Do you frequently travel abroad for work? Tired of high-cost international roaming charges? I’ve traveled to Europe and Asian countries multiple times, and you know what? I haven’t used any physical SIM cards during my international trips until now.
International Travel eSIMs have been my convenient solution!
No more waiting in long airport queues for local SIM cards or paying hefty fees. You can conveniently purchase the best plan from the comfort of your home.
In this article, I’ll be featuring the Best Travel eSIMs of 2024. You’ll find here my personal experiences and honest thoughts based on years of using travel eSIMs during my travels.
Let’s jump into the discussion, then!
Maya Mobile
Maya Mobile is my go to option. Their plans are affordable, their support is responsive, and they offer coverage in most countries.
Saily
Saily is new but I still love them for 2 reasons. Their super user-friendly interface and affordable plans for asian countries.
Airalo
Airalo was my favourite app until it was banned in India. If you live outside of India then try Airalo for it’s ease of use and customer support.
What is an eSIM?
Embedded SIM (eSIM), as the name says, is a digital version of a traditional SIM card. It allows your device to connect to a cellular network without requiring a physical SIM card. This means you can switch between carriers or plans more easily, especially when traveling.
How does an eSIM card work? eSIMs function the same way as a real SIM card. Instead of inserting a physical card into your device, you install the software and activate the eSIM profile through your device’s settings. Once activated, your device can connect to the network and access services like phone calls, text messages, and mobile data.
Don’t think eSIMs are limited to smartphones! You can also find eSIMs on various devices, such as smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and even drones.
Best eSIMs for International Travel 2024 (Summary Table)
eSIM Provider | Destinations | App | Data Plan | Duration | Call & SMS Support |
Maya Mobile | 200 | No | 3 GB to unlimited | 5, 10, 15 and 30 days | No |
Saily | 166 | Yes | 1 GB to 20 GB | 7 & 30 days | No |
Nomad | 170 | Yes | 1 GB to 100 GB | 1, 3, 7, 15, 30 & 60 days | SMS plan for US & Canada |
SimOptions | 200 | Yes | 1 GB to 100 GB | 7, 10, 14, 15, 28, 30 and 60 days | Yes |
Ubigi | 200 | Yes | 500 MB to unlimited | 1, 7, 15, 30 days, & 12 months | No |
Esim.sim | 212 | No | 1 GB to 100 GB | 7, 10, 15, 30, and 60 days | No |
5 Best eSIMs for International Travel (2024)
1) Maya Mobile – Best Value
Kripesh’s Rating – 4.5/5
Maya Mobile is my top choice for travel eSIMs. I’ve used their services on recent trips and was impressed by their affordability, plan variety, and reliability. With coverage in over 200 countries, they offer a wide range of options to suit different travel needs. However, they currently don’t have a mobile app.
Coverage: 200+ nations
Hotspot: Yes
Activation: QR code
Customer Support: Chat
Pros of Maya Mobile
Affordable plans
Maya Mobile offers the most competitive prices among the eSIM providers reviewed. For example, in European countries, the lowest price is $6 for 3 GB of data for 5 days.
Plan Variety
To cater to various needs, they offer plans for 5, 10, 15, and 30 days. Once you select the duration, you can choose a data plan that best suits your data consumption, ranging from 3 GB to unlimited.
Payment in Local Currency
Maya Mobile conveniently accepts payments in your local curency. You can eliminate the need for currency conversion.
Quick service
The installation process is quick. After purchasing a plan, you’ll receive a QR code via email. Simply scan and activate the eSIM upon arrival at your destination.
Multiple countries
Maya Mobile covers a wide area, offering services in over 200 countries, including Asia, Europe, the USA, and Latin America.
Unlimited Plan
Maya Mobile offers the longest duration of unlimited plans. The plan is available for 10 days at $29 and 30 days at $59 in Europe, Asia, or the USA.
Cons Of Maya Mobile
Chat-only support
Maya Mobile doesn’t offer dedicated email support. Customers can submit inquiries on their website or use their chat service.
No mobile app
Maya Mobile is web-based only, meaning there’s no mobile app to download. To check your data usage or manage your account, you’ll need to access their website.
