Going Overseas? Here are the Best eSIMs for Travel

As someone who travels full-time, I’m honestly embarrassed about how long it took me to look into the best eSIMs for travel. I have ‘low-speed data’ from my phone provider at home in the US, so I spent years traveling and just making do with low-speed data and finding wifi when I could.

But, guys, I will be the first to say that eSIMs are actually SO EASY and LIFE CHANGING. I’m not sure why I kept putting off looking into them (maybe you are the same if you are reading this). Still, it’s worth taking a few minutes to decide on the right one for you, download it, and walk away with high-speed data for your travels with genuinely minimal effort and way less wifi stress.

The days of waiting in line to buy a new SIM card at the airport are over. Now, you can download an app one time and stay connected in many different countries, regions, or even globally!

What to Know About eSIMs

Here are some things to know before choosing your eSIM.

How do eSIMs Work?

Not sure how this whole eSIM thing works? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. eSIMs are pretty simple, really – they are just like the physical SIMs you’ve had in the past, but just digital. You download an eSIM for a different region on your phone (through one of the brands below), activate it, and boom, you are connected overseas.

Usually, you will have to select from different data packages available for your region. Most smartphones manufactured from 2018/2019 onwards (definitely iPhones, most Samsungs/Androids, and Google Pixels) are compatible with eSIMs, and you get them through the apps below.

Usually, you can just download one eSIM and it will work in different countries no matter where you travel (many eSIMS cover 50-100+ countries). It depends on each eSIM if you must choose or switch countries in the app, but I’ll go more into that below.

Airalo

Airalo was one of the first eSIMs and continues to be one of the most popular. With over 10 million users worldwide, of course, it had to be included on this list! I know quite a few travelers and bloggers who use and trust Airalo for their travel data.

How it works: Using Airalo, you can choose from local, regional, or global data. If you are only visiting one country, you should select it from the list of Local eSIMS. Select a regional eSIM if you will be visiting a whole continent, or select from 6 different Global eSIM options depending on the amount of data and time you will need.

The best deal depends on how much data you need and where you are going. The global eSIMs cover 124 countries and can be valid from 7 to up to 365 days for a certain number of gigabytes.

Pros: Airalo is one of the best-connected and most customizable eSIMs – you can get as much or as little data as you want for exactly the places you will go. It’s also one of the most connected eSIMs, with over 200 countries available, and is quite affordable.

Cons: Most Airalo Packages don’t include phone calls and texts, which is something to consider.

Roambit is a newer eSIM provider that’s quickly becoming a favorite among travelers who need reliable data without the hassle. What sets Roambit apart is their truly unlimited data plans with no throttling or fair usage caps, so you can use your phone exactly like you would at home.

How it works: With Roambit, you pick your destination, choose a data plan, and scan a QR code to install the eSIM on your phone. The whole setup takes about five minutes and you can do it all before your trip. They offer country-specific plans, regional bundles, and global plans covering almost 100 countries. You can manage everything through their app, including checking your data usage.

Pros: Truly unlimited data with no speed throttling, which is rare among eSIM providers. Coverage across 200+ countries, an easy-to-use app, competitive pricing, and a quick setup process via QR, which is unique. They also offer family and group discounts, which is a nice bonus for those traveling with others.

Cons: Roambit is data only, so you won’t get phone calls or SMS through the eSIM. There’s also no top-up option, so if your plan runs out, you’ll need to buy a new one. That said, most travelers rely on WhatsApp and FaceTime for calls anyway, and with the unlimited plans available, it’s rarely an issue.

Plans start from just a few dollars, depending on your destination and how many days you need.

Orange Travel

Orange is one of the newer eSIM providers on the market. Orange has the best coverage for its eSIMS within Europe, and also in dozens of other countries too. Orange is a well-known network in Europe, so it’s only natural that they also have a dependable eSIM product too!

How it Works: With an Orange Travel eSIM, you can choose your destination, data, and length of time between their most popular options: World (see below), Europe, France, UK, Morocco, or USA.

They cover over 70 countries worldwide, and their best-selling product is their “Orange Holiday World” eSIM for €44.99, offering 10 GB of 4G/LTE Data. It’s valid in all of Europe and in all of the countries they cover worldwide, too.

Pros: As Orange is already its own telecom operator in over 30 countries, you can expect some of the best data in Europe, especially as it connects to its own network (with partnerships with other top networks globally, too). The OHW eSIM is a solid deal compared to other eSIM costs, and you can also select cheaper plans if you will just be going to one country.

You can also use data tethering (to your laptop etc) with this eSIM and it lasts 14 days. They also have a 28-day Europe eSIM if you ned more time.

Cons: This eSIM may not be ideal for longer-term travel, given the 14-day validity. It also does not include SMS or calls. Also, some lesser-visited countries may only offer 1 or 5 GB of data with the eSIM.

