Best eSIMs for Travel Compared: Airalo, Yesim, Saily, Drimsim

Travel eSIMs let you get mobile data in another country without hunting for a local SIM card or paying roaming charges. Here is how they work, what to check, and how four popular options (Airalo, Yesim, Saily and Drimsim) fit different trips.

How a travel eSIM works

An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone. Instead of swapping a plastic card, you download a profile, usually by scanning a QR code or tapping an install button in an app. Your phone then connects to a local network through the provider's partners.

The basic steps are usually:

• Buy a plan for your destination (or a regional or global plan).
• Install the eSIM profile while you still have Wi-Fi, ideally before you leave.
• Switch the eSIM on for data once you land.
• Keep your normal SIM for calls and texts, and turn off data roaming on it.

Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so you would use WhatsApp, FaceTime or similar apps rather than a regular phone number. Some providers offer plans with calls or texts, so check the plan details if you need a number.

What to check before you buy

Prices and plans change often, so rather than quoting numbers, here is what is worth comparing on each provider's own page.

1. Is your phone compatible?

Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked from its original network. If it is locked to your home carrier, a travel eSIM will not work. Your phone's settings or your carrier can tell you.

2. Coverage in your destination

Check that the country is listed, and which local networks the plan uses. If you are heading to rural areas, islands or mountains, coverage depends on the local network, not on the eSIM brand. Regional plans covering several countries are handy for multi-stop trips, but check that every country on your route is included.

3. Data allowance and validity

Look at both the amount of data and the number of days. Plans usually start counting either when you install or when you first connect to a network in the destination, so read how each one works. Also check what happens when the data or time runs out.

4. Top-ups and extensions

Can you add more data to the same eSIM, or do you have to buy and install a new one? Top-ups are easier if you are staying longer than planned or tend to use a lot of data.

5. Hotspot, speeds and fair use

If you want to share data with a laptop or a travel companion, check that tethering is allowed. Also look for speed limits or fair-use policies in the small print.

6. Support and refunds

If the install fails, you will want help quickly. See what support the provider offers and what its refund policy says about unused or faulty eSIMs.

Airalo, Yesim, Saily and Drimsim at a glance

The table sets out the general character of each provider. Details change, so confirm everything on the provider's site before buying.

Airalo

Airalo is one of the best-known travel eSIM brands. You choose a country, a region or a global plan, pick a data size and duration, and install via the app or a QR code. It suits travellers who want a simple, plan-by-plan choice for a specific destination. As always, compare the plan list for your country against the others below.

If you already know where you are going, you can open the destination page directly. For example, there is a dedicated page for Japan.

Need data abroad? → Browse Airalo eSIM plans

Yesim

Yesim also offers eSIM plans for individual countries and wider regions, and is run through its own app. It is worth a look if you are comparing options for a destination or planning a multi-country trip. Check the plan types on offer, whether any include calls or texts, and how the app handles top-ups.

Saily

Saily comes from the company behind NordVPN, which may appeal if you like having a known name behind your connection. It is another app-based eSIM service with country and regional plans. As with the others, compare the data sizes, validity periods and tethering rules for your own trip.

Drimsim

Drimsim is a travel SIM brand that has historically worked a little differently from the standard "buy a data bundle" model. Read how its plans and charges work before you commit, and check whether it offers an eSIM or a physical SIM for your phone and destination. It may suit travellers who want something different from a fixed data bundle, but only if the way it charges makes sense for how you use your phone.

Which should you choose?

There is no single winner. The right eSIM depends on your trip:

• One country, short stay: compare the country-specific plans from each provider and pick the one with the data and days you need.
• Several countries: look for a regional plan, and verify every country on your route is covered.
• Longer trip or heavy data use: prioritise easy top-ups and clear terms about speed limits.
• Need a phone number: check whether the plan includes calls or texts, or plan to use your home SIM or messaging apps.

A sensible habit is to open two or three provider pages for your destination and compare the same four things: data, days, coverage and top-up options. It takes a few minutes and avoids paying for more than you need.

Practical tips before you fly

• Install the eSIM while you have Wi-Fi, but do not activate data until you land, unless the provider says otherwise.
• Take a screenshot of the QR code and instructions, as you may need them offline.
• Turn off data roaming on your main SIM to avoid unexpected charges.
• Keep your phone's eSIM settings handy so you can switch the right line on for data.
• Check your home carrier's roaming terms too. For a short trip it may be an option, but compare it carefully.

Keep your trips organised with travel2gether

Once your data is sorted, travel2gether's countries visited map lets you record every place you have been, so you can remember where each trip took you. For planning, browse the country guides to read up on your next destination before you go.