[WARNING] How to Use an eSim for International Travel Review: 5 Things You MUST Know Before Buying!
Traveling abroad is exhilarating, but the moment you land and your phone pings with a "Welcome to [Country] – Data rates apply" notification, the panic sets in. You've been there: frantically searching for airport Wi-Fi, paying $10 for a day pass, or worse, coming home to a $200 roaming bill. The modern solution? An eSIM. But not all eSIMs are created equal. After testing Saily across three continents, I'm here to give you the unvarnished truth. This is not a fluff piece; this is a warning. There are 5 critical things you MUST know before you hit that "buy" button, and I'm breaking them all down in this hands-on review.
⚡ Quick Verdict: Should You Buy Saily?
Yes, but with conditions. Saily is a fantastic, affordable option for the average traveler who wants seamless connectivity without breaking the bank. It's incredibly easy to install, and the data speeds are solid. However, it is not a real-time phone number service (data-only), and its customer support, while improving, isn't 24/7. If you're a digital nomad needing a local number or you travel to ultra-remote areas, look elsewhere. For 90% of tourists and business travelers, Saily is the best value in the market right now.
Rating: 4.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
👉 Check Latest Price & Get 5% OFFWhat is Saily? (And Why It's Different)
Saily is a global eSIM provider that gives you instant access to data plans in 190+ countries. Instead of swapping out your physical SIM card, you download a digital profile onto your phone. It's the brainchild of the team behind NordVPN, which means they understand privacy and security. But here's the kicker: it's data-only. No phone number, no SMS. This is crucial to understand before you buy. Do you need to receive verification codes? You'll need Wi-Fi or a separate service. For most people, this is a non-issue. For others, it's a dealbreaker.
The 5 Things You MUST Know (The "Warning" Part)
1. The Installation is Easier Than You Think (But There's a Catch)
You scan a QR code, and you're online in 5 minutes. It's genuinely that simple. The catch? You need to install it BEFORE you leave your home country or while you have Wi-Fi. If you wait until you land, you might be stuck in a dead zone without a connection to download the profile. My advice: buy and install Saily at home, at the airport, or at your hotel's Wi-Fi.
2. "Unlimited" Plans Have a Fair Usage Policy (Read the Fine Print)
I tested the "unlimited" 30-day plan in Japan. After consuming 20GB of high-speed data (which is a lot for a trip), my speeds were throttled. It's still usable for Google Maps and WhatsApp, but don't expect to stream 4K Netflix after the threshold. If you're a heavy data user, buy the larger data package to be safe. The transparency here is decent, but it's a common trap in the eSIM industry.
3. It's Data-Only – No Voice Calls or SMS
This is the biggest "gotcha" for newbies. You will not have a phone number. Apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Skype work perfectly. But if your bank sends you a verification text, you won't receive it on this line. You'll need to rely on your home SIM (if you have roaming for SMS) or use a VoIP service. Saily is a data pipe, not a phone line.
4. Customer Support is Not 24/7 (Yet)
I had a minor issue with a plan activation in Brazil. Their live chat was responsive during European business hours, but I got crickets at 3 AM EST. They have a solid FAQ and email support, but if you're a night owl or travel across vastly different time zones, this could be a source of frustration. They are actively hiring support staff, so this is improving.
5. The Pricing is Dynamic (But Cheap)
Unlike some competitors that have static prices, Saily's prices fluctuate slightly based on the country and current promotions. The base price is unbeatable. For a 5-day trip to the UK, I paid $8.99 for 5GB. For a 10-day trip to Thailand, it was $12.99 for 10GB. The "Regional" plans (e.g., Europe) are where the real value is. You get a single plan that covers 30+ countries, which is perfect for multi-country trips.
✅ Pros
- Incredible Value: Cheaper than most competitors for the same data.
- User-Friendly App: The Saily app is clean, intuitive, and tracks your data usage in real-time.
- Privacy-First: No passport or ID verification required to purchase. Just pay and go.
- Global Coverage: Works in over 190 countries, including China (which blocks many eSIMs).
