SIM-Free Travel: How WiFi-Only Changed Our Family’s Journey
Before setting off on our recent trip to Dubai, the UK, and Paris, we made a decision: we wouldn’t be purchasing a SIM or eSIM. While these options were available and affordable, I was drawn to the idea of using only WiFi. It felt like a small challenge, a purposeful constraint that might give us a new way to experience the journey. And as it turns out, it didn’t just work—it added a refreshing layer of simplicity to our travels. Here’s what we learned.
WiFi Access Points: Easier Than Expected
As you might expect, most airports and major train stations offered reliable WiFi, making them easy checkpoints for quick updates. Even the Eurostar had onboard WiFi! This meant that connecting with family was straightforward, especially for letting them know where we were or ordering an Uber home after a long day sightseeing.
In Birmingham, we stayed in an Airbnb while visiting my parents that had WiFi, which made daily planning a breeze. During our time in Scotland, our family welcomed us onto their WiFi network. In all, the places we stayed or visited were more “connected” than we’d initially expected.
The London Challenge: When Offline Feels Really Offline
London threw us our biggest connectivity challenge. We stayed on an off-grid narrowboat booked through Airbnb—quaint, peaceful, and totally without WiFi. Upon arriving at Paddington Station, I jumped on the station’s WiFi, but the boat owner hadn’t yet sent where the boat was moored. After wandering around Little Venice, I ducked into a Starbucks to check for messages and locate our boat. While this added a bit of extra effort, it also added a hint of adventure, and I realised it made us appreciate those digital check-ins more.
After a few days, however, we decided to invest in a five-day EE Hotspot pass for £20 to help us plan our days more efficiently with two young children in tow. While the connection wasn’t the most reliable, it covered our needs without compromising our initial goal.
Embracing the Present: Did We Miss Anything?
One unexpected takeaway from going SIM-free was how it shifted our focus. Without the constant pings and notifications, we truly felt present. We used WiFi sparingly, only for quick updates or essential logistics, and otherwise focused on simply being there. I found myself cherishing family time even more, and only checking messages when I had a connection.
So, did we miss out? Absolutely not. In fact, it left me thinking about doing this even now that we’re back in Australia. WiFi is readily available at home, work, and in most public places. Apps like WhatsApp make messaging and calling easy once connected. Is this idea a bit too far off the usual track? Maybe—but the thought of being reachable only at certain times, and being fully present all others, is something I want to try.
Over the next two months, I’ll be weighing up whether a WiFi-only lifestyle could be the next step in simplifying my life.