The Best eSIMs for Travel in 2026: Data Plans Compared

A travel eSIM puts local data on your phone before the plane has left the ground, usually for a fraction of what roaming costs. We compared ten providers on price, fair-use small print, hotspot rules and coverage across Europe, the USA, Japan and the UK, and ranked the lot.

Quick Picks: The Top eSIM Providers by Trip Type

• Best overall: Airalo, the biggest catalogue, the simplest app and 15% off a first eSIM.
• Best value unlimited: Ubigi, which undercuts Airalo on unlimited plans in the UK, USA and Europe.
• Best free option: Nomad, with a free 1GB trial and no card needed.
• Best for multi-country trips and cruises: Maya Mobile, one flat unlimited price in 165+ countries.
• Best for security extras: Saily, from the people behind NordVPN, with ad blocking built in.
• Best for never counting gigabytes: Holafly, unlimited data with no daily cap of its own.

The Top 10 Travel eSIMs, Ranked

Prices are list prices in US dollars, the currency most providers charge in, with sterling and euro equivalents at mid-market rates. Your card statement may differ slightly.

eSIM Providers Compared: Price, Fair Use and Perks

Provider	Rating	UK unlimited, 7 days	UK unlimited, 30 days	Europe 10GB, 30 days	Full-speed limit on unlimited	Hotspot	Phone number	Free trial	Promo Code
Airalo	4.5	US$27.00 (£20.26 / €24.04)	US$69.00 (£51.78 / €61.45)	US$31.00 (£23.26 / €27.61)	3GB a day, then about 1Mbps	Yes	Data only on most plans	No	NEWTOAIRALO15
Saily	4.3	US$28.99 (£21.75 / €25.82)	US$71.99 (£54.02 / €64.11)	US$35.99 (£27.01 / €32.05)	5GB a day, then 1Mbps	Yes, no stated cap	Optional US number	No	SAILY5
Ubigi	4.2	US$21 (£15.76 / €18.70)	US$44 (£33.02 / €39.19)	US$15 (£11.26 / €13.36)	25GB (7 days) or 60GB (30 days), then 2Mbps	Yes	No	No	WELCOME10
Maya Mobile	4.2	US$19.99 (£15.00 / €17.80)	US$49.99 (£37.51 / €44.52)	Unlimited only	Daily high-speed quota, size not stated	Yes	No	No	None needed
Nomad	4.2	US$25 (£18.76 / €22.27)	US$49 (£36.77 / €43.64), Full-Speed	US$23 (£17.26 / €20.48)	Most plans 2GB a day, then 1 to 2 Mbps	Yes, most eSIMs	UK voice plans only	1GB, no card	LOCALS
Holafly	4.1	US$27.50 (£20.64 / €24.49)	US$76.50 (£57.41 / €68.13)	Unlimited only	No Holafly cap; operators may slow speeds for up to a day	1GB a day	No	No	LOCALS
Yesim	4.1	US$28.80 (£21.61 / €25.65)	US$56.40 (£42.32 / €50.23)	US$19.20 (£14.41 / €17.10)	Partner fair use, threshold not published	Depends on operator	Virtual number extra	US$0.60 paid trial	YESIMSPECIAL10
GigSky	4.0	US$14.49 (£10.87 / €12.90)	Not listed	US$22.99 (£17.25 / €20.47)	3.5GB a day	Yes	No	100MB, or 500MB in Europe	None needed
Lebara	3.8	No unlimited	No unlimited (36GB: US$30, £22.51 / €26.72)	No regional plan	Not applicable	If plan and device support it	No	No	None needed
Flexiroam	3.8	Not listed	Not listed	Not offered (Europe plans run 3 to 15 days)	3GB a day where sold	Yes	No	Eligible Mastercard holders	None needed

Europe eSIM Plans: One Profile From Lisbon to Ljubljana

Europe is where regional plans earn their keep: one eSIM follows you across borders. Lebara is the exception, with plans that cover one country at a time.

