Europe is one of my favourite places to explore. There is just so much culture to immerse myself in, exciting food to eat, and beautiful spots to discover! And this summer that I just spent in Europe was no exception.
I spent my days canoeing along the rivers of the Dordogne, eating my way round all the restaurants in the old town of Split, diving into the blue seas at a festival in Tisno, and strolling the sun-soaked streets of Florence in Italy (you can check out my dedicated guide to staying connected in Italy here).
Having a reliable internet connection everywhere I went was essential. Not only for navigation and keeping in contact with friends and family, but also for updating social media, watching Netflix in my hotel, and catching up with important work emails.
That’s where Holafly came in handy. Their eSIM made it easy to stay connected without worrying about swapping physical SIM cards or hunting down WiFi passwords.
Still, I was curious to see how other methods compared. So, I tried several methods to access the internet across Europe, including public WiFi networks, local SIM cards, and international data roaming.
In this blog, I’ll share my experience with you and why using an eSIM became my go-to for staying connected across borders in Europe.
Just a quick thank you to my sponsor for this post, Holafly!
Thank you to Holafly for sponsoring this post and providing me with the opportunity to share useful content like this about my travels across Europe.
1. Purchase an eSIM
The most convenient way to access the internet whilst travelling around Europe was with a regional Europe eSIM (check out Holafly’s Europe eSIM here) – a digital SIM that works alongside your physical SIM card. It turned out to be the only method that gave me seamless connectivity as I crossed borders, from France to Croatia to Italy, without the hassle of swapping SIM cards or reconfiguring settings each time.
My Holafly eSIM for Europe automatically connected me to local networks in each country. For example, Orange and SFR in France, A1 and Croatian Telecom in Croatia, and Vodafone and WINDTRE in Italy. Providing fast 4G LTE and even 5G speeds where available.
Speed-wise, I generally had 4G or 5G in cities and larger towns, and solid coverage in smaller or more rural areas. Even while on the move, switching countries didn’t interrupt my connection. My eSIM simply reconnected to a local provider within seconds.
It also worked out much cheaper and far more convenient than using my home SIM for international roaming. Because it installs digitally, I was able to activate the Holafly eSIM before my trip, meaning I had instant internet access the moment I landed in Europe.
Another big plus was that I could still use my physical SIM for calls and texts (especially for verification codes and online banking), while relying on the Holafly eSIM for data.
Pros
- Regional eSIM covers 30+ countries in Europe
- Unlimited data (with Holafly)
- Get 4G and 5G with Holafly Europe eSIM
- Install and activate the eSIM instantly
- Access the internet anywhere on your phone
- It is often the most affordable option
- Works alongside your existing physical SIM
Cons
- Old phones may not be compatible with eSIMs
2. Buy a physical SIM card
I also tried using a physical SIM card whilst travelling across Europe. In the EU, many SIMs allow you to roam freely across member countries without extra charges, which sounds convenient in theory. You can buy a SIM in one country and use it for calls, texts, and data in others – no swapping required.
In practice, though, it still felt a bit cumbersome. First, you have to buy a SIM in the first country you visit, which isn’t always easy if you land late or you want to get to your hotel as quickly as possible. Activation can take time, and instructions are often in the local language.
Some providers also limit high-speed data when roaming abroad, so you may not always get the same fast speeds as in the country where you originally bought the physical SIM card.
For multi-country European trips, a physical SIM works, especially within the EU, thanks to roaming rules. But for me, it quickly felt like an extra hassle compared to the simplicity and flexibility of an eSIM, which you can set up before leaving for Europe.
Pros
- Great if your phone isn’t eSIM compatible
- Local phone number for texts & calls
Cons
- Won’t work alongside your SIM (unless you have 2 slots)
- Restricts you to one local network
- No internet access until you visit a phone shop
3. Use data roaming
Using data roaming with my existing SIM card is an option for travelling in Europe. In fact, most UK data plans offer EU roaming. This means you can use your usual phone number and plan across multiple countries without extra charges.
However, it’s usually limited. For example, my UK SIM only allows a few gigabytes of data for roaming each month, which is far from enough when travelling for more than a weekend.
