The Essential Guide to eSIMs for Modern Travelers

Why Use an eSIM?

An eSIM (short for embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card integrated into your device. It can be downloaded and activated via a QR code or an app, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card and avoiding unexpected roaming charges or the risk of losing the card. According to the global technology intelligence and consulting firm ABI Research, it is expected that sales will increase by 11% compared to last year in 2025, reaching over $544 million. For any destination and regardless of the virtual card chosen, the key is to plan ahead, compare plans, and activate the eSIM before taking off. This way, your mobile will be ready to connect upon landing, allowing you to enjoy your trip without digital interruptions.

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When and Where to Use an eSIM

Andorra and Switzerland: Winter Getaways

Many snow lovers and winter sports enthusiasts are already planning their trips to destinations like Andorra or Switzerland, two countries that serve as good examples of when to use an eSIM because they are outside the free roaming agreements of the European Union. Switzerland offers one of the best mobile covers in Europe, so if the eSIM provider you contracted has agreements with Swiss operators, you will enjoy good speed and continuity for ski trips or routes around the country. It is advisable to choose plans with good 4G/5G coverage and activate the card before crossing the border to avoid access issues. If you are traveling to Andorra, any of the virtual card examples we mentioned will allow you to enjoy a few days in the country without incurring extra phone charges. Additionally, different solutions have been promoted from the principality to facilitate tourist connectivity, such as the integration of an Andorran eSIM purchase and download into the Grandvalira app (the largest ski resort in the country). Saily is the most recommended option for traveling to either of these two European countries due to its economical plans and ease of use, along with Holafly, which offers unlimited data plans.

Morocco: Variable Coverage Outside the Cities

Morocco is a leading tourist destination in Africa and attracts a large number of visitors each year. The main telecommunications operators in the country provide good coverage in cities and tourist hubs, but rural or mountainous areas (Atlas, deserts) have less coverage. If your trip is limited to cities like Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, or the coast, a national eSIM may suffice. However, if you are planning an adventure route with incursions into the interior of the country, it is better to consult virtual cards with local plans, ensuring access to a Moroccan operator’s network. To explore the African country, users recommend Holafly, which connects to networks like Maroc Telecom and Meditel. For moderate use, Maya Mobile, Saily, and Airalo are more economical alternatives.

United States, Japan, Turkey, and Other Classics

In the United States, mobile infrastructure is extensive and of good quality. eSIMs work seamlessly on most devices and allow access to 4G and 5G networks from major operators (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon). If you are traveling for business or from coast to coast, a global or regional eSIM is generally more convenient than contracting a local one in each state. It is also worth noting that some rural areas or national parks may have lower coverage, so it is wise to download offline maps and ensure that the data plan is activated before flying. Saily is the virtual card most recommended by travelers for its versatility and price, although Holafly, Airalo, or Nomad are also very popular. In the case of Japan, mobile coverage is excellent in urban areas and tourist destinations, but more limited in rural or mountainous regions. eSIMs are very practical for those planning to move between several cities—Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima—without relying on public Wi-Fi. Many local companies also offer specific plans for tourists that include access to high-speed 5G networks. It is important to activate the eSIM before arriving and check the device compatibility, as some phones purchased outside Asia may have network restrictions. Any card works well for exploring Japan, with Saily, Holafly, Airalo, or Ubigi among the most used. There are also some local companies like Sakura Mobile and Micro eSIM Japan that can be good alternatives to contract once in the country. Turkey, on the other hand, requires special mention. In 2025, the country’s authorities restricted access to certain international eSIM providers, leaving many travelers without the ability to download or activate their virtual cards once inside the territory. To avoid setbacks, it is advisable to activate the eSIM before traveling and verify that the provider’s app or website functions correctly from your home country. Any of the ones we mentioned works without issue once activated, and according to user feedback, YeSIM is one of the few that can be activated from Turkey. Other popular destinations like Mexico, Thailand, Australia, or Canada present a similar experience: good urban coverage and reliability in eSIM services, with differences in price and speed depending on the provider.

The Best eSIM Cards for Travel

There is no single best option for everyone, and depending on the needs of each trip, it is essential to consider geographic coverage, the volume of included data and speed, the duration of the plan, ease of activation, and flexibility in changing region or rate, etc.

Saily

Saily is mainly aimed at travelers looking for simple and economical data plans for international trips. It offers local, regional, and global rates in numerous destinations, with different data volumes and without the need to install a new eSIM on each trip, as the same profile can be recharged. The card is activated from the Saily app itself, and the plan connects automatically upon arrival at the destination. This avoids unexpected roaming costs. It includes data consumption alerts once 80% is reached, as well as some basic protection features for browsing.

Holafly

Holafly offers a wide variety of options, including unlimited data and customization of the number of days, from 5 to 90. It is easy to use and is one of the highest-rated options by users. Available for over 200 destinations, it has Spanish support and very good prices that adapt to all kinds of needs. Additionally, you can share data with other travelers. In Europe and North America, it offers 1 GB per day; and in other regions, 500 MB per day.

Maya Mobile

This card offers many rate options based on the amount of GB (from 5 GB to unlimited) that you need and the number of days you will be traveling, from 5 days to one month, with competitive prices. Maya Mobile is also available in over 200 countries and has received very good ratings from users. Support is only in English, and unlike other cards, it does not have apps on the Play Store or App Store, but obtaining it is not complicated through its website.

Airalo

It is one of the most popular eSIM options for being a global card, very useful for people who travel frequently. Airalo offers fixed-duration plans for specific days or plans that adapt to the data capacity you need, ranging from 1 GB to 20 GB, with competitive prices. It only accepts payments in dollars, although it offers several methods.

SimOptions

SimOptions is a good alternative if you are going to make a trip to multiple destinations, with competitive pricing (starting from €4) for limited data and plans of 7, 10, and 15 days. It is a marketplace that allows you to choose eSIMs that fit your needs. It is easy to set up, flexible, and you can track your consumption in real time from the app. All data packages are limited, so they may run out quickly if you make video calls or use the phone intensively.

Other Options

eSIMFLAG is an alternative with economical prices for those who prefer simplicity and savings. For those who need connectivity for multiple devices like tablets, laptops, or even connected vehicles, they can check the conditions of Ubigi, which allows you to install the eSIM for free and then add the balance or plan you need, depending on the gigabytes you plan to use. Other options that are also gaining users include YeSIM, which offers coverage in many countries with unlimited data, or Nomad, an app from where users can contract and install the plan they need quickly and easily.

How to Use an eSIM?

• Contract the plan of your choice and download or install the eSIM on your smartphone.
• Activate it before leaving your home country. Check the data, line switch, and that essential apps work when you arrive at your destination.
• Data savings: use offline maps, disable automatic backups, and avoid large downloads while roaming if you have a limited data plan.
• Security: use a VPN for transactions and avoid unencrypted public networks.

The best eSIMs for travel are not necessarily the most expensive. In these recommendations, we have also taken into account the clarity of their terms and the ease of activation. This tool allows us to stay connected and enjoy our trip without having to search for a physical card upon landing. For this reason, it is more advisable to include the contracting of an eSIM in our pre-trip planning and to search by destination. Thus, upon arrival, we can enjoy the destination without concerns about connectivity and security.