Last updated: January 2026
You're planning a two-week trip to Spain. A 10GB eSIM package costs €14. Sounds reasonable — until you come home having used only 3GB. Seven gigabytes vanish into the void. That's nearly €10 you'll never see again.
This happens to millions of travelers every year. The eSIM industry has largely adopted the package model because it's profitable — providers make money whether you use your data or not. But there's an alternative that most comparison sites ignore: pay-as-you-go eSIM with per-KB billing.
This guide breaks down both pricing models with real numbers, so you can choose the one that actually fits how you travel.
The Two eSIM Pricing Models
Before diving into numbers, let's clarify what we're comparing.
Package Model vs Pay-As-You-Go: Core Differences
| Feature | Package Model | Pay-As-You-Go |
|---|---|---|
| How you buy | Fixed bundles (5GB, 10GB, 20GB) | Top up any amount (€5, €25, €100) |
| Validity | 7, 15, 30, or 90 days | Rolling or lifetime balance |
| Unused data | Lost when validity ends | Carries forward to next trip |
| Billing precision | Per-GB chunks | Per-KB |
| Multi-country | Usually separate package per country/region | One balance works globally |
| Example providers | Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad | Surfroam |
How Package-Based eSIM Works
Most travel eSIM providers use the package model. You buy a fixed amount of data valid for a specific time period.
Typical offerings (January 2026 prices):
- 5GB / 30 days — €5-9 (mainstream providers like Airalo: €8-9)
- 10GB / 30 days — €9-16 (Airalo: €14, Jetpac: ~€9.50)
- 20GB / 30 days — €12-22 (Airalo: €20, Ubigi: ~€12)
- Unlimited / 7-10 days — €10-30 (budget options: ~€10, Holafly: ~€27)
The catch: Your package expires when either limit is reached first. Use 10GB in 3 days? Done. Use only 2GB but 30 days pass? Also done — and those 8GB are gone.
For predictable trips where you know exactly how much data you'll use and when, packages can work well. The problem is that most trips aren't predictable.
How Pay-As-You-Go eSIM Works
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) eSIMs flip the model. Instead of buying data blocks, you top up your account balance and spend it as needed.
How it works:
- Top up your account (€15, €25, €50 — any amount)
- Travel anywhere covered by your eSIM
- Pay per-MB for actual data used
- Unused balance stays for your next trip
Per-country rates example (Surfroam ULTRA):
- Spain: €0.75/GB
- USA: €0.95/GB
- Japan: €2.85/GB
- Thailand: €0.85/GB
The key difference: you're not buying "10GB for Spain." You're funding an account that works in 190+ countries, deducting only what you actually consume.
Real Cost Comparison: 5 Scenarios
Let's run real numbers. We'll compare a typical package provider (Airalo pricing as of January 2026) with pay-as-you-go (Surfroam ULTRA rates).
Scenario 1: Perfect Fit (You Use Exactly What You Buy)
| Package (Airalo) | 10GB / 30 days = €14.00 |
| Pay-As-You-Go (Surfroam ULTRA) | 10GB × €0.75 = €7.50 |
| Winner | Pay-As-You-Go by €6.50 (46% cheaper) |
Even in the best-case scenario for packages — using every byte — Surfroam ULTRA beats Airalo in popular destinations. Turkey is a perfect example where PAYG rates are nearly half the package price.
Scenario 2: Typical Traveler (Uses 60% of Package)
| Package (Airalo) | €14.00 paid, 4GB wasted = effective €2.33/GB |
| Pay-As-You-Go (Surfroam ULTRA) | 6GB × €0.75 = €4.50 |
| Savings with PAYG | €9.50 (68%) |
This is the most common scenario. Research suggests average travelers use 40-70% of their purchased data packages. The waste compounds quickly.
Scenario 3: Multi-Country Trip
| Package approach | 3 separate country eSIMs: ~€6 + €5 + €5 = €16+ |
| Regional package (Europe) | 15GB Europe = €11-13 |
| Pay-As-You-Go | 12GB × €0.75 (EU rate) = €9.00 |
| Savings with PAYG | €2-7 depending on approach |
Multi-country trips amplify PAYG advantages. One balance, no package expiration stress, no leftover data in each country.
Scenario 4: Light User (WiFi Mostly)
| Package (smallest available) | 1GB = €2-3 → wasted 500MB |
| Pay-As-You-Go | 500MB × €0.75 = €0.38 |
| Savings with PAYG | €1.62-2.62 (80%+) |
Light users lose the most with packages. The minimum package size forces overpayment.
Scenario 5: Frequent Traveler (4 Trips/Year)
| Package approach | 4 × 5GB packages = 4 × €5 = €20 (12GB wasted over year) |
| Pay-As-You-Go | 12GB actual use × €0.75-1.15 = €9-14 |
| Annual savings | €6-11 |
Frequent travelers compound savings across the year. Plus: no re-purchasing, no activation hassle, one account to manage.
