Saily eSIM Review 2025: My Internet Guide for Thailand & Europe
- Nico Dudli
- Dec 3, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 5
Whether you are relaxing on the beach in Phuket for two weeks, taking a city trip to Rome, or are in Singapore on business - there is one thing we all need: the internet.
Not just for surfing, but for the important things:
🚗 To quickly call a Grab or Uber.
🗺️ To find the restaurant for dinner.
📸 Just to quickly send a photo to the family.
It used to be stressful. Either you paid exorbitant roaming fees to your home provider, or you stood in line at the airport kiosk after a long flight to buy a local plastic SIM card. And hopefully, you didn't lose your own home SIM card in the process.
I travel a lot, both for work in Europe and Asia. And I have found a solution that completely eliminates this stress: Saily.
This is the new eSIM service from the makers of NordVPN. I tested it across Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Scotland, and Central Europe.
Here you can read my complete Saily eSIM review – from installation to the speed test in the jungle.
With the discount code “TECHNOVICE,” you will receive an additional discount on Saily. Disclosure: I only recommend tools I personally test. Using this code supports the blog at no extra cost to you. |
Saily Test Summary (2025)
feature | Rating / Result |
|---|---|
Setup/Installation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Download the app, click, done) |
Network coverage | 🌍 Over 150 countries (including Thailand, USA, Europe) |
comfort | ✅ No need to swap SIM cards, your home number remains active |
flexibility | 🎒 Perfect for holidays, business trips & tours |
Price | 💰 Often cheaper than roaming & airport prices |
Promo / Discount Code | 👉 TECHNOVICE - 5–15 % off (works with other active promotions) |
Why the "airport SIM" is obsolete
Many tourists still think: "I land in the holiday destination and quickly buy a SIM card there."
That sounds simple, but it has three major disadvantages in everyday life:
The "dual-SIM" problem: Many modern cell phones only have space for one physical SIM card. Do you have to take out your home SIM card? Where do you keep it safely? (Spoiler alert: These tiny things are easily lost).
Unreachable: Once your home SIM card is removed, you will no longer receive calls or text messages. This is disastrous for online banking (two-factor authentication) or emergencies.
The time wasted: Do you really want to spend your first hour of vacation standing in line at the kiosk?
The solution for everyone: Saily is an eSIM (digital chip). It's simply installed on your phone. Your regular number remains active (for WhatsApp, calls, bank SMS), but your phone automatically uses the cheaper Saily plan for internet access.
The Global Stress Test: My Saily eSIM Experience from Abu Dhabi to Scotland
Does the Saily eSIM really work everywhere? That was my most important question! I wanted to know: Can the service withstand a global stress test?
That's why I tested the service in a wide variety of scenarios. I gathered my personal Saily eSIM experiences in:
Asia: Thailand, Vietnam & Singapore.
Middle East: Abu Dhabi (The network stability stress test in the desert city).
Europe: Scotland, Germany, France, Austria, and Italy (The comparison to the expensive EU roaming alternative).
🇹🇭 Thailand (The Holiday Test)
Location: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, islands (Koh Chang, Koh Kood).
Experience: Airplane mode off, bam, 5G. Saily mostly uses the top-tier networks from AIS or True here. Whether by the pool or in a tuk-tuk, the network was stable.
Speed: HD streaming and video calls home were no problem. I just ran a speed test to prove it:
💡 My pro tip for digital nomads or tourists: Before booking a hotel on a remote island, I always quickly check the map on nPerf.com . If I see that the island is highlighted in purple (5G), I know I can work there without any problems. With Saily, I then automatically connect to these strong networks.
🇻🇳 Vietnam & 🇸🇬 Singapore (The Round Trip)
Those who take a tour of Asia benefit especially. You don't have to run to a kiosk in every country.
The feature: I simply used an "Asia package" in the app or changed the country. When crossing the border, the phone automatically connects to the new network.
🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi (The Transit Stress Test)
Location: Abu Dhabi Airport transit area (UAE).
Experience: I used the eSIM here in the transit area to test network stability and it was fantastic! I was able to connect my laptop via hotspot and hold a Google Meet meeting without any stuttering or dropouts. This was an ideal and, most importantly, predictable alternative to often expensive and complicated local SIMs.
Speed: The connection was extremely strong; I had full reception throughout and a high enough speed for a seamless video call. This proves Saily's premium network selection to me.
🏴 Scotland & 🇪🇺 Europe (The Short Trip)
Saily is also worthwhile for weekend trips to Milan, Paris, or the Scottish Highlands . Especially for Swiss users who don't have EU roaming included, it's often significantly cheaper than the fees charged by their domestic provider.
The only downside: The Laos border 🇱🇦
I want to be honest here: Saily covers over 150 countries , but there are still blank spots on the map.
When I crossed the border into Laos , I had no signal. Laos was not covered at that time.
My tip: Saily is perfect for classic holiday destinations (USA, Turkey, Thailand, EU). If you're heading to more exotic destinations, take a quick look at the app's country list before your trip.
Practical Check: Which eSIM Plans are worthwhile for Your Turkey Holiday or Bali Trip?
My tests confirm that Saily is a global top-tier service. Nevertheless, I know you might be looking for a solution for other highly popular hotspots where I wasn't personally on location.
