Looking for the best travel eSIM for your next trip? In this article, I compare three top travel eSIM providers: Saily, Airalo, and Holafly. My comparison is based on real-world experience across multiple countries.
If you’re looking for more travel hacks and my favourite travel resources, then check out my dedicated Travel Resources page.
Why Use an eSIM for Travel?
Imagine arriving in a new country and finding the SIM shops closed. Or worse, standing in a crowded airport queue, trying to explain yourself at a kiosk where no one speaks your language.
Even if you manage to buy a local SIM, you’re left fumbling with your phone, trying not to drop that tiny card or spend half an hour lost in your settings.
Enter the eSIM: ultra-convenient, wallet-friendly, and hassle-free.
That’s why eSIMs are such a game-changer. They let you skip the hassle and get connected instantly. You install them in advance, top up with just a few taps, and you’re ready to go the moment you land.
The main benefits are:
- Cost-effectiveness | often much better value than roaming.
- Convenience | no more swapping physical SIM cards.
- Flexibility | instantly switch or top up plans anywhere.
- Security | avoid sketchy public Wi-Fi and use built-in protections.
Choosing the Best Travel eSIM For You
If you’re convinced you want an eSIM for your next travel destination, but don’t want to read the whole article, then here’s the TL;DR.
I’m comparing Saily vs Airalo vs Holafly in this article. All three providers are excellent, but each one shines in a different way:
- Saily is the most convenient if you’re travelling across multiple countries. One eSIM is all you need, and country packs switch automatically as you cross borders. Add to that its built-in Virtual Location, ad blocking, and web protection, and it’s the easiest and most secure option for both beginners and frequent travellers.
- Airalo is unbeatable for global coverage. If you’re travelling somewhere off the beaten path, chances are Airalo will have an option. However, every country (or region) requires installing a new eSIM, which can feel fiddly over time. It’s a good budget-friendly choice, but less beginner-friendly than Saily.
- Holafly is perfect for heavy data users who don’t want to think about limits. Their unlimited data plans can be extended day by day, which makes them highly flexible. They do cost more, but if you stream, navigate, and hotspot a lot, the peace of mind may be worth it.
Quick Guide to Choosing the Best eSIM For Travel
Not sure which one to pick? Here’s my quick guide:
| Traveller Type | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-country trips | Saily | One eSIM, auto-switch packs, built-in security tools |
| Global travellers/offbeat places | Airalo | Widest coverage, affordable country & regional plans |
| Heavy data users | Holafly* | Unlimited data, extend days as needed |
| Beginners / non-tech savvy | Saily | Simple setup, automatic switching, refund guarantee |
* Saily now also offers unlimited data plans (5GB per day); Holafly’s local providers may have a fair-use-policy (around 90GB per month).
My take: For most trips, Saily‘s travel eSIM offers the best balance of convenience, security, and price. Airalo is the safety net for destinations not yet covered, and Holafly is the go-to if you know you’ll burn through data.
Saily vs Airalo vs Holafly | A Closer Look
Now let’s dive a little deeper into each of the three providers: Saily, Airalo and Holafly.
Full disclosure: Saily offered me two eSIM plans to test in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. I also purchased additional packs myself, so what follows is based on both sponsored and paid use.
Saily | Best Travel eSIM Where Convenience Meets Security (and Smart Switching)
How it works: You use one eSIM and simply add or change country “packs” in the app. Even better, the app automatically switches to the local pack when you arrive, no reinstalling.
My experience: I used Saily in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and it worked flawlessly. No switching, no downtime, just seamless connectivity. Of course remote places such as around the Aral Sea and the desert had no reception. But that’s also the case with regular physical SIM cards.
Security edge: Saily integrates advanced features powered by NordVPN such as Virtual Location, Ad Blocking, and Web Protection. And they’re all at the eSIM-level (no extra app needed).
The virtual location lets you appear as browsing from a different country by changing your IP, although it’s not full VPN encryption. Ad block and malware protection save a lot of mobile data while keeping browsing safer.
Great service: My friend also tried Saily in Uzbekistan but had a device compatibility issue. After contacting customer support he received a full refund, no hassle.