Maya Mobile Pricing
Maya Mobile | USA | Europe | Asia |
5 GB (5 days) | $9 | $6 | $7 |
5 GB (15 days) | $12 | $12 | $14 |
10 GB (15 days) | $16 | $16 | $20 |
10 GB (30 days) | $17 | $17 | $22 |
20 GB (30 days) | $25 | $25 | $39 |
40 GB (10 days) | $43 | $45 | ❌ |
Maya Mobile plans are pure value for money in my experience. To make it sweeter for you I’ve extra 10% discount if you buy eSIM using my link.
Discount: 10% OFF on existing plans
Coupon code: KRIPESH
Should You Use Maya Mobile?
Maya Mobile is currently my top choice for travel eSIM in Europe and the USA. Their plans are affordable, their support is responsive, and they offer coverage in most European countries.
They currently offer chat-only support. Although they don’t have a mobile app for real-time data monitoring, they keep you updated with text messages & emails.
2) Saily – Best For Asian Countries
Kripesh’s Rating – 4.2/5
Nord Security is a trusted name for all tech enthusiasts. They have entered the eSIM market with its latest offering, Saily. It has already garnered 4.6 stars on Google Play, with millions of positive reviews. It provides mobile access and a user-friendly interface, but is limited in terms of plan duration and variety.
Coverage: 166+ nations
Hotspot: Yes
Activation: App, QR code
Customer Support: Email, Chat
Pros of Saily
Mobile App
Saily has a mobile app available for iOS and Android users. You can easily install it, purchase plans, add data top-ups, and check your daily consumption.
Easy to Activate
Once you install the app, it will inform you if your device is compatible with eSIM. Then, they provide clear on-screen instructions for onboarding.
Affordable Plans
For Asian countries, Saily offers affordable plans. Their data plans start from just $4.99 for 1 GB of data for 7 days.
Backed by a Trusted Company
Nord Security, the company behind Saily, is a leading provider of online privacy solutions. Their digital security products such as NordPass, NordLocker, and NordVPN are among the top-rated. I’ve been using them for over 5 years.
Extensive Support
Unlike Maya Mobile, Saily allows you to connect with their support team anytime through email and chat.
Cons Of Saily
Less Variety in Plan Duration
Saily currently offers only one data plan for 7 days across all regions. The rest of the plans are for 30 days, which can increase the budget.
Expensive for USA and Europe
The 10 GB data plan in Europe costs around $36, and in the USA, it’s $23. These prices are higher compared to Maya Mobile, which offers similar data plans at almost half the cost.
Saily Pricing
Saily | North America | Europe | Asia |
1 GB (7 days) | $5.09 | $4.24 | $4.24 |
5 GB (30 days) | $20.39 | $16.57 | $16.57 |
10 GB (30 days) | $37.39 | $30.59 | $30.59 |
50 GB (90 days) | ❌ | $81.59 | $81.59 |
100 GB (180 days) | ❌ | $152.99 | $152.99 |
Whether you’re traveling to Thailand, Singapore, or any Asian country, Saily offers the best rates. To make it even better, you can get extra 15% OFF if you use my link to purchase Saily eSIMs.
Discount: 15% OFF on existing plans
Coupon code: KRIPESH
Should You Use Saily?
Saily is becoming popular due to its user-friendly activation process and competitive plans. Despite being a newcomer, you can trust Saily as it’s backed by Nord Security.
Hopefully, they will introduce more variations in data plans in the coming days.
I would recommend Saily primarily for Thailand, Dubai, Singapore, or other Asian countries.
3) Nomad – Good Alternative
Kripesh’s Rating – 4.0/5
Nomad eSIM is another convenient option for international travelers. Its user-friendly app and competitive plans across various regions make it a popular choice. However, I’m not impressed with their customer service, which is a crucial aspect of travel eSIM providers.
Coverage: 170+ nations
Hotspot: Yes
Activation: App, QR code
Customer Support: Email, Chat
Pros of Nomad eSim
User-friendly app
The Nomad eSIM app is easy to download from the App Store. It provides simple instructions on the activation process.
Multiple countries
This eSIM provider covers over 170 countries worldwide. They offer both country-specific and regional eSIM plans.
SMS plans
Nomad eSIM offers SMS plans for the US and Canada. You can purchase a virtual number to enjoy texting capabilities.
