An eSIM for travel is a digital SIM built into your phone: you buy a data plan online, install it from a QR code at home and have mobile data the moment you land, without a plastic card or an airport queue. Most phones from the last few years take one, and a travel eSIM usually costs far less than roaming outside the EU. This guide covers what an eSIM is, which phones have it, how to set it up, how to pick a provider and a plan, and what to do when something goes wrong.
To compare every plan for your destination by data amount, trip length and country, even several countries at once, use our eSIM comparison tool.
Article Contents
What an eSIM is and how it works
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built into your device. Unlike a plastic SIM card, you never insert or swap it. It connects your phone to mobile networks the same way, only in digital form.
How an eSIM works
- A chip built into your device holds the eSIM.
- Operator profiles download to it over the internet.
- Several profiles can be stored on it at once.
- You switch operators in the settings, without touching a card.
When you buy a data eSIM, the provider sends you a QR code or activation details. You scan or type them, the profile downloads to your phone, and you can use that operator's network right away.
A short history of the eSIM
- 2010: Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) developed the first eSIM technology.
- 2016: the GSMA, the global association of mobile operators, standardised the eSIM specifications.
- 2017: the Google Pixel 2 became the first smartphone with eSIM.
- 2018: Apple added eSIM to the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR.
- From 2022: eSIM goes mainstream, and every iPhone 14 or later sold in the United States comes without a SIM tray.
Today eSIM works in most countries and hundreds of operators offer it. For travelers, it is the simplest way to stay connected abroad without expensive roaming.
Benefits of an eSIM for travel
1. Lower costs than roaming
A travel eSIM saves the most outside the EU roaming zone. With a SIM from an EU country you pay home prices across the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, within a fair-use limit, and since 1 January 2026 in Ukraine and Moldova too; the UK is not included [3]. Outside that zone, or with a home SIM from outside the EU, roaming gets expensive. Our analysis for a traveler whose home plan charges roaming shows savings of 60 to 90%:
| Trip | Roaming | eSIM | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| One week in Europe | €70 | €15 | up to 78% |
| Two weeks across Asia | €140 to €210 | €25 | up to 88% |
| A month as a digital nomad | €300 to €450 | €35 | up to 92% |
2. Data the moment you land
- No hunting for SIM card stands at the airport.
- No queues at mobile kiosks.
- No language barrier when buying a local SIM.
- Maps, translators and transport apps work straight away.
3. Your home number keeps working
Phones with eSIM are dual SIM, so your home SIM stays on for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data. Family and friends reach you on your usual number, and you do not have to give anyone a new one.
4. Flexible and simple
- Set up your connection before you leave home.
- Switch operators when you need to.
- Buy more data if you run out.
- Pick the exact data amount for the length of your trip.
To find the best plan for your destination, compare offers in our eSIM comparison tool.
Which phones have eSIM
Before you buy a data eSIM, check that your device has it. The quickest test: dial *#06#. If an EID (the ID number of the eSIM chip) appears next to the IMEI, your phone has eSIM. The phone must also not be locked to a carrier.
Apple devices with eSIM
- iPhone: the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and every later model [1]. Two eSIMs can be active at the same time [1], and our iPhone eSIM guide lists how many each model stores.
- iPad: iPad Pro (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later) and iPad (7th generation and later), in the cellular versions.
- Apple Watch: Series 3 and later, with one eSIM profile.
Android devices with eSIM
- Samsung: the Galaxy S range from the S20, the Note 20 and the Z Flip and Z Fold foldables, plus some A models [2]. Newer models store up to 5 profiles, and the Galaxy S24 series runs 2 at once.
- Google: the Pixel 4 and later. For the Pixel 2 and 3 it depends on where and from which carrier the phone was bought.
- Motorola: the Razr (2019 and later) and selected Moto G models.
- Other brands: selected models from Huawei, Oppo, Xiaomi, Sony, Vivo and others.
For Android, the market the phone was made for also matters: Samsung warns that eSIM may not work on a listed model depending on its country of origin [2]. Find your exact model in our list of phones with eSIM.
Phones with the best eSIM features
If you travel often, a phone that runs two eSIMs at once is worth it, because your home number can live on one eSIM and the travel plan on the other. In our current picks, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 18 Pro Max both run two eSIMs at once, the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL has the best Android software, and the HONOR Magic V6 is the foldable with the strongest hardware. The full list is in our best phones with eSIM, and the cheapest phones with eSIM start at about $260 with the Motorola Moto G57 Power.
