Top 5 Best eSIMs for Europe: Sim Local vs Airalo vs Holafly
Sim Local is hands down one of the best options on the market for an on-the-go eSIM, especially for European travel – as they offer reliable coverage for local, regional, and global plans in addition to being one of the few eSIM providers to offer a phone number and including SMS and calling services. This can come in handy when booking a table at a restaurant or needing to call your hotel when traveling abroad.
Honestly, wherever you go in the world – an eSIM is never a bad idea, even if you have good coverage on your normal cell phone plan, as it can help you to stay better connected to your travel region of choice and also with friends and family back home.
Imagine this: you’ve just landed abroad in a country you’ve been dreaming of visiting forever – whether it be France, Japan, or South Africa – but upon arriving at the airport, you can’t get a signal on your phone.
Whether you’re a solo traveler or a fan of group trips – it’s always a good idea to resort to an international cell phone plan, such as with an eSIM, when traveling abroad to stay safe and connected to both the local area and friends and family at home.
As an iPhone user, eSIMs are now my go-to when traveling abroad – as there’s no need to keep track on my physical SIM card and there won’t be any surprise roaming fees which I recently experienced when I went to South Africa earlier this year, and believe me – the prices on my phone bill weren’t fun!
Especially as I am an American living in France, I already have two phone numbers I need to easily keep track of – meaning eSIMs are the perfect solution to easily turn off my French-line when abroad and ensure my American line stays intact without needing to be physical removed and ensure the physical SIM card stays safe while traveling.
As an avid, global traveler – I’m going to compare and contrast the 5 best eSIMs to help you stay connected abroad without roaming fees — including Sim Local, Airalo, Holafly, Nomad and Revolut.
What Is an eSIM Why It’s the Best Option for Europe Travel
An eSIM is a simple way to add a phone line or data plan to your phone device without needing to remove your current SIM card or insert an additional one.
This often allows users to keep their main line activated, granted their phone allows for dual SIM – which iPhone models beyond iPhone XS and XR typically offer in addition to many Andriod phones offering dual SIM and eSIM capabilities.
The overview cards below will reveal the benefits of using an eSIM, especially for travel: (can buy before you fly and easily activate when you land so there’s no need to get a SIM card when you get to your destination, you’re just ready to go, no need to have two phones, easy installation, keep main line activated so you don’t need to notify friends and family of a new number, etc.)
Why Use an eSIM for Travel in Europe?
When traveling across Europe, you’ll often find yourself in a wide variety of areas – whether It be in major cities like London, Rome, or Paris, down in the French or Italian Rivera, or way up in the Scottish Highlands.
As a whole, your local phone plan may not provide the best cell phone service in all of these regions – but a designated eSIM for these locations can help to ensure great mobile coverage throughout your trip.
How many eSIMs can my iPhone have?
If you have an iPhone XR or XS and beyond – your phone can accommodate for up to two SIM cards at a time, such as one physical card and one eSIM or two eSIMs. Therefore, while you can store up to 8 eSIMs in your iPhone at one time – only two can be active at the same time (meaning the others will need to be disabled while two are already in current use).
Is an eSIM worth it?
Yes, an eSIM is worth it even if you have an international phone plan with your current provider! If you travel often and for long periods of time, especially in countries far away with unreliable international coverage – using an eSIM can help to make your trip safer and more pleasurable with the ability to easily call Ubers, look up tourist attractions, or just to send videos and photos to friends and family while on the go.
Top 5 eSIM Providers for International travel
When it comes to a reliable eSIM, what’s most important to me includes:
Coverage & Reliability: This includes having strong local partners like EE, Three, Au, KDDI, DTAC, and more when abroad to ensure that you can connect to the strongest local towers – all of which Sim Local offers to provide a local-quality mobile experience when traveling.
Ease of Use: It’s paramount for eSIMs to have user-friendly apps, fast activation, clear instructions, and good customer service.
Transparent Pricing: As the whole point of using an eSIM is to avoid surprise international roaming fees, I prefer to use eSIMs that have no hidden fees.
Travel-Friendly Features: When traveling, it’s important for eSIM carriers to offer different options such as varied amounts of data, top-up options to avoid buying an all-new data plan while already traveling, or even cross-regional passes.
