As a modern traveller, I need my iPhone to get around and my iPhone needs data to operate. But as a budget-savvy traveler, I hate having to pay sky-high roaming charges or trying to haggle with some shady street vendor for a SIM card.
Cue the eSIM revolution — no more fiddling with little plastic cards or swapping out trays on your smartphone. These days eSIMs are built into your device, and you can switch providers at the touch of a button. But, with so many eSIM providers now flooding the market (and believe me, I have tried a LOT), finding the right fit can feel like hunting for a needle in a digital haystack. Well, one eSIM option that has been making waves lately is Saily eSIM.
Backed by the cybersecurity geezers behind NordVPN, Saily promises to make international data cheap, easy, and stress-free. But today we will dive deep and examine whether Saily really is the perfect solution for the intrepid traveller. In this post, I’ll dig deep into whether Saily eSIM is worth your precious travel funds.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
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At a Glance – Pros and Cons of Saily eSim
Most things in life come with pros and cons (some things, like traveling to Morocco however are all cons) and Saily is no different. While there is a lot to love, there are things that could be better.
Easy to use app
Some cheap eSim packages
Good range of countries
No phone numbers
Packages jump from 7 day to 30 day. No 14 day option?
Coverage better in some locations than others
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Who Are Saily eSIM?
Saily eSim is a relatively new kid on a relatively new block, but do not let that fool you into thinking they are somehow inexperienced. You see, having been founded and developed by Nord Security, the same team that brought you NordVPN (which by the way, is our favourite travel VPN), Saily benefits from some pretty serious expertise in the digital world and comms world.
With coverage in over 150 countries (and growing) and a variety of flexible data plans, Saily is positioning itself as a game-changer for the budget-conscious traveler who needs fast and easy access to data. So, now you can finally say goodbye to searching for Wi-Fi in a back-alley café or overpaying for a local SIM at the airport.
How Saily eSIM Works
Saily works via eSIM (embedded SIM) technology, which is already installed on pretty much all smartphones now in circulation. Unlike the annoying little physical SIM cards that you’re probably used to, an eSIM is a digital chip embedded inside your phone.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Once you’ve downloaded the Saily app and selected a data plan, the eSIM activates remotely, so you can connect to mobile networks across the world without a physical swap. The entire process is done through the app, and the good news is it’s super user-friendly.
Here’s how Saily works:
- Download the Saily App: Available on both iOS and Android, the app lets you manage your eSIM and data plans with ease.
- Choose a Data Plan: Select your destination, choose how much data you need, and pay via the app.
- Activate Before Your Trip: You need an internet connection for the initial setup, but after that, you’re ready to hit the road.
Once you’ve got your eSIM activated, you’ll be connected to local mobile networks as soon as you land at your destination. This means there is no longer any need to fumble around with airport kiosks or hunt down Wi-Fi to get online—you’re instantly connected.
What Destinations Does Saily Cover?
At the time of writing (September 2024) Saily provides eSim data coverage in over 150 countries, including many of the usual travel hotspots like backpacking Europe, and some choice ‘off-the-beaten-path’ destinations as well. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the remote beaches of Bali, you’ll be able to stay connected using a Saily eSim data package.
Here’s a rough breakdown of the locations which Saily cover:
- The Americas: 34 countries, including the US, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada.
- Europe: 45 countries, including the UK, Germany, and Italy.
- Asia Pacific: 30 countries, including Japan, Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Middle East and North Africa: 42 countries, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
The coverage is strong in most of North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. However, in some regions—especially more remote areas in Africa or Latin America—the connection may be less reliable.
That’s largely due to the local telecom infrastructure rather than Saily’s service itself and the likelihood is that any eSim provider will experience the same issues. Do bear in mind that eSim tech is still quite new so this situation will likely improve in the not too distant future. Yahey!
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View on Osprey View on REIWhat Does a Saily eSIM Cost?
First up, there is no single, simple straightforward answer here. The price of a Saily eSim package varies depending on the location you are visiting, how long you are going for, and how much data you want.
Still, this is an area where Saily really shines and you’re not paying through the nose like you would with a roaming plan from your home provider. Instead, Saily offers affordable and flexible data packages for its users.
Photo: Will Hatton
Let’s take a look at some of their pricing;
- 1GB for 7 days: Starting at $1.99
- 5GB for 30 days: Around $13.99
- 10GB for 30 days: Typically $27.99
- 20GB for 30 days: Up to $40 (depending on the region)
On balance, Saily is in the mid-table of cheap eSim providers.
So is Saily Any Good?
Right so let’s get into the real meat of this post and answer the fundamental question; Is Saily eSIM good for travelers?
Well the short answer is a pretty resounding yes albeit with some caveats.
The Saily app is designed to be easy to use, even for eSIM newbies. Setting it up is straightforward, and the fact that you can manage everything inside of one app is a big, big win.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
The downside? At this time Saily doesn’t offer unlimited data plans, and if you’re a heavy data user, you might find yourself burning through those smaller packages quickly. Another con is that while Saily offers coverage in 150+ countries, it’s still behind some bigger players like Airalo, which covers over 200+ countries.
That said, if you’re a light to moderate data user, then Saily’s prices are incredibly competitive. For checking emails, browsing social media, and using maps, it’s certainly more than enough.
Whether it’s the best eSim for travellers, is something you can decide for yourself.
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Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.
Grab an eSIM!Do Saily Offer Phone numbers?
One thing you absolutely need to appreciate about Saily’s eSim is that it does NOT come with a local phone number. They offer data only packages.
Now, this is not necessarily a big problem. You can always call via WhatsApp, Signal or even Skype if you are feeling retro and with eSim, you can also leave your own phone number ‘turned on’ so you can get texts.
However, there may be some instances where not have a local number is an issue such as if you want to register for a local food app (like GoJek in Indonesia).
It’s only fair to point out that most eSim providers don’t offer phone numbers at this time and only a small number do, for a limited number of destinations.
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Hide Yo’ Money!Get Insured BEFORE you Travel.
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. After you’ve secured your eSim, get yourself some good travel insurance you won’t regret it.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts
So in summary, is Saily eSIM worth it for travelers? Yes it absolutely is, if you’re looking for a cheap, easy, and reliable way to stay connected on the road.
It’s especially great for short-term trips or for backpackers hopping between countries. The app’s simple to use interface, coupled with flexible data packages, makes it a strong contender in the buoyant and eSIM market.
The biggest drawbacks? Limited data plans, absence of a local number and slightly patchier coverage in some remote areas. But if you’re willing to keep your data usage in check, Saily is a solid option that won’t drain your travel budget.
See you on the road guys!
Photo: @willhatton__
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Have a look at our guide to finding the best travel SIM cards.
- Get yourself covered with good travel insurance before your trip.
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
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