europe travel sim

12 Best Prepaid and E-Sim Cards for Europe in 2024

Planning your trip to Europe and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Don't get stuck with high roaming costs or slow overseas data roaming packages! Get yourself a sim card for traveling in Europe. This is a guide for finding the best European sim card for your trip.

Whether you need a physical prepaid sim card or an e-sim cards for Europe in this guide you will find them both. Find out where to order one, up to date prices as per June 2024 and everything else you need to know before ordering a sim card for traveling to Europe in 2024

For my research finding the best sim card for Europe I traveled to every European country and documented all my travel tips. That is why on Traveltomtom you can find complete guides for finding the best prepaid and e-sim card for Spain ,  Italy , Switzerland , Greece ,  Ireland , Portugal , Germany ,  Poland , France ,  Sweden , UK , Hungary , Croatia , Austria , Finland , Norway , Netherlands , Belgium , Bulgaria  and all others.

In the above guides you can find a comparison between local prepaid sim cards you buy on arrival and sim cards for Europe you buy on the internet.

My recommendation for 2024

Buying a local prepaid sim card is the cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Europe in 2024. In the links above you will find specific guides for buying a local prepaid sim card per country or airport, which means on arrival in Europe.

But wouldn't it be easy to be online and have data on your phone as soon as the plane lands?

Arrive prepared for your trip to Europe and by ordering a sim card online before your trip. Ordering a sim card for Europe on the internet is super easy and there are amazing tourist sim card deals available.

Here are Traveltomtom's top picks for 2024:

1. Holiday Europe - 50 GB - $59.90 USD

• valid for 28 days
• unlimited calling & texting
• valid in 39 countries - all of Europe
• only $1.2 USD per Gigabyte

Click here for more info or to order a Orange e-sim card for traveling to Europe via SimOptions .

Traveltomtom rates the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM as the best Europe sim card in 2024. For $59.90 USD you get 50 GB data which is just $1.2 USD per Gigabyte and best thing is that this e-sim card is 5G ready, where most of the physical prepaid and e-sim cards for Europe only support 4G/LTE.

2. Bouygues Telecom - 30 GB - $44.90 USD

• valid for 30 days
• $1.5 USD per Gigabyte

Click here for more info or to order a Bouygues Telecom e-sim card for traveling to Europe via SimOptions .

Traveltomtom ranks the Bouygues Telecom e-sim cards as the second best sim card for traveling to Europe in 2024. You get 30 GB data for 30 days for $44.90 USD including unlimited calling and texting. This comes down to $1.5 USD per Gigabyte.

Physical prepaid sim card

If your phone is not e-sim compatible then Traveltomtom recommends an  Orange Holiday Europe . This is the best physical prepaid sim card for visiting Europe in 2024.

You get 30 GB data for 15 days including unlimited calling and texting plus 120 minutes to anywhere in the world for $49.90 USD. That is $1.67 USD per Gigabyte. SimOptions  is the only sim card provider where you can order a physical prepaid sim card for Europe.

Don't waste your precious holiday time in Europe standing in line at the airport or waste an hour waiting for your turn in a local sim card store. No more language barriers. Order a sim card for Europe online before your trip! How?

This is your ultimate guide, read everything you need to know below and get connected instantly.

Traveltomtom's favorite e-sim providers are  Airalo  and  SimOptions . Why? Traveltomtom has personally used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards for more than 5 years and never faced an issue.

All the sim cards listed in this article are European sim cards with data that you can order online before your trip. The international physical prepaid sim cards will be delivered to your home address before your trip and are activated automatically from its first use. E-sim cards for Europe obviously are delivered via email.

Traveltomtom also recommends world sim cards with global coverage. Check out my article with a comparison of the  best international sim cards for travelling in 2024  if you for example continue your trip to Europe to Turkey, Asia or the Middle East.

Comparison of the best sim cards for Europe travel in 2024

To make it all easy for travelers coming to Europe, just buy your sim card online before your trip! Here are the 12 best European prepaid sim cards and e-sim cards for Europe. The best ones are ranked first...

1. Orange Holiday Europe eSIM - 50 GB

This is the latest addition to the family of the Orange sim cards for traveling in Europe. It is the bigger brother of the Orange Holiday Europe sim card. At the moment this sim card is only available as an e-sim card and not as physical prepaid sim card.

This Orange Holiday Europe 50 GB eSIM is the only proper 5G ready sim card for Europe. The rate of only $1.2 USD per Gigabyte makes this the best-buy e-sim card for Europe in 2024.

Price: $59.90 USD

• 50 GB data in all of the EU including Switzerland, UK, Iceland and Norway
• Unlimited calling & texting in Europe
• 120 minutes to any country in the world
• 1000 sms to any country in the world
• Valid 28 days
• Automatically activated from the first time it connects to a supported network in Europe
• Top up available
• ID verification/registration is NOT required
• Sim card comes with a phone number from France starting with +33

Click here to order the Orange Holiday Europe e-sim card for 28 days .

2. Bouygues Telecom My European eSIM - 30 GB

The Bouygues Telecom prepaid sim card for tourists is rated as one the best sim card for traveling to Europe in 2024 by Traveltomtom. Unfortunately the Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card is ONLY available as an e-sim card and not as a physical prepaid sim card, so make sure your phone is e-sim compatible.

Price: $44.90 USD

• 30 GB data in all of the EU countries including UK, Norway, Iceland
• Switzerland is NOT included
• Valid for 30 days
• Top up is possible
• E-sim card comes with a phone number from France starting with +33
• Can receive sms and calls
• You have to activate the e-sim card within 1 year after purchase
• Automatically activates from the first time it connects to a supported network in Europe

Click here to directly order a Bouygues Telecom e-sim card for Europe .

This Bouygues Telecom e-sim card package is called My European eSIM and with $1.5 USD per 1 Gigabyte data is among the best value sim cards for Europe. On top of that this e-sim card is valid for 30 days and therefore it is mentioned second in my list of the best sim cards for Europe in 2024.

3.  Orange Holiday Europe - 30 GB  (physical and e-sim)

One of the best physical prepaid sim cards for traveling in Europe is the Orange Holiday Europe sim card for tourists, especially if you are looking for a Europe sim card including international minutes. It is available as physical prepaid sim card as well as e-sim card and you can order it directly online.

Price: $49.90 USD

• 30 GB data in all of the EU including Switzerland, UK, Iceland and Norway
• Valid 14 days
• $1.67 USD per Gigabyte

Click here to order this Orange Holiday Europe sim card for Europe as a physical prepaid sim card

You can also order this sim for Europe as an e-sim via SimOptions  for the same price.

Great advantage of this Orange tourist sim card for Europe is that it has international calling minutes included. The downside about the Orange Holiday Europe prepaid sim card is that it is valid for only 14 days.

If your trip to Europe is longer than 14 days I recommend you getting a different prepaid or e-sim card for Europe so you don't have to worry about topping up during your holiday.

4. Jetpac (e-sim)

Jetpac is a fairly new e-sim provider and is trying to conquer the market with some incredible e-sim card plans for traveling to Europe. 

The Jetpac e-sims work in 28 countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City.

Pretty much in all popular tourist destinations in Europe, however not in: Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania, Albania, Cyprus, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If you are visiting the Balkan on your trip to Europe then Jetpac is not the perfect e-sim for your trip.

Prices and rates Jetpac Europe

Jetpac Global is at the moment the cheapest e-sim card for Europe as they have an offer for just $1 USD. Here are all the e-sim card plans from Jetpac for 2024:

• 1 GB data for 30 days = $1 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $8.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
• 15 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $34 USD
• 25 GB data for 30 days = $38 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
• 40 GB data for 30 days = $60 USD

Click here to  order a Jetpac e-sim card for Europe .

The rate of the best Jetpac e-sim is 30 GB data for $40 USD which comes down to $1.33 USD per Gigabyte.

The Jetpac Global e-sim card plans are valid for 30 days and the validity starts automatically when it connects for the first time to a network in a country where you can use Jetpac and the data pack is valid 1 year from date of purchase.

Jetpac Global is only available as an e-sim card and not as a physical prepaid sim card. The Jetpac Global e-sim cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.

An extra advantage of Jetpac Global e-sim cards is that they provide free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other e-sim cards offer.

For more info check out the Jetpack website .

5. Eurolink eSIM from Airalo

Airalo is a trusted e-sim card provider and offers e-sim cards for pretty much every country in the world. Their Europe e-sim card plans are more expensive than other e-sim cards for Europe.

The Airalo e-sim cards for Europe are partially 5G ready, meaning in some countries you are able to use 5G in some countries you will have to it with 4G/LTE. It is a 50/50 I would say.

5G is available in: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK. All other countries there is only 4G/LTE network available.

Eurolink e-sim cards also have plans for 3 months and even for 6 months, which could be a very interesting e-sim for travelers visiting Europe for more than 1 month.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $37 USD
• 50 GB data for 90 days = $100 USD
• 100 GB data for 180 days = $185 USD

Click here for more info or to order a Eurolink e-sim card for Europe via Airalo .

Eurolink e-sim cards are valid in all of Europe including Iceland, Norway, UK, Switzerland, Ukraine and even in Turkey!

Traveltomtom uses Airalo e-sim cards a lot, but their rates per Gigabyte for Europe are more expensive than the other sim cards mentioned above.

Traveltomtom sometimes uses an Airalo e-sim card for Europe when I continue my Europe trip to Istanbul. Airalo is the best e-sim card for traveling to Europe and Turkey on one trip.

Especially for people looking for e-sim cards for Europe that are valid for 3 or 6 months Airalo is one of the best e-sim cards for Europe.

6. Bouygues Telecom Travel Basic - 15 GB  (e-sim)

This is another e-sim card only plan from Bouygues Telecom, basically a cheaper plan. This European sim card is for those travelers who stay less than 15 days and only need about 1 GB per day.

Price: $21.90 USD

• 15 GB data in all of the EU countries including UK, Norway, Iceland
• Valid for 15 days

This Bouygues Telecom sim card is not available as a physical prepaid sim card, only as an e-sim card.

7.  Three (3) Data Pack - 10 GB  (physical sim)

This Three UK sim card is only available as a physical prepaid sim card and NOT as an e-sim. It will be delivered to your home address and it is plug and play on arrival in Europe.

Price: $24.90 USD

• 10 GB data in all of Europe including Switzerland, UK, Norway, Iceland and up to 30 countries outside of Europe
• Unlimited calls/sms in all of Europe
• Valid 30 days from inserting in phone
• No top up possible
• Sim card comes with a phone number from UK starting with +44

Click here to directly order a Three Data Pack physical sim card for traveling to Europe .

Big plus is that this Europe sim card is 5G ready and includes unlimited calls/sms in Europe and up to 30 other countries around the world like USA, Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, Israel, Singapore, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Colombia and many more.

8. Nomad eSIM for Europe

Nomad has some of the cheapest e-sim cards for traveling in Europe with some amazing value plans. They go as low as $1.3 USD per GB data. The Nomad e-sim cards are from eSIM Go and they support 5G in some countries, not yet everywhere.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $7 USD
• 3 GB data for 15 days = $13 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD

Click here to order a Nomad e-sim card for traveling in Europe .

The Nomad e-sim cards are data-only sim cards for Europe and do not come with a phone number. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.

9.  O2 Go Card Prepaid sim card - 10 GB  (physical and e-sim)

This O2 sim card plan from Czech Republic is available as a physical prepaid sim card as well as an e-sim card. When you order this physical sim card it will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Europe.

• 10 GB data in all of Europe (Switzerland NOT included)
• $2 credit for calls in Europe (top up online available only for EU citizens. For non-EU citizens only within Czech Republic)
• $2 credit for sms in Europe
• Receiving unlimited calls in all of the covered countries in Europe
• Valid for 30 days from its installation, even if not in Europe yet
• It comes with a Czech number starting with +420

Click here to order an O2 Go Card as a physical prepaid sim card and here as an e-sim card .

10. Orange Holiday Zen sim card for Europe - 12 GB

Price: $29.90 USD

• 12 GB data in all of Europe including Switzerland, UK, Iceland and Norway
• Valid for 14 days from the first time it connects to a supported network in Europe

The smaller brother of the Orange Holiday Europe sim card is called the Orange Holiday Zen. Unlimited calls/texting in Europe and 12 GB, so much smaller data plan, but also cheaper.

