How to get Internet in Europe as a Tourist: Comparing Connections

So what is the best way to get online on a trip to Europe?

Aussies exploring the Old Continent can choose from eSIMs, local mobile plans, roaming, and pocket WiFi. We’re explaining each option in detail in this post. 

GETTING CONNECTED IN EUROPE: A CROSS-COUNTRY CONUNDRUM

Home to around 45 sovereign nations, Europe crams a lot of states into a small space. A haphazard mishmash of differing regulations and standards creates a telecommunications headache, with not all networks working across all borders. 

For the average Aussie globetrotter on a whirlwind Eurotrip, that means finding a mobile plan that works in every country you’ll visit. Travellers should do their research to avoid getting digitally marooned upon entering a new country. 

GETTING AN ESIM IN EUROPE: THE EASY CHOICE

eSIMs have become popular in the last five years as a convenient, low-cost alternative to global roaming and local plans. 

Think of the eSIM as a virtual SIM. Instead of inserting a miniature plastic card into your tiny SIM tray, you download and install a file. No tech skills are required, and the installation takes a matter of minutes. Your brand-new eSIM will automatically activate the moment you hit the tarmac in an eligible European country. 

Most newish smartphones support eSIMs nowadays. If you’re unsure about yours, see our eSIM compatibility tool. 

eSIMs are way less hassle than local SIMs. You no longer have to waste precious holiday time negotiating complex multi-country mobile plans or juggling minuscule plastic cards. The setup and installation procedure is a cinch – allow 5 minutes.

As for global roaming? The travel eSIM beats it on price. For years, Aussies were at the mercy of rip-off roaming charges, with eye-watering bill shock a common occurrence. Those days are thankfully behind us, thanks to stricter government regulations and stiff competition from eSIMs. 

GETTING A LOCAL SIM IN EUROPE (THE CHEAP & NASTY APPROACH)

Local SIMs might cost a few dollars less than a comparable eSIM, but there are caveats to consider. First off, penny-pinchers should avoid airport kiosks, where overpriced multi-country plans often cost more than a comparable eSIM. 

To get a good local price, you’ll need to go to an inner-city convenience store or a telco shopfront, such as Vodafone, Orange, or Three. Once there, you study the fine print to find a suitable plan that includes sufficient data and covers all countries on your itinerary. 

Next, you hand over your original passport and wait for the attendant to configure your plan. Hopefully they speak passable English – do you know how to say “hotspotting” in Hungarian? 

Then, once you’ve wrangled together a plan, monitoring usage or topping up data can be a chore. Some networks offer slick, English-friendly mobile apps, while others are a nightmare to navigate. 

Plans sold in EU countries should work across the EU. But once you leave the union, you could get data-deprived at any moment. When that happens, most travellers rush to buy a substitute SIM, and end up spending more in the long run. 

USING GLOBAL ROAMING IN EUROPE: THE EXPENSIVE APPROACH

Not short of a dollar? You could yell “YOLO” and go with global roaming. Most Australian telcos already have a baked-in roaming plan, often at an exorbitant price. Roaming typically only works in a small number of countries, so always double-check the fine print. 

The upside is that roaming is crazy convenient. All you have to do is switch it on, and your telco will magically connect with partnering networks across the globe. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. 

But you’ll pay for your laziness. A typical 5GB roaming plan costs about A$50, give or take, depending on the provider. The same amount of data with a ZenSim Europe eSIM will set you back a fraction of that. A$21, to be precise. 

Some Aussie telcos are now offering more reasonably-priced Day Pass-style roaming plans. But on a longer, 30-day trip, that “cheap” A$5/day roaming plan costs you A$150. For comparison, a 30-day 20GB ZenSim Europe eSIM costs A$45, and unlimited costs A$89. 

Spending 5 minutes installing an eSIM could save you A$50-$100. 

WIFI-HOPPING IN EUROPE: THE OLD-SCHOOL APPROACH

Back in the old days, before humanity forgot how to function without instant internet, we used public WiFi to connect our devices. Some data-independent travellers still adopt this approach, but it’s far from ideal.

