Staying connected abroad has gotten so much easier thanks to eSIMs. I’ve tried my fair share over the years, and on my recent trip to South Africa, I decided to test out ETravelSim to see if it really delivers on its promises of affordable data, easy setup, and reliable coverage.
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!
Do I think ETravelSim is legit?
I certainly do! After trying it for a few weeks in South Africa I can say ETravelSim was perfectly legit. The data reception was reliable and the prices were about as low as I’ve seen. I’ve tried five different eSIM companies now, and this is one of my faves.
eTravelSim’s biggest sale is on now until November 30.
11% discount site-wide and up to 20% extra!
> New customers get an extra 20% off the sale price with code: ETS20
> Existing customers still get an extra 15% off with code: ETS15
Why I love using an eSIM
A friend I met in Bucharest two years ago was the first person to tell me about eSIMs. He’d been traveling long term and raved about how handy they were. His routine sounded almost too good to be true compared to the hectic process I was pulling off basically every time I crossed a border.
My process usually went something like this:
- Screenshot my accom details and check-in instructions because I’d have no data when I landed.
- Pray the airport Wi-Fi worked long enough to load Google Maps. (If I forgot to download the map in advance, which I often did.)
- Check in and start Googling the nearest cell shop.
- Stumble through conversations or read brochures in a language I can’t really speak.
- Do mental math in an unfamiliar currency; hope not to be ripped off.
- Use the little stabby thing to open the tray in my phone and swap the physical SIM cards.
- Succeed and thrive with internet access.
His process looked like this:
- Download an eSIM before leaving a country.
- Arrive at his new destination and connect to airport Wi-Fi.
- Activate the new eSIM, turn on data, and walk out of the airport connected.
- Succeed and thrive with internet access.
I knew I had to try it, so installed an eSIM before we got to our next destination. And now that I’ve made the switch, I can’t imagine going back. However, I first tried Airalo, and it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Companies like ETravelSim are way more reliable and offer better features anyway.
Read more: Travel Apps You Need for Your Next Trip
My experience with ETravelSim
I tested ETravelSim during a two-week trip to South Africa. Right after I paid they sent me a QR code via email. All I had to do was scan it to install the eSIM on my phone.
The one small challenge is that scanning a QR code requires a second device. If you’re traveling solo and don’t have a tablet, laptop, or a friend’s phone handy, it makes things a bit more complicated. A little annoying, but totally manageable. And once you scan the QR code the whole thing is pretty straightforward.
There’s also an alternative way where you manually enter the SMDP address and activation code — which sounds more complicated but at least means you’re not at the mercy of the QR code. Fortunately, I didn’t have to do this. Here are the iPhone and Android connection guides if you get stuck.
Once installed, my phone connected immediately. I had service everywhere my South African friends with local SIM cards did. Of course there were some dead zones, like no service at Cape Point — but no one had service at Cape Point. For me, that reliability is the real test.
Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa
ETravelSim pricing
ETravelSim’s pricing is competitive and in line with Saily and Airalo, and you know I’ve got a good discount code ready to go. You can choose from regional or country-specific plans, depending on where you’re going.
Here’s a quick comparison table for how the pricing stacks up against competitors. (All prices are in USD and accurate as of November 2025.)
| Package | ETravelSim | Saily | Jetpac |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Europe 10 GBs, 30 days |
$14 data-only, $21 w calls |
$37 +NordVPN |
$20 |
|
Indonesia 5 GBs, 30 days |
$9 |
$14 |
$10 |
|
Spain Unlimited, 30 days |
$60 |
$73 |
$150 |
ETravelSim Coupon Code
Get an additional 15% off your first ETravelSim with my code NAOMI15. And even if you’ve used it before, you can always get 10% off with NAOMI10 in the promo code box at check out.
ETravelSim pros
- Option for a local phone number with calls and texts. This is the #1 standout feature (if it’s available at your destination).
Very competitive pricing. It’s consistently one of the cheapest eSIM options out there, regardless of the destination.
- Great customer support. Real humans are available 24/7 and you’ll usually get a response within an hour. You can contact them via WhatsApp or email, which is cool and not common among other eSIM companies.
Easy setup and fast connection. I had absolutely no issues with the speed or connection, which was not the case with Airalo when I used it in South Africa a couple of years ago.
- You don’t need an account or the app. That’s rare these days! I think the app makes life a lot easier, but if you don’t want to download something new or create yet another account with another company, you can just use the browser to get what you need.
- You can collect Travel Points for every eSIM purchase. You can then apply them for discounts on future purchases. (You’ll need an account for this though!)
Reliable coverage that matched local carriers. I never went anywhere particularly rural. But it worked all over Cape Town with no issues.
- Great regional package options. Nearly all eSIM providers out there do regional sets, but ETravelSim’s are pretty diverse. And they have cute names. Perhaps not a real pro, but I’m counting it.
ETravelSim cons
- ETravelSim currently does not have a monthly subscription option. Competitors like Holafly, Saily, and Jetpac all have a subscription model with added perks and auto-renewing packages.
Local phone number feature isn’t available everywhere. It wasn’t an option in South Africa, nor in New Zealand where I live, so I haven’t been able to test it.
Requires a second device to scan the QR code for setup. Not the end of the world but a bit of a complication compared to some other eSIM set up instructions that you can do all on one device with a few taps.
Would I use ETravelSim again?
Yeah, I would use ETravelSim again. It was quick, reliable, and affordable. I’d especially love to try it again in a country where I could take advantage of the local phone number to really give it an in-depth test. For me, that would be a game-changer compared to data-only eSIMs I’ve tried.