Click here to order this Orange Holiday Zen sim card for Europe as a physical prepaid sim card and click here to order the Orange Holiday Zen as an e-sim card .

Of course you can also order sim cards for traveling to Europe on Amazon. When searching for 'Sim Card for Europe' on Amazon you will get a long list of available physical prepaid sim cards. There are no e-sim cards available on Amazon.

Here are some examples:

• Orange: 16 GB data (not in UK, Switzerland) + 800 minutes for 28 day = $28 USD + tax
• Three: 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $19 USD + tax
• Sim2Roam: 3 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD + tax
• Vodafone: 12 GB data for 14 days = $17 USD + tax

Listed as a last option because it is a jungle finding the best sim card for Europe on Amazon. Plus delivery fees and taxes making it sometimes really expensive.

12. Holafly

Holafly sells e-sim cards for Europe with unlimited data. Traveltomtom is not a fan of e-sim cards with 'unlimited' data and I explain you below why.

However, if that is what you want then Holafly is your best bid, but it is pretty expensive.

• 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
• 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
• 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
• 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
• 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
• 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
• 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
• 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
• 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
• 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
• 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
• 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
• 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
• 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD

The Holafly e-sim cards for Europe are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These e-sims do also not come with a phone number. The Holafly e-sims operate on the 4G/LTE network and are not 5G ready.

You can use a hotspot on Holafly Europe e-sim cards of up to 500 MB per day.

The Holafly Europe e-sims are valid in the following 32 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

Why do I say 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data.

Also the connection and the network strength on Holafly e-sim cards has been pretty disappointing. Inside buildings I found myself often with just 1 bar phone signal.

If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of e-sim cards with 'unlimited' data and I do not want reduced data speed because I apparently hit the FUP (which is not defined).

Therefore the Holafly e-sim cards for Europe are not ranked that high in this list of the best sim cards for traveling to Europe in 2024.

Sim cards for Europe with unlimited data

Traveltomtom does not recommend sim cards for Europe with unlimited data. With most of these sim cards you will end up frustrated! Always double check at what speed you get unlimited data, because in reality 'unlimited' is mostly not 'unlimited'.

There is pretty much always a FUP (Fair Use Policy) on these Europe sim cards with unlimited data.

For example Holafly sells e-sim cards with unlimited data for Europe, but in the small letters you will find this:  the eSIM includes unlimited data for the contracted time. However, please note that the carrier may reserve the right to apply a Fair Usage Policy.

This literally means that if the operator thinks you are using too much data on a day, they reduce your data speed. Holafly does not specify what the FUP is. From my own experience I can tell you that this already applies sometimes after using 2 GB data per day.

When this happens your data speed is reduced to something like 512 Kbps which means you can barely send a photo through WhatsApp and your social media apps won't work for a full 24 hours.

To avoid all this hassle, Traveltomtom does not recommend sim cards for Europe with unlimited data, unless the Fair Use Policy is clearly mentioned and it is above 100 GB data per month or something similar. FUP per day can be frustrating!

Free EU data roaming on European sim cards

The European Union came in 2017 finally with the genius idea to let go of roaming charges within the EU countries. Therefore in 2017 people can use their sim card from Spain in Italy and their Germany sim card in Sweden without any extra charges. For people looking for a sim card for Europe travel this was the best news ever of course.

Therefore upon arrival in Europe you can potentially buy a local prepaid sim card for tourists and be connected to the internet in all other countries you visit in Europe. However, there are a lot of exceptions, so keep reading…

The biggest exceptions are: UK, Switzerland and Norway. As you might know these are countries in Europe, but they are NOT part of the European Union, which means roaming costs can apply for these countries.

Brexit threw the UK out of the European Union and one of the major problems is the free EU roaming on UK prepaid sim cards. Most of the prepaid and e-sim cards you buy in the UK do not include free EU roaming anymore. For more info see my guide for buying a sim card in the UK in 2024 .

Why buying a sim card for Europe

A very simple question? Do you want to rely on others when traveling to Europe? Yes, your hotel, bar, restaurant, train and even park have free public WiFi these days. So getting WiFi when traveling is fairly easy. Yet, Traveltomtom still recommend you getting a sim card for Europe.

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First of all public WiFi can not be trusted in speed, signal and security. What if the signal in your hotel room is weak and you can't change rooms? Or it is too slow to even upload an Instagram story. Getting connected with your phone makes traveling so much easier, just like real life!

Also another reminder that surfing the internet on public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended in these cases to protect your privacy.

Think about ordering a cab on the streets through a taxi app, or getting directions from Google Maps and finding a nearby restaurants with good reviews or finding out the train schedule to get back to your hotel. So many reasons Traveltomtom recommends getting a sim card for your trip to Europe.

Local prepaid sim cards vs. European sim cards

All sim cards mentioned in this article are sim cards with FREE EU roaming intended for those that visit a couple countries on a short trip. However, if you only travel to 1 or 2 countries in Europe you might be better off buying a local sim card on arrival. Local sim cards are mostly valid in 1 country only. Especially for a trip to Eastern Europe I would recommend buying a local sim card, rather than a European sim card.

For a complete overview of all sim card prices per country have a look at my guide for buying a local sim card in Europe in 2024 .

I love traveling in Europe off the beaten path , have a look at my 12 secret places to visit. I bet some of them you have never even heard of.

Getting connected is the first thing I do when I get to a new country. Depending on the length of my trip that means either buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival or ordering an e-sim card online. Must say that the last years on all my trips to Europe I bought an e-sim card since it is just much easier and less hassle.

Buying a local sim card on arrival in Europe

Sometimes the best European sim card deals you get on arrival in Europe. In France for example you get 150 GB data for €20 EUR ($22 USD) and data bundles in Italy are also very affordable. Most countries in Eastern Europe offer amazing local prepaid sim card deals with up to 75 GB data for just $6 USD but these local prepaid sim cards often do NOT offer free EU data roaming.

Therefore I recommend you to check my complete guide for buying a local sim card in Europe in 2024 , with a specific list of every country in Europe and what prices to expect on arrival before buying a sim card for Europe.

Traveltomtom also wrote sim card guides for all major airports in Europe: Zurich ,  London Heathrow , London Gatwick , Copenhagen , Amsterdam , Paris , Frankfurt , Dublin , Madrid , Manchester , Lisbon , Rome , Milan , Venice , Vienna , Oslo , Athens , Barcelona ,  Berlin , Budapest , Geneva , Bucharest , Tirana , Budapest , Prague , Brussels  and many more.

I hope all the above tips for finding the best sim card for your trip to Europe in 2024 were helpful. If you still have questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below.

Looking for off the beaten path destinations in Europe then click on the link and I bet most of those places you have never even heard of. Let me fuel you with some more wanderlust.

Because Traveltomtom would also like to visit every country in the world  you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: USA , Canada , Mexico , Colombia , South Africa , Asia , Turkey ,  Saudi Arabia ,  Hong Kong , Thailand , Singapore , Brazil , Philippines , Egypt , China , Australia , New Zealand  and many more!

So next time you plan your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

If interested check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom to see more of my journey to visit every country in the world . As of June 2024 I have traveled to more than 155 countries, but no rush to reach 197.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Travel & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to Europe!

Some links in this article about the best travel sim cards for Europe are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate links I earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

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The best SIM cards for travelling across Europe

Travelling across Europe and don’t want to have to stay out of touch or keep swapping SIMS? We’ve got you covered with our guide to the best international SIM cards and options for travelling in Europe.

Roaming in Europe

• Best Europe Travel eSIM
• Best Europe Travel SIM
• Best Europe Roaming SIM

Europe is a super popular destination for Australian travellers, whether it’s for business purposes or simply to take in the hundreds of years of culture across the continent – not to mention all the very fine regional food options open to you. Which is great, right up until you want to call back to the office, check your messages or simply send a photo of that amazing meal you just had to social media.

That’s where having a smart approach to your travel SIM can save you serious money. While the really bad old days where watching one YouTube video could send you into bankruptcy on your return to Australian shores are (mostly) behind us, it’s still worth weighing up your options to get the best deal, whether you plan to use a full “Travel” SIM, a local SIM option or roaming from your existing telco.

It is worth noting that if your European travel is purely within the European Union (as distinct from the wider European continent) then the EU’s roaming rules around calls, texts and data apply – but it’s worth checking if a given provider has fair use provisions for roaming use in play for data, as those can sometimes obscure hidden fees.

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• Airalo Roaming eSIM review

Best eSIMs for Europe you can buy globally

Disclaimer: This pack only offers data roaming. No calls or SMS are included in the plan price. 

You're probably already familiar with Jetpac's parent company Circles.Life , a popular SIM provider in Australia that offers huge data-per-dollar value. Jetpac Global is the company's global travel eSIM brand that offers instant connectivity in over 100 different countries. 

Jetpac's Europe eSIM starts at just $1.50 for 4 days of coverage and includes 1GB of data to use in 28 European countries. That's fewer countries than Airalo, but most of the major regions are still covered. 

Jetpac's 30-day plans start at $22 for 5GB of data and go all the way to 40GB of data for $94. Conveniently, Jetpac plans can be purchased and activated directly through the app (iOS and Android,) no matter where you are in the world. 

Airalo Eurolink

Airalo’s business model is entirely eSIM focused based around its own app. For European travellers across a number of countries your best best is one of its Eurolink packages, covering 39 countries with coverage periods ranging from 7 days to 180 days and data inclusions from 1GB up to 100GB. If your travel needs are more constrained, Airalo also offers single country packages that may offer you more data for less money, so it’s smart to check beforehand.

The big advantage here is that you can set up the Airalo app and an account all before you ever step foot on a plane, giving you peace of mind that when you land you’ll be able to message home with confidence. The downside, however, is that you must have an eSIM-enabled handset to use Airalo’s services, which cuts out many budget phones and some older premium models entirely.

Best Europe Travel SIM you can buy in Australia

Australia post international roaming.

Honestly, buying a full “travel” SIM designed for global use is always your worst bet, financially speaking. The complexities of offering global coverage add to the costs considerably, so if you’re buying on a budget they’re rarely the cheapest option.

Travel SIMs sell on their convenience, and if you are buying on a budget and you’re more concerned with calls and text coverage, it’s hard to go past Australia’s Post’s offering. Yes, we’re as surprised as you are, but the friendly local post office might just be your best bet for very low cost roaming indeed, at just $5 for 30 days of coverage.

$5 really isn’t much to spend at all, but you are getting an utterly bare-bones experience for your money, with just 50 minutes of calls – incoming and outgoing count – and 50 texts, plus 50MB of data. That last point is the crunchy one, because you’d absolutely have to pair that up with judicious use of lots of European hotel and public Wi-Fi across your trip.

Best Australian deal for Europe roaming

Vodafone $5 roaming.

Vodafone was the first Australian telco to really get on board with roaming charges that didn’t make you feel like you’d just been run over by a 747 when you returned home. Its $5/day surcharge to access your plan’s existing inclusions remains the gold standard for ease of use and ease of understanding, though it’s worth noting that its data capped speed plans do not include the endless speed capped data once you’ve gone through your primary provision. In those cases, you’ll get hit for $5 for each additional 1GB of data you need.

Here's a selection of Vodafone plans that support $5/day international roaming

The big catch with Vodafone $5 a day roaming is that it adds up over a lengthy European sojourn, so it’s best matched for when you might be quickly travelling through Europe for just a couple of days. Anything longer than that, and travel SIMs, local SIMs and travel eSIMs quickly become a more financially prudent option.

Vodafone aren’t your only option for roaming-friendly telcos within Australia, however. Here’s a range of alternative telco options that support roaming within Europe:

It can be highly beneficial to grab a local SIM in Europe for your travels, because typically local rates are cheaper and offer larger data inclusions than just about any travel SIM or roaming deal. There’s the added benefit for the EU specifically here too that member states (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) all support cross-border roaming at no additional cost. Look for deals from some of the bigger cross-European Telcos such as Orange or Vodafone to get the best deal for the right price.

You’ll find no shortage of local SIM providers in every single major European airport if you favour convenience, though often they sell “tourist” specific SIMs with a slight surcharge in return for that easy pickup.

