The 5 Best eSIMs for Travel in 2027: Personally Tested & Reviewed
I’m literally only able to write, edit and publish this article right now because I’m using an eSIM to hotspot my laptop while sitting on a train in Spain.
And that pretty much sums up why having a good eSIM has become such a non-negotiable for me.
I’ve been traveling full-time for around 7 years now, and having reliable internet while I’m traveling is something I genuinely can’t imagine going without anymore. Whether I’m working from my laptop, checking Google Maps, booking a hotel or just trying to figure out where the hell I’m going, I need to be connected.
Having an eSIM just makes everything so much easier. I don’t have to find a SIM card shop when I land, I don’t have to swap physical SIM cards around, and I can usually have internet on my phone basically the second I arrive in a new country.
The problem is that there are now so many eSIM providers out there that choosing one can be pretty damn overwhelming.
I obviously haven’t tried every single one, but after around 7 years of full-time travel, I’ve tested quite a few myself, so I figured I’d put together this guide on the best eSIMs for travel in 2027 and the five providers I’d personally recommend.
What Are the Best eSIMs for Travel in 2027? My Quick Answer
If you just want the quick answer on which eSIM I’d personally choose, it really comes down to one question: do you want unlimited data or not?
I pretty much always go for unlimited data because I work while I travel and constantly need my phone and laptop for editing articles, Zoom calls, social media, and everything else. Especially when the Wi-Fi is terrible or doesn’t exist at all, I just don’t want to worry about running out of data.
That’s why I personally use Holafly. Their unlimited-data plans have been fantastic for me and, in my experience, offer some of the best value if you actually use a lot of data.
If you don’t need unlimited data, though, I’d probably go with Sim Local. If you’re just looking for a few GB to use WhatsApp, Google Maps and the occasional bit of browsing while exploring somewhere like Paris or Barcelona, they have loads of different plans and usually some of the cheapest prices.
What Am I Looking for in an eSIM?
There are a few things I personally look for when I’m choosing an eSIM, but connectivity and reliability are by far the most important ones for me. I don’t really care how cheap an eSIM is if the connection is terrible when I actually need it.
Connectivity
First and foremost, I want an eSIM that actually connects to good local networks when I’m overseas.
This is one of the main reasons I tend to recommend bigger providers like Holafly or Sim Local. They work with established network providers, so in my experience, I’m much more likely to get a reliable connection wherever I am.
Internet Speed
This one kinda goes hand in hand with connectivity. Obviously, I want 5G whenever it’s available, or at least a solid 4G connection.
That means I can watch videos on my phone, stream a movie if I want to, use Google Maps without everything taking forever to load, and, most importantly, actually get my work done.
User-Friendly App
I’ve used eSIMs before where the actual internet connection was completely fine, but the app drove me absolutely nuts.
Especially if you’re not used to eSIMs, there can already be a little bit of a learning curve when you first start using them. So I want an app where I can easily see how much data I have left, check my plan, activate things and figure out what the hell is going on without having to spend 20 minutes clicking around.
Easy Setup
The very first time I set up an eSIM, I was definitely a little confused. It’s just a process you have to get used to, especially if you’ve never done it before.
But some providers make the setup process way more complicated than it needs to be.
I don’t have the patience for that, I just want to buy my plan, install the eSIM, follow a few simple steps and have internet on my phone. If setting it up feels like I need an IT degree, I’m out.
Hotspot Availability
And lastly, I always look for hotspot support.
This is especially important for me because I work from my laptop while traveling. If I’m somewhere with terrible Wi-Fi, I want to be able to just turn on my phone’s hotspot and use my eSIM connection on my laptop instead.
It’s also useful if I’m traveling with another device or just want to watch a movie on my laptop without relying on some terrible hotel Wi-Fi.
My 5 Favorite eSIMs for Travelling in 2027
1. Holafly // Best for Unlimited Data
Holafly is the eSIM I’m using the most right now, mainly because, I guess I’ve officially become a digital nomad at this point.
I never thought I’d call myself that, but I’m working so much while I travel these days. I’m constantly creating content on my phone and writing, editing and publishing blog posts and videos from my laptop, so I’ve become completely reliant on having unlimited data.
After trying dozens of different eSIMs over the years, I think Holafly offers some of the best value for money if you actually want unlimited data. I don’t have to constantly check how much data I’ve used or worry about running out halfway through a workday.
On top of that, I’ve never had any issues with the Holafly app. It’s super straightforward, and installing the eSIM on my phone was really easy too.
So if you’re someone who uses their phone a crazy amount, works remotely, or you’re a digital nomad like me and basically need your phone and laptop connected all the time, I think Holafly is the way to go.
► Click Here for Prices & Plans: Holafly eSIM
2. Sim Local // Best eSIM for Short Trips
Sim Local is actually the eSIM I used for multiple years before I switched to Holafly due to my bigger workload.
I used to do a lot of separate trips where I’d spend a week in Spain and then maybe fly to Thailand for three weeks shortly afterward. With Sim Local, I really liked being able to just pick a plan based on exactly where I was going, how long I was staying and how much data I actually needed.
I really appreciated that flexibility. For example, when I was in Thailand, I didn’t need that much data even though I was there for quite a while because pretty much every hotel, cafe and even gym had incredibly good Wi-Fi.
