SIM Card Recommendations for Traveling

[Mower Man]

Good day to you all,

What sim cards do people use for the internet in a motor home/caravan? How much data are we likely to use if we are away approx 1-2 weeks a month and sometimes travelling abroad? Can you purchase one that you can disable when not using and then reactivate when needed and what are the best networks?

Many thanks

 

[starquake]

I’ve used esims a few times now but this year for about half an hour in Serbia I made a stupid mistake on my iphone and had both sims “on” in one bit and I was using google maps. It only cost £2 but could have been much worse. There are quite a few bits in setting to change . I was certain I’d done as usual. I received a call from our van alarm which made me realise as I was driving it and I shouldn’t receive calls, so checked.

I’ve only used Airalo. I’m with starquake mine doesn’t normally get texts or calls . It’s just whatsapp that works fine. Imessages might work I suppose.

I didn't put my embaressing mistake on here I think. It cost me £100 (my roaming limit, as I roam a lot so have increased it from the default £50) - enabled my second esim alongside my normal one, the esim ran out of data, and ... yes, ended up activating the data on my normal sim at best part of £4 a Mbyte. It lasted about 5 mins, and then was locked out of ALL roaming until my month end on the contract.

I am firmly of opinion with esim not to put your normal sim on at same time, as it has too much scope to go wrong, and I have cost myself in one year (2023) MORE than my entire years costs in a single month from doing it. However, I still believe buying local sims (or esims) is cheaper (admittedly it is harder work to get them on arrival), being someone who travels on average at least once a month.

IQ was a very good deal whilst it lasted, but I'm more tempted with a french Free or Reglo sim monthly now, as those have a higher allowance in Spain and rest of EU.... including here in blighty. (Given majority of our 2025 adventures WILL be in France it has been decreed by the wife).

 

[Manic]

I didn't put my embaressing mistake on here I think. It cost me £100 (my roaming limit, as I roam a lot so have increased it from the default £50) - enabled my second esim alongside my normal one, the esim ran out of data, and ... yes, ended up activating the data on my normal sim at best part of £4 a Mbyte. It lasted about 5 mins, and then was locked out of ALL roaming until my month end on the contract.

I am firmly of opinion with esim not to put your normal sim on at same time, as it has too much scope to go wrong, and I have cost myself in one year (2023) MORE than my entire years costs in a single month from doing it. However, I still believe buying local sims (or esims) is cheaper (admittedly it is harder work to get them on arrival), being someone who travels on average at least once a month.

IQ was a very good deal whilst it lasted, but I'm more tempted with a french Free or Reglo sim monthly now, as those have a higher allowance in Spain and rest of EU.... including here in blighty. (Given majority of our 2025 adventures WILL be in France it has been decreed by the wife).

We’ve had very good service from Reglo in the ZTE Mu5001
But if decide to stop using it, make sure you cancel the number

 

[HKF]

...
I am firmly of opinion with esim not to put your normal sim on at same time, as it has too much scope to go wrong...

Am I correct in assuming that if I

1. Take one of my normal SIMs out of my dual SIM phone
2. Insert an eSIM in the now spare slot
3. Activate the eSIM on my phone
4. Put the eSIM in my TPLink and my normal SIM back in my phone

I can then use the eSIM in my TPLink and both my normal SIMs in my phone without the issues you had? Would that be correct, please?

 

[Tigger-Tim]

Am I correct in assuming that if I

1. Take one of my normal SIMs out of my dual SIM phone
2. Insert an eSIM in the now spare slot
3. Activate the eSIM on my phone
4. Put the eSIM in my TPLink and my normal SIM back in my phone

I can then use the eSIM in my TPLink and both my normal SIMs in my phone without the issues you had? Would that be correct, please?

An eSIM isn't a physical thing. It's a downloadable profile.

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[HKF]

An eSIM isn't a physical thing. It's a downloadable profile.

But in another thread, Carpmart said,

"Take a SIM out of your phone, install the physical (virtual eSIM) into phone, setup with phone (app), remove SIM from phone and install in the router.. BINGO! "

 

[Carpmart]

But in another thread, Carpmart said,

"Take a SIM out of your phone, install the physical (virtual eSIM) into phone, setup with phone (app), remove SIM from phone and install in the router.. BINGO! "

You’ve taken that out of context by posting just that part of a broader discussion in the thread. It’s a virtual eSIM with a physical SIM as you need a sim for your router….

 

[HKF]

You’ve taken that out of context by posting just that part of a broader discussion in the thread. It’s a virtual eSIM with a physical SIM as you need a sim for your router….