Cons Of Nomad eSim
Poor customer support
The customer support team can take at least 1-2 days to respond to queries. If you encounter issues with SIM activation or poor data networks, don’t expect a quick resolution.
No unlimited plans
Nomad does not offer unlimited data plans. The maximum you can purchase is 20-30 GB for 30 days in any region.
Nomad Pricing
Nomad | North America | Europe | Asia-Pacific |
1 GB (7 days) | $6.5 | $5 | $7 |
5 GB (30 days) | $20 | $15 | $19 |
10 GB (30 days) | $30 | $22 | $31 |
20 GB (30 days) | $53 | $45 | ❌ |
20 GB (45 days) | ❌ | ❌ | $48 |
Nomad pricings are slightly on a higher side and unfortunately I don’t have any coupon codes for Nomad. Their customer support team never replied to my requests. 🙁
Should You Use Nomad?
Nomad is a good option for plan variety and an intuitive application. Their plans are decent as they cover more countries on regional plans than Saily or Maya Mobile.
However, their support wasn’t helpful. Therefore, I would recommend Nomad only for experienced travelers, not beginners.
Consider Nomad as an alternative for Maya Mobile & Saily. If those 2 doesn’t work then try Nomad.
4) SimOptions – For Calling eSIM
Kripesh’s Rating – 4.0/5
SimOptions is an online marketplace for travel eSIMs, unlike other providers that sell their own plans. Here, you’ll find popular brands like DTAC, Orange, Bouygues Telecom, O2, and Three HK offering their various data, SMS, and call plans. While SimOptions provides a wide range of options, prices may be higher compared to some other sources.
Coverage: 200+ nations
Hotspot: Yes
Activation: App, QR code
Customer Support: Contact form, Email, Chat, Phone number & App
Pros of SimOptions
Unique Plans
As a travel eSIM reseller, SimOptions offers a variety of plans tailored to your specific needs. You can select the best provider based on your data consumption, duration, or other requirements.
Local Call & SMS Support
O2 and Orange provide call and SMS support in selected regions. Additionally, Bouygues Telecom offers call support in certain areas.
Multiple Providers
SimOptions brings together multiple brands under one platform, allowing you to compare plans, prices, and features to find the best option.
60-Day Validity Plans
For Europe, the USA, Thailand, and other countries, SimOptions offers data plans valid for two months. You can purchase a 50 GB 60-day plan for the USA or Europe at $59.90.
100 GB Data Plans
Orange provides 100 GB plans in selected regions, making SimOptions a brilliant choice for those with high bandwidth requirements.
Cons Of SimOptions
Few Unlimited Plans
Currently, only DTAC offers unlimited data plans, and even then, they are limited to 8 and 15 days.
Higher Prices
Compared to some other providers, SimOptions may have higher prices. For example, a 10 GB 30-day plan for O2 is $22.90, while a 14-day plan for Orange is $39.90. You might find more affordable options elsewhere.T
Pricing
SimOptions | USA | Europe | Asia |
1 GB (7 days) | $4.50 | ❌ | $4.50 |
5 GB (30 days) | $15.90 | $12.90 | $17.90 |
10 GB (30 days) | $24.90 | $22.90 | $29.90 |
20 GB (15 days) | ❌ | $22.90 | ❌ |
20 GB (30 days) | $31.90 | ❌ | $54.90 |
100 GB (28 days) | ❌ | $55.90 | ❌ |
Unlimited (7 days) | ❌ | $24.90 | ❌ |
SimOptions pricing are on a higher side considering they are the marketplace. Though that also means that you’ll have more options in the selection.
I’m in talks with them for some exclusive discount. Let’s hope they give one soon. 🙂
Should You Use SimOptions?
SimOptions is a unique marketplace for popular travel eSIMs. It offers plans for longer durations and higher bandwidth.
However, as a reseller, the prices may be higher compared to independent providers.
If you’re looking for local call and SMS support along with data plans, SimOptions is a good option to consider.
5) Ubigi – For Annual Plans
Kripesh’s Rating – 3.8/5
Ubigi eSIM, launched in 2017, operates in over 200 locations. It’s ideal for users who need lower-bandwidth plans or annual subscriptions. However, their plans are expensive and offer limited variety.