What to do if your phone has no eSIM
- Use a physical travel SIM card from an international provider.
- Take a portable Wi-Fi hotspot on the trip; our guide to portable Wi-Fi hotspots compares them.
- Add eSIM to an older Android phone with the eSIM.me card, which we tested in our eSIM.me review.
- Buy a newer phone with eSIM.
How to set up an eSIM for travel
Setting up an eSIM takes a few minutes. The steps differ a little by phone, but the order is always the same: check, buy, install at home, switch on after landing.
Before you install
- Check that your phone has eSIM and is not locked to a carrier.
- Choose a provider and a plan for your destination.
- Buy the eSIM online, ideally 1 to 7 days before you travel. Check when the plan starts: most start on first connection abroad, but our Yesim plan started at purchase, and GoMoWorld needs you to press Start in its app.
- Save the QR code or activation details, for example as a screenshot.
Installing an eSIM on iPhone
- Open Settings > Cellular.
- Tap Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Scan the QR code from your eSIM provider.
- Name the plan, for example "Thailand data", and finish the setup.
- Choose which line is the default for data; abroad, pick the eSIM.
Every screen is in our guide to adding an eSIM on iPhone.
Installing an eSIM on Android
- On Samsung, open Settings > Connections > SIM manager [2]. On other Android phones, look in the network or SIM settings.
- Tap Add eSIM.
- Tap Scan QR code and scan the code from your provider.
- Name the profile and finish the setup.
The full walkthrough with screenshots is in our guide to adding an eSIM on Samsung.
Installing through the provider's app
Some providers install the eSIM from their own app, with no QR code to scan. Holafly installed with one tap in our test. Saily's in-app install was the smoothest we tested. GoMoWorld also installs in its app, but the plan does nothing until you press Start, which is the most common reason it "does not work". Download the app, buy the plan in it and follow the install steps.
Switching the eSIM on abroad
- Turn airplane mode on and off again.
- Check that the eSIM line is switched on and set for mobile data.
- Turn on data roaming for the eSIM. A travel eSIM does not work without it.
- Wait for the phone to connect to a local network, usually within 2 minutes.
Tip: install and test the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi before you leave, so you know it works when you land.
Fixing common problems
- The eSIM will not install: check your internet connection and scan the QR code in better light.
- No signal after landing: toggle airplane mode, restart the phone or pick the network by hand.
- Slow connection: check whether you have used up the full-speed allowance, or switch to another network.
- The QR code does not work: type the activation code by hand, or turn the activation code into a QR code.
More fixes are in our eSIM troubleshooting guide.
Best eSIM providers for travel
We buy every plan with our own money and an anonymous email, then test the purchase, app, installation, help desk and speed, and add our price analysis, customer feedback and coverage. The Vefru test score is the average of those eight categories. The table shows all 14 providers we have tested, best score first.
| Provider | Vefru test score | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM4Travel | 8.8 | Cheap plans of 1 to 20 GB, a human help desk | No app, no calls |
| Maya Mobile | 8.4 | A week or more, several countries, heavy use | Unlimited only, nothing under 3 days |
| Saily | 8.1 | A first eSIM, the most polished app | Dear where most people travel |
| Global YO | 8.0 | Low prices if you install at home | App-only purchase, slow help desk |
| GoMoWorld | 7.8 | Heavy data, the fastest speed we measured | App only, plan must be started by hand |
| Airalo | 7.5 | Plans with calls and texts, beginners | Market prices, the weakest traveler record |
| Nomad | 7.2 | Experienced users, fair prices | Help desk bot with no route to a human |
| Holafly | 7.1 | Unlimited data without watching a meter | About 30 Mbps in our test, hotspot 1 GB a day |
| GigSky | 7.1 | Cruises and islands, app works at zero data | The highest prices in our comparison |
| Roamless | 7.1 | Light use across many countries, pay as you go | APN trouble at install, dear above 10 GB |
| Jetpac | 6.9 | Frequent flyers, calls, hotspot | Rough app and site |
| Yesim | 6.6 | Unlimited data sold by the day | Very slow help desk, plan may start at purchase |
| Ubigi | 6.3 | Tech-savvy users, Japan and Europe | Weak site, app and help desk |
| ByteSIM | 6.1 | Experienced users, East Asia, local payment methods | Clumsy checkout, no reply from the help desk |
The six providers below are the ones travelers ask us about most. Our overview of the best eSIM providers covers all 14.
