What is an eSIM and why use one for travel?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of swapping a physical plastic card, you scan a QR code or download a profile — and your phone is connected to a local network in whatever country you're in. No hardware, no waiting, no airport SIM card kiosks.
For travelers, eSIMs solve three problems: roaming charges from your home carrier (often $10-15/day), the hassle of finding and buying local SIMs in every country, and the security risk of relying entirely on hotel and airport wifi.
An eSIM gives you mobile data — a private connection that bypasses shared wifi entirely. For anything sensitive, mobile data through an eSIM is significantly safer than hotel wifi even with a VPN.
✓ eSIM vs VPN — different tools
An eSIM gives you a private mobile data connection. A VPN encrypts traffic on any connection — wifi or mobile data. For maximum security: eSIM for the connection, VPN on top for encryption. They complement each other; you don't choose between them.
Our pick: Saily by Nord Security
⭐ Top pick for travelers
Saily eSIM
Saily is the travel eSIM product from Nord Security — the company behind NordVPN. It covers 150+ countries with competitive per-GB pricing, includes built-in ad blocking and web protection on every plan, and integrates with the NordVPN app. For travelers who already use NordVPN, it's the natural companion.
- 150+ countries covered
- Built-in ad blocker
- Web protection included
- No SIM swap needed
- 24/7 live support
- Hotspot / tethering supported
- Keep your home number active
- Nord Security ecosystem
* Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no cost to you.
What to look for in a travel eSIM
Coverage. Not all eSIMs cover all countries. Check that your specific destinations are included — including any transit countries. Regional plans (Asia, Europe, Global) are usually better value than buying individual country plans.
Data limits and pricing. Per-GB pricing varies significantly between providers. Calculate roughly how much data you use per day (streaming is 1-3 GB/hour, browsing and messaging is much less) and compare total cost across plan sizes.
Hotspot support. If you travel with a laptop or tablet, you need an eSIM that supports tethering. Not all plans allow it. Saily supports hotspot on all plans.
Security features. Most eSIM providers offer just data. Saily adds built-in ad blocking and web protection — useful for filtering malicious content especially on mobile networks in unfamiliar countries.
Support. When you're abroad and your connection fails, 24/7 live support matters. Saily's support inherits NordVPN's infrastructure.
eSIM vs local SIM card vs roaming
| Option | eSIM (Saily) | Local SIM | Home roaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Minutes | 30-60 min at airport | Instant (but expensive) |
| Cost | Competitive | Often cheapest | Expensive ($10-15/day) |
| Keep home number | Yes | No | Yes |
| Multi-country | Yes | One country only | Yes (at high cost) |
| Security features | Built-in | None | None |
| Phone lock-free required | Yes | Yes | No |
eSIM compatibility — does your phone support it?
Most modern smartphones support eSIM. iPhones from XS (2018) onwards are compatible. Android support varies by manufacturer and model — Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+, and most flagship Android phones since 2019 support eSIM.
Your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked to use an eSIM from a different provider. Most phones bought directly (not from a carrier) are unlocked. If you bought your phone through a network contract, check with your carrier — many unlock phones after the contract period or for a small fee.
⚠ China and eSIMs
Some eSIM providers have limited coverage or restrictions in China. Check coverage before travel and combine with NordVPN's obfuscated servers — the eSIM gets you connected, the VPN gets you through the Great Firewall. Set both up before you board.
eSIM + VPN — the complete travel setup
The most secure setup for international travel combines both:
Saily eSIM for your primary data connection — private mobile data that bypasses shared hotel wifi networks. Use this for banking, sensitive work, or anything you'd rather not route through a shared network.
NordVPN on top for encryption — encrypts all traffic whether you're on mobile data or wifi. Auto-connects on hotel wifi for passive protection. Essential for travel to restricted countries.
Both are Nord Security products, work together seamlessly, and cover the two biggest digital security risks for travelers — unsafe wifi and unencrypted traffic.
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Frequently asked questions
For most uses, an eSIM alone is safer than hotel wifi. But for restricted countries (China, UAE), you still need a VPN with obfuscated servers — the eSIM gets you connected, but the VPN bypasses censorship. For general privacy and encryption on any connection, VPN + eSIM is the complete setup.
Yes — most modern phones support dual SIM (one physical + one eSIM, or multiple eSIM profiles). Keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS, use the eSIM for data abroad. You switch between them in settings without swapping anything physically.
Download the Saily app, purchase a plan for your destination, and scan the QR code or follow the in-app instructions to install the eSIM profile. The whole process takes about 5 minutes. Activate it before you travel so it's ready the moment you land.
Check coverage on Saily's website for your specific plan. For accessing blocked content in China, you still need NordVPN with obfuscated servers — the eSIM provides connectivity but doesn't bypass the Great Firewall. Use both together for the complete solution.
Complete your travel security setup
Saily eSIM + NordVPN — the full package
Both from Nord Security. Saily for private mobile data in 150+ countries. NordVPN for encryption on wifi and bypassing censorship. Together they cover every digital security risk a traveler faces.
Get Saily eSIM → Get NordVPN →* Affiliate links — we earn a commission at no cost to you.