There is nothing like arriving in Austria, ready to dive into strudel, Alpine lakes and Mozart-heavy playlists, only to realise you have no internet connection and not a single clue where your hotel actually is!
I have been that person before. A twenty-year-old traveller wandering around Vienna Hauptbahnhof pretending to be calm while secretly praying that some kind of public wifi signal will appear like a miracle!
These days I refuse to start a trip like that. Reliable data is as essential as my passport, my snack stash and my travel pillow.
On my most recent Austrian adventure, my Holafly eSIM was the hero of the whole trip.
It meant no faffing with physical SIM cards, no surprise charges and absolute peace of mind.
Internet connectivity in Austria really matters. You need it to navigate trams in Vienna, check train times in Salzburg, book last-minute mountain excursions in Tyrol and find out when the next strudel tasting is happening near you.
After several years of travelling with a Holafly eSIM, my Austrian trip confirmed it once again.
An eSIM is simply the best option for staying connected abroad – unlimited data, instant activation and total simplicity.
That is how I travelled without a single moment of digital stress!
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Best Cities to Visit in Austria and How I Used My Holafly eSIM
Vienna is the kind of city where a working map is essential because everything looks grand enough to be the parliament building.
I used my travel eSIM to navigate from the airport straight to my hotel with zero fuss.
Unlimited data meant I could keep Google Maps open all day without worrying whether I was draining my allowance.
I also relied on translation apps for menus full of deliciously complicated pastries and ordering coffee correctly in cafés that take their coffee culture very seriously.
But Salzburg was where my Holafly eSIM really came into its own.
Between Sound of Music filming locations and gorgeous mountain viewpoints, I used my phone almost constantly.
Public transport apps, walking routes, restaurant searches, last minute tour bookings.
Thanks to unlimited data, everything loaded instantly and I did not have to hunt wifi once. It was bliss!
I even uploaded reels to Instagram from Hohensalzburg Fortress without a single buffering wheel in sight.
Graz is another Austrian highlight.
This creative city is full of independent shops, murals and quirky cafés, which meant I needed my online maps more than ever.
The streets twist and turn in ways that made me question my internal compass.
My Holafly eSIM with unlimited data saved the day repeatedly.
I used it to find a vegan sausage stand, locate an Art Nouveau lift hidden inside a hill, and book a last minute room when I decided to extend my stay.
Having seamless connectivity turned me into a far more spontaneous traveller, mainly because I knew I could sort logistics instantly.
Best Music and Cultural Festivals in Austria and Why an eSIM Is Essential
Austria loves a festival! From opera celebrations to electronic nights and wine-soaked regional parties, it is a country that knows how to put on a show.
Having an eSIM with unlimited data is honestly a survival tool when you are trying to enjoy the chaos.
At Vienna’s Donauinselfest, which attracts millions, you can use your Holafly eSIM to keep track of friends when inevitably you became separated in the crowd. Messages sent instantly, location sharing working perfectly and you’ll never once panicked about losing everyone!
Unlimited data means you can upload as many festival snaps as you want without mentally calculating megabytes too!
During the Salzburg Festival, you can use your eSIM for ticket checks, Google Lens translations for German cultural notes and researching surprising facts about Mozart to make yourself sound clever over dinner!
Meanwhile in Innsbruck, at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, you can rely on real time maps to find food trucks and toilets that aren’t 4km away – very useful!
The best part is never needing to connect to public wifi, which is both insecure and unreliable in crowded events.
With a Holafly eSIM, you can feel digitally invincible.
Hidden Gems in Austria and How My eSIM Helped Me Discover Them
One thing Austria excels at is hiding ridiculously beautiful spots behind mountain bends, forest paths and tiny funicular stations.
My unlimited data eSIM for Austria helped me find places I would never have discovered on my own.
Take the village of Maria Alm.
I ended up there because I was browsing travel blogs on my Holafly data while on a bus through the Hochkönig region.
Ten minutes later I had booked a sunset cable car ticket online.
Unlimited data means spontaneous decisions are almost too easy.
In Styria I wandered through apple orchards and visited a small thermal spa I found thanks to browsing on my phone.
I even used my Holafly eSIM to translate a conversation with an elderly local man who insisted on explaining how schnapps is properly made!
Having constant internet also made me safer.
I used maps for hiking routes, checked weather alerts instantly and booked taxis when mountain storms rolled in unexpectedly.
Hallstatt, Austria’s Most Famous Village
Hallstatt deserves its own paragraph because my Holafly eSIM saved me from total chaos there.
The village is stunning, yes, but it is also extremely popular.
Navigation, train connections, ferry timetables, restaurant queues, photography tips – I needed all of it!
