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Best eSIM for Iceland: 4 options to consider
Choose the best eSIM for Iceland with Holafly, Vodafone, Siminn, and Nomad. Read about their data plans, features, and more.
July 4, 2024
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With stunning landscapes, breathtaking views, and a unique culture, Iceland is becoming a very popular tourist destination nowadays. That said, you’ll probably need an internet connection during your visit, which is where eSIM cards come into play.
Embedded SIM cards, or eSIMs, have emerged as the cheapest and most convenient way to get an internet connection. But choosing which one to buy isn’t always easy. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best eSIM options for Iceland with detailed information on what each of them has to offer.
Can I get an eSIM for Iceland?
Yes, you can get an eSIM in Iceland either from a local carrier that offers an eSIM service or an international eSIM provider. Oftentimes, international eSIM providers are more convenient because you can purchase and activate your eSIM data plan online without needing to physically visit a carrier or sign a long-term contract.
The only requirement for using an eSIM is having an eSIM-compatible device. Nowadays, most new phones can be used with eSIMs, with some compatible tablets, laptops, and smartwatches as well.
If you don’t have a compatible device, you’ll have to resort to using other options, like a physical SIM card or pocket WiFi.
What is the best eSIM card for Iceland?
When choosing the best eSIM card for Iceland, it’s important to consider each provider’s benefits and disadvantages. Travelers need to know the amount of data, coverage, accessibility, price, and other features before deciding what best suits their personal needs.
We’ll give you all the information on what some of the top eSIM providers in Iceland have to offer, but before we dive into it, let’s have a quick look at how they match up in some of the main categories.
| eSIM Features | Holafly | Vodafone Iceland | Siminn Iceland | Nomad |
| Do they charge for the eSIM? | No | No | No | Np |
| Top-Up | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tethering / Hotspot | Yes, up to 500MBs per day | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic installation | Yes, on iOS devices | No | No | No |
| Networks | Orange | Vodafone | Siminn | Vodafone, Siminn, etc. |
| Buy online | Yes | No | No | Yes |
1. Holafly
Holafly has grown to be one of the most popular eSIM options in Iceland, and it’s easy to see why. The provider includes unlimited data with all eSIM plans, no matter how long or short your stay is.
The plans start at US$6 for a 1-day plan and go up to $139 for a 90-day plan. The great thing is that the duration of your eSIM plan is completely flexible, so you can choose the exact number of days that you need coverage for.
You can buy and activate your eSIM data plans through the Holafly website or apps for iOS and Android. And if you encounter any issues or simply have questions, you can always contact Holafly’s 24/7 customer support team via live chat, email, or WhatsApp.
On top of providing unlimited data, Holafly allows you to share up to 500 MB of mobile data every day via a hotspot. So you can cover the essential needs of those traveling with you all with a single eSIM card.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Unlimited data with all plans;
- Data sharing of up to 500 MB/day;
- Automatic installation on iOS devices;
- Android and iOS apps;
- 24/7 customer support.
- Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t have a phone call or SMS functionality, but thanks to unlimited data, you can make calls through VOIP apps.
2. Vodafone
Vodafone is a popular carrier in Europe, and it’s also available to use in Iceland. But since it is a local carrier, the process for travelers to get an eSIM is more complicated. The main difficulty here is that you can’t buy a Vodafone eSIM online and have to visit a physical store instead.
While data plans are available for travelers, these can only be used with traditional SIM cards in Iceland. To get an eSIM, you have to purchase one of their prepaid or postpaid data plans which start at $78, and go all the way up to $209.
While these data plans include phone calls and text messages, the price is not worth it for most travelers, especially because the purchase process is more complicated compared to choosing an international eSIM provider.
The customer support is also limited to the working hours of Vodafone centers in Iceland, soyou may not be able to get immediate help if your card isn’t working.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Include phone calls and text messages;
- Work with 5G networks;
- Offers data sharing.
- Disadvantages:
- Only physical SIM cards are available for purchase by travelers;
- Can only be bought at a physical store.
3. Siminn
Siminn is another local network provider you can try when visiting Iceland. However, unlike Vodafone they do offer eSIM functionality in Iceland.
