Are you headed on a European adventure and looking to stay connected without breaking the bank on roaming fees? A travel eSIM could be just the ticket. eSIMs are the latest evolution in mobile connectivity, allowing you to access local data plans virtually anywhere, right from your smartphone. No more fiddling with physical SIM cards or racking up massive bills.
But with so many eSIM options out there, which one provides the best value for traveling around Europe? We tested the top contenders to bring you this ultimate guide to the 5 most affordable eSIM plans that will keep you connected from London to Lisbon and everywhere in between.
Let’s dive in!
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Why use an eSIM for travel in Europe?
If you’ve traveled abroad before, you know the pain of trying to find reliable, affordable cell service. International roaming with your home carrier can cost an arm and a leg. Buying a local prepaid SIM at your destination is a hassle. You have to find a store, navigate a foreign language, keep track of a tiny physical SIM card, and you’re limited to service in that one country.
Enter the eSIM. Short for “embedded subscriber identity module”, an eSIM is a programmable chip that’s built right into many newer smartphones like iPhone XS and later, Google Pixel 3 and on, and some Samsung Galaxy models. With an eSIM, you can instantly download a local data plan for your destination country (or region) straight to your phone. No physical SIM required.
The benefits of using an eSIM for your Europe trip are huge:
- Affordable local rates for data, calls and texts
- Ability to keep your main number active on your physical SIM
- Instant activation without having to locate a store
- Easily switch between eSIM plans as you travel to new countries
- Avoid surprise roaming fees from your home carrier
- Stay connected with fast, reliable service powered by local networks
Pretty sweet, right? Now you just need to pick the best eSIM plan for your needs and budget. We’ve got you covered.
How to choose the right eSIM plan for Europe?
With dozens of eSIM providers offering plans for Europe, it can feel overwhelming to choose. To find the best deal, you’ll want to consider a few key factors:
Data allowances
How much data do you realistically need for your trip? If you plan to use a lot of social media, stream video, use maps for navigating, etc. you’ll want a plan with generous data or even unlimited data. If you just need to check email and do some light web browsing, a smaller data package could suffice.
Call and text inclusions
Do you need to make calls and texts, or is data enough? Some eSIM plans include calls and texts, either pay-as-you-go or with a set allowance. If you plan to communicate mostly through WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype or other internet-based services, you may not need an eSIM with call/text abilities.
Countries covered
Europe is a big place. Where exactly are you going and how many countries will you visit? Some eSIM plans only cover one country, while others include 30+ countries across Europe. Be sure the plan you pick includes all the countries on your itinerary. You don’t want to cross a border and find your data not working.
Activation period
How long will you be traveling? eSIM plans are sold in chunks of time like 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, etc. Pick one that aligns with your trip length. If you’re doing a monthlong jaunt across the continent, it doesn’t make sense to buy a 10-day eSIM.
Ease of setup and use
User experience matters too. The best eSIM providers make it simple to buy, install and activate your eSIM plan right from an app. They provide clear instructions and good customer support. Avoid any provider that seems sketchy or hard to use.
Price
Of course, you want to find an eSIM that fits your budget. We generally don’t recommend the absolute cheapest plans, as they tend to skimp on data allowances and quality of service. But you also don’t need to overpay for features you won’t use. Aim for the sweet spot of affordable rates and solid value.
With those factors in mind, let’s get to our top picks!
The 5 Best eSIMs for Europe at A Glance
- Airalo Regional Eurolink – Best value for extensive travel across 39 countries
- Holafly Europe – Best for unlimited data and free calls within Europe
- Orange Holiday Europe – Best for calls and texts to home, generous 30GB data
- DENT eSIM Europe – Solid budget pick for short trips, buy data in small increments
- Nomad Europe eSIM – Flexible choice with combo of data, calls, texts
Let’s take a closer look at what makes each of these eSIM options great for travelers in Europe.
1. Airalo Regional Eurolink – Best value for extensive travel across 39 countries
What we like:
- Covers the most countries (39) in one easy package
- Generous data allowances at affordable prices
- Valid for 180 days, great for longer/multi-stage trips
- Simple in-app setup and activation
- Connect additional devices by hotspot
What we don’t like:
- No options for unlimited data
- Doesn’t include calls or texts
Airalo is one of the original eSIM providers and they remain a top choice for many travelers thanks to their straightforward regional plans that cover a wide range of countries.
For Europe, their Eurolink eSIM gives you access to fast, reliable data with top local carriers across a whopping 39 countries. This includes most popular destinations like France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Greece, Switzerland and into Eastern Europe as well. See the full country list here.
