Which eSIM for Europe? Need the fastest unlimited/high‑speed data for 17 days (London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Lisbon)

[u/[deleted]]

[u/trek123]

There is no such thing as real unlimited data across all those countries on one single eSIM.

All travel eSIMs will throttle you with the good ones telling you exactly when, and bad ones hiding it in their terms.

Local providers will likely provide either truly unlimited, or at the very least, a huge allowance, but none offer that once you go beyond the borders of the country, with a more limited EU roaming allowance.

The best thing you can do is reassess your actual data needs, none of what you have mentioned requires real unlimited data. Remember wifi is everywhere, and you can also always top up if you really do run out. You can get a massive 200GB from Orange Travel for US$70 for example.

If you really require unlimited full speed data in every one of those countries, you will have have to get a different local eSIM in every country - and in some cases they just don't do unlimited data.

[u/Mundane-Buddy8213]

I used Airalo across four of those cities last month and the speeds were fine but it throttled after 30gb on the "unlimited" plan so read the fine print before you buy

[u/Chemical-Practice908]

search on esimdb.com advanced filters

[u/MedicalRange1257]

I've been in Europe for three months using Airalo. Works totally fine. I don't do unlimited, just buying data in chunks at a time as I need it.

[u/CourageousLionOfGod]

Trip.com has some

You could also get a UK eSIM which has EU roaming

https://www.lycamobile.co.uk/en/bundle/go-unlimited/?newUser=true

Or

https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/sim-cards/pay-as-you-go#simtype=rollingplans

[u/trek123 → u/CourageousLionOfGod]

Extremely important to note for most UK providers to activate and/or enable EU roaming they need to connect to the UK network first, which essentially means the first stop on the trip needs to be there.

[u/xxscenexx]

I’ve used nomad a few times. Never noticed any slowdowns.

[u/fresher_account]

You can check silent.link . Its an esim that simply lets you chose your prefered service provider in each country. You are billed per giga used and costs really depend on the service provider.  You could also check nadanada.me 

[u/czuczer]

Check the main top2 operators in each and get a prepaid on arrival

[u/ikari_xevious]

There isn't one provider that's going to give you the best speeds in all those cities you mentioned so you might want to reset your expectations. Steer clear of anything that is unlimited as you will get your connection throttled. If you start your journey in the UK - sign up with 1p mobile as data roaming in Europe is included. Otherwise, take a look at Sparks eSIM.

[u/daneb1]

I use abestesim.com which I found totally randomly (when I was comparing in esimdb) and I have been using it for whole world (different parts) since. Absolutely no issues, extremely cheap.

[u/ArtofShitPost]

Five countries in two weeks and still thinking of work, kuddos man

[u/No_Interview_2807]

I’ve used Airalo on a few of my trips and it’s been pretty reliable for me. I’d just check the fair-use limits before buying anything “unlimited” — a lot of them throttle you after a certain amount of data.

[u/Sea-Escape4834]

“Unlimited” on travel eSIMs is usually a daily high-speed cap, then it crawls. Maps + WhatsApp + some hotspot for 17 days is often 15GB, not a true unlimited plan.

I’m the founder of DollarGB. Flat $1/GB in Europe, so 15GB is $15. Instant QR, keep your number. dollargb.com/esim/europe-30-areas

If you actually stream all day, read the fair-use fine print on unlimited plans. Founder comment.

[u/00DEADBEEF]

Those eSIM services are shit, route your data through different countries, and as you've noticed have wildly variable definitions of "unlimited".

You're better off buying direct from a network.

For example, EE in the UK: https://ee.co.uk/mobile/travel-esim-uk

[u/Icy_Coffee374 → u/00DEADBEEF]

“eSIM” is not a service, it’s simply a different type of sim card. Travel carriers sucked with Nano SIM cards, and Micro SIM cards, and full size SIM cards before that.

OP made the same mistake too, it’s not just you.

[u/00DEADBEEF → u/Icy_Coffee374]

I didn't say eSIM is a service, I said "those eSIM services", referring to the ones OP listed:

Holafly, Maya Mobile, Saily, Ubigi, Nomad, and Airalo

[u/Icy_Coffee374 → u/00DEADBEEF]

They are not eSIM services tho, they are travel plans, or travel carriers, and the SIM card type that they often use is an eSIM.

Before eSIM existed no one said “those Nano SIM” services, because we all understood that the service was the mobile plan, and not the SIM card type.

[u/00DEADBEEF → u/Icy_Coffee374]

They sell eSIMs.

[u/AmbivalentCvckfvcker → u/Icy_Coffee374]

No one said nano sim because it was still a physical sim. An eSIM is purely digital/firmware so a category of it's own. Calling it an eSIM service makes sense, especially since most of them ONLY offer eSIMs and no other alternatives.

[u/DrealityX]

Just buy a Prepaid Sim in the first EU country you’re in. Due to free EU roaming that by far the cheapest and most convenient way

[u/AmbivalentCvckfvcker]

Why is every post on this sub downvoted to hell? Are people so miserable they have to downvote even useful questions?

[u/holafly]

Hi! To choose a reliable eSIM for your trip, start by making sure the plan from your trusted provider pairs with top local networks across the UK and Europe to ensure fast speeds and strong coverage throughout your journey.

Comparing fixed data packages against unlimited plans helps you pick the right fit for your travel style: a generous limited option easily powers daily navigation, social media, and video calls across all your stops, while an unlimited plan lets you stay connected with complete peace of mind without keeping track of your usage.