eSIM4Travel
- Purchase process8/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support10/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices10/10
- Customer feedback8.8/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of seven categories from our own paid test and customer reviews. eSIM4Travel has no app, so we do not score one.
eSIM4Travel is a US eSIM seller with plans for 158 destinations and no app. It was the cheapest provider in our price database, and its support was the best we have tested. Without an app, you cannot reach the store to top up once your data runs out.
Key facts
158 destinations
No app
Web only
Top-ups
Hotspot
No throttling
Trustpilot- 4.4/5202 reviews
Payments- Credit or debit card
PayPal
Apple Pay
Pros and cons
Cheapest provider we trackQuick, helpful human supportFast, no throttlingWebsite in 41 languages
No app: out of data, you need Wi‑Fi to top upUS dollars only, no Google PayUnlimited slows after 3 GB a dayNo refund after 10% of data usedeSIM4Travel eSIM in our hands
eSIM4Travel has the highest Vefru test score, 8.8, and is the cheapest provider in our comparison. Its help desk was the best we tested: one click from the bot to a human who solved our problem. There is no app; you buy on the website and install from a QR code. Details are in our eSIM4Travel review.
Maya Mobile
- Purchase process9/10
- Mobile app8/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support6/10
- Speed test9/10
- Prices8/10
- Customer feedback9/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Maya Mobile sells one product: a global unlimited eSIM plan for 165+ countries that you install once and switch on for every trip. It was fast in our test, and it is the cheapest global unlimited plan we have compared. There are no single-country plans, and nothing shorter than 3 days.
Key facts
- 165+ countries
- iPhone app 4.5
- Android app 4.7
- Auto Top-Up
- Hotspot
- 5.5 GB/day at full speed
- Trustpilot
- 4.5/512,788 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple Pay
Google PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Cheapest global unlimited planVery fast: 785 Mbps on 5GWorked for 91% of travelersQuick checkout, many ways to payNo country or short plansPushes auto top-up hardClunky WhatsApp support“Unlimited” has a hidden daily limitMaya Mobile eSIM in our hands
Maya Mobile (8.4) sells one global unlimited plan for 165+ countries and is the cheapest global unlimited plan in our comparison by far. In our test it slowed to about 10 Mbps only after roughly 5.5 GB a day, the fairest unlimited plan we tested, and travelers rank it second for reliability. It sells nothing shorter than 3 days, as our Maya Mobile review explains.
Saily
- Purchase process7/10
- Mobile app9/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support10/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices4/10
- Customer feedback9.4/10
- Coverage8/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Saily is the travel eSIM from the company behind NordVPN, with plans for about 200 destinations. It has the smoothest install we have tested, a polished app and a built-in VPN. But prices run above the market in most big European destinations, and traveler reports sit below average.
Key facts
- About 200 destinations
- iPhone app 4.7
- Android app 4.5
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- 3 or 5 GB/day cap
- Trustpilot
- 4.7/531,741 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle Pay
Pros and cons
Easiest install we've testedFast 24/7 human supportFree VPN and ad blockerPlan starts only when you landPricey in big European countriesApp required, no eSIM by emailLess reliable than averageApp stops when your data runs outSaily eSIM in our hands
Saily (8.1), from the makers of NordVPN, had the most polished app and the smoothest install we tested, and its help desk scored 10. The catch is price: it is among the two dearest providers in 14 of the 24 most popular destinations. Our Saily review has the full test.
Airalo
- Purchase process9/10
- Mobile app8/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support7/10
- Speed test7/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback8.2/10
- Coverage7/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Airalo is an eSIM marketplace from Singapore with plans for 200+ destinations, some with calls and texts. It is easy to buy and install. But prices sit at the market median, and travelers report more failed connections than with any other provider we track.
