What You Actually Need on Your Phone Before a Trip to Europe

In partnership with Nomad eSIM

A practical, no-stress checklist so you land ready to navigate, pay, translate and stay in touch

Your phone is likely to be one of the most useful things you pack for a trip to Europe. It gets you from the airport to your hotel, translates menus, stores your boarding passes, helps you find the nearest train and lets you keep in touch while you're away.

But before you board your flight, there are a few things worth setting up.

From mobile data and eSIMs to offline maps, travel apps and mobile payments, here's how to prepare your phone for travelling to Europe so you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time exploring.

Make Sure Your Phone Is Ready for Travel

Before you start downloading apps and changing settings, check that your phone is ready to work abroad.

If you're planning to use an eSIM, first check that your phone supports eSIM technology and isn't locked to your current mobile provider. Most newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices support eSIM, but it's worth checking your specific model before your trip.

It's also a good idea to update your phone's operating system before you leave. Doing it at home, while you're connected to Wi-Fi, is much easier than trying to install a large update on hotel Wi-Fi.

Sort Out Your Mobile Data Before You Fly

One of the easiest ways to stay connected while travelling around Europe is to arrange your mobile data before you leave. A travel eSIM is a convenient option whether you're visiting one country or travelling across several, giving you mobile data without replacing your physical SIM. You can use it for maps, translation, transport, bookings and messaging without relying on expensive roaming or buying a new SIM each time you cross a border.

A regional Europe eSIM can be a convenient option if you're visiting several destinations. Nomad eSIM offers travel eSIM plans for Europe that you can arrange before your trip and install while you're still at home and connected to Wi-Fi. Just check that your chosen plan covers all the countries on your itinerary and suits the amount of data you'll need.

Set Up Your eSIM Before You Leave

Once you've purchased your Nomad eSIM, install it before your trip so you're ready to connect when you arrive. On an iPhone, you can generally add an eSIM through Settings > Mobile Service > Add eSIM, while Android settings vary by device. Give your travel eSIM a clear name, such as "Europe Travel", so it's easy to identify when you're abroad, and check Nomad's activation instructions to make sure you know when your data plan begins.

Check Your Roaming Settings

This is one phone setting worth checking before you leave.

If you're keeping your regular SIM in your phone while using a travel eSIM, make sure you've selected the correct line for mobile data. You may also want to turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid accidentally using your regular provider's data abroad.

Your travel eSIM may require data roaming to be switched on, depending on the plan and network. Check the instructions provided with your eSIM before changing anything.

Taking a minute to check these settings can help prevent unexpected roaming charges and make sure your phone is using your Nomad data plan rather than your home SIM.

Download the Apps You'll Actually Use

Your phone can make travelling around Europe considerably easier, but only if you've got the right tools ready. Most of them also rely on a solid data connection, which your Nomad eSIM takes care of.

Before you leave, think about what you'll need during your trip.

• Maps: Download offline maps for the cities and regions you're visiting. They're particularly useful when you're underground, somewhere remote or simply having trouble getting a signal.
• Translation: A translation app can be useful for everything from menus and signs to asking for directions.
• Transport: Check whether your destinations have local public transport apps, or download the apps you'll need for trains and buses.
• Travel documents: Keep your boarding passes, hotel confirmations and other important documents somewhere you can access them easily.
• Banking: Make sure your banking apps are installed and that you know how you'll access your accounts while abroad.

Get Your Phone Ready for Mobile Payments

You may use your phone for payments more than you expect when travelling through Europe.

Before you leave, check that Apple Pay or Google Pay is working and that your cards are still valid. It's also worth carrying a physical card as a backup, particularly if you're travelling somewhere where you might encounter places that don't accept contactless payments.

Having your cards ready on your phone can make everything from grabbing a coffee to buying a train ticket much quicker.

Save What You Can Offline

Even with a travel eSIM, you won't always have a perfect connection.

Downloading a few things before your trip can make a big difference. Save offline maps, playlists, podcasts, films and any important travel documents you'll need along the way.

You can also check which apps are using the most mobile data and disable automatic downloads or updates over mobile data.

This is particularly useful if you're travelling with a limited data allowance.

Check Your Phone's Battery

A phone that's constantly being used for navigation, photography, translation and travel bookings can run through its battery surprisingly quickly.

Before your trip, consider:

• Carrying a portable power bank
• Downloading maps for offline use
• Lowering your screen brightness when possible
• Turning off unnecessary background activity
• Charging your phone before long travel days

A power bank is especially useful on days when you're moving between cities or spending hours exploring without access to a plug.

What to Do When You Land

Once you arrive in Europe, take a minute to check that everything is working before leaving the airport.

If you're using a travel eSIM such as Nomad, check that your eSIM is switched on and selected for mobile data. If your plan requires data roaming to be enabled, make sure that's switched on for the travel eSIM and not your home SIM.

Then open Maps or another website to test your connection.

Once you're online, you'll have everything you need to find your way into the city, check your train times, message your hotel and start exploring.

Your Phone, Ready for Europe

A little preparation before your flight can make your phone one less thing to think about once you arrive.

Check your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, arrange your mobile data, download the apps and maps you'll need, check your roaming settings and make sure you have a backup way to charge your phone.

And if you're travelling between multiple European countries, we recommend setting up a Nomad eSIM before you leave so you can stay connected without having to think about local SIM cards along the way.

Once that's all sorted, your phone can go back to doing what you actually brought it for: helping you find your way to your next European adventure.

Get your Nomad eSIM

European Listings readers can use code EL20 for 20% off any Nomad plan.

In partnership with Nomad eSIM. European Listings may earn a commission on plans purchased via the links above, at no extra cost to you. Code EL20 is valid at the time of writing and subject to Nomad's terms.