When I first started travelling, I used to land in a new country and immediately hunt down a SIM card counter at the airport. Sometimes it was quick and painless, but other times I’d be stuck in a queue, or worse, get swindled by extortionate tourist fees for low-data SIM cards.
This is no longer the case, all thanks to eSIMs. Instead of swapping little bits of plastic (which I’d have to safekeep in my purse), I could download a data plan to my phone before leaving the house, without even needing to remove my physical SIM card.
If you’ve heard the term “eSIM” but aren’t quite sure what it actually is (or why it’s useful), this guide breaks it down in plain English with tips from my own travels, plus my eSIM recommendation for 2025 – i.e. the eSIM I use for my travels.
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What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (short for embedded SIM) is a digital version of the plastic SIM card we all use to access phone networks. Instead of being a removable chip you slot into your phone, the eSIM is installed digitally onto your device.
Because it’s software-based, you don’t have to buy, insert, or swap physical cards. Instead, you can activate a mobile plan by scanning a QR code, downloading an app, or entering details your carrier provides.
A few key things to know about eSIMs:
- It will work alongside your physical SIM card, meaning you can still access your phone number.
- Your eSIM will automatically attach to local network providers, often utilising the best networks in that area.
- With Saily (my favourite eSIM brand), you can store multiple plans on a single eSIM, which is handy for frequent travellers like myself.
In short, eSIMs do the same job as a physical SIM, connecting you to a mobile network, but with far more flexibility. Although they are typically limited to just internet data, not phone calls or texts.
Which eSIM do I use?
I’ve tested a few different eSIM providers over the past couple of years, but the one I keep coming back to is Saily (read my Saily review to find out why). What I like most is how simple it is, just one eSIM download, and I’m connected. No juggling multiple eSIMs whenever I visit a new country.
It’s also been reliable in every country I’ve tried it: Mexico, Argentina, Italy, the UK, Croatia, and France. Speeds have been consistently good, which matters to me since I work online while travelling. Plus, I can use the data to hotspot to my other devices, which has always worked seamlessly.
Recently, they launched their Ultra Plan, a monthly rolling package that’s perfect for full-time travellers like me!
Why use an eSIM?
For me, switching to an eSIM wasn’t just about avoiding queues at airport SIM card counters. I use them so that I can travel as seamlessly as possible.
With so many logistics involved in travel, an eSIM gives me one less thing to worry about. I can get connected before I even board my flight, and I save a chunk of money compared to roaming charges.
That said, eSIMs aren’t always the right move for everyone. Here are the main benefits and drawbacks I’ve found:
Benefits
- It is a really convenient and easy option
- Great for travellers and holiday makers
- It can be set up before you arrive somewhere
- You can save a lot of money
- No physical SIM swap needed
Drawbacks
- Some phones aren’t eSIM compatible (older models)*
- Not always the best option for super rural places
- eSIMs don’t provide you with a local phone number
*But don’t worry, most phones released after 2018 support eSIMs, and providers usually list compatible models.
For me, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, especially since all I really need on my travels is reliable data for using Google Maps and messaging apps like WhatsApp.
If you’re someone who depends on voice calls or you’re heading somewhere really off-grid, it’s worth double-checking coverage and whether you need a physical SIM as a backup.
How does an eSIM work?
Underneath it all, an eSIM works the same way as a traditional SIM card: it tells your phone which mobile network to connect to and authenticates you as a customer. The difference is where that information lives and how it’s delivered.
A physical SIM card is essentially a tiny chip that stores your mobile profile. Whereas, an eSIM is built into your mobile phone – it just needs to be activated through a carrier (by purchasing data through an eSIM brand, like Saily).
Step-by-step process of activating an eSIM:
- You choose an eSIM plan, usually online or via an app.
- You receive an activation method, often a QR code, or sometimes just a download link.
- Your phone stores the profile in its embedded SIM chip.
- Your phone connects to a local network as if you’d inserted a physical SIM.
