Best eSIM for Travel in 2026

Remember what it was like to get a SIM card for your phone back in the day?

Every time I arrived in a new country, I would go to a phone shop and spend around an hour or so signing up for a SIM card, filling out forms, handing over my passport, popping out an earring to remove my old SIM card, taping it to a piece of cardboard that lived in my wallet, and installing the new SIM card.

That was a mess — and those days are thankfully over. Now that eSIMs exist, you never have to go to a phone store on your travels again.

This post is published in partnership with Holafly. All opinions and stories are most definitely my own!

Best eSIM for Travel

Best eSIM for Travel Overall: Holafly
Best Budget eSIM: Airalo
Best eSIM App Experience: Saily
Best eSIM for Calls and Texts: SimLocal
Best eSIM for Short, Simple Trips: Breeze

Having an eSIM on your phone makes travel so much easier!

What is an eSIM, and why do you need one?

An eSIM is the modern version of a SIM card. This is the device that connects your phone to the local phone network and allows you to use the internet when out and about, without connecting to wifi.

However, eSIMs are different from SIM card because instead of a little plastic card you insert into your phone, you simply download them digitally.

No store visit necessary — AND you can do it from home before your trip!

One thing to know is that while almost all current smartphones support eSIMs, some older models do not. The iPhone XS and later, the Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, the Google Pixel 3 and later all accept eSIMs.

Older and budget Android phones are the ones that tend to be incompatible, so double-check before you buy.

Are eSIMs really necessary for travel?

Yes, they are, because eSIMs help you stay safe. I’ve been teaching women how to travel the world safely for more than 16 years now, and one of my top tips is to get an eSIM.

Having internet access on your phone helps you stay safe. Here’s how:

eSIMs allow you to summon a ride when you need one. Whether it’s Uber in the US, Grab in Southeast Asia, or Yandex in Central Asia, rideshare and taxi apps are a critical way to get out of a situation quickly and safely.

eSIMs make it easier to navigate by map. Ever tried finding your way around the winding streets of Venice or Lisbon without a map? An eSIM gives you that little blue dot on Google Maps that shows exactly where you are.

eSIMs help you communicate. Google Translate is a vital tool when you don’t speak the local language. Not only can you type into it, but you can use the listen function to translate conversations, and the image tool to translate signs and menus.

eSIMs keep you in contact. Whether you need to text your partner at home with an update or contact your hotel to modify your booking, or even book a reservation at a restaurant, eSIMs make it far easier to connect to the world.

eSIMs keep you from missing important information. A lot of airports have inaccessible or limited wifi — if your flight has a last-minute schedule change or gate change, you’ll know about it.

Kate plays on a giant chess board in Antigua, holding a white bishop in one hand and a black pawn in another. She is wearing a short green and white patterned dress. Above her are palm trees and a blue and white streaky sky. — I learned on my trip to Antigua that using your own phone plan is EXPENSIVE.

Why can’t I just use my own phone plan while traveling?

Using your international roaming plan on your home phone while traveling — especially if you’re American — is often grotesquely expensive. American phone plans tend to be much more expensive than other countries to begin with, and they charge even higher rates when using them internationally.

I have so many friends who got back from their trip and nearly keeled over when their phone bill charged them $200, $400, or even more.

Even I once paid $80 to use my home phone on a weeklong stay in Antigua in 2019, because I didn’t want to go to a phone store and I didn’t know eSIMs existed. Oh, and an eSIM would have been SO much cheaper!

What matters when choosing an eSIM?

There are several factors that go into choosing an eSIM.

What destinations do you need the eSIM to cover? If you’re visiting a single country, it’s fairly straightforward — but if you’re visiting multiple countries in Europe or Southeast Asia, for example, it’s much easier to get a multi-destination regional eSIM.

For example, if you’re traveling from the US to Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, get a Europe eSIM that covers all three countries.

Global eSIMs do exist, covering (most of) the world, but they tend to be expensive and I find them unnecessary for most trips.

