There’s nothing more soul-destroying than getting off a 12-hour flight, jet-lagged to bits, only to realize you have to wait in line to speak with an agent about deals for a SIM card. Many people are opting for eSIMs in 2025; they seem to be the way to go for travelers. Not only are they sometimes cheaper, but they’re also easy to download and can offer a stronger connection than local providers.
If you’ve never used an eSIM before, you might feel a bit apprehensive, especially if you’re a traditional traveler who’s used to getting a SIM card from a local provider. But if you give them a chance, eSIMs can offer better coverage without wasting any time in service provider stores.
Just type “eSIM” into Google, and you’ll be inundated with companies trying to lure you into their service. Rather than wasting time checking them all one by one, Kiwi has found the best eSIM providers to look into for your next trip.
Why Esim Cards Are Essential for 2025 Travel
Whether we want to admit it or not, traveling in the digital age without internet coverage isn’t easy. So much information is now online. It’s not like before, when you could just pick up a Lonely Planet book and take on the world. Nowadays, all the information you need, like your hotel or hostel bookings, flight tickets, WhatsApp to contact friends, and Google Maps, is stored online.
eSIMs allow us to hit the ground running in a destination as soon as we arrive. There’s no need to search for provider stores; all you have to do is pay the fee, scan the activation code, and you’re good to go as soon as you turn your phone off airplane mode after landing.
Compared to traditional SIM cards, eSIMs are much safer in terms of physical security because they can’t be removed from a phone, which makes it harder for potential scammers to tamper with them. Of course, eSIMs can still be tracked or hacked, but the risks are far less than those of a traditional SIM, making it the more secure choice.
Another fantastic perk of eSIMs is the coverage you can get across multiple countries. Imagine you’re on a backpacking trip for a few months, covering a handful of countries in Central America. With a multi-country plan, you wouldn’t have to keep buying new SIM cards. HolaFly does this with their World eSIM ($9.90 (€9.50), which covers you in a whopping 113 countries.
One thing we tend to forget is that physical SIM cards generate more waste, but with eSIMs, there’s none since they’re downloaded directly onto your device. This is fantastic for those trying to stay as sustainable as possible while on the road.
How to Choose the Right Esim for Your Destination
Deciding on an eSIM provider isn’t as simple as just picking the first one you see. Before you go spending any money, you need to consider a few factors about your trip to find the best provider. After all, someone going away for three days to Athens won’t need the same amount of data as someone hiking in the Himalayas for two weeks.
Here’s how to choose the right eSIM for your destination:
- The locations you’ll visit: Different SIM providers offer a variety of packages for different locations, so you’ll need to choose the one that best fits your plans. For example, a local eSIM will only cover you in a specific country, while a regional plan can help you stay connected across multiple countries or even a continent.
- The duration of your trip: How long will you be away? You’ll want to pick a data plan that lasts for your entire vacation. For those on an extended trip, something like a month-long plan might be ideal, while for a weekend getaway, a short-term package will be fine.
- The amount of data you think you’ll use: Everyone uses their devices differently when traveling. Some may only check their phone in the evenings for a little scroll on Instagram, while others might be using their devices throughout the day to respond to work emails. Typically, a few gigabytes of data are enough for a browse or two a day, but if you’re going on a road trip and need to use Google Maps to get you around, you might have to invest in a plan with a substantial amount of data.
Top Esim Card Providers for Global Travelers
Airalo
A company you’ll see every second influencer and YouTuber advertise, Airalo is undoubtedly one of the biggest eSIM providers out there, but does it live up to the hype? While their prices vary depending on the package, their Discover+ package costs €15.50 for 1GB of data for 7 days, along with 10 minutes of calls and 10 texts, and it can be used in 136 countries around the world. They also offer local and regional plans without any calls or texts, which are priced differently depending on the country. The average price for these plans is around €5 for 1GB of data for 7 days. Regional eSIMs tend to be a bit more expensive; for example, the Hello Africa package offers 1GB for 30 days at €27.50.
The connection with Airalo is generally quite good, but there have been several reports of users struggling with connectivity in more remote areas, so it’s worth being mindful of that.
Holafly
Best known for its unlimited data packages, Holafly is a must-have for individuals who always need to be online, such as remote workers. Their cheapest packages start at $6.90 (€6.62) for one day of unlimited data, but if you add more days, you get a better deal. Their regional plans also start at $6.90 (€6.62), with the Asia plan being one example. If you’re looking for global coverage, their worldwide plans cost $9.90 (€9.50) for 1 day.
Connectivity with Holafly is typically stable, but there have been occasional reports of patchy service in certain places. However, these issues tend to resolve themselves after you turn the connection off and on a few times. While the installation process for Holafly is similar to that of most eSIMs, where you simply scan the QR code sent to your email, make sure your device is compatible with their service before purchasing, as some devices are not supported.