If you’re staying longer in a specific country, it’s worth researching local options and storefronts to see if you can get a prepaid SIM through them. Be careful, however, as you don’t want to get stung by a monthly plan that’s no use to you once you’ve left Europe, and some providers in some countries won’t accept credit card payments for some mobile services if the credit card itself isn’t local.

If your current handset doesn’t support eSIM, then sadly, the answer is no. You absolutely need the internal circuitry for eSIM support to be present on your phone in the first place.

If your phone does support eSIMs, then it’s quite easy to set up your eSIM before you travel. We’ve got a handy guide to setting up eSIMs for Apple iPhone and Android here .

The absolute cheapest way to “roam” when overseas is to throw your phone into a canal the moment you land. But that’s environmentally unsound, so don’t do it.

The second cheapest way is to use public Wi-Fi where available. In Europe, that’s a lot of places, including most accommodation venues. Instead of throwing your phone into a canal, switch off its roaming data (or data altogether) and switch to using Wi-Fi plus services such as Facetime, FaceBook Messenger and WhatsApp as your temporary “phone” number while you’re travelling. Use the offline maps capability of services such as Google Maps for navigation, load up on offline streaming services and music, and you can survive without having to pay anything extra at all for data.

Bear in mind, however, that public networks sit outside your control, and you never know who might be doing a little not-so-idle-not-so-friendly packet sniffing to get hold of your data. If you’re planning on relying on public Wi-Fi while travelling, investing in proper secure VPN access is a must.

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Home » Gear » Travel Sim's » best international sim cards

9 BEST International SIM Cards for Travel (Buyer’s Guide • 2024)

SIM cards are a royal pain in the butt when travelling. Every time you land somewhere new, you have to perform the same song and dance of going out of your way to get a new sim pretty much as soon as possible.

Usually what happens is that you land in the airport and then you either get ripped off buying a SIM card there or navigate to town without any connectivity. Once you’re in town, you have to navigate a foreign city sifting through local SIM providers, various plans, and also probably getting lost along the way. It’s not the ideal way to start a vacation and I cannot even count the hours I’ve lost shopping for sims in new countries.

That’s why buying one of the best international SIM cards is THE way to go.

An International SIM card is one which will work all over the world meaning that you never have to change it again – no more messing around at the O2 Kiosk in strange airports!

Now, to set the record straight, while there are cheaper travel SIM cards in existence, they still aren’t exactly cheap. Nine times out of ten, a local SIM card is always going to be the cheaper option for budget backpackers.

Maybe you’re a digital nomad who always needs to be connected, maybe you’re a high-flying businessperson with fancy business attire who makes busy business calls while on holiday or maybe (like me) you are just sick of having to change sims.

Either way, this is the list of the best international SIM cards on the market! I’ve done all the leg-work and the research to deliver an international SIM cards review in full. So let’s get ourselves connected.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Compare The Best International SIM Cards

What is an international sim card, the best sim cards for international travellers, international data sim cards for digital nomads, social media addicts, and tinder aficionados, a quick review of each sim card, frequently asked questions about travel sim cards, should you buy an international sim card.

This isn’t the whole roundup but it is my personal pick of the best international SIM cards worth looking into, each one serving a different niche.

• > e-Sim and Traditional Sims available
• > Wide and reliable coverage
• > Low SIM-purchasing fees

• > Virtual sim – no plastic needed!
• > Excellent range of packages
• > Download before you leave home

• > Excellent value – starts at $1
• > Range of packages available
• > Great coverage

KeepGo Lifetime World SIM Card

• > Reliable connection
• > Prone to cutting rates
• > Coverage could be better

• > Simple rates – no bundle packs
• > Huge coverage
• > Requires a PRO account for maximum coverage

Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card

• > Extremely reliable in Europe
• > Easily sufficient for a two-week holiday
• > Excludes a number of countries in Europe

International SIMs, roaming SIMs, travel SIM Cards whatever: a rose by any name can still order you a pizza when you don’t want to leave the guesthouse after all right? That’s what an international SIM card is, a SIM card that will have you hooked up from “anywhere” .

Why did you put ‘anywhere’ in quotes?

Because it’s a highly variable anywhere. “Anywhere” really means from the countries that the international SIM covers. That said, some of these travel SIM providers cover over 200 countries.

That also said, there are only 195 countries in the world so I’m not sure how they mathed those numbers out. Still unsure, have a look at our guide to local vs international SIM cards .

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So, how does an international SIM card work?

Without getting too technical, an international SIM card isn’t programmed to one specific network. It’s programmed to operate on a number of networks in a number of different geographical locations – specifically, networks using the GSM (Global Systems of Management Communications) framework.

That’s why to use your cell phone internationally with a travel SIM card it needs to be:

• GSM-compatible (many phones are).
• Unlocked, i.e. not tied to a provider.

Do be sure about that unlocked phone bit before you go ahead and buy a new one.

Basically, global SIM cards will plug into a local network from the country you’re travelling to… Consensually, of course.

That’s why coverage so strongly varies among the many international SIMs. Some SIM cards are for worldwide use and programmed accordingly. Some SIM cards are for international roaming in certain regions like Asia, the USA, or Europe (usually, omitting a third of Europe in their coverage).

For example, you’ll need a different sim card for Canada and the USA in most cases, but in Europe you’ll more than likely be able to use the same one.

Who benefits from buying an international SIM card?

Well, like I said, not so much the longterm backpacker types . A local SIM card is pretty much always cheaper and much more practical (and reliable) for long stays in any country. Unfortunately, actual cheap international sim cards don’t exist yet.

Country-hoppers , on the other hand, may want to consider buying some sort of prepaid international SIM card. Buying local sim cards in Europe for only 1-2 weeks of use eight times in a trip is nobody’s idea of fun, especially if you care about data usage and double especially if you care about plastic ending up in the ocean.

People living the digital nomad lifestyle may also benefit from a travel SIM. Though a local SIM is much more equipped for longterm stays in a country, sometimes the options or service is crap and sometimes you’ll spend long stretches in transit which is a perfect time to crunch out a few hours. Besides, there is no rule that says you can’t have two SIMs. A prepaid international sim card might be the best option here (more about that later).

Lastly, business people or people that take frequent short trips will benefit from a SIM card for international travel. I might be stereotyping here but I kinda feel that these folk are less concerned with the costs associated. Plus, most SIM cards for overseas use tend to have 1-year validity for purchased credit, so it’s totally viable to park your SIM after a trip and then pop it back in for the next one.

Beginning the list are the top international SIM cards for travelling that do everything a SIM card should do: call, texts, and mobile data . These SIMs have some pretty major coverage globally and for most travellers in the world, are more than sufficient.

Of course, there has to be a best-of-the-best in this international sim card comparison. So first up–the best travel SIM card!

#1 The Best International Physical SIM Card – OneSim

Ok, so what makes OneSim the best travel SIM card? It’s a fine difference between the first few candidates but OneSim edges out on top for a combination of versatility, pricing, and reliability.

First up, they offer multiple different SIM cards each catering to different travelling needs INCLUDING (but not limited to) 2 awesome e-Sim options :

• OneSimCard e-Sim World (From $9.95) – Coverage of 150 countries with free incoming calls on EU numbers.
• OneSimCard e-Sim Asiana (From $9.95) – Specially designed for Asia and Oceania. Data packages available.

If your phone is not yet e-Sim ready, then worry not because OneSim also offer some excellent deals on plastic sims:

• OneSimCard Universal ($29.95) – Coverage of over 200 countries but with a more limited data service (50+) countries.
• OneSimCard Expedition ($34.95) – Offers much the same coverage as the OneSim Universal travel SIM but with way more data coverage. It’s the choice for the explorers.

How OneSim Works

You’ll get a $10 bonus credit with any OneSIM roaming SIM card purchase, but once that’s gone, you’ll have to continue buying data plans. Rates vary wildly by both the choice of travel SIM card you are using and the country you’re in so you’ll need to check these rates to see if they suit you.

You’ll receive two numbers: a European (Estonian) number and a choice of one from the USA, UK, Australia, or Canada. Incoming calls on the primary European number is free in a large coverage of countries or starting from $0.25/min otherwise. Outgoing calls also start from $0.25/min (dependent on locations) and receiving texts are free.

Casual data rates start at rather hefty $0.20/MB . However, what makes this such a good prepaid international SIM card is that there is a lot of choices to lower your costs. You can buy data bundles ranging from one/two weeks to a month divided by zone or region. There are also discount plans and bundles available for call rates. This makes the OneSIM one of the best international SIM cards for data as well.

So, is it worth it?

Although not strictly the cheapest international SIM card on the market, the wealth of choices means that you can tailor your SIM card to your world travel needs and minimize costs. The added bonus is that OneSim has been kicking around for a while so they know the market well.

They provide a reliable service, as well as a bunch of neat extras, to keep their clients happy chappies. If you’re looking for the best sim card for international travel, OneSIM is definitely one you should consider getting.

#2 Best Global eSim Provider – GigSky

If you have a modern phone (iPhone 11 , Samsung Galaxy S21, etc or above) it will probably be eSim compatible. This means that you don’t actually need a plastic SIM card but can simply download an eSim via GigSky the same way you would download an app.

When I first heard of eSim about one year ago, it was something of a niche product simply because most travellers were using phones and devices that were not eSim compatible. However that is changing fast and by 2024, an estimated 80% of travellers will use eSim. The eSim marketplace is a very exciting one and the providers are contently innovating to come up with some new, better, cheaper packages – according to our research, GigSk are currently leading the pack.

How GigSky Works

I had the pleasure of reviewing Gigsky and It’s really very simple. You either download the GigSky App (which we do recommend) or else go to their website and check out their “Global Plans”. You buy the package you want (in the 5GB World Plan) and download it not your phone BEFORE you fly, using either a link or a QR code.

The joy of eSim is that you can install it before you leave and then activate as soon as the plane touches down meaning you are rocking and rolling all over the world before you even get your luggage.

GigSky offer 1 Global Package only – 5GB over 30 days for $69.99. I can be topped up (if you somehow burn through all 5GB) but it cannot be extended past the 30 days.

So, Is It Worth It?

Well, $69.99 is a lot for a 30 day package but International Sim Packages do not come cheap. GigSky also have a wide range of global carrier partners meaning their offer better connectively than most platers in this space.

Overall though, in terms of sheer convenience yes GigSky is worth it – you you can browse for and install an eSim from the comfort your device and get it ready to use before you even leave home which saves a whole lotta hassle. However, the package does NOT include an actual phone number which is a bit of a bummer.

#3 Great Global eSim Package – Sim Local

Sim Local is recognized as a global leader in the travel SIM card and eSIM retail market. The company specializes in serving global travellers, enabling them to stay connected while avoiding expensive roaming charges. During my review of Sim Local , I was impressed to see they provide local SIM cards and eSIM profiles directly to customers through a variety of channels, including retail stores, kiosks, vending machines, a mobile app, and an eShop.

Their services are aimed at offering significant savings on data, calls, and texts compared to traditional roaming options, and they also offer a range of mobile handsets and accessories tailored to the needs of travellers.

How Sim Local Works

First up, note that Sim Local are an eSim-only provider so if you’re phone is not eSim ready…go elsewhere. Providing it is, you simply hop over to their site or get the app and check out their global packages. At the time of writing the site offers their own brand one for just $10 for 3 days, or an Orange one that costs $28.00 for 14 days.

I’ll be frank, eSims are still often more expensive than buying physical sims but they are a lot easier to install and to operate and best of all, you can install them before you even leave home. In my view, $28.00 for 10GB of data over 14 days is good value for an international sim but bear in mind it don’t come with a local numero.

#4 A Worldwide SIM Card – WorldSIM

WorldSIM gets a mention on this list because it’s another puller in the market with some comparatively awesome rates. It’s also got some really weirdly expensive outlying rates. As such, we certainly don’t feel like it’s a fit for the best SIM card for international roaming.

How WorldSim Works

The WorldSIM international SIM card has no purchasing fee- woo! Now, before you get too excited, it does require a top-up of credit at purchase.

That means that you’re paying a minimum of $33.75 plus shipping . For $67.50 of credit, shipping is free.

The casual rates for outgoing calls, texts, and data usage are the cheapest I’ve found so far with data coverage extending to countries missed out on by OneSim. Except, a lot of the rates in various countries for incoming calls are shockingly high.

