We’ve all been there (haven’t we?) you’re in a foreign country and suddenly the mobile data on your cell phone stops working. Whether it be because you’ve run out of free data or your mobile data simply won’t work here. You’re now in a bit of a pickle!
So, what do you do – there are no Cafes nearby (where you could get free WiFi) and you need to look up how to get to your hotel. A disaster! Or not – if you have an eSIM!
What is that? I hear you asking! Well, to put it simply, an eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can use instead of a physical local SIM – it ensures you stay connected at all times (no matter what country you’re in!)
I’ve used one a few times and so, in this blog post I’ll let you know my honest review of using an eSIM for international travel and whether or not it’s worth your while getting one!
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is like a new-age version of the old physical SIM card you used to pop into your phone. But instead of being a little card you can remove, an eSIM is built right into your phone or device.
This means you don’t have to fuss with swapping out SIM cards when you want to change mobile networks – it’s all done digitally and gives you way more flexibility. You can even add different destinations to your existing eSIM, making it super easy to switch plans, which is a real perk for frequent travelers.
Plus, since there’s no need for a separate SIM card slot, you don’t need to have a cell phone with a card slot to use one. I will say though, that you will need a new-ish smartphone to use an eSIM – think pre-2018. Anything older than that and it won’t work, unfortunately!
Boy oh boy, do I remember the days that we had to queue for a local SIM card in a new city – one time, we tried at the airport in Bangkok and it took us around an hour to get our SIM. I’m glad I won’t have to do that anymore!
How do I use an eSIM?
Using an eSIM, also called an embedded SIM, involves a few straightforward steps. Most important is that you have a relatively new smartphone (that supports the technology) and that your phone is unlocked.
- First, ensure your device is eSIM-compatible and unlocked. If your phone is locked then you will need to contact your carrier to ask for it to be unlocked. It’s worth noting that some carriers have rules before they unlock your phone – like having your phone paid off, etc.
- Then download the app (or scan the QR code the company provides to you). We use Saily, and they have an app to install their eSIM which is really easy to do.
- Once activated, your device should automatically connect to the network when you land, allowing you to enjoy mobile services without a traditional SIM card.
- After you activate it, set your eSIM as your primary data plan on your cell phone. And turn off roaming so you don’t get stung by extra charges from your at-home provider.
Is it easy to activate an eSIM?
Yes, it is super-easy to activate an eSIM. You can either do so on an app or cthe ompany you choose will send you a secure link to activate the eSIM. It’s a quick and simple process.
For example, with Saily (the eSIM company we always use) – you simply choose the data plan that works best for you, then, download their app and follow the easy-to-follow instructions from there. It literally took me under 5 minutes to set it all up!
Et voila, when you land at your destination – your cell phone will automatically connect to a local network.
Can I activate an eSIM before arriving at my destination?
Yes, some eSIMs can be downloaded and activated in advance.
On Saily for example, you can select and pay for your data plan on their app while you’re still at home and as soon as you land in your destination it will automatically activate.
Where can I use an eSIM?
Saily (the company we go with) is available in over 200 countries – including popular spots like the USA, Turkey, Mexico, France, Vietnam, and Thailand.
We found an eSIM most useful when we were traveling through Europe because Saily offers an eSIM plan for Europe that covers 35 countries. It meant that when we were doing a Europe trip recently, the eSIM we activated in Italy automatically connected to a local carrier when we landed in Spain. I didn’t have to do anything, it simply switched over.
In our opinion, it’s definitely the best eSIM for Europe because of the number of countries it covers and the fact it offers unlimited data!
Why did we choose Saily over the other providers?
There are heaps of eSIM providers out there, so, we made sure we did our research before picking one. Well, my husband did because he is THE ultimate researcher (anyone who knows him can vouch for it).
Anyway, we landed on Saily, because of a few key factors –
- They have an ad-blocker – Because, well, ads can be annoying but by blocking them you can save over 28% of mobile data.
- You only need one eSIM – You just need to add new places to your existing Saily eSIM using their app. No need to install new eSIMs every time.
- They offer fantastic support – Yup, Saily offers 24/7 live chat support – which is handy for not very tech-savvy people like me!
- You won’t get caught out with no data – They’ll let you know when you’ve used up 80% of your plan.
How much will an eSIM set me back?
Saily offers lots of plans depending on where you’re going, how long for, and how much data you need.
For example, the Europe eSIM plan I talked about earlier – cost us $50 USD for unlimited data over 15 days. But, you can get cheaper – like there’s a 1GB Europe plan which costs $5 USD for 7 days – this one may work well if you’re going to places where free WiFi is readily available. As it means you won’t eat through your data so quickly.
For the U.S., their most popular plan is the 5GB of data for 30 days – which costs $24 USD. This should be sufficient, as from personal experience most Cafes, restaurants, and hotels/hostels in the U.S. offer free WiFi. So, you wouldn’t need to use your mobile data like say you would in more off-the-beaten-path parts of Europe.
Was it worth it for us to get an eSIM?
The short answer is YES, for us, it was worth getting an eSIM for international travel! It was really easy (and quick) to set up and it worked out cheaper than using the international plan my at-home cell provider offered.
The only downside I can think of is that you will have a different (temporary) phone number when using an eSIM – which can be annoying for WhatsApp groups and the like. But, this was just a minor inconvenience.
P.S. You can get 5% off when you buy from Saily using my discount code: Special5
While you’re here you may also enjoy reading –
My experience using Pocket WiFi when traveling
How we properly save money for travel (7 essential tips)
Choosing the right hotel for you – Tips from a frequent traveler
How to Be a Better Traveler in 2025 (My 8 Top Tips)
Booking Your Trip Soon? These are my go-to booking sites!
Below you will find a list of the sites we always use when booking our trips. By booking via the below links you can support my writing at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!
1. Flights
I use Cheapoair to find the best flights. It allows you to compare and book flights on over 500 airlines from across the globe.
2. Hotels
I use Booking.com for all of our hotel stays. And if we’re traveling on a budget, I like to use Hostelworld to book a hostel.
3. Renting a Car
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
4. Tours
I use Viator or Get Your Guide to book any guided tours we plan on doing. I find Viator particularly good for the USA, Canada & New Zealand, and Get Your Guide is great for Europe.
5. Airport Pick-Ups
Instead of cabs, we book with welcome pickup to get from the airport to our hotel. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
Last Updated on June 12, 2025 by snaphappytravel