Best cheap eSims for mobile roaming abroad

Staying connected while travelling shouldn’t cost a fortune. When travelling to countries in the EU, a lot of mobile networks offer free EU roaming data to use 

If you are heading to a destination outside the EU, relying on your standard UK provider can be an expensive mistake, with daily roaming fees, using a travel eSim can help avoid those extra charges.

See where your provider ranks in our guide to the best and worst mobile networks.

What is an eSim?

An eSim (embedded Sim) is a digital version of the traditional plastic Sim card you are used to putting in your phone. It allows you to activate a mobile data plan from a network provider without having to use a physical Sim card.

Using an eSim is often the most effective way to save money on mobile roaming, especially when travelling to destinations outside the EU where roaming charges can be steep. 

For more information, check our guide on how to use eSims to save on mobile roaming abroad.

How to choose the right eSim

Two key things to bear in mind when choosing an eSim are how much data you need, and how long that data will last.

Travel eSims tend to last a certain amount of time depending on the size of data. Smaller sizes such as 1GB last about three days whereas data of 5GB+ last between 7 to 30 days. Once this period has ended, any unused data will be lost.

Deciding how much you need can be a little tricky. It’s easy to ‘top-up’ your data while you’re away, but you’ll get better value by buying a higher data package from the start. In the example eSims below, we’ve picked data ranges based on three typical use cases:

• Low Data User (1-5GB): Uses mobile data only for essentials when wi-fi isn’t available. Fine for occasional use, including maps, navigation, messaging, light web browsing (eg looking up restaurants, museum tickets, or quick facts), and ridesharing (calling Uber or Lyft).
• Medium Data User (10GB): More relaxed data usage, without being excessive. This could include frequent use of Maps for navigation, regular social media use, uploading photos and sending messages daily, streaming, and frequent web browsing.
• High Data User (Unlimited Data): This includes all medium-user activities plus streaming HD videos, using your phone as a mobile hotspot to connect other devices, making frequent video calls, uploading high resolution vids, and playing online games.

Cheapest eSims for popular holiday destinations

We looked at some of the most popular holiday destinations outside the EU and compared low, medium and high data packages for seven major eSim providers – Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily, Jetpac, Ubigi, and Gigsky.

The table below shows some of the cheapest options available, but note that prices can change, and could vary significantly by destination, length of stay, and season. For example a 10-day connection in Thailand or Indonesia can cost as little as £5-£7, whereas staying connected in Egypt or Morocco for the same duration starts at nearly double that price. Check the provider’s website or app for the latest rates. 

Ronan Appiah, Which? Telecom expert says: ‘When travelling, I like to use Nomad as my eSim provider as I like to use a lot of data without having to constantly check my usage, while not spending much.’

‘However, if you don’t use a lot of data while travelling, it’s worth checking out Saily – they also make sure your data is secure when travelling.’ 

‘If you are a regular traveller, it’s also worth looking at other providers like Airalo and Holafly that offer cashback on your purchases.’

Are travel eSims cheaper than roaming fees?

Roaming fees from big UK providers like EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone tend to be significantly more expensive than using a travel eSim. Depending on your location, daily fees often range between £5-£8 just to access your existing data plan. Consider these comparisons:

• USA: A pay-monthly EE customer would pay approximately £40 for 10 days of roaming. By contrast, an unlimited data plan with Holafly for the same duration costs only £30 – a saving of £10.
• Japan: An O2 customer planning to use only 5GB of data could end up paying £29 plus extra roaming fees if they run out. Using a provider like Ubigi for the same 5GB of data would cost roughly £10, or even less with other travel eSim providers.

Data add-ons

Other networks may allow you to add a specific amount of data to use in certain countries. Prices again vary depending on amount and destination. For example, a 6GB 15-day roaming add-on with Lebara for the US or Thailand would cost you £10, but it would cost £30 for just 1.5GB in Mauritius. It's worth checking to see how much your provider charges for an add-on and comparing against the price of an eSim. 

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) roaming?

One other option used to be relying on paying for roaming data as and when you use it, but this can be far more expensive. We checked the prices for two of the lowest cost Sim networks and the cost is prohibitive for anything more than the smallest of data uses. 

Lebara charges £93/GB for USA, Thailand, Mauritius pay as you go roaming. Smarty is 10p/MB for USA and Thailand, which works out to over £100/GB.

Can you use an eSim for cheaper roaming in the EU?

Yes, you can, but whether you strictly need to depends on your current UK provider.

