Let me start with a confession: I used to be the kind of tourist who landed in a new country and instantly began the great SIM card scavenger hunt. I’ve stood in crowded airport lines, tried to explain my data needs in five different languages, and let’s not even talk about the number of SIM cards I’ve lost in “safe places” inside my backpack.
I always assumed physical SIMs were just part of the travel routine — annoying, yes, but necessary. That is, until I discovered eSIM. More specifically, Saily eSIM.
What convinced me to finally try it? Well, a summer trip across Portugal and Bali, two layovers in airports I’d never been to, and the rising costs of roaming charges that made my last trip feel like I was paying for gold-plated data.
eSIM felt like a clean break from all that. A fresh start. And you know what? I wish I had done it sooner.
What is Saily? And Why Should You Care?
There are plenty of eSIM providers out there, but Saily immediately caught my eye for a few reasons that go way beyond the basics.
Here’s what Saily offers:
- 🌍 Unlimited plans in 32+ countries – not just the big ones like the US or UK
- 📍 118 virtual locations – so you can access your home content abroad
- 💸 Summer Cashback Campaign – get up to 5% back in Saily credits (July 1 – Sept 1)
- 👯♀️ Referral bonus – you and a friend both get $5 for signing up
- 📊 Mobile data calculator – plan your usage before you even leave home
Unlike other eSIM apps that feel like they were designed in a tech lab, Saily actually feels human. The user interface is friendly. The setup is clear. The pricing? Transparent. I wasn’t guessing how much I’d pay per gigabyte or getting lured in by weird fine print.
And when I say they support 32+ countries, I don’t mean only major destinations. I mean real places where real tourists go. I used Saily successfully in Lisbon, Bali, and later even in smaller towns like Ubud — and never once had to ask, “Is this going to work here?”
That kind of reliability, especially when you’re landing jetlagged and phone-dependent, is gold.
Installing Saily on My Phone – Easier Than I Expected
Let me tell you — I’ve had more trouble installing a coffee machine than I had installing Saily eSIM.
The process was so simple it almost felt suspicious. I downloaded the Saily app on my iPhone, selected my destination (Portugal was first), chose an unlimited data plan, paid with my credit card, and received a QR code instantly. All I had to do was scan it under my phone’s eSIM settings — and boom. Active internet in less than five minutes.
No tech support needed. No SIM tray ejectors. No drama.
What impressed me most wasn’t just how easy it was, but how smooth the app experience felt. Every step is explained clearly. No confusing jargon. If you’ve ever set up Wi-Fi at home, you’re more than qualified to activate Saily on your phone.
And just in case something goes wrong? Their live chat support answered me within three minutes — yes, even when I messaged them at 2 a.m. from Lisbon airport. That’s customer service I can actually appreciate.
Testing Saily on the Road: My Experience in 3 Countries
I tested Saily eSIM across three completely different places: Portugal, France, and Bali. Here’s how it held up:
🇵🇹 Portugal
From the moment I landed in Lisbon, I had full 4G access. I used Google Maps to find my Airbnb, ordered an Uber, and uploaded vacation photos to Instagram before my suitcase even hit the conveyor belt.
No delays, no signal drops, and the data speed felt exactly like home. I streamed Spotify, checked my work email, and FaceTimed my sister — all without noticing any slowdowns.
🇫🇷 France
In Paris, I decided to try Saily’s virtual location feature. With a tap, I switched my IP address to my home country and logged into Netflix. Guess what? I had access to my regular content library, not the restricted French version. No need for a separate VPN.
Also — this might sound minor — but it was a huge relief being able to use my banking app without getting locked out. Many banks flag foreign IPs. Not this time.
🇮🇩 Bali
Here’s where I expected Saily to struggle. Tropical islands aren’t exactly known for stable mobile networks. But surprisingly, even in Ubud and along the beaches of Canggu, I had consistent 4G. I watched YouTube, navigated narrow roads on my scooter, and uploaded stories to Instagram — all with just a few brief signal drops in deep rural spots.
I didn’t use any hotel Wi-Fi the entire time. That alone is worth it.
Quick Speed Snapshot (Real Tests)
| Location | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 79 Mbps | 22 Mbps |
| Paris | 65 Mbps | 19 Mbps |
| Ubud, Bali | 42 Mbps | 11 Mbps |
The Unexpected Bonus: Saving Money While Traveling
Let’s talk about something that always matters — money.
Saily surprised me with its cashback system and referral rewards, both of which actually saved me more than I expected during my trip.
5% Cashback (Yes, Really)
From July 1 to September 1, Saily runs a Summer Campaign that gives you up to 5% cashback in credits on any plan you purchase. These credits go directly into your Saily wallet and can be used for your next trip — or even your current one, if you’re topping up.
