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Question

Should I get TooSIM for Europe or is train Wi-Fi more reliable when crossing borders?

  • May 13, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 34 views

Hello there!

I understand that many Eurail trains have it, but from my past experience with other trips I know you can't trust it 100%. I'm worried that at the worst moment it might drop out or be very very slow. So I'm thinking of getting an eSIM as a backup.

I've been looking at TooSIM for Europe. They advertise an automatic network switching feature at the border. From what I've read, it works good across Europe and costs less than other eSIMs like Airalo right now. I need 10GB and TooSIM costs $17 while Airalo is $31 for the same data plan.

I'll be crossing borders 2-3 times a day on the train. Will eSIM keep working while the train is moving or is the train Wi-Fi better for that? Has anyone tested this? Is a backup eSIM even necessary or has onboard Wi-Fi become better lately?

3 replies

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  • Full steam ahead
  • May 13, 2026

@TeresaW 

Not all European trains have Wi-Fi. For example, in Switzerland, only a few international trains have it. It depends on the country and if you take long-distance or local trains.

The reception with eSIMs can also be very poor. Sometimes you have only 2G or 3G, or no reception at all (e.g. in tunnels). And Wi-Fi use the same networks, if you don’t have a connection with your eSIM, Wi-Fi will not work better.


ralderton
Railmaster
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  • Railmaster
  • May 13, 2026

It’s been a while since I needed to buy an eSIM, but a quick check suggests that’s about the right price.

Do check that your SIM covers you for any non-EU countries you may be going through (eg Switzerland, UK).

I would 100% be wanting data on my phone, rather than rely on wifi. Not just for my pass, but for checking timetables during disruption, and for Google Maps & Translate, if nothing else. Some trains have decent wifi; others have none, or are unusable (Eurostar, for example).

Yes, they work fine at speed. IIRC, the GSM specifications were designed with high-speed rail in mind.


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  • Railly clever
  • May 14, 2026

I managed to do switzerland without mobile data. As i did not feel like paying extra just for 4 days (but i had to go back to my hostel once because i forgot to activate my travel day.) But many trains dont have wifi, so do not rely on that. 

But recently i changed provider so that switzerland is also included. (i am from Germany ) If you need for example switzerland make sure your esim includes it.

Network switching at the border usually works well. Although i once had issues with the slowakian network where it took me 30mins to get a connection. (but once it started wirking the connection was fine, no idea what was going on there )