Even the best European accommodations have finite bandwidth. Once other guests start doomscrolling social media, you can expect network saturation and snail-paced speeds. Besides, many hotels have lousy WiFi at the best of times – ain’t nobody got time for that. 

WiFi hoppers rely on public connections scattered around town, such as libraries, train stations, and cafes. Do you really want to buy an overpriced latte just to send a quick WhatsApp message? 

Sure, you can download offline maps to navigate data-free. But you won’t be able to view public transit timetables, making it harder to move around. Mobile internet also lets you compare restaurant reviews, translate signs, summon well-priced rideshares, and plan your trip on the fly.  

We get it. Going internet-less offers a digital detox and a modest cost saving. But it makes that dreamy European getaway a heck of a lot more stressful than it needs to be. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze. 

USING POCKET WIFI IN EUROPE

One approach is to rent pocket WiFi, a portable modem that creates a mini hotspot for multiple devices (often up to 10). This old-school method requires you to pick up and drop off the device at an agreed-upon airport kiosk – hopefully its opening hours align with your flight times. 

Pocket WiFi often includes unlimited data, and the best plans work seamlessly across a broad range of European countries. However, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your battery life, as many devices only last 6-10 hours. You also want to take good care of it – watch out for pickpockets in Barcelona – as any loss or damage will cost you dearly. 

Speaking of costs, the rent-a-modem method doesn’t come cheap, with most plans falling between A$6 and A$20 per day. For example, a 30-day unlimited plan with Hippocket Wifi costs A$333 (US $234), a smidgen over €200, whereas an Unlimited Europe eSIM with ZenSim costs just A$89 ($57 USD).

Pocket WiFi used to be a great alternative to rip-off global roaming. But ever since the eSIM entered the market with lower pricing and easy installs, it's largely become obsolete. 

Some travelling groups still use pocket WiFi, as you can share one plan. But what if the device-holder wanders off in the Sistine Chapel? Plus, with convenient 30-day European eSIMs starting at just A$21 ($14 USD), you might as well get a private connection anyway. 

ZENSIM: THE BEST EUROPE ESIM FOR AUSTRALIANS

The eSIM is the best way to get connected for Aussies seeking a nice balance of convenience and price.

But with so many competitors crowding the market, what’s the best travel eSIM for Europe? 

An up-and-coming underdog from Australia, ZenSim is taking on the big multinational behemoths with exceptional connections at affordable rates. ZenSim connects to quality local networks throughout 39 European nations, ensuring fast, free-flowing data even when venturing well off the beaten track.

A minimalist, user-friendly mobile app lets you add data, extend dates, or even squeeze in another country (how does a Singapore stopover sound?). ZenSim has no hidden fees, unlimited hotspotting, and responsive, near-24/7 support via WhatsApp. 

The clincher? We’re also among the cheapest European eSIMs for Aussie travellers. Check out our low prices below. 

• 5GB 30-day: A$21 ($14 USD)
• 10GB 30-day: A$35 ($23 USD)
• 20GB 30-day: A$45 ($29 USD)
• Unlimited 30-day: A$89 ($57 USD)

Install your ZenSim European eSIM in 5 minutes so you can focus on other things. 

FAQs

WHAT CAN I USE TO GET CONNECTED WHILE TRAVELLING IN EUROPE?

Aussie travellers can choose from eSIMs, local SIM plans, public WiFi, or renting a pocket WiFi. 

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET ONLINE WHILE HOLIDAYING IN EUROPE

An eSIM offers a nice balance between convenience and price, making it the best way to get online in Europe.  

DO EUROPEAN SIM CARDS WORK IN ALL OF EUROPE?

No. Local EU SIMs will work in other EU countries. However, they may stop working once you leave the EU. 

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE EUROPE ESIM?

The ZenSim Europe plan includes 39 countries which are: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine