What’s the best eSIM for travelling in Asia?
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Over the last decade of travelling across Asia – from hopping between islands and working on cruise ships to backpacking through busy city streets– I’ve stopped panicking over local SIM cards the moment I step off a plane or ship.
Port-to-port and country-to-country, juggling tiny plastic SIMs and long registration lines just doesn’t fit into the rhythm of life on the move.
That’s where eSIMs come in. In theory, an eSIM should just work anywhere, but in practice, not all eSIMs are equal across Asia. Coverage, pricing, and reliability can vary a lot between regions, which means the best eSIM for Asia isn’t always obvious at a glance.
In this guide, I’ve researched what the best eSIMs for Asia look like in 2026 – from options that offer great value across multiple countries, to plans that suit both short holiday stays and longer travel stints.
I’ve also included insights that might help if you’re planning a best eSIM for Asia cruise route or a multi-stop trip, without having to swap SIM cards at every border.
Whether you’re planning your first trip, you’ve been travelling for years, or you just want something simple that works across Asia, this post breaks down the top eSIM choices worth considering.
What’s the best eSIM for Asia?
The short answer is that the best eSIM is the one that matches your trip, your data habits, and your tolerance for hassle. If you’re not hopping countries every few days or tracking price-per-GB like a spreadsheet hobbyist (most people aren’t), there’s no single “best value” across the board.
That said, here’s the quick summary:
For a well-established, familiar choice, go with Airalo.
For unlimited data and heavy usage, choose Holafly.
For regional coverage with practical extras, choose Jetpac.
For value with built-in security, choose Saily.
Airalo is the one I’ve used the most. It was my first eSIM, and the one I keep coming back to.
If you want a bit more context, it’s this: comparing eSIMs can get overwhelming fast. Each provider offers dozens of single-country and regional plans with different data caps, durations, and country coverage that don’t line up neatly.
Instead of chasing the “perfect” plan, narrowing your choice to a few trusted providers and checking their price-per-GB for your specific trip will get you about 80% of the way there – without getting lost in dozens of provider tables that don’t line up cleanly.
Read on for the long answer, comparing four of the best eSIMs for Asia and how they fit into real travel across the region…
Comparing the best eSIMs for travelling in Asia
| Best for | Regional plans relevant to Asia | Example starting price | Standout trait | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Familiar, low-risk choice | Asia; MENA | From $4 / 1GB (3 days) | Easy top-ups, widely trusted |
| Holafly | Heavy data users | Asia; Japan & Korea; Japan & China; Greater China | From $3.90 / day (unlimited) | No data tracking or caps |
| Jetpac | Budget travellers | SE Asia; Asia-Pacific; Greater China; MENA | From $4 / 1GB (4 days) | Essential apps access after data runs out |
| Saily | Privacy-conscious travellers | Asia & Oceania; MENA | From $4.99 / 1GB (7 days) | Built-in security + unlimited hotspot |
All of these providers also offer single-country plans, which are usually cheaper if you’re staying put. Regional plans cost more because they cover more ground, but they make sense if you’re crossing borders, travelling longer term, or simply don’t want to rethink connectivity every time your location changes.
In practice, most eSIMs behave similarly: they’re data-only, rely on local mobile networks, and vary by country more than by brand.
Airalo – the familiar, low-risk choice with the widest range of plans
Airalo is often the first eSIM people try – and that familiarity is a big part of its appeal. It’s a well-established platform, widely used, and feels low-risk if you just want something that works without surprises.
Its regional plans cover Asia as well as the Middle East & North Africa, with the Asia plan offering one of the broadest ranges of durations available. Data starts at 1 GB for 3 days, with options for 7, 15, and 30 days, extending all the way up to a 180-day plan. That makes Airalo unusually suitable not just for short trips, but also for longer, slower travel where you want to set things up once and leave it alone.
Unlimited data plans are also available on the Asia regional plan and in select countries, though Airalo doesn’t really position itself as an unlimited-first provider. These plans include daily high-speed data caps – connection speeds may be reduced after using 3 GB in a day – which is fairly typical for “unlimited” eSIM offerings.
Airalo’s real strength is choice: a wide spread of data sizes and durations that lets you pick something close to your actual needs rather than committing to a one-size-fits-all option.
The app experience is clean and predictable. Setup and activation are straightforward, and topping up is easy – you can add more data directly in the app without reinstalling the eSIM or changing anything mid-trip.
There’s also a loyalty program through Airmoney, an in-app reward currency earned from purchases, top-ups, referrals, and promotions, which can be used towards future eSIMs.
Airalo isn’t the most exciting eSIM on this list. But as a known, widely supported option with long-standing regional plans, it remains a comfortable default – especially if you value stability, long-duration plans, and a system that feels tried and tested.
If you want to try Airalo, here’s a referral code (JOANNE7692) to get $3 discount off your first purchase.
Holafly – the unlimited, don’t-think-about-it option
Holafly is built around one clear idea: unlimited data with minimal decisions. Instead of choosing gigabytes, you choose days. Pick how long you’re travelling, install the eSIM before or during your trip, and it activates when you arrive. That’s it.
