Published: 2026 | The Dufresnes

If you're planning international travel and trying to figure out how to stay connected without paying insane roaming fees, you're in the right place. After 9+ years of full-time family travel across Costa Rica, Southeast Asia, Central America, and beyond, we've tested just about every connectivity option out there — local SIM cards, pocket WiFi, roaming add-ons, and multiple eSIM providers.

We're now Official Holafly Ambassadors, and we'll tell you exactly why — along with an honest breakdown of how eSIMs work, who they're best for, and how to get the most out of your plan.

Use code THEDUFRESNES to save up to 32% on your Holafly plan.

👉 Get your Holafly eSIM here

What Is a Travel eSIM and How Does It Work?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone. Instead of swapping out a physical SIM card every time you arrive in a new country, you install a travel eSIM before you leave home — and it activates automatically when you land.

No airport SIM card queues. No fumbling with tiny plastic cards. No losing your home SIM in a guesthouse somewhere in Southeast Asia.

Here's how it works in practice:

1. You buy a travel eSIM online before your trip
2. It arrives instantly to your email as a QR code
3. You scan the QR code on your phone (on home WiFi)
4. When you land in your destination, you switch your data to the eSIM
5. You're connected instantly — no setup, no stores, no paperwork

Your regular phone number stays active on your home SIM the whole time. You keep WhatsApp, your contacts, your number — you just add a data line on top of it.

Is Your Phone eSIM Compatible?

Most modern smartphones support eSIM. Here's a quick guide:

Apple: iPhone XS and later (all models from 2018 onwards)

Samsung: Galaxy S20 and later, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip series, Note 20 and later

Google: Pixel 3 and later

Other Android: Most flagship phones from 2020 onwards — check your phone settings under "SIM & Network" or search your model + "eSIM compatible"

One critical check: Your phone must be carrier unlocked. If you bought your phone directly from a carrier on a contract, it may be locked and unable to use third-party eSIMs. Contact your carrier to unlock it before you travel — most will do this for free once your contract is up.

Why We Use Holafly for International Travel

We've tried the alternatives. Here's why Holafly is what we actually use.

Truly Unlimited Data

This is the big one. Most eSIM providers — including Airalo, the most commonly compared alternative — sell data in gigabytes. You buy 5GB, 10GB, or 20GB, and when it's gone, it's gone. That's fine for a weekend trip, but it creates constant anxiety on longer trips or when you're using your phone heavily for navigation, uploading content, video calls, or tethering your laptop.

Holafly sells unlimited data plans. You pay for the number of days you need, not the amount of data you use. For families traveling with multiple people sharing a hotspot, for content creators uploading video, or for digital nomads working remotely — unlimited actually means something.

Coverage in 200+ Destinations

Holafly covers over 200 destinations worldwide. Whether you're heading to Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, the Middle East, North America, or South America, there's a Holafly plan for your destination.

For multi-country trips, the regional and global plans are even more powerful — one eSIM, one plan, automatic network switching as you cross borders.

No SIM Swapping Between Countries

One of the most underrated features of Holafly's regional plans: you never have to change anything when you cross a border. The eSIM detects the new country and connects to the strongest local carrier automatically. We've crossed from France into Italy, from Thailand into Vietnam, from the US into Canada — the handoff is seamless every time.

Instant Activation

Once you purchase, your eSIM QR code arrives in your email within minutes. Install it at home on WiFi, set it up in five minutes, and you're ready to go. No waiting for a physical card to ship, no airport queues, no registration paperwork in a foreign language.

24/7 Customer Support

If something goes wrong — wrong network selected, eSIM not connecting, data not working after a border crossing — Holafly has 24/7 live chat support. We've had to use it once, and it was resolved in under 10 minutes.

Holafly Plans Explained: Which One Is Right for You?

Holafly offers two main types of plans depending on your travel style.

Traditional eSIM Plans

Best for: Short trips, single destinations, occasional travelers

These are destination-specific plans priced by the day. You choose your country, choose how many days you need, and pay a flat rate. No subscription, no recurring charges. Use code THEDUFRESNES for 5% off.

