Traveling across Europe is an amazing experience. Exploring new destinations, immersing yourself in different cultures, tasting delicious cuisines – it’s the stuff that travel dreams are made of!

But here’s the not-so-fun part: Finding a way to stay connected throughout your trip. Relying on public WiFi and roaming charges from your home carrier can get expensive REAL quick.

That’s where eSIM cards come in! eSIMs (short for embedded SIM cards) are revolutionizing the way we stay connected while traveling. Unlike old-school physical SIM cards, eSIMs are directly embedded into your phone.

This allows you to activate data plans remotely, without having to fumble with tiny little SIM cards. Pretty convenient, right?

But with so many eSIM providers out there, how do you know which one is the best eSIM for Europe?

That’s exactly what this monster guide will cover! I’ll walk you through:

• The benefits of using an eSIM for Europe
• Tips for picking the right eSIM provider
• Detailed reviews of the top eSIMs for European travel
• Step-by-step instructions for activating your eSIM

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly which eSIM to buy for your upcoming trip across Europe. Time to get connected!

Why You Should Use an eSIM for Europe

Let’s kick things off by talking about why an eSIM is the best option for staying connected in Europe.

Here are the key benefits that eSIMs offer over old-school physical SIM cards:

No Roaming Charges

One of the biggest perks of using an eSIM for Europe is avoiding insane roaming charges from your provider back home.

For example, if you use Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile in the US, you’d pay $10 per DAY to use your existing number abroad. And data charges are around $10 per GB!

By getting a local eSIM, you skip out on these absurd roaming fees.

Remote Activation

With a physical SIM card, you’d have to go to a local shop once you land in Europe to get it activated.

eSIMs let you activate your data plan before you even hop on the plane! All it takes is scanning a QR code on your phone. This makes eSIMs super convenient for travelers.

Use Multiple Numbers

Since eSIMs are embedded, you can have your regular number and a local eSIM number active at the same time.

This allows you to make cheap local calls without losing access to your regular number. Pretty handy!

Better Security

Because eSIMs activate remotely, you don’t have to hand your phone over to a random shop employee when you land.

This is much more secure since no one has physical access to your device.

Plus, eSIM profiles are stored directly on your phone. So there’s no tiny plastic SIM card that can easily be lost or stolen.

Easier Switching

With a physical SIM, switching providers means going to get your SIM card swapped out.

But eSIMs make it a breeze to change plans or providers. Just scan a new provider’s QR code and you’re good to go!

Extra Storage Space

eSIMs clear up that pesky physical SIM card slot. This allows phone manufacturers to use that space for other components. Or just make devices smaller overall.

So if sleeker gadgets are your thing, eSIMs definitely deliver in that department!

Clearly, eSIMs take the hassle out of staying connected in Europe.

But how do you pick the right eSIM provider for your trip?

5 Tips for Finding the Best eSIM for Europe

With so many eSIM providers out there, it can be tricky to figure out which one is best for your upcoming Eurotrip.

Here are 5 tips to make sure you select the perfect eSIM provider:

1. Compare Coverage Maps

The #1 thing to look for is solid coverage throughout Europe. Otherwise, you might find yourself with no data in certain areas.

Start by looking at the coverage map for each provider you’re considering:

Image source

Look for carriers that use major providers like Vodafone, Orange, and T-Mobile for the widest coverage.

2. Consider Your Destinations

Providers like Airalo and Truphone publish real-time maps showing their coverage across Europe.

If you’re only hitting major cities, you’ll probably be fine with any decent provider. But if you’re traveling off the beaten path, double check that your eSIM works in those areas.

For example, some eSIMs don’t work on certain European islands. So if you’re headed to Sicily, Corsica, or the Greek Islands, triple check coverage.

3. Understand the Activation Process

One thing that turns people off from eSIMs is a complicated activation process.

I totally get it – you just want your eSIM to work without any headaches.

The good news? Most eSIMs only take a few minutes to activate these days:

• Download the provider’s app or access your account dashboard online
• Scan the QR code they provide
• Connect to WiFi and enter the eSIM PIN
• Activate!

As long as you have the QR code and PIN handy, it’s a breeze.

That said, triple check return policies in case you DO run into any activation issues. Most reputable providers will refund you if the eSIM doesn’t activate properly.

4. Compare Data Packages

Of course, juicy data packages are what it’s all about!

Most eSIM providers offer plans in 1GB, 5GB, 10GB or Unlimited increments over 7, 30, or 90 days. Some also let you customize and mix-and-match exactly how much data you need.

When comparing plans, calculate the per GB price for each:

Provider A: 5GB for 30 days = $25 total. $5 per GB.

Provider B: 10GB for 30 days = $40 total. $4 per GB.

In this example, Provider B is a better value if you need lots of data.

Finally, don’t forget to factor in things like free high-speed data passes or local calling minutes that providers offer. These little perks can add up, especially on longer trips.

5. Consider Compatibility

Double check that your device supports eSIM functionality before pulling the trigger.

The latest iPhones, Samsung Galaxy models, Google Pixel phones, and select laptops from these manufacturers all play nice with eSIMs.

