You land in Europe, open Uber, and… it asks for an SMS verification code. You try to call a restaurant to book a table, but the call fails.
Here is the hard truth: Most travel eSIMs are Data-Only. They allow you to scroll Instagram, but they do not give you a phone number for traditional calls or texts.
If you need to receive 2FA codes, call hotels, or contact people who don’t use WhatsApp (like your grandma), you need a specific type of eSIM. We have tested the market to find the few providers that actually include a real phone number.
Quick Comparison: Top Picks for Voice & Data
| Provider | Region | Phone Number? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Orange Holiday | Europe | ✅ French (+33) | Best Overall (Europe) |
| 2. Airalo Discover+ | Global | ✅ USA (+1) | World Travel |
| 3. Holafly | Global/Europe | ✅ Austrian (+43) | Unlimited Data Users |
1. Orange Holiday Europe: The “Gold Standard”
If you are traveling to Europe, stop looking. The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM is widely considered the best reliable option because it comes directly from a major French carrier, not a reseller.
- The Number: You get a real French mobile number (+33).
- What’s Included: Unlimited calls and SMS within Europe, plus 120 minutes of calls back to the US/Canada/World.
- Why we love it: It works just like a local SIM. You can call a taxi in Rome or a hotel in Berlin without any “VoIP” apps.
2. Airalo Discover+ Global: Best for World Travelers
While most Airalo plans are data-only, their “Discover+” (Global) line is special. It covers 124+ countries and includes a phone number.
- The Number: You get a US-based (+1) or Austrian (+43) number depending on the package.
- The Catch: The voice minutes are limited (usually 10-20 minutes). It is designed for emergencies and quick calls, not long conversations.
- Verdict: Perfect if you are hopping between continents (e.g., USA to Japan to Dubai) and just need a backup number.
3. Holafly: Unlimited Data + Calls
Holafly recently upgraded their popular Europe and Global plans to include a phone number. This is a huge deal because they also offer Unlimited Data.
- The Number: Usually an Austrian (+43) number.
- How it works: You can receive calls for free (great for family calling you). You get 60 minutes to make outgoing calls within Europe.
- Note: This feature is currently available on their “Europe” and specific “Global” plans, so check the plan details before buying.
4. aloSIM + Hushed: The “App” Solution
aloSIM takes a different approach. When you buy their data eSIM, they often give you a free subscription to “Hushed,” a burner-number app.
- Pros: You can choose a number from USA, Canada, or UK.
- Cons: It works over VoIP (Internet), so it’s not a “native” carrier call. It relies on your data connection being strong.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Going to Europe? Get Orange Holiday. It is the most reliable, native solution with the best calling limits.
- Heavy Data User? Get Holafly. You get the unlimited internet for Netflix, plus a number for restaurant reservations.
- Global Backpacker? Get Airalo Discover+. One eSIM covers the whole world.
(Still deciding? Check out our Airalo vs Holafly comparison for more details on data speeds).
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