Data options range from a modest 1GB to a generous 100GB, with validity periods up to 180 days. Prices are very reasonable, starting at just $5 for 1GB/30 days and going up to $185 for 100GB/180 days. The sweet spot is around 5-10GB, which should give most travelers plenty of data for a couple weeks of heavy use while still costing less than $40.
Installing the Eurolink eSIM is a breeze via the slick Airalo app. Just download the app, choose your plan, and scan the QR code to get the eSIM installed and activated on your phone. You can easily top up data or extend the plan later if needed right from the app.
One handy perk is the ability to share your Eurolink data connection with other devices like a tablet or laptop by creating a Wi-Fi hotspot. This is great for remote work, blogging your trip in real-time, or entertaining yourself during long train rides (trust me, it’s a lifesaver).
The main drawback of Airalo is they don’t offer any plans with calls or texts. The Eurolink is data-only. But you can always use VoIP apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime audio or Google Voice to make calls over the internet. For many travelers, an eSIM data plan plus internet calling/texting meets their needs perfectly.
Overall, Airalo Eurolink earns our pick for best value if you’re traveling extensively around Europe, especially to regions like Eastern Europe that some other eSIM plans don’t cover. The high data caps, long validity, and huge list of 39 included countries make this ideal for backpacking, Eurail adventures, remote work trips and more. Just don’t forget your charger!
2. Holafly Europe – Best for unlimited data and free calls within Europe
What we like:
- Unlimited data, speeds capped at reasonable 4G LTE threshold
- 60 min/texts included for free calls/texts within Europe
- Multiple plan lengths from 5 days up to 90 days
- Available as eSIM or traditional physical SIM
- Covers 32 European countries
- Easy self-installation, clear instructions
- 24/7 customer support
What we don’t like:
- One of the pricier plans, especially for longer trips
- Only 60 min free calls even on 90-day plan
- Some reports of slower speeds/connectivity issues
- No data tethering/hotspot allowed
Unlimited data is the dream, and Holafly delivers it for travelers in Europe. Their top-tier “Unlimited” eSIM plans come with a whopping uncapped data for your Eurotrip, along with a small allowance for calls and texts. It’s a solid choice if you’re a heavy data user who wants total peace of mind.
All of Holafly’s Europe eSIM plans include the same core features:
- Unlimited 4G/LTE data (where available)
- 60 min for calls within Europe
- 60 texts within Europe
- Covers 32 countries
- Data works in all included countries, no changing SIMs
- Tethering/hotspot not allowed
- 24/7 support
The main difference between the plans is the validity period and price. Unlimited plans are sold in 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90-day increments. Prices range from $19 for 5 days up to $227 for 90 days.
In terms of value, the 30-day plan at $86 is a competitive deal for one month of unlimited data. The 15 and 20-day plans are also decent choices for shorter trips. Once you get to the 60 and 90-day plans, the price per day for unlimited gets quite steep. At that point, you may be better off going with a high-data but not unlimited plan from Airalo or Orange to save cash.
Performance-wise, Holafly generally delivers fast, reliable service as they partner with trusted networks in each country. However, some users have reported occasional slower speeds or connectivity hiccups. As with any carrier, experiences can vary by location.
One thing to note – Holafly caps your “unlimited” data speeds once you hit a certain threshold, usually around 120GB per month. After that, your speeds may be slowed to 2G until the next month of your plan cycle. This is still plenty of full-speed data for most users, but good to be aware of.
The free calling and texting within Europe is a handy bonus. They give you a European phone number to use for this. Just keep in mind it’s only 60 min for the life of your eSIM. 60 min on a 90-day plan is… not much. You’ll likely still want to rely on VoIP for most calling needs.
Holafly offers their Europe eSIM for sale on their website with clear pricing and details. Activation is quick and easy via their app, no QR code required. They also sell physical SIM cards if your phone doesn’t have eSIM capabilities.
Overall, Holafly is a strong choice if you’re looking for an unlimited data eSIM to use across most of Europe. While not the cheapest, it’s a reasonable value especially on the 15-30 day plans. The included calling is limited but still adds a little extra value compared to data-only plans. Setup is simple, and you get on-demand support. Just watch out for possible slowdowns after 120GB.