Oh, sorry I'm trying to do so many things at the moment, as well as being under a tremendous amount of stress from various things. I'm really sorry xx

 

[jameslee]

If you want one SIM without swapping, IQ is the easiest choice.

For a cheaper option, use a UK prepaid SIM (£2-5/month), though it won’t roam in Europe. Instead, you can buy a local SIM on arrival, like a 300GB one in France for 20 euros (good for 30 days). Just remember you’ll need a VPN for UK TV access abroad.

We use a 3 Unlimited SIM (£5/month) in our motorhome to stay “always online” and control things from home.

This setup is cost-effective but does require knowing how to set up a new SIM registration online in a mifi router. Just keep the APN, username, and password for each network handy before you go!

If you want a single SIM without needing to swap, IQ is a super convenient option.

For a cheaper choice, try a UK prepaid SIM (£2-5/month), but remember it won’t work in Europe. Instead, you can get a local SIM, like a 300GB one in France for 20 euros (good for 30 days). Don’t forget to use a VPN if you want UK TV abroad, and complete any SIM registration online ahead of time.

In our motorhome, we use a 3 Unlimited SIM (£5/month) to stay connected and control things from home.

This setup is budget-friendly, but you’ll need to know how to set up a new SIM in a mifi router. Make sure to save each network’s APN, username, and password before you go!

 

[jameslee]

Hi
There are loads of options and a few threads on here about this already. We've recently just been in France for just under 4 weeks. We had an IQ Mobile 100gb data sim which just about covered our usage but the Euro's did start part way through our trip and I watched quite a few matches. You buy the sim for 1 month and then buy again mid-month or the following month if you need more. No contract but you do have to pay £20 for the sim card which is an annual fee. So in the above example we paid £40 total and another 100gb next month (or any month in next year) would be another £20. Roaming is unlimited, it was usually a stronger signal than the campsite wifi, and I never struggled to get a service, anywhere in France. Oh and their support (Frazer) was first class and helped me no end when my router wouldn't connect at first install.

Sounds like a great choice! The IQ Mobile 100GB data SIM with flexible top-ups and strong coverage across France sounds perfect for travel, especially with reliable roaming and good support. £20 for an annual fee seems worth it for the convenience!

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[Manic]

Sounds like a great choice! The IQ Mobile 100GB data SIM with flexible top-ups and strong coverage across France sounds perfect for travel, especially with reliable roaming and good support. £20 for an annual fee seems worth it for the convenience!

Not now they’ve reduced roaming to 25gb, which makes it very expensive in my opinion.

 

[MichaelT]

Not now they’ve reduced roaming to 25gb, which makes it very expensive in my opinion.

Not if in UK I topped up 100g for our UK trip now and it's good but will need a resolution from them for EU in January.

 

[Guzziando]

IQ Mobile, just buy multiple of 100gb as needed.

I went on the IQ website, but am a little confused, as the 100gb sim card states 25gb eu. Does this mean I can only use 25gb?

Data covers UK and EU​

We have a generous "Fair use policy" when abroad. If you order 100GB, you get 100GB in UK and 25GB in EU at full speed. You can roam within the EU for 6 months out of 12 in the year. We don't mind how you split that time up.

 

[Manic]

I went on the IQ website, but am a little confused, as the 100gb sim card states 25gb eu. Does this mean I can only use 25gb?

View attachment 975223View attachment 975223

Data covers UK and EU​

We have a generous "Fair use policy" when abroad. If you order 100GB, you get 100GB in UK and 25GB in EU at full speed. You can roam within the EU for 6 months out of 12 in the year. We don't mind how you split that time up.

Yes I’m afraid that’s all the eu roaming you get now, 25gb. So if bought for eu use it’s not good value at all, I think

 

[HKF]

I went on the IQ website, but am a little confused, as the 100gb sim card states 25gb eu. Does this mean I can only use 25gb?

View attachment 975223View attachment 975223

Data covers UK and EU​

We have a generous "Fair use policy" when abroad. If you order 100GB, you get 100GB in UK and 25GB in EU at full speed. You can roam within the EU for 6 months out of 12 in the year. We don't mind how you split that time up.

Yes, that's correct. They've recently had restrictions imposed on them, which is beyond their control. They are looking for alternatives at the moment.

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[Guzziando]

Yes I’m afraid that’s all the eu roaming you get now, 25gb. So if bought for eu use it’s not good value at all, I think

Agreed. I will stick with my NOW Mobile Sim Card, it is also limited to 25gb in Europe, but I do not need to pay a £20 retainer. Brexit has a lot to answer for!