Last updated on December 21st, 2022 at 07:56 am
If you’ve ever wondered about how you’re going to stay connected 24/7 while on holiday in Europe, you’re in the right place! You can find the best solution for all your travel mobile data needs through our range of eSIM bundles.
Today, it’s hard to imagine not having mobile data while traveling. Whether we are looking up directions, finding a restaurant, or staying in touch with friends and family, our smartphones have become indispensable.
However, when traveling to Europe, many people find themselves wondering about being able to access reliable mobile data. You’re also going to need plenty of it if you want to be able to use apps like Google Maps, Yelp, or Instagram.
Consider purchasing an eSIM bundle if you are going to use a lot of mobile data. This way, you can pay as you go and won’t be stuck with a large bill if you end up using more data than you anticipated.
What’s wrong with using the international roaming data plan from my carrier?
The use of foreign mobile data plans has several drawbacks. They may be extremely pricey, for one. A recent study states, the average price of 1 GB of mobile data worldwide is $8.53.
To put things in perspective, a standard-resolution 360p 10-minute YouTube video consumes 7.5 MB of data per minute. Meanwhile, a video at 1080p (FHD) uses around 60 MB per minute. You could also run into limitations on which nations you can visit or how much data you can use.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM usually referred to as an embedded SIM, is an entirely digital SIM card. It is a programmable SIM card that performs the same functions as a real SIM card.
Some mobile network providers and manufacturers currently employ eSIMs.
All devices are anticipated to feature eSIMs in the future. In addition to allowing users to transfer between mobile networks without having to replace SIM cards, eSIMs have several advantages over traditional SIM cards.
What are the advantages of using eSIM bundles?
eSIM bundles provide a broad variety of data plans that may be customized to meet certain demands. Additionally, they provide a range of features that make using data plans more practical, such as the capacity to roll over unused data and support for numerous devices.
Consumers on a tight budget may also find eSIM data plans to be an appealing alternative because they are frequently less expensive than conventional data plans.
eSIM plans offer instant connectivity
The primary advantage of an eSIM is that you won’t need to look for a physical SIM card. The eSIM data service is activated automatically after you scan the QR Code provided after the successful purchase.
Your eSIM may be purchased in advance of your trip. All you need to do is to activate the service after you’ve arrived at your final destination.
Hassle-free installation and activation
You can also save yourself from the trouble of removing your phone case or using the often-lost tool to take out the SIM card from your phone.
Instant top-up
It’s simple to add credit to your eSIM. In a matter of seconds, you may top off your account with more funds. Having your credit card information safely kept on your phone makes this method more reliable than using a physical top-up card.
The best eSIM plans for Europe
1. Orange Holiday Europe
(20GB + 120 min + 1,000 SMS)
Perfect for digital nomads, this bundle includes 10 additional GB of data till October 5th. All you need is just a few minutes to get connected with Orange, the best mobile network operator in Europe.
- Data: 20GB (4GB/LTE)Unlimited calling and texting inside the EU
- 120 minutes of international calling and 1,000 text messages
- Valid for 14 days
- Comes with a French phone number
2. Orange Holiday Zen eSIM
(8GB + 30 min + 200 SMS)
You have until October 5th to take advantage of Orange’s Holiday Zen eSIM package promotion to obtain approximately 90% more data. This offer is valid only for new customers. Ideal for maintaining constant connectivity during your time in Europe.
- Price: £20.00
- Data: 8GB (4GB/LTE)
- Unlimited calls and SMS in Europe
- 30 min calls and 200 SMS outside Europe
Does my phone support eSIM?
