Tickets and boarding passes that open without a connection
A travel document that needs a connection is not a reliable travel document.
Author: eSIMonline Travel Desk · Travel content deskPublished: September 5, 2026Last updated: September 5, 2026
Quick answer
- Save boarding passes and tickets to the phone's wallet or as images, not as links in an email.
- Also note the booking references on paper in case the phone dies at the wrong moment.
Nearly all travel documents live on the phone now, but many are stored as links that must reload each time. Where signal is poor or battery is low, the difference between a saved file and a link becomes significant.
Before leaving your accommodation
- Add the boarding pass to the phone's wallet, or screenshot it
- Save accommodation and transfer confirmations as files on the device
- Write booking references and key numbers on paper
- Save the accommodation address as text in the local language to show a driver
Do not rely on a screenshot alone for a boarding pass: some airlines need a barcode that updates when gates or times change. Keep both the app version and an image backup.
What still needs a connection
- Online check-in and seat changes
- Delay alerts and gate changes
- Ride-hailing and in-app payment
- Contacting an airline or hotel's support
FAQ
Should I print documents?+
One printed set of boarding pass and accommodation booking remains useful if the battery dies or the phone fails, and some checkpoints prefer it.
With a data plan, do I still need offline copies?+
Yes, because a plan solves access to the internet but not a flat battery, a coverage gap, or a provider's own outage.