3. Orange Holiday Europe – Best for calls and texts to home, generous 30GB data
What we like:
- Includes 30GB data + 1,000 texts + 120 min calling
- Calls/texts to home country and within Europe
- Valid for 14 days in 30+ countries
- Clear pricing and activation instructions
- Responsive customer service
- eSIM or physical SIM options
What we don’t like:
- Limited plan length options, only 14 days
- No unlimited data option
- Coverage varies by country, check before you buy
Here’s a juicy eSIM with all the fruit! Orange, one of Europe’s biggest telecoms, offers a deluxe “Holiday Europe” eSIM that comes with generous helping of data plus international calls and texts. If you need to stay reachable by your regular phone number back home while you galavant around Europe, this is the eSIM for you.
The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM includes:
- 30 GB high speed data
- 1,000 texts
- 120 minutes of calling
- Valid for 14 days after activation
- Auto-renews at end of 14 days unless you cancel
- Covers 30+ countries (check latest list on website)
- Hotspot allowed
You get 2 hours of calling plus 1,000 texts to use within Europe and back to your home country, which makes this eSIM stand out for its international call value. You can keep your regular phone number active on your physical SIM and still make/receive calls on your temporary Orange European number. The included 30 GB of data is plenty for most 2-week trips, even with heavy use.
The main limitation is the 14 day validity, with auto-renewal at the end of the period. This is great for a 2-week trip, but less ideal for longer stays. You’ll be charged another 40 Euros every 14 days unless you remember to cancel. If your trip is under 14 days, effectively you’re overpaying since the eSIM renews for the full period. You can’t buy less than 14 days.
Setup of the Orange eSIM was surprisingly easy given it’s a big telecom. Their multilingual support site walks you through scanning the eSIM QR code. You can install and activate it whenever you’re ready, as the 14-day clock starts ticking at activation, not purchase.
One important note – while the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM in theory works across 30+ countries, the quality of service may vary outside Orange’s native countries like France and Spain. Check the coverage for your destinations on their site to set expectations. You may experience slower speeds or spottier signal in some areas. But in general, performance is good especially in major cities.
Price-wise, at 40 EUR (about $47 USD) for 14 days, the Orange eSIM is on the higher end. But you’re getting a large data bundle, calls, and texts across many countries. If you’ll use the international calling and don’t need more than 14 days, it’s a competitive deal. Especially since Orange is a major provider with solid customer support.
Overall, Orange Holiday Europe is an excellent eSIM choice if you need a generous amount of data plus international calling/texting for a 2ish week trip around Europe. While not cheap, the convenience of having calls, large data, and continent-wide coverage with a reputable brand could be worth it. Ideal for travelers who want to stay reachable on their main number but still need a lot of local data for exploring.
4. DENT eSIM Europe – Solid budget pick for shorter trips, buy data in small increments
What we like:
- Cheap for short stays – small data bundles from $1
- Flexible increments – only buy as much data as you need
- Pay with PayPal, credit card or crypto
- No contracts, no hidden fees
- Extensive European coverage
- Simple in-app download and top up
What we don’t like:
- No flat-rate or unlimited options
- Per-GB rates not as cheap as some competitors
- 3 month inactivity expiration policy
- No calls or texts included
DENT is like the indie, budget-friendly younger sibling to the big eSIM titans. Their approach is all about flexibility and small data packages that you can piece together as you go. While not as streamlined or feature-rich as some competitors, DENT is worth a look if you want to construct your own low-cost data plan.
Through their website or app, you can buy data for Europe one gigabyte at a time. Packages start as low as 1GB for $1, up to around 5 or 10GB increments. You only buy what you need for the time you need it. But the per-gig rates aren’t the cheapest, so you pay for the flexibility.
Validity periods range from 7 days for the smallest data amounts to 365 days if you buy 10GB or more. Any data you don’t use in the validity window just expires though, no rollover or credits.
The DENT eSIM covers a large chunk of Europe with 36 countries supported, including the Nordics and many Eastern nations. Though be sure to check the latest country list on their site to confirm your destinations, as they don’t include absolutely everywhere (looking at you, Luxembourg).
One big downside to DENT is lack of international calls and texts. Their eSIM and related “DENT mobile” plan are data-only. If you want to call internationally or even within Europe, you’ll need to rely on internet-based calling apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Google Voice. While not a dealbreaker for many travelers, it’s something to be aware of.
Activation of the DENT eSIM is done through their app and the process is pretty straightforward. You can pay with PayPal, credit card or even crypto if that’s your thing. The app shows clear pricing and tracks your data usage.
Just be aware of the 3-month inactivity clause. If you don’t use your DENT eSIM for 3 months, it’ll be deactivated and any unused data lost. Not ideal if you want a long-term eSIM to use on multiple trips.