I know 5% doesn’t sound life-changing, but if you’re buying multiple plans — or traveling long-term — this adds up quickly.
I bought two unlimited plans (one for France, one for Indonesia) and ended up with enough credit to nearly cover a third small plan for my next layover. Not bad for something that required literally no effort.
Referral Program = Free Data
This one’s fun: every time someone signs up using your referral link, you both get $5 in Saily credit. I sent my code to two friends who were also traveling this summer, and boom — $10 in my wallet.
What I really like? There’s no minimum spend required to unlock the reward. It’s instant, and it works.
Features I Didn’t Expect – But Now Can’t Live Without
Data Usage Calculator
Before Saily, I used to completely guess how much mobile data I’d need. Sometimes I bought too much, other times I ran out halfway through a trip. Not anymore.
Their built-in data calculator asks simple questions — how much video you stream, how often you check maps, use social media — and gives you a surprisingly accurate data estimate. It helped me avoid overspending while staying comfortably connected.
Virtual Locations for Real-Life Convenience
Accessing home content while abroad was a dream with Saily. Their 118+ virtual locations meant I could unlock local versions of websites, log into streaming platforms, and even access location-specific discounts for hotel bookings.
It also meant I could check in with apps like my home bank, airline, or even grocery delivery service back home — without any “unauthorized access” warnings.
Seamless Country Switching
Here’s a feature I didn’t even know I needed: Saily automatically handled switching between countries.
When I crossed from France into Spain for a quick weekend, the eSIM just kept working. No need to manually change anything or install a new QR code. One less thing to worry about while trying to catch a train.
Who Saily Is (and Isn’t) For
I always find it helpful when reviews include honest advice about who should actually use the product. So here’s my take:
✅ Perfect For:
- Tourists who want data immediately after landing
- Digital nomads hopping between countries
- People who stream, browse, and use maps heavily
- Anyone sick of buying SIM cards abroad
- Those who want access to home content (Netflix, bank apps, etc.)
❌ Maybe Not For:
- Phones that don’t support eSIM (check your model!)
- People who prefer physical SIMs for voice calls
- Travelers who don’t use much mobile data or just rely on Wi-Fi
- Users who aren’t comfortable navigating apps in English (for now – there’s no localization yet)
Final Verdict: Would I Use Saily Again?
Absolutely. In fact, I already have another trip lined up, and Saily is the very first thing I installed before booking flights.
There are a lot of things I love about Saily — the ease of setup, the reliable speeds, the fact that I could stream Netflix on a beach in Bali or check my banking app from a café in Paris without being flagged as a fraudster.
But the real win? Peace of mind.
Knowing that my phone would just work wherever I landed, without data roaming charges or SIM card chaos — that changed the way I travel. It gave me more confidence, more freedom, and honestly, just made everything smoother.
Sure, it’s not perfect. If your phone doesn’t support eSIM or if you’re someone who really needs a traditional voice line, Saily might not check every box. But for modern tourists who live on WhatsApp, Maps, Gmail, Instagram, and the occasional FaceTime — it delivers.
Personal Tips for Using Saily eSIM
Let me leave you with a few lessons I learned the fun (and sometimes hard) way:
Tip 1: Disable background data
Saily gives you unlimited plans in many countries — but not everywhere. If you’re using a limited data plan, make sure to turn off background data for non-essential apps. Instagram and TikTok can eat up your plan faster than you think.
Tip 2: Use Speedtest in new areas
If your internet feels slow, do a quick speed test. Saily lets you switch virtual locations — so if your connection is weak, you might get better performance by changing to a nearby country (yes, this is possible within the app).
Tip 3: Set it up before you fly
Trust me — the airport Wi-Fi might fail you. Install and activate your Saily eSIM while you’re still home, or at least while you still have solid Wi-Fi. That way, you’ll be online as soon as you land.
Tip 4: Use the live chat for help
Their support team is quick, helpful, and actually human. I asked a few “newbie” questions, and they never made me feel silly. Big plus.
Final Thoughts
Saily isn’t just a tech product — it’s a travel companion that’s earned a permanent spot on my phone. Whether you’re exploring Europe, island-hopping in Southeast Asia, or just skipping from airport to airport like I do, this eSIM solution gives you what you really want: fast, flexible, borderless internet without the nonsense.
If you’re planning a summer trip, don’t forget their 5% cashback promo and referral bonus — it’s one of those rare cases where using a promo actually feels like a win.
I’m not here to sell you on anything. Just sharing what worked for me — and honestly? Saily made my travels feel a whole lot lighter.
Safe travels,
– A very connected tourist 🧳📱🌍