Unlimited data meant everything loaded immediately, even in peak tourist hours.
I even used my eSIM from Holafly to research the quietest times to visit the viewpoint.
I booked a hidden nearby hotel on the spot when I decided to stay longer.
Travelling Hallstatt with seamless connectivity turns what can be a slightly overwhelming day trip into a beautifully manageable adventure.
What is an eSIM and How Does it Work?
An eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card built directly into your phone.
Instead of physically swapping out cards, you install a data plan digitally.
It is basically the SIM card of the future.
You buy an eSIM online, receive the details instantly and install it through settings on your phone.
With a Holafly eSIM, the process is astonishingly fast.
They send your eSIM via email and WhatsApp, usually within one minute of purchase.
You can install it in three ways. The classic QR code method, a manual setup inside your settings, or a one button installation if your phone runs on iOS 17.4 or higher.
Once installed, your travel eSIM works alongside your physical SIM as soon as you land, and so you can keep your original number for WhatsApp and calls if needed.
Why Holafly Is the Best eSIM for Travelling in Austria
After trying several providers over the years, Holafly has become my go to for Austria.
The unlimited data is unbeatable for exploring cities, rural villages and mountainous regions where wifi is patchy and their eSIMs boast hotspot capabilities too.
Thanks to their customisable day plans, you only pay for the exact number of days you need (from 1 up to 90 days), meaning there are no hidden fees and no bill shock waiting for you at home.
Unlimited means unlimited, always.
Holafly is trusted by over 10 million travellers and has a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 from more than 70,000 reviews. That alone gave me confidence.
The fact that they offer a six month refund policy if your travel plans change is rare and incredibly useful.
You can buy your Holafly eSIM through their website at esim.holafly.com or through their app, which makes it easy to manage your plan on the go.
They also offer a data calculator to help you estimate how much data you normally use, although with unlimited data plans the maths becomes wonderfully irrelevant!
Their 24/7 support team is another big perk. I used them once in Spain at a ridiculous hour and they solved my issue immediately. It is reassuring to know the help exists even if you never need it.
Checking Phone Compatibility
Before you buy an eSIM online, you need to make sure your phone supports eSIM technology.
Most modern iPhones, Google Pixels and higher end Samsung models are compatible, but some older or budget phones are not.
Holafly has a compatibility list on their website, so check before you purchase.
If your phone is eligible, installation is incredibly simple.
How to Install a Holafly eSIM
Once you order your Holafly eSIM, it arrives almost instantly by email and WhatsApp.
QR code method: Open your camera, scan the QR code and follow the prompts.
Manual installation: Copy the details into your phone settings if you prefer doing it manually.
One tap install: Available for iOS 17.4 and above. You tap the button and the eSIM installs like magic.
After installation, select Holafly as the mobile data line and keep your physical SIM for calls and WhatsApp.
When you land in Austria, your unlimited data eSIM will activate automatically.
Holafly eSIM FAQs
Is the Holafly eSIM really unlimited?
Yes. Unlimited data means you never need to top up or track usage. It is ideal for navigating Austria’s cities and mountains without worrying.
Can I keep my WhatsApp number?
Yes. Your physical SIM stays in your phone, so your original number and contacts remain active.
Does Holafly work everywhere in Austria?
Yes. I used it across Vienna, Salzburg, Tyrol, Hallstatt and rural Styria without issues.
How do I buy an eSIM online?
You can buy a Holafly eSIM directly through their website or the app. The delivery is instant.
What if my travel plans change?
Holafly offers a 6 month refund policy.
What if something goes wrong?
Their 24/7 support team can help you via WhatsApp, chat or email.
Is Holafly the best eSIM for Austria?
In my experience, absolutely. The unlimited data, instant activation and simple setup make it perfect for Austrian travel.
Should I Buy an Holafly eSIM if I’m Visiting Multiple Countries in Europe?
Yes, the Holafly Europe regional eSIM is perfect if you’re including other European countries beyond Austria in your travel plans.
Travelling Austria without Worries Thanks to Holafly
Travelling through Austria with unlimited data felt like travelling on easy mode.
There were no frantic searches for wifi, no swapping SIM cards on café tables, no hidden fees and no stress.
From big cities to tiny lakeside villages, my Holafly eSIM kept me connected every minute of the trip.
If you want the same peace of mind, I highly recommend giving it a try.
Buy your Holafly eSIM online today and use code BIGWORLDSMALLPOCKETS for a 5% discount!
Then simply install it before your flight and enjoy the luxury of arriving in Austria already connected.
Travel has enough challenges. Your internet connection should not be one of them!
This article was sponsored by Holafly but, as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