Coverage: 200+ nations
Hotspot: Yes
Activation: App, QR code
Customer Support: Support page
Pros of Ubigi
Annual Plans
Ubigi eSIM stands out by offering 12-month plans, a unique feature among the eSIM providers we’ve reviewed.
Easy Activation
The Ubigi app is available for Windows, iOS, and Android. It provides clear guidelines for activation both in the app and on their website.
Low-Bandwidth Plans
With plans starting at 500 MB, Ubigi is suitable for travelers who don’t require excessive data.
Unlimited Options
Ubigi offers unlimited plans in a few selected regions. You can find unlimited plans for the USA, Japan, South Korea, France, and Italy.
Cons Of Ubigi
Higher Prices
For a 10 GB 30-day plan in Europe, Ubigi charges $18, which is more expensive than alternatives like Nomad or Maya Mobile which offer better features. This trend continues for plans in the USA as well.
Limited Support
If you encounter issues activating your eSIM while traveling internationally, Ubigi’s support options are limited to email or their online troubleshooting guidelines. Both methods can lead to delayed responses, which can be inconvenient.
Pricing
Ubigi | USA | Europe | Asia |
500 MB (1 day) | $2.9 | $2 | $3 |
1 GB (7 days) | $4 | ❌ | ❌ |
1 GB (30 days) | ❌ | ❌ | $9 |
10 GB (7days) | ❌ | $15 | $25 |
10 GB (30 days) | $17 | $18 | $28 |
50 GB (30 days) | $49 | $66 | ❌ |
Unlimited (7 days) | $26 | $28 | ❌ |
24 GB Annual plan (2 GB/ month) | $36 | $28 | $44 |
60 GB Annual plan (5 GB/ month) | $70 | $78 | ❌ |
They are one of the few providers who provide annual plans at an affordable rate. Few of their other lesser duration plans as affordable too.
6) Esim.sm
Kripesh’s Rating – 3.8/5
Esim.sm is a convenient and reliable eSIM provider covering 212+ locations. Its features and offerings are comparable to Maya Mobile and Saily. Esim.sm provides 60-day plans, missing in its competitors. However, no apps and local call or SMS support are available.
Coverage: 212+ nations
Hotspot: Yes
Activation: QR code
Customer Support: Support page & Email
Pros of ESim.sm
Affordable Plans:
Esim.sm offers budget-friendly plans for over 200 destinations. Their plans start as low as $3.50 for Europe and $3.30 for the USA, providing 1GB of data for 7 days.
Dedicated Support
The brand offers chat and email support for customer inquiries. You can also find their office address and dedicated support page on their website.
Extended Validity:
Esim.sm provides two 60-day plans starting at $58.70, available for both the USA and Europe. This is in contrast to SimOptions, which offers a single plan for the same duration and limited regions.
Flexible Duration
Esim.sm plans start from 7 days and extend up to 2 months. This allows you to choose a plan that best fits your travel duration.
High-Data Plans:
Unlike Maya Mobile, Esim.sm offers 100GB plans for 60 days in the USA and Europe. While Saily offers a similar plan, it is limited to Europe and Asian regions.
Cons Of ESim.sm
No Dedicated App
Esim.sm doesn’t have a dedicated app for managing your eSIM like Maya Mobile. Activation is currently done via QR code scanning.
Data-Only Plan
It offers data packages only. You won’t get access to virtual numbers for calls or SMS, unlike some competitors like Nomad.
Limited Regional Plans
Currently, Esim.sm lacks regional bundles for Asia or North America. They primarily offer plans for European regions. If you’re traveling to multiple areas, you’ll need to purchase separate plans for each region.
Limited Currency Support
TXEsim.sm accepts payments in USD, EUR, or GBP. They don’t currently support INR, similar to Maya Mobile.T
Pricing
Esim.sm | USA | Europe | Thailand | UAE |
1 GB (7 days) | $3.30 | $3.50 | $3.50 | $4.30 |
10 GB (30 days) | $11.80 | $15.00 | $15.60 | $27.60 |
50 GB (60 days) | $58.70 | $66.30 | $69.90 | ❌ |
100 GB (60 days) | $109.50 | $123.70 | ❌ | ❌ |
The plans at Esim.sm are very affordable. If you’re planning a longer stay in the abroad, then Esim.sm is a great option. You can even get extra discount using my discount link and code KRIPESH.