Nomad
A top choice for weekend travelers and those on short holidays, Nomad offers some unbeatable deals on short-term eSIMs. What’s interesting about Nomad is that their prices for one-day plans aren’t much cheaper than their 7-day plans. Take their Turkey plan; for example, 1GB of 5G data for 7 days costs $4.50 (€4.32), but if you switch to a 1-day plan, it’s only $4 (€3.84), meaning for just an extra 50 cents, you get an additional 6 days of data. Regional and global plans are also available. Their regional European plan starts at $5 (€4.80) for 1GB for 7 days, and their global plan for 82 countries costs $40 (€38.39) for 10GB, which is on the pricier side.
Nomad’s connection speed has been praised as quite reliable, so you can bank on always being online while traveling.
Yesim
Yesim’s unique pay-as-you-go eSIMs have been hailed as a game-changer for travelers. They put the power in your hands, allowing you to pay only for the data you use rather than being limited to a set amount like other providers. Their prices per GB vary between countries, but they start at €1.50. Additionally, if you’re looking for an unlimited data package, you can opt for a 1-day plan at €7 per day.
It’s hard not to be drawn in by Yesim’s attractive deals. Plenty have praised their service, especially the pay-as-you-go feature. However, some customers have reported issues in the past, such as difficulty connecting or experiencing random connection failures, so it could be a bit of a gamble.
Best Esim Plans for Budget-Conscious Travelers
Airhub
In terms of price, it’s hard to compete with Airhub. With extensive coverage in over 190 nations and plenty of monthly, data-only, global, and data-and-voice plans, if you want to keep costs low and stay connected, Airhub is a great option.
Similar to many eSIM providers, Airhub has priced its packages differently for each individual country. Let’s take a look at their US package prices: you can get a data-only 5GB eSIM with AT&T for just $4.20 (€4.03), which covers you for 30 days. If you opt for their regional European package, it costs $9 (€8.64) for 12GB of data over 30 days. Their global eSIMs offer 30GB of data for 30 days at $29 (€27.83).
Using Airhub’s service is straightforward: you choose your country or region, select a plan you like, make the payment, and then activate the eSIM using the barcode whenever you’re ready. As with many budget eSIM providers, reviews are mixed, but a good chunk of users have had positive experiences with Airhub, though their customer service isn’t as strong as some other providers.
Saily
Saily is an excellent budget-friendly eSIM option, offering an extra layer of protection compared to other eSIMs. It features key security barriers like Virtual Location and an Ad Blocker, thanks to being owned by the same company behind the major VPN provider, NordVPN.
Their local eSIM options for 1GB in a single country start as low as $3.99 (€3.83) for 7 days, while their cheapest regional package (for Europe) costs $4.99 (€4.79) for 1GB over 7 days. Currently, Saily does not offer any global plans.
Convenience is at the forefront of Saily’s operation. To get started, all you need to do is purchase a plan and download their app, and your plan will begin automatically. While Saily is still relatively new to the market, it has already received many positive reviews for its service. However, some users have mentioned that accessing certain networks in a country can be difficult.
Esim Tips for Specific Needs
Frequent Fliers
- Stick to global plans: People who travel often move between countries quickly, with little time to visit physical SIM card stores. For this reason, it’s best to stick to global plans so that no matter where you land, you’re always covered.
- Buy high amounts of data: Frequent flyers tend to use more data while on the road because they’re spending more time in different places. Rather than opting for a small plan with just a few gigabytes, choose a plan with more data to avoid constantly needing to top up.
Tropical Vacationers
- Check the coverage: If you’re spending time in remote locations, like tropical islands in the Pacific, it’s crucial to check that your eSIM will cover you. For example, it might work in Fiji’s capital, Suva, but once you head to any of the smaller islands, you might not be able to connect at all.
- Run a trial with your eSIM as soon as you arrive: As a general rule of thumb, you should test your eSIM right when you land in a tropical destination. In some cases, it might not work, and there may be fewer SIM card providers in more remote areas. By testing it early, you’ll have time to purchase a physical SIM in the city if your eSIM doesn’t work before you go off the grid.
City Breakers
- Focus on local plans: As you’ll only be in one city for a few days, a local plan for that country will be suitable for your entire trip. There’s no need to spend extra money on other plans for different regions.
- Download apps in advance: In cities, it’s normal to rely on various apps to help you get around, whether it’s Uber for rides or Rome2Rio, to figure out the fastest way to get somewhere. If you wait until you arrive to download these apps, you’ll only end up wasting all your data. It’s better to download them before you leave home when you have access to free Wi-Fi.
Start Using an eSIM on Your Travels in 2025
eSIMs have truly changed the travel game for everyone. By eliminating the need to purchase a physical SIM and offering competitive deals that can be activated in minutes, it’s hard not to be interested in them.
We’ve listed some of the best eSIMs on the market for 2025 in this article, but there are many more options out there that we may have forgotten about. Luckily, with any of the options we’ve highlighted, you’ll always be connected while abroad.