Last Updated on August 25, 2026 by Nadia Halfway
📜 Introduction.
Nowadays, with the best eSIM and VPN providers there is no more hunt for a phone cards as soon as you land in a new country.
Travelling the world is amazing, but stressing over finding a reliable internet connection not so much. Staying connected is not just about posting stories on Instagram. It’s a huge safety factor especially for us solo female travellers. You need maps to get to your hotel, translation apps to communicate, and WhatsApp to let your family know you’re fine.
And then there is the issue of public Wi-Fi. We all use it, but it can be super dodgy. That is why having a good VPN is just as important as having data. It keeps your passwords safe and lets you watch your favourite shows when you’re having a chill night in your hotel.
Here is my list of the best eSIM and VPN providers so you can sort your connection out before you even pack your bags.
⚠️Disclaimer: Some of the websites below are affiliate links or require a promo code for receiving a discount. If you book through them or use my personal promo code at the time of subscription or reservation, I’ll earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you), and you’ll get a discount or a special promotion too. It’s a win–win!
Please be aware that affiliate links may expire and promo codes may reach their usage limit. If you find that a link or code no longer works, kindly let me know. I’ll be happy to share an updated one (if available) directly with you.
📍 Quibity by eSim
Quibity by eSim is an absolute game-changer, especially if you decide to visit multiple countries within the same region. In fact, instead of buying a new local SIM card every time you cross a border, you can simply book a single regional eSIM that covers several destinations at once. I used it for my trip to Baku when I had a long stopover in Istanbul, as it encompasses these two countries in one package.
Whether you are touring the Balkans, backpacking across South East Asia, or exploring the Middle East, they have the perfect travel data package to keep you constantly connected. It is incredibly convenient and completely takes away the stress of losing your internet connection while on the move.
🎁 Use the coupon below or register via Quibity to unlock your 5% discount 🎁
NADOICMC
📍 Yesim
Yesim stands out as a premier Swiss-based eSIM provider. Its comprehensive coverage across 150+ countries (including North America, EU, and Middle East) it’s perfect for globe-trotters who demand flexibility and cost-effectiveness. With a focus on affordability and flexibility, Yesim offers a diverse range of data plans tailored to individual needs, such as single-country, regional, and global eSIM packages. Moreover, you get a small discount: the more eSIMs you buy in once, the higher the savings. I purchased several of them for my friends and me when we travelled for 4 days in North Macedonia.
Another Yesim’s standout feature is its International eSIM operating on a convenient Pay-as-You-Go model. So users only pay for the data they consume, eliminating the burden of hefty roaming charges.
🎁 Use the referral code below to register on Yesim and unlock your €5 discount 🎁
UKUO6728
📍 Saily
This is a newer player on the market but already popular developed by Nord Security, the same team behind NordVPN. Saily is fantastic because it focuses heavily on security and ease of use. The setup is lightning fast, and they offer very competitive rates, especially for longer holidays.
Global Coverage extends in 200+ countries and regions and connects to top local networks, offering 4G/5G speeds in many areas. They also have 24/7 customer support via live chat or email.
🔽 Click the button below to purchase your eSIM with Saily! 🔽
📍 Airalo
This is arguably the most famous eSIM app in the world right now. Airalo covers over 200 countries and regions and it is incredibly user-friendly even if you aren’t a tech person. You can buy local, regional or global eSIMs. It’s my go-to when I’m hopping between a few countries in the same region and don’t want the hassle of switching profiles constantly. The support team is available 24/7 and offers prompt assistance via chat on the Airalo website, social media, or email.
At the time of writing, if you sign up as a new Airalo user, you can get a 15% discount using the code NEWTOAIRALO15. This is a limited-time offer that could expire at any moment. For a guaranteed discount, you can use my coupon below to get €3 off instead. Just go with whichever option gives you the best saving!
Keep in mind that you can only enter one code at checkout, so you won’t be able to combine them on a single purchase. Also, if you’re already an existing Airalo user, referral codes might not work.
