I used an eSIM when we visited Australia (New South Wales and Queensland specifically), and this is my honest review of our experience.
I wasn’t going to get an eSIM for this vacation, but after my husband did some research, he realized it would be much cheaper for us to get an eSIM, as the roaming charges with our current provider in Ireland were quite high. And we didn’t fancy trying to buy a local Australian SIM card when we landed, as we would be tired – having traveled all the way from Europe.
I’ve used an eSIM a few times in the past – like our eSIM experience in Spain, and our eSIM experience in Italy so I have past experiences to compare to, and in this blog post, I’ll let you know what eSIM we chose for Australia, why we chose it, and whether or not it’s worth your while getting one!
For this trip, I tested a Holafly eSIM for Australia. So this is what happened when I tried this eSIM in Sydney, Brisbane, and in smaller towns and more rural regions like the Blue Mountains and the Daintree Rainforest.
What is an eSIM?
What is an eSIM? It’s 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!)
You can install it easily and almost instantly – after buying it on the app, you’ll receive it in under a minute from Holafly (the eSIM we chose for this trip); it came to our email and WhatsApp. Also, you can keep your physical SIM card in your phone and thus keep any contacts, your WhatsApp number, etc.
I will say, though, that your phone will need to be unlocked and you will need to have a new-ish smartphone to use an eSIM – think post-2020. Anything older than that, and it likely won’t work!
And actually, iPhone 14 users in the United States can only use eSIM’s in their devices, and that may be the route many companies may go with in the future.
Can you use the Holafly eSIM and a regular SIM card at the same time?
Yes, you sure can! If you own a dual-SIM phone or an Apple device, you can use both a physical SIM card and an eSIM at the same time. Consider using the SIM card for phone calls and text messages, while the Holafly eSIM handles your data needs.
However, remember that if your SIM card is still active, your mobile network provider may apply data roaming charges for any calls and SMS you send or receive.
You can buy an Holafly eSIM using my link here and be sure to use code: SNAPHAPPY for 5% off for eSIMs and 10% off on monthly subscription plans!
Why I used an eSIM in Australia
The main reason was straightforward: I wanted to have mobile data available as soon as I landed. As a travel blogger, I need to have internet (almost) all of the time to respond to email, write & edit blog posts, and update my social media.
This time, I opted to buy a plan online before my flight and installed the eSIM profile on my phone. I left my home SIM card in place so I could still access my WhatsApp, iMessage, and any other services linked to my phone number.
Although getting a physical Australian SIM was an option, I chose to bypass the inconvenience of standing in line at the airport, presenting my ID, comparing local SIM plans after a tiring journey, and having to physically switch SIM cards in my phone.
Also, I didn’t want to risk losing my own SIM card after swapping over the two tiny plastic cards.
Here is why we chose Holafly this time around:
- Unlimited data
- It offers a regional eSIM for Europe (FYI, they also offer eSIMs for places like Japan, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, etc.)
- No hidden costs
- 24/7 real-person support team
- And they also offer monthly and yearly subscriptions – the unlimited plan offers a local number
✅ P.S. You can buy an Holafly eSIM using my link here and be sure to use code: SNAPHAPPY for 5% off for eSIMs and 10% off on monthly subscription plans!
How I set up my eSIM
Setup was really quick, actually; I’d say it took me around five minutes.
On the app, I chose manual installation and was guided through the process. Honestly, it’s an easy step-by-step process, even for someone not so tech-savvy, like me 🙂
Alternatively, you can scan the QR code, or there’s a super-easy one-button setup for iOS 17.4 and above!
You can pay for the exact number of days of your trip, which is what I did; it meant I didn’t have to pay for a pre-set duration and waste money on days I didn’t need the eSIM.
I installed the eSIM in advance, but I did not use it as my main data line until I landed in Sydney. Once I landed, I switched mobile data to the eSIM profile and kept my home number active for calls and texts.
P.S. You can also buy your eSIM plan on their website if you don’t want to get the app.
Any downsides?
The eSIM wasn’t perfect all the time – at times in the Daintree Rainforest in Far North Queensland, it struggled to get a signal – but that is understandable, as it is quite a remote area. And also in crowded bars in Sydney, the signal could be a bit iffy.
That is not really a Holafly issue, though; it’s just how mobile coverage works in some parts of Australia – especially rural areas and/ or very busy places.
The Holafly Australia eSIM I chose was data-only, so it didn’t give me a local phone number. Which worked out okay for us, but it may matter if you need to call hotels, restaurants, car rental offices, or local services. It worked for me because WhatsApp and email were enough for me to contact anyone I needed to reach.
However, I will add that the unlimited Holafly Plan provides a phone number to receive texts for certain destinations like the UK, USA, and Canada.
What I liked about using an eSIM in Australia
Using a Holafly eSIM in Australia was so convenient and stress-free. It kept me connected without needing to buy a physical SIM card or stress about roaming fees.
And as soon as I landed, I was all set with the data I needed for writing new blog posts and for social media (which I post to regularly). Setting it up was super easy too (and I’m not a techy person) – I chose manual installation on their app, but you can also scan a QR code and boom, you’re good to go, no store visit needed. Plus, you keep your original phone number and have access to customer support in several languages.
What else we really like about Holafly is that it’s got different data plans to suit whatever you need, making sure you’ve got enough juice for your whole trip.
To summarize, this is why we loved Holafly for our Australia trip:
- I installed the eSIM once and kept my normal number active. I also liked that it had unlimited data.
- “Always On” is another benefit of Holafly – it provides 1GB/month of global backup data.
- And I also like that Holafly offers 24/7 real-person support in case anything goes wrong – it gave me peace of mind.
✅ You can buy an Holafly eSIM using my link here and be sure to use code: SNAPHAPPY for 5% off for eSIMs and 10% off on monthly subscription plans!
Is getting an eSIM for Australia worth it?
Yes, it was worth it for me to get an eSIM for our Australia vacation! It was really easy to set up and fast to get it up and running, and it worked out cheaper than using the international plan my at-home cell provider offered.
The one small downside I would say is that you won’t have a local phone number, which may not work for you if you need to call your hotel, your car rental agency, etc. But, for us, I don’t think we’ve ever had to call our hotels or car rental places on our travels, as most people respond just as quickly to an email as to a phone call.
✅ You can buy an Holafly eSIM using my link here and be sure to use code: SNAPHAPPY for 5% off for eSIMs and 10% off on monthly subscription plans!
You can read my other Australia blog posts –
What You NEED to Know About Renting a Car in Australia
12 Most Romantic Getaways in Australia
10 Best Coastal Towns in Western Australia
Best Things to Do in Sydney for First Time Visitors
Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by snaphappytravel