On fixed data, Ubigi is the one to beat. Its 38-country bundle, which takes in the UK, Switzerland and the Channel Islands, sells 10GB for 30 days at US$15 (£11.26 / €13.36). Yesim charges US$19.20 (£14.41 / €17.10) across 33 countries, and Nomad US$23 (£17.26 / €20.48) across 35.

Check the map first. Nomad leaves out Turkey, the Balkans outside the EU and Morocco. GigSky covers 43 countries including Turkey, at US$22.99 (£17.25 / €20.47) for 10GB over 30 days, and Saily includes Turkey too, though its 10GB Europe plan costs US$35.99 (£27.01 / €32.05). Airalo sells local plans for both Turkey and Morocco if you are combining Andalusia with Marrakech.

Airalo covers 41 countries, and its 3GB, seven-day plan at US$11 (£8.25 / €9.80) suits a long weekend. Heavy users should look at Holafly, which prices its 33-country unlimited Europe eSIM exactly as it does the UK plan: US$27.50 (£20.64 / €24.49) for a week.

USA eSIM Plans: Coast-to-Coast Data for Less

Airalo and Ubigi run on T-Mobile in the US, Nomad on Verizon and AT&T, and Holafly on AT&T and T-Mobile.

For unlimited data over a week, Maya Mobile is cheapest at US$19.99 (£15.00 / €17.80), followed by Ubigi and Nomad at US$23 (£17.26 / €20.48), Airalo at US$25 (£18.76 / €22.26) and Holafly at US$27.50 (£20.64 / €24.49). Over a month, Maya’s US$49.99 (£37.51 / €44.52) undercuts Ubigi’s US$62 (£46.52 / €55.22), Airalo’s US$68 (£51.03 / €60.56) and Holafly’s US$73.90 (£55.45 / €65.82). Road-trippers should note that Ubigi’s USA plans include Hawaii and Puerto Rico but not Alaska.

If 10GB will do, Nomad’s 30-day plan costs US$15 (£11.26 / €13.36) and Yesim’s US$16.80 (£12.61 / €14.96). Saily sells an optional US (+1) number for US$1.99 (£1.49 / €1.77) a month, handy for two-factor texts from American services.

eSIM for Japan and Asia: Fixed Bundles or Unlimited?

Japan rewards anyone happy with a fixed allowance. A month with 10GB costs US$14.40 (£10.81 / €12.82) with Flexiroam, US$16 (£12.01 / €14.25) with Nomad on sale, US$16.50 (£12.38 / €14.69) with Ubigi, US$16.79 (£12.60 / €14.95) with GigSky and US$17.99 (£13.50 / €16.02) with Saily. Saily, Nomad and Holafly name KDDI and SoftBank as partners; Ubigi adds NTT Docomo.

Unlimited costs more. Over seven days, Maya charges US$19.99 (£15.00 / €17.80), Yesim US$21.60 (£16.21 / €19.24), Ubigi and Nomad US$25 (£18.76 / €22.26), Airalo US$26.50 (£19.89 / €23.60) and Holafly US$27.50 (£20.64 / €24.49).

Airalo, Saily and Holafly all sell Asian regional bundles. For a year of unpredictable travel, Flexiroam’s global 70GB plan valid for 360 days was marked down to US$99 (£74.29 / €88.17) from US$329.90 (£247.56 / €293.81) when we checked; its sale prices come and go.

Visiting Britain? The Pick of UK Data Plans

Visitors to Britain are spoilt for choice. Ubigi sells a week of unlimited data at US$21 (£15.76 / €18.70) and a month at US$44 (£33.02 / €39.19), on EE and Three. GigSky is cheaper still for a week at US$14.49 (£10.87 / €12.90), though its unlimited plans slow after 3.5GB a day.

On fixed data, GigSky’s 10GB for 30 days at US$9.79 (£7.35 / €8.72) is hard to beat, and Lebara’s 36GB for 30 days at US$30 (£22.51 / €26.72) is generous for a month of remote work in Manchester. Nomad is the only provider here with a UK local number: its voice plan bundles 5GB, 100 minutes and 100 texts for 30 days at US$13 (£9.76 / €11.58). Its UK Unlimited Full-Speed plan, at US$49 (£36.77 / €43.64) for a month, is also well below Airalo and Holafly.