Discount: 5% OFF on existing plans
Coupon code: KRIPESH
Should You Use Esim.sm?
Esim.sm is a reliable and affordable alternative to Maya Mobile and Saily. While I haven’t used a lot of their services, I’ve had friends using this.
They lack a dedicated app, and only offer a few regional plans such as Europe. But, their prices are significantly cheaper. This makes Esim.sm a good option to consider, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
Best eSIMs Providers Category
Best overall eSIM | Maya Mobile |
Best value for money in USA and Europe | Maya Mobile |
Value for money in Asian nations | Saily |
Best for unlimited Data | Maya Mobile & Holafly |
Best for SMS and Call Support | SimOptions |
Best support | Maya Mobile & Saily |
Best eSIM for 60 days plan | eSIM.sim |
Best eSIM for a year | Ubigi |
Popular eSIM Banned in India Currently
The internet is overflowing with Airalo and Holafly in the Best eSIM for Travel category. You might be wondering why I haven’t included them on my list. Before answering, let’s take a quick review first!
Airalo | Holafly | |
Based on | Singapore | Spain |
Lowest data plan | 1 GB for 7 days | Unlimited for 1 day |
Price for North America | $6.50 | $5.90 |
Price for Europe | $5 | $5.90 |
Price for Asia | $5 | $5.90 |
Destinations | 200 | 177 |
Best suited for | Easy-to-use appAffordable plans | Unlimited plans |
Airalo and Holafly both offer competitive international data plans. However, in 2024, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India banned these apps due to alleged fraudulent activities. The DoT also required Airalo and Holafly to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate as eSIM providers in India.
If you’re already familiar with Airalo or Holafly and wish to continue using their services, you can still do so. First, establish a secure connection with a reliable VPN and change your location. Now, you can purchase and activate eSIM upon reaching your destination. Don’t forget to check out the list of the 8 best VPNs in India and the best 6 free VPNs of 2024!
So, using Airalo or Holafly now requires the additional step of using a VPN. Similar competitive plans are available from Maya Mobile and Saily. Therefore, I couldn’t find any valid reason to invest time and effort in these two eSIM providers.
List of Phones Compatible with eSIMs
eSIMs are compatible with most high end phones. From this link you can check if your phone is compatible with eSIM or not.
Generally, if you bought your phone after 2018, it’s likely compatible with eSIM. If your device is not listed above, you can download the Saily app to check its compatibility.
How to Activate an eSIM?
In our recommended list above, you’ll find two types of eSIM providers: those with their own app and those without. I’ll discuss procedures for both. Remember, you can’t use the eSIM until you reach your destination and connect to the local network.
1) Activate without App
Providers like Maya Mobile and Esim.sm don’t have dedicated apps. To activate:
- Go to their official website.
- Sign up and create an account.
- Choose your destination country or region (if visiting multiple countries).
- Select and purchase the plan best suited for your needs.
- You’ll receive a QR code on your registered email.
- Open the camera, and scan the QR code.
- Follow any instructions provided, and your eSIM will be activated.
2) Activate eSIM through the App
Providers like Saily, Nomad, etc., have their own applications. To activate:
- Visit their official website (you can likely purchase the plan here too).
- Choose your desired location and plan.
- Purchase the plan after signing up for an account (if required).
- Download their app from the Play Store or the app store on the provider’s website.
- Log in to their app using the same email ID you used to purchase the plan.
- Your plan will be activated automatically.
Advantages of Using Travel eSIMs
Why should I use an eSIM when my providers offer roaming plans for international destinations? This is a very common and valid question.
Common providers in India like Jio, Airtel, Vi, or even BSNL offer separate international calling and data plans. Still, travel eSIMs are gaining popularity due to the following reasons:
1. Quick Access
You can apply for eSIMs from the comfort of your home anytime. Simply log in to their website, create an account or download the app, pay for the plan, and scan the QR code to activate it upon reaching your destination. Everything happens within a few minutes.
