In the space of just a few years, eSIMs have grown from virtual obscurity to the most talked about way of staying connected while travelling.
This meteoric rise in popularity has birthed hundreds of companies vying for your attention. Some offer excellent coverage, good internet speeds and a relatively good price, while others cost a bomb and don’t deliver on their promises!
To save you hours of research, we’ve rounded up the best eSIM providers for backpackers, no matter where you plan to travel!
Plus, we’ll answer some of the burning questions like; what is an eSIM, how to choose an eSIM and whether eSIMs are really worth it!
Best eSIM Providers for Travellers – Quick Answers!
- Coverage in 190+ Countries
- Service Speed: 3G/4G/LTE/5G
- Length of Plans: 7-180
- Coverage in 100+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/LTE/4G
- Length of Plans: 7-30 days
- Coverage in 130+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/LTE/4G
- Length of Plans: 5-90 days depending on country or region
What Is an eSIM?
In its most literal definition, an eSIM is an Embedded Subscriber Identity Module. It does exactly the same job as the standard SIM in your phone but it’s electronic, so doesn’t require a physical card.
Software installed onto a chip in your cell provides you with a phone number and access to whichever network you’re using.
An eSIM takes up less room than a traditional SIM card and is generally simple to install. It provides the same connectivity as a physical SIM. Once it’s up and running, you won’t notice any difference between using an eSIM and a traditional SIM card.
In fact, the two are so similar that new Apple iPhones sold in the USA don’t even include a traditional SIM card slot! Instead, they rely fully on an eSIM. This isn’t yet the case in Europe, Asia or the rest of the world but we should expect the entire cell phone market to be dominated by eSIM phones in the near future.
The Biggest Downside of eSIMs — Cost!
Related: (links open in a new tab)
- Best SIM Cards for Travellers in Southeast Asia
- Trip Planning Guides
- Are Mobile Phones Ruining Travel?
Best Travel eSIM Providers
Airalo
Airalo
- Coverage in 190+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/LTE/4G/5G depending on plan and country
- Length of Plans: 7-180 days depending on region or country
Airalo offer local, regional and global eSIMs that work in over 190 countries. The cheapest way to use an Airalo eSIM is to get a new one for every country you visit as the regional and global eSIMs cost more. However, if you want the convenience of not having to arrange an eSIM every time you travel to a new place, the regional and global options are good choices.
Plans range from 7-180 days in length and offer anywhere from 1GB to unlimited data -- although the unlimited data packs tend to be restricted to a single country and are non-rechargeable. Tethering is allowed with most plans.
Airalo plans are data only which means they do not provide you with a phone number, calls or texts.
- Coverage in more than 190 countries
- Tethering (hot spotting) allowed
- Loads of plans available
- Data only
- Unlimited data plans are restricted to single countries
- Expensive
Nomad
Nomad eSIMs offer coverage in more than 100 countries. They offer local, regional and global plans -- all of which are quite expensive compared to Airalo. Plans range from 7-30 days with both data and SMS plans available. However, the SMS plan only gives you a virtual phone number, so you must be connected to the internet for it to work, making it a waste of time and money -- just use WhatsApp!
The eSIM plans can be purchased and installed onto your phone whenever you like and you can activate them as soon as you start travelling. This allows you to plan ahead without paying for days you're not using.
Tethering is generally available on all plans.
- Available in 100+ countries
- Can purchase a plan ahead of time and activate it when you start travelling
- Tethering available
- Expensive
- No 5G coverage
- SMS plan with virtual number is an expensive gimmick
Holafly
Holafly
- Coverage in 130+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/LTE/4G
- Length of Plans: 5-90 days depending on country or region
Holafly eSIMs work in over 130 countries. In some destinations, they offer unlimited data packages. However, these are expensive and do not allow tethering.
Holafly offer local and regional eSIMs, with packages varying in length between 5-90 days. Unfortunately, plans cannot be topped up, so you need to purchase a new one when they expire. Overall, coverage is excellent but options are limited compared to the competition. You can expect LTE/4G in most locations that Holafly cover.