Its regional plans cover Asia, Japan & Korea, Japan & China, China+HongKong+Macau, and the Middle East, making Holafly a common choice for travellers moving across borders who don’t want to keep recalculating data usage. The longer you stay, the cheaper the price per day becomes, which suits extended trips more than short hops.
Holafly’s appeal is psychological as much as practical. You don’t watch a data meter. You don’t decide whether streaming a video is “worth it”. You just use your phone as you normally would. For many travellers, that mental freedom is the product.
There are trade-offs. Hotspot sharing is capped at 1 GB per day, even on unlimited plans, which matters if you rely on tethering a laptop or sharing data with someone else. And yes – Holafly is generally more expensive than capped-data providers, especially for shorter trips or light users who don’t actually need unlimited access.
Holafly also runs a loyalty scheme, Holafly Travel Club, where you earn HolaCoins through purchases or referrals and redeem them for discounts on future eSIMs. Like most loyalty currencies, it’s a nice extra rather than a deciding factor.
Holafly isn’t trying to be clever or flexible. It’s trying to be effortless. If you value not thinking about data limits, don’t mind paying a premium for that simplicity, and mainly use your phone rather than tethering heavily, Holafly fits neatly into real Asia travel – especially longer stays where mental bandwidth matters as much as connectivity.
Jetpac – the perk-heavy, low-stress option (especially if you don’t use much data)
Jetpac takes a slightly different approach to eSIMs. Instead of competing on endless plan variations or fine-grained data control, it leans into extras and safety nets that make travel feel easier even when your data habits aren’t perfectly planned.
At its core, Jetpac offers straightforward regional plans across Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific, China–Taiwan–Hong Kong–Macau, and the Middle East & North Africa, with data packs starting at 1 GB for 4 days and plans running up to 30 days. That already covers most short trips and multi-stop itineraries without much decision-making.
That coverage also happens to fit well with common Asia cruise routes – especially in Southeast Asia and East Asia – where itineraries often cross borders quickly and stop briefly in multiple ports.
Where Jetpac really stands out is what happens after your data runs out. Even with zero remaining data, you still get free access to essentials like WhatsApp, Google Maps, Uber, and Grab. It’s a small thing, but in practice it removes a lot of anxiety – you can still message, navigate, or get a ride without scrambling for wifi or rushing to top up.
Unlimited plans are also unusually generous. There’s no limit on hotspot or tethering, so sharing data with a laptop or a travel companion doesn’t come with hidden restrictions. For travellers who work remotely, travel with a second device, or just don’t want to think about usage rules, this feels refreshingly uncomplicated.
Jetpac also bundles in features you don’t normally associate with eSIMs at all: voice calling to landlines and non-WhatsApp numbers, and even airport lounge access if your flight is delayed. You may never need these – but if you do, they’re the kind of perks that suddenly justify choosing Jetpac in the first place.
Overall, Jetpac isn’t trying to be the most configurable or the most “serious” eSIM. It’s designed for travellers who value convenience, backup options, and peace of mind over obsessing about data maths. If you like the idea of built-in fallbacks – and appreciate a few thoughtful extras – Jetpac is an easy, low-friction choice.
Saily – the security-first eSIM that quietly does more
Saily comes from Nord Security, the team behind NordVPN, and that lineage shows. This isn’t just an eSIM focused on connectivity – it leans into stability, security, and long-term usability.
Saily’s regional plans cover Asia and Oceania, as well as the Middle East and North Africa, which already sets it slightly apart. Asia plan starts at 1 GB for 7 days, with options for 7, 30, and 60 days, and data tiers ranging from 1 GB up to 25 GB, plus an unlimited option. As with most unlimited plans in this space, that label comes with structure: full-speed data up to 5 GB per day, then reduced speeds rather than a hard cut-off.
What makes Saily distinctive is what’s bundled alongside it. Built-in security features include virtual locations (115+), malicious URL blocking, tracker protection, and an ad blocker that also doubles as a data saver. These run quietly in the background, but they’re genuinely useful if you rely on public wifi, unfamiliar networks, or just prefer not to think about digital hygiene while travelling.
Hotspot sharing is unlimited, which makes Saily particularly practical if you work remotely, travel with a laptop, or want to share data with a companion. Another small but thoughtful detail: one eSIM works across all supported destinations, so you don’t need to reinstall a new profile every time you change plans or regions.
There’s also a loyalty system – Saily Credits – earned through actions like activating plans, referrals, or promotions, and applied to future purchases. Like most credit systems, it’s a bonus rather than the core appeal.
Saily is a capable choice for travellers who value reliability, built-in protection, and generous hotspot use, and who like the idea that their eSIM is doing a little more than just counting gigabytes in the background.
With any of the eSIMs on this list, it’s worth checking the country coverage and plan details before you buy.
If one option doesn’t quite fit, that doesn’t mean eSIMs aren’t for you. It usually just means a different provider, plan length, or data style would suit your travel better.
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