As for the data bundles? No idea. Their website isn’t working for that page and is just stuck in an infinitely loading loop.

Our gut says no. But, you do you. You shouldn’t base your decisions on buying an international SIM card on the gut instincts of a stranger online. All the same though, our gut says no.

Between the mildly bait-and-switch-y “$0” SIM purchasing fee, the janky and unwieldy website, and the weird incoming call rates that could potentially trap an unwitting consumer, WorldSIM in review doesn’t feel like an international SIM card worth purchasing, especially in comparison to other choices on the market.

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These are the best international  data SIM cards for those of us that scoot by without the extras.

#1 Best Data Only eSIM Card for International Travel – Jetpac

Jetpac is a Singapore based eSIM company who offer packages, designed primarily for travellers and Digital Nomads. They offer various data plans that can be used across many countries, and the service includes features like free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed.

Jetpac eSIMs are compatible with a range of devices, including many models from Apple, Samsung, and Google. To activate a Jetpac eSIM, users need to sign up on the Jetpac website or app, choose a plan that fits their travel needs, and then scan a QR code to install the eSIM on their device.

We love Jetpac for its ease of setup and reliable connectivity. JetPac makes it a handy tool for international travel, ensuring continuous access to mobile data across multiple destinations. While they don’t offer local numbers, we love that most of their packs last for 30 days by default so you can just concentrate on how much data you need.

Wanna know more: Check out our detailed Jetpac eSim card review here.

How it Works

The Jetpac worldwide eSIM card comes in a variety of different data packages. Data can be topped up with a number of plans ranging from 100 MB up to a slammin’ 25 GB ! The prices of data top-ups are:

• 1 GB – $1
• 3 GB – $10
• 5 GB – $25
• 10 GB – $30
• 25 GB – $38

Absolutely. I mean, come on it starts at one-freaking-dollar and works all over the world. All in all we’d consider this one of the best pre paid international data only sim cards on the market.

#2 A Simple Data SIM Card for Worldwide Travel – Surfroam

Yay! No prepaid data packages, no contractual mumbo-jumbo, no running out of data right when you settle in for a long Netflix and poop session: Surfroam keeps it Pura Vida!

It’s data-only with coverage of 200+ countries – even Afghanistan and Yemen are covered! So, what’s the go?

Essentially, you pay €45 for the physical SIM card (which includes €25 credit) and then top-up as you go with pack options starting at €25 . You’re charged a pay-as-you-go rate per megabyte starting as low as €0.01/MB . So that’s way cheaper than the KeepGo data roaming sim card, right? Not quite…

Rates vary substantially by country so while this going to be a cheaper option across, say, Europe, it may not necessarily pan out that way in other places. That said, prices are still pretty cheap for most places and tend to beat out KeepGo.

As a final note, there is an eSIM (€30) available with the same data rates.

Ok, so ‘simple’ might be stretching it upon reflection, however, once you’re away, its streams ablaze! If you’re jet-setting and changing countries a lot, you will need to stay keyed in as to the rates .

Otherwise, the coverage significantly beats out KeepGo, and in many cases, Surfroam will end up being the cheapest international data SIM card you can purchase. It’s the simplest choice for staying connected pretty much anywhere in the world.

#3 The Best International SIM Card for Europe – Orange Holiday Europe

Are you just doing a little banger holiday in Europe and need a physical SIM card for your travels? Orange has got you covered. Specifically:

• Orange Holiday Europe SIM Card
• Orange Holiday Zen SIM Card

The Orange Holiday Zen is for light usage or a short trip. It’s a straight prepaid SIM card for travellers in Europe and it couldn’t be simpler.

For $27.29 , you get 8 GB of data, 30 minutes of calls worldwide, 200 texts, all lasting for 14 days before it expires. The Holiday Zen covers 30 countries in Europe including all the heavy-hitters, if you need a sim in Italy , Greece or Spain it’s perfect but it certainly doesn’t cover all of Europe (my boy Serbia – forever underrepresented). Still, this makes it one of the best European SIM Cards for travellers.

The Orange Holiday Europe takes all of that and just upgrades it: 20 GB in data, 120 minutes, and 1000 texts for $44 . The same coverage of countries applies and it’s a 14-day expiry again.

Orange also partners with a bunch of networks around the world- even offering an Israeli sim card called partner. If you take a look around their website, you can find more far-flung networks than you expected!

Both cards are able to be topped up online for more credit.

Yeah, so I wouldn’t call ‘30 countries in Europe’ an internationally roaming SIM card, but it is a super simple choice for anyone just travelling to Europe for a holiday. It’ll keep you safe in an emergency thanks to that fact that it’s not a data only service. Plus: you’ll have a SIM ready from the moment you land!

Orange is a pretty major sim provider in France so you’ll have a consistent connection. There’s no constant checking of rates calculators either. It’s just a perfectly simple prepaid SIM card for any travellers heading to Europe.

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Some commonly asked questions about the world’s best travel SIM cards…

How do I activate my international SIM card?

Each international SIM comes with detailed instructions on how to set up and load your SIM. It’s always a good idea to get things set up before you leave home to avoid any mishaps.

What does international SIM mean?

An international SIM is a type of SIM card that will allow you to use your phone internationally by connecting to global carriers. Some of these SIMs will allow you to make calls as you normally would, while others only offer data plans.

What is the best SIM card for international travel?

Some of the best SIMs for international travel include OneSim , Nomad , KeepGo , and TravelSim .

Do international SIM cards expire?

Most of the SIMs on this list require you to recharge at least once a year, but in doing so all your data will remain usable.

That depends on how you travel. If you’re adept at buying prepaid SIM cards locally when you hit the ground, then I wouldn’t worry.

However, for the people that an international SIM card suits the travelling style and needs of, then yes, definitely. I think if you’re that person, then you probably already know that you’re that person.

People looking for the all-round ol’ reliable, OneSim is the go-to choice of travel SIM cards. For those who want the best data SIM card they can use overseas, that choice is KeepGo .

Skip the lines and skip the painful errand days in a foreign city. Buy one of the best international SIM cards you can and have yourself connected before you even touchdown on the landing.

Want another kind of sim card? Check out the revolutionary new Nomad e-sim , an app-based sim card covering over 100 countries that can be organised before you leave home! If that’s not enough, there’s another new service from HolaFly which offers similar coverage and deals so check them both out and see which fits your needs best.

Ziggy Samuels

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I think eSIMS are the future gamechanger here. You can download a digital SIM to your phone which has eSIM support.

I use a second phone to provide data to my main phone via bluetooth internet sharing. Wifi sharing can be used as well but bluetooth uses less power. On my main phone I leave the mobile data turned off and use the paired second phone for data. This allows me to use my main phone for Whatsapp, iMessage, email, etc.

10/10 review – exactly the type of info I was after. Plus, I liked your no BS style of writing. Thanks.

Thanks! Very useful! My main concern is regarding how long do the sim cards remain active if you are not buying credit regularly. I usually travel at least once or twice to congresses per year, but I wonder if some of these cards would stop working after a long time inactive. Is that information available for the cards discussed here? Cheers!

Heya, absolutely you can find that info! It’ll be in the terms and conditions/fine print for individual cards/plans. I’d like to say most last at least a year (which always seemed standard for SIM cards in general), but defs check that before you go buying any SIMs. Good question though!

You guys should definitely include DENT, a block chain based international E-Sim card, that offers flexibel data exchange. You can sell your unused data and always find the cheapest offer worldwide and cross boarder operational. Can’t be missed from this list!

Dude – hectic! I’m defs not about to go and update this article, but I looked and DENT seems pretty legit and totally worth the investigation. Anyone reading these comments, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not scoping them out at least! 😀

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• Works in over 200 countries, with a single card & phone number. (And get your card FAST with express delivery).

Find your SIM Card number on the back of the product package or if you no longer have the product package, you can also find the SIM Card phone number from the plastic card .

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Choose credit for calls & texts

Unlimited USA calls voice package includes unlimited calls from USA to USA and European Union numbers. It does not include calls to voicemail and other TravelSim numbers. You can make unlimited calls from USA to following countries: USA, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech.Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Barthelemy / St. Martin Island, Sweden, United Kingdom.

• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo Democratic Republic
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Philippines
• Russian Federation
• South Korea
• Cook Islands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
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• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
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• Saint Lucia
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• St Kitts and Nevis
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Faroe Islands
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City
• Afghanistan
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Puerto Rico
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United States
• United States Virgin Islands
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands
• French Guiana

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The Best Prepaid SIM Cards for Europe in 2023

Traveling to Europe can be one of the most exciting and amazing experiences in your life. Visiting iconic places like the Eiffel Tower, the Big Ben or Saint Basil’s Cathedral are just some of the many activities you will be able to do in Europe.

Of course, you will need to have internet access sometimes, so it is very important to find the best options to do this. Buying a SIM card can be very expensive and of course, you will want to save money for some other things, but do not worry.

Keep reading and learn more about the best Europe SIM card  and enjoy your next trip to the old continent.

Looking for an alternative solution? We have eSIMs for Europe available!

What Are The Best SIM Cards for Europe?

What is The Best Europe SIM Card?

Simoptions – prepaid sim cards for europe.

Whether you are traveling to Asia, the Americas or Europe, you can grab one of many international SIM cards offered by SimOptions for your travels abroad. They all provide you with free data roaming in more than 200 destinations worldwide. Perfect for anybody who’d like to keep their smart devices connected to the internet to stay in touch with friends and family – anywhere – anytime.

The pre-registered SIM cards will be sent right at your door and you will not need to show any identification. After buying your SIM, you just have to insert it on your phone and start using it! That’s why they call their SIM cards plug-and-play SIMs.

Go Card | $ 24.90 - 10GB

• Calls/SMS: Yes
• Credit Validity: 30 days

PAYG AIO20 | $ 39.90 - 12GB

Holiday europe | $ 49.90 - 30gb.

• Credit Validity: 14 days

Are you looking for travel inspiration? Follow us on Instagram!

Orange – One of The Best 4G Networks in Europe

This multinational telecommunication company was founded in 1988 as France Télécom. It is based in France and it is considered to be the fourth network operator in the whole European continent. It is also the twelfth telecommunication operator around the world after China Mobile, Airtel, China Unicom and some others.

Due to its popularity, it has around 256 million users worldwide. Some of its products are fixed-line telephones, mobile phone, broadband and IPTV.

Let’s talk a little bit about the 2 most famous prepaid SIM cards for Europe so you can choose the right one for you.

Holiday Zen | $ 29.90 - 12GB

Find more information here: Orange Holiday SIM Card 8GB

Find more information here: Orange Holiday SIM Card 20GB

If you run out of data and you still need to have internet access, please check the following top-up options:

Orange SIM Card (1GB | $12.60)

• Data: 1GB Internet
• Calls: No calls
• SMS: No SMS
• Credit Validity: 7 days

Orange SIM Card (3GB | $30.90)

• Data: 3GB Internet

Three – Pay As You Go SIM Cards for Europe

This company is considered to be one of the biggest ones in the whole continent. It was originally founded in Hong Kong in 2002, but then it started growing around the world, reaching 130 million users worldwide. As part of CK Hutchison Holdings, Three has many subsidiaries all around the world.

We will focus just on 3 Group Europe, which includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Austria and Denmark. As an interesting fact, we have that Three UK was launched on 3 March 2003 (03/03/03) for publicity purposes.

Of course, Three has many SIM cards options, but here we chose just the most famous ones to buy while you are in Europe:

Data Pack 12GB | $ 29.90 -

• Credit Validity:

PAYG MBB 12GB | $ 59.90 - 12GB

• Calls/SMS: No
• Credit Validity: 1 Year

PAYG MBB 24GB | $ 79.90 - 24GB

• Credit Validity: 2 Year

O2 – International SIM Card for Europe

Vodafone – sim card deals for europe.

If you travel with your pocket WiFi, tablet or any other device to have an internet connection, Vodafone has different options regarding mobile broadband that can be very useful for you.

