Author
Marcus Johnson
Budget Travel Writer
Budget Travel Writer
Marcus Johnson
Chicago, IL
Budget travel writer from Chicago, on the road since 1998. Started on three dollars a day in Southeast Asia with a torn copy of Lonely Planet; now covers hostels, overland routes, and the kind of travel you do when the return flight is six months away. Author of two backpacking guidebooks for university presses. Sleeps better on overnight buses than in most hotels.
Articles by Marcus
- eSIM review
Nomad eSIM Review (2026): Fixed bundles, competitive mid-tier pricing
Nomad is a budget-friendly travel eSIM with competitive 5-10 GB plan pricing. Where it works, the missing features compared to newer competitors, and how it stacks up for backpacker travel.
8 min read
- Comparison
Nomad alternative: 99esim compared (2026)
Looking for a Nomad alternative? 99esim head-to-head with Nomad — plan flexibility, country count, group eSIMs, support speed, North America scope.
8 min read
- Comparison
Airalo vs Nomad: Brand familiarity or budget-tier pricing?
Head-to-head: pricing across plan sizes, country coverage, app polish, support. Where each fixed-bundle competitor wins and which fits your trip.
7 min read
- Traveler persona
The Backpacker's connectivity playbook
Months on the road, country every week or two, tight budget. eSIM picks for long-stretch budget travel, when local SIMs beat travel eSIMs, and the cheap-line stack that carries you through six months.
8 min read
- Connectivity
Best eSIM for Asia travel: how to pick
Criteria that matter for Asia — regional coverage count, Japan/Korea inclusion, SE Asia tier-1 carriers, passport-registration savings. Plus honest notes on where each major provider fits.
6 min read
- Connectivity
Do I need an eSIM for my trip to Latin America?
Yes for cross-country trips — regional plans cover the continent on one purchase. Coverage is strong in major cities, thinner in the Andes and Amazon. Country-by-country reality.
6 min read
- Connectivity
Do I need an eSIM for my trip to Southeast Asia?
Short answer: yes for trips under 3 weeks. Local SIMs are cheap in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, but only worth the kiosk time for longer stays. Regional plans cover multi-country hops.
6 min read