But if you’re rocking an older device, there’s a chance it may not work. Reach out to your eSIM provider if you’re unsure.

Using these tips will make sure you select a reliable eSIM provider for anywhere you travel in Europe.

Next, let’s look at reviews of the top eSIM options for Europe travel this year. Time to find you the best deal!

Top eSIM Providers for Europe in 2024

Based on value, coverage, reliability, and ease of use – here are my picks for the best eSIMs for Europe travel this year:

Airalo – Best Overall Europe eSIM

For unlimited data at blazing-fast speeds, Airalo simply can’t be beaten.

They offer a 30-day Unlimited Europe eSIM for just $39. No speed caps, no worrying about running out of data.

If unlimited seems excessive, I also love their 30-day 5GB plan for just $17. That works out to only $3.50 per GB, which is excellent value.

Here’s a quick look at what you get with Airalo:

• Plans in 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, and Unlimited increments
• Blazing LTE speeds up to 400 Mbps
• Over 95% European coverage, including remote areas
• Easy remote eSIM activation via QR code
• Intuitive app to manage your plan
• 24/7 customer support

I’ve used Airalo throughout Europe over the past year without any hiccups. Their coverage maps are accurate, so you always get a strong signal.

And their speeds are FAST – great for streaming Netflix or Youtube when you need some downtime.

Finally, Airalo’s app makes it easy to pause your plan when you don’t need data. This comes in handy on relaxing beach days or for flights between countries.

For unlimited Europe travel data that just works, Airalo is my hands-down top recommendation.

👉 Get Airalo Europe eSIM

Truphone – Best Value eSIM

If bargains are your thing, Truphone consistently offers the lowest rates for data in Europe.

Their 1GB, 30-day European plan costs just $6. That’s an insane value when other providers charge up to 3X more per GB!

For heavy data users, they also offer a 30-day plan with 15GB of high-speed data and unlimited 2G data after that. All for just $30.

I should note that Truphone’s speeds don’t reach the blazing-fast levels of Airalo. But they’re reliable for basic usage like messaging, maps, social media, and light web browsing.

Other things I like about Truphone:

• Super easy eSIM activation right from their website
• Access to local European phone numbers
• Generous data rollover policies
• Customer support via phone, email and chat

If you just need the basics while exploring Europe’s ancient alleys and world-class museums, Truphone gets the job done for cheap.

They won’t work for data-hungry nomads. But for light usage their deals can’t be beat!

Get Truphone Europe eSIM

DENT – Best Flexible Europe eSIM

If having total control over your cell plan is important, DENT is my top suggestion.

They take a totally unique approach by letting you design a customized eSIM kit.

You can choose:

• Exact amount of data (100MB, 500MB, 1GB, 3GB…)
• Number of days the data lasts (3, 7, 15, 30 etc)
• Which individual countries you need the eSIM for

This is perfect if you’re road tripping around Europe and only need data for certain countries.

Or if you just need a few hundred MBs to supplement the free WiFi at your hostel.

DENT literally lets you tailor a plan to EXACTLY what you need. Pretty cool!

Other DENT highlights:

• Instant eSIM QR code activation
• Roaming across 70 European countries
• Plans start at ~$5 for 1GB
• Unused data doesn’t expire for a full year

While the speeds aren’t quite as blistering fast as Airalo, they easily handled Google Maps navigation, Spotify streaming, and Instagram scrolling when I road tripped around the Balkans last year.

If complete control and flexibility are big for you, design your perfect Europe data plan with DENT.

Create Your DENT eSIM Kit

Activating Your Europe eSIM in 3 Simple Steps

Alright, you’ve chosen the perfect European eSIM provider for your trip. Now it’s go time!

Activating your eSIM takes just a few minutes. Here are the simple steps:

1. Download the Provider’s App

Once you purchase your Europe eSIM plan, your provider will send you an email and text message containing:

• A QR activation code
• An eSIM PIN

First, download your eSIM provider’s app. This is where you’ll scan the QR code in the next step.![App store downloads][]

2. Scan the QR Code

Open the app and scan the QR code that your provider emailed and texted.

On iPhone, you can simply open the link directly from the email and it will launch the app. Super convenient!

This pairs your device with the eSIM profile.

3. Connect to WiFi and Enter PIN

The final step is to connect to WiFi and enter the PIN from the activation email.

This verifies your device and activates your eSIM!

Once the app confirms activation, you’re all set to use data throughout Europe. It really is incredibly easy.

The whole process takes about 2-3 minutes in my experience.

And that’s it – you now have a working eSIM ready for transatlantic or European adventures!

Start Your Eurotrip Off Right With the Best Europe eSIM

Sourcing a local Europe SIM used to be a time-consuming hassle.

But eSIM technology has changed the game completely – making it super easy to get connected abroad with just a few taps on your phone.

So do yourself a favor and grab one of the top eSIMs in this guide before your next big European adventure.

You worked hard to plan an epic continent-hopping journey. Don’t ruin it with expensive roaming charges or unreliable public WiFi!

Thanks for reading and bon voyage! Let me know if you have any other questions. I’m always happy to help fellow travelers.