{"id":2270,"date":"2026-11-05T16:08:28","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T16:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maya.net\/connect\/prepaid-sim-card-or-esim-for-europe-which-is-easier-for-travellers\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T16:08:28","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T16:08:28","slug":"prepaid-sim-card-or-esim-for-europe-which-is-easier-for-travellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maya.net\/connect\/prepaid-sim-card-or-esim-for-europe-which-is-easier-for-travellers\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepaid SIM card or eSIM for Europe: which is easier for travellers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a traveller with an unlocked, eSIM-capable phone, the eSIM is the easier choice: install it at home over Wi-Fi and there is no card to swap on arrival. Our Global eSIM covers 165+ countries on one plan, priced by trip length from USD 9.99.<\/p>\n

Landing and then queuing for a card to swap is a rough way to start a trip.<\/p>\n

Choose an eSIM over a prepaid SIM if your phone is unlocked<\/h2>\n

Pick the eSIM if your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM. Pick a prepaid SIM if you need a traditional local number or your phone has no eSIM. Our Global eSIM is installed once and stays on the phone, so each trip needs only a new plan.<\/p>\n

Your phone must be unlocked by your home carrier. Check our compatibility list to confirm your phone is eSIM ready.<\/p>\n

Each eSIM installs on only one device. Most eSIM-compatible devices can also hold several eSIM data plans at the same time.<\/p>\n

Install once. Buy a plan per trip. Pack nothing extra.<\/p>\n

How do you set up an eSIM versus a prepaid SIM before a Europe trip?<\/h2>\n

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into the phone, so you install it over Wi-Fi at home and turn it on when you land. A prepaid SIM is a physical card you have to get and swap into the phone.<\/p>\n

Apple publishes these steps for adding an eSIM to an iPhone (Apple Support, Set up eSIM on iPhone):<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Turn on your iPhone and set it up. When the Set Up Cellular screen appears, tap Use QR code. (Activating after setup instead: open the Camera app and scan your QR code. When the Cellular Plan Detected notification appears, tap it.)<\/li>\n
  2. On iOS 17.4 or later, when your carrier sends a QR code to a default email app or browser, press and hold the code, then tap Add eSIM.<\/li>\n
  3. Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.<\/li>\n
  4. Tap Add Cellular Plan.<\/li>\n
  5. When prompted for a confirmation code to activate the eSIM, type in the number your carrier gave you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Google publishes these for a Pixel (Google Pixel Phone Guidebook, Set up eSIM on Pixel):<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. First confirm with your carrier that it supports eSIM.<\/li>\n
    2. Open the Settings app. Then, tap Network & internet.<\/li>\n
    3. Tap SIMs.<\/li>\n
    4. Tap Download a new eSIM.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In the Maya Mobile app on iOS, choose the QR code method, which is marked Recommended. Scan the code with the device to install on, tap Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan when notified, and follow the prompts. Prefer the automatic route? Go to Home, select the eSIM, choose Installation Instructions, tap Install eSIM Now, and follow the prompts.<\/p>\n

      Need the manual code? Log in, click My eSIMs, click Install eSIM under the plan, then click Manual Activation Code. Copy the code and enter it on the device when prompted. Done. You\u2019re set before the airport.<\/p>\n

      Do you need a phone number in Europe, or just data?<\/h2>\n

      You need a phone number only if you want calls or SMS on a traditional number. Our eSIM plans are data only and include no local phone number.<\/p>\n

      We currently offer only eSIM data plans, with no physical SIM cards. Used for data only, the plan saves expensive roaming fees.<\/p>\n

      For calls and messages, use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime. If you need a traditional phone number, pick an Orange\/Sim Local plan.<\/p>\n

      What does one eSIM cost for a trip across several countries?<\/h2>\n

      Our unlimited plans cost USD 9.99 for 3 days, USD 19.99 for 7, USD 27.99 for 14 and USD 49.99 for 30. One plan covers every country on your route, across 165+ countries.<\/p>\n

      The 3-day plan works out to USD 3.33\/day. The 7-day plan is USD 2.86\/day and suits week-long trips and city breaks. The 30-day plan is USD 1.67\/day.<\/p>\n

      Pick your days and go.<\/p>\n

      What happens when your days run out on a travel eSIM?<\/h2>\n

      The eSIM and its setup stay on the phone, so the next trip is a new plan and nothing else. If a plan shows as expired, buy a new one in the Maya app in under a minute.<\/p>\n

      Auto Top-Up is optional and off by default. Switch it on and it buys the same plan again when the current one expires; switch it off any time from My eSIM. Nothing is charged after your plan ends unless Auto Top-Up is on.<\/p>\n

      When is a prepaid SIM or an eSIM the wrong pick for Europe?<\/h2>\n

      An eSIM is the wrong pick if your phone is locked to its carrier or isn\u2019t on our compatibility list. A device that isn\u2019t listed will not work with our eSIM packages.<\/p>\n

      Beyond phones from Apple, Samsung and Google, the list also carries these:<\/p>\n