Are you looking for the best eSIM for travel to meet your travel needs? Yesim eSIM is the best eSIM for travel, offering competitive international data plans with unique features, such as virtual phone numbers and a built-in VPN, making it a solid choice for multi-country travellers, despite some limitations in customer support and pricing complexity.
With coverage in over 200 countries and partnerships with major networks such as Vodafone and O2, this Swiss-based provider delivers reliable connectivity to most destinations worldwide.
However, auto-renewal issues and mixed performances in certain regions mean travellers should understand both the benefits and potential pitfalls before purchasing.
What is Yesim: Best eSIM for Travel & How It Works
For those seeking the best eSIM for travel, Yesim stands out by offering a range of data plans tailored to various travel needs.
When searching for the best eSIM for travel, it’s worth considering features such as ease of activation and extensive coverage.
Yesim is a Swiss company that launched in 2019, offering digital SIM cards that function without requiring a physical card in your phone. For travellers seeking the best eSIM for travel, this means no more fumbling with tiny plastic SIMs or hunting for mobile shops abroad – you scan a QR code and you’re connected.
The service operates using embedded SIM technology that is integrated into modern smartphones. Once you purchase a plan through their app, you receive a QR code by email. Scan it with your phone’s camera, and within 5-10 minutes, you’ll have local data rates in over 200 countries worldwide.
What makes Yesim different is its partnership with over 800 mobile operators globally, including major UK networks such as O2 and Vodafone. This means that when you travel, your phone will automatically connect to the strongest available network – whether that’s AT&T in America or Orange in France.
Many travellers consider Yesim the best eSIM for travel due to its reliability in over 200 countries.
If you want the best eSIM for travel, Yesim offers coverage in all major European destinations, ensuring seamless connectivity.
Coverage areas and what you get
For travellers in need of the best eSIM for travel, Yesim ensures quality connections in popular regions.
Finding the best eSIM for travel means looking at various pricing options and analysing your needs carefully.
Yesim covers over 200 countries and regions, with extensive coverage across Europe, North America, and Asia. For UK travellers, this means seamless connectivity whether you’re exploring European capitals or venturing further afield to Asia or the Americas.
Yesim’s plans provide excellent value, making it one of the best eSIM for travel options available today.
As the best eSIM for travel, Yesim offers flexibility that surpasses traditional SIM cards.
Choosing the best eSIM for travel helps to avoid the hassles of traditional international roaming.
European coverage includes all major destinations: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Each country’s premium networks connect to the service, eliminating the need for budget operators with potentially spotty coverage.
Global reach extends to popular holiday destinations like Thailand, Japan, Australia, UAE, and the Americas. Recent coverage expansion now includes 134 countries under their “International eSIM” plan.
As a consideration for the best eSIM for travel, Yesim includes added features like virtual numbers and VPN services.
Network quality varies by location. Users report excellent performance in major European cities and the US, with 5G speeds achieved even on 4G-advertised plans. However, speed can drop significantly in places like the Dominican Republic or rural areas.
Data plans and pricing breakdown
Yesim offers three main plan types, which can be confusing at first glance:
Standard fixed plans give you a set amount of data (3GB, 5GB, 10GB) for specific periods. European plans start around £8-15 for a week, while US plans begin at roughly £12-20 for similar periods.
Unlimited plans aren’t truly unlimited – they include a Fair Usage Policy that throttles your speed after 50GB of high-speed data. You’ll still get connectivity, but at much slower speeds.
Pay-as-you-go International eSIM lets you buy data as needed across 134 countries. Rates vary dramatically: £1.80 per GB in France, but £6+ per GB in Afghanistan or Canada.
Yesim also uses “Ycoins” – their internal currency, where 100 Ycoins equals roughly £0.90. This adds an extra step to purchasing but offers referral bonuses and rewards.
Pricing compared to roaming: A typical O2 Europe roaming plan costs £6 per day. Yesim’s 7-day European plan with 5GB costs around £15 total – saving you £27 on a week-long trip.
With the best eSIM for travel, you can enjoy comprehensive data plans that cater to varied travel experiences.
Key advantages for travellers
No roaming shock bills because everything is prepaid. You’ll never return from holiday to find hundreds of pounds in surprise charges from your UK network.
One eSIM, multiple countries – unlike competitors like Airalo where you need separate eSIMs for each destination, Yesim lets you use the same profile across different countries on longer trips.
Virtual phone numbers are a unique feature. For £5.40 monthly, you can get a US, Canadian, Dutch, or Israeli number. This helps with hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, or signing up for local services without revealing your UK number.
Built-in VPN comes free with all plans on iOS devices, adding security when using public WiFi in hotels or cafes.
Hotspot sharing is included by default, so you can share your connection with travel companions or use it on tablets and laptops.
Why Yesim stands out as the best eSIM for travel compared to competitors
Against market leader Airalo, Yesim offers more flexible plans and unique features, such as virtual numbers. However, Airalo has better brand recognition and often offers cheaper prices for basic plans. Airalo requires new eSIMs for each country, while Yesim’s single profile works across multiple destinations.
Versus premium provider Holafly: Holafly focuses on unlimited data with customisable durations and 24/7 multilingual support. Yesim offers a wider variety of plans but lacks round-the-clock support.
Compared to Nomad: Nomad is praised for superior app experience and consistent performance, but doesn’t offer unlimited plans or additional features like VPN or virtual numbers.
Yesim’s sweet spot is business travellers and those wanting extra features beyond basic data. If you only need simple data plans, Airalo might be a more affordable option. If you want unlimited data with excellent support, Holafly might be a better option.
Real user experiences and reviews
Overall ratings average 4.0-4.5 stars across platforms, with Trustpilot showing 4.3/5 from 1,400+ reviews.
Positive experiences highlight reliability across multiple countries. One user reported, “I used Yesim on trips to Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey – everywhere I went, the coverage was stable and the price was excellent.” Another praised the US performance: “Achieved 5G speeds on the iPhone 14 Pro while travelling to Orlando, Nashville, and New York.”
European performance gets consistent praise. Users report “uninterrupted connectivity” across five European countries, with speeds matching local providers.
Common complaints centre around auto-renewal issues. Several users report unexpected charges after plans automatically renewed without clear notification. Customer support, while responsive during business hours, isn’t available 24/7 – a significant limitation for travellers across time zones.
Speed variations depend heavily on location. The performance is excellent in major US and European cities, but noticeably slower in places like the Dominican Republic or rural areas.
Technical requirements and device compatibility
iPhone compatibility requires iOS 14.1+ and includes all models from iPhone XR onwards (iPhone XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series). Chinese mainland models won’t work due to hardware differences.
Android support varies significantly by manufacturer. Samsung Galaxy S20+ and newer, Google Pixel 3 and up (with regional exceptions), and select OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Huawei models work. Compatibility is much more fragmented than with iPhones.
Check compatibility by dialing *#06# – if you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM.
iPad and tablet support exists for newer models with cellular capability, though it’s not guaranteed for all tablets.
To use any eSIM service, your UK carrier must unlock your phone. Please get in touch with your network provider if you have any questions about your unlock status.
Step-by-step setup process
Before you travel:
- Download the Yesim app from the App Store or Google Play
- Create an account and verify your email
- Choose your destination and purchase a suitable plan
- You’ll receive a QR code by email – screenshot this for backup
Installing the eSIM:
On iPhone:
- Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM
- Scan the QR code from your email
- Follow the prompts and label it “Yesim”
- Turn on Data Roaming for the Yesim plan
- Set Yesim as your data source
On Android:
- Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
- Tap “Add mobile plan” > “Add using QR code”
- Scan your QR code and follow the setup
- Enable Data Roaming for the new plan
At your destination:
- Allow 5-10 minutes for connection after landing
- Restart your phone if you don’t connect immediately
- Check that Data Roaming is enabled for Yesim
Travel tips and best practices
We recommend downloading the app in advance and familiarising yourself with the interface before travelling. Purchase your plan a day or two in advance, but don’t activate it until you arrive.