Roaming Charges or a Travel eSIM? The Sums for British Travellers

Since Brexit, EU “roam like at home” rules no longer protect UK customers, and most big networks charge by the day. Three, for example, charges £2.75 a day in Europe on its newer Pay Monthly contracts (older ones pay £2) and £8 a day in its wider Go Roam Around the World destinations, with a 12GB monthly fair-use limit. O2 and several smaller networks still include EU roaming, so check your own tariff first.

Outside Europe, the eSIM wins by a distance. A week of unlimited data in the USA costs US$25 (£18.76 / €22.26) with Airalo before any discount, less than many networks charge for a few days of roaming.

A Fortnight in Lisbon, Costed Both Ways

Take two weeks in Lisbon, with a day trip to Sintra and late suppers in Bairro Alto. On Three’s newer contracts, using your allowance every day costs 14 × £2.75: £38.50 on top of the monthly bill.

The same fortnight on Ubigi’s Europe plan, which includes Portugal, costs US$15 (£11.26 / €13.36) for 10GB, or just over 700MB a day. That is plenty for maps, WhatsApp, Instagram and the tram timetable, and it saves £27.24. If you would rather not count at all, Maya’s 14-day unlimited plan costs US$27.99 (£21.00 / €24.93), still £17.50 less than roaming.

Running Both Lines at Once

eSIM phones run two lines together: mobile data on the travel eSIM, your home SIM on for calls and bank texts. Leave the home line’s data roaming off, as charges can still apply to it. WhatsApp, FaceTime and Signal calls work as normal over the eSIM’s data.

Cruises, Ferries and Island-Hopping: Data at Sea

Out at sea, phones can latch on to a ship’s maritime network, billed like satellite roaming, even while you are on the ship’s Wi-Fi. One widely shared case involved a cruise passenger billed around £1,050 for background data, and short ferry crossings have run to hundreds of pounds. Before you sail, switch off data roaming on your home SIM, or use flight mode with Wi-Fi turned back on.

Two providers here cover ships themselves. Maya Mobile’s Global + Cruise eSIM works on 20+ lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Disney and Virgin Voyages, at its usual flat price, though coverage depends on the ship’s system and some users say it failed on board. GigSky sells Cruise and Land plans on 290-plus ships, plus ferry and offshore plans.

Island-hoppers in port need a regional plan that includes the islands. Ubigi’s Europe bundle covers Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Malta and Cyprus, and Nomad’s takes in Malta, Cyprus, Greece and Croatia for a summer drifting from Valletta to Split. GigSky warns that its Channel Islands coverage may differ, so check the app before a weekend in St Helier.

“Unlimited” Data: What the Fair-Use Small Print Means

“Unlimited” is the most elastic word in the business. Airalo gives 3GB a day at full speed, GigSky 3.5GB, Saily 5GB and Nomad 2GB on most plans, after which speeds drop to around 1 or 2 Mbps until the allowance resets. Ubigi counts across the whole plan: 25GB on a week, 60GB on a month, then 2Mbps. Holafly sets no daily figure of its own, though local operators can slow you for up to a day, and Maya’s terms mention a daily high-speed quota that its sales pages do not quantify.

For maps, messaging and social media, any of those is plenty. Unlimited earns its premium for remote workers, heavy streamers and anyone tethering a laptop, in which case check the hotspot rules: Holafly caps sharing at 1GB a day.

How Much Mobile Data Do You Need on Holiday?

Messaging, maps and social media are light; video is what drains an allowance. Netflix’s own figures are a useful yardstick for any streaming: up to 1GB an hour in standard definition, up to 3GB in HD and up to 7GB in 4K. On its default mobile setting, the app gets about four hours of viewing from a gigabyte.

A 10GB bundle is enough for a fortnight of maps, WhatsApp and Instagram for one person, so half that will see most people through a week. Video calls, streaming or a shared hotspot are what push you towards unlimited.

