The Best eSIM for Internet When Traveling to Asia

Staying connected while traveling in Asia is essential, whether you're navigating bustling streets in Tokyo, booking a Grab in Bangkok, or finding the best street food in Ho Chi Minh City.

After testing various options, I can confidently say that eSIMs for Asia are the easiest and most cost-effective way to get reliable mobile internet abroad—no more hunting for local SIM cards or dealing with roaming fees.

With an eSIM for travel, you can activate a data plan for Asia instantly on your phone, skipping the hassle of physical SIM cards. But not all eSIM providers are created equal. Some offer unlimited data, while others provide regional eSIMs that work across multiple countries, perfect for travelers hopping between Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond.

iRoamly - #1 Travel Sim Card for Asia (Network Coverage Everywhere)

In this guide, I’ll compare the best eSIM providers for Asia, evaluating them on coverage, speed, price, and compatibility. Whether you're a digital nomad, a frequent business traveler, or just on vacation, I’ll help you find the best eSIM for Asia so you can stay connected without breaking the bank.

Let’s dive in and explore the top eSIM options for seamless internet access across Asia

Internet in Asia, SIM cards and eSIM

For most trips, the problem of having internet on your phone is quickly solved by purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival, or an eSIM valid for that country before you leave. But what about a trip that involves visiting several countries ?

Asia , and more specifically Southeast Asia , is an ideal region to plan an adventure that crosses different borders, in the purest backpacker style. In fact, the first big trip we took was precisely here, back in 2011, and we fell so in love with this land that we return to Asia every year since then.

On that trip, the only way to get a mobile connection was to buy a SIM card during the first few days after arriving in a new country. You end up having a collection of these little chips of all colors and brands. However, with new technologies and the emergence of eSIMs, this process has been greatly simplified, and there are even options that allow you to use a single eSIM for the entire trip through Asia , working in all countries, without having to make any adjustments.

Throughout this article we will focus on these two ways to have internet in Asia: local SIM cards VS a single eSIM for the entire trip.

We have ruled out using our operator's international roaming , as it would be extremely expensive, as well as the so-called pocket wifi , devices that emit an internet signal to which you can connect. They are something like wireless routers that you rent and carry with you during the trip, but which, we believe, are not at all practical (or economical).

We're not just limiting ourselves to free Wi-Fi in hotels and restaurants. In Asia, these networks are extremely widespread and usually very fast, but having internet on your mobile will make this type of trip much easier: ordering a Grab, looking at restaurant reviews, opening Google Maps, sending WhatsApp messages, etc. are things you'll do every day.

We will discuss how to have internet in Asia below, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the different alternatives , and sharing with you our own experiences and recommendations:

best eSIM card for Asia

1. Buy a SIM card in every country in Asia

This is the standard method, the one that we, the novice travellers like us, have always used. We have been travelling around the world for a few years now. It involves carrying an unlocked phone into which we insert a SIM card from a local telecommunications company , which we will buy when we reach our destination.

It is not the most comfortable solution , as it requires prior planning, gathering information about which are the best operators in each country, as well as having to find the right store, choose the plan that best suits our situation (let's not forget the language barrier), install the SIM and pay. It is a process that can be a bit cumbersome, but it will allow you to save some money, making this the cheapest alternative to have internet in Asia.

Below we summarize the main advantages and disadvantages of choosing SIM cards for a trip to Asia:

+ You will have a local number, being able to make and receive national calls.

+ You can share the connection with other devices.

+ There are several operators to choose from, each with their own rates and offers.

+ The total price will be slightly lower, provided you opt for economic plans.

– You will need to purchase a SIM card every time you cross into a new country.

– The purchasing process can be slow, frustrating and tiring (and we are increasingly less interested in it).

– Prices vary greatly between official shops and counters at airports, giving the impression of being cheated.

– Data is not unlimited, so you will need to regulate your internet usage.

– On phones without Dual SIM, you will have to replace your usual card with a new one.

Best SIM card for internet in Asia

2. A single eSIM for the entire trip to Asia

Just one card for the whole trip? Indeed, the Asia eSIM is intended for those travellers who are planning an adventure across several countries on this continent, and who want to avoid the inconvenient process of changing to a different SIM card at each destination.

If you are not familiar with this term, you should know that eSIMs are virtual cards that can be activated on your mobile phone without having to buy a physical card. The only essential requirement is that your phone is compatible with this technology ( you can check the models here ).

Its great advantage is that you can leave it installed before starting the trip and you won't need to change it or make any extra adjustments when crossing borders between countries. Among the companies that offer these services, we usually recommend Holafly , which has specialized in eSIMs for any destination in the world.

The countries included in this Asian eSIM are : South Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Laos. If you are also going to travel through China , we recommend reading our article on how to have internet in China , with extra tips for having internet during your trip to the Asian giant. In this case, Holafly's China eSIM already includes the VPN that will help you "skip" the Great Firewall.

As for the price , it tends to be a bit more expensive, especially for long trips, as the final cost depends on the number of days the trip lasts. But if, for example, you plan to spend 15 days, visiting Thailand, Vietnam and a quick foray into Cambodia, it is possible that it will be even cheaper to buy an eSIM than 3 local SIM cards, especially if you do it at the airports.

We summarize the pros and cons of choosing to buy an eSIM to have internet on a trip to Asia:

+ The order is online and you can do it from anywhere in the world, even if you are already in Asia.

+ Installation is quick and easy, using a QR code that will be sent to you instantly by email.

+ The data is unlimited, which allows you to use your mobile as much as you want.

+ You won't need to remove your primary SIM, so you can continue receiving calls or SMS on your usual number.

+ You will be connected from the moment you land until the end of your trip.

+ You avoid searching for a local SIM at each destination.

+ They offer 24-hour assistance via WhatsApp in case of any malfunction during the trip.

– Not all phones have an integrated eSIM.

– Only allows sharing 500 Mb per day with other devices.

– The price will be higher.

– You will not be able to make local calls, although you can use apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, etc., without any extra cost or adjustment.

This is the Holafly eSIM card for Asia that we recommend. You also benefit from a 5% discount already applied in the link.

best eSIM card for Asia

FAQs about SIM and eSIM cards in Asia

To conclude our guide on how to have internet in Asia, we answer the questions that usually arise when you are immersed in the search for this information:

› Will I need to buy multiple SIM cards or just one?

It depends on the option you choose. If you want to use local operators, you will need to buy a SIM card every time you enter a new country. On the other hand, there is an eSIM for Asia from Holafly that allows you to have internet on your phone throughout your trip, including border crossings.

› Will I be able to use WhatsApp?

Yes, in all cases. Remember that WhatsApp works simply with an internet connection, regardless of the source of the connection, so you can use it without having to make any adjustments.

› Which option do we recommend?

For short trips visiting several Asian countries, the option of a single eSIM is very attractive, especially to save you some hassle. If you don't mind spending some time and effort, buying local SIM cards will be a bit cheaper.

› What is the internet like in Asia?

This continent boasts the fastest internet connection in the world, as we saw on our trip to South Korea, for example. Plus, rates are quite affordable compared to other countries.

› Will I need a VPN?

It's not strictly necessary, but it's recommended to use this type of tool to browse safely when using Wi-Fi networks.

internet in Asia

In conclusion, having internet access during your trip to Asia is essential to fully enjoy your trip, and it's becoming easier thanks to new technologies.

Whether you purchase a local SIM in each country or opt for a single eSIM for Asia, there's always a solution to suit your needs and budget. Get ready to explore and stay online without complications.

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