From eSIM to AI: Technology makes long journeys more comfortable and safer.
Imagine working your mornings with ocean views and surfing after lunch for three months in Bali. Sounds like a dream? Thanks to cutting-edge technology – from AI assistants to biometrics and cloud services – by 2026, that could become a reality for thousands of remote workers and digital nomads worldwide.
But there's one major obstacle that destroys the entire digital ecosystem: lack of internet access. Internet is essential in rental apartments with Wi-Fi, on the beach when an important client makes an urgent call, and in the mountains when GPS loses connection. It's necessary almost everywhere you go, especially when you're far from home.
Traditional solutions are ineffective for long journeys. Roaming from your carrier can be frustrating due to high costs and hidden fees, buying a local SIM card requires visiting tech stores (which can be problematic with language barriers and other limitations), and public Wi-Fi is unreliable, inaccessible outdoors, and unsafe.
Travel eSIM technology addresses most of these issues. It's the ideal solution for long trips and interacting with innovative next-generation services to ensure safety and comfort for those working remotely.
Modern tourism technology ecosystem
AI Assistants: More Than Just Simple Translators
Forget Google Translate from 2020. Modern AI tools plan routes based on your budget, search for lesser-known attractions, analyze thousands of reviews, and provide personalized recommendations. ChatGPT will tell you where to find accommodation in Chiang Mai with a pool for $400/month and plan your itinerary, taking into account the weather, local events, and attractions.
Perplexity AI will find cafes where locals frequent. Hopper can predict airline ticket prices with 95% accuracy, and AI translation tools, like Google Translate with conversation mode, have evolved to translate conversations in real time, even recognizing slang and context.
Biometrics: Your data is secure.
Europe's EU digital identity wallet transforms users' passports and visas into a secure app, eliminating the risk of theft. Biometric boarding passes from Delta and Lufthansa replace paper boarding passes, featuring facial recognition in just seconds.
Google and Apple's Passkey uses biometrics instead of passwords for Gmail, iCloud, and hundreds of other services. They can't be forgotten or stolen. And Samsung Secure Folder and Google Private Space create an encrypted area for scanned documents with secure biometric access. Even if your phone is stolen, your passport, visa, and insurance are as secure as a bank vault.
Fintech: The end of the era of exorbitant transaction fees.
Wise and Revolut support over 50 currencies with interbank conversion rates, saving you 2-3% on each transaction. Virtual cards for each service protect your main account: Netflix, Booking, and other paid subscription services are linked to separate cards with limits.
Free international money transfers are a better option than bank transfers, which typically charge 3 to 5% in fees. Artificial intelligence (AI) automatically categorizes expenses: housing, food, transportation.
The AirTag 2 and Chipolo CARD Spot UWB tracking devices locate luggage with centimeter-level precision through a network of billions of devices. According to SITA, airlines lost 33.4 million pieces of luggage in 2024. A $30 tracking device can prevent the loss of a suitcase containing thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
Smart locks for Airbnb generate temporary access codes for cleaners and guests without requiring physical keys. This allows control via the app from anywhere in the world. The Timekettle X1 and Pocketalk mobile AI translators translate over 40 languages in real time, even offline, which is crucial for medical consultations or legal matters where translation accuracy is essential.
The crucial factor: It all depends on the internet.
AI assistants, biometric payments, GPS tracking devices, and cloud backups all require a stable connection. However, traditional solutions either don't work or cause numerous inconveniences, from expensive roaming charges to slow and insecure hotel Wi-Fi. Travel eSIM technology seems like a viable solution, and there are many advantages to using one of these next-generation services.
eSIM for travel: The foundation of the digital ecosystem.
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a microchip in a smartphone or other device that functions like a regular SIM card but without the plastic card. Carrier profiles can be downloaded remotely over the internet; it only takes a few minutes.
And what about the price? You only pay for what you use. There are no hidden fees or unexpected roaming charges, and the cost is predictable. Modern phones support multiple profiles for work and personal life. The hotspot feature lets you connect laptops, tablets, or family members' devices to the internet. At the same time, you'll have a private, secure connection with bank-grade TLS encryption, instead of unreliable public Wi-Fi.
Travel kit: Connectivity, data, e-wallet
So how do you get started? First, determine if your device supports eSIM: Most high-end phone models from 2020 onwards (iPhone 12+, Samsung Galaxy S21+, Google Pixel 5+) are compatible. Second, download the appropriate app before departure and register, select and pay for a plan suitable for your destination on the service provider's website, then set up your eSIM profile. You can set everything up at home and activate it upon arrival.
For a 3-month usage period, it's best to choose monthly plans for more flexibility when changing your schedule. But choosing a good eSIM isn't everything.
When working remotely, using Passkey instead of a password will help protect you from phishing attacks. VPNs (ProtonVPN, NordVPN) can be configured only for work applications, so personal applications don't slow down. Additionally, enabling Find My Device and remote data erasure will be useful if your phone is stolen. Your information won't fall into the wrong hands.
Long journeys on a budget don't have to mean sacrificing comfort. It's about consistently using technology, where each tool helps save money or prevent unexpected expenses.
The key to success is thorough preparation before departure, rather than solving problems on the spot. This includes AI assistants for planning, multi-currency cards for commission-free payments, UWB tracking devices for luggage, and eSIM services for uninterrupted communication. Each element in the technology ecosystem addresses a specific problem. Set up your technology correctly, and a long trip will transform from a logistical nightmare into a comfortable, predictable experience with maximum freedom.