Worked Example: The Six Nations From a Spanish Villa

A family of four has a villa in Andalusia with patchy Wi-Fi, and the parents want the final Saturday of the Six Nations on a laptop tethered to one phone: three matches, five hours or so of rugby. First check you can watch at all, because BBC iPlayer and ITVX only play in the UK.

By Netflix’s yardstick, that is up to 15GB in HD, or around 5GB in standard definition, before four phones’ maps and messaging.

• Holafly is out: its hotspot stops at 1GB a day.
• Saily gives 5GB a day at full speed, which just covers the rugby in standard definition, for US$28.99 (£21.75 / €25.82) a week in Europe.
• Ubigi counts 25GB of full-speed data across its Europe unlimited week, at US$23 (£17.26 / €20.48), so a heavy Saturday can borrow from quieter days.
• Maya Mobile includes hotspot on its US$19.99 (£15.00 / €17.80) week, but does not say how big its daily quota is.

Ubigi is the safest bet, with the children on the villa Wi-Fi or a cheap fixed bundle each.

Discount Codes, Referral Credit and Free eSIM Trials

Airalo’s NEWTOAIRALO15 is the most generous first-order code here, taking a 30-day UK unlimited plan from US$69.00 (£51.78 / €61.45) to US$58.65 (£44.01 / €52.23). Holafly’s LOCALS takes 5% off any plan and Saily’s SAILY5 5% at sign-up. Nomad’s LOCALS works on eligible fixed-data plans of US$5 or more that are not on sale, but not on unlimited ones.

Others skip codes. Maya rewards longer cycles: four 7-day plans cost US$79.96 (£60.00 / €71.21), one 30-day plan US$49.99 (£37.51 / €44.52). GigSky takes 20% or 30% off automatically for eligible Visa cards, Lebara adds 20% extra data to longer plans and Flexiroam builds its reductions into the price.

Referral credit rarely stacks with codes, so pick one. Airalo’s US$3 referral beats its 15% code on eSIMs under US$20, and Saily’s US$5 referral beats SAILY5 on anything under about US$100.

Free data is rarer. Nomad gives new users 1GB with no card, though redeeming it rules out its referral discount, and GigSky offers 100MB in 125 countries or 500MB across Europe. Yesim’s trial costs US$0.60 (£0.45 / €0.53). The rest offer no free trial.

Is Your Phone eSIM-Ready? Setting Up, Step by Step

Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked. iPhones from the XS and XR onwards qualify, as do recent Samsung and Google Pixel models. Dialling *#06# and finding an EID number is a quick check.

1. Buy your plan in the app or on the website, entering any Promo Code at checkout.
2. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, by QR code or in the app.
3. Leave the line switched off until you land, so the clock cannot start early.
4. On arrival, turn on the eSIM and data roaming for it, and set it as your mobile data line.
5. Keep your home SIM on for calls and texts if you want them.

Most plans start when the eSIM first connects in the destination, not when you buy it, though a few Airalo packages start on installation and Flexiroam lets you schedule a start date. Don’t install too early, either: Nomad’s free trial switches itself on 15 days after redemption, and Flexiroam plans left unactivated for 90 days start automatically. Before you fly, turn off automatic photo backups, which quietly drain fixed bundles. If you live on airport and hotel Wi-Fi, our VPN guide is worth a read too.

eSIM-Only iPhones, Locked Handsets and Other Snags

To check an iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About and look for “No SIM restrictions” next to Carrier Lock. Handsets bought on contract are the usual culprits, and Flexiroam, for one, will not refund a plan bought for a locked phone.

Newer iPhones are dropping the SIM tray. The iPhone Air has none anywhere, and the iPhone 17 range is eSIM-only in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan and several Gulf states, while European models keep one. A travel eSIM works alongside your main line either way.

Check each app’s minimums too. Maya asks for an iPhone 11 or newer, or Android 10 or later; Saily’s iPhone app needs iOS 17; and Ubigi does not work on iPhones sold in mainland China.

After the Trip: Keep, Reuse or Delete Your eSIM?

Don’t tidy up the moment you get home. Deleting an eSIM cannot be undone: Airalo says a deleted eSIM is gone for good and you would need to buy a new one, whereas switching the line off in your mobile settings keeps it ready for a top-up next time.

