When I first started traveling full-time back in 2018, buying a SIM card meant lining up at an airport kiosk or finding the nearest convenience store after checking into my hostel. Nearly a decade later, eSIMs have completely changed how I start every trip.
These days, I usually have data working before the plane even touches the runway.
I’ve now used eSIMs everywhere from Indonesia to Europe to remote corners of Africa, and the technology has finally reached the point where I can confidently say that eSIMs are the easiest and most reliable way that I to stay connected while traveling.
Prices have come down, speeds are better, and the setup takes less than two minutes. Yes, it can still be cheaper to buy a local SIM, but from my experience, the process of getting a SIM card in many countries around the world is getting more difficult. For example my recent experience in Indonesia required a long 1-hour formal application process where they wanted my passport and all sorts of personal information just to get a travel SIM!
Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of eSIMs for both short and long trips. I’ve written a bunch of reviews for each, and this is my culmination roundup of my favorite travel eSIMs that I personally recommend right now. I’ll continue to update this post as prices and offerings change, and I’m not married to any one company.
Summary: My Favorite Travel eSIMs
When it comes to travel eSIMs, I’ve tested quite a few, but only a handful consistently deliver reliable data, good coverage, and reasonable pricing. Some options didn’t make the cut due to low data allowances or high costs.
These are my current favorites for travelers looking for simplicity, performance, and flexibility right now.
- Holafly – My #1 pick: unlimited data, daily/weekly/monthly plans, hotspot up to 500MB–2GB/day, works in 200+ countries. Ideal for heavy data users and country-hoppers.
- SimLocal – Good for short trips and budget-conscious travelers; fixed GB plans, easy setup, single-country focus.
- Jetpac – Best for regional travel; offers fixed data bundles and decent speeds, app-based management.
- Truley – Reliable for light users and occasional travel; works in multiple countries but limited data.
- Airalo – Wide coverage and per-GB pricing; best for short trips and light data usage, easy to install.
How I Rate eSIMs – What to Look For in a Travel SIM
When I test and recommend travel eSIMs, I focus on real-world performance rather than marketing claims. Here are three simple things I look for:
- Ease of Setup – The simpler, the better. Ideally, you just scan a QR code and start using the eSIM immediately. Some providers require an extra app, which adds steps and potential glitches. The goal is to get online quickly without tech headaches, especially when you land in a new country.
- Price – Cheap data alone isn’t the full picture. I consider how the pricing is structured: per-GB, per-day, or unlimited for a set period. Comparing data bundles versus daily rates is crucial because heavy users may find “unlimited per day” plans cheaper in practice than buying multiple small-GB packages, and light users may save with per-GB plans.
- Connectivity – eSIMs connect to local towers just like a physical SIM. Coverage depends on which local network the eSIM is partnered with, and this varies by country. While it’s impossible to compare every network worldwide, my ratings are based on hands-on experience across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas—focusing on reliability, speed, and hotspot usability.
There are travelers who care about customer support and a bunch of other factors. However let me tell you that based on my experience, no telecom company, or eSIM company is going to have a good customer support network. However, the good news is that once you know your phone is compatible (please check this before reading further), and you know how to install an eSIM, then you shouldn't need any support.
1. Holafly - My Current Favorite eSIM for Travel
Over multiple trips, from road‑tripping across Europe to working out of cafés in Southeast Asia, I found its unlimited data plans currently offer the best balance between simplicity and reliability. What stood out is its unlimited data plans sold by duration rather than gigabytes, which makes it easy to plan ahead for trips without constantly topping up. In practice, it works reliably for basic browsing, messaging, and light hotspot use, and coverage is generally solid in major cities and tourist areas
Tip: Get 5% Off any Holafly Plan with code WESEEKTRAVEL
Ease of setup
- After purchase, you receive a QR code via email.
- On iPhone: press and hold, tap “Add eSIM,” and it installs in seconds.
- On Android: scan the QR or use the Holafly app.
- Setup is usually quick and straightforward — 2–3 minutes in most cases and app is not a requirement.
Price
- Unlimited data plans sold by duration (1–90 days).
- Examples: Europe — 5 days ~$19.50, 10 days ~$36.90, 30 days ~$74.90.
- Multi-country and global plans are available for longer trips but in my experience the country-specific plans are the best.
Connectivity
- Partners with major local networks. Europe: Orange, Vodafone, Movistar. Asia: KDDI / SoftBank in Japan, SK Telecom in South Korea, TrueMove H in Thailand.