Vodafone Data SIM (1GB | $11.50)

• Data: 1GB of 4G speed
• Credit Validity: 90 days

But if you are traveling just with your cellphone, maybe you should consider buying a Pay As You Go SIM card. This is the best option for travelers that are not spending so much time in the continent and want to save money. Take a look at this option:

Vodafone Pay As You Go (500MB | $11.20)

• Data: 500MB of 4G Data
• Calls: Unlimited Minutes
• SMS: Unlimited Texts

These were just some of the best Europe SIM cards, so if you are planning to visit this incredible continent, you should consider any of the options we gave you in this article. Alternatively, you can also view our eSIMs.  Since roaming can be very confusing, we decided to share with you a few more details about the roaming regulations in Europe so that you can make a more educated choice.

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Roaming Regulations in Europe

There are some limits at the moment of using your phone out of your telecommunication company coverage. If you go out of that coverage, you have to pay extra charges that sometimes are very expensive. Europe has established different regulations for people to stop hiring cheaper packages than the ones offered on their local countries. In this way, they are avoiding expensive roaming charges. But let’s take a look at some of the roaming regulations established for the European Union’s country.

Calls and SMS

Phone calls and text messages do not have an established limit. You can make calls and send text messages as much as your contract in your local country indicates. The same taxes apply as if you were at home. The roaming limits only affect to the mobile internet and data usage.

Limited Contract

These contracts are those that have a data package with a limit per month. What happens if you are out of your local country? Each operator decides how much an extra charge for data usage costs. They have to indicate it in the contract and send notifications to the users through SMS or another way just when the service is almost run out. However, there is an estimated price per extra data consumed outside your local country. We recommend you to check your telecommunication company contract.

Just in case you have cheaper data taxes, the operator can make a recharge for roaming even if you do not consume the quota of the month. The operator, in this case, must notify the users before these exceed the limits. Anyway, the price has to be reasonable.

Unlimited Contract

If you have a contract with unlimited data for mobile internet in your local country, the operator must set a limit if you go to any other country. If you reach that limit, they can make an extra charge.

Prepaid SIM Cards

Roaming charges also apply for prepaid taxes. In this case, the operators can set a limit for calls and data usage. You have to activate roaming service through a phone call to your mobile operator anyway. Roaming does not activate automatically. According to the internet connection, they have a specific price per GB, and the price is set in the contract. The operator can set a data limit, it consists in dividing the remaining credit of your prepaid card when the roaming is activated.

Reasonable Usage

If the telecommunication companies detect the abusive usage of roaming service from the users, they can analyze the client’s consumption for at least about 4 months. Just in case during this time the user consumes more in other countries than in the local one, the company gives a deadline of 14 days for the customer justify that fact. If there is no notification beyond that the client is using the mobile phone more outside that at home, the company applies an extra charge for calls, texts messages and data usage.

Fake Roamers

It is simply problematic to control the operators with low taxes that hire clients in some countries where the mobile phones are really expensive. The hard situation here is that the operator is the one that is looking to take advantage of this and not the customer.

Borderline Workers

When a citizen works in an EU country but lives in another one, this person can hire mobile packages in any of these countries and use the roaming with the other one. It is not considerate roaming -although the user connects in the other country- if this person connects on its own country the same day.

Living in the Border

What happens if the user lives in the border between two countries, and automatically the mobile phone connects sometimes to a network of the neighbor country? Well, it is not considerate roaming if the user connects to a local network the same day.

Roaming on a Ship or a Plane

When users travel by plane or ship the free-roaming applies just if the clients are connected to land telephony. If the customer connects through satellite, the roaming cost is no regulated and it can be very expensive.

Roaming Outside the EU

If the user is outside the EU, it does not apply the free roaming. In this case, the customer has to pay roaming taxes that tend to be extremely expensive. As a recommendation, the users must check their contract policies.

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Best esim for europe travel | everything you need to know about european prepaid esim data plans.

A guide to everything you need to know about using eSIM data plans while traveling through Europe.

phones and technology

When most people want high-speed mobile data for their phone while traveling to Europe they’ve traditionally bought a physical SIM card. However, many newer phones have an embedded electronic SIM (i.e. eSIM) that allows you to connect to European mobile carriers without needing to install a physical SIM card. These new eSIM data plans offer travelers a ton of convenience but there are a few quirks as well. That’s why in this article I’m going to cover everything you need to know about eSIM data plans in Europe—including tips for finding the best eSIM for Europe travel.

What You’ll See In This eSIM Guide

• Do I Even Need Mobile Data In Europe?
• Can I Just Use My Mobile Plan’s Internation Data Plan?
• What Is an eSIM?

The Benefits of eSIM Mobile Data Plans

What iphones use esim cards, what android phones use esim cards, the best esim data plans for europe, how to activate an esim data plan, how much mobile data do you need when traveling europe, buying an esim in europe, more tips for using an esim data plan in europe, do you need mobile data in europe.

Honestly, yes, you need mobile data on your phone when traveling to Europe. Sure, you can sometimes find free wifi hotspots but that’s way more difficult than you’d think (I know from experience).

And so much of modern European life requires high-speed mobile data—train tickets are digital, Google Maps needs reliable data, sporting event tickets are digital, restaurant menus are accessed via QR codes, Uber/rideshare apps require data, some restaurants now want you to pay via your phone, accessing real-time public transportation info relies on mobile data, and the list goes on.

Can You Use Your Mobile Provider’s International Data Plan?

US/Canadian/Australian domestic mobile providers often offer an international data plan (either free or for an extra charge) but they all come with a few major drawbacks:

• They’re expensive: Expect to pay $10-$20/day
• Slow speeds : You’re often downgraded to 2G/3G speeds so even opening basic webpages could take forever to load (if it even loads). Many apps won’t function. Google Maps won’t work. Forget about social media.
• Data caps: These plans might start you off with standard 4G/LTE speeds but once you hit 1-2GB of data you’ll be downgraded to nearly-unusable 3G/2G speeds.
• Auto Enrollment: Some plans automatically enroll you in their international data plan the moment your phone tries to access data—which is just about every phone since smartphone apps are constantly running in the background.

For example, the  AT&T International Day Pass  costs $10/day. They also have their AT&T Passport plan, a monthly plan that’s either $70/month for 2 GB of data or $140/month for 6 GB. Then they charge an insane overage of $30 per GB.  Verizon  also has a $10/day pass but they knock you down to 3G speeds after 2GB each day.

And many  T-Mobile  customers get free “unlimited” international data but you’re only guaranteed 2g data speeds after you hit a total usage of 5GB of data… which will struggle to load Google Maps or even email. T-Mobile gives you the option to pay more to get 5GB at better speeds but then you’ll be charged a premium.

These “international data plans” are 5X as expensive as buying a prepaid eSIM data plan from a third-party provider—for example, eSIM data plans from  Orange  or  Holafly  will cost you around $2-$4/day.

So do yourself a favor and buy a European mobile data plan.

What Is An eSIM?

In short, an eSIM is an embedded/digital version of the traditional physical SIM card. So instead of installing a physical SIM card to change your mobile provider, you simply connect to a new mobile data service provider using an app.

This is great for international travel because you no longer have to hunt down a new SIM card when you change countries. You simply activate the eSIM service and you’re online in seconds.

Many new phones are dual SIM so you can still use your physical domestic SIM card while also using the eSIM so you can switch back and forth between your mobile data providers.

Some phones are also moving to eSIM only—the USA versions of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 (and future generations) no longer feature a SIM card slot but do support dual eSIM.

Below are some of the many benefits of using an eSIM data plan while traveling.

No Searching For SIM Cards

The biggest benefit of an eSIM is not having to track down a physical SIM card. All you have to do is install the mobile provider’s app to activate the eSIM data service. This means you can order your eSIM, and download the app before you leave. and then activate the service when you arrive at your destination.

Instant Delivery (No Shipping Fees)

Since eSIM cards are all digital you don’t have to pay shipping fees if you want to pre-purchase a European data plan before arriving in Europe.

For example, you can buy a plan from SimOptions or Holafly and they’ll email you a QR code or link to activate the service.

Dual eSIMs Allow You To Use Two Data Plans At Once

Another big benefit to using an eSIM is that you can seamlessly switch between your domestic plan (via the physical SIM) and the travel plan (via your eSIM). In fact, some phones let you have up to 5 eSIM data plans on a single phone—which is overkill for most people but it’s still an option.

Another huge benefit to having dual SIM cards is that many services will send you texts for things like two-factor identification or your bank might text you with fraud alerts and these won’t come through if you don’t have your home plan’s physical SIM card installed.

No Need to Remove Your Current SIM Card

Removing the physical SIM card is a hassle. First, you need the little tool to pop the SIM out of the phone (which is easy to lose). Then you also have to remove your phone case. You also have to keep track of your original SIM card so you don’t lose or damage it (you’ll need to reinstall it to get your service back).

Easier To Add Credit To Your Account

All eSIM data plans require you to download the service provider’s app to activate the service and most allow you to easily add credit to your account via the app.

Not all iPhones have built-in eSIM compatibility but essentially all iPhones made since 2019 should be eSIM compatible—i.e. they’re Dual SIM so they have both a physical SIM and an eSIM.

UPDATE: All iPhone 14 (and newer) sold in the UNITED STATES are eSIM-only so there isn’t a physical SIM Card slot anymore. However, all iPhones sold outside the US have dual SIM with physical SIM and eSIM.

eSIM Compatible Phones:

• (The base iPhone X and anything older is not eSIM compatible)
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 Mini & iPhone SE 2020
• iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Mini
• iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone SE, etc.
• iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Plus

Again, just about every Android sold since 2020 is eSIM compatible.

• Samsung Galaxy Fold & Galaxy Fold 2 / Galaxy Z Flip & Z Flip 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra / Galaxy Note 20
• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, S21+ 5G, S21 Ultra 5G
• Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 4a (4G), Pixel 5 (5G), Pixel 6, Pixel 7
• Huawei P40 and P40 Pro & Mate 40 Pro

A great thing about traveling to Europe is that the EU outlawed mobile data roaming fees so any EU data plan will work anywhere within the UE—i.e. you can buy a French eSIM and use it in Italy, Germany, Poland, etc.

That said, I recommend sticking with the major European carriers since they’ll have the most comprehensive networks and the fastest mobile data speeds.

NOTE: The UK and Switzerland aren’t in the EU so not all plans will work there (but many still do)—check each plan to see if they cover these countries.

Orange Holiday Europe eSIM 50GB: $59.90

• Price:  $59.90 (Check  SimOptions  for details)
• Data:  50GB
• Service Speed:  4G/LTE
• Calls:  Unlimited within Europe and 120 min outside of Europe.
• Texts/SMS:  Unlimited within Europe and 1000 outside of Europe.
• Credit validity:  28 day
• Data Tethering:  Allowed
• Usable on any device (phones, tablets, hotspots…)
• This eSIM plan comes with a French phone number that can still be used anywhere in Europe
• Service works everywhere in the EU

Need tons of data? Consider the newly released  Orange Holiday Europe 50GB eSIM data plan which is a beefed-up version of the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM. It has 50GB of data and it’s valid for 28 days (compared to 14 days with the Orange Holiday Europe plan). This eSIM also comes with many features you don’t find with other plans—including international voice calling and texts (it gives you an actual French phone number that works anywhere in Europe).

The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plan also allows you to use your phone as a mobile hotspot so you can put that extra data allowance to good use. Orange is also one of the largest mobile companies in Europe so you’ll always get great coverage and high data speeds.

Holafly Europe eSIM with Unlimited Data: Starting at $19.00

Holafly is a new Europe-based eSIM provider that I used in Italy—the service was great and I got very fast data speeds (read my Holafly eSIM Review to learn more). They sell both country-specific and Europe-wide data plans.

Unlike other mobile data companies, Holafly gives you unlimited data and a local phone number with 60 minutes of credit for making/receiving calls from European numbers (with a few exceptions). I also like how Holafly’s plans come in durations from 5 to 90 days—so you don’t have to over/underbuy for your particular trip.

• 5 Days: $19
• 10 Days: $34
• 15 Days: $47
• 20 Days: $54
• 30 Days: $64
• 60 Days: $84
• 90 Days: $99
• Service Speed: 5G/4G/LTE
• Call Coverage:  60 minutes of credit to make calls from all of Europe—except Iceland, Norway, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Turkey. Comes with an Austrian phone number.
• Texts/SMS: None
• Tethering: No

Bouygues My European eSIM: $44.90

Bouygues is a major French telecommunications company and they’ve recently released their own prepaid eSIM data plan to compete with the popular Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plan. I used a prepaid Bouygues SIM card on a previous trip to Europe so I’m glad they’re finally offering an eSIM.

