Planning a route through several countries is exciting until you think about your phone bill. Maps, translation apps, boarding passes and restaurant bookings all depend on mobile data, and the cost of getting it abroad can spoil the trip. If you are heading across the continent soon, using an eSIM in Europe is one of the easiest ways to stay online without the roaming shock. This guide covers how it works and how to set it up.
Why Roaming Is Usually the Wrong Choice
A great majority of home carriers charge a daily roaming fee or sell short term packages that expire fast. You can waste a whole lot of money in one day by streaming a few songs and uploading holiday photos! If so, you’re either purchasing a different one, or looking for a café Wi-Fi.
Public Wi-Fi is also not a good option. Often slow, and it is off when you are walking, as well as open networks can be a security risk. You wouldn’t want to download an app from your bank on a hotel Wi-Fi connection.
A travel eSIM eliminates these two issues. Your travel is paid for a fixed amount, and as soon as you reach the local area your phone connects to the local networks.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a virtual SIM that comes preinstalled in your phone. You don’t need to purchase a plastic card to swap into a tray, you simply scan a QR code or tap through an app, and in a couple of minutes the plan is installed.
It’s digital, so you can configure it from the comfort of your couch on the way out. Most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones and Google Pixel models support eSIMs. See if your phone is compatible before purchasing, as older and carrier-locked phones might not be compatible.
Why It Suits a Multi-Country Trip
The biggest advantage on a route through several countries is that you don’t need a new SIM at every border. Local SIM cards usually only work in the country that sold them. If you take a train from Paris to Amsterdam and then fly to Rome, you could end up buying three cards and carrying them all.
A regional eSIM plan solves this. Holafly’s Europe plan covers 33 countries, including popular stops like France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, so one install works across your whole itinerary. Check that every country on your route is on the list before you buy.
Data Allowances: Fixed or Unlimited?
Many travel eSIMs sell data in gigabyte blocks, so you have to guess how much you will use. A rough guide:
- Maps and messaging use very little data.
- Video calls and streaming use a lot.
- Uploading photos and videos to social media can add up quickly.
- A phone used as a hotspot for a laptop uses the most.
If you aren’t sure what you’ll need, it is better to have unlimited data. Unlike with other options, Holafly does not require you to top up your meter or monitor how much you are using—this comes in handy if you are driving through an unfamiliar city on a tight schedule.
Setting Up in Four Steps
It is easy to do, and it will alleviate stress at the airport.
- Choose your plan. Choose the number of days required. Plans vary in cost depending on the number of days, and are available for one day to 90 days.
- Install the eSIM. Open the app to get a step-by-step setup or scan the QR code that you have received in the email. This is an Internet connection requirement, and therefore must be performed at home.
- Use your standard SIM to make calls. You can retain your regular SIM and use it for data too. If you use the original line, disable data roaming to prevent any unexpected bills.
- Activate on arrival. When you land, turn on the eSIM and enable data roaming in your settings. This does not cost extra when the eSIM is set up correctly. Your plan starts when it first connects to a local network.
One thing to know: Holafly’s Europe eSIM is data only and does not come with a phone number. You can still call and text through WhatsApp or other internet-based apps, and your WhatsApp number stays the same.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Connection
Download offline maps anyway. Even with a good eSIM, coverage in remote areas can be patchy. Mountain regions such as parts of the Alps, national parks and roads far from towns may have weaker signal. Saving maps offline means you are never stuck.
Share data with your travel companions. If you are traveling as a group, hotspot sharing means one person’s plan can cover a second device. With Holafly you can share up to 1 GB per day, so a 7-day plan allows up to 7 GB of shareable data. Everyone in the group still needs their own plan if they want their own unlimited data.
Keep the eSIM installed. Deleting it is not necessary when the plan ends. Holafly includes a feature called Always On, which gives you 1 GB of backup data each month in more than 150 countries as long as the eSIM stays installed. It is handy for a quick map lookup on your next trip.
Save your QR code. Take a screenshot or print it in case you need to reinstall. If you lose it, you can find your eSIM details in the app.
Don’t switch phones mid-trip. An eSIM can’t be transferred or reinstalled once it is installed, so if you change or reset your device you will need a new one.
Money-Saving Considerations
It is the cost that people choose eSIMs for, so here are some ways to keep it affordable:
- Purchase the correct amount of days. Longer plans are cheaper per day, but of course you wouldn’t pay for 30 days for a 10-day trip.
- Check out how expensive per day is compared with your carrier’s “roaming bundle”. Add any additional bundles you would consider using.
- Steer clear of the SIMs from the airport kiosks. They are easy to find but usually much higher in price than if purchased online in advance.
- Read through the refund specifications. Holafly does refund up to 6 months when there are cancellations or incompatible devices lowering the risk to purchase too early.
Who Benefits Most
This is beneficial for frequent travelers, digital nomads and short-stay tourists in particular:
- Road-trippers and rail travellers, crossing multiple borders within a week.
- Reliable e-mail and video calling without the dependence on hotel WiFi for business travellers.
- Individuals and families who desire one easy setup for all of them.
- People who are taking photos and videos all the way along the way.
For an extended period of time within a single country, you may find a local SIM card or country-specific plan to be less expensive. A regional plan is generally less cumbersome for any that crosses borders.
A Quick Pre-Departure Checklist
Before you’re off, make sure you go through this list:
- Check if your phone is eSIM supported and unlocked.
- Make sure that the plan accounts for all your destinations.
- Connect eSIM at home via WiFi.
- Capture your QR code and store support contact information.
- Download offline maps and translation packs as a precaution.
- Remove the main SIM’s data roaming.
It shouldn’t be the most difficult part of your trip to stay connected! Using the right system, you can use the train, book an “on the fly” table and post your pictures without worrying about data consumption. When you’re away from home, you know you can reach out to Holafly’s team anytime you need help. You can find out more about their plans and destinations at Holafly.
That’s all you have to do to prepare your phone to travel across the continent. Pack light, download your maps and have fun!
