If you’re like me — a frequent traveller, budget-savvy, and a borderline Skyscanner addict — you know the thrill of finding that once-in-a-blue-moon flight deal. That London to Bali roundtrip for under £300? Yeah, I actually found it. And I was buzzing.
But let me let you in on something that most travel blogs don’t tell you: the real costs kick in after you land.
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Flights: Data Drama
Sure, the flight is affordable — but what about the mobile data you’ll need when you touch down? Most people think about accommodation, activities, maybe even airport transfers. But they forget the thing we all rely on most from the moment we land: internet access.
When I arrived in Denpasar, Bali, I watched tourists scrambling to find SIM card stalls. Some were in queues 30-40 minutes long. Others were trying to figure out APN settings with vendors who barely spoke English. Not to mention the SIM cards at the airport are priced like souvenirs — £15-25 for barely 5GB.
Meanwhile, I had already pre-installed a Travanzi eSIM.
What is an eSIM and Why Should You Care?
If you’re still unfamiliar: an eSIM is a digital SIM embedded into your device. No physical card. No swapping out trays. No fumbling with paperclips. You just scan a QR code, and bam — you’re connected.
With Travanzi, I bought my eSIM package before I even left London. Activated it in the air, somewhere over the Indian Ocean. By the time the plane touched down, my WhatsApp was already popping off with “You landed safe?” messages.
My Bali Breakdown — Real Costs
- Travanzi eSIM Plan (20GB/30 days): £17.80
- Roaming costs if I used my UK provider: £6 per day x 21 days = £126
- My friend’s total bill: £128.72 (and she only used social apps, no YouTube or hotspot)
It wasn’t even a contest.
I had high-speed data from day one. I could stream Spotify on my motorbike rides, book Gojeks (like Uber) instantly, and keep my Google Maps zoomed in 24/7.
The Numbers Back It Up
According to a 2025 study by Expedia and WARC:
- 61% of Gen Z and millennial travellers said they relied on mobile internet more than guidebooks or travel agents.
- Roaming charges were the second most common “unexpected expense” reported by UK travellers abroad.
- eSIM adoption increased by 89% globally from 2023 to 2025 — and is now standard on most flagship phones.
Quick Tips to Save Even More While Travelling
- Use Skyscanner “Everywhere” feature — You can find hidden city deals and hop around countries.
- Bundle your Travanzi eSIM plan — Regional packages save 30-50% if you’re hitting multiple countries.
- Turn off background data — Apps like TikTok and Gmail run wild in the background. Save data and battery.
- Pre-download offline maps — Even though you’ll have signal, it’s smart to cache maps.
- Set up travel alerts — Travanzi sends usage alerts so you won’t overuse or hit limits by mistake.
Why Travanzi Worked For Me
There are plenty of eSIM brands out there (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad), but here’s why Travanzi felt different:
- Instant QR activation — No downloads, no extra apps. Just scan and go.
- Genuinely fair pricing — No sneaky top-ups or taxes mid-trip.
- Global coverage — Over 190+ countries, and not just the big tourist hubs.
- 24/7 WhatsApp support — They literally replied to me from a beach in Sri Lanka (respect).
- Regional bundles — So when I popped into Thailand for 4 days, I just topped up with an Asia package.
The Travel Reality: We Live Online
Let’s be honest: Travel today is nothing without data. From the moment I leave my house, I’m using:
- Google Maps for route planning
- TripIt and Skyscanner for itinerary and flight status
- WhatsApp to chat with locals or fellow travellers
- Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts — because yes, we share in real-time
- Uber, Grab, Gojek, Bolt, DiDi — all app-based transport
- Google Translate, XE Currency, Naver Map, Moovit, HappyCow
So why are we still letting data costs hold us back?
The Big Picture: Freedom to Roam
As a full-time digital nomad, I can tell you: connectivity is freedom. You don’t realise how much peace of mind it brings until you’ve been stuck somewhere without signal.
And it’s not just about luxury. It’s safety. It’s navigation. It’s being able to message your mum “I’m okay” after a delay or check-in to your hostel on the go.
If your 2025 is about exploring more, working abroad, or just escaping to somewhere new — sort your data before you board.
Your adventure begins the second your plane lands. Make sure you’re already connected.
Visit www.travanzi.com to get your travel eSIM today.
Author: Zara Faruq, professional travel content creator and Gen Z nomad.
