I’m sure we all agree that phones are a KEY part of travel. After I was scammed upon arrival in New Delhi, India back in 2018, I realized just how important it is to be connected first hand.
The elaborate scam that ensued never would have happened had I had instant data connection when landing. But that was when physical SIMs were all that existed…
These days, it’s easier than ever to set up your trips for success with the evolution of eSIMs. This magical piece of technology gives you all the bits of internet you need instantaneously. Sure beats the several day process it took to eventually get an Indian SIM on my hands back then!
I’ve recently gotten the chance to give Orange Travel eSIM a try and it ended up being everything I wish I had back then – reliable, affordable, immediate coverage in over 100 countries. Rickshaw taxi scams be damned.
I have no doubt you could use one as a part of your travels too – so let me get into all the deets you need to know in this epic (and honest) review of Orange Travel 🙂
Who is Orange Travel eSIM?
As one of the major telecom providers in Europe, Orange Travel is not new to the eSIM game. Actually, they were the first mobile operator to offer eSIM technology and have been expanding on their offerings ever since.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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With over 250 million customers in 30 countries, Orange Travels knows a thing or two about providing high quality mobile data + customer service. But their eSIM is even more far-reaching – it covers more than 100 countries with various plans to choose between. The connectivity is fantastic and they have customer support ready to help out seven days of the week.
How Orange Travel eSIM Works
Orange Travel’s eSIMs couldn’t be easier to get up and running – all you have to do is head to their site, pop in the country (or countries) you plan to visit, and there you’ll see your options. The only thing to keep in mind is that you need to make sure your device is compatible with eSIM technology. While MOST are, just know that the iPhone SE is the oldest phone you’ll be able to link one up with on the Apple side of things.
While you can select the entire world or each destination individually, there are also a few handy regional deals. The prices for Europe are particularly competitive and even include phone numbers and callsingwhich is a huge plus! I particularly loved this since many eSIM companies are data-only these days.
The solid UX design shows you everything you need to know quickly – and when you’ve made a decision, all you need to do is click “buy” and soon your eSIM will be ready to activate right on your phone.
Orange provides a useful step-by-step guide to installation, and while it may look a bit different depending on if you’re using an iPhone or Android, it’s pretty hassle-free either way.
What Packages Does Orange Travel Offer?
Orange Travel offers a whole bunch of packages – though many are for just one country, but you can also find “World,” “UK” and “Europe” deals too. While there aren’t as many regional offerings as some other eSIM providers, the value this company provides is so high thanks to their massive network.
At the time of writing, they cover more than 100 countries in addition to the aforementioned regional options. The length of their packages also differs – though most are between 14 and 28 days. They often do deals too – like making the handy UK Holiday monthly 70 GB bundle 30% off.
If you’re planning to travel to multiple countries outside of Europe, the “World” eSIM is definitely your best bet. As I know too well, there’s nothing like being able to cross borders with the peace of mind guaranteed internet connectivity brings.
Does Orange Travel Give Out Local Phone Numbers?
One of my favorite things about Orange Travel is that some of their plans come with local phone numbers! While data will allow you to make calls using WhatsApp, Messenger or Facetime Audio,sometimes you need an actual phone number. And that’s where this company came in just a cut above the rest.
I have to say the only downside is this epic feature is almost exclusively available in Europe and the UK…
Now don’t let that get you down though – you can always keep a physical SIM in your phone while simultaneously using an Orange Travel eSIM. But from my trip’s experience, the data package was more than enough to make calls over the local data network.
Orange Travel eSIM Destinations
As mentioned, these eSIMS cover over 100 countries across the world, primarily in single packages but with a few regional deals on the menu.
The Orange Travel website keeps the destinations up to date, and while the list is pretty expansive, you won’t find my favorite countries of Pakistan or Tajikistan on it quite yet. Even so, you can find some pretty offbeat options, especially in Africa where even nations like Chad, Burkina Faso, and Mali are surprisingly covered.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Island lovers may be keen to know that they also leave out almost all of the Carribean, with the notable exception of Saint Martin. Even so, I do feel like they cover MOST popular travel destinations, and clearly even some super unusual ones too!
Cost
Okay I get it, what’s the point of an eSIM if it’s going to be more expensive than a local one? While this can be an issue in certain countries where SIMs are cheap, rest assured that the deals coming at your from Orange Travel are unmatched when it comes to traveling Europe.
And even when you look at other countries – you’ll clearly see that they rival top competitors like Airalo or Holafly on price and value.
Regardless, it’s surely better than getting hit with a SIX FIGURE roaming charges bill if you try to use your regular SIM!
How to Use Orange Travel eSIMs
Next up, it’s time to get into all the tea on how Orange Travel eSIMs actually work.
Once you’ve made sure your phone is eSIM compatible, you can either purchase your package on their website or on their app, which can be found on both Android and Apple app stores.
Installation and Activation
The easiest way to activate your eSIM is by scanning the QR code the company will generate, or if you want you can just manually enter a code.
You’ll then want to head into your phone settings, rename the SIM (if you want), and turn off any voice calls or cellular data for the primary SIM you use at home (skip this if you don’t have a primary SIM.)
Overall, it’s a super quick process that really should only take a few minutes!
Topping Up and Recharging
I love using the Orange Travel app to top up. It’s actually a pretty decent-to-use one unlike some I’ve encountered in the past – I can easily see my remaining balance.
You can also do the same on the desktop site, but it’s easier to do it all on your phone if you ask me. It works well and allows you to grab more data from anywhere.
To top up you’ll need the SIMs number, which can be found under your account. Again – the app keeps everything in one place and the overall process so much easier.
Pros and Cons of Orange Travel
Great coverage: it’s run by an existing telecom company trusted by more than 250 million customers.
Local phone numbers: Particularly in Europe.
User design: Easy to use app to manage everything from.
Less options in Asia: It’s missing a regional Asia plan that many competitors have.
Not all plans have local numbers. This benefit is pretty Europe-specific.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it – my full review of Orange Travel eSIM, which truly shines with its connectivity, reasonable prices, and positive effect on my travels. Gone are the days where getting data on your phone in a foreign country is an entire’s day project – now I can just pop over to the Orange Theory App, grab a package, and arrive at my destination with instantaneous internet.
No eSIM is perfect – some of Orange Travels best deals are in Europe which may not be for everyone. But they still cover a ton of countries, have extensive experience in the field, and their product is actually simple to use.
To all my travelers out there – give it a shot on your next trip, you’re about to save time and $$$!
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