A quick note before we start: this review is written in partnership with Holafly, so it is sponsored content and includes my affiliate link. That does not change the deal I made with myself years ago: I only recommend things I genuinely use, and I tell you the drawbacks as well as the good parts. Here is my honest take. The discount is at the end.
I resisted eSIMs for a while. I am not especially gadget-minded, and swapping a physical SIM had always done the job. Then, after a long stretch of back-to-back trips, I got tired of landing somewhere jet-lagged and hunting for a SIM kiosk or a working Wi-Fi password, so I tried a Holafly eSIM. I have used it across a lot of travel since, and this is what I actually think.
What I like
- It works the moment I land. You install the eSIM before you leave home, over your own wifi, and it activates when you arrive. No kiosk, no queue, no pricing out and losing your home SIM on a station platform. For a solo traveller especially, being online the instant you step off the plane is genuinely reassuring.
- Unlimited data, so I stop rationing. I mostly use the Holafly Unlimited Data eSIM, which covers 200+ destinations. Not watching a data counter so I can freely use maps, translation, ride apps, and calls home is the single thing I value most.
- Options that fit how you travel. Beyond the Unlimited Data eSIM, Holafly’s Travel eSIMs let you choose the exact number of days you need for a single trip, while Holafly Plans are a global subscription for frequent travellers and digital nomads who want continuous, seamless connectivity across many destinations. And Holafly Always On sits alongside them as a backup: a global data safety net of 1 GB every month across 70+ destinations, there for the unexpected or the gaps between trips.
- Simple, human support. When I have had a question, chat support has been quick and genuinely helpful, which isn’t something I can say about every telecom I have dealt with.
What you should know before you buy (the honest bits)
No product is perfect, and I would rather you knew the caveats up front:
- Your phone must support eSIMs. Most recent iPhones and many newer Android phones do, but not all, and some models sold in certain regions have it switched off. Check before you buy.
- It is data (with internet calling), not a local phone number. You keep your home line active for normal calls and texts, and use the eSIM’s data for internet and apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime. That suits how most of us travel, but if you specifically need a local number, factor that in.
- Check your plan’s tethering and hotspot rules if you rely on sharing your connection with a laptop or a second device, as these vary.
- It is not always the rock-bottom cheapest option. A bare local SIM can be cheaper on paper. What you pay Holafly for is the convenience, the coverage and the not-thinking-about-it, which, for the way I travel, is well worth it. If your priority is the absolute lowest price and you do not mind the faff, be honest with yourself about that.
Who it is for
If you value your time and peace of mind, travel across multiple destinations, or simply want to land and be online without a fuss, an eSIM like Holafly’s is, for me, a clear yes. If you are staying put in a single country for a long time on the tightest possible budget, a local SIM might edge it, and that is a fair trade to weigh.
For my own travel, it has earned its place. I have stopped thinking about staying connected, which is exactly what you want from a thing like this: to forget it exists and just have it work.
Frequently asked questions
For travellers who value convenience and reliable data, yes. You install the eSIM before you fly and it works on arrival, with unlimited-data options across 200+ destinations, so there is no kiosk-hunting and no rationing. It is not always the cheapest option versus a bare local SIM, but for ease and peace of mind, especially for solo and multi-destination travel, it is worth it.
The main things to know: your phone must be eSIM-compatible; it is a data plan (you keep your own number for calls and texts, or use internet calling); tethering and hotspot allowances vary by plan, so check; and a bare local SIM can sometimes be cheaper if the lowest price is your only priority. None of these is dealbreakers for most travellers, but they are worth knowing.
You buy the plan for your destination, install the eSIM on your phone (by scanning a QR code or through the app), and follow the activation steps before you travel, using your home Wi-Fi. When you land and turn off flight mode, the eSIM connects automatically. Your home line stays available for your own number.
Yes, Holafly offers an Unlimited Data eSIM covering 200+ destinations, which is what I use for trips. Its day-based Travel eSIMs let you choose the exact number of days for a single trip, while Holafly Plans are a global subscription for frequent travellers who want continuous connectivity across many destinations. There is also Always On, a backup data safety net of 1 GB every month across 70+ destinations for unexpected moments or between trips. Check the current coverage and prices on Holafly’s site, as they are updated regularly.
Further reading
- Put it to use: the best eSIM for Japan and staying connected in Lapland
- The rest of my kit: my essential travel gear
- Tips for planning an independent solo trip
Get 5% off eSIMs (and 10% off Holafly Plans for the first 12 months) with code SILVIAMOGGIA on Holafly. Written in partnership with Holafly; contains an affiliate link and discount code at no extra cost to you. #HolaflyTraveller #adv