Some providers are built around one profile for life. Ubigi and Saily both install a single eSIM that you top up trip after trip, and Ubigi’s app stays reachable even when your data has run out. Holafly gives a reason to leave its eSIM in place: 1GB of free Always On backup data a month in 150+ destinations.

Spend loyalty credit before it lapses. Nomad Points expire after six months, and Ubigi’s UbiCoins and Yesim’s Ycoins after a year. GigSky plans bought but never installed must be installed within a year of purchase.

How We Test and Compare eSIM Providers

We compared official list prices for the same plans in the UK, Europe, the USA and Japan, checked for the update shown at the top of this page, then read the fair-use, hotspot, activation and refund terms and weighed them against Trustpilot and app store ratings.

Scores are weighted as follows:

• Price and value (30%): like-for-like plan prices, and what the published codes and credits really save
• Data terms (20%): full-speed limits on unlimited plans, hotspot rules and validity
• Coverage (20%): number of destinations, regional bundles and named partner networks
• App and setup (10%): installation, top-ups and activation rules
• Support and refunds (10%): channels, response and how strict the refund terms are
• User ratings (10%): Trustpilot and app store scores, and the patterns in reviews

Prices move often, so we recheck them when this page is updated.

Travel eSIM Questions, Answered

What is the best eSIM for international travel?

Airalo, for most trips, thanks to its huge catalogue, simple app and 15% first-order code. Ubigi is better value for unlimited data in the UK, USA and Europe.

What is a travel eSIM and how does it work?

It is a digital SIM you download to your phone, carrying a data plan that runs on local partner networks. It sits alongside your normal SIM, so your number does not change: you simply switch mobile data to the eSIM abroad.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming?

Usually, especially outside Europe. Three, for example, charges £2.75 a day in Europe on newer contracts, while Ubigi sells 10GB for 30 days across 38 European countries for US$15 (£11.26 / €13.36).

Which eSIM is cheapest for Europe?

On fixed data, Ubigi: 10GB for 30 days at US$15 (£11.26 / €13.36), UK and Switzerland included. Yesim charges US$19.20 (£14.41 / €17.10) and Nomad US$23 (£17.26 / €20.48) for the same allowance.

Does my phone support eSIM?

Most recent iPhones, Samsung and Pixel phones do, provided they are unlocked. Look for “Add eSIM” in settings, or dial *#06# and check for an EID number. On an iPhone, Settings > General > About should say “No SIM restrictions” next to Carrier Lock.

Should I install my eSIM before travelling?

Yes, at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you go, then keep the line switched off until you land. Avoid installing weeks ahead, as some plans and trials start on their own.

Do I need Wi-Fi to install an eSIM?

You need an internet connection to download the profile, which is why home Wi-Fi is best. Lebara notes that installation uses none of your plan’s data.

Can I still use WhatsApp with a travel eSIM?

Yes. WhatsApp calls and messages work over the eSIM’s data and stay tied to your usual number.

Which is better, Airalo or Holafly?

On price, Airalo, particularly with NEWTOAIRALO15. Holafly suits heavy users who want no daily data figure, though its hotspot is capped at 1GB a day.

How much data do I need for a week abroad?

For maps, messaging and social media, about 5GB; a 10GB bundle covers a fortnight for one person. Streaming uses up to 1GB an hour in standard definition and up to 3GB in HD, by Netflix’s figures.

Does a travel eSIM work on a cruise ship?

Only if it includes ships. Maya Mobile’s Global + Cruise eSIM covers 20+ cruise lines and GigSky sells plans on 290-plus ships. Otherwise, turn off data roaming at sea to avoid maritime network charges.

What happens if I delete my eSIM?

It is gone for good, along with any data left on it, and you will need to buy a new one. Switch the line off in your settings instead if you might top it up later.

Can I get a free travel eSIM?

Nomad gives new users 1GB with no card, and GigSky offers 100MB in 125 countries or 500MB across Europe. Yesim’s trial costs US$0.60 (£0.45 / €0.53).