Key facts
- 200+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.6
- Android app 4.3
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- No cap on fixed plans
- Trustpilot
- 4.1/545,721 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Buy on the web, no app neededWorks right after installFast, no speed cap on fixed plansMost plans with calls and textsAverage prices, not cheapLowest success rate we track: 72% workedApp stops when your data runs outClunky checkout, no QR downloadAiralo eSIM in our hands
Airalo (7.5) is the biggest name, with plans for 200+ destinations and more plans with calls and texts than anyone else. Buying and installing were among the easiest we tested. Its prices sit at the market median, and travelers report the lowest share of working connections of the 14 providers we track, as our Airalo review shows.
Holafly
- Purchase process7/10
- Mobile app7/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support6/10
- Speed test4/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback9.4/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Holafly is an Irish eSIM provider built around unlimited data, with trip eSIMs for 200+ destinations. Travelers report it working more often than any other provider we track. Its weak points are speed and price: our test ran at about 30 Mbps on 5G, and its unlimited plans cost more than most.
Key facts
- 200+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.8
- Android app 4.7
- No top-ups
- Hotspot 1 GB/day
- 30 to 40 Mbps
- Trustpilot
- 4.7/5113,513 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Truly unlimited dataMost reliable we track: 92% workedOne-tap install, no QR code6 months to refund an unused eSIMSlow: about 30–40 Mbps on 5GPricier than other unlimited eSIMsSaved our card without askingNo top-ups, buy a new eSIM insteadHolafly eSIM in our hands
Holafly (7.1) sells unlimited plans priced by the day and is the most reliable provider in traveler reports. It suits digital nomads, people who stream and video call a lot, and anyone who does not want to think about data. In our test its speed looked capped at about 30 Mbps from the start, the hotspot is limited to 1 GB a day and there are no top-ups, as our Holafly review describes.
GigSky
- Purchase process7/10
- Mobile app6/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support9/10
- Speed test6/10
- Prices4/10
- Customer feedback8.6/10
- Coverage8/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
GigSky is a US travel eSIM that works like its own operator, with plans for 190+ destinations plus cruise, ferry and in-flight plans. Its app stays partly online after your data runs out. But its fixed-data plans are the most expensive of the 12 providers we compared.
Key facts
- 190+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.5
- Android app 3.9
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- 3.5 GB/day cap
- Trustpilot
- 4.3/57,194 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Buy more data even with none leftCruise, ferry and in-flight plansHuman support answered right awayCheap 1-day unlimited passesMost expensive per GB we trackApp required, no Google PayClunky, web-like appLess reliable than averageGigSky eSIM in our hands
GigSky (7.1) is an eSIM pioneer with plans for cruise ships, ferries and flights, plus Caribbean islands. Its app stays online after your data runs out, so you can buy more without Wi-Fi, and new users get a free 100 MB trial. It is the most expensive provider in our comparison, as our GigSky review shows.
How to choose an eSIM provider
On a budget:
- eSIM4Travel is the cheapest provider in our comparison, with Global YO second.
- Regional plans from eSIM4Travel (Best Europe for 41 countries, Global for 72) cover several countries in one plan.
- Local operators can be cheaper for long stays in one country.
For heavy data use:
- Maya Mobile is the cheapest global unlimited plan, with about 5.5 GB a day at full speed in our test.
- Holafly is the most reliable unlimited option, at about 30 Mbps.
- GoMoWorld sells large fixed plans with no throttling in our test.
For special needs:
- GigSky for cruise ships and flights.
- Airalo for plans with calls and texts, including a US number.
- Revolut eSIM if you already bank with Revolut.
- Local operators for long stays in one country.
Price per GB by eSIM provider
The chart ranks all providers by their median price per GB for 10 GB plans that last 30 days, across every country in our comparison. A shorter bar means a lower price per GB. Holafly and Maya Mobile sell only unlimited plans, so they do not appear.
Generated 13.11.2026 21:11
eSIM vs physical SIM card
For most short and medium trips an eSIM is cheaper and simpler; a physical SIM still wins for older phones and long stays with a local number. The table compares the two.
| Feature | eSIM | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Digital, built into the device | Chip on a plastic card |
| Installation | Profile downloads over the internet | Inserted into the SIM tray |
| Number of profiles | Several (depends on the phone) | One per card |
| Switching operators | In the settings, within minutes | Swap the card |
| Availability | Newer devices only | Almost all phones |
| Buying abroad | Online, no shop visit | Usually in a shop |
| Loss or theft | Cannot be lost or pulled out | Can be lost or stolen |
| Durability | Built in, nothing to damage | Can be damaged when handled |
| Active numbers | Up to 2 at once | One per card (two with dual SIM) |
| Waste | No plastic | Plastic card and packaging |
When to choose an eSIM
- You travel often to different countries.