From then on, your phone can hold multiple profiles and let you switch between them (say, your phone number on your physical SIM card and a travel data plan from Saily).
eSIM vs. physical SIM
| Feature | eSIM | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Downloadable profile (via QR code or app) – no plastic or shop visits | Insert the SIM into your phone |
| Convenience | Can be activated before you land in a new country | Must find a store or kiosk after arrival |
| Switching plans | Store multiple eSIM profiles and toggle between them in your phone’s mobile settings | Swap cards manually (risk of losing or damaging them) |
| Coverage | Depends on the provider’s partner networks (usually wide, but not always rural) | It depends on the SIM card provider. There will be many options, but it’s hard to know the best |
| Cost | Usually cheaper than roaming, competitive with local SIMs for data | It can be very cheap locally, but often more expensive in airports |
| Phone number | Usually data-only, so no local phone number for calls/texts | Often includes a local number, useful for SMS or voice calls |
| Security | Encrypted, no risk of losing/damaging a card | Easy to misplace, clone, or damage |
| Compatibility | Only works on newer devices with eSIM support | Works on nearly every phone |
How to use your eSIM whilst travelling
Setting up and managing an eSIM is simpler than it sounds. Here’s how I would do it before travelling abroad:*
- Buy your plan online: I normally do this a few days before flying.
- Receive your eSIM profile: Usually a QR code or a download link via email/app.
- Install the eSIM: Follow the instructions sent via the eSIM provider. Or, set up manually in your phone’s mobile settings.
- Name your plans: I label mine “Home” and “Travel” so I don’t mix them up.
- Turn on data roaming for your eSIM: This will allow your eSIM to attach to local networks once abroad.
- Turn on the travel eSIM when you land: Your phone connects to a local network automatically.
- Keep your main SIM active if needed: this way, you still get texts or calls on your regular number
* I no longer have to follow this full process anymore, because with Saily, you only need to download the eSIM once. You can then top it up within the app to add extra data for different countries or regions, or even globally.
Which eSIM should I buy?
The answer really depends on how you travel. If you’re on a short holiday, visiting one or two countries, a simple prepaid data plan for that destination, which you can install before you fly, is usually enough.
But if you’re a digital nomad or a full-time traveller like me, a rolling monthly plan that works across multiple destinations is far more convenient.
When I was comparing different eSIMs, I focused on a few key things: coverage, ease of use, data speeds, plan flexibility, and overall value. I wanted something that worked reliably in all the countries I visit, was quick to set up, fast enough for video calls and streaming, and offered flexible plans without breaking the bank.
For me, Saily ticks all those boxes.
Unlike many other eSIM brands, you only need to download one eSIM for all your travels. Coverage has been solid everywhere I’ve tried it, from Mexico and Argentina to Italy, Croatia, the UK, and France. Speeds have been consistently good, and the prices of their fixed data plans are competitive.
Moreover, their new Ultra Plan is perfect for long-term travellers like me, offering rolling monthly coverage across multiple countries without any hassle.
That combination of simplicity, reliability, and flexibility is why Saily is the eSIM I continue to use on all my travels in 2025 and beyond!
eSIM FAQs
Can I still get calls and SMS with an eSIM?
Most eSIMs are data-only, so you won’t get a local phone number for calls or SMS. That said, apps like WhatsApp, Signal, or Skype work perfectly, and many travellers rely on those instead of traditional texting.
Will my phone work with an eSIM?
eSIMs only work on compatible devices. Most recent iPhones, Google Pixels, and Samsung models support them. If your phone is older or doesn’t have eSIM support, you’ll need a physical SIM instead.
How many eSIMs can I have on one phone?
Most devices allow multiple profiles, but only one can be active at a time for mobile data. Some phones let you use dual-SIM functionality with one physical SIM and one eSIM simultaneously.
What happens if my phone breaks or is lost?
Since eSIMs are digital, you can usually reinstall your plan on a new device by logging into your provider’s app or scanning the activation QR code again. Always check your provider’s policies to be safe.
Are eSIMs safe to use?
Yes. eSIMs are encrypted and follow global GSMA standards. They are just as secure as physical SIMs, and there’s no risk of losing or damaging a card.
Can I use the same eSIM in multiple countries?
Absolutely. Not all eSIM providers do this, but with Saily, you can use the same downloaded eSIM for all your travels (in the destinations they cover). You simply top it up within the app for the destination you are visiting (with country-specific, regional, and global plans).
I’ve used a single Saily eSIM across Mexico, Italy, and the UK without needing to switch cards, which makes travel so much simpler.
What if I run out of data whilst travelling?
Most providers let you top up directly through their app. My tip: always check the app before you run out completely, and consider keeping a small buffer plan for emergencies.
Can I share my eSIM data with other devices?
Like a traditional SIM, you can often use your eSIM to hotspot data to other devices. Many brands offer limited daily hotspot data use, but with Saily, you can hotspot as much of your data as needed. I often do this for my laptop whilst working abroad, and it works seamlessly.
Will I need a physical SIM at all?
Only if you need a local phone number for SMS/voice. Personally, I rarely use a physical SIM anymore. I just use WhatsApp to make internet-based calls and to send messages.
My go-to travel health insurance:
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