Note: this review was sponsored by Sim Local and contains affiliate links, however all opinions are my own. Thank you for the support!
If you’re wondering whether Sim Local is worth it, my short answer is yes! After testing a few different eSIM providers over the past few years, I can honestly say Sim Local has been the easiest and most reliable so far.
As a frequent traveller, one of the first things I want to do when I land is check my airport transfer and let my family know I’ve arrived safely. The last thing I want is to be standing in an airport struggling to get on WiFi or using roaming data.
I recently used a Sim Local eSIM on my babymoon to Cyprus and it made the whole process seamless. Whilst we spent much of the trip relaxing by the pool, having reliable mobile data still proved incredibly useful when navigating the coast, finding local restaurants, checking opening times and staying connected away from the hotel WiFi.
In this honest Sim Local review, I’ll explain exactly how the eSIM worked, how much it cost, how easy it was to activate and whether I’d use it again.
Ready to get started? Sign up using code TRAVELBETWEEN for an exclusive discount!
Table of Contents
Quick summary: is Sim Local worth it?
If you just want the highlights, here’s my verdict. The setup took minutes, the connection activated almost instantly when I landed in Cyprus, and I stayed connected throughout my six-day trip without any issues.
What is an eSIM and how does it work?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to connect to a mobile network without physically swapping the SIM card in your phone. Most modern smartphones now support eSIM technology, including recent iPhone, Samsung and Google Pixel models.
Instead of buying a plastic SIM card at the airport or paying expensive roaming charges, you purchase a data plan online and install it directly onto your device. Once you arrive at your destination, you simply activate the eSIM and connect to a local network. You can use the same eSIM for various destinations, or purchase different packages for each trip.
The biggest benefit for travellers is convenience. You can buy and install your eSIM before you leave home, meaning you’re connected almost immediately after landing on the tarmac.
Buying a Sim Local eSIM: plans, pricing and destinations
One of the things I liked most about Sim Local was the range of plans available. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all product, there are options depending on where you’re travelling and how much data you need.
You can choose from:
- Local plans for individual destinations
- Regional plans covering multiple countries (such as Europe)
- Global plans for multi-country trips
- Fixed data packages
- Unlimited data plans
- Short and long-duration plans
This flexibility means you can buy exactly what you need rather than paying for data you’ll never use.
For my Cyprus trip, I purchased a local data plan with 1GB of data for just £4. It comfortably lasted the full six days of our holiday when combined with hotel WiFi. You can get yours here.
If you’re planning a longer trip, travelling through multiple countries such as Greece and Turkey, or working remotely, there are much larger packages available, including unlimited options.
I also liked the fact that Sim Local offers a “Find My Plan” tool to help narrow down the best option based on your destination and travel style.
Why I chose an eSIM instead of roaming
One thing that surprised me was just how much cheaper the eSIM worked out compared to using my normal phone contract.
On my current UK contract, I’d pay around £2 per day to use roaming in Europe. For a six-day holiday, that’s roughly £12. Instead, I paid £4 for my Cyprus eSIM and had more than enough data for the trip.
Of course, your costs will vary depending on how much data you need, but even for a relatively relaxed holiday, the savings can quickly add up.
If you’re planning a trip yourself, you can also use my code TRAVELBETWEEN when purchasing a Sim Local eSIM to save a little extra on your travel data.
How to activate a Sim Local eSIM
As someone who isn’t particularly technical, I always judge an eSIM by how easy it is to install and activate. Thankfully, Sim Local made the process very straightforward.
The basic process looks like this:
- Purchase your chosen plan online
- Follow the installation instructions provided
- Add the eSIM to your phone before travelling
- Activate the eSIM when you arrive
- Connect automatically to a local network
What stood out most was how quickly everything worked once I landed. Unlike some eSIMs I’ve used previously, there was no delay waiting for messages to arrive or data to begin working. My WhatsApp notifications came through almost immediately and I was online within minutes of purchasing.
My Sim Local review: what I liked most
The biggest thing I care about with any travel eSIM is how quickly I can get online after landing. I don’t want to spend my first hour abroad troubleshooting settings, hunting for airport WiFi or wondering whether my airport transfer has tried to contact me.
Thankfully, that wasn’t my experience with Sim Local.
The purchasing process was incredibly straightforward, with plenty of options depending on how much data you need and how long you’re travelling for. Installation was quick, activation was easy and, most importantly, everything worked exactly when I needed it to.