Pros:
- One eSIM for multiple destinations
- Automatic country pack switching
- Built-in Virtual Location, Ad Block, and Web Protection
- Excellent customer support and compatibility refund guarantee
Cons:
- Still growing—fewer countries available than Airalo, but they’re quickly catching up
Click Here For More Info or to Order Your Saily eSIM Data Plan
Airalo | Best Travel eSIM For Global Reach, But a Bit More Work
How it works: You buy a distinct eSIM for each country or region, or choose their global eSIM if hopping around.
My experience: I’ve used Airalo across 10+ countries including the Caribbean, the Americas, Asia, Africa and parts of Europe where my local (EU) provider didn’t cover me.
It mostly worked great, except for Namibia where it failed to connect. Customer service however promptly refunded me. I had another hiccup in Moldova where I needed to manually select a network, because the automatic setting didn’t connect.
Pros:
- Best global availability and options
- Affordable pricing, especially with global packs
Cons:
- Occasional local network incompatibilities/hiccups
- You must install a new eSIM for every country which is fine for tech-savvy folks, but my mom would find it tricky
Click Here For More Info or to Order Your Airalo eSIM Data Plan
Holafly | Best Travel eSIM For Unlimited Data
How it works: Holafly offers unlimited data plans you can extend flexibly without fixed durations. You simply top up days as needed, even mid-trip. Of course it’s cheaper if you buy a bigger plan in advance.
Plans: No more being locked into a fixed 7 or 15-day plan. You choose and extend your own coverage. Their “Connect” monthly subscription even auto-renews unlimited global access.
Pros:
- 24/7 support and generous refund policy
- Unlimited data and hotspot options
- Flexible time plans and easy extensions
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to Saily and Airalo
- Limited regional availability vs. Airalo’s breadth
Click Here For More Info or to Order Your Holafly eSIM Data Plan
Side-By-Side Comparison
To make things clearer, here’s a side-by-side comparison of Saily, Airalo, and Holafly. This quick overview highlights their main differences in coverage, setup, pricing, and extra features, so you can see at a glance which eSIM fits your travel style.
| Feature | Saily | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Growing | Broadest global coverage | Wide but more limited than Airalo |
| Setup & Switching | One eSIM; auto-switch packs | New eSIM per destination | One per trip + top up/update |
| Data Type | Prepaid packs + optional unlimited | Prepaid packs, global options | Unlimited data; subscription plans |
| Price Level | Mid-range; often cheaper than others | Low–mid; varies by region | High |
| Virtual Location & Ad Blocker | Yes (built-in, no app) | No | No |
| Ease of Use for Beginners | Very high — Mom-friendly | Medium — some tech required | High — simple unlimited plan |
| Refund/Support | Excellent (compatibility/refund) | Good | Good (top ups, compatibility policies) |
| Best For | Secure, multi-country trips without juggling | Budget and widest coverage | Heavy users & long stays |
Tips For Using Travel eSIMs
Some final handy tips for using eSIM on your travels:
- Download the apps before you travel. Saily, Airalo, and Holafly are all free to install. You can easily check coverage and pricing for your destination before committing to buy a plan. If one doesn’t cover the country you’re going to, simply move on to the next.
- Match the provider to your style. If you want simplicity and automatic switching, go with Saily. If coverage is your top priority, Airalo is your best bet. If you need unlimited data, Holafly and Saily are the best travel eSIM options.
- Consider price vs. value. In some countries Saily is cheaper than Airalo, while in others it’s the opposite. Holafly will nearly always cost more, but for heavy users the unlimited data may justify the price.
- Think about ease of use. Installing a new eSIM every time (Airalo) can be fiddly. Saily removes that hassle and is more beginner-friendly, especially if you’re less tech-savvy.
Final Thoughts
Having tested Saily, Airalo and Holafly extensively, I can say eSIMs have completely changed the way I travel. No more SIM card kiosks, no more confusing top-ups, just instant connectivity wherever I land.
You can try them yourself here:
- Get Saily | Fill out MARTIN84627 at check-out to get $5 off your first eSIM purchase.
- Get Airalo | Sign up with code MARTIN6157 to get $3 off your first purchase.
- Get Holafly | Use my code nextjourney to receive 5% off every purchase.
Whichever provider you choose, an eSIM is one of the best travel hacks for staying connected abroad.
Have you tried Saily, Airalo, or Holafly on your own travels? Share your experience in the comments below, and if you’re ready to pick one, check out the links above to get started with the best eSIM for your next journey ahead.
