If you’re traveling to France (or anywhere in Europe) and want to save money on data while staying connected, you need to read this. After testing several options, I’ve found what I believe is the best eSIM for France, and I’m excited to share my experience with you.
Before our recent trip to France, I was dreading the whole data situation. Our home carrier offers international data roaming with our plan, but at extremely slow speeds of 256 Kbps. That’s barely enough to load maps, and it’s basically useless when you actually need it. They do offer an upgraded international data plan, but at $10 a day per phone, that can add up to over $200 for a 10-day trip.
Thankfully, I found a solution that’s fast and affordable. It’s SIM Local eSIM, and I have a discount code for you below!
Our French Data Dilemma (Maybe Yours Too?)
My husband and I were planning a couple days in Nantes, plus a river cruise through the Loire Valley in France. We have T-Mobile, which technically includes international data. Sounds great, right? It used to be. Ten years ago, we could get by with the included plan. But with how advanced phones have become, plus our reliance on them for services like maps, travel apps, hotel bookings, Uber, and more, we needed faster data on our phones.
It became really noticeable during our last trip to the Netherlands earlier this year. When we landed at Schiphol Airport, we had to desperately hunt for WiFi just to confirm our ride and pick-up location. That “included” international data was so slow it was practically useless. Try pulling up Google Maps when you’re lost in a new city and watching that little loading circle spin… and spin… and spin. Not exactly the welcome to Europe we had in mind!
For calls and texts, we were covered. We use WhatsApp for most communication anyway, and SMS was included in our regular plan. But data? That was our biggest frustration. And data is what you really need when traveling. Everything else you can work around, but without fast data, you’re kind of stuck.
That’s when I started researching the best eSIM for France options, and honestly, SIM Local turned out to be a game-changer.
4 Reasons Why SIM Local Is the Best eSIM for France
Here are all the reasons why SIM Local worked really well for us, and I think you’ll love it too.
1. Your Phone Works Like You’re Actually at Home
With our SIM Local eSIM, my phone worked just as fast as it does in the States. Maps? Instant. Restaurant reviews? Loaded immediately. Translation app? No lag whatsoever.
We’re talking about real, usable data speeds that let you travel like a local instead of like a confused tourist frantically looking for the nearest WiFi. When you’re navigating unfamiliar streets or trying to find that hidden bistro everyone’s raving about, this speed difference isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential.
For this most recent trip, our plane landed at 6:30pm, when it’s already dark and most cafes are closed for the evening. We used our SIM Local eSIM for everything: finding a taxi, getting to our rented apartment, and communicating with the apartment manager via Booking.com’s text messaging when we got a little lost and ended up in the apartment across the street. That was a little stressful, but thankfully we weren’t searching for WiFi. Instead all the apps on our phone worked just like they did at home, making communication and navigation easy.
2. So Easy to Set Up
I’m not super technical. The idea of messing with SIM cards and settings kind of stresses me out, especially since I don’t want to mess up my phone. But SIM Local made this so easy that even my tech-averse self had no issues.
The instructions were crystal clear and simple to follow. They include step-by-step instructions and video tutorials. I took a screenshot of the instructions we’d need in France (just in case) and I set everything else up at home before we left. As soon as we landed in France we were connected. No searching for a phone shop at the airport. No trying to explain what I need in broken French. Just instant connectivity.
3. Europe’s Most Budget-Friendly eSIM
SIM Local isn’t just convenient and fast, it’s also incredibly affordable. They offer plans ranging from 1GB all the way up to unlimited data, so you can choose exactly what fits your budget and travel style.
For our 15-day trip (the week in Nantes plus cruise time), we went with unlimited data for $49. That’s more than half off what our home carrier wanted to charge us. After dealing with slow data on previous trips, it was worth every penny. But if you’re budget-conscious or know you’ll be around WiFi a lot, their smaller packages are super reasonably priced too.
4. Trusted and Reliable Service
SIM Local has an impressive Trustpilot score, which gave me confidence before trying them. They’re based in Ireland, so you’re dealing with a European company that understands European travel and has solid customer service standards.
Plus, they give you one-click access to top carriers across Europe. You’re not stuck with one network, your phone automatically connects to the best available carrier wherever you are in France (or other European countries if you’re hopping around). This reliability is one of the reasons why I consider it the best eSIM for France travelers.
5. Flexible Plans That Actually Make Sense
Not everyone travels the same way, and SIM Local gets that. They offer:
- Data-only plans (perfect for us since we use WhatsApp and didn’t need a French phone number)
- Plans with calls and SMS (text messaging) included. That’s great if you need to make reservations or call hotels.
- Different data amounts (1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, or unlimited)
- Various durations (whether you’re going for a long weekend or a month-long adventure)
We chose the unlimited data plan for 15 days, which was perfect for our itinerary. We didn’t need the calls or texts, but it’s nice knowing those options exist if your situation is different.
How It Actually Performed
Our trip took us from the charming streets of Nantes to the French countryside including different cities, small villages, and rural areas along the Loire River. The SIM Local eSIM worked flawlessly everywhere.
I could share photos in real-time, look up last-minute dinner recommendations, check the weather, look up directions, and never once thought, “Ugh, I wish I had faster data.”
That’s how it should be, right? Your phone just works, and you can focus on actually enjoying France instead of stressing about connectivity. After using it throughout our entire trip, I can confidently say this is the best eSIM for France that I’ve personally tested.
Pro Tips from Our Experience
Here are some tips based on our experience that will help before and during your trip.
Before Your Trip:
- Double-check that your phone is eSIM-compatible. As long as it is unlocked, most recent iPhones and many newer Android phones are good to go.
- Buy and install your eSIM a day or two before you leave so you can troubleshoot any issues while you still have your regular connection.
- Screenshot the activation instructions just in case.
When You Land:
- Keep your home SIM active if you want to receive calls or texts on your regular number (your phone can run both at once)
- Set the eSIM as your primary data source in your settings
- Take a deep breath and enjoy not having to hunt for WiFi!
Money-Saving Tip: For most travelers, unlimited data gives you the best peace of mind. But be realistic about your needs. If you’ll be at hotels with WiFi and just need data for getting around during the day, a smaller package might work great and save you some money.
After our trip to France, I can’t imagine traveling to Europe without SIM Local. It solved every single data problem we’d experienced on previous trips. No more roaming hassles. No more slow speeds. No more WiFi hunting. Just easy, affordable connectivity that lets you travel like a local.
My phone worked exactly like it does at home, and that simple fact made our entire trip smoother and more enjoyable. We could be spontaneous, navigate confidently, and stay connected without any stress. I even used it for things I didn’t expect, like using Shazam to discover new French music.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway to Paris, a wine tour through Bordeaux, or a multi-city French adventure like ours, SIM Local will keep you connected every step of the way. If you’re looking for the best eSIM for France, this is it!
Ready to Travel Like a Local in France?
Don’t make the same mistake we almost made by relying on slow international data or expensive roaming charges. Get yourself a SIM Local eSIM and experience France (and Europe) the way it should be: connected, confident, and carefree.
When it comes to finding the best eSIM for France, SIM Local checks all the boxes: affordable pricing, reliable coverage, easy setup, and lightning-fast speeds.
Special affiliate discount offer for our readers: Use code THETRAVELBITE to save 5% on your SIM Local eSIM!
👉 Get your SIM Local eSIM here and start your next travel adventure the smart way.
Trust me, your future self (standing on a street corner with instantly loading directions to that perfect café) will thank you!
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