Do Travel eSIMs Come With Mobile Phone Numbers?

No, data-only eSIMs for travel generally don't come with phone numbers. This is for a number of reasons, which we'll briefly explore in this article.

However, that's not to say you don't have options. If you're using an eSIM without a mobile number, you still have other tools for making phone calls abroad. This article goes through the details.

Why Don't eSIMs Come With Numbers?

Assigning phone numbers to customers involves additional regulatory compliance and technical infrastructure, which eSIM providers usually avoid since most customers are only interested in mobile data.

Ultimately, data-only plans are generally cheaper to provide and maintain since they avoid the much higher costs associated with voice and SMS services.

It's worth mentioning that some eSIM providers like Yesim or aloSIM do provide limited mobile phone numbers (e.g. a US or Canadian phone number), but these are more of an additional feature intended to be used for registering for foreign websites or making phone calls only using WiFi.

So, using a travel eSIM provider won't give you your own mobile number. But that's no reason to despair; you have a few tricks for making phone calls on your next trip! We delve into them below:

Alternative 1: Voice Over IP (VOIP)

A popular way to call somebody overseas when you're in a foreign country is using voice-over-IP (VOIP) calls. This is a type of call where you use an app connected to the internet to call somebody else using the same app. Here are a few of the most well-known and widely-used apps that support VOIP calls between different countries:

• WhatsApp
• Google Meet
• Skype
• Telegram
• Facebook Messenger
• FaceTime

The advantage of using these platforms is that they're extremely cheap. They require you and the person you're calling to use the same app and have an internet connection. (It's often said that these calls are free, but this isn't strictly true since mobile data or WiFi costs are involved, but these are typically quite small.)

On the other hand, the disadvantage of calling via VOIP is that neither you nor the person you're calling will always have an internet connection or even a phone capable of connecting to the internet.

Alternative 2: Regular Calls

Your second option (sadly, still popular) is to pick up your mobile or landline and call an overseas phone number directly via your regular phone function.

While this might sound convenient (and it is), it comes with one big drawback: the cost. You'll generally be charged by the second for making an international call from Australia—even for the ringing at the beginning of the call! Big mobile network operators tend to charge exorbitant rates for international calling, so we generally recommend against this method unless you're ready to swallow the costs.

Alternative 3: Rebtel

Rebtel is an affordable international calling app that provides a seamless solution for calling a any phone number while you're abroad. You can download the app and convert your contacts' phone numbers to a local one. This allows you to make local phone calls and enjoy exceptional affordability, reliable connections, and user-friendly features. In our opinion, all of this makes Rebtel the go-to option for staying connected with loved ones while abroad!

Here's how Rebtel works step by step:

Best eSIM Data Plans For Travel

If you're looking for a good deal on an eSIM for your next trip abroad, here are our top three suggestions:

Holafly

Holafly is a trusted eSIM service that offers unlimited data plans for dozens of destinations across the globe. Although these packages cost a bit more than the smaller Airalo packages (which we look at next), they offer the certainty that you'll never use up your data. Depending on your location, Holafly supports 3G/4G/LTE/5G speeds. To learn more about this excellent eSIM provider, read our Holafly review.

Airalo

Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for travelling abroad. Its online platform offers global access to eSIMs through collaboration with big local telecom providers. If you're travelling to Europe, for example, Airalo offers a bespoke regional package, Eurolink, which works directly with local providers like Vodafone in the UK and Tele2 in Latvia to provide you with 3G, LTE, or 5G coverage directly from their networks.

Although its data volumes are smaller than Holafly's, most travellers should be able to get by with them without any problems. What's more, Airalo's app is probably the best in the industry, making it very easy to buy, automatically install and activate your eSIM. The service provides an excellent connectivity companion while you're abroad.

Take a look at our full Airalo review to learn more about their pros and cons.

Yesim

Yesim is a Swiss-based eSIM service offering highly-rated eSIMs for regions around the world. Their packages are very competitive per gigabyte if you buy their larger plans.

Yesim offers unlimited plans and plans by GB. Their eSIMs support 3G/4G/5G/LTE (speeds vary by country) in 31 countries across Europe.