2. Avoid Hefty Roaming Charges
If we compare Jio’s plans for the USA, the lowest charges are $19 for 7 GB of data with a 10-day validity. For 30 days with 25 GB of data, you’d have to pay around $41. Maya Mobile offers a more affordable option: $16 for 10 GB for 15 days and $25 for 20 GB for 30 days. Even for data top-ups, travel eSIMs are generally more cost-effective than local providers.
3. Flexible Plans
All eSIMs offer flexibility in terms of data plans and their duration. You can get plans for 1 day to 1 year, reducing expenses. The activation process is straightforward, and you can check data limits and top up data through apps easily.
4. No Physical Card
Many travelers prefer to buy local SIM cards upon reaching their international destination. However, you must find a reliable vendor and submit documents to purchase the local SIM card. With eSIMs, you can purchase plans beforehand and activate them upon landing, eliminating waiting time. Plus, physical SIM cards are prone to damage and loss.
5. Multi-country eSIM Access
All travel eSIM providers offer plans for multiple regions. For example, if you’re traveling to the USA, Canada, and Mexico, you can purchase a North American plan instead of separate plans for each destination. European regional plans cover 30+ countries. This helps avoid network interruptions when crossing borders between different countries.
Why Should You Trust Me?
I’ve been working in technical domains full-time since 2015. As a tech professional and content creator, I’ve had the opportunity to explore numerous countries across continents. I’ve spent 30 days in 5 European countries, visited Thailand and Dubai twice, and also traveled to Singapore and other locations.
But during my visits, I’ve never used physical SIM cards. In fact, I’ve never found the need to purchase it from local providers at destinations or international roaming plans from Indian providers. I always prefer eSIMs over them.
To ensure I always have the best plan for my readers, I’ve conducted extensive research, testing various e-SIM providers and reading countless reviews. I’ve sought firsthand experiences from friends and colleagues who have also used e-SIMs. This comprehensive approach has allowed me to provide unbiased recommendations based on my personal experiences.
Conclusion
Long story short! Travel eSIMs are always convenient and affordable compared to physical SIM cards. You can purchase the plan in your home country, install it via QR code or app, and activate it easily upon reaching your destination without lengthy wait times.
Among all travel eSIM providers, Maya Mobile and Saily are my favorites. Maya Mobile offers the most variety in data plans and durations but doesn’t provide a mobile app. Saily has its own app and even tells you if your device is compatible with eSIM.
I haven’t included Airalo and Holafly, two popular eSIM providers, as they banned services in India this year. If you’re still skeptical about eSIMs, I’ve shared numerous advantages above as well.
Anyway, have you ever used eSIMs before? How was your experience? Do share in the comments section below. This is Kripesh, signing off. Keep learning!
FAQs
Can you use more than one eSIM provider when traveling abroad?
Yes, you can use multiple eSIMs when traveling abroad. However, your device may have a limit on the number of eSIMs it can support.
Should I install eSIM before traveling?
Of course! Installing an eSIM before you travel can save you time and hassle at your destination. You can purchase and install the best-suited plan but don’t activate it until you reach your destination. It’s recommended to install the eSIM one or two days before your foreign trip.
Is there a global eSIM?
Saily and Nomad both offer global plans. The lowest-priced plan from Saily is $7.64 for 1 GB, 7 days, and coverage in 105 countries. Nomad offers two 7-day plans: 1 GB for $12 (100 countries) and 1 GB for $25 (109 countries).
Can you call internationally with an eSIM?
Not all eSIMs offer voice calling and SMS. For example, Maya Mobile and Saily are data-only eSIMs. Nomad offers local SMS, while SimOptions provides both voice calling and SMS.
Does my phone support eSIMs?
I’ve shared a list of compatible phones in this article. From this list, you can check if your phone supports eSIMs. Additionally, you can download the Saily app, which will check your device’s compatibility.
Do I need a different eSIM for each country I visit?
No, you don’t need to switch providers for each country you visit. Many eSIM providers offer plans that cover over 150 countries. You can choose regional or country-specific plans based on your needs.
What is the best eSIM for European countries?
Maya Mobile offers a splendid plan for European countries. Their plan starts at just $6 for 3GB and 5 days of coverage in 36 countries.
Which eSIM is best for my Thailand-Singapore trip?
Saily is a good choice for Asian countries. Their Asian regional plan starts at $4.24 for 1 GB and 7 days of coverage in 19 countries.