honestly a much better alternative to finally buying those expensive prescription sunglasses and then worrying about losing them the entire trip. They're lightweight and comfy, and your eyes will be so relieved they're finally getting the protection they deserve.
Sun Bum's sunscreen stick — it's become a hit with more than 9,000 Amazon reviewers. It's well-loved for being ultra lightweight and gentle on breakout-prone skin — and the yummy banana scent might just convince your kiddo that applying sunscreen isn't the worst thing in the world.
A powdered SPF 30 sunscreen — it won't replace your liquid sunscreen, but it's amazing for touching up during a long day of gallivanting in the sun (I am manifesting this for you!!!). It's small enough to easily slip into your pocket or a small bag, and the brush applicator makes it a breeze to swipe on.
And!!! An SPF 30 scalp sunscreen mist because scalp is skin, and we all know by now that skin absolutely needs protection from the sun. (And no, your hair isn't enough protection!) This will come in handy now that the sun has come out of hiding, especially on any hair parts, bald spots, or thinning areas. The panthenol and cica oil-infused formula can even help prevent color fading and damage caused by UV rays.
A sleek pill case with 10 compartments so you can ditch the bulky bottles for something that's way easier to slip in your pocket. You'll also be the hero of your travel group when anybody has a sudden headache.
A compact but jaw-droppingly spacious underseat roller bag that's small enough to count as a personal item on most airlines. It has a padded laptop compartment and helpful pockets on the outside that are perfect for everything from AirPods to portable chargers, so this is about to become your travel BFF for any work trips. No more fighting for overhead space!
Or a spacious duffel you can unfold into a full garment bag so you can easily pack long dresses and suits to avoid wrinkles. There's even an extra compartment for shoes, a separate laptop pocket, and other small pockets for various essentials. Everything will be perfectly in its place, and you'll be the sharpest dressed person on vacay!
Or!! A convertible daypack you'll want by your side, whether you're taking a short weekend road trip or a long-haul flight. Wear it as a backpack, shoulder bag, or carry it in your hands like a tote — either way, you'll have enough space for all your necessities without the bulk.
A reusable gel lint roller that's a major upgrade from the traditional sticky rolls that require approximately 10 sheets just to clean one shirt. Just pop open the cover and roll it over any garments that need a good sprucing up, then give it a quick rinse, and it'll be ready to use again!
A 16-piece travel toiletries set so you can bring the perfect portions of all your creams, lotions, shampoos, and other beauty goo you can't imagine being without. You'll get everything you need to decant your faves (including spatulas and a tiny funnel!) and it all comes in a TSA-friendly travel bag.
A travel-friendly version of the iconic Tangle Teezer that'll hardly take up any room in your already-crowded personal item. Reviewers say it works the same detangling magic as the full-size version (that's thanks to the two-tiered teeth design that detangles and smooths at the same time), and it's so much better than those flimsy travel flip brushes that brush approximately two strands at a time.
A Trtl travel pillow if you need a little extra neck support to catch some Zs on your next flight or long road trip. This one loops around you like a scarf and has support bands on the side to keep your head upright but still comfy. No more accidentally leaning on the person next to you!!!
A universal travel adapter you can use in over 160 countries — because nothing is more annoying than realizing you forgot to bring the right adapter. You can use it to charge up several devices at a time, so you can have your phone, power bank, laptop, and AirPods charging at once!
A simple but oh-so-genius luggage strap — it'll help you carry extra stuff that won't fit in your carry-on. You can use it to attach your purse, backpack, neck pillow, or anything else you just don't feel like carrying around.
And a travel belt so you can easily clip your personal item to your carry-on — because nothing ruins your vacation vibe like your tote bag constantly falling off your arm. And you know the mad dash to grab your passport at the TSA line while it feels like everyone behind you is staring and waiting? This will make it SO much easier to reach in your bag and feel like an organized, A+ traveler.