There’s a lot to like about the Bouygues My European eSIM plan —especially since it comes standard with 30GB of data and unlimited calls within Europe. I also like how this Bouygues eSIM plan is valid for 30 days so it’s a great option for longer trips.

• Price: $44.90 (Check SimOptions for details)
• Data Tethering: Allowed
• Service Speed: 4G/LTE
• Calls: Unlimited within Europe
• Credit validity: 30 day
• Phone Number: This eSIM card comes with a French phone number
• Coverage : Anywhere within the European Union (except Switzerland)

Check out my Bouygues European eSIM review for more information about this plan.

Orange Holiday Europe eSIM 30GB: $49.90

• Price: $49.90 (Check SimOptions for details)
• Calls: Unlimited within Europe and 120 min outside of Europe.
• Texts/SMS: Unlimited within Europe and 1000 outside of Europe.
• Credit validity: 14 day
• Data tethering allowed
• This eSIM card comes with a French phone number

The  Orange Holiday Europe eSIM data plan is another excellent eSIM plan because it comes with 30GB of data and many features you don’t find with other plans—including international voice calling and texts (it gives you an actual French phone number that will work anywhere in Europe). The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plan also allows you to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.

Orange is also one of the largest mobile companies in Europe so you’ll always get great coverage and high data speeds.

The potential downside to the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM is that it’s only valid for 14 days once activated so it’s not great for longer visits (but you can always buy a second plan).

Orange Holiday Zen eSIM: $29.90

• Price: $29.90 (Check SimOptions for details)
• Data: 15GB (recently upgraded from 8GB)
• Calls: Unlimited within Europe and 30 min outside of Europe.
• Texts/SMS: Unlimited within Europe and 200 outside of Europe.

The Orange Holiday Zen plan is a top pick for travelers for a few different reasons.

First, Orange is one of the largest mobile networks in Europe so they have great coverage basically everywhere in Europe and you won’t have to worry about slow speeds.

Second, Orange Holiday eSIM data plan gives you unlimited calls and texts within Europe and limited (yet still ample) credit for calls/texts outside the EU. A majority of eSIM plans from other providers don’t give you any (or very limited) credit for calls or texts.

This plan comes with 15GB of mobile data which should suffice for most travelers who aren’t heavy data users.

Smart Comfort X eSIM: $17.90

• Price: $17.90 (Check SimOptions for details)
• Calls: None

The Smart Comfort X eSIM is a budget data-only eSIM plan option that gives you 5GB of data but no calls or texts (you can still send iMessage if you’re sending messages between iPhones and make calls/texts via WhatsApp, etc.).

Smart Comfort X eSIM is also what’s considered an “international eSIM” so it’s not backed by a specific data provider (i.e. Orange, O2, etc.). That means it will connect to a specific partner provider in each country—for example, France (Bouygues), Germany (O2), Italy (WIND), Spain (Telefonica), etc.

Because of its limited data limits, the Smart Comfort X eSIM plan is best for light data users.

Do European eSIM Plans Come With A European Phone Number?

Some European prepaid eSIM plans come with a European phone number but many prepaid eSIM plans are data only. You probably don’t need a European phone number but it can come in handy for calling restaurants, hotels, or Airbnb hosts (many use WhatsApp—which only requires a data connection).

Recommended Prepaid eSim Plans with A European Phone Number:

• Bouygues My European eSIM : This eSIM plan comes with unlimited calling in Europe.
• Holafly Europe eSIM : Holafly eSIM plans include 60 minutes of calling in Europe.
• Orange Holiday Europe eSIM and Orange Holiday Zen eSIM : Orange comes with international and Europe calling.

Studies show that the average American uses about 5-7GB of mobile data every week but your rate will vary.

You can easily hit 15GB/week if you’re a heavy user but it’s fairly easy to keep your mobile data usage under 2-3GB/week if you stick to basic web browsing, limit your social media use, and keep app usage to a minimum (or save your heavy usage for when you’re on wifi).

Activating an eSIM is relatively simple.

UPDATE: Apple’s iOS 17.4 update (released late March 2024) now includes an automatic eSIM installation and activation feature—making setting up and managing your eSIM much easier. This is great news!

Step One: Purchase Your Data Plan

I highly recommend purchasing your eSIM before you leave because you’ll need data/wifi to complete the setup.

Step Two: Check Your Email For The QR Code

You’ll get an email from the seller as soon as you make your purchase.

This email will include a QR code that you can scan so you’ll want to be in front of your computer so you can scan the QR code from your screen.

Step Three: Install The Carrier’s eSIM App

The QR code will lead you to download the carrier’s eSIM app. Just follow the directions they send you.

IMPORTANT: Don’t fully activate your eSIM data plan until you’re in Europe. Most data plans only have a validity period of 14-30 days and that countdown begins the second you activate the service. So, for example, if you activate the service a week before your trip then you’ll have lost a full week from your service length (even if you haven’t used any data).

Step Four: Fully Activate Service Once in Europe

Finish the activation process. Your phone should automatically connect to the local data network (it might take a few minutes to get fully activated).

The beauty of eSIM plans is that they’re completely digital so you can buy them online anytime, anywhere (see all the above eSIM options).

Every European country has its own domestic mobile carriers and each is starting to offer its own prepaid eSIM data plans. However, carrier-specific eSIM mobile packages aren’t quite widespread in Europe yet so not every mobile carrier will have options—therefore, not every retailer will have them (or they’ll have a very limited selection).

Furthermore, many European carriers only offer “postpaid” eSIM plans so they’re generally not conducive to short-term visitors and tourists. That’s why I recommend buying one of the eSIM plans I mentioned earlier in this article.

What Countries in Europe Support eSIM?

While not every mobile carrier in Europe has an eSIM mobile plan, there are carriers in every European country that accept eSIM technology—therefore, your phone will automatically connect to a provider (no matter what eSIM plan you’re using).

Simply put: Your eSIM data plan will work anywhere in Europe.

Coverage Note About Switzerland (and Possibly the UK): Switzerland is an outlier because they’re not technically part of the EU so some providers don’t work there. For example, the Orange Holiday plans work in Switzerland but the Smart Comfort X plan won’t work there. There are also rumors that the UK also has (or will have soon) the same issues because of Brexit. Learn more on our Guide on How To Use Data Plans and Smartphone Phones Abroad

Here are a few more tips for getting the most out of using your high-speed eSIM mobile data plan while traveling around Europe. If you want to learn more, check out The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide to How To Use Data Plans and Smartphone Phones Abroad

You Need An Unlocked Phone

You need to make sure your phone is unlocked before you can install both a SIM card or eSIM—many American mobile carriers use software to “lock” their smartphones to their network so the phone won’t work if you install a SIM card from another company.

However, you can unlock your phone by calling your mobile carrier and asking them to unlock it because you’re going to travel abroad (you might need to visit a store to get it unlocked).

BUY A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER

Using apps like Google Maps and taking photos kills your phone battery so a portable battery is a must-have. I use  Anker PowerCore 10000  because it’s tiny and affordable but there are multiple options.

Save Heavy Data Usage For When You’re On Wifi

It’s extremely easy to unknowingly burn through a lot of data—especially when you’re using data-hungry apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Therefore it’s highly recommended to save your heavy data usage for when you’re connected to wifi.

USE AIRPLANE MODE AND BLOCK DATA TO SPECIFIC APPS

I’ll put my phone in Airplane Mode because that disables all data (but GPS still works in Airplane Mode). You can also go into the settings and disable data access to each individual app.

DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS

Google Maps lets you download entire city maps so they can be used offline. As an added bonus, GPS doesn’t use data so offline Google Maps works fairly well (but not all functionality works). Here is a good  YouTube video  that explains everything.

Download WhatsApp

WhatsApp is an excellent app for free calling and text messages—I’ve found that many Europeans exclusively use WhatsApp to communicate (including many Airbnb hosts).

Get More Europe Travel Tips From The Savvy Backpacker

Are you heading to Europe soon? Here are some more helpful articles I’ve written to help you plan your European travels.

• Backpacking Europe Packing List
• Europe Packing List for Women
• The Best Travel Shoes
• The Best Travel Backpacks  and  The Best Travel Backpacks for Women
• Guide To Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans in  France
• Guide to Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans in Germany
• Guide To Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans in  Italy
• Guide To Buying SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plans in  Spain
• Recent Posts
• New York Pass Review | Is It A Good Value or Waste of Money? - May 20, 2024
• Paris Pass Review — A Good Value or Waste of Money? - May 13, 2024
• The Best Travel Backpacks | In-Depth Buyer’s Guide & Backpack Reviews - April 28, 2024

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Thanks For Reading! — James

Questions? Learn more about our Strict Advertising Policy and How To Support Us .

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Buy Your Europe SIM Cards In Australia - Best Prepaid Sim For Travel

Don't let international roaming fees ruin your trip! Discover the best SIM for Europe designed specifically for tourists. Your #1 source for European SIM cards. Stay seamlessly connected while traveling without the burden of hefty international roaming fees.

Over 12,000+ Reviews across

6GB of Data

Unlimited Minutes  within the EU and UK

Not included

28 days service from activation.

10GB of Data

Unlimited Minutes  within  Europe &   UK

Unlimited SMS  within  Europe &   UK

30 days of service from activation

12GB of Data

Unlimited SMS  within the EU and UK

30 days service from activation.

Unlimited standard Minutes within EU & UK

25€ credits included for calls to international numbers such as Australia, USA, Canada and other countries

Not Included

22GB of Data

28 Day service from activation

200GB of Data

30 Days of service from activation date

500GB of Data

12GB of Data

60 Day service from activation

8GB of Data

• Unlimited Minutes  to standard to EU & UK landlines and mobiles
• 30 International Call Minutes to the world  (Mobiles & Standard landlines)
• Unlimited SMS  to EU & UK mobiles
• 200 SMS  (Mobiles & Standard landlines)

14 days service from activation.

20GB of Data

• Unlimited Minutes  to standard to EU & UK landlines and mobiles
• 120 International Call Minutes to the world  (Mobiles & Standard landlines)
• 1000 SMS  (Mobiles & Standard landlines)

• Unlimited standard Minutes  within EU

15 days of service from activation

• 25€ credits included  for calls to international numbers such as Australia, USA, Canada and other countries

Not Included.

Unlimited Data

Fast 4G/5G Data speeds upto 2GB per day/ 128kbps speeds afterwards

Not included or available 

Depends on the eSIM purchased. Your days of service will start when the eSIM is connected to a network in Europe/UK. This will be the day that your service commences.

Shop by Countries in Europe

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Prepaid Travel SIM cards for Europe with data for Aussie Tourists

Europe is known for its fascinating history, stunning architecture and diverse cultures and languages. It is perhaps the world’s most visited region, drawing tourists from across the globe to experience everything from Italian cuisine to Spanish flamenco. With so many fantastic countries on our doorstep, it would be a shame to not make the most of them whilst on your European holiday. Two of the biggest problems Australian tourists face when visiting Europe are crippling roaming charges and whether the sim will work in multiple countries, which can often leave a bitter taste in the mouths of previously enthusiastic holiday-goers. We at SimCorner are therefore proud to offer a solution - our range of UK and Europe travel SIM cards.

How do Travel SIM cards for Europe work?

Our European SIM Cards work like any other SIM card, and are available in standard, micro and nano versions. The Europe Phone SIMs can only be used in mobile phones, whilst our Europe Data Only SIMs can be used in a number of devices, including mobile phones, tablets and dongles. Simply place the SIM card into the device and the SIM will already be ready to work. Your plan will begin from the arrival date you provide, so ensure that this date is as close to your trip as possible. Our Europe travel SIM cards also work in the UK.

How to buy Travel SIM cards for Europe in Australia?

If you’re looking for the best SIM cards for Europe in Australia, you’ll find them at SimCorner - locally owned and operated in Australia! SIM cards can be bought from other various providers, both online or in-store. However,  these SIM cards are often more than retail price or what we charge for the same bundle or require the payee to sign at least a year-long contract,  which is not ideal for people looking to stay only for 30 days or few months. There are also various pay-as-you-go options, but the cost of these can quickly add up.

