Reach on a bike – tips for data and offline use in remote countries

You’re standing at the start of a gravel route somewhere in the Eifel with your bike. GPX loaded, Komoot open, weather app checked. Everything works. Until your phone suddenly switches to a Belgian network and you ask yourself: does this cost me anything now? And how much? We dove in.

Having a phone on your bike is not a luxury. You need it for navigation, for WhatsApp with your group, for finding that one boulangerie after 80km, and in the worst case for an emergency. Yet it’s a subject most bike travelers only start to think about when things are already going wrong.

You have three options: roaming, a local SIM, or an eSIM. Which one do you need?

Roaming – just turn it on and go

The easiest option. You land, turn off airplane mode, and everything works. Your number remains active, you receive SMS messages from your bank, and you don’t have to set anything up. For a weekend in the Ardennes or Vosges, this is often the best choice.

Within the EU, the familiar rules apply to Dutch, German and Belgian travelers. “Roam Like at Home”: you simply use your own bundle, at no extra cost. New since January 2026: also Moldova and Ukraine now fall under that scheme. Handy if you cycle there, but check to see if your provider has already implemented this. Oh, and in the case of Ukraine: maybe also keep an eye on the situation in the country. Just saying’.

The pitfalls lie outside Europe, or whatever your provider doesn't consider Europe to be. The catch: Switzerland And Turkey. They sometimes change their appearance, depending on the provider. The biggest problem is, of course, when you’re out on the open water. If you get on the boat near Hoek van Holland or Harwich, and you’re just outside the range of the mast, you’re on the maritime satellite. And that costs about €50 per MB.

Non-Europeans

Roaming in the US, Morocco or Thailand can quickly add up to a few euros per megabyte. And please note: satellite networks on cruise ships or in airplanes are not covered by EU roaming. That can quickly add up to tens of euros within an hour. So: on the ferry? Turn off the Wi-Fi unless you’re sure you’re on a land network.

For UK travelers The situation after Brexit is more difficult. Some providers (such as Tesco Mobile and certain O2 bundles) still offer free EU roaming, others charge a daily rate of around £2. Since 2026, Ofcom requires providers to immediately send you a notification as soon as you pick up a foreign network, which is especially relevant on the coast near France or in Northern Ireland.

US travelers Paying for roaming is usually quite expensive, unless you’re with T-Mobile. They offer 5 to 15GB of high-speed data on many plans in 215+ countries, with no extra charges. Google Fi is another popular alternative for those who travel frequently outside the US.

Local SIM – cheapest data, most hassle

Buying a local prepaid SIM is the most budget-friendly option. You pay local rates, get a local phone number, and the coverage is usually excellent. Ideal if you stay in one country for a few weeks and consume a lot of data for navigation or remote work.

But there is a practical side to it. In Germany You must undergo a video identification or personal ID check before your SIM is activated. In Belgium Passport registration is also mandatory. That takes time, and if you really just want to go to your accommodation after a long flight, that’s inconvenient.

Also: you have to remove your home SIM (unless your phone supports dual SIM). That means no bank transfers, no 2FA codes, no access to your own number. This is inconvenient for group trips with live tracking or when booking accommodations.

And if you travel through several countries? You’ll need a new SIM for each country. That quickly adds up to a collection of cards in your suitcase.

ESIM – digital, flexible, increasingly popular

An eSIM is a digital SIM profile that you install via a QR code or app. No physical card, no SIM tray to open with a paperclip. You can arrange it at home, before departure, and when you land you’ll be online immediately.

The big advantage for bike travelers crossing borders: regional or global eSIM bundles cover multiple countries in one plan. You can travel from France to Switzerland to Italy without having to switch anything. Providers like Airalo and Holafly offer this kind of packages.

If you buy an e-sim through Holafly, you get 5% off with the code ‘GANNA’!

And because the eSIM works alongside your physical SIM (on phones with dual SIM), your home number remains active. SMS from your bank? It arrives. WhatsApp on your own number? It works. Data travels via the eSIM. This combination offers both connectivity and data.

Markings: Your phone must support eSIM. This applies to most iPhones from the XS, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models, and recent Google Pixels. Older devices are excluded. In addition, many travel eSIMs are data-only: you make calls and send SMS via WhatsApp or Zoom, not via the regular dialer. Some providers now do offer calling and SMS support, but check this in advance.

For US travelers An additional detail is relevant: iPhones starting with the 14 (US version) are completely eSIM-only, without a physical SIM slot. That actually makes the eSIM route the standard.

Comparison at a glance

	Roaming	Local SIM	ESIM
Setup	Nothing, automatically	Shop, ID, activation	QR code or app, ready to go at home
Costs (EU)	Your own bundle, no extra charge	Cheapest	Middle
Costs (outside the EU)	Often expensive	Cheapest	Competitive
Multiple countries	Automatically (but expensive outside the EU)	New SIM for each country	Regional bundle possible
Home number active	Yes	No (unless dual SIM)	Yes (dual SIM)
Navigation-proof	Yes, but speed can be a drawback	Yes, fastest local network	Yes
2FA/bank statements	Yes	No	Yes (via home SIM)

Before you leave – just a quick check

Regardless of which option you choose, a few things to keep in mind:

• Download your GPX routes and offline maps (Komoot, Google Maps) before departure. That way, you won't be dependent on cell service in a mountain valley.
• Check if your phone supports eSIM if you want to go that route.
• Check your plan: how much data can you use abroad? Some providers apply fair use limits, even within the EU.
• Are you traveling as a couple? One good data plan plus a hotspot might be enough. Be mindful of battery consumption, though.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi at campsites and hotels for banking purposes, unless you use a VPN.

So: what are you bringing?

For a weekend trip within the EU: roaming is fine; you won't notice any difference. If you're going away for longer, to a country outside Europe? A local SIM is the cheapest option. If you're traveling by gravel bike through multiple countries, an eSIM is the best option.

We’re curious: what do you use on the road? Do you have an eSIM provider that worked well in Norway, Morocco, or the USA? Or did you get completely stuck somewhere without service? We’d love to hear from you!