Whether you’re a cruise traveller or a solo wanderer, in this day and age, an eSIM is crucial to a successful trip. They’re convenient, they eliminate extortionate roaming charges from your phone bill, and they ensure you can stay connected on the move. I’ve used a few providers in my time, but for my trip to Croatia I tested out a Sim Local eSIM to report back to you. Here in all it’s glory is my personal Sim Local review. Is this the best eSIM for Europe in 2026? I’ll be the judge of that, pals!
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Updated 2026
When heading overseas, choosing an eSIM is as vital to me as buying travel insurance and packing my toothbrush.
And when I was asked if I’d like to try out an eSIM to write up my own Sim Local review, it couldn’t have come at a better moment. I was just about to travel in Europe, and had experienced a few problems with my most recent eSIM provider. Sim Local is a name I knew and is clearly one of the most trusted brands on the market, so why not give it a go?
Ready to grab yours? Browse Sim Local’s Europe plans and use the code GETTINGLOST for 5% off your Sim Local eSIM.
First and foremost: what is an eSIM and how does it work?
You might be wondering, what actually is an eSIM? Well, whether I’m roaming across Rome, brunching in Barcelona, or swimming in Santorini, it’s vital that I stay connected. But it’s not just about updating instagram and keeping in touch with people when I’m away.
More importantly, I need data for my own safety. Wandering solo in new and exotic locations is always easier when you’ve got Google Maps and someone to call if you need to, isn’t it?
But roaming charges rack up quickly, and in 2026 relying on wifi alone just doesn’t cut it. I’ve also always felt completely overwhelmed at the thought of hunting down physical SIM cards to put into my phone. Not only does it involve a lot of faffing around, but I have no idea which SIMs are compatible for my iphone. And the thought of potentially losing my actual SIM card, (because that’s the kind of gal I am), was enough to put me off all together.
Enter: the Sim Local eSIM. (Or any eSIM, for that matter.)
To use an eSIM, you simply need to pick and purchase an eSIM data package online, and then install it onto your phone. And lo and behold, almost instantly, the data is yours! No trekking all over the place in search of the best deal, and no danger of losing parts of your phone in order to install it, because it’s all digital. Pals, it could not be easier.
Over the years, eSIMs have served me well. The first time I used one was on a European cruise contract where I got fed up of relying solely on expensive ship wifi. It was an absolute game changer, and I now no longer travel without one- whether I’m travelling for work or fun.
Think of all the hotel selfies I might never have uploaded without a trusty eSIM!
Why choose Sim Local in 2026?
- Sim Local is a well-established eSIM company. In fact they’ve been operating for more than fifteen years. Clearly, they’re doing something right.
- They use the most popular, trusted, local network providers in each country, giving you access to the fastest internet available. (Which is far speedier than your typical roaming internet speeds, and generally 5G or 4G.)
- They have a super easy installation process. I can personally attest to that one, pals.
- They have a few actual physical shops at select airports around the world. Need help buying or setting up your eSIM? They’ve got you covered.
- Their eSIMs sell at competitive prices and are available in over 150 countries.
- They also have regional and global eSIMs on offer which cover several countries.
- In the most popular locations, Sim Local offers eSIMs that include calls and texts. So if you think you might need to call a cab or text an Airbnb host- you can, at no extra cost.
But for me, what really sets Sim Local apart from other eSIM providers, is their exemplary level of customer support.
There is always support available for customers. You can WhatsApp them 24/7 with any issues you’re having, and they also have phone, live chat and email support available. I feel like we’re living in a slightly dystopian society as I’m typing this out, but the ultimate bonus is that there are no annoying AI chatbots involved- you will actually be talking to real live people!
Can you imagine!? This is the type of service you can trust.
Sim Local also have a no quibble refund policy, which I love. I’ve purchased a couple of eSIMs with other companies which have proven utterly useless, but I’ve never been able to reclaim the money I’ve spent. Either because of their policies, or because it’s so difficult to talk to a real person.
Sim Local’s refund policy is pretty unique, and for that I applaud them.
Which is the best eSIM for Europe in 2026: Sim Local vs Holafly, Airalo and Saily
So pals, the first time I used an eSIM was on a European cruise contract, with the ship docking in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Norwegian Fjords and Scandinavia. I spend most summers sailing around Euope and these multi-destination European eSIMs are one of my most frequently purchased options. So when it comes to value for money, how does Sim Local compare to other providers I’ve used?
The best eSIM for Europe that I can find with Sim Local gives you 30 days of unlimited data for $73.75. Here’s how it compares to other major eSIM providers in 2026.
| eSIM Provider | Number of days of unlimited data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sim Local | 30 days | $73.75 |
| Holafly | 30 days | $74.90 |
| Airalo | 30 days (internet speed decreases after 3GB usage per day) | $72.50 |
| Saily | 30 days (internet speed decreases after 5GB usage per day) | $71.99 |
(All prices have been updated for 2026.)
Not only is the Sim Local eSIM competitively priced, but it also offers more high speed data than other companies.
Sim Local offers one of the best value eSIMs for Europe in 2026. And with the code GETTINGLOST, it’s even cheaper! Get your Sim Local eSIM here.