Sim Corner's Europe SIM Card Collection

Our assortment of Europe SIM cards has been designed to offer the flexibility, data capabilities, and country coverage for your European adventures. W e have noted our best prepaid plans for Australian travellers below.

#1 Customers Choice - Best All -rounder Europe SIM

1.  bouygues telecom europe esim - 30 gb prepaid  or  europe sim card - 30gb.

SimCorner's top pick for Europe in 2024 is the Bouygues Telecom prepaid eSIM & SIM card. It gives you 30 GB of data across the EU, including the UK, Norway, and Iceland. Unlimited calls and texts are included, best of all, you get € 25 credits included for international calls and texts to international numbers. and it activates as soon as you connect to a supported network in Europe.  It's an ideal choice for travellers looking to strike the perfect balance between connectivity and exploration, a llowing you to surf the web, stream your favourite shows, and stay active on social media.

Best Data Only  Europe SIM  

2.  data sim card for europe & uk  - 200gb  or  europe travel sim card - 500gb.

If you’re always stuck to your phone and need a Data plan that caters to your digital needs, take a look at  our  200GB or 500GB offers!  Whether you're on a working holiday, traveling with a group, or simply a data enthusiast, this SIM card ensures you'll never run out of data during your Europe/UK adventures.  Enjoy entertainment wherever you go. Stream, browse, and stay updated without worrying about running out of data. It’s also a great option for family trips, as it allows mobile hotspots. As a parent, this could mean the perfect opportunity to control your kids’ data usages easily.

3.  Europe UK SIM Card - 12GB  - 

If you plan to only use a moderate amount of 4G data, texts and minutes while you’re away, why not look at our 12GB SIM Card option, which comes with Unlimited minutes and SMS within the EU and UK. You’ll be able to take in Paris or Rome in all its beauty and share any photos you may have while you’re away with friends and family back home. As an added bonus, The 12GB data can also be used in other countries such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and Uruguay. With this card, you get 12GB of data—enough to download all your Spotify playlists in time for flights, as well as check up on your socials daily without having to worry. Perfect if you’re taking a cross-continent trip!

4.  Europe UK Travel SIM Card - 6GB

If you're on a tight budget, this 28-Day 6GB Sim Card for Europe SIM card is your perfect companion. Usable in 45 countries, this Sim Card includes calls to European and UK numbers and high speed Data.  Whether you're sightseeing in Barcelona or hiking in the Scottish Highlands, this SIM ensures you're connected for less. The sim comes with a Spain based phone number.

5.  Europe & UK Data SIM Card - 22GB

Need more  data for browsing and staying connected? This SIM card offers a substantial 22GB of mobile data power. It's an ideal choice for travellers who primarily require data, whether for work, streaming, or staying active on social media. This Sim covers all of EU & UK and other countries not covered by some of the other options such as  Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican, Kosovo, Monaco.  This SIM is for those with no one to call or text in Europe on their holiday, or those who want to stay connected via a non-smartphone device, e.g. an iPad, internet dongle or MiFi device. 

Get the Right European SIM Card for you

All of our SIM options for Europe allow you the opportunity to stay connected with family and friends on holiday. They come in three sizes to fit any phone—from the basic brick to the smartest of iPhones. It always pays to check any specifications before deciding what SIM is right for you, and we hope this has helped.

Why use a Europe travel SIM card when travelling?

No matter where you’re heading - France , Spain , Poland , Switzerland , Sweden , Greece , or Germany - you’ll want to prepare for your journey with a SIM card to help you stay in touch as you roam across Europe. Our Europe SIM card allows you to update your socials with the latest snaps, video call someone you’re missing while on the go, or navigate the streets with maps on your phone. You’ll never have to worry about finding free Wi-Fi again: our prepaid SIMs are a safe and convenient travel essential you can’t go without.

What makes SimCorner your best choice for a Europe phone SIM card?

If you’re wondering why SimCorner has the best SIM card for Europe travel, read the benefits below:

• Data SIM card options to suit your travel needs
• Budget friendly
• 3-in-1 SIM card (will fit any phone)
• No roaming charges or hidden costs
• Easy to use, and no registration required
• Great coverage and compatibility with standard landlines and mobile numbers
• Hotspot and tethering allowed
• No incoming call charges from any country
• Fast shipping to your door
• Tried and tested by thousands of happy Australian tourists
• Price Beat Guarantee

If you like more information use the contact us link above to get in touch with us, and get your travel SIM today! We also sell a range of travel accessories and journals , so while you’re preparing for your trip, add on some essentials for your European escape.

At SimCorner, our European SIM Cards work like any other SIM card, and are available in standard, micro and nano versions. The Europe Phone SIMs can only be used in mobile phones, whilst our Europe Data Only SIMs can be used in a number of devices, including mobile phones, tablets and dongles. Simply place the SIM card into the device and the SIM will already be ready to work. Your plan will begin from the arrival date you provide, so ensure that this date is as close to your trip as possible. Our Europe travel SIM cards also work in the UK.

How to buy Travel SIM cards for Europe in Australia?

If you’re looking for the best SIM cards for Europe in Australia, you’ll find them at SimCorner - locally owned and operated in Australia! SIM cards can be bought from other various providers, both online or in-store. However,  these SIM cards are often more than retail price or what we charge for the same bundle or require the payee to sign at least a year-long contract,  which is not ideal for people looking to stay only for 30 days or few months. There are also various pay-as-you-go options, but the cost of these can quickly add up.

How can I choose the right Europe SIM card for my needs?

You can explore SimCorner's Europe SIM card collection, each designed to cater to specific data preferences. Whether you need 12GB or a massive 500GB of data, we have options to suit your travel plans.

Can I use a Europe SIM card for data-intensive activities?

Absolutely! SimCorner also sells Europe SIM card options that come high data allowances such as 200GB or even a whopping 500GB! perfect for streaming, video calls, and staying active on social media.

What phones are compatible with the Europe SIM card?

Most Australian unlocked mobile phones and devices are compatible with the Europe sim cards.

In which countries can you use our Europe mobile SIM card?

Our Europe SIM cards can be used throughout the European Union & UK and some sim cards can also work in other Europe countries like Switzerland or Turkey. Take it with you whether you’re going to destinations like Italy, France, Germany, Spain, or Latvia. Browse our full list of countries above. You can shop by country or if you’re planning to go to several places, you can also get a Europe prepaid SIM card that covers all areas.  

Is it easy to activate and use the SIM?

Yes, our SIM cards are super easy to use. All you have to do is place your SIM card in your device, and it’s good to go. You will have chosen the date in which you would like the plan to start, so you will be able to start using your SIM from then.

What network is the Europe travel SIM compatible with?

Our Europe SIM card for tourists is compatible with standard European and UK landlines and phone numbers

How long is the validity of SimCorner Europe SIM cards

The validity of SimCorner Europe SIM cards varies depending on the specific card you choose. Please refer to the product details on our website for information on the validity period of each SIM card.

Who is SimCorner?

SimCorner is a leading provider of Europe SIM cards, offering a range of options to keep you connected during your European travels.

What should I do if I need assistance with my Europe SIM card from SimCorner?

If you require assistance with your Europe SIM card purchased from SimCorner, our dedicated customer support team is ready to help. You can reach out to us through the contact us link above or menu tab (if you access our website on your mobile) , and we'll be happy to assist you.

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Best eSIM for Europe in 2023 (Quick Comparison)

Are you planning a trip to Europe and looking for an eSIM data package?

This means you will be visiting multiple European countries and you are going to want an eSIM card that can keep up. Have you considered a European eSim instead of buying multiple physical SIM cards?

At A Glance: Our Top eSIMs For Europe

• Best Unlimited Data eSIM for Europe Holafly eSIM Jump To Review
• Cheapest European eSIMs Maya Mobile Jump To Review
• Most eSIM Options Airalo Europe eSIM Jump To Review
• Best For Short Trips Orange Holiday Zen eSIM Jump To Review
• Data, Calls & SMS Orange Holiday Europe eSim Jump To Review

ESIM technology is relatively new, so you might not have heard of it. It basically means you have a built-in sim card in your phone which you can activate when you get to Europe. But, which is the best eSIM for Europe? That is what we are here to look at.

Join me as I run through all the best eSIMs for use in Europe so you can find the best eSIM plan for your travels .

Best eSIM Providers in Europe

There are a number of different eSIM providers that offer a Europe eSIM and the best of them are below.

We will run through each of them and their eSIM data plans so that you can find the best eSIM for Europe for your travel needs.

Top Product Overview

Best esims for europe, holafly esim.

Holafly offers some of the best prepaid unlimited data eSIM plans you can find when looking for an eSIM  for Europe .

Every single eSIM data plan comes with unlimited data and you can opt for a number of days between 5 and 90 to match your travel plans.

This means you can use a single affordable data plan for everything and not worry about how much data you are using.

Their data plans include unlimited data for various numbers of days:

• 5 days – $19
• 7 days – $27
• 10 days – $34
• 15 days – $47
• 20 days – $54
• 30 days – $64
• 60 days – $84
• 90 days – $99

NOTE: Use our link here for 5% discount

During this year, I love how Holafly has added a free phone number with all their unlimited data plans for Europe. You get 60 minutes of calls during your plan period of validity. The only countries you can’t call in are Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Turkey.

Holafly Europe eSIMs also give you both 5G and 4G LTE throughout the continent. The biggest downside is (like almost all eSIMs in this list) you can’t create a hotspot.

There are over 30 countries in the European eSIM including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

• Set up is quick and easy
• Short and long-term plans
• All are Unlimited data plans
• Very affordable
• Reliable speeds
• You can not hotspot with their plans
• Speeds change
• Customer support is not that great
• No texts or calls

Product Information

• Mobile Speed: 5G/4G LTE/3G
• Calls: 60 minutes
• Unlimited Data: Yes
• Data Sharing: No
• Support: Whatsapp, email, call and 24/7 chat support in English
• Website Languages: 14
• Website Currencies: EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, CAD
• Trust Pilot Score: 4.8

Maya Mobile

Maya Mobile have burst onto the eSIM scene with some great offers for Europe eSIMs. They are one of my favorite options for small-medium data packages or unlimited data eSIMs where you can share your data.

They always offer a very limited range, but it helps keep the choices simple: 1-10 GB or Unlimited Data – all for 30 Days.

• 1 GB for $5 ($5 per GB)
• 3 GB for $9 ($3 per GB)
• 5 GB for $14 ($2.8 per GB)
• 10 GB for $24 ($2.4 per GB)
• Unlimited Data for $49 ($1.63 per day)

Once you go over 1GB they offer some of the cheapest Europe eSIMs around.

They also provide eSIM data packages with both 4G and 5G when they can. So some of you will have lightning speeds in the bigger cities if you have a newer phone.

Their coverage is not as wide as only 30 countries. And this is where most eSIMs fail in my experience – south-east Europe – below Croatia (except for Greece of course). So, if you are sticking to Western Europe and even the more mainstream Eastern countries (Czech, Poland, Hungary etc) as well as Switzerland and the UK – you should be good to go!

• Very affordable data
• Decent Europe-wide coverage
• Data sharing
• Only 30 day plans
• South-East Europe not covered
• Mobile Speed: 4G/5G
• Data Sharing: Yes
• Calls/Texts: Not available
• Countries included: 30 countries
• Support: email, chatbot
• Website Languages: 1
• Website Currencies: USD
• Trust Pilot: 4.6

Airalo Europe eSIM

Airalo is one of the most popular eSIM providers in the world and their eSIM plans for Europe are excellent. One of the highlights of their eSIMs is that work in 39 countries in Europe, so you can use it all over the continent without changing eSIMs.

You can choose from:

• 1 GB/7 days for $5 ($5 per GB)
• 3 GB/30 days for $13 ($4.3 per GB)
• 5 GB/30 days for $20 ($4 per GB)
• 10 GB/30 days for $37 ($3.7 per GB)
• 50 GB/90 days for $100 v($2 per GB)
• 100 GB/180 days for $185 ($1.85 per GB)

They only offer eSIM data plans, so you can’t call or text from their eSIM but it does make data roaming very easy. Their eSim data plans do not offer unlimited data though which is a shame.

