eSIM, SIM card, pocket Wi-Fi or roaming? A comparison for travellers to Japan

The comparison in one table

When to choose an eSIM

If your phone supports eSIM (most phones from 2019 onwards), it is the cheapest and easiest option for most travellers: a fixed price you know before you fly, instant delivery and no extra devices. With Pinglo you can also top up the same eSIM from your order page if you need more, with 7% off and no new QR code.

When roaming makes sense

For very short trips, or if your phone doesn't support eSIM and you don't want to swap SIM cards. Read the details of the roaming package carefully: the amount of data, how long it lasts and what happens when it runs out, so the bill doesn't surprise you.

When pocket Wi-Fi suits you

When a large group travels together all the time and wants one device for everyone. Remember that the connection is lost if someone moves away from the device, and that it needs charging every day and returning before you leave. The eSIM alternative: everyone has their own eSIM, or one phone shares its connection as a hotspot.

Working out the real cost

When you compare, don't look at the advertised price alone. Add up the full cost of your trip:

• Roaming: the daily price times the number of days, what happens when the allowance runs out, and whether data outside the package is charged at a higher rate.
• Pocket Wi-Fi: the daily rental, delivery or return fees, insurance against loss, and a spare battery if you need one.
• Physical SIM: its price, the time it takes to buy one after you land, and no bank messages on your own number.
• eSIM: one fixed price for the whole trip, and you can top up later if you need to.

Travelling with your family

With a family the sums change. One Wi-Fi device can look tempting, but it ties everyone to where the device is and how much battery it has left. The practical choice is usually for each adult to carry their own eSIM, or for one of you to share a connection as a hotspot while you're together, with a large daily plan. That way everyone stays connected even if you get separated in a station or a market.

Can I combine options?

Yes. Many travellers keep their own SIM for calls and messages (with data roaming off) and use an eSIM for the internet. You get the convenience of roaming for calls and the price of an eSIM for data.

What about a physical SIM card?

It suits phones that don't support eSIM. The main drawback is that you take your own SIM out, so bank messages and verification codes don't reach you during the trip, and buying one after you land takes time.

Frequently asked questions