- The coverage and speeds I was getting is comparable to what locals get on these networks.
Some users in my popular Holafly review reported difficulty getting refunds when their phones weren’t compatible, so customer service could improve. Hotspot restrictions are another limitation, typically 500 MB/day, which is enough for light work but may be restrictive for heavy uploading or streaming.
2. SimLocal
I’ve used SimLocal on a few shorter trips across Southeast Asia and Europe. Its main appeal is flexibility, they offer both regional and country-specific eSIMs, with per-GB and unlimited options depending on the destination.
Compared with Holafly, SimLocal’s unlimited plans are sometimes slightly more expensive, but the per-GB bundles give travelers an option to pay only for what they need. In my experience, it works reliably in major cities and tourist hubs, though I’ve noticed slightly more variability in rural coverage compared with Holafly in some Asian countries.
Ease of setup
- Purchase confirmation includes a QR code or optional SimLocal app download.
- On iPhone: scan QR, tap “Add eSIM,” installs in seconds.
- On Android: scan QR or use the app.
- Setup is generally simple, but unlike Holafly, the app is often suggested for managing multiple regional eSIMs.
Price
- Offers both per-GB and unlimited plans.
- Examples: Thailand — 5 GB / 30 days ~$15; Unlimited 15 days ~$32.
- Regional eSIMs (covering multiple countries) are available, but usually at a premium over country-specific plans.
- Per-GB structure can be more cost-effective for light users, but frequent hotspotting may lead to top-ups mid-trip.
Connectivity
- Partners with major local networks: Thailand — TrueMove H, AIS; Japan — KDDI / SoftBank; South Korea — SK Telecom.
- Performance in cities is solid; coverage in more remote areas can occasionally be patchy compared with Holafly.
- Speed and reliability are generally comparable to Holafly in primary tourist hubs.
SimLocal’s unlimited plans are slightly more expensive than Holafly’s for longer durations, and managing multiple country/regional eSIMs can require using the app. Hotspot limits vary by plan, often similar to Holafly (~500 MB/day), which may not be enough for intensive work or streaming. Customer support is responsive in my experience, but per-GB users need to monitor usage carefully to avoid unexpected top-ups.
3. Jetpac
I’ve used Jetpac eSIMs on multi-country trips in Europe and in my search for a good eSIM in Asia, and it impressed me for its flexibility and balance between price and coverage.
Unlike Holafly, Jetpac doesn’t force you into unlimited plans, you can pick per-GB or “unlimited-ish” data, depending on the country. Which is good, but the pricing structure was quite confusing and it takes a while to work out which plan is the best value for money.
For travelers who want a global data plan but don’t need truly unlimited usage, Jetpac has a decent offering with good network access, a capable app, and reasonable pricing for mid-length trips.
Ease of Setup
- After purchase, you get a QR code in your Jetpac app or via email.
- On iPhone: scan it, hit “Add eSIM,” and you’re online in a minute or two.
- On Android: same flow, or you can activate via the app directly.
- The app is relatively clean, although some users on Trustpilot report activation issues and needing to reach out via WhatsApp
Price
- Jetpac offers both fixed GB plans (1 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, etc.) and “unlimited” data for 7–30 days, depending on destination.
- For new users, there’s often a promo which I took advantage of, for example, 1 GB for US$1 valid for 4 days.
- In longer or multi-country trips, regional or global plans (2‑12 months) can be more cost-effective than constantly topping up.
Connectivity
- Jetpac supports 200+ destinations via different plans which is quite solid.
- Networks in major markets: per the app, Jetpac connects to leading local telcos like Vodafone (Europe), AT&T (USA), O2 (UK), etc.
- In real-world tests, I've recorded strong LTE speeds especially in Europe. For example, on a Europe 10 GB plan in Portugal, I hit around 138 Mbps download on my iPhone which is one of the fastest speeds I've seen on an eSIM.
- Automatic network switching during travel helps maintain a stable connection even when you cross borders.
Some users report throttling on “unlimited” plans after heavy daily use, and setup issues can occur for certain phones. I don't think the throttling data limit is very clear on their plans. From what I've read online, customer support is generally responsive but can be slow at times.
4. Truely
I’ve tested Truely eSIM on trips spanning Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and what stands out is how genuinely global it is. Unlike some providers that force you to switch profiles when crossing borders, Truely’s “Switchless” model lets you stay on one eSIM while traveling between 190+ countries which is pretty impressive in my opinion.
I found it especially useful when I'm on a long multi-stop journey or want to avoid dealing with different plans every few days.