- You want data the moment you land.
- You want to keep your home number on while you travel.
- You visit several countries on one trip.
- You would rather not handle plastic cards.
When a physical SIM is better
- Your phone has no eSIM.
- You stay in one country for months.
- You need a local phone number for calls and texts.
- You travel to remote areas where eSIM offers are thin.
Many experienced travelers combine the two: the home physical SIM for incoming calls and texts, a foreign eSIM for data. You stay reachable on your usual number, pay local data prices and can switch operators when you need to. Our full eSIM vs physical SIM comparison goes into more detail.
How to choose an eSIM for your trip
Pick by destination first, then trip length, then data amount, and only then by price.
1. Destination and coverage
- One country: a local eSIM for that country.
- Several countries in one region: a regional plan, for example Europe or Asia, is usually better value.
- A trip around the world: a global eSIM.
Check that the provider works where you are going, especially outside the big cities. Our country guides count traveler reports per provider for each destination.
2. Trip length
- Short trips (1 to 7 days): small fixed plans, for example from eSIM4Travel or Global YO.
- 1 to 3 weeks: bigger fixed plans, or unlimited from Maya Mobile or Holafly.
- A month or more: a local operator or a long plan.
3. How much data you need
- Basic use (maps, email, browsing): 1 to 3 GB a week.
- Medium use (social media, video calls): 3 to 7 GB a week.
- Heavy use (streaming, remote work): 7 GB or more a week, or an unlimited plan.
For your own estimate, use our travel data calculator, or read what 2 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB are enough for.
4. Price and value
- Price per GB differs a lot between providers.
- Validity: some plans last longer for the same price.
- Extras: hotspot, top-ups and the help desk.
5. What else you need
- Hotspot, if you share data with a laptop or a partner.
- Speed, for video calls and streaming; check the speed limit on unlimited plans.
- A help desk you can reach when something goes wrong.
- Top-ups, in case you use more than planned.
Tips before you buy
- Buy 1 to 7 days before you leave and install at home.
- Take a little more data than you think you need, especially where Wi-Fi is scarce.
- Read the fair-use terms of unlimited plans.
- Read reviews from travelers who went to the same place.
- Have a backup in case your first plan fails.
For more ways to save data on the road, see our tips for saving data on holiday.
Popular destinations and the eSIM we recommend
Americans most often look for an eSIM for countries outside the United States, where their home plan does not work. The table shows five popular destinations, the typical stay and data use, and the pick from our country guide for each one, based on traveler reports and our own tests.
| Destination | Typical stay | Typical data | Our pick for most trips | Also worth a look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 4 to 5 days | 3 to 5 GB | Jetpac (worked for 37 of 38 travelers) | Global YO, the cheapest, 4G only (30 of 32) |
| Mexico | 7 to 10 days | 3 to 5 GB | Maya Mobile (60 of 62) | Global YO on a budget (26 of 27) |
| Canada | 5 to 7 days | 3 to 5 GB | Maya Mobile (47 of 48) | Holafly for road trips (62 of 64) |
| Italy | 7 to 10 days | 5 to 7 GB | Maya Mobile (157 of 164) | Ubigi, the best raw record (100 of 104) |
| Thailand | 10 to 14 days | 5 to 10 GB | Maya Mobile (100 of 107) | Nomad for fixed data (57 of 61) |
The best-known name is not always the best pick. In Mexico, Airalo worked for fewer than half of the 42 travelers who reported, and in Italy for 41 of 74, so check the country guide before you buy.
Other popular destinations
Regional and global eSIM plans
If you visit several countries in one region, a regional plan is usually better value than one plan per country. Country counts below are as each provider states them, as of October 2026.
| Region | Plans to look at | Countries stated |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Airalo Europe; Airalo EU and UK; eSIM4Travel Best Europe | 41; 28; 41 |
| Asia | Airalo Asia; eSIM4Travel Asia | 18; not stated |
| North America | Nomad, Roamless, GigSky, Saily, Airalo and eSIM4Travel North America plans | At least the United States and Canada |
| Global | Maya Mobile global unlimited; Saily Global; eSIM4Travel Global; Airalo Global; GigSky; Ubigi World | 165+; 121; 72; 168 on the store page; 190+; up to 201 |
A regional plan is not the only way. Our comparison tool searches for plans that work in every country you enter, so you can, for example, compare plans for Japan and South Korea together and see how often each one worked in each country.
