Is your child’s phone eSIM ready for holidays? A practical guide for autumn travellers

Why a connected child matters more than ever

I remember losing sight of my son for ten minutes in Munich’s Viktualienmarkt—just as the Oktoberfest crowds swelled. He had his phone, but no data, and the local Wi-Fi buckled under demand. Lesson learnt: the best way to stay online in Europe isn’t to gamble on hotel Wi-Fi or patchy roaming, but to plan ahead. These days, cities like New York or Paris are notorious for network congestion in autumn—especially during big events or festivals. Free Wi-Fi might be everywhere, but at popular sites (think Central Park during fall foliage), connections crawl. And in rural spots—the Scottish Highlands or French countryside—public signals fade fast. That’s why more parents I meet are turning to eSIMs: the digital SIM card that downloads straight onto your child's phone. It works even if your hands are full of apple cider doughnuts or you’re fresh off a red-eye with jet-lagged kids.

What makes eSIMs a game-changer for family travel?

For parents, predictability is priceless. With a virtual SIM, there’s no fumbling with fiddly trays or language barriers at foreign kiosks. You buy your plan online—say, a 5GB package for the US for $17/£13/€15—and get a QR code to scan. My test runs with Graba SIM’s Data Pulse monitoring meant I could check my son’s data use right from the home screen widget, so he didn’t end up out of contact mid-museum trip. And yes, activation really does take around 30 seconds. Last trip to Japan, I landed groggy at Haneda, scanned the code en route to baggage claim, and had full bars before customs. No queuing, no panic. Their 24/7 live chat is another safety net—handy when your tech-savvy child needs help and you’re wrestling with suitcases.

How to check if your child’s phone is eSIM-ready (and what to do if not)

Checking takes less than five minutes. Here’s what I always recommend:

If the device isn’t compatible, consider borrowing or renting an eSIM-ready phone, or look into local SIMs—though it’s rarely as convenient or parent-friendly.

Destination-specific tips from a parent who’s tried it all

If you’re heading for classic autumn getaways, some real-world lessons:

In New England, mobile coverage dips in rural Vermont and New Hampshire, especially in the hills where leaf-peeping crowds swarm. US eSIM plans often switch between multiple networks—Graba SIM’s do this automatically for better coverage.

Japan’s coverage is excellent, but subways block most signals. Kids relying on maps? Remind them to download routes before boarding.

Greek islands are beautiful but notorious for patchy data. Plan ahead—buy a wider European or Mediterranean eSIM plan if you’ll hop between countries (browse regional plans).

In London, public Wi-Fi is everywhere but slow during big events—think Diwali at Trafalgar Square. Rely on mobile data for anything important.

eSIM vs physical SIM or roaming: what works best for children?

If you’d like a deeper dive, see eSIM vs physical SIM: the smart way to stay online abroad for a side-by-side comparison.