Step off the plane or train in Paris and your phone is connected before you get to the passport desk. No more searching for a telecom store or forms to fill in for France. Order your taxi, send a message to friends or get to the Eiffel Tower as soon as you touch down. Experience hassle-free connectivity with no-roam charges and no fuss. This is the new age of travel to France with an eSIM.
What's an eSIM? And why you need it for your France Trip!
An eSIM is an in-built or a virtual SIM card embedded directly in your phone. No chip to be fitted. Simply scan a QR code from your operator to turn on a local French data plan within minutes, from your device.
Why use eSIM for France?
✔Power up anywhere: Activate before you fly and land with data ready to use.
✔Save your number: Remain connected to quick French data without your UK number missing out on calls and messages.
✔Go global, stay local: Select your data plan. No contract. No commitment.
✔Travel safer: Without loss or swapping of a tiny SIM card.
Be ready to experience your best Parisian café and stroll tranquil lavender fields of Provence without a care. Choose your France eSIM plan today and travel smarter!
- CountryFrance
- Package Option5GB
- Number of Days7 Days
- Price£3.38
- CountryFrance
- Package Option10GB
- Number of Days14 Days
- Price£6.05
- CountryFrance
- Package Option30GB
- Number of Days30 Days
- Price£14.58
Best France eSIM providers
As there are numerous choices to sort through, it's a hard choice to find the right eSIM for France. Compare and discover the best plan for your vacation:
Provider | Sample Plan | Price | Networks in France | Key Advantage |
Trip.com | 5 GB / 7 days | £ 3.38 | Bouygues Telecom (5G), SFR (5G), Orange (5G) | 5x the data of 1GB plans on premium networks |
Airalo | 1 GB / 7 days | £ 3.5 | Orange (4G) | Extensive eSIM library for global destinations |
Holafly | Unlimited / 7 days | £ 24 | Orange | Truly unlimited data for heavy users |
Nomad | 1 GB / 7 days | £ 3.36 | Bouygues, Free Mobile, Orange / SFR | Flexible, longer-term data plans |
*Data plans and prices may vary; please refer to the latest information on the provider’s official website.
Analysis & Recommendations:
- For standard UK travelers: For quick trips of a week or less, a 5GB plan is the absolute minimum. For a more enjoyable experience and regular photo uploads and navigating, however, a 10GB plan is recommended for peace of mind. According to our comparison, it is still great value and removes data anxiety.
- For power data users: High-data plans of 20 GB and above are best for bandwidth-intensive applications such as video streaming, telework, and video conferencing. Always clarify the fair usage of your target supplier to ensure seamless high-speed access during your stay.
- For regional plans: In case your travel plan includes regions outside France to neighboring Italian, Swiss, Spanish, or Belgian cities, a regional European eSIM plan is highly recommended. It provides seamless connectivity without any hassle across borders and is actually a lot more convenient and economical than having to purchase various SIMs in different countries.
5G eSIM France: Your flexible data plans
Whether it's a week-end in Paris or a two weeks' holiday discovering Provence, we have the perfect eSIM plan for your French break. Affordable, hassle-free connectivity on major networks like Orange and SFR keeps you connected from touchdown onwards with prepaid eSIMs.
From a light (1~5 GB) plan for getting around to a standard (10 GB) plan for sharing photos, or unlimited data for streaming, find your perfect 1-30 day eSIM to wander Parisian streets or stream from the Riviera. If you're off to Germany or Italy, our Euro Regional plans include effortless border-free coverage.
Last-minute trip? A 5G eSIM for France from Trip.com stays connected for you easily:
- Top Networks: Bouygues Telecom (5G), SFR (5G), Orange (5G)
- Instant QR Code Delivery via email
- Flexible 1-30 Day Plans
- Always-On High-Speed Data
- Easy Reinstallation
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eSIM compatibility: Check your device
Before you dive into buying an eSIM plan, make sure your phone can actually handle it. The good news? Most smartphones made after 2018 are eSIM-compatible. Let’s see how you can check if yours is one of them.
If you have an Apple iPhone, here are the models that support eSIM:
- iPhones XS, XR, and all the versions that followed (up to the iPhone 15 series)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and 3rd generation)
For Android users, eSIM support typically includes:
- Google Pixel 2 and later (full support starts from Pixel 3)
- Samsung S20 series and newer (this also covers the Z Flip and Fold series)
- Various models from Motorola, Huawei, Oppo, and Sony
Wondering if your phone is eSIM compatible?
- For iPhones: Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. If you see the option "Add eSIM," then you’re good to go!
- For Android: Navigate to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager (or Network & Internet > Mobile Network), and look for "Download a SIM" or "Add eSIM."
✅ Most eSIM-compatible smartphones support Dual SIM (a physical SIM plus eSIM), allowing you to make calls with your home number while enjoying high-speed data internationally.
