Is This the Best eSIM for Travelling? An Honest Sim Local Review

Travelling is my favourite thing on the planet, but staying connected abroad can be a nightmare.

Typically, I’m not dependent on the internet when I travel. I download local area maps, I make sure I have a library of podcasts downloaded for long journeys, and I always have the address of my accommodation written down somewhere.

However, after finding myself in a pickle one too many times while travelling (Armenia, I’m looking at you), I’ve come to realise that having a reliable data plan is essential. I had never considered buying an eSIM before (I’m a major technophone!), but with international roaming charges being notoriously high, and tourist SIM cards often being a rip-off, eSIMs offer a great alternative to traditional plastic SIM cards.

With an eSIM, you can download a data plan directly to your phone before you travel, meaning you’re connected from the moment you land.

No fiddly bits of plastic, no waiting in airport queues, and no need to buy a new SIM every time you cross a border.

One company offering this service is Sim Local, an Irish provider with over a decade of experience in the travel SIM market.

While they’ve traditionally been known for their airport SIM shops, they’ve now expanded into the eSIM world and are making waves with their affordable and reliable coverage. While planning a recent trip, I did a lot of research on Sim Local, and I thought I’d share my findings here in case anybody finds them useful!

Is This the Best eSIM for Travelling? An Honest Sim Local Review

What is Sim Local?

Sim Local has been around since 2011 and is one of the largest SIM providers in European airports. If you’ve flown through Heathrow, Gatwick, or Dublin, you may have already seen their kiosks, which can be found in over 100 airports in 9 countries.

In recent years, Sim Local has shifted their focus toward digital eSIMs, which are available to purchase online. Instead of needing to find one of their shops, you can now arrange your travel data in advance from anywhere in the world.

What sets Sim Local apart is that it isn’t just a reseller of one carrier – they partner with multiple network providers across the globe. This means they can offer more flexibility and often better coverage than being tied to just one mobile operator.

How does Sim Local work?

The biggest thing that put me off ever getting an eSIM was my fear that it would be too complicated and technical, but getting started with Sim Local is easy.

Here’s the process step by step:

• Check compatibility – The first step is ensuring your phone supports eSIMs. Most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices work without issues.
• Choose your plan – On Sim Local’s website or app, select the country, region, or global coverage you need. Plans vary in length and data allowance.
• Purchase and receive QR code – After payment, you’ll get an email with installation instructions and a QR code.
• Install the eSIM – On your phone, go to settings and scan the QR code. Within minutes, your eSIM will be active.

The process is smooth, especially compared to some eSIM providers that require you to download an app first.

Another bonus is that you can install your eSIM before you fly and only activate it once you land, so you’re connected instantly.

Coverage & destinations

Sim Local covers over 200 destinations, which puts it in line with most of the big eSIM providers.

The plans fall into three categories:

• Local plans – for single countries (great if you’re going to one destination).
• Regional plans – for multi-country travel (e.g. interrailing in Europe).
• Global plans – for long-haul travellers covering multiple continents. Global plans work pretty much anywhere in the world where there’s a data service.

Where Sim Local stands out is in their network switching. Instead of locking you to one carrier, their eSIMs roam between major networks, which reduces the risk of losing service when travelling between countries.

Pricing & plans

I’m a budget traveller through and through, and so pricing was one of the first things I looked at when researching eSIMs.

Sim Local offers unlimited plans for the UK, the United States, Japan, and Europe, and their plans are truly unlimited. For example, while Holafly only gives 1GB of high-speed data per day, Sim Local provides up to 10GB daily at high speed, making their rates even more affordable.

Here’s a price comparison of the unlimited plans offered by Sim Local vs. Holafly:

• Europe: Unlimited data for 30 days costs around 65 EUR on Sim Local and 69 EUR on Holafly
• USA: Unlimited data for 15 days costs around 59 EUR on Sim Local and 47 EUR on Holafly 
• UK: Unlimited data for 30 days costs around 41 EUR on Sim Local and 69 EUR on Holafly
• Japan: Unlimited data for 15 days costs around 37 EUR on Sim Local and 47 EUR on Holafly

As you can see, in most regions, Sim Local is the cheaper option when looking for unlimited data plans.