Since the Saily service is available in over 150 countries, I have checked the most important destinations and their rates in the Saily app for you. Here’s what you can expect there:
Destination / Package | Keyword Focus | Saily Advantage (Service Check) |
|---|---|---|
🇹🇷 Turkey (Single eSIM) | eSIM Turkey Holiday | Ideal for your Turkey holiday: Offers specific country packages that are often significantly cheaper than roaming. You can see the eSIM rates immediately in the app. |
🇮🇩 Bali & 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka (Asia Package) | eSIM Bali, eSIM Sri Lanka | Great flexibility: The regional Asia Package is recommended here. You don't need a separate SIM for your Bali trip or other countries in the region. |
🇧🇦 Balkans & 🇲🇪 Montenegro (Europe Package) | eSIM Balkans, eSIM Montenegro | Ideal for tours: A regional package covers all countries like Montenegro or the Balkans—super practical if you are travelling a lot. |
Installation: As easy as downloading an app
The best thing about Saily is its ease of use. The app comes from the creators of NordVPN, who know how to make complex technology simple.
Here's how it works:
Download the app from the comfort of your sofa at home.
Choose your holiday destination and buy a package (e.g., 10 GB Thailand).
Click on “Coupon” and enter TECHNOVICE (for up to 15% off).
Press the "Install eSIM" button.
That's it. You don't need to scan any QR codes or change any technical settings. Your phone does everything automatically.
The Grandparent Test: The app is so intuitive that I would recommend it to my parents without hesitation. Anyone who can use WhatsApp can also set up Saily.
Data & Costs: What do I really need?
"How many gigabytes should I book?" That depends on your usage. Here's my assessment:
Typical holidaymaker (WhatsApp, Maps, Google, occasional photo): 3 to 5 GB is often enough for 2 weeks.
Heavy User (Instagram Stories, lots of browsing, work): I use about 8 GB per week .
Pricing: Saily offers very competitive rates
The strategy: Buy a smaller package first. If you run out of data, you can easily purchase more in the app in seconds ("Top Up").
Important: Unused data expires at the end of the subscription period. So it's better to buy more data than to buy too much in advance!
💡 Pro-Tip: Why the 10 GB plan is the "Sweet Spot"
As you can see in the screenshot, Saily often gives you a free NordVPN Basic subscription with the 10 GB package. This is a game-changer for travelers.
Why?
On the go: You use secure Saily data.
At the hotel: You switch to Wi-Fi (to save data) and turn on NordVPN to stay safe and unlock global streaming libraries
Conclusion: My Saily eSIM review as a travel essential
The days of fiddling with my SIM card slot with pins are over. Whether it's a family holiday in Italy or an adventure in Thailand : Saily is the most convenient solution.
Why Saily wins:
Convenience: Arrive and be online immediately.
Security: Your German phone number remains reachable for emergencies.
Trust: Behind this stands Nord Security (data protection).
My recommendation: Install Saily before takeoff. Nothing is more relaxing than turning on your phone after landing and being able to immediately use Google Maps or Uber.
The community check - Trustpilot
Trusted by Travelers: With a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot (from over 14,000 reviews), Saily proves it’s a reliable choice for thousands of users worldwide.
My experience in Thailand was fantastic, but is that the norm? I checked the reviews on Trustpilot (as of November 2025). What immediately stands out: With 4.7 out of 5 stars (from over 14,000 reviews), Saily performs extremely well – even better than many established competitors.
Three points are repeatedly praised in the community:
The "Idiot-Proof" Installation: While users often curse complicated QR codes with other eSIM providers, hundreds of users here praise the automatic installation. Many write that "it finally worked on the first try" – even users who describe themselves as not tech-savvy.
Instant Network: A frequent point of praise concerns the moment after landing. Users enthusiastically report that they (just like me in Bangkok) hadn't even left the plane when WhatsApp was already working again. This seems to work very reliably worldwide, from the USA to Japan.
Best Value for Money: Many users switching from other providers (e.g., Airalo) mention the competitive pricing. Saily is often cited as the more affordable alternative for data packages, without compromising network quality (often 5G).
The "Nord Factor": Interestingly, many users write that they only tried Saily because they already trust NordVPN. The fact that the support (24/7 chat) responds just as quickly as with the VPN service is highlighted positively in many reviews.
Is there a Saily Discount Code? How to Save on Your First Booking
Yes! We have negotiated an exclusive permanent discount for our readers. Simply use the Saily discount code TECHNOVICE at checkout to get up to 15% off your data plan. Alternatively, you can use our partner link, and the code TECHNOVICE will be automatically added to your shopping cart.
Discount code: TECHNOVICE
The advantage: In most cases, you'll save up to 15% on all available plans.
How to redeem the code:
Select your package in the Saily app and go to the shopping cart.
Click on the “Got a coupon?” button.
Enter the code TECHNOVICE in the field and click on “Apply.”
Important: Alternatively, the best current discount will also be automatically activated for you in your shopping cart via our partner link.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a special phone for an eSIM?
You need an eSIM-compatible smartphone. This includes iPhone XR/XS and newer, as well as most Samsung and Google devices from 2019 onwards.
Can I create a hotspot for my family?
Yes. I often share my Saily internet connection via "tethering" with my laptop or my friends' phones. The connection is usually strong enough for remote work.
Will I keep my WhatsApp number?
Yes! You only use Saily for data. WhatsApp remains registered to your old number, and you simply continue chatting with all your contacts as usual.
How do I get the free NordVPN subscription?
It's simple. If you choose a larger data plan (like the 10 GB plan shown above), Saily often includes a free NordVPN Basic subscription as a gift. You will receive an activation link via email after your purchase. No hidden costs.
What is the current Saily discount code?
Yes. The discount code TECHNOVICE can be combined with other promotions. It gives you up to 15% extra discount, even if the selected data plan is already reduced by a seasonal promotion (e.g., Black Friday or holiday specials). Simply enter the code in the “Coupon Code” field before payment.
About the author
About Nico Dudli Nico Dudli is a lecturer in Business Informatics and the founder of Technovice.net. His professional focus lies in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital trends.
His goal is to explain complex technologies in a way that is understandable and practical. Since he regularly works abroad, his reviews are not created in a lab, but under real-world conditions – like in this stress test in Thailand.
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