Ah, Paris. What a city!
I first visited Paris a couple of years ago at the beginning of autumn and had one of those memorable experiences that made me understand why so many people fall in love with it. I wandered around small streets with no plan, had a drink under the Eiffel Tower at night, stopped for long lunches at cafés on boulevard corners sipping wine and watching the world go by, and ate macarons from Laduree whilst sat on a bench overlooking the Seine.
All of that sounds very romantic, and it was, even if there was no significant other with me. But I’m not going to lie, that perfection of the trip was also due to being connected all the time, which made my trip to Paris jut seamless. These days, being online is part of how we travel. You use maps to get around, check reviews before picking a restaurant, look up metro routes, and sometimes even need your phone just to access tickets or make payments. Without internet, everything becomes more complicated than it needs to be.
That’s why, for my trip, I decided to use an eSIM. I’ve been using eSIMs for years now and I can’t imagine leaving anywhere without one. It is also the easiest option, especially since I didn’t want to deal with physical SIM cards or rely on unstable public WiFi.
There are quite a few options out there, so in this article I’ll go through my experience using the Orange Travel eSIM and what you should consider when choosing the best eSIM for Paris.
Why Choose an eSIM for Your Trip to Paris
When planning my trip to Paris, staying connected was not something I wanted to compromise on. After looking into different options, using an Orange Travel eSIM just made the most sense. Here’s why:
Coverage
One of the main things I was concerned about was coverage. I didn’t want to lose signal while navigating the city or when moving between neighbourhoods. With an Orange Travel eSIM, I had consistent coverage across Paris, no matter where I found myself. I used maps constantly, checked locations on the go, and never had to worry about losing connection at the wrong moment.
No Roaming Fees
This was a big one for me. Roaming charges can add up very quickly, especially if you’re using data throughout the day.
With the eSIM, everything was prepaid, so I knew exactly what I was spending before even arriving in France. No surprises, no unexpected charges when I got back home.
Access to Fast Networks
Speed matters more than you realise when you travel. When the train is due to arrive in 5 minutes, you don’t want to wait to see which platform the one you need to jump on comes on. I had access to fast local networks throughout my trip, which made everything feel seamless. It’s one of those things you don’t notice when it works well, but you definitely notice when it doesn’t.
Personal Hotspot
Another thing I found useful was being able to use the eSIM as a hotspot.
I had my laptop with me, and instead of relying on café WiFi, I could just connect to my phone and reply to emails on the go. I am one of those people who needs a big screen to deal with emails, so my Samsung laptop is always with me. It’s also useful if you’re travelling with someone and want to share your connection across devices. You can track your data usage in real time in the Orange Travel app as well, so you always know how much data you have left and how much you’ve used.
Physical SIM vs eSIM — Which Is Better?
Before choosing what to use in Paris, I did look into both options: getting a local physical SIM card or using an eSIM. I’ve tried both in different trips, and there are some clear differences.
Physical SIM
A physical SIM is the traditional option. You either buy one at the airport, train station, in a shop, or order it in advance.
The main downside is the hassle. You have to remove your current SIM, keep it safe (which I always find stressful), and then insert the new one. If something doesn’t work, you’re stuck troubleshooting it on the spot.
There’s also the time factor. After getting to Paris, the last thing I want is to queue in a shop or try to figure things out when I just want to get to the city. And if you’ve travelled to Paris by Eurostar, you know that Gare du Nord is the last place you want to linger around.
That said, physical SIMs can sometimes be slightly cheaper, depending on the provider and the package.
eSIM
An eSIM removes all the hassle.
You don’t need to swap anything physically. You just install it on your phone before you travel, activate it when you arrive, and that’s it.
Another advantage is that you can keep your main SIM active at the same time. So if you still need to receive messages or calls on your usual number, you can.
From my experience in Paris, the eSIM worked straight away, and I didn’t have to think about it again for the rest of the trip.
So, Which One Is Better?
For me, eSIM wins, especially for a short city trip.
It saves time, avoids unnecessary hassle, and just works in the background. Unless your phone doesn’t support eSIM, I don’t really see a reason to go for a physical SIM anymore.
How to Set Up Your eSIM Before You Travel
One of the things I liked the most about using the Orange Travel eSIM for my trip to Paris was how easy it was to set everything up before even leaving home.
Here’s how the process works:
1. Buy Your eSIM Online
You choose your plan on the Orange Travel website or app and complete the purchase. There are several options depending on how much data you need and how long you’re staying.