That said, the plan choices are quite limited. You can get 10 GB of data, 50 minutes of calls, and 50 SMS messages for 3,000 ISK (~$22), and if you run out, you can get a top-up for another 1,000 ISK (~$7.30). The plan also includes data roaming in over 50 countries.
It’s worth mentioning that getting an eSIM from Siminn isn’t exactly easy if you don’t speak Icelandic. They allow you to purchase via their website or iOS and Android apps, but they only have one page translated to English on their website, and you have to take on the rest of the purchasing process with the help of a translator app.
It also seems like the company adds VAT charges in the checkout process, so the end cost of an eSIM plan may be larger than anticipated.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Include phone calls and text messages;
- Available to use roaming services outside Iceland;
- Includes data sharing.
- Disadvantages:
- Harder for travelers to access an eSIM.
- No unlimited data plans;
- No 24/7 customer support.
4. Nomad
The last option from the list is Nomad. This carrier is similar to Holafly, as it focuses solely on providing eSIMs to travelers for places such as Iceland.
Nomad works with limited data packages using the Nova, Vodafone, Landssiminn, and Siminn networks in Iceland. It offers 4G/LTE and 5G connectivity with its plans, depending on where you are, and doesn’t offer phone calls or text messages.
As for the available data plans, the company offers data packages that range from 1GB to 10GB and are fixed to either 7 or 30 days. The prices start from $6 for 1 GB of data through 7 days and go up to $19 for 10 GB of data through 30 days.
Upon getting an Iceland eSIM plan, you have up to 60 days to activate it and start using your eSIM.
The company has dedicated apps for iOS and Android, which make it easier for you to purchase plans, activate them, and monitor your data usage. Unfortunately, they don’t offer 24/7 customer support, and your only option to contact them is to fill out a support ticket.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Offers 4G/LTE data speeds;
- Available to activate within 60 days after the purchase;
- Collaborates with all major service providers in Iceland.
- Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t offer unlimited data packages;
- Lacks of variety in the data package duration;
- No 24/7 customer support.
What are the requirements to use an eSIM in Iceland?
If you plan to get an eSIM to visit Iceland, there are some requirements to keep in mind. These might vary depending on the carrier travelers use, so it’s important to read them before traveling!
- Check that your device is eSIM-compatible before purchasing.
- Local carriers can ask for different requirements before providing an eSIM, so it’s important to visit a local store to know more about them.
- Check that your device has open-bands to use local networks in Iceland.
- You need to have access to an internet connection to activate your eSIM.
In conclusion: what’s the best eSIM for Iceland?
The answer to what is the best eSIM for Iceland depends on your needs, but if you need unlimited data, flexible plan length, and an eSIM that’s easy to use and activate — Holafly might be the best fit for you.
Before you go out and buy yourself an eSIM, let’s quickly recap some of the main points to consider.
Which eSIM for Iceland offers more data
Holafly offers unlimited data in all its data packages. This option is ideal for your Icelandic adventure since you never have to monitor your data usage or worry about running out.
Which eSIM for Iceland offers data sharing?
All the eSIMs we mentioned offer data sharing in Iceland. However, when comparing them, Holafly is the best option. Vodafone and Siminn allow data sharing, but as a traveler is harder to get an eSIM from these companies. On the other hand, Nomad also allows using the hotspot feature, but they only offer a limited data package to travelers.
That’s why the Holafly eSIM for Iceland is the best option, as it offers 500MBs of data sharing per day with their unlimited data packages!
FAQ about eSIM card for Iceland
Yes. Companies like Holafly offer eSIMs for travelers that connect with local networks. In this case, it works with the Orange network, which allows the use of 4G/LTE networks in the country.
Yes. Different companies are offering multi-country eSIMs. One of the best options is the Holafly eSIM for Europe. It offers coverage in different European countries, including Iceland, and the data packages available are unlimited, with data sharing included!
If you are planning the best time to visit Iceland and the UK in a single trip, chances are you need an eSIM to stay connected in both countries. The Holafly eSIM for Europe allows you to connect in both while using unlimited data and data sharing!
