Best international SIM cards and eSIMs with unlimited data

What’s an international SIM card?

A prepaid international SIM card offers mobile data coverage in multiple countries by connecting to local network providers. Instead of having to buy a local SIM card in each new country you visit, opting for a single SIM card with multi-country coverage will save you time and effort, and cut your plastic waste by a bit. Depending on the SIM provider, you may be able to get a data plan with coverage in a particular region (e.g., Europe or Latin America) or a Global data plan that covers every continent (except Antarctica, of course). With an international SIM card, you can get instant internet access without having to switch on your international data roaming. And unless you look forward to triple-digit bills, you’ll want to avoid roaming fees like the plague — especially if your mobile plan provider charges you by the megabyte (MB). 

But the physical SIM card is becoming old news and may soon become a travel relic the way paper maps have. Most SIM card providers have begun offering a far more convenient alternative — an international prepaid eSIM (virtual SIM card). With an eSIM, you won’t have to shop around in person or make an online purchase and wait for a physical card to be shipped. If you want an international data plan, you can purchase one through an app and install an eSIM on your device in minutes. 

On that note, let’s get into why finding a traditional SIM card with multi-country coverage is a challenge for heavy data users. 

Why get an international SIM card with unlimited data? (Or rather, why you shouldn’t)

These days, finding a physical SIM card that offers international coverage with unlimited data is a bit of a needle-in-a-haystack situation. Nearly all SIM card providers who do offer international coverage tend to only sell prepaid plans with a set amount of data (e.g., 5 GB). On top of that, many providers have jumped on the bandwagon and switched to offering eSIMs exclusively. The biggest difference between eSIM vs. a physical SIM card is that one is digital, the other is tangible. Tourists, digital nomads, and business travelers can all enjoy the following benefits of an eSIM:

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  No risk of losing, damaging, or having your eSIM stolen.

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  You won’t have to buy anything in person or wait for an online shipment to arrive.

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  No international roaming charges.

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  You won’t have to swap SIMs to switch between different data plans.

And how do unlimited data plans on a SIM card or eSIM work, exactly? Depending on the SIM card or eSIM provider, you usually get a set amount of high-speed internet with no restrictions and once you hit your daily cap, you’ll get internet at a slower speed. Saily, for example, offers unlimited data plans where you get 5 GB of data per day with no speed restrictions. For the rest of the 24-hour period, you’ll get slower speeds — 1 Mbps or less — depending on the local network provider’s fair usage policy.

The biggest benefit of getting an international eSIM with unlimited data is that you won’t have to worry about running out of data and having to top up. While you will experience some slower internet speeds if you reach your daily cap, you’ll still be able to browse and won’t have to limit your time online while traveling abroad.

But hold on — do you even need unlimited data? The short answer is your data needs depend on your specific online habits, but with an unlimited plan, you’ll save yourself the stress of having to monitor your data usage so you don’t run out of GBs at the worst moment. If you need help figuring out how much data you need on your trip, check out Saily’s free data usage estimator. 

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Get an eSIM for Europe

Best international eSIMs with unlimited data for Europe travel

Several providers offer eSIM plans with unlimited mobile data that you can use in multiple destinations. Some plans allow you to make and receive calls and send SMS texts, others are data-only. However, you can use VoIP apps like WhatsApp, Signal, or Viber to make audio and video calls, or send messages to friends and family back home without needing a local phone number. 

Heading to Europe? We’d recommend getting one of Saily’s Europe eSIM plans with unlimited data. Prices start at US$35.99 for 10 days of unlimited data in 35 European countries. That’s just US$3.60 per day for unlimited internet that you can use while you celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich, live out your Mamma Mia! fantasy in Greece, or sunbathe in Cinque Terre. 

Plus, the plan includes Saily’s security features at no extra cost. The ad blocker feature even helps you use up to 28.6% less of your data when enabled. With these free perks, it’s safe to say that Saily’s Europe plan is one of the best eSIMs for international travel with unlimited data. 

Best international SIM cards and eSIMs with unlimited data for popular travel destinations

Only traveling to one country on your trip? In that case, you’re probably looking for a local SIM card with unlimited data rather than an international one. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to find providers who offer local SIM cards with unlimited data — most only offer fixed amounts (e.g., 5 GB). You’ll usually be able to find SIM cards at kiosks or shops right at the airport, or in malls, convenience stores, and telecom shops. In many countries, you’ll need to present your passport when purchasing a short-term, prepaid SIM card at the airport. 

If you like to spend a lot of time online, take a look at your SIM card options with big data plans that cover some of the most popular destinations:

In summary, getting an eSIM with an unlimited data plan is a much more convenient option for folks looking for mobile data without having to top up. That said, some of the SIM card providers we’ve listed in the chart above offer local and international calls as part of their data plans. If you need a local phone number, a SIM card might work best for you. But if you’re looking for unlimited data on your trip, a Saily eSIM plan is the way to go. 

Get a Saily unlimited eSIM data plan for your international trip

Jetting off to multiple European countries? Make sure to add “buy an eSIM plan” to your international travel checklist. Instead of buying a SIM card in each new country you visit, you can install one eSIM (virtual SIM card) that’ll give you unlimited internet access across Europe. Just download the Saily eSIM app, search “Europe”, choose how long you want unlimited data for, and you’ll get clear instructions on how to set up your eSIM. You can also purchase a plan through our website and you’ll have a QR code sent to your email for you to scan on an eSIM-compatible device. Your data will automatically activate when you get to a country covered by Saily’s Europe plan! 

A Saily eSIM plan is an especially better alternative to an international SIM card with unlimited data for Europe. Saily offers affordable prices with no hidden fees, automatic plan activation, and free, additional perks like three built-in security features.