We are wondering about the eSIM cards (not the little physical SIM cards, these are digital eSIM, that you download onto your cell) for travelling to different countries and would appreciate any feedback on what one you have used, (good or bad feedback is helpful), the service coverage, price, etc and feedback is helpful!! Thanks in advance!!

I recently used HolaFly esim when I was in Mexico. I paid like $40 or so for 10 days activation with unlimited data. You just need to follow the instructions to a T to make sure you don’t incurre roaming charges. Overall it did what it was supposed to and I didn’t get any surprise billing issues.

Matti under what circumstances would one incur roaming charges in Mexico? I have Verizon and we only get a 0.5 GB per day data allowance in Mexico. The cruise ship plans are way too expensive and way too slow. I’m thinking of using the HolaFly data plan when the ship is docked in port. We tend to stay on the ship and enjoy the peace and quiet of the ship on port days.

We started using the airalo eSIMs and have had no issues. Have use it in the US, Turkey, and most recently Western Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany). You just need to make sure your phone will support it. I am still rocking an iPhone8 which is too old but my fiancé was able to download on his iPhone13 and then I could hotspot from his device. They have different plans based on number of days and amount of data. If you run out you can purchase a top up or another plan.

Michelle is it data and phone or just data?

Mags just data

Mags my European reach plan is just data. But I can speak to people using it through whatsapp, messenger and Facebook

Note for anyone replying that Gee is referring to e-SIM cards (downloadable SIM cards). Not physical SIM cards.

Thanks Chris

We tried using Airola but it didn’t work out. Never got it working on my iPhone (even though they are supposed to be compatible) and yesterday they agreed to refund me. We are in France right now.

I ordered e-sim from orange
for France. I bought directly from orange on line as they have a summer special on for 15gb date , phone LD and texting for just under 20
for 14 days. Good clear instructions for loading. Just make sure your phone will accept e-sim. Not all do.

I used airalo for travel to the US super easy to setup.

Carol Very expensive compare to others in the market.

Carol I used airalo in Mexico. A little finicky (had to reboot daily) but otherwise good.

Carol I am currently in Europe using airalo. 30 days with five gig of data cost me $17 US. More than I will need

Anyone buy one of these for Japan? Son flying there in May of next year

I used knowroaming esim for US travel, no complaints.

I used airalo for my near 4 week trip through Austria and Italy. 30usd for 10gb data. Easy to install and use. I have an iPhone 13

Try alosim

Holafly or airalo are 2 esim cards a traveller used. I inquired to her post. She said they weren’t expensive.

I use the MobiMatter app: it let's you compare esim offerings from different providers by country and then buy it as well. Very convenient.

I’ve always gone to the kiosks in the airport in Manila when I go to the Philippines. They’ll usually give out SIM cards on the flight then you set up a plan when you land and I’ve never had an issue !

Does these cards disable your “real” phone number while you are using them?

Colleen yes unfortunately

Hi Colleen, this is what I just read - so maybe search Google for your type of phone to see if you can use eSIM and your regular SIM at the same time …
On iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini, you can use two eSIMs for two or more cellular plans—two active at the same time—or a physical nano-SIM for a cellular plan and an eSIM for one or more other cellular plans.

Gee Chap thanks so much- this is very helpful and makes them much more of an option (bye bye ridiculous roam like home costs
)

I found this as well Colleen!! https://appletoolbox.com/how-to-use-dual-sim-and-esim-on.../
APPLETOOLBOX.COM
How To Use Dual SIM and eSIM on iPhone 11, XR, SE, & XS - AppleToolBox

Gee Chap I have used one in Japan, it’s selectable which sim you call from. I just select my Japanese sim when I’m in Japan. However you can still receive calls from my other sim

We used airalo in Paris. Very cheap but remember it’s data only. Easy set up too. The price of 5gb was the same as one day of international for my service provider. For calls you need to use What’s App or FaceTime.

I think Chris has send out info on E Sim cards recently

I use airalo and mobimatter and download Esims for my iphone before going. they work well and are super cheap... without having to run around looking for a sim.

Has anyone used one of these for *cuba or the Caribbean-Turks/Jamaica/ grand cayman??

airalo is the best option! Best prices for all the world. Easy to install e-sim. No voice though, just DATA.
https://ref.airalo.com/S7WP
REF.AIRALO.COM
eSIM data packs

https://travel.orange.com/en/...
Just came back from Paris & Italy and it worked like a charm in both countries and you can upload the esim card prior to your trip and it won’t kick in until you arrive there!