Sim Local discount code

To make Sim Local even more affordable, I’ve got a cheeky little discount code (because who doesn’t love a discount?).

Here’s how to claim your 5% off your Sim Local eSIM:

1. Go to the Sim Local website.
2. Select your preferred eSIM data plan for your destination or region.
3. At checkout, apply the promo code: JEZEBEL
4. Enjoy 5% off instantly!

Pros and cons of using Sim Local

Pros of Sim Local

• Convenience – no queuing in airports, you can set everything up online before you arrive in your destination.
• No need to download an app – Unlike other eSIM providers, you do NOT need to download the Sim Local app when buying an eSIM. You can check out as a guest, get your eSIM emailed to you, and that’s it.
• Keep your phone number – Most smartphones support dual SIM functionality, allowing you to receive calls from your regular SIM card and access data on your eSIM simultaneously. This is especially handy if you need to sign into your online banking and they send a two-factor authentication code to your regular phone number.
• Reliable coverage – Sim Local connects to major carriers automatically, ensuring reliable coverage.
• Flexibility – local, regional, and global options, depending on your needs.
• Ease of use – QR code setup is quick, even for technophobes!
• Reputation – Sim Local is a well-established company with fantastic reviews across the board. It scores a 4.9 on the Google Play store, 4.7 on Trustpilot, and a 4.9 on Tripadvisor.
• 24/7 customer service – you can contact Sim Local on WhatsApp 24/7, as well as via their email support system and online support tickets. You can also approach their airport kiosks if you’re passing by and need to speak to someone.
• Refund policy – if your eSIM doesn’t work and you request a refund, Sim Local will automatically refund you, no questions asked. 
• Unlimited plans – Sim Local also offers unlimited plans for the UK, the United States, Japan, and Europe, and their plans are truly unlimited. For example, while Holafly only gives 1GB of high-speed data per day, Sim Local provides up to 10GB daily at high speed, making their rates more affordable.

Cons of using Sim Local

• Price – not always the cheapest option for budget travellers.
• Plan variety – some countries only have limited data bundles, with regional plans not being available in certain destinations like the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
• Heavy users may struggle – large data packs get expensive quickly, which is an issue with all eSIM providers. If you are a very heavy data user, you may find that a physical local SIM card offers better value.

Which type of travellers is Sim Local best for?

Sim Local isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it works brilliantly for certain travellers:

• Short-term tourists who want easy, immediate connectivity.
• Business travellers and digital nomads who prioritise reliability.
• Multi-country travellers who don’t want to swap SIMs in every new country.
• Frequent flyers who want a consistent provider they can use trip after trip.

Practical tips for using Sim Local

• Download your eSIM on WiFi before you leave home.
• Keep your physical SIM active for two-factor authentication and emergency calls.
• Track your data usage carefully – once you run out, speeds will drop or you’ll need to top up.
• Use messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram instead of relying on SMS.

The Verdict: Is Sim Local the best eSIM for travelling?

So, is Sim Local the best eSIM provider? The answer depends on what you prioritise.

As I said, there is no one-size-fits-all eSIM card.

However, I can confidently say that Sim Local is a great option for travellers that want convenience, reliability, and good coverage. I’d recommend it to most people, especially if you’re hopping between countries or just want to land with peace of mind knowing you’re already connected.

Sim Local is a great mid-range option for travellers who want great value without compromising on connection.

If you’re after the absolute cheapest possible option, buying local SIMs will likely be more cost-effective than an eSIM, but if you’re travelling through multiple countries, Sim Local’s eSIMs are a much more practical option than having to juggle 15 plastic SIM cards at once.

Remember, for even more savings on your Sim Local eSIM, don’t forget to use the code JEZEBEL when you sign up using this link.

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