🌍📱 eSIM Comparison Table for Travel ✈️
| Provider | Best For | Coverage | Standout Features | Starting Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sim Local Best overall pick |
Worldwide & frequent travelers who want strong local networks + great support + easy installation. | Over 200 destinations (local, regional, and global plans). |
Reliable “local-quality” networks (e.g., Orange, EE, O2, Vodafone). Easy QR install + simple toggling between eSIMs. Top-up options while traveling. 24/7 support + airport kiosks (Athens, Gatwick, Heathrow, Madrid). One of the few eSIM providers to offer a phone number + SMS/calling. |
Varies (example plan: €23 for 150GB U.K. plan for up to 30 days) |
|
Airalo Global eSIM giant |
Easy global coverage & first-time eSIM users. | Coverage in 200+ countries (local, regional, and global packs in one app). |
Very user-friendly app with lots of pack options. Popular with travelers & nomads (20M+ users). Smaller data plans tend to be best for short trips / developed countries. Some users report occasional spotty service in developing countries. |
Varies (often smaller GB packs) |
|
Holafly Unlimited data option |
Heavy data users + digital nomads (hotspotting, video calls, streaming) + new global plan with phone number. | International coverage with unlimited-data style plans. |
“Set it and forget it” unlimited data plans. Great if you don’t want to track usage and want zero roaming surprises. Typically priced by the day (can get expensive). Everything is online (no in-person kiosk support). |
Varies (priced per day) |
|
Nomad Budget pick |
Budget-friendly short-term trips (especially 7 days or less). | Data plans in 200+ countries. |
Great pricing for shorter trips under 30 days (especially week-long trips). Easy activation + user-friendly interface. Speeds may not be the absolute best everywhere (focus leans toward affordability). |
Varies (best value on short trips) |
|
Revolut eSIM All-in-one app |
If you already use Revolut and want everything in one app (banking + travel + data). | In-app eSIM offerings alongside Revolut’s travel tools. |
Convenience: manage travel money + data in the same place. Familiar interface if you’re already a Revolut user. Not a dedicated eSIM company, so it may lack more fine-tuned regional offers vs. specialist providers. |
Varies (in-app plans) |
1. Sim Local
Sim Local is my number one, top pick for eSIMs when traveling – especially as someone living in Europe who frequents to other countries often, such as those in the U.K., where sometimes my French cell service doesn’t work the best.
Sim Local is an established, U.K. and European based eSIM service that allows for coverage in over 200 destinations – often seeking to partner with the biggest local networks to provide their customers with the most reliable and comprehensive coverage while abroad.
Why I like Sim Local as a traveler
Excellent Connectively & Signal Abroad: With a strong focusion Europe (but with global plans too) and excellent speeds on local networks like Orange, EE, O2, Vodafone, and more – Sim Local is perfect for intrepid travelers such as myself.
Easy Installation: Installing this eSIM couldn’t have been simpler – I simply scanned the QR code and once I arrived in London, the eSIM was ready to use. As my French phone number is an eSIM, it was easy to turn it off and toggle Sim Local’s eSIM on, and vice versa once returning home to France. Plus, you can easily top-up your eSIM with data if need be – making it less of a hassle when already traveling.
Great Customer Support: Sim Local made it clear they were available to me at any time with any questions I may have. In this case, I didn’t have any as everything worked in tip-top (and honestly, even better than expected) condition – but their 24/7 support (with airport kiosks in Athens, Gatwick, Heathrow, and Madrid) is an indispensable selling point in the event something goes wrong.
Example Plan & Prices at Sim Local
I got a 150GB eSIM for the U.K. for only €23 (around $27 USD) that could last for up to 30 days with top up options. This is an incredible deal for both short term and long term travel options, and definitely a better choice than eating through the international roaming charges that may be offered under your current cell phone plan.
📱🌍 Pros & Cons of Sim Local
✅ Pros
- Strong speeds
- Easy setup
- Great support
- Excellent pricing
- Data-only simplicity
⚠️ Cons
- Might not be worthwhile for ultra-light data users
- Data options for some countries (such as the UK) start at 20GB plans
Best For: Travelers bouncing around multiple European countries in one trip, digital nomads, and anyone who wants a ‘set it and forget it’ option – as Sim Local is truly an easy and effective way to ensure you have a strong internet connection while abroad.