Airalo is also one of the more affordable prepaid data options, working out at $1.85 –  $5 per GB with cheaper prices per GB for larger packages.

The countries they include cover both Western and Eastern Europe, as well as the UK:

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium , Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany , Gibraltar, Greece , Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy , Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland , Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom

• Great customer service
• Big range of plans
• Easy to buy, activate, and top-up
• Affordable prices per GB
• Unlimited data is not available
• Calls and texts are not included
• Unlimited Data: Not Available
• Countries included: 39 countries
• Support: email, live chat
• Website Languages: 20
• Trust Pilot: 2.7

Orange Holiday Zen eSIM

Orange is one of the largest mobile providers in Europe and therefore has great coverage and reliable speeds. The Orange Holiday Zen eSIM is an epic deal for anyone spending 14 days in Europe.

With this eSIM plan, you get

• 8GB of data
• unlimited calls and SMS in Europe
• 30 minutes of calls & 200 SMS outside Europe.

All this costs just $29.90 but it only lasts for 14 days, so will suit short trips but not longer ones.

Use 8GB high-speed 4G internet data in 30 European countries for 14 days.

This SIM Card is ideal for travelers from outside Europe as you have 30 minutes of calls and 200 SMS from Europe to anywhere in the world and unlimited calls and SMS within Europe.

This might just be the best time for Europe if you are going for 14 days or less!

• Reliable and fast connection
• Limited free global calls and SMS
• Unlimited calls and SMS in Europe
• Perfect for a short trip
• Only a 14-day option
• Not great for a long trip
• Calls & Texts: Unlimited in EU
• Unlimited Data: No
• Support: phone, live chat, email
• Trust Pilot Score: 4.1

Nomad is a very reliable eSIM provider and they offer a number of eSIM plans for Europe but they are quite limited.

With Nomad you can buy 1, 3, 5 or 10 GB plans for 30 days. There is nothing larger, however, you can always renew the plan when it expires.

They added two plan types in Europe.

• One smaller one with 30 countries (Western Europe & some Eastern Europe)
• One larger one with 36 countries (Almost the whole of Europe)

The prices are actually similar, so I am not sure what the difference is. The provider is Truphone for the 25 countries but is not given for the larger package.

With this eSim provider, you will have good coverage, and reliable speeds, and the system to activate your eSim is very simple.

• Easy activation process
• Reliable coverage
• Solid connection speeds
• Multiple 30-day options
• 30-day plans only
• Max data plan is 10GB
• Countries included: 30-35 countries
• Support: email, app
• Website Languages: 7
• Trust Pilot: 4.2

Orange Holiday Europe eSim

The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM  is pretty much the same as the Orange Holiday Zen eSIM but it comes with more of everything; data, calls, and SMS.

For $49.90 you get

• 20 GB of data
• unlimited calls and SMS within Europe
• 2 hours of global calls
• 1000 global SMS

But, again, it only lasts for 14 days so it is great for heavy data users on short trips but not good for longer visits.

• Great coverage
• Easy to buy and activate
• Loads of data
• Limited free global calls & SMS
• Unlimited free call & SMS in Europe
• Reliable service
• Only 14 days
• Website Languages: 6

eSIM.net offers the best eSIM for Europe in my eyes. It is a part of O2 and therefore has a reliable and fast network all over Europe.

You can get unlimited data for 30 days for just $25 which is as affordable and useful as it gets. You won’t find a better price per GB than this and their customer service, set up, and activation process is all excellent.

This is by far one of the best eSIMs for Europe and might just beat the best data sim card you can find in Europe too.

You can also opt for 3GB for 7 days for $10 or 5GB for 14 days for $14 so it suits those on short trips, tight budgets, long trips, and heavy data users too.

• Great service
• Easy to set up
• Unlimited data for $25
• Excellent coverage and speeds
• Max 30 day plans
• Support: email
• Website Languages: English

O2 Go Card eSIM

O2 is the biggest network provider in the UK and therefore you will get reliable coverage and connection speeds all across Europe.

The O2 Go Card eSIM is only available on SIM options and it is a solid deal. You get 10GB of data for 30 days for $24.90 which is one of the most affordable eSIM plans out there for that amount of data.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t include any free SMS or calls like the Orange eSIMs. Well, it does, but $2 of global calls and $2 of global SMS don’t really count.

• A good amount of data
• Runs for 30 days, ideal for a long trip
• Reliable and fast network
• Doesn’t include free SMS or calls
• 30-day option only
• Mobile Speed: 5G/4G LTE
• Calls & Texts: Unlimited
• Support: phone, live chat or email

Smart Comfort X eSIM

The Smart Comfort X eSIM is also only available on SimOptions and it is one of the better eSIM plans for anyone who doesn’t use much data and is on a tight budget.

With the Smart Comfort X eSIM plans you get 5GB of data valid for 30 days for $17.90. This is a great rate for anyone who is careful with their mobile data usage.

But, it does not come with any calls or SMS, nor can you increase the number of days it is valid for.

• Affordable & Reliable
• Solid 30-day validity
• Good for an average trip
• Easy to use
• Data-only plan, no calls or texts
• Only has a 30-day option
• Mobile Speed: 4G LTE
• Calls & Texts: Not available

BNESIM does something not all eSIM providers do, it offers Europe eSIM  travel on a monthly rolling contract you can start and stop whenever you like.

Your options include:

• unlimited data

every month and the rates are very affordable. The unlimited data plan costs 65 Euros per month and the 1GB plan costs just 2.41 Euros.

Their service is very reliable and it is very easy to activate your eSim. But, you do not get any calls or texts included with this service.

• Only monthly contracts
• Unlimited data available
• Simple to use and activate
• Reliable connection
• No short-term plans
• No calls or text messages included
• Support: live chat
• Website Languages: 5
• Website Currencies: Various
• Trust Pilot Score: 3.3

Data Needed When Traveling to Europe

This depends on how much you use your phone as if you are watching Netflix on data every night, you will need a lot while traveling.

Generally speaking, heavy data users consume around 15GB per week, while the average is around 5GB per week. If you are smart, you can get this down to 2GB per week by using WiFi for things like Netflix and social media.

But, considering you can get such affordable unlimited data plans with an eSIM for Europe, this isn’t something to worry about.

Tips for Using an eSIM in Europe

Use whatsapp.

Whatsapp is what all Europeans use to communicate. It is a data-only text and calling app which is free and very easy to use. You will find that a lot of your bookings can be done through Whatsapp plus you can call and message home with ease. So, by using Whatsapp, you can avoid the lack of SMS and calling that many eSIM providers have.

Download Maps For Offline Use

Did you know you can download areas of Google Maps that you can then use offline? It is incredibly easy, just follow these steps and you will have a map area of your choice downloaded to your phone.

This means you don’t have to use any of your mobile data plans to navigate around new European countries.

Use WiFi For Heavy Data Usage

Any App that downloads pictures or movies for you to see, uses more data than most others. The number one culprits are Instagram, Netflix, and Facebook.

Avoid using these on mobile data as they will eat up your data allowance quickly, only use them on WiFi if you can.

Change Which Apps Are Allowed To Use Data

Some Apps use data even while they are not open as they are searching for updates or new information to show you. Turn access to data to all the Apps you don’t need off, this will reduce your data usage a lot.

Use Airplane Mode

I live in Airplane Mode which means my phone only distracts me when I let it. But, it is also great for reducing data consumption and saving your battery life too. You can still use GPS and take pictures too.

Make Sure Your Phone Is Unlocked

If you have bought your phone in conjunction with a contact through a carrier chances are your phone is locked to that one carrier. Be sure to call and have them unlock it as eSIMs will not work on a locked phone.

Benefits of Getting An eSIM for Europe

eSIMs make life a lot simpler when traveling across Europe, especially with regard to staying connected.

Once you buy the best eSIM for Europe and activate it, you can travel to every country in Europe without having to buy another local prepaid SIM card for each new country.

This means no queueing, switching physical sim cards, losing your sim card from home, etc. As soon as you cross a border, you will still be connected to a network and be able to use your phone as normal.

This means you can navigate using Google Maps, book train tickets, see bus schedules, and more while you are on the road, in any country in Europe. It adds a ton of convenience and safety to your trip.

You can also run your eSIM in conjunction with your physical SIM card from home. This means you can still make and receive calls on your normal number, as well as texts, and receive codes to log in to your bank for example.

Topping up eSIMs is also incredibly easy, as it is done from your phone, or the company’s website, and just takes a second or two, which is much better than buying scratch cards or setting up a new online account.

Devices Compatible with a European eSIM

Not every device supports eSIM as only new devices have an embedded sim (eSIM) built into them. This means that older smartphones and tablets will not be able to use eSIMs but newer ones will.

Check if your device has an eSIM by seeing if it is in the list below.

iPhone & iPad

iPhone: 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 13 Mini, 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, XS, XS Max, XR, SE (2020), SE (2022).

iPad Air: (3rd generation), (4th generation)

iPad Pro 11‑inch: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd generation)

iPad Pro 12.9‑inch: 3rd, 4th, & 5th generation)

iPad: 7th, 8th, & 9th generation

iPad Mini: 5th & 6th generation

Android Phones

Samsung Galaxy: S22 Ultra 5G, S22+ 5G, S22 5G, S21 Ultra 5G, S21 5G, S21+ 5G, S20, S20+, Z Flip, Z Flip3 5G, Z Fold3, Z Fold2, Fold, Note 20 Ultra, Note 20+, Note 20

Google Pixel: 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, 4a, 4 XL, 5, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro

HAMMER: Explorer PRO, Blade 3, Blade 5G, myPhone NOW eSIM

Motorola: Razr 2019, Razr 5G

Huawei: P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro

OPPO: Find X3 Pro, Find X5 Pro, Find X5

Sony Xperia: 10 III Lite, 10 IV, 1 IV

Other Devices That Support eSIM

ACER: Swift 3, Swift 7

ASUS: Mini Transformer T103HAF, NovaGo TP370QL, Vivobook Flip 14 TP401NA

Dell Latitude: 9510, 7410, 7310, 9410, 7210 2-in-1

HP: Elitebook G5, Probook G5, Zbook G5, Spectre Folio 13

Lenovo: Yoga C630, Miix 630, Yoga 520, Yoga 720 convertible laptops

Surface: Go 3, Pro X, Duo 2, Duo

Others: Nuu Mobile X5, Gemini PDA 4G+Wi-Fi, Xiaomi 12T Pro, Windows 10*/ Windows 11

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SAVE MONEY ON YOUR NEXT ESIM

Get 5% off unlimted data  , code: "expertworldtravel", new customer 15% off with code: " newmay15 ".

In Paris, team up with the best operator.

Share your athletes' achievements with your Orange Travel eSIM.

Holiday Europe 50Gb

Lowest price in the last 30 days: 49.99€

unlimited in Europe

50 minutes to the rest of the world

Only 89 days left of promotion!

Offer details

50 Go in Europe in 5G

Unlimited calls from Europe to Europe

120 minutes from Europe to the World

Holiday Europe 12GB

Record connection speed: experience an unforgettable stay in europe with the number 1 operator in france.

Stay connected in Paris and in over 30 countries in Europe:

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On your marks... Ready? Travel connected!

Download your esim before you leave.

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to use your mobile plan without inserting a physical SIM card into your smartphone. Convenient and easy to use, you just need to scan a QR code to activate your plan wherever you are!

Or buy a ready-to-use physical SIM card

Prefer to have a physical SIM card? Receive your SIM card directly at home and fully enjoy your stay in Europe from the moment you arrive.

We're in the starting blocks to answer your questions

How do i know if my phone is esim compatible, can i use my sim card and orange travel esim at the same time, why choose orange for my travel esim card, when should i buy and install my esim, i am not in europe, can i test my esim before leaving, can i top up my esim, can i extend the validity period of my esim credit, how can i contact customer service, how long is this orange travel promotional offer valid.

Can't find your question in the list above?

Visit our help center and contact one of our advisors. They are on hand to answer all your questions 24/7.

Why choosing Orange?

With 250 million customers Orange is able to provide attractive offers worldwide for its tourists and business travelers.

As a telecom operator in 30 countries with partnerships with the best local carriers all over the world, Orange provides one of the best network quality worldwide

Our customer service is available 7/7 to assist you in finding the best offer and activating and using your travel SIM card