Holafly have an app that lets you download and install your chosen eSIM, monitor your data use and see exactly when your plan expires.
The eSIMs are data-only packages and tethering is available with some plans. You'll need to check when making your purchase if you're interested in tethering other devices to your phone.
- Unlimited data plans in some destinations
- Coverage in more than 130 countries
- Purchase your eSIM ahead of time and activate it when you arrive
- Allowances are very limited
- Limited number of plans compared to the competition
- Most unlimited data plans don't allow tethering
- No top-ups available
Ubigi
Ubigi
- Coverage in 190+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/4G/5G depending on country and network
- Length of Plans: 1 day to unlimited periods
The Ubigi eSIM is free to download onto your phone. From there, you can add packages that work in over 190 countries worldwide. The packages stretch from a single day to unlimited periods as long as you keep them topped up. While unlimited in length, these packages do limit the amount of data you can use each month -- usually 5GB -- but shorter packages offer much more data, from 500MB-200GB total.
Ubigi offer local, regional and global plans but you'll need to check between them to see which offers the best deal for you. Unlike other eSIM providers, it's not always the local packages that are the best value for money.
Most plans can be topped up and tethering is also available with the majority.
Ubigi eSIMs are data only so you don't get a phone number or the ability to send texts and make calls.
- Huge range of plans available
- Unlimited time plans available
- Coverage in 190+ countries
- Expensive
- Data only
- No unlimited data plans
Surfroam
Surfroam
- Coverage in 200+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/4G/5G
- Length of Plans: Balance is valid for a year but every top up extends the policy life
Surfroam operate differently from most eSIM providers. Instead of offering prepaid data plans, Surfroam offer a pay-as-you-go system, meaning you pay per megabyte of data used. The price varies depending on where you are but it's usually between €0.01-0.08 per megabyte. This is expensive compared to other providers but offers a huge amount of flexibility as you never need to change plan.
Surfroam offer coverage in over 200 countries but only offer data plans. There are no calls or texts included. However, if your phone is not eSIM enabled, they do offer a physical SIM with the same plan.
Tethering is allowed with Surfroam but be aware that it will get expensive quickly!
- Pay as you go
- Coverage in 200+ countries
- Very flexible
- One of the most expensive options
- Data only
A Note on Google Fi
An Alternative Way to Use eSIM Technology
You don’t have to get an eSIM for travel to take advantage of the technology. Most carriers offer eSIMs to their current customers. This means you can swap your physical SIM for an eSIM, leaving your SIM card slot free!
It allows you to keep your home number embedded in your phone while swapping local SIM cards in and out as you travel.
Often, this is the most cost-effective use of the eSIM functionality on new phones!
How to Get a Travel eSIM
Most international eSIMs are available through the provider’s website. You can browse, choose and purchase the eSIM online. Then, the company will email you with installation instructions.
Alternatively, in some countries, you can get a local eSIM from a phone shop. In Thailand, you can even get them from 7/11! The only downside with this strategy is that it can be complicated to sort out if you don’t speak the local language!
Finally, if you want to swap your current physical SIM card onto the eSIM, you need to follow your carrier’s instructions. It’s usually relatively simple to do and doesn’t take very long.
How to Choose an eSIM
Make Sure Your Device Supports eSIMs
The first step in choosing the right eSIM for travel is to ensure your phone is eSIM compatible. Not all phones are – especially older models.
This list of eSIM-compatible phones is updated regularly. If you’ve established your phone is eSIM enabled, you then need to make sure it’s not locked to a specific carrier. If it is, you’ll need to get it unlocked. This is usually a straightforward process but can take some time depending on your mobile network provider.
Decide What Plan You Need – Data, Minutes & Texts
When it comes to staying connected while travelling, the most important aspect to consider is your data allowance. For most travellers, having a data-only plan will be enough. However, if you require minutes and texts, you’ll need to ensure your eSIM provides you with these. Many eSIM plans don’t include a phone number, so you cannot be contacted unless it’s through the internet.