Activate France eSIM: A 5-step process
Getting connected for your French adventure is a breeze and takes just a few minutes:
1. Purchase: You should purchase your desired France eSIM data package from a reputable seller such as Trip.com. Ensure you have a good internet connection.
2. Receive QR Code: Within minutes of your order, an email with your eSIM QR code and step-by-step install instructions will be sent to you. Some providers also offer a manual installation option.
3. Installation:
- Get on to Wi-Fi (perhaps in your Paris hotel room or airport)
- Scan the QR code using your phone's camera
- Continue following the instructions to add the cellular plan
- Bootstrap the plan with a decent name (e.g. "France Travel" or "Paris Data")
4. Configuration:
- Set your new eSIM to be your default data provider
- Turn on data roaming (don’t worry about the scary name; it's a requirement for the eSIM to function)
- Keep your main SIM active for calls and texts if you’d like
5. Activation: Most of the eSIMs will activate automatically after its installation, but there are others that will require activation once you reach France. Just be sure to refer to your provider's detailed procedures.
And you're done! You are all set to travel without any trouble on the quaint streets of France. Bon voyage!
👉 Stay connected in France with an eSIM and discover top sights and tours.
Mobile coverage in France: What travelers should know
France also has wonderful cellular coverage across the nation, including cities, towns, and a majority of villages. Principal tourist spots such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and the French Riviera are served with extremely reliable 4G/LTE and growing 5G coverage from major operators such as Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. You'll have good signal strength within airport terminals, railway stations (such as TGV and Eurostar), hotels, and major attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or Mont Saint-Michel.
While coverage is generally dependable, the signal strength may be lessened in secluded mountain regions (such as the Alps or the Pyrenees), secluded rural regions, or within heavy-walled ancient buildings. Peak tourist season sometimes slows speeds down in crowded regions.
For calls and texts, use these alternatives:
- Utilize data services such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom using your eSIM connection
- Get your Wi-Fi calling on your main SIM to function (check first at home)
- Select a data-only eSIM plan and make calls using calling credits through apps like Google Voice or Skype
To ensure seamless connectivity:
- Download maps offline before you pass through low-signal areas
- In an emergency, dial 112 (the pan-European emergency number)
- Check whether your eSIM can do voice calling or if it's a data-only eSIM
- If you'd rather have recurring calls to a single location, you might be interested in a legacy SIM or a voice eSIM
Most of the eSIMs will simply auto-roam on to the strongest available French network. Major operators provide full and trustworthy coverage across the nation.
Trip.com eSIM: Easy travel to France
Share that perfect Seine-side photo the moment you arrive. A Trip.com eSIM connects you instantly.
That's why Trip.com eSIM is the best decision on your France trip:
- Total freedom: Unlimited data using 1-30-day versatility.
- Instant connection: Just buy it, read the barcode, and you are connected to theInternet right away without a physical SIM card.
- All-in-one convenience: Book flight, hotel, and your French data with a few clicks.
Become one of the 20+ million intelligent travelers who travel without limits.
Stay connected, stay curious. Bon voyage avec nous!
France eSIM FAQs
How does an eSIM work in France?
After purchasing your France eSIM plan, it will automatically connect to top local networks like Orange or SFR. Simply go into your phone's settings and select the eSIM for mobile data. This gives you fast internet access, while your original SIM card stays active in the background for calls and texts.Do eSIMs change your phone number?
Absolutely Not. When you add an eSIM, you're adding a second data line, not replacing your existing one. Your primary phone number stays exactly as before.Is it cheaper to use an eSIM than roaming in France?
Absolutely. Using an eSIM in France is significantly cheaper than international roaming. With an eSIM, you pay a fixed, low price for a generous data plan upfront—avoiding bill shock from unpredictable roaming fees. You’ll enjoy high-speed data on reliable French networks like Orange or SFR, often at a fraction of the cost. Plus, the eSIM activates instantly, and you keep your original number for calls and texts while surfing the web at local rates.How long does an eSIM take to activate?
For most devices, scanning a QR code triggers the activation. Make sure you have a strong connection to the internet before you start, and the activation should wrap up in around 20 seconds— but in some cases it can take up to 10 minutes if the network connection isn't as strong.Can you buy an eSIM before going to France?
Yes, you can purchase an eSIM before traveling to France. It's recommended to buy a prepaid eSIM from a global provider before your trip. You can activate your data plan in advance and have internet access as soon as you arrive, whether by plane, train like the Eurostar, or ferry. You'll avoid high roaming charges, save time by skipping the search for a local SIM, and bypass any in-store registration. An eSIM offers affordable, convenient data on major French networks, ready to use immediately upon arrival.
Popular eSIM options in other countries/regions
Find the most popular eSIM options for your next trip and stay connected wherever you go!