A set of packing cubes — they'll help you keep all your clothes separated and organized and save you some space in your crowded carry-on! All my fellow overpackers, this is specifically for us. Here's to bringing our entire wardrobe on a three-day trip!
An adjustable mini belted pack, which is essentially the fanny pack's more chic and sophisticated cousin, and it's gone viral for rivaling a pricier alternative. It's lightweight and easy to carry, so you can finally ditch your usual tote bag that inevitably turns into a bottomless pit of hotel card keys and loose change. Those will all fit in here — but now you can actually see them!!!
A pack of antibacterial paper soap sheets that will seriously come in handy on a road trip when the rest stop's bathroom is out of that mysterious pink sludge they call soap. Just pull out a sheet, wet it, then get to lathering.
A luggage-mounted cup caddy to keep your hands free when you need to rush to your gate, but you're not quite done with that cold brew yet. It's large enough to hold a Venti Starbucks, and the second pocket is perfect for snacks, keys, AirPods, etc.
A pack of hypoallergenic body wipes for the days when you need to skip the shower and take the lazy route instead. We've all been there. These are infused with aloe so your skin will feel refreshed, clean, and silky smooth!
A tri-fold travel wallet you will be SO grateful to have, whether you're going through TSA or just grabbing some fast-food deliciousness after a long day of driving. There are specific spots for your passport, ID, and boarding pass, so no more digging around in your backpack and holding up the entire line. Oh, and it has RFID-blocking technology so your info will be safe and secure!
A pack of four Apple AirTags, which will quickly become your #1 must-have on all upcoming trips. Place one of these in your luggage (or wallet!) and you'll be able to track its location using the accompanying app. This will be a lifesaver when you accidentally leave your backpack in a taxi, or your wallet at the bar you took said taxi from.
An ultra-slim portable charger for all of us who have an irrational fear of our phone dying at the WORST possible moment. Can you imagine getting lost or having two hours left of your flight when you get that "10% battery" warning?! This has a 10,000 mAh battery, which should be enough to power up most smartphones more than once per charge.
A pair of sock-sneakers — your new lightweight and breathable best friend that'll keep your feet happy even when you're out exploring a new city all day long. They're totally lace-free, so they're also a breeze to take off when going through security. The TSA agent might even give you a gold star for "most efficient traveler."
I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder for the busy trips when you simply have no time for a full shampoo and conditioner routine. This one has a carry-on-friendly powder-puff applicator so you can apply it directly to roots (you know, the source of all your oily troubles), and it also adds some extra volume as you brush it through. It's so easy to use, you'll wonder how you ever dealt with those messy spray cans to begin with.
A shoe bag with enough space for three pairs yet still sleek enough to fit in your carry-on (there's also a trolley strap if you prefer to keep it separate)! Putting your shoes on top of your clothes is downright nasty, and this will solve that dilemma once and for all. You can even use it as a packing cube or toiletry organizer for short trips.
An electric travel toothbrush that takes up way less space than the one your dentist is always trying to convince you to buy. You'll still get a nice vibrating effect and a helpful 2-minute timer, but it's about the same size as a normal toothbrush!
