Travel trends
Oct 2, 2026Gear and packingTikTok · Instagram · RedditSteady

Travel ESIM on TikTok, Instagram and Reddit: What People Are Saying

Travel eSIMs are sold as skip-the-airport hacks; decisive brand picks beat setup noise, while cross-border and calling gaps confuse buyers.

Last 4 weeks

-10%

Google searches vs 20 Jul to 3 Sep

Total social media mentions

~120K

TikTok and Reddit, last 12 months

Views

~35M

on posts about this trend

Best post this month

35K

views · watch it ↗

Search, last 12 months

What people post about

Local SIM vs eSIM31% of posts1.8% above averageProvenExample ↗
Check your phone8% of posts1.1% averageProvenExample ↗
Compare eSIM brands7% of posts1.5% above averageProvenExample ↗
eSIM Setup Guide8% of posts0.9% below averageCrowdedExample ↗
Avoid roaming charges8% of posts0.9% below averageCrowdedExample ↗
Unlimited data limits6% of posts0.9% below averageCrowdedExample ↗
Multi Country eSIMs15% of posts0.8% below averageSkipExample ↗
eSIM Network Quality6% of posts0.8% below averageSkipExample ↗
eSIM Voice Options6% of posts0.9% below averageSkipExample ↗
Pay as you go3% of posts0.9% below averageSkipExample ↗

Opening engages well, few people post it. Proven engages and reaches. Emerging only a few posts so far, too early to judge. Crowded lots of posts, weak engagement. Skip low on both. Engagement = median rate, this trend averages 1.0%.

Post this

Three ideas built from the angles, formats and hooks that work for this trend.

1

Skip the Airport SIM Line

Vlog landing to rideshare showing eSIM active before customs, then cut to kiosk queues vs maps and pickup, timestamps on each step.

Vlog or day in the lifeStory Opening hookLocal SIM vs eSIM
Example TikTok post by @kyramaeturner6See an example · 330K views ↗
2

Will Your Phone Support eSIM?

Tutorial showing iPhone and Android settings to confirm eSIM and unlock status, plus where to name lines before flights.

Tutorial or demoCuriosity hookCheck your phone
3

Creators’ Quick eSIM Value Showdown

Talking head with screen recordings comparing brands, influencer codes, and credit card perks, circling best pick for one sample route.

Talking headBold Claim hookCompare eSIM brands
See an example · 13K views ↗

How to post it

Talking head dominates at 27% of posts.

Talking head27% of posts · 2.2% ER
Most used
TikTok post by @holidayesim: Ron, a seafarer in Canada, endorses Holiday eSIM as an easy and fast solution for…Instagram post by @digitaltrends: Staying connected while traveling does not have to be complicated. Nomad eSIM offers…
Question or discussion24% of posts · 0.8% ER
r/taiwanHeading to Taiwan in a few days - best eSIM options?r/best_eSIM_providersWhich eSIM has worked best for you while traveling in Europe?r/JapanTravelTipsesim recommendation
Slideshow or carousel15% of posts · 1.1% ER
Instagram post by @sailyworld: Got an eSIM to escape roaming fees? Smart! But are you still a little anxious about…TikTok post by @kakha13: Just found out about cheaperesim.com for travel data - up to 60% cheaper worldwide. Has…TikTok post by @mimowts: Swipe left to view the step by step guide using Gcash.

Do more of this

  • Vlog or day in the life5.9%3% of posts
  • Tutorial or demo2.9%6% of posts
  • Story Opening hook2.5%2% of posts

Skip this

  • Product showcase or unboxing0.6%2% of posts
  • List hook0.7%2% of posts
  • Personal story or lessons0.8%2% of posts

Median engagement rate; this trend averages 1.0%.

Posts to learn from

The posts that beat this trend's engagement, and how they were made.

Talking headQuestion hook
Talking headRelatability hook
Talking headRelatability hook
Link shareCuriosity hook
Link shareCuriosity hook
Talking headCuriosity hook

Who to work with

hello, i’m herl 🍒hello, i’m herl 🍒@helloherl5.7MviewsAngelene S | UGC Creator + Personal financeAngelene S | UGC Creator + Personal finance@angelenessna5.5MviewsHoliday eSIMHoliday eSIM@holidayesim1.3MviewsKen Abroad | Travel CreatorKen Abroad | Travel Creator@ken_abroad1.2MviewsTravelwithMiTravelwithMi@mimowts1.1Mviews

Brands in the conversation

What people ask

What is it29

  • What does everyone recommend for a DOCOMO customer?
  • What’s usually the deciding factor for you?
  • What eSim travel provider worked best for you?

Price and cost15

  • For a typical 1-2 week international trip, would you prioritize price, coverage or the amount of data included?
  • which is the best ESim card i can get that will work in all 3 of them considering price-benefit
  • Any recommendations for reliable and affordable options?

Comparisons14

  • what's the difference between the physical Esims and the ones via App store and which is better for my short stay
  • Airalo, Holafly, which one is better?
  • Anyone who has used either of these, which one did you prefer?

Where to get it13

  • I am planning to buy an esim and then just hotspot from my ipad/macbook?
  • And i would like to know which ESIM should i buy.
  • Buying an e sim for the first time with Airalo??

How to use it7

  • How do I do that?
  • How do you stay connected?
  • How do you talk on the phone, how do you upload on Instagram or go live on YouTube when traveling the world?

Does it work4

  • How does it work if I have both Visible Global Pass and a separate travel eSIM data plan?
  • Did it work smoothly outside Seoul, and was the speed good enough for daily travel stuff?
  • Also curious if unlimited data is worth it there or if a normal data plan is enough for a 1-2 week trip.

Searched on Google

Which eSIM is best for international travel?

Posts do not settle on one best eSIM. Creators pit Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily and VIA eSIM against each other, focusing on price-value, coverage, multi-destination support and device compatibility; demos pick per itinerary, show install and dual-SIM toggles, and flag data-only/unlimited caveats.

Get this report for your own brand

buzzabout reads real conversations across TikTok, Reddit, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube and turns them into post ideas like these.

Research your own topic