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Google Fi or something else in 2026

Posted by (St. Louis metro area) on

Is there a reason that Google Fi is not a good choice in 2026? I used it on my last European trip in 2023 and was satisfied. My upcoming trip Aug. 5-Oct. 2 of this year will include UK, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Turkey, and Greece. My needs are: (1) having a number where it is easy for my family can call me in Europe and easy for me to call them from Europe; ideally my home phone number but not necessarily if there is one number throughout Europe, and (2) very budget friendly since I am a frugal traveler, but also one who is likely to use a lot of data because I used Google Maps everywhere on the last trip and also want my photos taken on the phone to be backed up to the cloud as soon as I take them.

I see on this forum that some people have switched from that to e-sims, but I don't understand the reasoning, especially since I will be changing countries a lot on this trip.

I used T-Mobile in Europe in 2017 but they were snotty about my stopping their service after the trip, so I don't really want to go through that again. Not to mention I have read they don't want you going to Europe and using a lot of data shortly after switching to them.

At the moment at home I am on Tracfone, which is very cheap with very good service for my needs. I don't use the phone much at all, partly in rebellion against having to keep it so close during my working years.

What is your advice for this year?

Posted by
1299 posts

I am not sure you should necessarily look at this as a 2026 kind of thing. Trends and changes
are not always so linear. But...

If you move to Google Fi, you're changing carriers, mainly for a 2 month trip. Especially since
you are budget-conscious, I would make sure there's a rate plan that meets your needs in general
before switching. But, you might be able to get a free phone with one of Fi's introductory offers.

If you end up wanting to use an eSim, a) make sure your phone supports it b) do some comparison
shopping and research. You should be able to get a single eSim that supports all the countries
you are planning to visit (even though it may cost a bit more).

You also could purchase a physical sim card, but again, make sure your phone has a slot for a second
card and you know how to activate/deactivate it.

If there is any type of international roaming service with your current plan and you use sim/eSim,
know how to avoid activating the service, so that you don't get charged each day simply for
turning your phone on.

I might consider waiting until the evening to back up your photos when you can do it over wi-fi.

Fi's cheaper plans charge for data by the GB and could end up not being that cheap, or you
would need to spring for the unlimited plan, and I think that throttling occurs when you have
used a certain amount of data.

Fi is pretty seamless and less hassle, but may cost you more. A sim/eSim may cost less but
require a bit more learning and management.

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