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Buzz Feed
20 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Maximize Your Packing Space With These 27 Products
A set of packing cubes to level up your packing game, since these keep your items compressed and organized. You can sort them by item or by day — so when you get off the plane and make it to your hotel, you can easily change outfits without cave-diving into your carry-on to find that one cute top! Or, a pack of vacuum-free, space-saving compression bags that come in handy when you're packing for the trip, but come in SUPER handy when you realize you went a little overboard at those local boutiques and are bringing back way more than you packed in the first place. Just zip up your clothes, roll, and watch all the air leave the bags, making sure you can still zip up your roller board! A travel cable organizer because you've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty, which all come with So. Many. Charging. Cables. This keeps everything organized in one convenient place, and it's even waterproof! Or a 3-in-1 foldable wireless charging pad that charges your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time. You can stay organized by getting rid of tangled cords *and* the high-quality magnets in the pad make sure your items don't slip away. And when folded up, it easily fits into your pocket. An eight-compartment pill organizer so you don't have to take up room in your toiletry bag with all your important medications. This compact little guy is great for travel, and some have even used the empty compartments to store smaller items like jewelry. A lightweight, waterproof travel backpack with so many cool features like a shoe compartment, a wet bag, a laptop pocket, *and* a USB charging port. It's perfect for those who know they're going to be taking weekend adventures since it holds a lot but still fits in the dreaded personal item crate! A *mini* Kindle because knowing that this lightweight guy holds thousands of books, has a battery life of up to six weeks, AND has a glare-free screen makes you wonder why you ever let books take up so much space in your carry-on. Now you can tackle your "to be read" list without sacrificing precious suitcase space! A 4-in-1 makeup brush set which saves so much room in your makeup bag because it's only the size of ONE brush. You get a foundation, eye shadow, concealer, AND powder brush! Any wannabe makeup artists on the go, this one's for you. And a Subtl Beauty Stak that has genius written all over it. It allows you to keep up to NINE makeup products in one compact and convenient place, AND you can customize it if your routine is more of a no-makeup makeup routine. Plus, it comes with a mirror lid and includes a brush! A splurge-worthy set of Cadence Capsules if you're a little picky about hotel shampoos and prefer to stick to your tried and trues. These are super sturdy and they're magnetic, so they'll keep all your vitamins, moisturizers, lotions, and basically anything you want to put in them super safe and organized. A hanging toiletry bag that proves you can do a carry-on only, but still bring every toiletry you need. This holds so many things, keeps them in one compact place once you unpack, and lets you see everything at a glance. A neck pillow you can stuff with clothing, which many reviewers have said helped them skirt around those strict carry-on restrictions many airlines enforce. Sometimes you gotta work smarter, not harder, to get in those extra vacay outfits, and this thing does just the job! A tri-fold travel wallet that keeps all your important documents in one super secure, RFID-blocking place. This material allows for your credit cards, IDs, and passport to be safe from any unauthorized access, so you can keep your hard-earned money and enjoy your trip worry free! The iconic Alleyoop Pen Pal, which is basically a cooler makeup version of the classic BIC 4 Color Pen. This has four retractable colors so you can touch up your brows, eyeliner, lips, and highlights. Plus, it takes up little to no room in your makeup/toiletry bag! And Alleyoop's portable travel razor that includes several razors, a moisturizing bar, and a refillable spray bottle to tackle those sneaky little hairs you missed last night while shaving in preparation for your beach vacay. Or an on-the-go Gillette razor, which proves that all the best things in life do come in small packages. This five-blade razor saves space and saves you from using those disposable razors that just don't step up to the plate. A garment travel bag — once this baby goes through the security conveyor belt, the TSA worker is gonna be like, "Oohh, they're smart smart." You'll be so amazed at how much you can fit in this after packing all your clothes in the inner garment section! A jewelry organizer to prevent your necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings from basically getting into a full-on catfight in your suitcase. This is easy to roll up and a LOT easier to pack than a mini jewelry box. A lightweight, waterproof raincoat, which surprisingly packs up super duper small, allowing you to reserve most of your carry-on space for your sunny weather wardrobe. Or an even smaller portable rain hood if you don't want to even bother with packing a designated rain coat at all. So when Mother Nature tries to