• Check your current contract: You may already have EU roaming included if you are with a provider that offers it as part of your bundle.
• Consider switching: If your current provider charges for EU roaming, you could switch. Smaller virtual networks often perform better for service and value in our surveys compared to the major networks.
• Stick and save: If you are with a 'big four' network and don’t want to switch, it is likely that you will save both money and data by using a cheap eSim rather than paying their daily roaming fees.

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Seven eSim providers to consider for your next trip abroad

We have selected these seven providers as they offer a range of options, from budget-friendly fixed data plans to unlimited packages and premium travel perks

Airalo

Airalo is the world’s first and leading eSim store, serving over 20 million users as of April 2025. It is a great all-rounder with extensive global coverage.

• Data packages available: Offers both fixed and unlimited data plans from 1GB to unlimited. Plans cover over 200 locations, with regional options for areas like Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
• Prices: Starting at £3.50 for 1GB.
• Extras: Includes a loyalty program where you can receive up to 10% cashback depending on your status. It also offers 24/7 support.

Browse all of Airalo’s eSim deals 

Gigsky

Gigsky serves over 1 million users and is unique for having direct control over their networks.

• Data packages available: Offers both fixed and unlimited data plans from 1GB to unlimited. Plans cover over 200 locations, with regional options for areas such as Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
• Prices: starting at £4.49 for 1GB, available for 7 days
• Extras: Uniquely offers 'Crusie+Land' plans designed for seamless internet access on major cruise lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean. It also provides a monthly model called 'Gigsky One Plan'

Browse all of Gigsky’s eSim deals

Holafly

Launched in 2018, Holafly is an 'Unlimited data specialist'. This is a good option if you want to stay connected without tracking your usage.

• Data packages available: Provides only unlimited data plans for multiple destinations. Note that these plans generally do not include calls or text.
• Prices: starting at £3.79 for 1 day. Pricing is dependent on the duration of your trip rather than a set amount of data.
• Extras: Offers 24/7 customer support and allows you to earn 'Holacoins' on purchases. It covers 113 countries with its Global eSim.

Browse all of Holafly’s eSim deals 

Jetpac

Jetpac positions itself for frequent and business travellers, offering unique travel benefits, and plans available in over 200 destinations

• Data packages available: Offers both fixed and unlimited data plans from 1GB to unlimited. Plans cover over 200 locations, with regional options for areas like Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
• Prices: starting at £1 for 1GB, available for 4 days
• Extras: Includes a 'Smart Delay' feature that offers free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed or canceled. It also provides free access to Uber, Google Maps, and WhatsApp even if you run out of data.

Browse all of Jetpac’s eSim deals

Nomad

Nomad is a global eSim provider headquartered in California, launched in 2020. It has over 3 million registered users and is particularly noted for making travel connectivity easy and affordable for everyone.

• Data packages available: Offers both fixed and unlimited data plans from 1GB to unlimited. Plans cover over 200 locations, with regional options for areas like Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
• Prices: Very competitive pricing for regional and country-specific plans, starting at £3.75 for 1GB
• Extras: Nomad has no fair usage policy, which appeals strongly to users who use a lot of data. It supports 4G/5G in nearly 200 destinations.

Browse all of Nomad’s eSim deals

Saily

Saily is a newer entrant, launched in 2024 by Nord Security, a cybersecurity software company. It focuses on security and ease of use.

• Data packages available: Serves over 200 destinations with both fixed and unlimited data plans from 1GB to unlimited.
• Prices: starting at £2.35 for 1GB. Get a 15% discount on 10GB+ data plans with code: COOLUK
• Extras: Because it is backed by Nord Security, you can enable Ad blocker and Web protection to save data and browse faster. They also offer a 'Saily Ultra' premium plan which includes airport lounge access and delayed flight benefits.

Browse all of Saily’s eSim deals 

Ubigi

Developed by international operator Transatel-NTT, Ubigi is a premium option known for high-quality connectivity.

• Data packages available: Offers both fixed and unlimited data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide.
• Prices: Plans start from £2.50 for 500Mb. You can get 10% off your first purchase with the code: WELCOME10
• Extras: Ubigi stands out for offering in-car wi-fi for automotive brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, and BMW. It supports 5G speeds where available.

Browse all of Ubigi’s eSim deals

eSim comparison sites

Alternatively, there are a range of comparison sites that can help you find an eSim that's most suitable for your needs and budget:

• Esimcompare
• Esimfy
• Simoptions
• Esimradar
• Esimdb
• Simpackers