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GigSky offers affordable international eSIM data plans that you can install on your mobile device in minutes — no physical SIM card required.
If you've ever landed in a new country without internet access, you know how frustrating it can be. Although you can often get a local SIM card at the airport or near your hotel, it's probably not what you want to be doing at the end of a long travel day. Plus, if you have a newer iPhone, you might not have a physical SIM card slot at all. In short, it pays to plan ahead.
That’s where GigSky eSIM plans come in. eSIMs let you connect to mobile data the moment your plane touches down. After using eSIMs exclusively for several years, I wouldn’t travel any other way. While some international eSIM providers charge premium prices, GigSky stands out by offering reliable global data at a fraction of the cost, including an affordable monthly global plan that’s ideal for frequent travelers and digital nomads.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide if GigSky is the right eSIM provider for your next trip.
Page Contents
How GigSky eSIM Works
GigSky connects you to the internet using a digital SIM card that you'll download and install on your phone. Just download the app for your iOS or Android device, choose a plan, and follow a few simple steps to activate. With an eSIM, you won't need to go looking for a tiny pin to open that physical SIM-card tray or keep track of your old SIM until you return from your trip.
GigSky Data Plans
GigSky offers a variety of data plans that make it easy to opt out of the high roaming fees charged by most cellular networks. You can sign up for a new plan in seconds, and choose a GigSky eSIM that suits your international travel itinerary — from country-specific or regional data connections to plans with unlimited global coverage.
Country or region-specific plans
If you have a short vacation coming up and want a bit of data, just open the GigSky app and search for the country or region where you'll need service. The price of the plan will depend on the location and the amount of data you want.
For instance, if you're heading to France, you can buy as little as 1 gigabyte of data that's valid for 7 days for $4.99. On the other end of the spectrum, you can buy 100 GB of data that is valid for 180 days for $101.57. You can choose exactly how much data you need and how long the coverage lasts. Or, you can opt for an unlimited data plan valid for anywhere from 1 to 30 days.
If you're moving around Europe during your trip, you can select a regional plan that's valid in 42 countries. It's slightly more expensive for both the fixed- and unlimited data plans, but the convenience of not having to spend money on a new eSIM when you change countries can be well worth it.
GigSky One
GigSky One is an eSIM subscription that works like a U.S. phone plan. It's perfect for digital nomads who frequently travel between countries and want consistent, reliable data. There's no commitment, so you can cancel at any time. You can choose how much high-speed data you want each month, from the following options:
- 25 GB: $33.99/month
- 50 GB: $53.99/month
- 75 GB: $73.99/month
Currently, Gigsky is discounting these already affordable rates by 50%. That means a 25 GB plan costs just $17.
If you run out of high-speed data during the month, don't worry. You get unlimited data at speeds up to 1 Mbps, which is more than enough to send a text or look at Google Maps. Just download the app, buy your eSIM, and activate your plan to access cellular data in 120+ countries.
You can find a full list of GigSky One-compatible devices and countries on the GigSky website. Be sure to carefully check if your upcoming travel destinations are included. For instance, countries like Ethiopia and Yemen are excluded. If you're headed to those countries, you'll need to make alternate arrangements.
Offshore
GigSky offers two offshore data plans in partnership with Tampnet — one for the North Sea and one for the Gulf of Mexico. This allows you to stay connected with friends and family, even when you're miles away from shore and out of reach of traditional cell phone service. This is great if you work in the offshore energy industry or maritime sectors. No more going days or weeks without a reliable signal to communicate with your family and loved ones.
Plans for the Gulf of Mexico range from $10 for 1 GB of data to $110 for 20 GB of data, while North Sea plans start at $5.99 for 5 GB of data to $25 for 35 GB of data.
Inflight
You can even use a GigSky data plan when flying. GigSky offers in-flight connectivity in partnership with AeroMobile — which mainly partners with international airlines like Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Lufthansa. It doesn't appear that this service is available on domestic flights in the U.S. just yet.
If you are flying on an AeroMobile-compatible flight, all you need to do is download the GigSky app and purchase an in-flight plan before taking off. Then, once you reach 20,000 feet, you can switch on the GigSky Plan. You'll be able to connect and talk to friends or stream video throughout your flight. This is a neat feature, but it's also quite expensive. 100 megabytes of data costs $13.99, so you'll want to use it sparingly.
