Best eSIMs for traveling in 2026: Real comparison with prices
Do you change the SIM every time you travel or pay very expensive roaming? With an eSIM you buy internet before flying and have everything ready when you land. No changing cards, no surprises on the bill.
We tested the 8 best eSIMs in 12 countries to give you the real numbers.
The 6 best eSIMs for traveling
1. Holafly — The simplest
| Country/Region | Data | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | Unlimited | €19 | 5 days |
| Japan | Unlimited | €19 | 5 days |
| Thailand | Unlimited | €17 | 5 days |
| USA | Unlimited | €19 | 5 days |
| Global | Unlimited | €44 | 15 days |
Advantage: Unlimited data. You don't worry about the GB. Disadvantage: After 500MB/day the speed drops.
Ideal for: Short trips where you don't want to think about data.
2. Airalo — The most popular
| Country/Region | Data | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 10GB | €11 | 30 days |
| Japan | 10GB | €11 | 30 days |
| Thailand | 10GB | €8 | 30 days |
| USA | 10GB | €12 | 30 days |
| Global | 20GB | €29 | 30 days |
Advantage: Low prices, coverage in 200+ countries. Disadvantage: No unlimited data.
Ideal for: Trips longer than 5 days where you use hotel WiFi at night.
3. Ubigi — The fastest
| Country/Region | Data | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 10GB | €15 | 30 days |
| Japan | 10GB | €14 | 30 days |
| Thailand | 10GB | €11 | 30 days |
| USA | 10GB | €13 | 30 days |
Advantage: 5G connection where available. Premium speed. Disadvantage: More expensive than Airalo.
Ideal for: Travelers who need maximum speed (remote work, video calls).
4. Nomad — The balanced
| Country/Region | Data | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 10GB | €12 | 30 days |
| Japan | 10GB | €12 | 30 days |
| Thailand | 10GB | €9 | 30 days |
| USA | 10GB | €13 | 30 days |
Advantage: Good value for money. Easy to use app. Disadvantage: No 5G support.
Ideal for: Travelers who want something reliable without complications.
5. Orange Holiday — The European
| Country/Region | Data | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 20GB | €25 | 14 days |
| Global | 12GB | €30 | 14 days |
Advantage: Trusted European brand. Includes calls. Disadvantage: More expensive, only for Europe.
Ideal for: Travelers through Europe who want a safe option.
6. Zadarma — The cheapest
| Country/Region | Data | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 1GB | €2 | 30 days |
| Japan | 1GB | €3 | 30 days |
| Global | 1GB | €5 | 30 days |
Advantage: The cheapest per GB. Disadvantage: Little data, no premium support.
Ideal for: Very short trips or as a backup.
Quick comparison
| eSIM | Price (10GB) | Speed | Setup | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hellofly | €19 (unlimited) | 4G | Easy | 24/7 |
| Air it | €11 | 4G | Easy | Chat |
| Ubigi | €15 | 5G | Medium | |
| Nomad | €12 | 4G | Easy | Chat |
| Orange | €25 (20GB) | 4G | Easy | Telephone |
| Zadarma | €3 (1GB) | 4G | Simple |
How many GB do you need
| Usage | GB/day | GB in 7 days | GB in 14 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maps and messages only | 0.3GB | 2GB | 4GB |
| Maps + social networks | 0.7GB | 5GB | 10GB |
| Maps + networks + photos | 1.5GB | 10GB | 20GB |
| Remote work + everything | 2+ GB | 14+ GB | 28+ GB |
Tip: If you use hotel WiFi at night, you can use less GB.
How to install an eSIM (step by step)
iPhone:
- Settings → Mobile data → Add data plan
- Scan the QR code of your eSIM
- Name the line (ex: "Japan")
- Activate "Allow data line change"
- Select the eSIM as main data
Android:
- Settings → Network and Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM
- Scan the QR code
- Set as main data
- Activate roaming if necessary
IMPORTANT: Install the eSIM with WiFi at home. DO NOT activate until you reach the destination.
eSIM by destination
| Destination | Best eSIM | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Airalo 10GB | €11 | Cheap, works well |
| Thailand | Airalo 10GB | €8 | The cheapest |
| Europe | Holafly unlimited | €19 | Without worrying about GB |
| China | Holafly unlimited | €27 | Includes VPN |
| USA | Airalo 10GB | €12 | Good coverage |
| Australia | Nomad 10GB | €12 | Reliable |
Mistakes that everyone makes
- Do not buy before the flight: At the airport it is more expensive
- Activate it on the plane: Wait to land
- Delete it after the trip: Save it in case you return
- Choose by price only: See coverage and speed
- Do not try before: Set it up at home with WiFi
eSIM Checklist
- ☐ eSIM purchased and QR saved
- ☐ eSIM installed (but not activated)
- ☐ Google Maps offline downloaded
- ☐ Google Translate offline configured
- ☐ Hotel WiFi confirmed
- ☐ Emergency number of the saved destination