Good for: A two-week holiday in Thailand, a week in Japan, a long weekend in Dubai.

Holafly Plans (Monthly/Annual Subscription)

Best for: Frequent travelers, digital nomads, long-term travelers, families

Holafly Plans is a subscription that covers 160+ countries worldwide — one plan, anywhere you go. You pay monthly or annually and your eSIM works across the globe without buying individual country plans each time.

• Monthly subscription: Use code THEDUFRESNES for 10% off
• Annual subscription: Use code THEDUFRESNES for up to 32% total savings

Good for: Anyone taking multiple international trips per year, families traveling continuously, content creators moving between destinations.

How to Save the Most with Code THEDUFRESNES

Plan Type	What You Get	Discount with THEDUFRESNES
Traditional eSIM (single country, set days)	Unlimited data for your destination	5% off
Holafly Plans monthly (160+ countries)	Unlimited data globally, monthly billing	10% off
Holafly Plans annual (160+ countries)	Unlimited data globally, annual billing	Up to 32% total savings

The annual plan gives you the biggest saving — and if you're traveling more than a couple of times a year internationally, it pays for itself quickly.

👉 Apply code THEDUFRESNES at holafly.sjv.io/6yWy0q

Holafly vs. The Alternatives: An Honest Comparison

Holafly vs. Airalo

Airalo is the most well-known eSIM competitor. Here's the honest comparison:

Data: Airalo sells data in gigabytes (typically 1–20GB). Holafly sells unlimited data plans. If you use your phone heavily, Holafly is the better value.

Coverage: Both cover a large number of countries. Holafly covers 200+ destinations; Airalo is similar.

Pricing: Airalo can be cheaper for very light data users on short trips. Holafly is better value for anyone who uses their phone normally — navigation, social media, video calls, uploading content.

Regional plans: Both offer regional options. Holafly's regional plans include unlimited data; Airalo's regional plans are still capped in GB.

Bottom line: If you're going to stress about how much data you're using, Holafly is worth the difference.

Holafly vs. Local SIM Cards

Local SIM cards are often cheap and have excellent coverage — but they come with friction: you need to find a store, show your passport, sometimes fill in forms, wait for activation, and repeat the whole process every time you change countries. In some countries (Vietnam, China, Japan) the process is more complex than others.

For short trips or solo travelers comfortable with the process, a local SIM is a perfectly valid choice. For families, frequent multi-country travelers, or anyone who values time over saving a few dollars — an eSIM is the easier option.

Holafly vs. Roaming Add-Ons from Your Home Carrier

Roaming add-ons from Canadian, American, or Australian carriers are almost always expensive and data-capped. You're typically paying $10–15 USD per day for limited data, or buying small GB packages at premium prices. For anything beyond a very short trip, a dedicated travel eSIM like Holafly will save you significant money.

Real Situations Where Holafly Has Saved Us

Crossing borders in Southeast Asia: Moving between Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia on one regional eSIM — no SIM changes, automatic network switching, unlimited data the whole way.

Working remotely from Da Nang: Tethering a laptop to a Holafly eSIM for video calls, uploading YouTube footage, and managing emails while working from cafés with unreliable WiFi.

Navigating Hong Kong: Dense city, constant movement between districts, MTR connections, and street-level navigation — having data running continuously without worrying about GB limits made it seamless.

Emergency situations: When our apartment had a fire emergency and we had to relocate quickly to another city, having reliable data immediately — to find accommodation, book transport, communicate — wasn't a nice-to-have. It was essential.

Event travel: From the streets of Monaco Grand Prix weekend to the Cannes Film Festival — events where public WiFi is overwhelmed and you need reliable personal data for navigation, ticket management, and sharing content.

Multi-country Central America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Mexico — years of travel across the region where having one plan that covers borders made a genuine difference.