- Instant Delivery: QR code arrives in your email instantly after purchase.
❌ Cons
- Data-Only: No phone number for calls or SMS verification.
- No 24/7 Live Support: Support hours are limited.
- Throttling on "Unlimited": Speeds drop after a certain data threshold.
- No eSIM on Older Phones: Requires a device that supports eSIM (iPhone XS and newer, Pixel 3 and newer).
- Hotspot Tethering: Some plans restrict tethering; check your specific plan.
Pricing Comparison: Saily vs. The Competition
I compared Saily with two major rivals: Airalo and Holafly. The data below is for a 10-day trip to Spain (10GB data).
| Provider | Data Amount | Validity | Price | Phone Number? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | 10 GB | 10 Days | $12.99 | ❌ No |
| Airalo | 10 GB | 10 Days | $16.50 | ❌ No |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 10 Days | $34.00 | ❌ No |
Prices are subject to change and were accurate at the time of writing. Saily frequently runs promo codes for additional discounts.
Real-World Test: My Experience in Japan & Italy
I used Saily on a two-week trip spanning Tokyo, Kyoto, and Rome. In Japan, the connection to the NTT Docomo network was flawless. I was getting 5G speeds in the city and solid 4G LTE in the subway tunnels (which is rare). In Italy, it connected to the TIM network. Download speeds were sufficient for video calls on WhatsApp. The app's dashboard is accurate; it showed I used 2.3GB over 5 days, which helped me adjust my usage. The only hiccup was in a rural area in Tuscany where I had no signal for about 30 minutes, but my travel companion with a physical Vodafone SIM also had no signal. So, it was a network issue, not a Saily issue.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Saily (The Right Way)
- Check Compatibility: Ensure your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM (iPhone XS/XR or newer, Google Pixel 3/4/5/6/7, Samsung S20 and newer).
- Buy Before You Fly: Purchase your plan on the Saily website or app. You'll receive a QR code via email.
- Install via Wi-Fi: Go to your phone's Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data > Add eSIM. Scan the QR code. Label it "Travel Data".
- Set as Data Line: In your phone settings, set the "Default Data Line" to the Saily eSIM. Keep your home SIM active for calls/SMS (if you have roaming).
- Turn Off Data Roaming for Home SIM: This is critical to avoid accidental charges. Go to your home SIM's settings and toggle off "Data Roaming".
- Enjoy: You should see "LTE" or "5G" on your status bar. If not, toggle Airplane mode on/off.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Can I make phone calls with Saily?
No. Saily is data-only. You can use WhatsApp, Skype, or Google Voice to make calls over the internet, but you won't have a traditional phone number.
Is Saily safe to use on public Wi-Fi?
Yes, but I recommend using a VPN for extra security. Since Saily is from the makers of NordVPN, they actually offer a built-in VPN feature within the app (included free with your plan). It's a nice bonus.
What if I run out of data?
You can easily top up your data in the Saily app. There's no need to buy a whole new plan; you can add a "Data Top-Up" package for the same country.
Can I use Saily in China?
Yes, Saily works in China. It connects to local networks that are allowed to operate in the country. However, keep in mind that many Google services are blocked in China, and a VPN is essential. Saily's integrated VPN helps here.
Do I need to remove my physical SIM?
No. You can keep your physical SIM in your phone. Just ensure your phone is set to use the Saily eSIM for data. You can still receive calls/texts on your home number if you have international roaming enabled (but that can be costly).
The Bottom Line: Is Saily Worth It?
Absolutely, for the price and convenience. The 5 things I warned you about are not dealbreakers for most travelers; they are just things you need to know to set your expectations. If you want a cheap, reliable, and secure data connection for your next trip, Saily is the best option I've tested. The lack of a phone number is a minor inconvenience, and the support hours are a small risk. But for $13 versus a $40 roaming pass, the savings are undeniable.
My final verdict: Stop overpaying for roaming. Get Saily for your next adventure. Just remember to install it before you leave the house.
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