Digital Life Abroad: eSIMs, VPNs, Dating Apps & the Tools That Keep You Connected
The phone is the trip now: map, ticket, bank, and often how you meet someone. We test that layer the way we test hotels — global eSIMs from Airalo to Holafly, Revolut against Wise after a year between countries, the VPNs that matter abroad, and which dating and AI companion apps actually travel.
Tools we actually keep
An eSIM is judged in one moment: the plane door opens and the phone either connects or it doesn't.
After a year of paying for life in two countries, one of these cards stayed in the wallet and the other went in a drawer.
Best eSIM, VPN and Banking Apps for Travel: Our Picks and Reader Deals
One pick per category, tested on the road: eSIMs, VPNs, banking and dating apps for life abroad. Locals Insider has also partnered with a few providers we trust to negotiate better deals for readers: code LOCALS adds eight weeks of free electronics theft cover to SafetyWing insurance and a new-customer discount on NordVPN, and NEWTOAIRALO15 takes 15% off your first Airalo eSIM.
Local, regional and global eSIMs in 200+ countries, installed in minutes before you fly.
Unlimited data by country or region — the pick for streaming, video calls and working on the road.
Fast servers in 100+ countries and obfuscation for networks that block VPNs, on up to 10 devices.
Swiss, open-source and the only free VPN worth installing — no data cap, no card needed.
Multi-currency accounts, cards that spend at the real rate, and RevPoints on everyday purchases.
Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid and the local favorites — which dating app works where, compared.
Not-so-obvious picks
Two of our most-read editorial deep dives in this category.
We tried the popular AI boyfriend apps — these are the best
People use them more than they say. We tested the popular ones for conversation, boundaries and cost, and picked the few that are worth the subscription.
Learning · In-flightWhy one editor swapped in-flight podcasts for a free Yale course
Long-haul hours are the best uninterrupted learning time most of us get. A free Yale political philosophy course turned out to be the better use of them.
- Yale open courses
- eSIM promo codes and discounts
- Best VPN free plans and coupons
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Photos, places, and short dispatches from our writers — between articles.
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