When Packages Actually Win (Fewer Cases Than You Think)
We used to say packages win for "heavy users." But with Surfroam ULTRA rates at €0.75/GB in Europe and Turkey, even heavy usage often favors pay-as-you-go:
| Usage | Package (Airalo) | PAYG (Surfroam ULTRA) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10GB Turkey | €14 | €7.50 | PAYG by 46% |
| 20GB Turkey | €20 | €15.00 | PAYG by 25% |
| 10GB Spain | €14 | €7.50 | PAYG by 46% |
| 20GB Japan | ~€22 | €57.00 | Package |
Packages genuinely win only in:
- Unlimited streamers — If you'll stream Netflix for 6+ hours daily, "unlimited" packages with fair use policies beat per-GB
- A handful of expensive destinations — Remote locations like Bermuda, Greenland, Vanuatu where PAYG rates are higher. These countries are few, and we're continuously improving rates
- Budget certainty — You prefer fixed cost over optimization
The Global eSIM Comparison (Multi-Country)
For world travelers, providers offer "global" eSIMs. Here's how they compare:
| Provider | Coverage | Model | Cost Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo Discover | 136 countries | Package: 10GB/180 days | ~€52 ($57) |
| Holafly Global | 113+ countries | Subscription: Unlimited/month | ~€59/month ($64.90) |
| Surfroam PLUS | 190+ countries | PAYG: Lifetime balance | From €5 (pay per use) |
| Surfroam Global | 220+ countries | PAYG: Multi-IMSI | From €25 (pay per use) |
Key insight: Airalo/Holafly global packages are country-agnostic but still expire. Surfroam's global coverage uses the same OneBalance system — no expiration, pay only for usage.
When Pay-As-You-Go Wins
PAYG excels in situations packages struggle with:
- Variable usage — Don't know how much you'll need? Pay for actuals only
- Multi-country trips — One balance across all destinations
- Frequent travelers — Top up once, use across multiple trips
- Light users — No minimum package waste
- Unpredictable schedules — Trip extended? Shortened? No expiration stress
- Emergency backup — Keep topped up for when you need it
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Raw per-GB pricing doesn't tell the whole story. Consider these often-overlooked factors:
1. The "Guessing Tax"
With packages, you must predict your usage before traveling. Studies show travelers consistently overestimate needs by 30-50%. This "safety buffer" becomes pure waste.
PAYG eliminates this tax entirely — you spend what you spend.
2. Multi-Trip Friction
Each package purchase means: browsing plans → selecting → paying → downloading → activating. Multiply by 4-6 trips per year, and the time cost adds up.
PAYG: Top up once, travel everywhere, done.
3. Mid-Trip Top-Up Risk
What happens when your package runs out mid-trip?
- Buy another package (often only available in larger sizes)
- Provider website may be blocked (Turkey blocks 30+ eSIM providers)
- Payment issues abroad (cards declined, 3D Secure problems)
PAYG with pre-loaded balance: connection is self-contained, no mid-trip purchases needed.
4. Expiration Anxiety
Package users constantly monitor two clocks: data remaining AND days remaining. Flight delayed by 2 days? Your 7-day package might expire before you land.
PAYG with rolling or lifetime validity removes this stress entirely.
Quick Decision Framework
Use this framework to choose your model:
| Your Situation | Best Model | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One destination, predictable heavy use | Package | Fixed cost, unlimited options |
| Multiple countries in one trip | Pay-As-You-Go | One balance works everywhere |
| Travel 2+ times per year | Pay-As-You-Go | Balance carries forward |
| Light data user (WiFi mostly) | Pay-As-You-Go | No minimum package waste |
| Unpredictable trip length | Pay-As-You-Go | No expiration anxiety |
| Want backup eSIM ready | Pay-As-You-Go | Balance waits until needed |
| Budget certainty is priority | Package | Known cost upfront |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to unused data with a package-based eSIM?
With most package-based eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad), unused data is lost when the validity period ends. If you buy 10GB for 30 days and use only 4GB, the remaining 6GB is deleted. Pay-as-you-go eSIMs keep your unused balance for future trips.
Is pay-as-you-go eSIM cheaper than data packages?
It depends on your usage pattern. For exact-fit trips where you use 100% of purchased data, packages may be similar per-GB. For variable usage, multi-country trips, or infrequent travelers, pay-as-you-go typically saves 20-40% by eliminating waste.
Which eSIM model is best for frequent travelers?
Pay-as-you-go with non-expiring balance is ideal for frequent travelers. You top up once, use what you need across multiple trips and countries, and your remaining balance carries forward. No re-purchasing packages for each destination.
Can I use one eSIM for multiple countries with pay-as-you-go?
Yes. Global pay-as-you-go eSIMs work across 190+ countries with one balance. You don't need separate packages for each destination. The rate adjusts by country, but your balance is universal.
How do I avoid wasting money on eSIM data?
Choose a pay-as-you-go eSIM with non-expiring balance. You pay only for data you actually use, and any unused credit stays available for your next trip. This eliminates the guesswork of choosing package sizes.
What is per-KB billing on eSIM?
Per-KB billing means you're charged for exact data consumption, not pre-set chunks. If you use 847MB, you pay for 847MB — not rounded up to 1GB. This granular billing maximizes value for light and variable users.
Do pay-as-you-go eSIMs expire?
The eSIM profile itself doesn't expire. Balance validity varies by provider: some require annual top-ups (Surfroam PLUS), others have 30-day rolling validity (Surfroam ULTRA), and some truly never expire. Always check the specific provider's policy.
Choose Your Travel eSIM
Pay-as-you-go pricing that actually saves money:
GLOBAL eSIM
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Get GLOBAL eSIMTravel SIM PLUS (global coverage, year-long validity) or GLOBAL SIM (220+ countries, Multi-IMSI).
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Stay online worldwide with Surfroam, the trusted travel connectivity provider.
Pay-as-you-go eSIM offers a smarter alternative to traditional data packages. Instead of buying fixed bundles that expire, you top up your balance and spend only what you use. Surfroam pioneered this model in 2016, before most travel eSIM providers existed.
With pay-as-you-go pricing, unused data carries forward to your next trip. No more guessing how much you'll need, no more wasted money on expiring packages. Whether you're visiting one country or traveling across multiple destinations, one balance works everywhere.
Surfroam's OneBalance system covers 220+ countries with per-KB billing precision. Choose Travel eSIM ULTRA for occasional trips, Travel eSIM PLUS for frequent travel, or GLOBAL eSIM for maximum coverage in remote destinations.
Last updated: January 2026