Best eSIM for Europe 2026: Complete Saily Review
This mistake could cost you up to $210 in Europe alone—but there's a solution smart travelers are already using. After testing every major eSIM provider across 15 European countries, one eSIM stands out: Saily. Here's why traditional roaming and local SIM cards are costing you hundreds of dollars, and how Saily solves the connectivity puzzle for European travel.
Best eSIM for Europe: Quick Comparison
Saily eSIM
By Nord Security • 200+ countries
From $4/week · $13 for 2 weeks
- Seamless border crossing
- Full speed — no throttling
- Built-in ad blocker (saves 28% data)
- Web protection included
- 4G/5G in major cities
- Setup in under 3 minutes
- 24/7 chat support + refund policy
Save up to $197 vs traditional roaming
Carrier Roaming
Your existing US carrier
$10–15/day · $140–210 for 2 weeks
- Extremely high daily rates
- Surprise charges common
- Often throttled after limit
- No built-in security
- Easy to forget it's running
- Bills arrive after the trip
- No savings for multi-country
Up to $210 for a 2-week trip
Local SIM Cards
Per country, airport kiosks
$15–30 each × countries visited
- Find a kiosk while jet-lagged
- Need SIM tool to swap cards
- One card per country
- Network changes at borders
- Risk of overcharges/scams
- Config hassles each country
- Works well for single-country trips
Multiplies cost across countries
The Hidden Cost of Using Your Phone in Europe
What Nobody Warns You About European Travel
Your regular carrier's international roaming hits you with $10 to $15 per day. That's potentially $210 for a 2-week trip—and it's easy to forget you're burning through it while checking Google Maps or texting back home.
The Local SIM Card Trap
Maybe you plan to buy local SIM cards. But picture this: you're exhausted after a transatlantic flight, digging through your bag for that tiny SIM tool, hoping the airport kiosk isn't sketchy. And if you're visiting multiple countries—France, Germany, Spain—you might need three or four different cards. One train ride later, your phone says "No Service."
⚠ The real problem: Most eSIM providers and local SIMs simply don't have the infrastructure to handle seamless multi-country European travel. You could end up with zero bars right when you need navigation the most.
Why Saily Is Different: Backed by Nord Security
Saily is built by Nord Security — the same company behind NordVPN. They've been managing secure internet infrastructure globally for years. That background matters: Saily connects your phone to whichever local carrier has the best signal in each country automatically, rather than locking you into a single network.
Watch our complete video guide to choosing the Best eSIM for Europe in 2026
What This Means for Your Europe Trip
- Crossing from France to Germany: No interruption, no carrier switching, your phone just keeps working
- In rural Portugal: Tested and worked. Paris to Amsterdam to Cologne without a single drop
- Speeds around 100 Mbps — faster than many hotel Wi-Fi connections, no throttling at any point
- Works in 200+ destinations — so even beyond Europe, you're covered
Built-In Ad Blocker Saves Your Data
One underrated feature: Saily's built-in ad blocker stops autoplay videos, trackers, and pop-ups from eating your data plan. This can save up to 28% of your mobile data—that's nearly 1.4 GB back on a 5 GB plan. You're also getting more privacy than a standard SIM card provides.
The Real Cost Breakdown: Saily vs. Alternatives
| Option | 2-Week Europe Trip | Crosses Borders? | Speed Throttled? | Hassle Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily eSIM ⭐ | $13 | ✓ Seamless | ✓ Never | Minimal (3-min setup) |
| US Carrier Roaming | $140–$210 | ✓ Yes | ✗ Often | High (surprise bills) |
| Local SIM Cards | $15–30 × countries | ✗ One country only | Varies | Very High (repeat purchase) |
| Wi-Fi Only | $0 | ✗ Unreliable gaps | N/A | Risky (public Wi-Fi) |
The Saily advantage: One plan covers your entire European adventure. You could save $127–$197 compared to traditional roaming on a 2-week trip.