eSIM France: The Best eSIM to Travel 2024
With its tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, France has been a popular destination for many. While enjoying the sights and culture, you want to stay connected to navigate through the country and, of course, share your experiences. That’s where eSIMs come in handy. They are convenient chips embedded in your phone, designed to make your travel hassle-free. But which eSIM is the best for France? In this article, we will list providers with the most proven track record for France eSIMs. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of contents
- Top eSIM Providers for France
- 1. Orange Holiday — Versatile eSIM plans for France
- How to activate Orange Holiday eSIM?
- 2. Holafly — Flexible France eSIM
- 3. Saily — Pocket-friendly eSIM deals
- How to activate Saily eSIM?
- 4. Airalo — Popular eSIM for France
- How to activate Airalo eSIM?
- 5. BNESIM — Cheap data plans for France
- How to activate BNESIM?
- Why choose an eSIM for France?
- Prepaid France eSIM data plan vs. international data plan
- Comparing the best eSIM data plans for France
- Final thoughts
- FAQ
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Top eSIM Providers for France
If you're looking to stay connected in France, various eSIM providers offer flexible solutions to meet your needs. In this section, we’ll examine the leading eSIM providers in France, focusing on essential factors like network coverage, data speed, ease of activation, customer support, and pricing.
1. Orange Holiday — Versatile eSIM plans for France
| Feature | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Supports Cellular Networks: | 4G LTE, 5G |
| Countries: | 100+ |
| Rating: | 4.4 ⭐ |
Orange Holiday is a versatile eSIM provider covering 100+ countries worldwide. Call minutes are also included in some of their deals.
Coverage and network: As a telecom operator, they partner with over 30+ local providers to maintain decent coverage. Depending on the chosen plan, they offer different network types.
Plans and pricing: For France, Orange Holiday offers four different deals. Some of their deals include unlimited call minutes. However, they are quite costly and nonflexible. The cheapest plan costs $4.99 for 1 GB of data, valid for seven days.
How to activate Orange Holiday eSIM?
Register and complete the eKYC process. Then, scan the QR code to activate your Orange Holiday eSIM.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Available in 100+ countries | ➖ Minutes included plans are expensive |
| ✅ Call minutes | ➖ eKYC required |
| ✅ Decent coverage |
2. Holafly — Flexible France eSIM
| Feature | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Supports Cellular Networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Countries: | 190+ |
Coverage and network: Coverage in France is especially good in cities such as Paris, Nice, and Marseilles. 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G networks are available. However, the network speed may be slow due to the Fair Usage Policy (FUP). This policy is a restrictive method employed by some internet service and eSIM providers. It implies decreasing users’ internet speed when they reach a hidden limit.
Plans and pricing: Plans are customizable and offer flexible validity options for travelers. However, they only provide unlimited data plans. The cheapest plan for France starts at $6 and has unlimited data for one day.
How to activate Holafly eSIM?
To activate your eSIM, purchase a plan and scan the QR code. Then, you can choose when to start your plan and activate it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Available in 190+ countries | ➖ Doesn’t support tethering |
| ✅ Flexible duration | ➖ Relatively expensive |
| ✅ Technical support available | ➖ Only unlimited data |
3. Saily — Pocket-friendly eSIM deals
| Feature | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Supports Cellular Networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Countries: | 180+ |
Despite being a relatively new provider in the eSIM scene, Saily has pocket-friendly travel data plans for France, coupled with reliable connections. It covers 180+ countries worldwide, with an extensive coverage map.
Coverage and network: Saily’s coverage is exceptional in France, making it the best solution for the country. It supports reliable, high-speed connectivity from 3G to 4G up to 5G.
Plans and pricing: With Saily, you get cheap plans for your France visit without compromising the quality. They offer five deals for France, with different validity and data options. The most affordable plan starts at $3.99 for a GB, valid for seven days.
How to activate Saily eSIM?
To activate your eSIM, download the Saily app and scan the QR code. Without eKYC, start using your eSIM with no delays.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Easy one-click installation | ➖ Does not support phone calls |
| ✅ Wide coverage across over 180 countries | ➖ Limited regional plans |
| ✅ Flexible top-up options | |
| ✅ Affordable pricing starting at $2.99 | |
| ✅ 24/7 customer support |
4. Airalo — Popular eSIM for France
| Feature | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Supports Cellular Networks: | 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G |
| Countries: | 150+ |
A popular eSIM provider among travelers, Airalo offers services in 200+ countries. Their eSIMs are affordable and convenient for everyone traveling worldwide. Read more about them in our Airalo review.
Coverage and network: Airalo has global coverage, with regional, global, and regional plans available. A local plan would be more suitable if your travel route includes only France. The network speed is average, and users typically get 4G networks. Depending on the chosen plan, it can go up to 5G connectivity.
Plans and pricing: Five different local plans are available for France. Data options range from 1 GB to 20 GB, with different validity periods. The cheapest plan starts at $4.50 per 1 GB and is valid for seven days.
How to activate Airalo eSIM?