Sim Local offers up to 10GB of data per day at high speed, whereas other companies have a Fair Usage Policy in place. These Fair Usage Policies allow local operators to temporarily reduce your internet speed after heavy usage, sometimes resulting in only a few GB of high speed data per day.
I’ve experienced the wrath of the Fair Usage Policy- I went in hard on Netflix downloads in preparation for seven sea days in a row- so if you’re a big data user I don’t recommend risking it. Sim Local’s generous high-speed data allowance is a huge bonus.
My Honest Sim Local Review
After a recent extremely frustrating experience with Airalo, I’m pleased to report that I had an altogether much more positive time with Sim Local!
This trip was a little different than my normal sailing-the-seven-seas adventures. I was heading to one country and one country alone: Croatia. I downloaded the app a few days before the trip to have a browse of their data packages, (and research that ever-important eSIM for Europe), and my first impression was that it is really well-designed. It’s super easy to navigate and free of annoying glitches. (Which is more common than you’d think. Alas.) Within the app you can also easily keep track of how much data you’re getting through.
(You don’t need the app to buy an eSIM, I just personally love the convenience of it.)
I was spending just over a week in the country, however, knowing that I’d be relying on my phone for navigation on a few long road trips, as well as uploading photographs from my camera and staying in touch via social media and WhatsApp, I decided to go for a 20GB Sim Local eSIM. (In 2026 this is priced at $23.50 for 30 days, which breaks down to $1.17 per GB.)
(For comparison, Airalo offers a 20GB, 30 day internet package for Croatia, which costs $25.50. Making it $1.27 per GB.)
Did I need all that internet? Absolutely not. I completely overestimated how much data I’d get through. Whoops.
The ultimate test of this Sim Local review: How easy is it to install a Sim Local eSIM?
Purchasing the eSIM is one thing, but the true test for my Sim Local review is how clearly the installation process is explained. Let’s face it, that’s the part that I tend to struggle with.
When I managed to install my Sim Local eSIM in a matter of minutes, I was genuinely astonished. (Go, me! Full internet connection for the duration of my trip!) To be fair, that was probably more down to the easy set-up process than my own questionable talent for understanding phones.
Immediately after buying my eSIM, it was there in the ‘My eSIMs’ section of the Sim Local app, and the night before I flew to Croatia I clicked the ‘download’ button to begin installing it.
I turned off data roaming for my UK SIM before I boarded the plane, selected my Croatia SIM as my primary data SIM, and then toggled data roaming ‘on.’ Once I’d landed, I took my phone off of flight mode and I was good to go.
Setting up the Sim Local eSIM was very clearly explained in a step-by-step fashion, and Sim Local have gone one step further, by providing some brilliant videos which guide users through the installation process. I found this incredibly helpful.
Ferry tickets? Booked online thanks to my Sim Local eSIM for Europe!
My honest Sim Local review: real world data performance in Croatia
I was never without data for the duration of my time in Croatia, and for the most part I was on 5G and occasionally 4G internet with HT (Hrvatski Telekom, which is Croatia’s biggest network provider.) I booked ferry tickets and Airbnbs with it, discovered some great restaurants and beaches on Google maps, and checked into my flight home, with no problems. I even used it to stream a few movies on Netflix when my Airbnb’s wifi revealed itself to be rather shoddy.
In fairness, as Croatia is a European nation with fairly solid cell phone coverage, I wouldn’t have expected anything less.
I’d be really interested to see how a regional Sim Local eSIM fares when I’m docking daily in different countries. Are Sim Local the best eSIM for Europe- or the world- in terms of data quality, as well as for pricing and customer service? I’ll let you know on that one, but so far I’m impressed.
eSIM Setup Tips: What you need to know before you install!
- Double check that your phone is compatible with eSIMs before you make a purchase. (In 2026 most phones are, but some older phones aren’t compatible, or will need unlocking first.)
- It’s really important that your phone is connected to a stable wifi connection when you set up any eSIM so that the process isn’t disrupted.
Final verdict: Is Sim Local the Best Travel eSIM for Europe?
Is Sim Local the best eSIM for Europe? Well. I loved the ease of the installation process, the smooth design of the app, and was happy with the quality of the internet service I was provided.
Compared to other providers, Sim Local eSIM prices are very competitive, and combining this with the amount of high-speed data they provide, and in 2026 they remain one of the best eSIM providers for Europe.
However, for me the real selling point of Sim Local is that supreme level of customer service. Whether you need somebody to physically help you set up your eSIM in an airport, or you’re further away and have a question or problem to troubleshoot via phone or WhatsApp- there are actual people to help you. I didn’t run into any problems at all, but knowing that assistance is always there gave me an extra sense of security about what I was using.
I’ll definitely be using them again, and would definitely recommend Sim Local as an eSIM provider. Even (in fact, especially), if you’re new to using eSIMs, or are just a bit technology-shy (like me.)
I’ll be using Sim Local for all future Euro-trips and I think you should too, pals! Grab your eSIM before your next adventure. (And don’t forget to enter the code GETTINGLOST at the checkout for a 5% discount.)