How to Set Up Your Holafly eSIM: Step by Step

Before you travel (recommended):

1. Go to holafly.sjv.io/6yWy0q
2. Select your destination and number of days
3. Apply code THEDUFRESNES at checkout
4. Receive your QR code by email immediately
5. On your phone, go to Settings → Mobile/Cellular → Add eSIM
6. Scan the QR code (you need WiFi to do this)
7. Label the eSIM "Holafly" so you can find it easily
8. Set it as your data line
9. Turn on Data Roaming

When you arrive:

• Switch your data to the Holafly eSIM
• You're connected

Tips:

• Install at home on WiFi — don't leave it until the airport
• Keep your home SIM active for calls and texts
• If the eSIM doesn't connect immediately after landing, toggle Airplane Mode off and on
• Enable hotspot in your phone settings if you want to share data with another device

Which Holafly Plan for Which Trip?

Weekend city break (2–4 days, one country): Traditional eSIM, 5% off with THEDUFRESNES

Two-week holiday (one country): Traditional eSIM, 5% off with THEDUFRESNES

Multi-country European trip: Europe regional eSIM or Holafly Plans, THEDUFRESNES for 5–10% off

Long-term travel or digital nomad: Holafly Plans annual subscription, up to 32% off with THEDUFRESNES

Frequent flyer (multiple international trips per year): Holafly Plans monthly or annual, THEDUFRESNES for 10–32% off

Family travel with hotspot sharing: Holafly Plans — unlimited data with hotspot capability per device

Destinations We've Covered: Full Guide Library

We've written detailed Holafly eSIM guides for the following destinations and events. Each one covers local coverage, tips for that specific destination, and the best plan to buy:

• Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi, Hue, and more)
• Thailand
• Cambodia
• Hong Kong
• Dubai
• Costa Rica
• Bali, Indonesia (coming soon)
• Monaco Grand Prix 2026
• Roland-Garros French Open 2026
• Cannes Film Festival
• FIFA World Cup 2026 (USA, Canada, Mexico)
• Digital nomad and remote work guide

Check our blog for the full library of destination guides, all with the THEDUFRESNES discount code included.

FAQ: eSIMs for International Travel

Can I use an eSIM and my regular SIM at the same time? Yes. Most modern phones support dual SIM — your home SIM handles calls and texts, your Holafly eSIM handles data. Both run simultaneously.

Will I lose my WhatsApp number? No. WhatsApp is tied to your phone number, which stays on your home SIM. You keep your number, contacts, and message history throughout.

Can I install the eSIM after I arrive at my destination? Technically yes, but you need WiFi to scan the QR code. We always recommend installing at home before you travel to avoid any stress at the airport.

Does Holafly work in remote areas? Holafly connects to local carrier towers, so coverage matches what local networks provide. In major cities and tourist areas, coverage is excellent. In very remote areas — mountains, rural countryside — coverage may be reduced, same as any local SIM would be.

Can I share my Holafly data with other devices? Yes, hotspot/tethering is supported. You can share data with travel partners or connect a laptop. Check the specific plan details as sharing capacity varies.

What if my eSIM doesn't work? Holafly has 24/7 customer support via live chat. Common fixes include toggling Airplane Mode, manually selecting the network, or ensuring Data Roaming is switched on.

How do I know how many days to buy? Buy for your full trip length, not just the "active" days. The daily rate gets cheaper the longer the plan, and you don't want to run out of data on your last day.

The Bottom Line

After 9 years on the road with a family — through Costa Rica, Central America, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and beyond — the way we stay connected has become one of the most important parts of how we travel. Holafly's unlimited data, broad coverage, and simple setup have made it our go-to for every international trip.

Whether you're a first-time international traveler or a seasoned digital nomad, the right eSIM removes one of travel's most frustrating friction points — and lets you focus on the trip itself.

Use code THEDUFRESNES at checkout:

• 5% off traditional eSIM plans
• 10% off monthly Holafly Plans
• Up to 32% off annual Holafly Plans

👉 Get your Holafly eSIM here

We are Official Holafly Ambassadors. We use Holafly on every trip and only recommend products we personally rely on. Code THEDUFRESNES gives you a genuine discount.