Keep your UK SIM active for calls and texts home. Most travellers use the dual SIM feature – UK SIM for calls and Yesim for data.
Monitor your usage through the app. Yesim sends alerts at 70% usage, but it’s wise to check regularly, especially on unlimited plans that throttle after 50 GB.
Connect to WiFi when possible to preserve your data allowance. Hotel and restaurant WiFi can handle basic browsing, saving your eSIM data for navigation and essential apps.
Download offline maps before leaving WiFi. Google Maps’ offline downloads can save a significant amount of data during navigation.
Use aeroplane mode strategically – turn it on and off if you’re having connection issues. This forces your phone to reconnect to networks.
Potential issues and limitations
Auto-renewal problems are the biggest complaint. Plans can renew automatically without clear warning, leading to unexpected charges. Always check your renewal settings and disable auto-renewal if you don’t want ongoing charges.
Customer support limitations mean you might wait hours for help outside European business hours. The live chat closes overnight, which can be problematic if you have connection issues in different time zones.
“Unlimited” isn’t truly unlimited – Fair Usage Policies kick in after 50GB, dramatically reducing speeds. Heavy users might find themselves throttled.
Voice calls and SMS are not supported; instead, you will need to use apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or similar for communication. The virtual phone number service incurs an additional cost and is only available in four countries.
Speed inconsistencies vary dramatically by location. While European and US cities perform exceptionally well, some destinations exhibit notably slower speeds.
Plan restrictions mean you can’t top up existing plans—you must purchase entirely new ones when the data runs out.
Country-specific performance insights
United States: The performance is excellent when connecting to AT&T and T-Mobile. Users report achieving 5G speeds even on 4G-advertised plans. The service provides robust coverage in major cities ranging from Orlando to New York.
Europe: Consistently strong across major countries. The performance in France, Germany, and Eastern European destinations has received particular praise. The network maintains connections to premium networks such as O2 and Orange.
Asia: Mixed results depending on location. Users report variable speeds in some Southeast Asian destinations, but the network performs well in Japan and India.
Remote areas: Performance drops significantly outside major cities. Rural areas in any country may have limited coverage or reduced speeds.
Customer support and user experience
Support channels include live chat, email (info@yesim.app), WhatsApp, and in-app contact forms—response times average 6 minutes during business hours.
Business hours run from 8 AM to 1 AM GMT+2, providing 17 hours of daily coverage, but not full 24/7 support.
Language support is currently limited to English and Russian, although auto-translation is available to assist with other languages.
User feedback praises the quick resolution of technical issues and professional assistance but criticises the lack of overnight support for travellers in different time zones.
Recent updates and improvements
2024-2025 enhancements include significant app improvements in version 5.1.0, allowing multiple eSIM management and family sharing features.
Coverage expansion now reaches 200+ countries with 800+ network partners, up from previous years.
New International eSIM launched in February 2024 offers pay-as-you-go flexibility across 134 countries.
Enhanced network switching automatically connects to the strongest available network, including 5G where supported.
Pricing comparison with alternatives
The best eSIM for travel provides unparalleled flexibility and ease of use for every international adventure.
Traditional roaming from UK networks typically costs £6+ per day in Europe and £8+ elsewhere. A week in France costs £42 with O2 roaming versus £15 with Yesim’s 5GB plan.
Versus Airalo: Similar pricing overall, but Yesim often offers better value for larger data amounts, while Airalo is cheaper for basic plans.
Compared to local SIM cards: Usually pricier than buying local SIMs, but far more convenient and eliminates language barriers at mobile shops.
Against Holafly: Holafly’s unlimited plans cost more upfront but might offer better value for heavy data users who won’t hit Yesim’s throttling limits.
Key Takeaways
Best eSIM for travel features: Yesim offers coverage in over 200 countries with virtual phone numbers, a built-in VPN, and multi-country flexibility on a single profile.
Cost savings: Save up to £27 per week compared to UK roaming charges, with European plans starting from £15 for 7 days versus £42 for traditional roaming.