pull a fast one on ya, you can be like, "Not today!" A 2-in-1 contact and glasses case perfect for those who aren't blessed with 20-20 vision. (Curse you, vision gods!) This allows you to keep your glasses and everything you need for your contacts — a case, contact solution, and rubber-tipped tweezers — in separate compartments but in one place for traveling! A 4-in-1 travel adapter if you find yourself taking a multi-country trip and need something that won't take up a lot of space in your tech bag but will work for all your bucket list destinations. Plus, this lets you plug up to four devices at once! A mini lightweight flat iron so small you'll be amazed at how well it works. If you want to save space in your luggage and maintain your sleek locks, this is the thing for you. A slim, packable Trtl neck pillow if you drew the short stick and got stuck in the middle seat with no good place to lean your head. The internal support system keeps you upright, while the super soft fleece helps you get in those well-deserved Zzzzzs. Plus, it's way less clunky than the traditional donut ones! A mini wallet emergency kit equipped with things like an extra hair tie, Tylenol, a bandage, and a deodorant wipe. Whether you use it on the actual plane ride or keep it in your purse for the vacation days following, this will be sure to come in handy since you'll have just enough of every essential. An Anker charging port that lets you charge six devices at once and helps prevent the family arguments of who gets to use the ONE USB port that's right by the bedside table. Plus, it'll keep the amount of clunky charging blocks (that take up SO much room) to a minimum. A set of genius scrunchies so you can keep your small essentials on you rather than have them take up precious room in your purse or toiletry bag. Plus, it's a great way to sneakily hide your keys or small amounts of cash for those who want to outsmart the pickpockets.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Parenting Practices From Around The World That May Have You Questioning Your Own
One of the benefits of global travel is learning about customs that make our cultures different. Some of these particularities can be a challenge for Americans. Others, however, may have you wondering, 'Why don't we do things like that here?' The following parenting practices are considered totally normal in these countries, often to the shock of American visitors. But if you're willing to shift your perspective slightly, they also have benefits for kids and parents that might cause us to reexamine our assumptions about what 'good parenting' looks like. 1. Kids in Japan are running errands and walking to school by themselves. You've likely heard of the television program 'Old Enough' ('Hajimete no Otsukai,' or 'My First Errand,' in Japanese.) While the show has been a sensation in Japan for decades, only this year did it amass a U.S. following after its Netflix premiere. It's a reality program that follows young children — ages 2-5 — as they undertake tasks such as going to the store. As in all reality television, there is a great amount of orchestration behind the scenes to keep the children both safe and in sight of the cameras. But the show highlights a real cultural difference between Japan and the U.S. In Japan, it's not unusual to see children — perhaps not quite as young as those featured on the show, but still elementary-school-aged — taking public transportation or walking to school on their own or with other young children, demonstrating a degree of independence virtually unheard of for American children of the same age. Perhaps this has something to do with Japan's low crime rate: The incidence of gun homicide there is 350 times less than in the U.S. In safe, enclosed spaces like schools, Japanese children are likewise given significant responsibilities. As young as age 6, children are tasked with cleaning their schools — even bathrooms! — and serving lunch to their classmates. Maybe it's time for us to ask our kids to step it up a little in the chore department. 2. Scandinavian babies take their naps al fresco. In Denmark and other nations known for their long winters, it's perfectly normal to see strollers parked outside of cafes with babies still in them, napping contently. A recent TikTok video about the practice went viral, teaching a new generation of astonished Americans, and others, about the Danish custom of leaving babies outdoors in their strollers to sleep. There is a cultural belief about the fresh air helping the babies sleep better and being healthy for them — which, given what we've learned these past couple of years about virus transmission in enclosed spaces, makes a lot of sense! In individual homes and daycares, you will see babies snoozing outside tucked inside their strollers, as well as out front of shops, restaurants or bars, where their parents might be inside enjoying a drink and keeping an eye on their little one from a table near the window. While the practice is new to Americans, it's been going on in countries like Denmark and Finland for generations. But this is definitely not something you'll want to try at home. When Danish mother Annette Sorensen left her baby outside a New York City restaurant back in 1997 while she and her partner went inside to have a drink, Sorensen was subsequently arrested, strip-searched and temporarily lost custody of her daughter. There have been more recent cases of American parents being reported to the authorities for such offenses as briefly leaving a child in the car while shopping or sending them to the local playground by themselves. If it's truly not safe to leave a baby outdoors in a stroller for a nap in the U.S., maybe instead of vilifying parents we could focus on how to make public spaces less dangerous. 