🔽 You can search for your next destination and purchase your eSIM directly in the search bar below! 🔽
🎁 Use the coupon below or register via Airalo to unlock your €3 discount 🎁
NADIA3391
📍 KKday
If you are heading to Asia (especially Japan and South Korea), KKday is a go-to for sorting out mobile data. They offer a brilliant selection of instant eSIMs, traditional SIM cards, and even portable WiFi devices.
The setup is incredibly simple, and the local network coverage is always top-notch. It saves you the massive headache of hunting for a mobile shop at a busy airport.
🔽 Click the button below to purchase your eSIM with KKday! 🔽
📍 GigSky
If you are planning a cruise or a trip in multiple continents in one go, GigSky is the eSIM provider most travellers have never heard of but absolutely should. In fact, what makes it genuinely different from every other provider on this list is its dedicated coverage for cruise routes.
While most eSIMs drop to expensive maritime rates or stop working entirely the moment your ship leaves port, GigSky offers specific plans designed to keep you connected both at sea and across the ports of call on your itinerary, covering popular cruise routes in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and beyond. For land-based travel, it covers 190+ countries with straightforward daily and data-cap plans.
🔽 Click the button below to purchase your eSIM with GigSky! 🔽
📍 Klook
Klook is best known as an experiences platform, but its connectivity section offers eSIMs, physical SIM cards, and pocket WiFi devices, with strong coverage across Asia particularly in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong among others.
If you are already using Klook to book tours and activities on your Asian itinerary, adding your data connection to the same order is genuinely convenient and often competitively priced.
🎁 Subscribe via Klook.com to receive €5 off your next booking 🎁
📍 Trip.com
You probably already know Trip.com for booking hotels and train tickets, but their eSIMs are a massive hidden gem too. They offer reliable data packages for loads of countries around the world.
Moreover, some of their eSIMs actually come with a VPN included! If you are travelling to places where your favourite apps are blocked like in China, this is an absolute lifesaver. This way, you don’t have to worry about buying and setting up two separate apps. You just download the eSIM, install it and you are instantly connected and ready to scroll through Instagram or message your friends back home.
🎁 Use the referral code below or register via Trip.com to unlock your €10 discount 🎁
U51IZ5
📄 Prefer a Physical Card?
Drimsim is the first universal SIM card and free app for travellers and just like any other sim card, you can insert into your phone, tablet, or router. The SIM is conveniently delivered to your home and the difference is that it is not tied to a specific operator. Once your plane lands in a new country, Drimsim is immediately ready to work. It operates in 190 countries, provides stable communication, a fast Internet connection, and prices similar to those of local operators.
You can call your friends and they can call you. You can chat, post photos, and make routes without being afraid of spending all your money on roaming. Drimsim has an app to help you keep track of your expenses and the balance can be refilled manually or via auto-payment. Money is written off in seconds and megabytes, but not for packages or subscribers.
🔽 Click the button below to purchase your Sim with Drimsim! 🔽
🔒 Best VPN for Safety.
Whether you are working from a cute cafe in Thailand or connecting to the airport Wi-Fi in New York, NordVPN protects your personal data from hackers lurking on those open networks.
Beyond safety, it is the undisputed queen of streaming. It lets you change your virtual location so you can access your home Netflix or BBC iPlayer library from anywhere in the world. It’s fast, secure, and one subscription covers multiple devices. So your phone, laptop, and tablet are all sorted.
🔽 Click the button below to purchase your VPN with NordVPN! 🔽
🗂️ Quick Comparison.
| Provider | Type | Coverage | Best For | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quibity | eSIM | Regional and global | Multi-country regional trips | NADOICMC (5% off) |
| Yesim | eSIM | 150+ countries | Flexible pay-as-you-go global data | UKUO6728 (€5 off) |
| Saily | eSIM | 200+ countries | Security-focused, long holidays | x |
| Airalo | eSIM | 200+ countries | Intuitive app | NEWTOAIRALO15 (15% discount) NADIA3391 (€3 discount) |
| KKday | eSIM + physical SIM + WiFi device | Asia-focused | Japan, South Korea, Asia travel | x |
| GigSky | eSIM | 190+ countries + cruise routes | Cruises and multi-continent trips | x |
| Klook | eSIM + physical SIM + WiFi device | Worldwide | Very strong in Asia | [link] (€5 off) |
| Trip.com | eSIM (incl. VPN option) | Worldwide | China travel, VPN built-in | U51IZ5 (€10 off) |
| Drimsim | Physical SIM | 190 countries | Calls + data, no operator lock-in | x |
| NordVPN | VPN | Worldwide | Secure browsing + streaming from home | x |
💡 Travel Tips.