How Much Data Do You Need?
Sadly, the more data you require, the more you’ll have to pay for it. Some providers offer unlimited data plans which are the best choice if you’re a heavy data user but they tend to come at a high price.
Make sure your plan of choice offers enough data for your needs!
Coverage
Check reviews to see if your eSIM provider of choice offers good coverage in the countries you’re visiting. They may only have good signal in large cities or population centres. You can usually find out which local networks they piggyback off which gives you an idea of how much of the country they cover.
Tethering
If you plan to tether another device to your phone, make sure this is permitted by your eSIM plan. Not all allow of them device tethering and hot-spotting.
The Price
While eSIMs are more convenient than using local SIM cards, they also tend to cost more. You should weigh up whether cost or convenience is more important to you!
Pros and Cons of an eSIM for Backpacking
- Easy to set up
- Can be sorted before you arrive in a country
- Loads of options available
- Easy to switch between providers
- Keep your Whatsapp number
- No losing SIM cards
- Expensive compared to local SIM cards
- Often data only (no calls, texts or phone number included)
- Limited data allowances
International eSIM vs Country-Specific eSIM
The more localised your eSIM, the cheaper it will be. A country-specific eSIM offers a better deal than regional or global eSIM plans. However, they still tend to be more expensive than picking up a local SIM card when you arrive.
Alternatives to Using an eSIM for Travel
The easiest and cheapest way of staying connected on the road is to pick up a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination.
However, if you want constant access to your normal phone number, this doesn’t work. You can get dual SIM phones which allow you to insert more than one SIM card at a time but these aren’t super common.
The other option is to transfer your current mobile plan onto an eSIM. This allows you to use local SIM cards and keep access to your normal number.
You should also check whether your network provider offers good deals on using your phone while abroad. In very rare cases, carriers offer deals so good they render getting a local SIM or eSIM unnecessary. While uncommon, these offers are worth keeping an eye out for!
eSIM FAQs
Are all phones eSIM compatible?
Not all phones are eSIM compatible. To see if yours is, check this list!
If your cell isn’t on this list, it’s not the end of your eSIM dream! Using eSIM.me you can turn any android phone into an eSIM-compatible handset!
What iPhones can use eSIMs?
Apple provide the necessary information about which iPhones are eSIM compatible as well as how to set up an eSIM on iPhone.
What Android phones use eSIMs?
Most new Android phones are compatible with an eSIM. Check here for a full list!
Are eSIMs good for travel?
An eSIM for travel offers a convenient way of staying connected while on the road. However, the costs are higher than buying a local SIM card in each country you visit.
Are travel eSIMs cheaper than traditional SIM cards?
Generally speaking, using an international eSIM costs more than using buying local SIM cards while on the road.
Do eSIMs allow tethering?
Most eSIMs allow you to tether or hotspot another device. However, not all do. Check before making a purchase.
Does an eSIM work on a locked phone?
Unless the eSIM is from your current network carrier, it will not work on a locked phone. You’ll need to get your phone unlocked if you want to use an eSIM that isn’t from your current carrier.
Round Up of eSIMs for International Travel – Are They Worth It?
While an eSIM for travel offers a good level of convenience, they’re far more expensive than using local SIM cards – especially if you’re a heavy data user.
If you only require a few megabytes at a time to check email, use a navigation app or send the odd WhatsApp message, an eSIM can be a good investment. However, if you want to stay fully connected with all your social media apps, play games or stream video while away from WiFi, we recommend getting a local SIM card.
If you do opt for a travel eSIM, these are our favourites!
- Coverage in 190+ Countries
- Service Speed: 3G/4G/LTE/5G
- Length of Plans: 7-180
- Coverage in 100+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/LTE/4G
- Length of Plans: 7-30 days
- Coverage in 130+ countries
- Service Speed: 3G/LTE/4G
- Length of Plans: 5-90 days depending on country or region
Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