Want to try out Sim Local for yourself? Click here to use my discount code, DREAMERDIARIES, and see how strong the signal is on your next international trip!
2. Airalo
Known as a global eSIM giant with coverage in over 200 countries, Airalo is very popular with over 20 million users – predominantly travelers & nomads.
What Airalo does best
Local, regional, and global packs in one app.
Great for multi-country trips outside Europe, such as in Asia or Latin America, or users seeking smaller data plans for a shorter trip.
Why I’d still choose Sim Local instead
Sim Local is the better option if you want If more optimized European speeds, more gigabytes on your data plan (Airalo seems to max out at around 20 to 50 GB whereas Sim Local can provide over 150GB of data), and overall stronger customer support.
📱🌍 Pros & Cons of Airalo
✅ Pros
- Wide coverage
- Intuitive, easy-to-use app
⚠️ Cons
- Some users report occasional spotty service, especially in developing countries
- Not always the absolute cheapest when considering the smaller gigabyte packages offered
Best For: Travelers who need a simple eSIM with a small data plan for developed countries on a shorter trip; best for single-country trips over multi-country tips.
3. Holafly
Known for their unlimited data eSIM options, Holafly is one of the most convenient “set it and forget it” eSIMs for travelers and more importantly – digital nomads.
What Holafly does best
Offers unlimited data plans for eSIM users – which can be a huge plus for digital nomads needing to utilize their hotspots for video calls, remote work, or even just streaming in their hotel room.
Great for users who don’t want to keep track of their data usage while traveling abroad – a 100% guarantee of no roaming charges or dipping into your usual cell phone plan for data.
Why I’d still choose Sim Local instead
With Sim Local, you don’t need unlimited – the generous amount of data will often be plenty for your trip without the need for an outrageous price tag. Plus, you’ll have more regional coverage in Europe and even a possible airport kiosk if needed – which isn’t available with Holafly (everything is done online).
📱🌍 Pros & Cons of Holafly
✅ Pros
- Unlimited data
- Perfect for remote workers who want a limitless option for both personal and professional use while traveling
⚠️ Cons
- Prices can get expensive as Holafly charges by the day instead of by how many gigabytes you use
- Not the most budget-friendly option for shorter or lighter trips
Best For: Digital nomads who don’t want to count their gigabytes and need unlimited data in order to work and stream music and movies accordingly while in their temporary living situation – making it handy for digital nomad friendly cities such as Cape Town or Lisbon.
4. Nomad
Often penned as popular with for short-term travelers for their fair prices, Nomad offers eSIM data plans in over 200 countries.
What Nomad does best
Offers great pricing for shorter trips under 30 days, and even better pricing for trips 7 days or less – making it perfect for travelers who need an eSIM for a quick weekend getaway
Easy to activate with a user-friendly interface
Why I’d still choose Sim Local instead
Sim Local is the better option for those traveling Europe long term, such as those who gallivant between Italy, Spain, and France in a single summer – as Sim Local offers more gigabytes for a longer time period at a better deal than Nomad does, which appears to be more centered towards shorter-term travel.
📱🌍 Pros & Cons of Nomad
✅ Pros
- Truly affordable options
- Short-trip plans available
- Excellent choice for budget travelers
⚠️ Cons
- May not always have the absolute best speeds in every destination
- Does not always work as closely with large local networks compared to providers like Sim Local
- Main focus is affordability rather than the strongest or most comprehensive coverage
Best For: People seeking a short-term option for a trip 7 days and under – as the prices for eSIMs accommodating for travel on the shorter side could be economically beneficial for budget travelers.
5. Revolut
You may have thought that this worldwide, popular financial app was only for transferring money between currencies and countries – but Revolut also offers eSIM services in addition to banking.
What Revolut does best
Ease of managing both your travel money and international data coverage in the same app, providing convenience to users who are already loyal to Revolut
Handy if you’re already a Revolut user, as it’s one less “app” or company to deal with whilst traveling
Why I’d still choose Sim Local instead
Sim Local has more expertise in eSIM and data coverage itself, as Revolut primarily remains as a banking and finance service. Ultimately, I prefer for my eSIM provider to be focused in travel connectivity with dedicated support options available.