3. Some Chinese babies don't wear diapers. Traditional Chinese infant potty training, known as 'elimination communication' by Westerners who have adopted the practice, involves babies spending their days diaper-free. Sometimes starting as early as the first weeks of life, babies are held bare-bottomed over the toilet — or a trash can or bush, if they happen to be outdoors — and caregivers cue them to urinate with a gentle shushing sound that sounds vaguely like running water. Parents say they learn to read baby's signals that they are ready to 'eliminate,' such as squirming or gazing off into the distance. Adherents of the practice say that they are able to dramatically reduce the number of diapers they use in a win for both their budgets and the environment. Some do find it helpful to remove any carpeting in their homes, however. 4. Italian preschoolers may do woodwork with hammers and saws. In the Reggio Emilia preschools that were designed in the Italian region of the same name after World War II, children were encouraged to learn through exploration and follow their own interests. The educational philosophy has since spread across the globe, although there is no formal Reggio Emilia certification process, so different schools take inspiration from the approach as they see fit. One sight that's common in a Reggio school — and likely not many other places — is very young children wielding little hammers to pound nails and saws to cut wood in order to build their own original creations. 'Reggio Emilia encourage a wide range of media through which children can express themselves,' Peter Moorhouse, an expert in early childhood education and woodworking, told HuffPost. Parents, says Moorhouse, 'are surprised by just how confident and competent their children are working with tools.' Enticed by the tactical satisfaction of the wood and tools, children practice creativity and develop problem-solving skills as they work, making this one of the most engaging and memorable parts of their first years at school. 5. Swimsuit tops are optional for kids of all genders in Europe. The sight of a little girl running around on the beach or at the pool in only her bathing suit bottom is no big deal to the locals in places like Spain and Germany. While we're used to seeing boys playing in and around the water in only their swim trunks, the idea that little girls don't need any additional coverage is completely foreign to Americans. But why do we insist on bikini tops, or one-pieces that complicate trips to the bathroom, for our girls? Because it's what we expect of grown women? To state the obvious, little girls don't have breasts yet. What does it say about us that we insist on pretending that they do? Of course, Europeans tend to be much less hung up about nudity in general. It's also not uncommon to see adult women sunbathing topless on beaches, and specific beaches are clothing-optional for all. 6. French children eat like grown-ups. You'd be hard-pressed to find a kids' menu in a restaurant in France. Similarly, you won't find a separate table for kids, with separate dinnerware and food options, at any special events. While lots of American kids are frequent smackers, French children tend to meet most of their nutritional needs through three daily meals and one snack. They sit at the table with their families to eat dinner, often set up with a tablecloth and the kind of 'nice' dishes that many Americans tend to keep away from their kids. Even school lunch tends to involve four courses served restaurant-style at a table, and a minimum of 30 minutes to dine in order to ensure that they eat well. Karen Le Billon, a Canadian who moved with her family to France and wrote a book about her experience, told the BBC that training kids to savor their food this way also limits the phenomenon of picky eaters: 'The French believe that taste is a skill that can be acquired . . . They believe that children can learn to eat, and like, all kinds of food.' Rather than telling a child that a type of food is nutritious or that they have to eat it, says Le Billon, a French parent is more likely to encourage a child to try it because it tastes good. 7. Italian kids tend to go to bed really late. It's not unusual to see a family pushing a stroller around the piazza at 8, 9 or even 10 o'clock at night. Italians dine late, and, like their French counterparts, often dine together as a whole family, even when it means some of the younger members end up conked out in their parents' laps before the evening is over. American parents spend so much time fretting about their children's sleep habits that it's spawned a whole industry of sleep consultants who promise to help train babies and young kids in order to give parents their nights back. Of course, kids do need a solid amount of sleep for their health and growth. While there is at least one study showing that Italian kids get less sleep overall than kids in other countries up until age 6, researchers also found that the 'sleep hygiene' (routines and an environment conducive to uninterrupted sleep) of Italian teens was significantly better than that of American adolescents. 