Between navigating unfamiliar streets, researching places to visit, and staying in touch with friends and family, I burnt through data faster than I realised.
Some phone plans do offer extra roaming data for a fee, but it often ends up being much more expensive than it’s worth (an eSIM is usually much cheaper). Compared to that, using a Holafly Europe eSIM is so much easier: I can activate it before my trip and get reliable, fast internet across multiple countries without worrying about limits or extra charges.
Pros
- Uses your existing SIM card
Cons
- Data roaming can be expensive or limited
- Not all SIM plans include data roaming
4. Access local WiFi networks
Before I started using mobile data consistently, I often relied on WiFi whilst travelling in Europe. It works if you don’t need the internet all the time. For me, it was mostly for catching up on emails, planning the next day’s adventures, or uploading photos after a long day of exploring.
WiFi is easy to find in Europe if you’re willing to stop for a bit. Cafes, libraries, restaurants, and hotels will offer it, so you can grab a coffee, settle in, and get online for a while. The downside is that public networks can be slow, unreliable, or insecure, so using a VPN is always a good idea.
You can also carry a portable WiFi box, which lets you connect multiple devices on the go. I tried that once, but it felt like another thing to lug around, and the cost didn’t feel worth it for longer trips.
Compared to a Holafly Europe eSIM, which keeps me online across countries without worrying about hotspots, public WiFi is a lot less convenient.
Pros
- Public WiFi is often free to use
- You can buy a pocket WiFi (but expensive)
Cons
- Public WiFi isn’t always secure (use a VPN)
- Public WiFi internet speeds may be inconsistent
- Have to visit specific places to access public WiFi
Why I use the Holafly Europe eSIM
Whilst travelling across Europe this summer, I found the easiest and most reliable way to stay connected was with an eSIM. In particular, I loved using the Holafly Europe eSIM, which made hopping between countries completely stress-free.
With unlimited data and flexible durations, it was perfect whether I was exploring a major city, wandering a small historic town, or relaxing by the coast. Here’s why I recommend Holafly for travelling across Europe:
- Unlimited data plans: no more worrying about running out of data while navigating, researching, or staying in touch.
- Fast and reliable coverage: access to 4G LTE and 5G networks across 30+ countries in Europe.
- Flexible duration: choose exactly how many days you need, so you only pay for what you actually use.
- Easy setup: install and activate the eSIM before your trip, so you’re online as soon as you land.
- Perfect for country hopping: Their Europe eSIM works across 30+ countries in the region, meaning no SIM swapping or interruptions whilst travelling.
Find out why I also like using Holafly’s eSIM in the USA.
Holafly eSIM FAQs
If you have decided to go ahead with buying an eSIM for your trip across Europe, here are my answers to some of the most common questions about eSIMs and Holafly:
Where do I buy a Holafly eSIM?
You can purchase your Europe eSIM online in advance. Holafly lets you buy through their website on a computer or tablet, or via their mobile app on your phone. Once you’ve purchased, installation and activation are quick and easy with the instructions provided.
How do I install the Holafly eSIM?
There are several ways to get your Holafly eSIM up and running. If you download the Holafly app, you can activate it directly from there by following the guided steps. If you prefer, you can use the QR code that Holafly sends to you via email or WhatsApp – just scan it with the phone where you want the eSIM installed.
You’ll also have the option to install it manually using the details provided in your purchase confirmation.
Will an eSIM work on any phone?
Not all devices are eSIM-ready, so it’s worth checking before you buy. Most recent iPhone models and many Android phones are compatible. Holafly has a full list of supported devices, so you can confirm whether your smartphone will work with an Italian eSIM.
How much eSIM data should I buy?
The amount of data depends on your travel style. In Europe, you’ll likely be using Google Maps to find your way through historic city streets, translating menus, and staying connected with friends or family. Streaming or making a lot of video calls will increase your data use.
To avoid worrying about running out, I recommend going for Holafly’s unlimited plan. It means you’ll always stay connected, even though (like most unlimited plans) speeds may slow slightly after very heavy daily usage.
If you are still wondering how much data you may need, check out Holafly’s data usage calculator here 
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