As soon as I landed in Cyprus, my messages came through immediately. I was able to check in with family, confirm transport arrangements and start navigating without any delays.
Throughout the trip, the connection remained fast and reliable. We used Google Maps to explore the coastline (and check where we were when we got lost!), find the best local pizza and stay connected in case the hotel WiFi wasn’t strong enough.
Although this was a relaxing babymoon rather than one of my more adventurous trips, the eSIM still proved incredibly useful. Even when you’re mostly staying in one place, there are always moments where having your own connection is helpful. Whether that’s by the pool, during transfers or exploring the local area, it gave me peace of mind throughout the trip. After testing three different eSIM providers, Sim Local delivered the smoothest overall experience.
Sim Local vs other eSIMs I’ve used
I’ve now used three different options for staying connected abroad, all with slightly different strengths.
Provider | Cost | My experience |
Honest Mobile Smart SIM | From £3.75 per month | Incredible value at around £40 per year, but limited to communication and travel apps such as WhatsApp and Google Maps. Social media, web browsing and general internet use aren’t included. |
Airalo | From £3.50 for 1GB for 3 days | Reliable and easy to use with plenty of destination choices. |
Sim Local | From £3.00 for 1GB for 3 days | The easiest setup, fastest activation and best overall user experience I’ve had so far. |
I still think Honest Mobile’s Smart SIM is excellent value if your needs are very basic.
However, for a trip where I wanted unrestricted internet access, social media, restaurant searches and general browsing, Sim Local felt much closer to using my phone exactly as I would at home.
Compared with Airalo, I found Sim Local slightly easier to purchase and quicker to activate, with more flexibility around plans and data allowances (Calls and SMS are included on selected plans and destinations), and a 24/7 customer support line via Whatsapp, email and phone should you need it.
I also liked that their refund policy allows customers to request a refund if something doesn’t work as expected to, or if you simply change their mind, with no questions asked.
Coverage and speed with a Cyprus travel eSIM
During my time in Cyprus, I experienced consistently strong coverage and fast 5G speeds across airports, tourist areas, restaurants, hotels and along the coast thanks to Sim Local’s strong connection with PrimeTel.
As with any mobile provider, coverage can vary depending on your destination and local network conditions.
You can generally expect the strongest performance in cities, airports, tourist attractions and popular holiday destinations. Coverage may be less consistent in very remote rural areas or mountainous regions.
Who is Sim Local best for?
Based on my experience, I’d recommend Sim Local for:
- Holidaymakers who want an easy, stress-free setup
- First-time eSIM users
- Frequent travellers visiting multiple countries
- Families who rely on maps and messaging apps
- Solo travellers wanting affordable data abroad
- Digital nomads and remote workers
- Anyone looking to avoid roaming fees
It’s particularly useful for travellers who mostly plan to use hotel WiFi but want reliable mobile data whenever they’re out exploring.
Final verdict: would I use Sim Local again?
Sim Local: the best eSIM for Cyprus
Absolutely. After trying several different eSIM providers, Sim Local delivered the easiest and most seamless experience I’ve had so far. The setup was simple, the pricing was competitive and the connection worked almost immediately after landing.
Most importantly, it removed one of the biggest travel frustrations: worrying about how you’re going to get online when you arrive somewhere new. For me, that’s exactly what a travel eSIM should do.
If you’re planning a trip abroad and want a simple way to stay connected, I’d happily recommend giving Sim Local a try.
Check out Sim Local’s latest plans and make sure to use my exclusive code TRAVELBETWEEN when purchasing your eSIM for extra savings.
Sim Local FAQs
Is Sim Local better than roaming?
In many cases, yes. During my six-day trip to Cyprus, using my normal UK phone contract would have cost around £12 in roaming charges. Instead, I paid around £4 for a Sim Local eSIM, which provided enough data for the whole trip alongside hotel WiFi. The savings will vary depending on your provider and destination, but it’s often a much cheaper alternative.
Can I keep my normal phone number with an eSIM?
Yes. An eSIM is used purely for mobile data, so you can usually continue using your existing phone number for calls and texts while accessing mobile internet through your travel eSIM. I had no issues using WhatsApp throughout my trip.
Can I use WhatsApp with a Sim Local eSIM?
Absolutely. I used WhatsApp as soon as I landed in Cyprus to check messages, confirm our airport transfer and let my family know we’d arrived safely. Because the eSIM provides mobile data, apps like WhatsApp work exactly as they would at home.
