What are Esims and How to Staying Connected While Traveling
One of the biggest travel stressors for me isn’t packing; it’s staying connected. With the world turning at the speed of light, it’s important to stay connected without having to deal with complicated technology or outrageous roaming fees.
Navigating a new European city, calling an Uber from the airport, or checking in with family from a cruise port, reliable mobile data matters and contributes to stress-free travel.
That’s where eSIMs come in.
Remember back in the day, you would have to remove a SIM card from your phone and replace it with one from the country you were traveling to? Thankfully, no more.
An eSIM is simply a digital SIM card already built into most new smartphones. Download the provider’s app, and with a few clicks, you can download a data plan before your trip and connect the moment you land.
I’ve researched, compared, and used the most popular travel eSIMs, the ones I’d recommend are listed below.
Why Travelers Are Switching to eSIMs
Traditional roaming plans can cost $10–15 per day with major U.S. carriers. eSIMs are often dramatically cheaper while offering flexible data plans in over 200 countries.
Benefits of using an eSIM while traveling:
- No physical SIM cards
- Activate before departure
- Avoid expensive roaming charges
- Easy setup through an app
- Great for cruises and international trips
For most travelers over 60 like me, simplicity matters and eSIMs remove one more travel headache.
Airalo vs Saily vs GigSky: Which Travel eSIM Is Best?
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Airalo | Saily | GigSky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries Covered | 200+ | 200+ | 200+ + cruise ships |
| Starting Price | ~$4.50 | ~$3.99 | ~$8.99 |
| Best For | Multi-country trips | Budget & simplicity | Cruises |
| Cruise Coverage | Limited | Limited | Yes |
| Built-In Security Features | No | Yes | No |
| Voice Calls/Text | Mostly data only | Data only | Data only |
| Ease of Use | Excellent | Very beginner-friendly | Moderate |
| Best Feature | Wide global coverage | Security + simple pricing | Cruise connectivity |
Pricing and coverage vary by country and plan type.
Airalo: Best Overall for International Travel
If you’re taking a multi-country trip through Europe or exploring several destinations in one vacation, Airalo is one of the best travel eSIMs available.
It’s especially good for Europe, Asia, and longer international itineraries. I’ve used it while I was in the Scottish Highlands, receiving calls from South America, and the connection was super clear.
Pros
- Excellent international coverage
- Great for multi-country travel
- Reliable app and activation
- Strong reputation among travelers
Cons
- Can be slightly more expensive
- Less beginner-friendly than Saily
- No Cruise Connectivity
- Connectivity is spotty when arriving at a new destination
Best For
Travelers visiting multiple countries overseas.
Planning an international trip? I recommend checking Airalo’s regional Europe and Mediterranean plans before you leave home.
Saily: Best Budget-Friendly eSIM for Seniors
Saily is newer to the travel eSIM market, but it has quickly become popular because of its simple pricing and beginner-friendly setup.
Created by the team behind NordVPN, Saily also includes built-in privacy features like ad blocking and web protection.
What I like most:
- Very easy app experience
- Straightforward pricing
- Less confusing plan choices
- Excellent for first-time eSIM users
Pros
- Lowest starting prices
- Simple and clean interface
- Built-in security features
- Great for casual travelers
Cons
- Not ideal for cruise connectivity
- Fewer advanced options
- Coverage can vary in remote areas
Best For
First-time eSIM users and budget-conscious travelers.
If you want the simplest possible setup for your next trip, Saily is a great beginner-friendly option.
GigSky: Best eSIM for Cruises
I was pleasantly surprised by GigSky’s connectivity out at sea on my last cruise. I was able to send texts, messages, and scroll on social media quite easily, something most eSIM providers don’t support well. It does have its drawbacks. I bought the 3 GB plan for a 7-day cruise and ran out a day before the cruise ended. But I did use it to work, so I was using it quite a bit.
GigSky markets plans that work across cruise ships and ports, making it appealing for travelers who want internet access at sea without paying full onboard Wi-Fi prices.
Pros
- Designed for cruise travelers
- Cruise + port connectivity
- Works on many major cruise lines
- Good for frequent cruisers
- Much cheaper than the cruise lines’ Wi-Fi plans
- Your VISA card may be eligible for extra benefits
Cons
- Each plan can only be used on one device.
- Mixed reviews on land coverage recently
- Some users report slower speeds in certain regions
- Easy app to use and choose a plaGig
Best For
Cruise travelers who need onboard connectivity.
Taking a cruise? GigSky may be worth considering if staying connected at sea is important to you.
My Honest Recommendation
Here’s the simple version:
- Choose Airalo for overseas and multi-country travel
- Choose Saily if you want the easiest and most affordable option
- Choose GigSky if you cruise often and need at-sea connectivity
Final Thoughts
I’m not particularly tech-savvy, and I found eSIMs are surprisingly simple to use. Once installed on your phone, they can save money, reduce stress, and help you stay confidently connected wherever your travels take you. It’s important to download the provider’s app and activate it before you travel and while you have reliable WI-FI.
eSIMs have made my international travel so much easier, and I highly recommend their use. The initial “How to” may be a little confusing at first, so it’s important to play around with it before your trip. Once on your trip, make sure you don’t run out of GB. If you need to top it off, you’ll need to be connected. I learned that on my cruise!
And honestly? Having Google Maps working the moment you land in a new country is one of those little travel luxuries that immediately reduces my stress.
Safe Travels! Evie
Head out to my Travel Tips & Resources page for more helpful info!