GigSky, a pioneer in global mobile connectivity solutions, has announced a comprehensive guide to help travelers understand and navigate the often exorbitant costs of international roaming fees. As part of their commitment to affordable, reliable data plans for global travelers, GigSky’s research reveals how the advent of eSIM technology can dramatically cut costs, freeing travelers from the steep fees charged by traditional carriers. Now globetrotters can save more on international data plans. Find out below about the best cost-saving roaming alternative options.

For years, international travelers have faced the frustration of costly roaming fees that often exceed the price of a full month’s service at home, sometimes amounting to hundreds of dollars for just a short vacation. These high fees add stress and deter travelers from staying connected while abroad.

The rise of eSIMs—embedded SIMs that allow easy network switching without the need to swap physical SIM cards—has emerged as a powerful alternative to traditional roaming. GigSky, the original provider of eSIM data plans for travel, offers a range of solutions that enable users to access high-speed, affordable data worldwide, bypassing the usual hassles and costs of traditional roaming.

Key Benefits of GigSky’s eSIM Plans:

Significant Cost Savings: GigSky’s eSIM plans allow travelers to avoid roaming fees entirely, offering data at a fraction of the cost typically charged by domestic carriers.
Global Coverage: With GigSky, users have access to data in over 190 countries, ensuring seamless connectivity no matter where they roam.
Convenience and Flexibility: Travelers can activate their eSIM in minutes through the GigSky app without needing to swap physical SIM cards, making it easy to stay connected wherever they go.
Instant Activation: No waiting or shipping required. eSIMs can be activated immediately through the GigSky app.
No Hidden Fees: Transparent pricing with no unexpected charges or roaming overages.
Sustainability: eSIMs eliminate the need for physical SIM cards, reducing plastic waste.

How Much Can Travelers Save with cost-saving roaming alternative?

GigSky’s new guide breaks down the costs of traditional roaming versus eSIM options in key destinations, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas, to demonstrate the true potential savings. For example, while roaming fees with major carriers can easily exceed $15 per day, GigSky’s plans start at just $4.99, offering flexibility and affordability.

The Research Study:

A recent comparative study reveals that American travelers using GigSky eSIM technology can achieve up to 90% savings on roaming and data fees compared to traditional providers while traveling in Europe or on a cruise.

The study tracked a typical American tourist’s data usage over a week-long European cruise. The traveler relied heavily on mobile data for GPS navigation, social media sharing, video streaming, and staying connected with loved ones back home.

Key Findings:

Traditional Plan Costs: The traveler incurred daily roaming charges of $10-$16 per day, amounting to approximately $112 for 7 days of unlimited data. These fees reflect standard international roaming rates and do not include potential overage costs for extended use or higher-speed requirements.

GigSky eSIM Costs: The same traveler used GigSky’s 7-day unlimited data plan for Europe, which was priced at just $28 in total.
The analysis demonstrated an approximate 90% cost reduction with GigSky eSIM, without compromising on connectivity quality or data speed.

Other Highlights:

Canadian travelers, who pay some of the highest roaming fees anywhere, can save over $120 per traveler for a simple trip to Japan or China or while on a safari in Africa.

The most risky roaming arrangements for travelers were cruise plans. Traditional carriers tend to charge both a high daily rate for a small amount of data and uncapped overage fees that can add up quickly, even without data-intensive activities. Further, traditional carriers will also require a second-day pass when using their service off the ship. GigSky’s unique cruise data plans thus allowed travelers to save twice—with reduced rates—by creating a single strategy that works on and off the ship.

About GigSky

GigSky is a leader in eSIMs for International Travel and other global mobile data solutions, providing innovative eSIM plans for travelers worldwide. With coverage across over 190 countries, 200+ cruise ships, and even inflight and offshore connectivity, GigSky is dedicated to offering affordable, high-speed connectivity options for today’s global traveler. Whether you’re exploring urban landscapes or remote destinations, GigSky keeps you connected.