Ease of Setup
- After purchase, you get a QR code or use the Truely app to install the eSIM.
- On iPhone: scan the QR, tap “Add eSIM,” and activate.
- On Android: you can also scan the QR or manage everything in the app.
- The app is one of the best I've tested, it helps you pick plans, view usage, and manage your eSIM without juggling multiple profiles.
Price
- Similarly to Holafly, Truely’s focus is on unlimited data plans with durations from 1 to 30 days.
- Pricing follows a “longer = cheaper per day” model.
- Example (Europe): unlimited for 1 day = ~US$6.90, 30-day plan = ~US$75, similar pricing structure to Holafly.
Connectivity
- According to Truely, their global “Switchless” eSIM is powered by more than 700 local network partners, in Australia they partner with Optus which I've found to be unique (one of the better telcoms in Australia).
- Not truly "Unlimited" - Truely advertises “full speed up to 10 GB/day, then unlimited at ~512 kbps” on its unlimited plans.
- Their coverage spans 190+ countries, including Europe, Southeast Asia, North America, and more.
- In my experience data speeds are comparable to locals because the eSIM uses local networks, not just roaming fallback. Though it was slightly slower than my friend's local SIM when I tested it in Canada.
Truely’s plan is "unlimited" but throttled, similarly to most "unlimited eSIM plans for travel". That means once you hit the 10 GB/day threshold, your speed drops significantly, which can be frustrating if you’re depending on high-speed for work. However, 512KB/s is still fast enough to get basic work done.
Coverage is very good in cities and well-trafficked travel corridors, but in remote or rural areas it's not always top-tier.
5. Airalo
Airalo is one of the most widely used travel eSIM providers and one of the first I ever tried. Many travelers are very loyal to Airalo because it has worked for quite some time. In fact I used to recommend them as my favorite for many years until better unlimited plans came out.
However they still do offer a good balance between low-cost data and flexible plans without committing to large or unlimited data plans. I’ve used it across Southeast Asia and Europe, mostly for short trips or when I only needed messaging, maps, and light browsing rather than heavy uploading or streaming.
Ease of Setup
- Purchase the eSIM and receive a QR code or use the Airalo app.
- On iPhone: scan the QR, tap “Add eSIM,” and it’s ready in seconds.
- On Android: scan the QR or install through the Airalo app.
- Setup is straightforward and typically takes under 3 minutes. No app installation is required for basic setup, but the app is useful for managing data usage.
Price
- Airalo mostly sells per-GB plans with validity periods that vary by country.
- Example (Europe): 1 GB / 7 days ≈ $4, 5 GB / 30 days ≈ $15–20, 20 GB / 30 days ≈ $39.
- Compared to unlimited plans like Holafly, Airalo is cheaper upfront for light data users but requires monitoring usage carefully to avoid topping up mid-trip, which I've had to do most times.
Connectivity
- Like every eSIM provider, Airalo partners with local networks in each country.
- In Europe, they often connect to major networks such as Vodafone, Orange, and Movistar. In Southeast Asia, local partners include Telkomsel (Indonesia), TrueMove H (Thailand), and Globe (Philippines).
- Data speeds are generally reliable in cities and tourist hubs, comparable to a local SIM, but can lag behind unlimited eSIM plans if the network partner isn’t as strong.
Airalo’s per-GB model can be inconvenient for travelers who use a lot of data or hotspot frequently. Some users report the app-based setup can be confusing if you try to switch between multiple countries quickly. Refunds are limited if your device isn’t compatible, so checking phone support before purchase is essential. Overall, Airalo works best for light to moderate data users on shorter trips.
Summing Up & Some Travel eSIM Advice
Comparing travel eSIMs is tricky because, much like VPNs and other digital products for travelers, most offerings are fairly similar in practice. That’s why I prefer to rank them based on pricing structure and data flexibility rather than minor differences in coverage or speed.
As of this year, Holafly is my current favorite, but that could change as providers update their plans and coverage.
My advice: don’t overthink which eSIM to use, just buy one and test it. If it doesn’t work, you can always get another. A good strategy is to purchase a short-term plan first, like 1–2 days for a small fee, and see how it performs when you arrive. This is important because eSIM performance can vary widely from country to country, mostly due to the specific local network partnerships each provider has.
Either way, get yourself an eSIM to get connected but try to unplug a bit to enjoy your trip! For real travel inspiration beyond eSIMs, check out We Seek Travel's destinations page for guides and adventure content from trips around the world.