Country-hopping with a Eurail Pass? Sailing around the Mediterranean? Cycling through the Pyrenees? Downloading an eSIM makes it infinitely easier to stay connected all over the continent. But there are like, a million different eSIM companies out there right now. So finding the best eSIM for Europe can be a bit of a headache. But lucky for you, I’ve tried a bunch. Ultimately, there isn’t one true “best” eSIM option, but I can give you the quick features and downsides of some top providers to help you decide.
This post may contain affiliate links. Bookings or purchases through these links generate a small commission for me at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Choosing the best eSIM for Europe
The main things to consider when deciding on the best eSIM for Europe are:
- The length of your trip
- Your budget
- How much data you use (Google Maps, streaming, social media)
- Extra perks
I’ve tested a bunch of eSIMs to see which ones are actually worth it. Some were great, others not so much (looking at you, Airalo). While the tech may not be perfect yet, I really believe this is the future of staying connected when you travel.
That said, the official best eSIM for Europe is kind of subjective, sorry. But whether you’re after unlimited data, cool travel perks, or just something that won’t break the bank, these are the ones I can personally recommend. When you’re ready to give an eSIM a go, there are some promo codes here to sweeten the deal. Thank me later.
A recent Proximus Global survey found that only 33% of consumers had heard of eSIMs. So you’re already ahead of the curve!
Quick Europe eSIM comparison chart
| Europe eSIM | Features | Best for | Coverage | Europe package (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Budget-friendly Ad-blocker VPN |
Backpackers Security-conscious people |
35 countries in Europe |
$36 (10GB, 30 days) |
|
|
Unlimited data Monthly subscription |
High data users long term travellers Digital nomads |
40 countries in Europe |
$48 (2 weeks) $65 (month subscription) |
|
|
Local calling number |
People who want more than data |
35 countries in Europe |
$21 (10GB, 30 days + local calls) |
|
|
Free lounge access (delayed flights) |
Frequent flyers |
30-37 countries in Europe plan dependent |
$25 (10 GB, 30 days) |
Saily
Saily is a top pick if you’re after perks like ad blockers and a VPN. Their pricing is usually super competitive but (as you can see in the comparison chart above) it’s not the cheapest eSIM for Europe. Saily is made by the same team behind NordVPN. And they’ve built in extra privacy and security settings you can use even if you’re not particularly techy.
The ad-blocker does more than block annoying ads — it’ll reduce the amount of data you use while browsing. You just have to download the SIM once, then can top it up with different packages for different countries in Europe, the whole region, or more destinations globally.
Saily offers a 5% discount via this link, or you can use NAOMIO3998 for $5 USD off if you’re signing up for the first time.
Holafly
If you burn through data like I do, Holafly is going to be your best eSIM for Europe. Its main “thing” is the unlimited data, which is perfect if you’re on a road trip using Google Maps, uploading stuff for work, or streaming a show to wind down at night. You can usually hotspot a limited amount of MBs/GBs per day, which comes in handy if your friend doesn’t have a SIM card yet and needs a quick connection.
Their customer support didn’t make me want to scream, which is a win in my books. And not something I can say about Airalo lol. The only real downside is the price. It’s definitely not the cheapest option out there, but if you value convenience and don’t want to stress about running out of data mid-journey, it’s worth it.
Holafly Plans subscription
Holafly just launched something called Holafly Plans, and I wish it existed when I did a year-long world trip in 2023. It’s a monthly subscription with their signature unlimited data and global coverage, ideal if you’re bouncing around multiple countries or slow-traveling your way across Europe and beyond.
But it also doesn’t have to be unlimited data if the price tag is a bit too steep. They also have 10GB and 25GB plans if you’re more chill with your usage. It’s just month-to-month billing like a regular phone plan. It brings the cost way down when you compare it to the usual per-day unlimited data. For example, it’s 75 USD for 30 days, 65 USD for a monthly subscription, or 50 USD if you want 25 GBs. They do also have a discount for yearly plans, but my advice is to just start with a month and see how it goes.
I’ve got the hookups. Get 5% off any regular Holafly eSIM with this link. OR 10% for up to 12 months of an Holafly Plans subscription with my code: RUNAWAYTRAVELLER
ETravelSim
ETravelSim is one of the rare eSIM options that includes voice minutes. You get a UK phone number that works across Europe, which might seem unnecessary but helps you get in touch with local services that still operate by phone. It can also be handy for two-factor authentication! Just don’t forget to change your phone number back later.
ETravelSim is budget-friendly — In fact, it’s the best eSIM for Europe for budget travelers at $21 for 10 GBs over a month. (And that’s before the discount you get if you use my code.) It doesn’t lock you into anything long-term, so it works well for both short trips and extended stays.
Get 15% off the first ETravelSim for your Europe trip with code NAOMI15. And 10% off future eSIMs with NAOMI10.
Read more: Why ETravelSim is the Best Option for Greece
Jetpac
Jetpac eSIMs come with a cool and kinda random travel perk: lounge access. That’s right, if your flight is delayed by over an hour, you get free access to airport lounges just for having a Jetpac eSIM. You have to remember to register your flight in the app. But if there’s a delay, you’ll get a lounge pass sent straight to you.
Keep in mind that lounge access is more widely available to everyone through credit card perks etc., so the lines have been bonkers lately. Having a pass doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get in — but it’ll give you a good shot!
You can also opt for perks like travel insurance and lounge discounts (no flight delay required), which can be a nice bonus if you’re an airport regular. At the time of writing (July 2025) they also had a promotion on for free Whatsapp, Uber, and Googel Maps for any eSIM over $3. Free Google Maps especially will save your data! It covers 30+ major European destinations. And if you’re realllly afraid of commitment, you can try it out with one of their 1 GB for $1 eSIMs.
A discount, you say? Here ya go: 10% off any Jetpac eSIM over $10 USD.
You may have noticed I made some snarky Airalo comments
What’s my beef? Airalo is the most well-known eSIM provider and the first one I tried. When it works, it works just fine. But when it doesn’t work they do everything they can to avoid giving you a refund. It’s just a shady company and I’m not alone in that assessment — they have like 2.5 stars on Trustpilot.
They also tried to bribe me to change the content in my honest review article to make them look more favorable. Ew, no thanks. Now that there are so many other Europe eSIM options on the market, there’s no need to risk it with Airalo. Consider the perks of the four options above, and you’ll give the best eSIM for Europe on your upcoming trip.