Activating Airalo is easy. Scan a QR code, download the app, and install your eSIM profile on your device. Keep in mind that Airalo requires eKYC, meaning that you must provide your ID before purchasing an eSIM plan. While eKYC is good for security reasons, it is an extra step that users need to take in order to start using an eSIM plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Wide global coverage | ➖ Limited 5G availability |
| ✅ Flexible custom plans (Per GB Rates & Unlimited Data Plan) | ➖ No traditional phone calls (data only) |
| ✅ User-friendly app | ➖ Some plans can be expensive (especially for low data users with Per GB Rates) |
| ✅ 24/7 chat support | |
| ✅ Reliable network speeds |
5. BNESIM — Cheap data plans for France
| Feature | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Supports Cellular Networks: | 3G, 4G, and 5G |
| Countries: | 200+ |
BNESIM is available in 190+ countries, and it offers subscriptions to data-only plans. Plans are delivered instantly, with no personal document requirement.
Coverage and network: The provider guarantees worldwide coverage with 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. The network type and its speed may vary depending on your exact location.
Plans and pricing: There are seven plans for France, and pricing starts at $1.50. However, all the plans are only valid for 30 days.
How to activate BNESIM?
Go to your phone settings and hit “Add eSIM.” Then, scan the QR code. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate your eSIM.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Available in 200+ countries | ➖ Doesn’t include traditional phone calls and texts |
| ✅ More affordable compared to some other providers | ➖ Local plans don’t offer unlimited data |
| ✅ 24/7 customer support | ➖ Auto-renewal can be difficult to cancel, according to some users |
| ✅ Allows tethering | ➖ Some users find the app interface confusing |
| ✅ Top-up option | |
| ✅ Regional and global plans available | |
| ✅ Offers unlimited data, auto-renewal, and no-expiration plans |
Why choose an eSIM for France?
If you are traveling to France, using eSIMs might provide you with several benefits. They save you the trouble of spotting and buying local SIMs upon your arrival. Since they often provide smooth connectivity, you don’t need physical SIM cards. This also eliminates the time you spend frustrated over swapping tiny chips.
Overall, eSIMs always guarantee the greatest coverage and costs by letting you plan easily and switch plans contactless.
Prepaid France eSIM data plan vs. international data plan
Is the prepaid eSIM data plan or your current provider’s international roaming option better for the internet in France? Before answering this question, there are a few things to consider. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, and your specific needs and travel habits are influential, too.
Below is a comparison to help you make an informed decision:
Prepaid France eSIM data plan
- Cost: Typically more affordable with various plans tailored to different data needs and durations.
- Flexibility: Allows you to choose from multiple local providers, ensuring optimal coverage and rates.
- Convenience: Instant activation upon arrival without the need for a local physical SIM card.
- Data Speed: Often provides faster local data speeds compared to international roaming.
International data plan
- Cost: Can be significantly higher, especially for extensive data usage.
- Flexibility: Limited to your home carrier’s international partners, which may not offer the best coverage in all areas.
- Convenience: If your plan includes international roaming, you don’t have to swap SIMs.
- Data Speed: May experience slower speeds due to roaming agreements.
| Feature | Prepaid France eSIM Plan 🇫🇷 | International Plan 🌍 |
|---|---|---|
| 💰Cost | More affordable | Usually expensive |
| 🔄 Flexibility | High (multiple providers) | Limited (home carrier) |
| ⚡ Convenience | Instant activation, no physical SIM | Requires original SIM |
| 🚀 Data Speed | Generally faster | Often slower |
Comparing the best eSIM data plans for France
We prepared a comparison table based on the cheapest data plans of the providers we listed above. With this table, you can easily compare your data options and get the best internet for France.
| Provider | Validity | Price | Coverage | Speed | Tethering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Holiday | 🗓️ 7 days | $4.99/GB | 📶 Average | 🚀 Fast | ✔️ |
| Holafly | 🗓️ 1 day | $6 unlimited data | 🌍 Good | 🚀 Fast | ✔️ |
| Saily | 🗓️ 7 days | $3.99/GB | 🌍 Good | 🚀 Fast | ✔️ |
| Airalo | 🗓️ 7 days | $4.50/GB | 📶 Average | 🐢 Average | ✔️ |
| BNESIM | 🗓️ 30 days | $1.50/GB | 📶 Average | 🐢 Average | ✔️ |
Final thoughts
In conclusion, using eSIM in France is the most convenient way to use mobile data. Looking at the differences between prepaid eSIMs and international data roaming, we highlighted above that an affordable eSIM option seems more feasible for travelers.
We selected the top 5 eSIM providers for France based on coverage, data plans, pricing, and additional features. A detailed analysis of each option's pros and cons helps you choose the best option. Overall, eSIMs offer flexibility, cost savings, and seamless connectivity.
FAQ
1. What is the best eSIM card to use in France?
It depends. Choosing the best eSIM card rely on your personal requirements. All of the providers listed in this article offers unique features that will cater to different type of travel needs.
2. Which is the best eSIM for EU travel?
The best eSIM provider for Europe depends on your preferences and travel needs. However, providers like Saily and Holafly offer wide network coverage and high speeds, which makes them ideal for traveling to Europe.
3. Can I get a French phone number with eSIM?
It depends on the eSIM provider you choose. While some offer an additional local number, most eSIMs focus on data-only plans.
