The SIM card situation can be a nightmare when you’re traveling across Europe. I learned this the hard way during my 45-day trip through the Balkans.

Every border crossing meant a new provider, new rules, and another round of setup headaches. In places like Turkey, where inflation has sent prices soaring, getting a local SIM card can cost more than you’d expect and you don’t even get unlimited data.

I burned through my plan in two days and spent $30 for nothing. Travelling overland through remote areas made it worse; I couldn’t find shops, faced language barriers, got scammed, and had to rely on offline maps before finally giving up.

That’s when I realised I should’ve just gotten an eSIM from the start.

Here’s my honest review of Sim Local when travelling in Europe and how it compares to other popular eSIMs like Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and Saily.

Best eSIM for Europe: My Pick After 45 Days Testing

if you had to pick the best esim in europe, i would pick the one which doesn’t throttle speeds and offers unlimited data

If I had to cut down all the BS and go straight to the point, I would pick Sim Local if you’re travelling to Europe.

This is the only simcard that goes with local providers so you’re getting a true local speed & connection which covers 30+ European countries.

You won’t get dropped connection, complicated plans and installations — the price is almost the same as other providers but you get UNLIMITED data for real!

There’s good 5g connection too if you’re backpacking remote towns in Europe!

📱 Get Sim Local HERE

Tip: You get 5% off with my code THEGONEGOAT

Comparing Sim Local vs. Top Europe eSIM Alternatives: How Do They Fare?

If you’re shopping around, here’s how Sim Local stacks up against other big names like Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and Saily.

The prices below are based on 30-day Europe plans (as of late 2025) and converted to euros for easier comparison.

Provider	Best For	Coverage	Speed & Reliability	Typical Pricing (30-Day Europe Plan)
Sim Local	Frequent travellers in Europe	220+ countries	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local-level speeds	€64 (30 days, unlimited)
Holafly	Heavy data users & content creators	160+ countries	⭐⭐⭐ Variable (due to “unlimited” throttling)	€69 (30 days, unlimited)
Airalo	Multi-country travellers	190+ countries	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Consistent but not the fastest	€45 (20GB for 30 days)
Nomad	Digital nomads and flexible travellers	100+ countries	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stable and affordable	€27 (50GB for 30 days)
Saily (by NordVPN)	Privacy-focused users	Global	⭐⭐⭐ Average	€67 (30 days, unlimited)

I’ll add that while Sim Local might seem pricier at first glance, it stays true to its promise: unlimited really means unlimited.

There’s no speed throttling and you won’t finish all your data within a few days. Let me explain what I mean by all of this!

My Honest Thoughts on Each eSIM Provider

1. Sim Local: The Most Reliable for Long-Term Travel

a look at the data plan offered by sim local for europe specifically

Sim Local’s “unlimited data” plan stands out for actually delivering what it promises. They offer up to 10GB per full speed usage per day. That’s crazy considering there’s no speed reduction.

Many so-called unlimited plans slow you down after a certain threshold and only offer 500mg or 1GB per day, but Sim Local’s coverage across Europe is known to be strong, with consistently high speeds.

It’s also one of the few providers with airport kiosks, meaning you can easily install or troubleshoot if needed. There’s also phone, live chat, whatsapp support which is super handy if you’re landing in a new country after a long flight.

However, the price is a bit steep at around €64. It’s not the cheapest option for a month-long trip, but it makes sense if you’re working remotely and need uninterrupted access.

For those travelling through several countries, the extra stability might be worth the peace of mind!

Pros: Truly unlimited data, wide European coverage, reliable speed
Cons: Higher price compared to other options

2. Holafly: Easy to Use, But “Unlimited” Has Limits

So this eSIM is quite popular, since you can set it up in minutes, scan a QR code, and be online almost instantly.

Its main appeal lies in its simplicity and the promise of unlimited data, which is ideal for travellers who want to stay connected without constantly checking usage.

But there’s a catch like we all should have known: “unlimited” often means throttled speeds after heavy use, especially if you’re tethering or streaming.

That could be frustrating if you’re relying on your phone for navigation or video calls.

Coverage across major European cities tends to be reliable, but it can be inconsistent in smaller towns or mountain regions which is a big red flag for me at least.

Pros: Instant activation, broad coverage, no data tracking
Cons: Speed may drop after heavy use, slightly vague data limits

3. Airalo: The Most Popular One Out There

This is one of the eSIM that almost every traveller uses. I even used it at one point but the speed drops significantly after a while and they don’t have unlimited plans.

They may be budget-friendly on paper since for about €45, you can get 20GB of data for 30 days, which should cover regular browsing, maps, and light social media use.

That said, 20GB can go fast if you’re uploading large files or using GPS for hours every day. Since it is not “unlimited,” you’ll need to buy extra data once you reach your limits.