Before you jet off, let me share a few tips I’ve picked up after my many travels abroad.
The Truth About European Roaming.
If you are travelling within Europe, things can get a bit confusing depending on where your SIM card is from.
For my EU friends, you are lucky! You can use your normal allowance in other EU countries without extra fees. Just be careful with use limits, they might cap you at around 12GB or 20GB while abroad. Check with your provider.
Sadly, since Brexit, free roaming isn’t guaranteed anymore in the United Kingdom. Big providers have brought back daily roaming charges (usually around €2 a day). Always double-check your contract before you fly, or you might come home to a nasty bill.
If you are visiting Europe from the US, Australia, or anywhere else, your home provider will likely charge you a fortune. Buying one of the eSIMs I have mentioned above is honestly the cheapest and easiest way to stay connected across multiple borders.
How to Save Data Like a Pro.
Even with an eSIM, data isn’t infinite. Here is how you can save some GB during your trip.
Before leaving your hotel Wi-Fi, download offline maps. Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, select Offline maps, then Select your own map and drag the area you need to cover. You can still navigate and find places without using a single megabyte of data!
If you have an iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Service and scroll all the way to the bottom. Turn off Wi-Fi Assist. If your hotel Wi-Fi is a bit dodgy, this feature switches you to 4G/5G, and you won’t even realise you are burning through your data allowance.
Go into your phone settings and turn off “Background App Refresh” for apps you don’t need instantly.
If you are low on data and also battery but need to keep your map open, load your route, then pop your phone on Flight Mode. The GPS still works even without a signal!
❓ FAQ.
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital version of the traditional plastic SIM card that is built directly into your phone. Instead of physically swapping a tiny chip, you download a data plan from a provider like Airalo or Yesim, scan a QR code or activate it through an app, and your phone connects to the local network in your destination automatically.
Most smartphones released after 2018 support eSIM. The easiest way to check is to go to your phone settings and search for “eSIM” or “Add mobile plan”. If your phone doesn’t support eSIMs, you can order a physical SIM card, such as those from Drimsim.
Yes. Most modern smartphones let you run a physical SIM (your home number for calls and texts) alongside an eSIM at the same time. This is the most convenient setup for travelling: you keep your home number active for banking apps and two-factor authentication, while using the local eSIM for data.
China is a special case because most Western apps (Instagram, WhatsApp, Google Maps) are blocked. Trip.com’s eSIM is the standout option here because some of their China plans include a built-in VPN, which lets you access your usual apps without needing a separate VPN subscription.
Most standard eSIMs do not work reliably at sea, since ships switch to expensive maritime satellite networks once they leave port. GigSky is the exception: it offers specific plans designed for cruise itineraries that maintain coverage both in port and at sea on popular routes in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
🎈 Conclusion.
Say goodbye to dropping off the grid or paying extortionate roaming fees with the best eSIM and VPN providers while exploring the globe.
Once you switch to an eSIM, you will never look back. It is much easier than hunting for tiny plastic chips in a foreign airport with all your luggage. It completely takes the stress out of arrivals. And please, do not skip the VPN! It is such a small price to pay for total peace of mind (and keeping up with your favourite series even during a trip).
If you want to make sure the rest of your tech game is just as sorted before your next flight, don’t miss my post on essential electronic devices for travelling.
💬 And you? Do you prefer using eSIMs or do you still stick to physical SIM cards when you travel? Let me know in the comments below!
☕ Did you find this post helpful? If you’d like, you can support my blog by treating me to a virtual coffee!
Want to stay updated with my latest itineraries, receive practical guides and unique travel tips, and enjoy exclusive discounts on hotels, flights, and activities?
✨Click the button below and join my community of travel girls!✨