Tips for using an eSIM abroad
How to make your data last
Before you travel:
- Download offline maps in Google Maps or another map app.
- Download films, music and podcasts on home Wi-Fi.
- Install the apps you need, translators and guides included, before the trip.
- Set backups to run on Wi-Fi only.
On your phone:
- Turn on data saver mode.
- Turn off video autoplay in social apps.
- Turn off app updates over mobile data.
- Use "lite" versions of apps where they exist.
During the trip:
- Use Wi-Fi in hotels and cafes for heavy tasks.
- Send messages instead of video calls where you can.
- Lower the streaming quality, for example to 480p.
- Watch your usage in the phone settings or the provider's app.
Our guide to saving data on holiday has more tips and how much each one saves.
Managing several eSIM profiles
- Name profiles clearly, for example "Thailand 5GB".
- Remove old profiles you no longer use, but check first whether the provider lets you reinstall them.
- Keep the QR codes in a safe place.
- Track when each plan expires.
Common problems abroad
No signal:
- Turn airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then off.
- Check that the right eSIM profile is switched on.
- Check that data roaming is on.
- Pick the network by hand in the mobile network settings, as our guide to switching networks on an eSIM shows.
- Restart the phone.
Slow connection:
- Check that 4G or 5G is available where you are.
- Check whether you have used up the full-speed allowance.
- Switch to another network by hand, if your plan has one.
- Move somewhere with better coverage.
Data ran out:
- Connect to Wi-Fi and buy more data. Most provider apps stop working at zero data; GigSky's app stays online, and Ubigi let us buy more at zero balance.
- Switch on a backup eSIM if you installed one.
Where eSIM is heading
eSIM is moving from a feature of expensive phones to the default. These are the trends we follow:
- More devices: eSIM is reaching cheaper phones, tablets, laptops and connected devices, and more phone models ship without a SIM tray.
- Simpler setup: one-tap installs in provider apps and install links are replacing QR codes, and on iOS 26 and later the iPhone prompts you to turn on a travel eSIM when you need it [1].
- More 5G: more travel eSIMs connect to 5G, though speed still depends on the plan's limits, as our 4G vs 5G explainer shows.
- More than data: more plans with calls and texts, and pay-as-you-go credit like Roamless sells.
For travelers this means predictable data costs abroad, more competition between providers and less time spent getting connected on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions About eSIM for Travel
What is an eSIM and how does it differ from a regular SIM card?
How do I know if my phone has eSIM?
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM card at the same time?
How do I buy and set up an eSIM for travel?
How much data will I need for my trip?
Which eSIM provider is best for travel?
Does an eSIM work in every country?
What if I run out of data during my trip?
Can I make calls and send texts with an eSIM?
Does an eSIM drain the battery faster?
Summary: an eSIM for travel in short
An eSIM for travel gives you mobile data the moment you land, at a fraction of roaming prices outside the EU, while your home number keeps working. Check your phone with *#06#, estimate your data, compare plans, install at home on Wi-Fi and turn on data roaming when you arrive.
Based on our tests, eSIM4Travel is the best choice for cheap fixed data and a human help desk, Maya Mobile for unlimited data over a week or more, and Saily for a first eSIM with an easy app. For your exact trip, compare plans in our eSIM comparison tool, and if something does not work, our eSIM FAQ has short answers to the questions travelers ask most.
Sources
We cite only official bodies and the phone makers' own support pages; our test scores and traveler reports are shown with their source in the article.
Links last checked
Opens in a new tabOfficial phone maker pages
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1
Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone
Which iPhones have eSIM, that two eSIMs can be active at once and how iOS 26 handles a travel eSIM, as stated by Apple.
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2
Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers
The Galaxy models with eSIM, the menu path for adding an eSIM and the warning that eSIM may not work in every country, as stated by Samsung.
Regulators and official bodies
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3
Roaming: connected anywhere in the EU at no extra charge
Where EU travelers pay home prices for data, including Ukraine and Moldova since 1 January 2026, and why the UK is not included.
