Best eSIM for Frequent Travelers 2026: Should You Get an Annual Plan?
Best eSIM for Frequent Travelers 2026: Should You Get an Annual Plan?
Photo by Felix Rostig on Unsplash
If you travel three or more times a year, you are probably tired of buying a new eSIM for every trip. The math changes when you travel frequently. An annual plan can cost less than three separate trips while giving you unlimited flexibility across 160+ countries. Here is when it makes sense and when it does not. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 10% off Holafly Plans.
Who should consider an annual eSIM plan?
Annual eSIM plans are not for everyone. But if you fit one of these profiles, the math probably works in your favor.
You are a good fit if you:
- Take 3+ international trips per year - Business travel, family visits, or regular vacations
- Visit multiple countries per trip - European tours, Southeast Asia loops, Caribbean island hopping
- Travel unpredictably - Last-minute work trips or spontaneous weekend getaways
- Split time between countries - Snowbirds, expats visiting home, semi-retired travelers
- Want zero setup friction - Install once, works everywhere, never think about it again
The common thread: you travel often enough that buying individual eSIMs for each trip feels repetitive and adds up fast.
Photos by JESHOOTS.COM and Alexander Bagno on Unsplash
What are Holafly Plans?
Holafly Plans is a subscription service that gives you one eSIM that works in 160+ countries. Instead of buying a separate eSIM for Japan, then another for France, then another for Mexico, you install one eSIM and it works everywhere.
How Holafly Plans work
- One eSIM, 160+ countries - Install once, works globally
- Monthly or annual billing - Pay monthly or save with annual
- Two plan options - Light (25GB/month) or Unlimited
- Hotspot included - Share data with laptop or other devices
- No long-term commitment - Cancel anytime (monthly plans)
- Automatic renewal - Data refreshes each month
The two plan types
Light Plan - 25GB/month
Best for:
- Short trips (5-7 days)
- Mostly use hotel/café WiFi
- Basic needs: maps, messaging, email
- Don't upload photos constantly
- 2-4 trips per year
25GB is enough for most leisure travelers who use WiFi when available.
Unlimited Plan
Best for:
- Longer trips (1-2 weeks)
- Work remotely while traveling
- Stream music, upload photos/videos
- Use as primary internet (hotspot)
- 4+ trips per year
Truly unlimited data means you never think about usage.
The math: When does an annual plan pay off?
Here is the cost breakdown comparing buying individual eSIMs per trip versus getting an annual subscription.
Cost per trip with regular eSIMs
Typical costs for buying individual destination eSIMs:
- 7-day unlimited plan: $20-30 per trip
- 14-day unlimited plan: $35-50 per trip
- 30-day unlimited plan: $60-80 per trip
Annual plan costs
Holafly Plans subscription pricing (approximate - check current rates):
- Light Plan: ~$10/month (monthly) or ~$8/month (annual ~$99/year)
- Unlimited Plan: ~$50/month (monthly) or ~$35/month (annual ~$420/year)
| Trips per year | Individual eSIMs cost | Light Plan annual | Unlimited annual | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 trips (7 days each) | $50-60 | $99 | $420 | Individual wins |
| 3 trips (7 days each) | $75-90 | $99 | $420 | Light breaks even |
| 4 trips (7-10 days) | $120-150 | $99 | $420 | Save $20-50 with Light |
| 5 trips (10-14 days) | $200-250 | $99 | $420 | Save $100-150 |
| 6+ trips or work travel | $300-400+ | $99 | $420 | Unlimited pays off |
Break-even point
Light Plan: Pays for itself at 3-4 trips per year
Unlimited Plan: Pays for itself at 6+ trips or if you work remotely while traveling
Hidden savings beyond the numbers
The spreadsheet does not capture everything. Annual plans also save you:
- Time - No researching and buying eSIMs for each trip
- Mental energy - Never calculate "do I have enough data left?"
- Last-minute stress - Spontaneous trip? Your eSIM already works there
- Multi-country ease - Cross borders without setup
Photos by Fredrik Öhlander, Priscilla Du Preez, and Road Trip with Raj on Unsplash
Light vs Unlimited: Which plan should you choose?
Choose Light Plan (25GB/month) if:
- Your trips are 1 week or less
- You use hotel WiFi for heavy tasks (uploading photos, video calls)
- You mainly need data for maps, rideshare apps, messaging
- You travel 3-5 times per year
- You want the lowest cost option
Choose Unlimited Plan if:
- You take trips longer than 1 week
- You work remotely while traveling (Zoom calls, file uploads)
- You share data via hotspot to laptop or family members
- You stream music or podcasts constantly
- You post to social media daily (photos and videos)
- You do not want to think about data usage at all
What we use
We travel with a kid and camera gear. Unlimited makes sense for us because we upload photos, stream kids shows on long train rides, and occasionally hotspot a laptop. The mental freedom of never checking data usage is worth the extra cost for our family.
Can you switch between plans?