Spain was a completely different story. You wouldn’t necessarily expect it, but I found the public Wi-Fi here, especially on transportation, to be shockingly bad. France was pretty similar!
And of course, connectivity and internet speed with Sim Local were fantastic for me too. They work with established local network providers, so I never had any major issues getting a reliable connection.
► Click Here for Prices & Plans: Sim Local eSIM
3. Orange Travel
Orange Travel is one I’ve only started using more recently, but I’ve already had a really good experience with it.
I’ve known Orange as an internet provider for years. In fact, sometimes when I picked a plan through Sim Local, especially in Europe or for a worldwide plan, Orange would be the network provider behind it. What I didn’t realize for the longest time was that Orange also has its own eSIM, which I think is pretty damn cool.
The big advantage for me is that you’re getting an eSIM directly from a company that already operates major networks and provides connectivity to millions of people. So from my experience, Orange Travel has been really reliable when I’ve needed a connection across multiple countries.
And yes, they have Europe-wide and worldwide plans, which can be incredibly useful if you’re traveling through several countries in a relatively short amount of time.
► Click Here for Prices & Plans: Orange Travel eSIM
4. Saily
Saily is another really popular eSIM. The connectivity and internet speeds were fantastic, and I was also always a big fan of the Saily app. It’s really easy to use, the setup is straightforward, and installing the eSIM itself was super simple too.
Another thing I like about Saily, especially as someone who travels a lot, is that it’s owned by NordVPN. They often have bundles where you can get an eSIM and VPN together, which is actually pretty useful if you’re traveling a lot.
I’m a big believer in using a VPN while traveling anyway, especially now that streaming platforms like Netflix and Apple TV are getting more and more aggressive about what content you can access depending on where you are. I’ve personally been using VPNs more and more for that reason.
► Click Here for Prices & Plans: Saily eSIM
5. Airalo
And lastly, we have Airalo, which I’d describe as the giant of the eSIM world.
I believe Airalo is one of the biggest eSIM companies out there, and there’s something reassuring about going with a provider that has been around for a long time and has such a huge global presence.
I’ve always found Airalo to be a little more expensive than some of the other eSIM providers I’ve used, but if you just want something safe, established and easy to set up, you really can’t go too far wrong with Airalo.
The app is straightforward, the installation process is easy, and there are plans for pretty much every destination you could think of.
So while Airalo probably wouldn’t be my first choice if I was trying to get the absolute cheapest possible eSIM, I think it’s a very solid option if you just want something that works without a lot of hassle.
► Click Here for Prices & Plans: Airalo
FAQs About What eSIM Should I Get in 2027?
What Is an eSIM?
An eSIM is basically an electronic SIM card built into your phone. Instead of putting a physical SIM card into your phone, you can download an eSIM and use it to get mobile data, and depending on the plan, calls and text messages too.
Are eSIMs Expensive?
No, not really! In many cases, they’re actually pretty reasonably priced and can cost around the same as buying a local SIM card once you arrive.
The big advantage for me is that they’re just so much easier to set up. You can buy one before your trip, install it on your phone and have internet basically as soon as you land.
What Is the Best eSIM for Europe?
For Europe, I personally prefer Sim Local. I really like the flexibility because I can either buy separate plans for individual countries or get one plan that covers multiple European countries.
That’s especially useful for me because I’m constantly moving around Europe and don’t necessarily want to buy a completely new eSIM every time I cross a border.
What Is the Best eSIM for Asia?
My favorite eSIM for Asia is also Sim Local, mainly for the same reason: the flexibility of being able to choose exactly how much data I need and how long I need it for.
However, if I’m going to Asia for a longer work trip and I know I’m going to be using a crazy amount of data, I’d probably go with Holafly instead because of the unlimited-data plans.
Do I Need an eSIM?
You don’t need one, but personally, I really prefer having one.
I just love arriving in a new country, turning off airplane mode when the plane lands and already having internet on my phone. I can call an Uber, check Google Maps, message someone or look up directions immediately without having to find Wi-Fi or go searching for a physical SIM card.
For me, that convenience alone makes an eSIM completely worth it.
What Is the Cheapest eSIM for Travel?
Sim Local is definitely one of the cheapest eSIM providers I’ve come across, especially because they have so many different plans depending on how much data you actually need.
Saily also has some really good deals, particularly if you’re only traveling for a short trip of around 3–7 days.
I’d still compare the actual plans for your destination before buying, though, because the cheapest provider can change depending on the country and how much data you need.
Final Thoughts on the Best eSIMs for Travelling in 2027
All in all, I think there are a lot of really good eSIM providers out there, so honestly, you can’t go too far wrong with any of the five I’ve included in this guide.
The one thing I would definitely recommend is sticking with an established eSIM provider rather than choosing some random company that appeared six months ago because their plan is a few dollars cheaper. There are so many eSIM brands out there now, and personally, I’d rather pay a little more and know I’m getting a reliable connection when I actually need it.
For me, the decision is pretty simple: if I want unlimited data, I’m going with Holafly. If I want smaller plans and more flexibility, Sim Local is probably my first choice.
Hopefully this guide to the best eSIMs for travel in 2027 gets you set up for your next backpacking trip, vacation or long-term adventure. Have a great trip, and enjoy having internet the second you land!
