International Roaming vs. Travel SIM Cards: Pros and Cons

Embarking on a journey to explore new horizons is a transformative experience. Travelling opens doors to new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, providing a unique opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. As you essay on your international adventures, the question of how to manage your mobile connectivity arises. Confused between International roaming vs travel SIM cards?

Let's explore the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision.

International roaming vs travel SIM cards

A local SIM card is a temporary SIM card that you can buy in the country you're visiting. With a domestic SIM card, you have the flexibility to choose a carrier that best suits your needs and budget. However, to use a local travel SIM card, you might need to acquire a few mandatory requisites, such as proof of address, valid identity proof, an unlocked compatible device, and you must register the SIM card.

International Roaming Pros and Cons:

When it comes to international roaming vs travel sim cards, one of the most significant advantages of international roaming is convenience, as roaming is pre-activated on your phone, and you need not switch SIM cards. Your device would still have your home phone number, making it easy for friends and family to reach you. However, most International roaming plans might turn out to be heavy on the pockets as the costs associated with calls, texts, and data usage abroad might be higher. The following are some of the advantages of choosing an international roaming plan:

• You don’t have to rely on dodgy public Wi-fi.
• You don’t have to go from one seller to the next at ports for a local sim card.
• International Roaming plans provide a certain degree of cyber and privacy protection.
• You will be able to retain and use your normal mobile number with an International Roaming plan.
• You can access various accounts and banking services as your mobile number stays constant.
• You won’t have to carry an extra physical SIM around.

Vi International Roaming to your Rescue:

Vi international roaming plans offer many benefits to help you seamlessly connect while travelling internationally without bleeding your pockets.

• Different packs with a wide range of validity options for differing needs
• Up to 60 countries' connectivity
• Packs with Unlimited Incoming & Outgoing Calls
• Vi RoamSafe feature to safeguard against accidental data usage in foreign countries
• Vi "Always on" feature to protect from high bills
• Special rates for post pack usage
• Customizable international roaming pack options with Vi postpaid

How to Activate International Roaming with Vi:

1. From the menu, go to the International Roaming Plans page on the Vi App or website
2. Enter your Vi mobile number and select a travel destination
3. Select your travel duration and choose from the plans as required
4. Pay and proceed to activate

Activate international roaming on your Vi SIM card to enjoy international travels without losing connectivity.

Want to stay connected no matter where you travel? Learn how to use an Indian SIM card in the USA or check out our guide to getting an international SIM card if you're a frequent traveler. For seamless connectivity across borders, explore Vi’s Unlimited International Roaming plans covering 100+ countries. And if you’re new to global travel, start with the basics—what is a travel SIM card and how does it work?