Non-EU SIM

Zolablue

Hi
Firstly, I do not have a mobile phone that is eSIM compatible so that option isn't open to me. My phone does have a second SIM card slot.
We are going on a trip to the far east in the autumn spending a few days in Thailand before flying to Singapore for a few days then going on to another location in Thailand.
I'm currently with Lebara and their overseas add on isn't particularly great for this particular trip and so I was wondering what the best way of staying online would be throughout our triip?
Are there any physical SIMs that would offer coverage for our entire trip or would I be better off buying local SIM cards for each country and swapping them over as I transit between them?
Thanks for any help that can be offered. Cheers 

jbrassy

If I were you, I would just buy local SIM cards. There's almost always stalls selling SIM cards in the arrivals section of the airport. These local SIM cards are usually better value than esims anyway.

In Thailand, AIS is a network with good coverage and in Singapore Singtel is a good network. 

Zolablue

jbrassy said:

If I were you, I would just buy local SIM cards. There's almost always stalls selling SIM cards in the arrivals section of the airport. These local SIM cards are usually better value than esims anyway.

In Thailand, AIS is a network with good coverage and in Singapore Singtel is a good network. 

Thanks jbrassy, that's very helpful 

DullGreyGuy

jbrassy said:

 These local SIM cards are usually better value than esims anyway.

They are normally better value but generally its rather marginal and so the ability to do it before travelling and knowing its working etc can be a reasonable offset for a short holiday where you dont want to spend the first half day trying to sort it out. 

The other potential advantage of local sims is they support calls as well as data so if you do need to phone someone locally there for some reason it's possible with a local sim but not with most esims. 

Generally speaking we do things in reserve of most people here, our normal UK phone lines are on esims and its a local sim that we use physically

flaneurs_lobster

If it's just for mobile data use then I agree with @jbrassy, just buy local.

My recent experience in VN, Thailand and Cambodia is that WhatsApp use is very widespread by both individuals and businesses.

eSIMs are often better value and can be sourced before your journey so one less thing to worry about.

flaneurs_lobster

DullGreyGuy said:

Generally speaking we do things in reserve of most people here, our normal UK phone lines are on esims and its a local sim that we use physically

I did exactly this for a couple of years for the reasons you state but then found that for a long (7 week) trip around SE Asia last year an eSIM deal that covered the whole region (with local calling) was better value, so have swapped back to UK hard SIM. Cover the bases by having options available w/ a second phone.

DullGreyGuy

flaneurs_lobster said:

If it's just for mobile data use then I agree with jbrassy, just buy local.

My recent experience in VN, Thailand and Cambodia is that WhatsApp use is very widespread by both individuals and businesses.

eSIMs are often better value and can be sourced before your journey so one less thing to worry about.

You say you agree with them but then at the end state the exact opposite, that esims are better value and easier.

Having been to many countries never found one where esims were cheaper than local sims, but would agree esims have convenience and for the sake of £5 on a two week holiday convenience probably beats cost. When we travel for 3-6 months then cost becomes more material

Zolablue

It's just a shame that I don't have eSIM capability 

flaneurs_lobster

DullGreyGuy said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

If it's just for mobile data use then I agree with jbrassy, just buy local.

My recent experience in VN, Thailand and Cambodia is that WhatsApp use is very widespread by both individuals and businesses.

eSIMs are often better value and can be sourced before your journey so one less thing to worry about.

You say you agree with them but then at the end state the exact opposite, that esims are better value and easier.

Yes, confused reply. For OP with no eSIM capable phone, buying local SIM better than other options.

I thought the eSIM deal I found last year prior to a trip was at least as good value to the local hard SIM deals, although this research is quite difficult to do in advance of travel, relying as you do on often out-of-date online travel guides and the ramblings on backpacker blogs, many of whom seem to have overdone the local, er, consumables.

Didn't bother price comparing once abroad because buyer remorse.

flaneurs_lobster

Zolablue said:

It's just a shame that I don't have eSIM capability 

Few months ago someone asked on here about cheapest eSIM phone. Seems there's a Moto for a tad less than £200 (but probably superseded by now).

Zolablue

flaneurs_lobster said:

Zolablue said:

It's just a shame that I don't have eSIM capability 

Few months ago someone asked on here about cheapest eSIM phone. Seems there's a Moto for a tad less than £200 (but probably superseded by now).

Thanks, but the trip is costing enough without having to buy a new phone as well 😂
Unless someone else comes om with a better option, I'll go with the 2 local SIMs option 

Thanks everyone for your input