Luckily, most airlines these days either offer complimentary Wi-Fi or a more affordable paid Wi-Fi solution. If your airline doesn't offer Wi-Fi and you really need to stay connected during your flight, this is a great way to do so.
Using GigSky eSIM on cruise lines
If you love taking cruises, you'll be pleased to know that GigSky offers a Cruise+Land package plan that combines internet coverage at sea with data you can use on shore each time your cruise ship calls at a new port.
Wi-Fi packages offered by your cruise line can be expensive, and your ship's internet access won't follow you when you go exploring new destinations on land. If you want to make sure you stay connected even on days at sea, consider a Cruise+Land data plan.
Be sure to check if your cruise line offers Cellular at Sea service by visiting GigSky's cruise data webpage. Luckily, most cruise lines offer this service, from the well-known Carnival Cruise Line to small-ship luxury Oceania Cruises. For even more flexibility, you can choose a “Cruise Only” plan, which means you have data on your cruise ship, but you'll use a separate data plan for land coverage. This is a great option for cruise itineraries with several days at sea.
Related: Airalo, GigSky, and FlexiRoam: Which eSIM Should You Use on Your Next International Trip
Free GigSky eSIM for Select Visa Cardholders
If you want to try out GigSky before committing to a monthly plan or a chunk of data, you're in luck. If you have a U.S.-issued Visa Infinite or Visa Signature card, you can receive a free GigSky eSIM — plus a discount on future plans.
- Visa Infinite: Receive a 3 GB complimentary plan valid for 15 days, plus 30% off all plans.
- Visa Signature: Receive a 1 GB complimentary plan valid for 15 days, plus 20% off all plans.
You likely already have a Visa Infinite or Visa Signature card in your wallet. Check your eligibility here.
Popular Visa Infinite cards include:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees)
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card
Popular Visa Signature cards include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
- Prime Visa (Rates & Fees)
How To Sign up for a GigSky Plan
Signing up for a GigSky Plan is incredibly easy. All you need to do is download the app, sign in or register for an account, select your plan, subscribe, and follow the steps to install your eSIM. The whole process takes just a few minutes, and then you're connected. Just be sure to complete these steps before you embark on your international trip so you can be connected as soon as you land. You can track how much data you have left in your plan by going to the “My Plans” section of the app.
Throughout most of my 4+ year-long nomad journey, I've alternated between two other eSIM providers — Airalo and Holafly. However, I've used GigSky for a bit during my time in Mexico and have been very impressed. The speeds are great, and frankly, the plans are much more affordable than anything else I've ever seen.
Even if I had to pay the standard $33.99/month (vs. the discounted $17/month) for the 25 GB GigSky One plan, I'm still saving quite a bit of money. An 20GB eSIM through Airalo costs $66, so the GigSky One plan is half the price, and I don't have to manually top up my account each month. That's a win-win in my book.
Is GigSky Worth It?
Whether GigSky is worth it will depend on your travel goals and your current phone plan. Here are a few things to consider.
Pros
- Comprehensive worldwide coverage
- Fantastic prices that save you money
- Flexible options suited for any traveler
Cons
- You won't get a local phone number
- Potential for lower speeds after reaching a daily high-speed limit
Who is GigSky best for?
Almost any international traveler could take advantage of GigSky's eSIM services. Whether you are a digital nomad or embarking on your first trip abroad, GigSky offers several plans that could make sense for your circumstances. In my experience, it's really nice to be able to activate your connection the moment you arrive in a new country, rather than waiting to find a local SIM card.
Who doesn't need a GigSky eSIM?
If you're a T-Mobile subscriber in the U.S., it's worth checking if your phone plan grants access to international data. T-Mobile includes 5-15 GB of high-speed data and free text messages in 215 destinations for customers on select plans, and you'll be able to make and receive calls with your U.S. phone number. (Note that T-Mobile does charge $0.25 per minute for cellular calls in most countries.)
If you use up your included high-speed data, check out the GigSky packages before you buy an add-on data pass from T-Mobile, as they're often cheaper and more flexible.
Bottom Line
GigSky is an excellent option for your next international trip. The connectivity, speeds, availability, and flexibility outshine any of its competitors. With the launch of GigSky One, digital nomads now have an affordable, convenient way to stay connected while traveling around the world. Plus, when you buy data through GigSky, you'll earn 5% back on every purchase as a GigSky credit that can be used for future purchases.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and Prime Visa (Rates & Fees)
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