An eSIM helps you avoid extortionate roaming charges while on the road. It also means you don’t need to locate and visit a SIM kiosk in a new country to connect to the local network.
Before leaving home, you can download and activate your eSIM and pay a pre-agreed amount for a data bundle for your entire trip. This way, unfair roaming fees won’t catch you out, and you can stay connected to loved ones back home at a reasonable cost.
We’ve identified Airalo, Saily, Nomad, Holafly, and Flexiroam as the five best eSIM apps for international travel in 2026. Find out why — and discover which eSIM suits you best.
Airalo eSIM: Number One App with Internet Coverage in 200+ Countries
Unlimited data packages from $12 (for three days)
Sign up now
Over 20 million people use Airalo, a go-to eSIM thanks to its unmatched coverage in 200+ countries.
You can choose multiple plan types depending on your travels: local (country-specific plans with good-value data), regional (cross-border plans for backpacking in Asia, Europe, the Americas, etc.), or global, which is a single plan covering 130+ countries.
Airalo is almost always cheaper than using your home mobile provider when travelling, and its flexible plans let you pay only for data for the duration of your trip (three- to 30-day plans are available).
To illustrate Airalo’s great value for money, you can purchase an unlimited data plan for 30 days covering 42 countries and networks across Europe for just $74.
No need to worry about roaming or hunting for local SIM cards in every country you visit — simply register for Airalo and browse, stream, and connect as you move between destinations.
The main downside? Most Airalo plans don’t include minutes or texts. We recommend using WhatsApp or another web-based messenger to stay in touch.
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