If you ask in travel groups what eSIM to bring to Egypt or Turkey, there's a good chance Yesim and Airalo will be the first names suggested. Both are large international providers and work well overall — but that doesn't mean they're the best choice for every traveller.
We compared the 2026 prices of three providers for two of the most popular non-EU destinations, and also looked at the language their app and support are available in. Competitor prices were gathered from their public price lists in July 2026 — prices can change, so they're indicative.
The three providers in brief
Yesim: a Swiss-backed international eSIM provider. A large range of plans, unlimited-data options, and a virtual phone number as an add-on. The app and support are in English, and prices are in dollars.
Airalo: one of the world's best-known eSIM marketplaces, with more than 200 countries. A huge range, plus regional and global plans. The app is available in several major languages, support is in English, and prices are in dollars.
eSIM Surfer: an eSIM app built for travellers. Prices are transparent, and the plan range is optimised for the most frequently visited destinations.
Egypt eSIM price comparison (2026)
Egypt is a favourite all-inclusive destination, and since it's not an EU country, roaming is very expensive — an eSIM is almost essential here. Here's how prices look with the three providers:
| Plan | eSIM Surfer | Yesim | Airalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | €1.99 (7 days) | ~€3 (30 days) | ~€5 (3 days) |
| 3 GB / 30 days | €4.99 | ~€7.50 | none (1 GB / 7 days: ~€8) |
| 5 GB / 30 days | €8.99 | ~€12 | 5 GB / 7 days: ~€14 |
| 10 GB / 30 days | €13.99 | ~€16 | 10 GB / 7 days: ~€23 |
In the typical 3–10 GB range that covers a 1–2 week holiday, eSIM Surfer is the cheapest, usually 10–30% below Yesim and 35–60% below Airalo. Airalo's Egypt plans also have short validity for the smaller plans (3–7 days), which isn't enough for a two-week Hurghada holiday.
For the full picture: for very large plans (over 20 GB), Yesim is quite competitive in Egypt — its 20 GB plan can even be cheaper than eSIM Surfer's. But if you're an average tourist navigating, using WhatsApp and uploading photos, you'll buy in the 3–10 GB range — and there the difference is clear.
Turkey eSIM price comparison (2026)
Turkey is the other big favourite, with no EU roaming. Here the price gap is even bigger:
| Plan | eSIM Surfer | Yesim | Airalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB / 7 days | €2.99 | – | ~€4 |
| 3 GB / 30 days | €4.99 | – | ~€7.50 |
| 5 GB / 30 days | €5.99 | ~€9 | ~€11 |
| 10 GB / 30 days | €8.99 | ~€16 | ~€17 |
| 20 GB / 30 days | €12.99 | – | ~€24 |
For a 10 GB Turkey plan, eSIM Surfer offers roughly half the price of Yesim or Airalo for the same thing. For a family of four with two phones, that's already a saving of several euros on a single holiday.
Good to know: according to Yesim's own information, access to the Yesim app and website in Turkey can be disrupted by local restrictions, so you should buy and install the plan before departure. In any case, it's worth installing an eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, regardless of provider.
Support and language: where it's really decided
Alongside price, this is the other big difference that's rarely mentioned in group recommendations:
| Aspect | eSIM Surfer | Yesim | Airalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | Available | English, chat | English, chat/email |
| Pricing | Transparent | USD | USD |
| Exchange-rate risk | None | Yes | Yes |
As long as everything works, language doesn't seem important. The problem starts when you're standing at Hurghada airport and the eSIM won't connect: then you have to explain the problem to an English-language chatbot — or write to support that responds helpfully.
Hidden cost: dollar pricing
Yesim's and Airalo's prices are in dollars. This means two things in practice:
- Currency conversion: your card converts the amount at the exchange rate at the time of purchase, and with most banks there's an added exchange markup — so you typically pay 1–2% more than the listed price.
- Unpredictability: you only see the exact final amount on your bank statement. With eSIM Surfer, the listed price is the final price.
In addition, international providers' list prices often fluctuate with coupons and promotions — the tables above use prices without coupons, because that's what most buyers pay.
What are Yesim and Airalo good at?
To be fair: both providers are well-functioning, reliable companies, and there are situations where they can be sensible choices.
- Airalo: if you're travelling to an exotic, rarely visited country, you'll almost certainly find a plan in Airalo's 200+ country range. Its global and regional plans are practical for multi-continent trips.
- Yesim: the unlimited-data plans and virtual phone number are unique extras. For very large plans (over 20 GB), it's competitive on price in some countries.
Most travellers, however, aren't heading to Patagonia but to Turkey, Egypt, Greece or Thailand — and for those routes, based on the tables above, eSIM Surfer is the cheaper and more convenient choice.
Which should you choose?
- For an Egypt or Turkey holiday with a 3–10 GB need: eSIM Surfer — the cheapest, transparent pricing, and helpful support if anything goes wrong.
- For a round-the-world trip across several continents: Airalo's global plans can serve you well.
- If you need unlimited data at all costs: Yesim's unlimited plans are an option — but first work out whether you'd really use that much, because a fixed 30–50 GB plan is usually cheaper.
Summary
Yesim and Airalo are well-functioning international providers, but for travellers' typical destinations — Egypt and Turkey — they're more expensive, price in dollars, and carry exchange-rate risk. eSIM Surfer provides internet on the same local networks (Turkcell, Vodafone, Orange Egypt and others), typically 25–50% cheaper, with transparent pricing. Before you buy based on a group recommendation, it's worth comparing prices — the difference on a family holiday can be significant.