For example, if you’re traveling from the UK to Australia and doing a two-day layover in Dubai on the way there, just get a two-day eSIM for the UAE and a longer eSIM for Australia rather than a global eSIM.

How much data does the eSIM include? I can tell you first-hand that it’s awful to lose data when you really need it — and it can often be a hassle to top-up. Unless you work in tech, it can be hard to guess just how much data you need.

Some eSIMs, like Holafly, have unlimited data. Unlimited data is often more expensive than a fixed amount of data, but I find that never having to worry about your data running out is worth its weight in gold. Especially if you watch or upload a lot of videos.

If your data isn’t unlimited, how do you top up? Back in the day in Thailand, I went to 7/11s to top up my data. These days, most eSIMs let you do it online, but double-check whether you can do it without having to access wifi.

Does your eSIM provide support? Some eSIM companies provide 24/7 support in English via chat or WhatsApp; others only provide support in the local language, only at certain hours, only by email, or not at all.

Do you need a local phone number, or just data? If you’re spending your trip making and receiving lots of local calls, like someone on a business trip working with lots of local companies, having a local phone number can be worth it.

For me, I find having a local number unnecessary. The world outside the US makes most of their calls and texts on WhatsApp. On the rare occasion that I need to call an actual phone number, I use Google Voice.

A woman sitting in a seat on her phone, a yellow suitcase next to her.

Best eSIM for Travel Overall: Holafly

Holafly is the eSIM that I use on all my trips nowadays.

Unlike most eSIMs, Holafly offers unlimited data and connects through the destination’s major carriers, giving you strong LTE and 5G speeds. You buy a plan for the specific number of days you’re visiting.

Holafly covers 200+ destinations, and in addition to single-destination and global eSIMs, has a nice collection of regional eSIMs (like their Europe eSIM, Caribbean eSIM, Balkan eSIM, and Central America eSIM).

I love that with Holafly I can use my phone as a hotspot or even watch Netflix, and won’t ever run out of data.

One benefit I especially appreciate from Holafly is Always On. Every Holafly eSIM automatically provides 1GB of emergency data per month in 150+ destinations. It’s a great safety net in case of delayed flights, unexpected layovers, or any moment when you desperately need to get online.

Holafly also offers a refund window of up to six months if a plan doesn’t work out, which is a longer cushion than most competitors give you.

Finally, Holafly has Holafly Plans — monthly subscription plans that cover 160+ destinations. Which can be a solid option for longer trips.

Get 5% off your Holafly eSIM with the code HOLAKATE. This code also gives you 10% off subscription plans.

Best Budget eSIM: Airalo

If you’re the kind of traveler who mostly needs maps, WhatsApp, and the occasional email, Airalo is hard to beat on price.

Airalo’s entry plans start at around $4 for a small amount of data.

You can buy, track, and top up your eSIM in the Airalo app, which makes things pretty easy.

However, your data is limited, so if you’re a heavy data user, you’ll be doing math on whether to buy a bigger plan or risk running out.

For short trips? Probably not an issue. But for longer trips, it can mean lots of top-ups and a much higher price overall.

Best eSIM App Experience for Travel: Saily

Saily is the eSIM associated with NordVPN, a specialist in online security, and that shows up in useful ways.

Saily bundles in an ad blocker, web protection, and a virtual location tool, all of which are usually products you pay for separately.

Saily has coverage in 150+ destinations, and entry pricing is competitive, with short plans under $4. You can also add an optional US phone number.

While Saily offers some unlimited plans, it’s important to know that it only gives you a set amount of high-speed data per day before slowing down.

Best eSIM for Calls and Texts While Traveling: SimLocal

Most eSIMs are data-only these days, but SimLocal comes with a local phone number, with calls and SMS texts included on many plans.

Being able to call a restaurant, a hotel, or another business can be very helpful while traveling — though personally, I just use Google Voice and WhatsApp for everything.

But if you’re traveling and you need to be reachable by a traditional phone call, or if you’re calling a lot of local businesses or people, having a local phone number is the way to go.