For shorter trips or those who rely mostly on Wi-Fi at cafés and hotels, Airalo offers great value. But for long-term travellers, I believe they fall short!

Pros: Affordable, easy setup, reliable coverage
Cons: Limited data allowance, not ideal for heavy users

4. Nomad: Not Bad Balance of Price and Performance

This is an eSIM that a lot of digital nomads tend to buy as they sit comfortably in the middle ground between affordability and performance.

A 50GB plan for €27 is decent value, especially for budget backpackers but still want flexibility.

The downside is that Nomad doesn’t offer unlimited data, and 50GB can disappear quickly if you’re using your phone for navigation, social media uploads or hotspotting.

Honestly, it’s best suited for travellers who want something reliable and inexpensive but aren’t depending on their mobile data as their main connection.

Pros: Good value, strong connection in most areas, easy app experience
Cons: No unlimited option, manual resets may be needed when switching countries

5. Saily: For People Who Are Sticklers About Their Privacy!

They are fairly new but they kind of take a different approach by integrating privacy protection into its eSIM plans.

They are also transparent about pricing and don’t require multiple regional packages, one plan works across Europe.

However, being new to the market, Saily’s coverage isn’t as extensive as more established providers.

It performs well in major cities but may be weaker in remote or mountainous areas. At €67 for unlimited data, it’s on the pricier end, a premium that mostly pays for its privacy features rather than proper internet connectivity!

Still, for privacy-conscious travellers or digital nomads who handle sensitive information, perhaps that added layer of security could be worth it.

Pros: Focus on data privacy, clean interface, unlimited data
Cons: Limited coverage in rural areas, relatively expensive for its reach.

So, Which Europe eSIM is Best For You? (Decision Guide)

i love visiting remote places in europe & can’t risk getting a esim in europe with no transparent policies!

It all depends on what kind of traveller you’re but if you’re going to Europe these are the three things I would keep in mind:

The countries you’ll be visiting: Not all eSIMs cover every European country equally. Some perform great in Western Europe but struggle in the Balkans or Eastern regions, so always check the coverage map before you buy!
Whether you need data-only or calls & texts: Many eSIMs are data-only, which works fine if you’re relying on WhatsApp. But if you’re staying longer or need to receive verification codes, consider one that includes a number for calls and SMS.
How long you’re staying: Some plans make sense for short holidays, but if you’re hopping around for a month or more, a 30-day regional plan like Sim Local Europe bundle often works out cheaper and easier to manage.

I would recommend checking out this cool feature by Sim Local on how to find a plan before buying an eSIM for Europe.

For me on my daily European routine, I’ll usually be navigating maps (for food & hiking trails), web browsing, and scrolling social media.

But I also do watch Netflix sometimes when I am in remote villages and can’t rely on the guesthouse net’s connection so for me an unlimited eSIM plan is a great peace-of-mind option to have!

If You’re Having Doubts, Go with an eSIM That Offers Refunds

Let me just say it’s completely normal to hesitate before getting into the eSIM world.

I often think like I’ll just buy a local sim when I reach the airport because it is almost always cheaper!

And I don’t even know if it’ll work. It happened to my friend when she was trekking in Cappadocia and her Airalo sim couldn’t even activate. There was no WhatsApp chat function to help and she just wasted her time and money figuring it out!

This is what you should always do and now what I do: get an eSIM provider that offers refunds or customer support you can actually reach!!

Some providers, like Sim Local, give travellers peace of mind with transparent refund policies and real human help available through airport counters and online support like live chat & WhatsApp options!

That’s something many cheaper eSIMs don’t provide, once you buy it, it’s yours, whether it works or not.

Another thing to consider is compatibility.

While most modern smartphones support eSIMs, older or budget models might not.

If you accidentally install it on an unsupported device, some providers won’t issue a refund!

Sim Local and a few others make it clear which devices work and even guide you through the setup step-by-step. So if you’re on the fence, go with an eSIM that builds in flexibility.

My Verdict: Is Sim Local Worth It for Europe Travel?

I have used Airalo and was frustrated with how quickly the data got used up — Sim Local is better because it didn’t seem to finish quickly and I can customise which data offerings are better for my trip in Europe!

Like I mentioned earlier they offer up to 10GB per full speed usage per day. That’s crazy considering there’s no speed reduction!

Sim Local is also a common and widely used eSIM in Europe. They have a reputation for having the best trusted local networks on board so you know what exactly you’re getting during your time in Europe!

I also loved that there’s transparency in the data plans to how much has been used.

If you’re constantly changing destinations, you can have multiple active plans (usually up to 10) on your phone and instantly switch between as you travel from country to country.

The best way is to try it out (since they do have a 100% refund policy), you honestly have nothing to lose!

📱 Get Sim Local HERE

Tip: You get 5% off with my code THEGONEGOAT

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