Yesim

Yesim is a good pick for travelers who want flexible plan sizes for a single trip to Thailand without committing to a contract. It offers prepaid data plans that scale from a small 500 MB option all the way up to unlimited data, so you can match your purchase to how long you’re staying and how much you use. Speeds run on 3G, 4G, LTE, or 5G, depending on your location and the local network you connect to.

How it works: You choose a plan for Thailand, pay online, and receive a QR code to install the eSIM before you leave home. Setup runs through the app with a 1-click install, and the plan activates once you connect to a supported network after landing. A Thai eSIM from Yesim also lets you keep your regular SIM in the phone, so you hold onto your usual number for WhatsApp and other messaging apps while using Yesim for data.

Pros: Yesim covers major destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and other cities across the country. The setup skips ID verification, which keeps the process quick, and top-ups are available if you run low before your trip ends. Hotspot mode can be used to share data with other devices, though this depends on the local operator. There are no contracts, so you activate and deactivate as your plans change, and 24/7 support is available if you hit a snag.

Cons: Yesim’s Thailand plans are data only, so they don’t replace standard calls or SMS through a normal phone line. Hotspot availability isn’t guaranteed on every network, and data speed may be reduced under fair usage policies on some plans. As with any eSIM, check that your device is eSIM-compatible before you buy.

If you want, you can check whether promo code YESIMADS10 is available at checkout for additional savings – it might save you some etra money!

Firsty

Firsty is a very new eSIM on the market that is expanding more each day – every time I check back, they have added new countries or regions! But Firsty offers something unique that I have never seen with another eSIM – Firsty Free.

Firsty Free is free basic data that you can use while traveling for Whatsapp/Messaging, Google Maps, Email, and Online calls. They have a large user base that remains on the free version of the app, and it’s also easy to upgrade to a data package when needed.

How it Works: As with any eSIM, you must download the app and select whether you would like the Firsty Free package or a data package. They also allow you to use data only when you need it by offering a $1 or $2 a day data plan option in many countries that will automatically connect to the best network available.

Pros: If you are on a budget, Firsty Free is fantastic for remaining connected for important things like work/family or even emergencies. But, you can also upgrade to Firsty Fast for $1 or $2 a day (depending on destination) for as many days as you need, or Firsty Fast Ultra for connectivity to everything. There’s no lock-in for 7, 14, 28 days etc.

Firsty is best for more touch-and-go travel, where you might prefer being disconnected but have the ability to get connected when you want.

Cons: Paying a daily rate, even if it’s only a dollar, can add up for longer-term travel (aka over 6 months or so). Also, Firsty is more country-based for eSIMS and has 5 regional SIMS available at the moment and no global eSIMS yet.

Pangia Pass

Pangia Pass is a bit different from most of the travel eSIMs on this list. Instead of buying data packages for individual trips, Pangia is designed more like a long-term travel subscription. You install one eSIM, and it works with *unlimited data* in over 105 countries worldwide, making it a particularly good option for digital nomads, frequent travelers, and anyone who is constantly crossing borders without wantind to add countries to their plan.

How it works: With Pangia, you download a single eSIM and choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Once activated, your phone automatically connects in supported countries without needing to buy new packages, top up data, or switch eSIMs every time you travel somewhere new. The service includes unlimited data across the 105 countries in its coverage network.

Pros: The biggest advantage of Pangia is simplicity. If you’re the kind of traveler who is constantly hopping between countries, even sometimes without a plan or spontaneously, it removes the need to research eSIMs before every trip. You get unlimited data, hotspot capability, and automatic connectivity in supported destinations, which makes it especially appealing for remote workers and long-term travelers. The annual plan also works out cheaper than many travelers expect if you’re regularly buying eSIMs throughout the year.

Cons: Pangia isn’t available in as many countries as some competitors, so it’s worth checking the coverage map before signing up. It also doesn’t include a phone number, calls, or SMS, and because it’s a subscription rather than a pay-as-you-go model, it may not make sense for people who only travel internationally a few times per year. Like most “unlimited” plans, it also operates under a fair usage policy.

Best for: Digital nomads, full-time travelers, remote workers, and anyone who travels frequently enough that they are tired of buying a new eSIM for every trip.

Conclusion on Best eSIMS for Travel

Each eSIM on this list has quite different pros and cons, and would be better for a different kind of traveler! I think each kind of trip has the perfect eSIM option and the only thing you have to do is find it!

I will add more eSIMs to this article as I find them, but as of now, get Airalo for shorter trips where you want to buy data only when needed, get Roambit if you’re the kind of traveler who burns through data streaming, hotspotting, working remotely, or uploading content on the go, get Orange for trips in Europe around 2 weeks long, get Firsty if you want to remain connected only for the important things and have the ability to upgrade if need be, and get Pangia if you travel frequently throughout the year and want one eSIM that just stays on your phone and works wherever you land.

Hope this has helped! Let me know which eSIMS I should add to this list (and try next) and why below in the comments.

Getting ready for a trip? Check out some more of my resources here:

• What’s in my Bag? Travel Blogger’s Packing List
• Sustainable Travel Tips
• How to Work and Travel in Europe