📱🌍 Pros & Cons of Revolut eSIM
✅ Pros
- Great for travelers who already use Revolut to send or receive money abroad
- Familiar user interface while traveling
- Convenient all-in-one app for banking and travel needs
⚠️ Cons
- Revolut isn’t solely an eSIM provider
- May lack more fine-tuned regional offers
- Less flexible combinations compared to dedicated providers like Sim Local, Airalo, or Holafly
Best For: People who already use Revolut and want to simplify the amount of different services they use while abroad.
How to Pick the Right eSIM for Your Trip
🌍📱 Which eSIM Should You Choose? (Quick Picks)
🧳 Short trip + budget-friendly prices
Best for people going on a short trip with affordable prices / budget travel.
🏷️ Long trip + large GB options + great pricing
Best for a long trip with large GB options at excellent pricing, plus in-person kiosk support and customer service.
💻 Digital nomad / work travel (calls + streaming)
Best for digital nomads or work travel that’s heavy on calls, streaming, hotspotting, and constant data use.
🌍 Multi-country trip in developed countries
Best for a multi-country trip in developed countries when getting the cheapest price or biggest bang for buck isn’t as important.
Personally, I default to Sim Local for international eSIM travel needs – but the best choice is contingent on your own travel needs.
📱✈️ Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a Sim Local eSIM
Check compatibility: Use Sim Local’s compatibility checker to ensure your travel region of choice is available.
Choose your plan: Sim Local has several options available depending on how short or long your trip is, or how many data you prefer to have.
Purchase & receive QR / in-app install.
Install on your phone:
Turn off roaming on your home SIM to avoid international data fees and set Sim Local as default for mobile data.
Test it before you leave Wi-Fi.
Still interested in checking out Sim Local now knowing how easy it is to set up? Use my discount code, DREAMERDIARIES, to try it out for yourself with my discount code here!
📱✈️ eSIM FAQ
| 💸 Is Sim Local cheaper than Airalo or Holafly? | Yes, Sim Local is cheaper than both Airalo and Holafly — and offers just as excellent, reliable data plans at an affordable rate, giving you the best of both worlds when you travel. |
| 📲 Do I need to be tech-savvy to use an eSIM? | Not at all! I myself was worried I wouldn’t be able to figure it out, as someone who still opts for an iPod over data-based music streaming services — but the setup took less than 5 minutes. All you need to do is scan a QR code and you’ll be good to go! |
| 💬 Can I keep my WhatsApp number with an eSIM? | Yes! As eSIMs often allow for data-only coverage, you will still be able to use your WiFi-based messaging apps while using an eSIM — including Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and WhatsApp. |
| 🔄 What happens if I run out of data? | No worries — with several eSIM companies, you can easily “top up” or add extra data to your existing plan, even while you’re already traveling and the current eSIM is active. |
| 🚀 Is unlimited data for travel worth it or not? | In truth, many “unlimited data plans” aren’t truly unlimited — with a threshold of between 3 and 5 GB per day. This tactic, otherwise known as throttling, can make streaming or hotspotting while abroad challenging. Luckily, companies like Sim Local allow for unlimited eSIM plans of up to 10 GB of full-speed data per day — a massive 7 GB increase that sets the company apart from most competitors. |
| 📞 Can I use more than one eSIM at the same time? | Yes, you can often use up to two eSIMs in your phone at the same time — which allows you to keep your personal phone number active while traveling. |
As a whole, after trying Sim Local for several days on my last trip to London – I am officially hooked. It has become my new go-to eSIM for U.K. travel – where I often have spotty service with my EU-based data plan.
Want to see me using my eSIM with Sim Local in action? Check it out below in my London vlog!
However, it’s important to remember that the right choice depends on how you travel. I hope this top 5 eSIM guide for international travel could help you to choose the eSIM most aligned with you travel needs.
Remember, you can try out Sim Local using my discount code DREAMERDIARIES here – where you can get a special discount for trying out your eSIM!
Need more help planning your next trip?
I’ve traveled the world, mostly solo, and have several articles on several destinations on places you might want to test out your eSIM next:
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Last updated: December 19, 2025