The first time I traveled to Europe, I didn’t even know what a SIM card was. It was 2005 and I had a Nokia bar phone, whose most advanced function was text messaging. Smartphones wouldn’t even exist for 48 more months.
The bad news? Although I sent just a few texts during my trip (and made even fewer calls), my bill when I got home was over $200, which for a college student was a catastrophic amount. The good news? In spite of how primitive the internet was then, I managed to get around just fine.
These days, of course, there are countless options for buying a SIM card in Europe, none of which will break the bank. Whether you order a Europe eSIM from Holafly now, or continue reading this article to learn about all your options.
How SIM Cards Have Changed the Europe Travel Game
As I mentioned in the introduction to this article, buying a SIM card for Europe wasn’t even on the table the first time I visited the continent. Quite to the contrary, your goal when you traveled to Europe was not to use your cellphone after all. Which wasn’t hard: Many phones couldn’t take pictures; and you had your laptop if you needed to connect to the internet, i.e. to print out Mapquest directions.
Being able to use a local European SIM card has changed so much for travelers, whether that’s cost saving, staying connected for navigation or social sharing or having a phone that always works in the case of emergencies. It’s difficult for me to imagine how it was ever possible to travel without this convenience, even though I actually did it myself when I was a much younger person.
My Favorite Ways to Stay Connected in Europe
Install a Europe eSIM before travel
If you have a phone manufactured after 2020, it’s probably compatible with eSIMs, which are a piece of code that configures your phone to work on a foreign mobile network. I recommend checking out Holafly, which is probably my favorite eSIM provider (both in terms of eSIMs for Europe and other destinations) right now, though there are many other options available.
Buy a SIM card at a European airport
Want to buy a SIM card in Europe, but don’t have an eSIM compatible device or are just super old school? Not to worry! Whether you land in Paris, Rome or London, local mobile carriers have desks set up within the Arrivals areas of every major airport on the continent. Note that in many cases, these SIMs will only work in the country where you have purchased them.
(Or in a European city)
Tourists can of course also go to mobile shops within European cities to purchase SIM cards. However, special rates and packages offered at airports may not be available here; the streamlined process you enjoying buying a SIM at the airport may also be protracted. I usually only recommend this option if you’re arriving by train, and not by plane.
Roam on US cell plan
Don’t want to buy a SIM card for Europe? The good news is that most US cell carriers offers “international data package rates” priced between 5-15 USD per day. Unfortunately, your carrier might not always have a good “handshake” with local networks, which means that this option isn’t necessarily the most reliable one, even if you can get a good price.
Depend entirely upon WiFi
In the context of the mid-2020s, traveling in Europe without a cell connection seems insane, but then I remembered that I once did this in an era where wireless internet hardly existed—and, when it did, you had to use a computer to access it! WiFi is theoretically common enough in European cities that urban-minded travelers could probably get by just using WiFi, though this could get more difficult if you plan to hike, trek or visit smaller towns.
How Do EU Roaming Laws Affect Travel SIM Cards?
Many years ago, the EU changed roaming laws within its borders. When this happened, it was theoretically necessary for all European SIM cards to be able to work in all EU countries. However, there was an important loophole. Namely, it didn’t necessarily apply to prepaid plans, including those offered to foreign tourists upon arrival in the bloc.
This is just another reason that a Europe eSIM from Holafly is preferable to physical European SIM cards you might buy at an airport. These SIM plans work throughout Europe by design, saving you from having to buy a new SIM card just because you cross an international border. Why wait for politicians to fix the law when you can buy a product that’s already traveler-friendly?
Other FAQ About Buying a SIM Card in Europe
Which SIM card is best in Europe?
If you’re buying a physical SIM card, then the best SIM card in Europe is usually the cheapest one offered by any local provider. On the other hand, I prefer Europe-wide SIM cards, which are usually sold by third parties, in both physical and virtual eSIM forms.
Can you get a SIM card for the whole of Europe?
Although SIM cards sold in the EU are legally required to work in all European countries, this isn’t always the case in practice. An easy way to get around this inconsistency is to purchase a Europe eSIM from Holafly, or a similar company.
Should I get a SIM card for Europe?
I’ve personally traveled in Europe without a SIM card, though this was almost 20 years ago, when smartphones didn’t even exist yet. Frankly, I can’t imagine traveling in Europe these days without one. So yes, you should absolutely get a SIM card for Europe!
The Bottom Line
Buying a SIM card in Europe is easier than it’s ever been. Some travelers will go the old school route, and purchase a physical SIM from a local cell company when they land at their first European destinations. Others have gotten smarter with the times, and will install a Europe eSIM before they even leave their home country. Still others are customers of mobile carriers that offer fairly-priced roaming packages. While you could technically rely solely on WiFi throughout your trip, this could leave you disconnected if you go off the beaten path. Speaking of going off the beaten path, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan you a one-of-a-kind trip to Europe.
