Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Posted: 1/11/24 | January 11th, 2024
If I had to confine my travels to one region of the world for the rest of my life, it would probably be Europe. From the iconic views of Paris to the amazing cuisine of Italy to the lively nightlife of places like Barcelona and Budapest, Europe has it all. It’s a region you can explore on a budget or a place to splash out on luxury hotels and charming river cruises. It’s perfect for weekend getaways or month-long adventures.
I’ve been visiting Europe for over 15 years. And while each trip is different, there’s one thing I always do when I go: I buy an eSIM.
SIM cards are what allow you to make calls and access mobile data from your smartphone. In the past, this meant buying and installing physical SIM cards and swapping them in and out from country to country. While this was cheaper than paying roaming charges from my provider back home, it was a hassle.
Fortunately, there is an easier (and cheaper) way to access mobile data in Europe during your next trip: an eSIM.
eSIMs are virtual SIM cards that provide mobile data without the need to buy a physical SIM card. They’re easy to install, affordable, and work just as well as regular SIM cards.
And the best eSIM for travelers in Europe? Holafly.
What is Holafly?
Holafly provides international eSIMs to travelers so they can stay connected as they explore the world. They provide coverage in over 170 countries, including all around Europe. Instead of buying a physical SIM card when you visit a destination, with Holafly, you can use a digital SIM card instead.
To get an eSIM, you’ll first want to browse their plans to see which duration is best for you. They have plans from 5-90 days, costing 19-99 EUR. All of their plans have unlimited data (which is a must in my opinion).
Once you choose your plan, you can make a purchase, either via their website or via their app. Here’s a quick look at the steps involved:
From here, you’ll get additional instructions emailed to you that walk you through the process of setting it up. It’s super straightforward, but if you run into trouble they have 24/7 support to help you with any issues.
With a Holafly eSIM for Europe, you can make and receive calls, enjoy unlimited data, and even keep your Whatsapp number (if you happen to use Whatsapp).
If you’re heading to multiple countries in Europe, having a single eSIM will save you a ton of hassle over buying new physical SIM cards while you travel. And since you can top up your eSIM online, you’ll save a bunch of time too since you never need to find a store to visit to get a SIM, buy more minutes, etc.
(As I mentioned above, Holafly has unlimited data plans for Europe in case you’re worried about data limits.)
Why Use Holafly in Europe?
While there is plenty of free Wi-Fi around Europe, it’s not available everywhere. And since connections can be slow (or unsafe), having your own mobile data is always recommended. I always make sure I have my own data when I travel around Europe because it’s just so helpful when it comes to booking activities, calling a taxi or Uber, and looking up things like directions of translations.
Holafly is available in 32 countries in Europe, providing fast and stable connections everywhere you go. They’re much, much cheaper than roaming charges, and if you’re visiting multiple countries, having an eSIM is far less of a hassle than trying to buy new physical SIM cards in each new country you visit.
In short, if you’re heading to Europe and want to stay connected, a Holafly eSIM is a must.
Here’s a look at what’s included at a glance:
- Unlimited data
- Plans starting at $19 USD
- Includes a European number (so you can make calls)
- Available in 32 countries in Europe
- 24/7 customer support
For me, the unlimited data is the big highlight here. That means you’ll never run out of mobile data for things like Google Maps, Google translate, looking up things to do, or calling a taxi.
And since you’ll be keeping your physical SIM card in your phone, you can still take calls to your regular phone number if you need to.
Lastly, since you get a European phone number, you can actually make calls. This is super helpful if you need to phone a restaurant, your hotel, or call a taxi. And, while Europe is super safe, knowing you can call the police or an ambulance in an emergency offers a lot of peace of mind.
The only downside is that there is no data sharing on their Europe plans (i.e. hot spotting), but with plans so cheap you likely won’t need to share with a friend or family because they can just purchase their own eSIM.
Europe is an amazing region to explore. I never get tired of wandering the continent and always encourage people to visit. Regardless of your interests or budget, there is something here for you. And with a Holafly eSIM you’ll be able to make the most of your trip, save money, and stay safe as you enjoy everything the continent has to offer!
You can download the Holafly app in the App Store or Play store.
Book Your Trip to Europe: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
For suggestions on where to stay during your trip, here are my favorite hostels in Europe!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Europe?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Europe for even more planning tips!
The post The Best eSIM for Traveling Europe appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
https://ift.tt/GwnBjAF January 11, 2024 at 06:30PM
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