eSIMs are so hot right now. More and more people who travel are discovering their advantages as a far cheaper alternative to international data roaming.
And the eSIM industry is taking off.
The list of available eSIM providers is growing by the day. But they’re not all created equal. That becomes clear when you look at things like their prices, product features, and customer reviews.
For instance, some providers only offer local eSIMs for individual countries. But what about travellers planning to visit multiple countries? Fortunately, there's a simpler solution: an international eSIM. With this option, your phone automatically connects to the local network as you move from country to country, eliminating the need to purchase a new eSIM each time you cross a border.
Top 4 eSIMs for travel in Europe
The companies listed below are known for their European coverage. We shortlisted the best providers and selected our favourite eSIM from each provider based on a few factors.
- Price: Is it good value? How does the price compare to similar offerings?
- Validity Period: Does the plan cover the duration of your trip? The plans listed below are valid for up to a month from the time of activation. We chose larger, longer-term plans because that is where prices get more competitive per gigabyte of data.
- Data Amounts: How much data is included? More data = more internet connectivity. Each plan listed below offers all the data you’ll likely need for a month in Europe.
- Available Calls & Texts: Does the plan include calls and texts, or is it data-only?
- International Coverage: How many countries are included in the plan?
- Company Reviews: What’s the feedback like from other travellers?
- Customer Support: How quickly do issues get resolved?
1. Sim Local - Orange EU Holiday 100GB Plan (€54)
Sim Local is like a marketplace for Europe’s best providers of local and international eSIMs, and their Orange EU Holiday 100GB eSIM might be the deal of the year for people travelling through Europe. Covering 42 countries with 5G/LTE speeds, this 28-day plan currently offers 100GB of data for the price of 50GB. You’ll also get unlimited calls and texts within Europe, making it easy to stay in touch locally. Need to connect with folks back home? This plan includes 120 minutes of international calls and 1000 international text messages, giving you plenty of ways to stay connected.
No stranger to frequent flyers, Sim Local welcomes customers in person in stores and kiosks across 100+ locations worldwide. And thanks to its focus on exceptional customer service including 24/7 phone & online support (where it’s possible to talk to a human), the reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and TripAdvisor are extremely positive.
2. Airalo - Eurolink 50GB (€91)
Covering 39 countries across Europe, Airalo’s Eurolink 50GB eSIM is a popular choice among travellers. As a data-only plan, it doesn’t include traditional calls or texts, so you’ll need to rely on apps like WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family. The plan is valid for 30 days.
Airalo’s customer support is available via email and chat, so they can provide quick assistance if any issues arise. However, keep in mind that Airalo does not operate any physical locations, so all interactions and troubleshooting are handled online. Airalo has a poor rating on the review platform Trustpilot but a good rating in the app stores (iOS and Google Play), suggesting the app is good but the company may fail in other areas such as customer support.
3. Holafly - Europe Unlimited Data (€69 for 30 days)
Known for their unlimited data plans, you won’t need to worry about running out of data with Holafly. You can also select your exact plan duration (1-90 days) to match the length of your trip. We chose 30 days and the price came to €69. You tend to pay more for the benefit of unlimited data but not everybody needs all that. And remember, unlimited data comes with a caveat. Providers in some countries will reserve the right to throttle speeds when you’ve reached a threshold, resulting in a very slow internet connection. Always check the fair usage policy before buying any unlimited packages.
This is a data-only plan, but you can stay connected with family and friends on apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. Holafly offers 24/7 customer support via email and chat. This Europe plan covers 30 countries—considerably less than Sim Local or Airalo, so make sure all countries you plan to visit are included in the coverage area.
4. Yesim - Europe Unlimited Data Plan (€75)
Holafly isn’t the only provider offering unlimited data plans. Enter: Yesim with another data-only eSIM offering; a straightforward choice if you don’t need voice calls or SMS. With Yesim, you can select a standard gigabyte package for Europe or choose their unlimited data package. The 30-day unlimited plan is solid if you expect to use a lot of data bingeing Netflix or YouTube.
The plan covers 31 countries and connects via 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G networks but speeds vary depending on the country you’re in. An online-only company, Yesim has an excellent rating on Trustpilot but it has been noted that their customer support is not 24/7, a frustrating realisation for customers.
How to choose the right eSIM for Europe
When selecting an eSIM, consider how much data you’ll need. Check your device settings to view your typical usage. Will you use your phone more while travelling? Do you plan to stream videos and play games? Or do you plan to find your way with maps, share moments on social media, and check emails? Our data calculator will help understand which plan is right for you.
Make sure your plan covers all destinations
Coverage for the four plans mentioned above range from the lowest (Holafly - 30 countries) to the highest (Sim Local - 42 countries). But there are 50 countries in Europe, so make sure your plan offers coverage for all the places you plan to visit.
What to know before you buy an eSIM
Before purchasing an eSIM, make sure your device supports eSIM technology. Most newer smartphones do, but it’s always a good idea to double-check. Also, make sure your device is unlocked or you will not be able to switch to local networks in Europe.
Finally, consider downloading and activating your eSIM before you arrive in Europe, so it's ready to use as soon as you land. If you prefer to wait until you arrive, you can set up your eSIM at your destination, but make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection.