SimLocal covers 200+ destinations with plans from 7 to 90 days. SimLocal also has a no-questions-asked refund policy on unused plans.

The tradeoff is that the data-and-number plans aren’t always the cheapest ones around, and network quality can vary.

Best eSIM for Short, Simple Trips: Breeze

Breeze keeps things deliberately simple, and if you want things simple — no app necessary, no extra fluff — this can be a good option.

Breeze covers 190+ destinations, with both fixed data plans and day-based unlimited options. Plans are valid for 12 months from purchase.

Just keep in mind that their “Unlimited” plans will throttle you hard after hitting 1 GB of data per day, which is lower than most competitors.

Also keep in mind that customer support gets mixed reviews on response time, and having no app means there’s no home base for managing your plan. But for short, low-key trips, you probably won’t have to deal with any of that.

How to Install an eSIM

If you choose to go with Holafly, it couldn’t be easier to install your eSIM. Here’s how to do it:

Buy your eSIM at Holafly.com or through the app. Don’t forget the code HOLAKATE for 5% off. Choose your destination and the length of your trip.

You’ll receive details by email and WhatsApp, usually within one minute.

Install it one of three ways: scan the QR code, enter the details manually, or use one-tap install if you’re on iOS 17.4 or later. (I prefer the one-tap install.) Your phone will walk you through the installation process.

Once you arrive in your destination, turn on your eSIM and set its data to roaming. This is on the page of eSIMs on your phone.

If you run into any issues, Holafly has 24/7 chat and WhatsApp support.

A woman looking at her phone while sitting by the pool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel eSims

Are eSIMs safe?

Yes, eSIMs are as safe as regular SIM cards. They are held to the same standard telecom security protocols as the SIM card you use at home.

But one big difference is that they can’t be physically removed or stolen the way a plastic SIM can.

As always, be sure to buy an eSIM from a reputable company, not some rando on the street.

Does an eSIM drain my phone’s battery?

eSIMs do NOT drain your phone’s battery more than a regular SIM card! This is a common misconception.

Can I use an eSIM and keep my regular number?

In almost all cases, yes. Most phones support two active SIM cards at once (one physical and one eSIM, or two eSIMs), so you can keep your home phone number active for texts.

Just keep in mind that you might be charged more for receiving those texts when out of the country. Double-check with your home phone company to be sure.

What if my phone isn’t eSIM compatible?

You’ll need to get a physical SIM card or use a pocket wifi device for your trip. If financially feasible, I’d recommend upgrading your phone in the near future, as this likely won’t be changing.

Is it cheaper to use an eSIM than my phone’s international roaming plan?

It is almost always significantly cheaper to use an eSIM rather than your phone’s international roaming plan.

I have friends who have received bills for $200 and up after using their home plan while traveling.

Do eSIMs work in remote areas?

eSIMs use the phone networks of different countries, so where there is phone coverage, there is eSIM coverage.

For the most part, I’ve found that eSIMs work well in the places where tourists go.

On my Uzbekistan trip, for example, my Holafly eSIM worked great in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, but didn’t work on the train in the middle of nowhere.

Do eSIMs work on flights?

You know they call it Airplane Mode for a reason, right? You shouldn’t be using your phone on an airplane! And even if you did, it wouldn’t work when high up in the air.

Kate standing in front of a traditional British red phone booth, which now contains a defibrillator instead of a phone. — Get an eSIM, because many of Britain’s phone booths have been turned into defibrillators!

Which eSIM should you choose?

For most of my trips, Holafly is still the one I come back to, and I’ve used three different Holafly eSIMs so far this year.

Unlimited data means I never have to worry if watching a video is going to eat up my data allowance, and to me, that’s worth its weight in gold.

Beyond that, I love Holafly’s regional plans (the Caribbean one is great for cruises!) and I know I can always reach customer service when I need to.

While the other eSIM companies have some other excellent attributes — Airalo for keeping the price low, Saily for keep things even more secure, SimLocal for a local number, and Breeze for simplicity — I’ve been very happy with Holafly, and I think you will be, too.