Yes. With monthly billing you can switch between Light and Unlimited anytime. If you have Light most of the year but take a long summer trip, upgrade to Unlimited for those months, then downgrade back to Light.
How do you actually use Holafly Plans?
Initial setup (one time)
- Sign up for Holafly Plans (use code STEPHANDPETE)
- Choose Light or Unlimited
- Choose monthly or annual billing
- Get QR code via email
- Scan QR to install eSIM on your phone
- Label it "Holafly" or "Travel"
- Leave it turned off until your first trip
On each trip
- Land in new country
- Turn on Holafly eSIM line
- Set it as your mobile data line
- Enable data roaming for Holafly
- It connects automatically
Between trips
Leave the eSIM installed. Your data refreshes each month automatically. When you travel again, just turn it on. No reinstalling, no new QR codes, no setup.
Managing your subscription
Monthly plans can be paused or canceled anytime through the Holafly app. Annual plans run for 12 months then you decide whether to renew. No surprises.
Photos by Johnny Africa and Kristin Wilson on Unsplash
Who should skip annual plans and buy per-trip instead?
Annual plans are not always the right choice. Stick with individual destination eSIMs if:
You only travel 1-2 times per year
The math does not work. Two trips at $25 each equals $50. Annual Light Plan is $99. You save money buying per trip. See our guides for Japan, India, or Caribbean for destination-specific options.
You mostly stay in one country for extended periods
If you spend 3-6 months in one place, a local SIM card with a local number is usually cheaper and gives you better coverage. Annual eSIM plans make sense for frequent movement, not slow travel.
You need a local phone number for each country
eSIMs are data-only. You keep your home number for calls and texts (via WhatsApp, iMessage, etc.). But if you need an actual local number for banking, deliveries, or local calls, you need a local SIM or second eSIM with a number.
You travel entirely within your home carrier's coverage
If your mobile plan already includes free roaming in the countries you visit (like many European plans covering all of Europe), you do not need an eSIM at all.
Your phone does not support eSIM
Older phones do not have eSIM capability. Check Settings → Cellular (iPhone) or Settings → Network & Internet (Android) to see if "Add eSIM" is an option. If not, you need physical SIM cards.
Frequent traveler eSIM FAQs
How many trips per year make an annual plan worth it?
For Light Plan, break-even is around 3-4 trips per year. For Unlimited, it is around 6+ trips or if you work remotely while traveling. The more you travel, the more you save.
Can I use Holafly Plans for business travel?
Yes, many business travelers use annual eSIM plans because they offer predictable costs, work in 160+ countries, and eliminate the hassle of buying SIMs at every destination. Unlimited plans work well for video calls and file uploads.
What happens if I do not travel every month?
Your data still refreshes monthly whether you use it or not. Think of it like a gym membership - you pay monthly even if you skip some months. The value comes from having it available whenever you do travel, with zero setup required.
Which countries are covered?
Holafly Plans covers 160+ countries including all of Europe, Asia, North and South America, Australia, and many destinations in Africa and the Middle East. Check the coverage map on Holafly's website for your specific destinations.
Can I share my eSIM with family?
No, each eSIM is tied to one phone. But you can use hotspot to share your data connection with family members' devices. This works well if one person has Unlimited and others just need occasional internet access.
Is there a Holafly Plans discount code?
Yes, use code STEPHANDPETE for 10% off when you sign up for Holafly Plans. The code works on both monthly and annual subscriptions.
How is this different from regular Holafly eSIMs?
Regular Holafly eSIMs are bought per trip (7 days, 15 days, etc.) for specific destinations. Holafly Plans is a subscription where one eSIM works in 160+ countries and your data refreshes monthly. Plans make sense if you travel frequently, individual eSIMs are better for occasional trips.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes. Monthly plans can be canceled anytime through the Holafly app. Annual plans run for 12 months then stop unless you renew. No hidden fees or cancellation charges.
Do I keep my regular phone number?
Yes. Keep your physical SIM for calls and texts on your regular number. Set the Holafly eSIM for data only. WhatsApp, iMessage, and FaceTime continue using your normal number.
What if I need more than 25GB on the Light Plan?
You can upgrade to Unlimited mid-month if you run out. Or switch to Unlimited for your next billing cycle. The Holafly app shows your data usage so you can track it.
Does this work for cruise travel?
It works when you are on land in covered countries. It does not work while your ship is at sea (you would need the ship's WiFi or satellite service). Good for port days and pre/post cruise hotel stays.
Ready to simplify your travel connectivity?
If you travel 3+ times per year, Holafly Plans pays for itself while eliminating the hassle of buying eSIMs for every trip. One eSIM, 160+ countries, automatic monthly data refresh.
Get Holafly Plans with code STEPHANDPETECode gives 10% off monthly and annual subscriptions. See our complete Holafly guide for more options including per-trip eSIMs.
Related guides: Best eSIM for Japan • India eSIM Guide • Caribbean eSIM • 7 eSIM Mistakes to Avoid
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. We use Holafly ourselves for frequent travel and only recommend products we actually use and trust.