Unique advantages: Virtual phone numbers for local bookings, free VPN on iOS, and hotspot sharing included with all plans make this one of the best eSIM for travel options.
Main limitations: Auto-renewal issues, limited 24/7 support, and Fair Usage Policy throttling after 50GB on “unlimited” plans.
Perfect for: Business travellers, multi-country trips, and those wanting extra features beyond basic data connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yesim the best eSIM for travel to Europe? Yes, Yesim performs exceptionally well across Europe, thanks to strong partnerships with networks like O2 and Orange. Users consistently report reliable connectivity across multiple European countries on a single plan.
How much does the best eSIM for travel cost with Yesim? European plans start around £8-15 for a week, while global plans range from £12 to 20. This pricing compares favourably to £6+ daily roaming charges on UK networks.
Can I use voice calls with Yesim eSIM? No, Yesim provides data-only plans. However, you can purchase virtual phone numbers for £5.40 monthly in select countries or use WhatsApp, Telegram, and other apps for calling.
What makes Yesim one of the best eSIM for travel providers? Unique features, such as virtual phone numbers, a free VPN, multi-country coverage on a single profile, and partnerships with over 800 networks globally, set Yesim apart from basic competitors.
Does Yesim work in the USA? Yes, Yesim offers excellent US coverage through AT&T and T-Mobile networks, with users reporting 5G speeds in major cities from Orlando to New York.
How do I avoid auto-renewal charges with Yesim? Always disable auto-renewal immediately after purchasing your plan. Check your account settings regularly, as this is the most common issue reported by users.
The best eSIM for travel ensures you stay connected at all times and across various countries effortlessly.
Is Yesim better than Airalo? Yesim offers more features (VPN, virtual numbers) and multi-country flexibility, while Airalo typically has simpler pricing and broader recognition. Choose based on whether you need basic connectivity or additional features.
What’s the data speed like with Yesim? Users report excellent speeds in major European and US cities, often achieving 5G speeds even on 4G-advertised plans. Performance varies significantly in rural areas and some developing countries.
When choosing the best eSIM for travel, look for features that enhance your overall travel experience.
So, is Yesim the best eSIM for travel? With its extensive features and user-friendly service, it may be.
Final verdict: Is Yesim the best eSIM for travel?
Yesim eSIM offers robust international connectivity, complemented by distinctive features that distinguish it from basic competitors, positioning it as a leading option for the title of best eSIM for travel. The virtual phone number and built-in VPN offered by Yesim eSIM add genuine value for business travellers and privacy-conscious users. Europe’s coverage is robust, making Yesim eSIM an excellent choice for UK travellers exploring the continent.
With the best eSIM for travel, you can enjoy the freedom to explore without worrying about connectivity.
However, the auto-renewal issues and limited 24/7 support are genuine concerns. The Ycoins payment system adds unnecessary complexity, and the “unlimited” plans aren’t as generous as they appear.
Rely on Yesim, the best eSIM for travel, for reliable service and customer support throughout your journeys.
Choose Yesim if you want: Flexible multi-country plans, additional features like VPN and virtual numbers, or reliable European coverage.
Consider alternatives if you need: True 24/7 support, genuinely unlimited data without throttling, or the absolute cheapest basic data plans.
Experience why Yesim is regarded as the best eSIM for travel and elevate your travel experience today.
For most UK travellers taking typical holidays abroad, Yesim offers good value and reliable connectivity as one of the best eSIM travel options available, provided they understand its limitations and disable auto-renewal after purchase.
Are you prepared to enjoy seamless international connectivity? Get your Yesim eSIM plan here (affiliate link)—we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Positioned as the best e-SIM for travel, Yesim effectively meets the needs of modern travellers.
Those considering the best eSIM for travel should also be aware of potential limitations, such as auto-renewal issues.
Ultimately, Yesim is among the top choices for UK travellers seeking reliable connectivity with eSIM options for travel.
Explore the best eSIM for travel opportunities and experience uninterrupted connectivity on your next trip.