8. It's common for Indian children to be cared for by a number of generations within a family. The individualist, every-nuclear-family-to-itself approach to parenting that is so common in America is far from the norm in many other places where there is a more collectivist philosophy to caregiving. In a study of Indian families spanning decades, anthropologist Susan Seymour recognized the practice of 'multiple childcare, as as opposed to exclusive mothering we see in the United States.' Instead of being tended to all day by a nursing mother, the Indian babies Seymour observed would be passed from one relative to another — including younger family members — so that the mom could attend to her other obligations. 'Children grow up in extended households,' Seymour told HuffPost. She described 'relatives coming and going,' and 'plenty of people to take care of them.' Knowing that this model existed in other parts of the world gave Seymour the confidence to return to work when she had her own children in the U.S. Whether you're leaving a baby with grandmothers and cousins or day care providers and babysitters, there's no reason to think that not staying home with them constantly does any harm to a child's attachment or development. In other words, working moms should drop any guilt they've been carrying and embrace multiple caregiving as normal and healthy. 9. Fathers from the Aka tribe do nearly half of the caregiving. Across the world, the sight of women tending to the needs of young children is ubiquitous. But, there is precedent for men taking on a significant portion of the child care duties. In the nomadic Aka tribe of central Africa, anthropologists have observed that fathers spend 47% of their time within arms' reach of their infants. Roles are interchangeable and flexible. Aka women also hunt while the men do the cooking, and vice versa. Although the tribe's top leadership roles go to men, it is also not unusual to catch sight of an Aka baby suckling for comfort (not milk, obviously) at its father's nipple. Related... Which Type Of Parent Are You? You Likely Fall Into One Of These 4 Styles What Is Gentle Parenting? Here's What You Need To Know Parents Are Lying About Where Their Babies Sleep At Night. Here's Why That's A Problem.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I started using an eSIM for my summer travels — here's why I'll never go back to a physical SIM card
When I travel abroad, I want to be able to use my smartphone to manage my itinerary, navigate between destinations, and stay connected to those back home. That means I need a data plan that works where I am and that won't break the bank. An eSIM, or embedded SIM, allows me to connect to local cellular networks at an affordable price. An eSIM is a digital SIM card already built into your phone — instead of installing a physical chip into a card slot, you simply purchase an eSIM and activate it remotely via a Wi-Fi connection (or cell network, depending on your device). Nomad eSIM: When you're on the road, you need a data plan that matches your vibe. With its convenience, flexibility and coverage in over 200 destinations, Nomad eSIM is an essential companion for all travelers. Nomad has recently launched 21 new unlimited data plans starting at just $11 for three days. This summer, use the promo code NOMADSUN20 for 20% off. While I can connect to Wi-Fi while traveling, I need to be able to connect to data while out and about without worrying about expensive roaming charges or pay-per-use rates. An eSIM allows me to purchase a data plan for the specific country or region I am traveling to for the duration of my trip at a relatively affordable price. In addition to cost-effective data options, travel eSIMs have some advantages over purchasing a physical SIM card for a local network. When relying on removable SIM cards in the past, I have had to locate a vendor, leaving a gap between arrival and getting connected to a data network. With an eSIM, you can get everything set up in advance so your plan is active the minute you land. I also had to keep my primary SIM secure for the duration of the trip — SIM chips are tiny and easily lost. Even if I wanted to use a physical SIM card, I'd have to purchase a second device in order to do so. My iPhone 15 Pro is eSIM only, meaning it lacks a SIM tray. It's far more convenient to use my own device with both a travel eSIM for affordable data and my primary SIM for receiving calls and texts from home than it is to buy and carry two separate phones. Apple has largely discontinued the use of traditional SIMs in its iPhone lineup (at least for US users), while Android devices typically have dual capabilities with both a physical SIM and an eSIM. Note that your device will need to be carrier unlocked in order to use an eSIM from a different provider. If you are traveling abroad, an eSIM is the simplest and often most cost-effective option for connecting to cellular data with your existing device. A travel eSIM allows you to do everything from use maps to stream video as soon as you arrive at your destination. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