All you have to do is scan a QR code to install the eSIM on your device – the following handsets are supported:
- iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE 2 (2020), iPhone SE 3 (2022)· iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max,
- iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPad Pro 11′′ (model A2068, from 2020)
- iPad Pro 12.9′′ (model A2069, from 2020)
- iPad Air (model A2123, from 2019)
- iPad (model A2198, from 2019)
- iPad Mini (model A2124, from 2019)
- Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ 5G, S21+ Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Fold, Samsung Galaxy Fold 3
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Fold3 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, Flip3 5G Fold
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
- Samsung Watch (via Samsung Wearable application)
- Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ 5G, S21+ Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Fold, Fold 3
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Fold, Galaxy Z Flip
- Samsung Watch (via Samsung Wearable application)
- Google Pixel 2 (only phones bought with Google Fi service), Pixel 2 XL
- Google Pixel 3 (not including phones bought in Australia, Taiwan, or Japan. Phones bought with US or Canadian carriers other than Spring and Google Fi don’t work with eSIM)
- Google Pixel 3 XL
- Google Pixel 3a (not including phones bought in Japan or with Verizon service), 3a XL
- Google Pixel 4, 4a, 4 XL
- Google Pixel 5, 5a
- Google Pixel 6, 6a, 6 Pro
- Huawei P40, P40 Pro
- Huawei Mate 40 Pro
- Oppo Find X3 Pro
- Oppo Reno 5A
- Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G
- Oppo Find X5, Find X5 Pro
- Oppo A55s
- Motorola Razr 2019
- Motorola Razr 5G
- Nuu Mobile X5
- Gemini PDA
- Rakuten Mini, Big-S, Big
- Sony Xperia 10 III Lite· Sony Xperia 1 IV
- Surface Pro X
- Honor Magic 4 Pro
- Fairphone 4
If your device is not compatible with eSIM you won’t be able to use one. If you are still not sure if your device is eSIM compatible, please contact your device provider.
How do I start using my eSIM?
Choose your preferred eSIM bundle from any of the below links.
A QR Code will be sent to you after your purchase that must be scanned to download and install the eSIM on your smartphone. Not having to wait for a physical SIM card to arrive in the mail is a major convenience.
You will need to wait until you are in Europe to install the eSIM on your handset, as it is only compatible with European networks.
The eSIM is pre-loaded with a French phone number, and the bundling process will kick off after the first time the eSIM is used (for a call, an SMS message, or an internet connection).
Dial 225 to get your phone number, then 123# to check your account balance.
You will get English-language SMS texts with registration and usage information about the product.
How much data will you need while traveling in Europe?
Calculating how much data you will need while you are away from home may be a good idea.
You won’t need much if you only plan to use your phone for the bare minimum, such as checking your email and occasionally doing a little light web browsing.
According to a study in 2021, the average user used 19GB of data per month. The main reason for the rise in demand for data is the rising number of users of streaming services.
Social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are among the more
well-known apps that use a lot of data. You may stay in touch with friends and family, keep up with global news, and share photos and videos with the aid of these applications—all of which take a sizable amount of data.
How can you save data while traveling in Europe?
There is a lot of WiFi throughout Europe. No matter where you go, whether it is a large city or a distant village, there is a good chance that you will be able to find WiFi. The benefits of constantly having access to the Internet regardless of where they are are now available to Europeans, making their lives easier. Several variables may have contributed to the widespread adoption of WiFi throughout Europe.
One of them is the EU’s requirement that all public spaces offer free WiFi. As a result, it is now feasible for people to keep in touch even when they are on the move, which is advantageous for both clients and businesses. Additionally, many European countries have made large investments in their infrastructure, making it easier for businesses to provide free WiFi to their customers.
You may easily get a large amount of extra usage out of your Orange Holiday Europe eSIM if you make use of the widely accessible WiFi across the continent.
Additionally, it may be advisable to use WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is a cross-platform instant messaging application that allows users to exchange text, audio, and video messages. It is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 1.5 billion active users. WhatsApp is known for its reliability and ease of use. When it comes to making calls, WhatsApp has some advantages over traditional phone calls.
For one, WhatsApp calls are generally clearer and have less static than regular phone calls. This is because WhatsApp uses a Voice over IP (VoIP) system to make calls, which uses a higher quality audio codec than most regular phone calls. Additionally, WhatsApp calls use less data than regular phone calls, so if you have a data limit on your phone plan, you’ll be able to make more WhatsApp calls without going over your limit.
Another advantage of using WhatsApp for calling is that you can make calls to anyone in the world as long as they have an internet connection. This is great for staying in touch with friends and family who live far away. And if you’re traveling abroad, you can use WhatsApp to make calls back home without incurring any international roaming charges.
What countries in Europe are covered by the eSIM plans?
Your Orange eSIM is expected to work throughout Europe. Keep reading to find out the list of countries supported.
Andorra, Azores, Aland islands, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Crete, The Cyclades, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France mainland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Isle of Man,
Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, and Vatican City.
Orange has been a top mobile network provider in Europe since the early 2000s. When it comes to coverage, quality, and service, the corporation has regularly been rated as one of the top three networks. In the majority of the continent, it delivers great coverage.