So who is DENT best for? If you’re taking a short trip to Europe and only need 1-5GB of data, DENT offers a cheap, flexible way to build your own plan. It’s also a decent backup eSIM in case you hit your data limit on a pricier plan from another provider. Business travelers and remote workers may find the a-la-carte model useful for quick jaunts without committing to a large eSIM plan.
But if you’re a heavier data user doing a longer trip, you’ll likely get better value from one of the flat-rate or unlimited eSIMs on this list. Cobbling together a bunch of small data packages with DENT will end up pricier than competitors’ big data bundles or unlimited deals.
5. Nomad eSIM Europe – Flexible choice with combo of data, calls, texts
What we like:
- Customizable plans – choose amount of data, calls, texts
- Unused data rolls over for 1 year
- Covers all EU countries plus UK and others
- Unlimited data option
- Free shipping if you need a physical SIM card too
- Attentive 24/7 customer support
What we don’t like:
- Pricey, especially for shorter trips
- Calls/texts limited to within Europe
- Some plans require commitment of 30+ days
Last but not least, we come to Nomad. True to their name, Nomad’s eSIMs are built for travelers who want flexibility and control over their mobile plan abroad. With Nomad, you can essentially build your own plan by choosing the amount of data, calls and texts you want. It’s a solid option if you want more than just data but don’t need the extensive international calling of the Orange eSIM.
Nomad offers eSIMs for both specific European countries and a regional “Europe eSIM” that covers 30+ countries across the continent. All plans work for a minimum of 30 days after activation, with some options up to 90 days. If you need even more time, you can add extra days at checkout.
One nice perk of Nomad – any data you don’t use rolls over to the next month, up to a year from purchase. So if you buy a big data package thinking you’ll need it for your 3-month trip but end up using less, that extra data will still be waiting for you next time you jet off to Europe. With many other eSIMs, unused data just vanishes into the digital ether when it expires.
In terms of pricing, Nomad is definitely on the premium end. Their Europe regional eSIMs start at $26 for 30 days/1GB and go up to $125 for 30 days/20GB. They do offer an unlimited data option for Europe, but it’s a hefty $189 for 30 days. Yowza.
If you’re a digital nomad (heh) working remotely across Europe for a month or more, the high data limits and rollover perk could make Nomad worth the price. The minimum 30 day plans also make more sense for longer trips vs quick vacations. But if you’re a light data user or only in Europe for a week or two, you’ll get better value elsewhere.
On the bright side, all Nomad eSIMs include at least some calls and texts within Europe. You can customize how many call minutes and SMS messages you want to add on top of your core data plan. While not totally unlimited, their call/text bundles are pretty generous. Just note that calls and texts are limited to within Europe – you’ll still need VoIP or your home SIM for international calls.
Nomad offers both eSIM and physical SIM card options. Their website makes it easy to pick your plan and complete the purchase. You’ll get an email with an eSIM activation QR code, plus a physical SIM card mailed to you for free if you need it.
Customer support is a strong point for Nomad. They have responsive 24/7 online support to help with any setup issues or questions about your service. Given the price point, this level of customer care is appreciated.
So is the Nomad eSIM right for you? If you’re planning an extended stay of a month or more in Europe and need a good chunk of data plus in-region calling, Nomad could fit the bill nicely. You can tailor the plan to your needs and will get solid service across 30+ EU countries.
But if you’re on a tighter budget or taking a shorter trip, Nomad’s eSIM is overkill. You’ll be better off with one of the cheaper data-focused eSIMs on this list, or a global plan from your home carrier if you must have international calling. Nomad is premium choice for those who want total control and are willing to pay for it.
The bottom line on eSIMs for Europe
There you have it – the 5 best affordable eSIM plans for travelers in Europe! Whether you’re a digital nomad posting reels from a Parisian café, a backpacker bouncing between hostels, or a busy business road warrior, there’s an eSIM on this list to meet your needs and budget.
Some key things to remember when picking your eSIM:
- Figure out how much data you’ll realistically need and pick a plan that covers it
- Check if your must-visit countries are included in the eSIM’s coverage area
- Decide if you need calls/texts or just data
- Compare prices and perks to find the best overall value
- Read the fine print on activation, expiration, throttling, etc.
Armed with those tips, you’re sure to find the perfect eSIM for your dream Eurotrip. Stay connected, stay flexible, and stay stoked for your adventure. Bon voyage!