2. Install the eSIM
After purchase, you receive your eSIM information by email. This includes everything you need to install and activate it on your phone.
The installation only takes a couple of minutes. You don’t need to remove your current SIM card, and you can keep both active on your phone. You add the eSIM through your phone settings, following the instructions provided. It only takes a couple of minutes, and you can keep your main SIM active at the same time.
3. Activate It When You Arrive
Once you arrive in France, you simply activate the eSIM. It connects automatically to a local network, and you’re online within minutes.
No need to visit a shop, no need to swap cards, and no waiting around.
4. Start Using Your Data
From that point on, everything works as normal. Maps, bookings, messages, everything is ready to go as soon as you need it.
What Package to Choose
When I was planning my trip to Paris, this was probably the only part that took me a bit of time. Not because it was complicated, but because there are quite a few options depending on how you travel.
Orange Travel keeps things fairly simple though, and once you understand the structure, it’s easy to pick the right one.
Overview of the Orange Travel eSIM Packages
Orange Travel offers several prepaid plans, all with high-speed 4G/5G data, no speed limits, and no roaming fees.
Here’s how they are generally structured:
- 5GB – 10GB – 7-14 days → good for city breaks
- 20GB – 14 days → good for longer trips
- 50GB – 30 days → a balanced option
- 100GB – 30 days → high data usage
- 200GB – 30 days → very heavy users
- 500GB – 90 days → long stays or digital nomads
Most of these plans also include unlimited calls and texts, which is something not all eSIM providers offer.
Which One Should You Choose?
This really depends on how you travel. Based on my experience, here’s what I would recommend:
Short City Break (2–4 days)
If you’re visiting Paris for a quick getaway, the 5GB or 10GB plan is more than enough.
I used my phone constantly, maps, Instagram, restaurant searches, and I still didn’t come close to using that much data. Unless you’re streaming a lot of video, this will cover you easily.
Standard Trip (4–7 days)
For a typical holiday, I would go for the 10GB plan.
This gives you peace of mind. You don’t have to think about data at all. You can use Google Maps all day, upload photos, watch videos, and even hotspot your laptop if needed.
Heavy Users / Content Creators
If you’re working while travelling, uploading content, or using your phone as a hotspot regularly, then the 50GB plan is a better fit.
It removes any limits, and you can just use your phone as you would at home.
Longer Stays or Digital Nomads
If you’re staying in France for a few weeks or even months, then the 200GB or 500GB plans make more sense.
The 500GB option, especially with a longer validity period, is ideal if you’re working remotely or moving around the country.
What I Chose
For my trip, I chose the smallest 5GB package and that more than enough for a weekend away. I wanted enough data so I wouldn’t have to think about it, but not an excessive amount I wouldn’t use.
And honestly, that’s the best advice I can give: don’t overthink it. Pick a plan that gives you a bit more than you think you need, and enjoy your trip without constantly checking your data usage. If you finish the data, you can always top it up with more.
Advantages of Having an Orange Travel eSIM
After using the Orange Travel eSIM in Paris, there were a few things that really stood out to me. Some of them you only realise once you actually start using it.
No Roaming Fees
This is probably the biggest advantage. Everything is prepaid, so you know exactly how much you’re spending before your trip even starts. No surprises, no unexpected charges when you get back home.
Reusable
One thing I didn’t initially think about is that the eSIM can be reused. So if you travel to France again, or even within Europe depending on the plan, you don’t have to start from scratch.
Rechargeable
If you run out of data, you can simply top it up instead of buying a completely new plan. It’s quick and easy, and you can do it online without interrupting your trip.
Instant Delivery
As soon as you purchase the plan, you receive it by email. There’s no waiting, no shipping, nothing physical involved.
Instant Installation
The setup takes just a couple of minutes. Buy the eSIM, follow a few steps, and it’s ready to go. For me, this was one of the biggest advantages compared to dealing with a physical SIM.
The Orange Travel Brand
Orange Travel is one of the main network providers in France, so you’re not relying on a third-party service piggybacking on unknown networks. That gave me confidence that the connection would be stable and reliable throughout my trip.
Conclusion
Staying connected in Paris doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
For me, using the Orange Travel eSIM made everything easier. I didn’t have to think about roaming charges, I didn’t have to look for Wi-Fi, and I could just get on with enjoying the city.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, I would definitely recommend sorting your connectivity before you arrive. It saves time, removes stress, and lets you focus on what really matters, exploring, eating well, and enjoying every moment.
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