I just used orange in Germany and it was fine. I got 20GB plus phone/text for 49$ if you have an iPhone though, this e sim only works on X and newer

Sabine were you able to buy prior to travel or when you land at an orange store?

Scott this may help
https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=orange%20sim%20card%20europe...
AMAZON.CA
Amazon.ca: orange Sim Card Europe

Scott you can buy the SIm from Amazon, but you have to go to the online site for the e sim. Just Google orange esim

Sabine this is an eSIM?

Mags no this is a SIM

Mags they have both. My sister had an iPhone 7, so had to get the Sim. My phone was able to do the e-sim

Sabine and it’s phone and data or just data?

Gee Chap not true- they have both!

Mags phone and data. Your number will be from France

Sabine the link I have shared is for a SIM card not for eSIM - maybe you should share links for what you are speaking of so it’s helpful to people

Gee Chap it is really easy enough to Google! Look at me - very inept at technology - I don’t even know how to post links - and I was able to figure it out! So no doubt someone of your skill level can find it just fine!

Sabine I was thinking of others, with respect to posting links, not myself. And by looking at your initial comment above, it was for SIM only (since edited now)…. (My post is about eSIM’s) I am only trying to share helpful information to assist others in their search for same. Take care

I used airalo travelling Europe it was super cheap and really easy to download and top up when I needed to

Sheena Quish

I use airalo’s Global eSim. It’s worked great for 8 countries I’ve been to in the past year. I now use it for my data in Canada along with a Telus Talk & Text basic plan. Much cheaper. I have a $3 discount code but not sure if I’m allowed to post here.

Thanks Debbie!! Do you know if I have to purchase a different eSIM for each country or can I just buy one that covers them all? Please PM the discount code!! Thanks so much!

Gee Chap There are country specific eSims, regional and Global which covers 87 countries. Download the airalo app and check out the Store. The Gobal eSim covered most countries I went to but I had to buy a couple of country-specific ones (Maldives and UAE). I’ll send you the code.

airalo Help Centre is very good and will answer your questions. Their chat service is also great.

Thanks so much Debbie

Gee Chap here’s the code for $3 off
DEBBIE001

Awesome Debbie!! Will definitely be using this code!

That's an interesting use case!!!

I tried airalo, but my Samsung Galaxy S10 cellphone was not new enough to accept e-sim cards. So I bought a physical sim card for my phone instead.

I’ve used airalo on my iPhone both in Mexico and US. Very easy to install and set up, relatively good pricing but data only. $11 for 3GB for 30 days.
Feel free to use my code to get $3 off! JAMIE8025

Thanks so much Jamie!!

Gee Chap no problem and happy travels! Also make sure you turn off data roaming on your phone and choose airalo as the cellular data to avoid any roaming charges when you’re at your destination

I would just get a portable (travel) router and have the phone connected up to it. No roaming fees but need a SIM for the router.
I’m not sure if this is allowed here but if you do decide to get a portable router, I’m selling mine for $80

I just downloaded airlo.

I recently used airalo in Cyprus, Croatia and the UK. Good coverage and easy to set up. No issues.

Love them! Used for The US and for Portugal. My family uses them in Canada. I have a little discount on referring- can refer if you like

Natasha I’d like info in a pm pls-currently in portugal and can’t get one out of vodaphone or nos!

Used airalo in Sweden and Norway. Data only which is all I needed. $13USD for 3G. I ended up buying another 3G while traveling. Gone for 3 weeks. Will definitely use again when I travel outside of Canada. Way cheaper than my roaming costs - $14CDN/day.

Try giving foreign electronics a call, they should be able to help you out

Just used airalo for USA and it works well

Ive used Tmobile in the states and Holafly for Europe. Would recommend both.

Linda Mireau this post may interest you.

I used airalo when traveling to usa. Good rate

Ellen Tan
James Chow

I went to a TELUS store and had them convert my TELUS sim to esim so I could buy a physical sim plan in Europe. Bought one in Greece, Vodofone, for cheap, including a Euro phone number. A couple of times I did need my Canadian number (for two-step verifications) and I toggled between the two. It wasn’t without hiccups (I had to fiddle with text message settings, etc), but I did save a fortune.

Nadene this could be helpful to be able to use both

Great info Nadene, thanks for sharing. But when you had to do 2 step verification for say example your bank, were you not charged by your Canadian cell phone provider for that day? Or how were you able to get around this? Pls PM me, Thanks