Not sure how to get online abroad? Beyond a traditional travel SIM, there are actually four ways to stay connected while travelling: a physical SIM, pocket Wi-Fi, carrier roaming, and eSIM. This article rounds up all four options with a comparison table, plus how to buy one and choose the right data plan — so you can shop with confidence and stay connected on the go~

How do you choose a way to get online abroad? 4 options compared!
With so many options for staying connected abroad, which one is right for you? Do not worry — DJB has laid it all out below, so you can see which fits you best~
| Option | SIM card | eSIM | Pocket Wi-Fi | Carrier roaming |
| How to activate | Swap in the SIM, ready to use with no setup | Scan a dedicated QR code to activate | Carry a Wi-Fi router; needs charging | Apply through your home carrier |
| Best for | Longer trips | 1. Shorter trips 2. Anyone with last-minute data needs | Group travel | Anyone with last-minute data needs |
| Calls | Some plans support calling | Calls via your home number | - | Calls via your home number |
| Cost (Japan example) | DJB unlimited: NT$190/day | DJB unlimited: NT$230/day | Japan Wi-Fi router rental: NT$110/day, limited device count | Chunghwa Telecom example: NT$298/day, 2GB |
| Pros | 1. Flexible duration and data options 2. Not shared with others 3. Better value than roaming | 1. No physical SIM swap, easy activation 2. No setup — calls and texts still go through your home number 3. Flexible duration and data options, unrestricted use | Can be shared among a group at once | 1. Uses your home number, billed directly on your monthly statement 2. No APN setup needed, works right away |
| Cons | Requires a SIM swap, with some risk of losing the original SIM | Phone must support eSIM | 1. Limited number of connected devices 2. Must stay near the router, limiting movement 3. Requires carrying a charger and the router itself | Going over your data allowance gets expensive fast |
How to choose a travel data plan: FAQ
Where can you buy a travel data SIM?
Local SIM cards are usually available at the airport or in-country, but if you would rather avoid any language barrier, you can buy a travel data SIM from DJB before you go — with a wide range of data and duration options, plus 24/7 English and Chinese live chat support ready to help with anything data-related.


How do you pick the best-value data plan?
Generally, 1GB gets you around 200,000 LINE messages, 80 hours of navigation, 40 hours of voice calls over data, 2 hours of video streaming, or 5 hours of continuous web browsing — so choose your travel data plan based on how you expect to use it.
| Usage type | Texting and looking things up | Posting photos, maps and navigation | Streaming, gaming, business travel |
| Daily usage | <500MB | 1GB | >1GB |
| Recommended plan | 1GB | >1GB | Unlimited |
How do you receive your SIM or eSIM?
Buying an eSIM from DJB just means checking your email, then scanning the QR code to install and activate instantly — no setup needed. Physical SIM cards can be collected in several ways, including pickup at Taoyuan Airport, at a convenience store, or delivered straight to your door — whichever is most convenient.
Recommended Japan data plans

DJB connects directly with all four major Japanese carriers — NTT Docomo, SoftBank, KDDI and Rakuten — pooling their combined network resources for denser coverage, so you get a smooth connection even during peak hours!
| Japan data | Data plan | How to activate | Recommended product |
| SIM card | Unlimited, no throttling | Swap in the SIM | DJB Daijobu Unlimited ULTRA |
| eSIM | Unlimited data | Scan a QR code online to activate | DJB eSIM Daijobu Unlimited |
Recommended Korea data plans

DJB partners directly with SKT, one of Korea's leading carriers, on a dedicated high-bandwidth connection, giving you a comprehensive network experience.
| Korea data | Data plan | How to activate | Recommended product |
| SIM card | Unlimited, no throttling | Swap in the SIM | DJB Korea Wave SIM |
| eSIM | Unlimited data | Scan a QR code online to activate | DJB eSIM Korea Wave |
Recommended Thailand data plans

DJB partners with Thailand's local carrier DTAC for a fast, reliable connection, with stable signal and speed even in busy city centres.
| Thailand data | Data plan | How to activate | Recommended product |
| SIM card | Unlimited, no throttling | Swap in the SIM | DJB Southeast Asia SIM |
| eSIM | Unlimited data | Scan a QR code online to activate | eSIM Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand |
Now that you have read this far, have you already picked your travel buddy for the trip? Before you go, do not forget to grab a DJB data SIM and enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted travel experience!


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