The Best eSIM for Asia Travel: My Honest Review of Sim Local (2025)
Somehow, I completely missed the memo on using an eSIM for travel until last year, which is a little embarrassing considering how much I travel. But once I finally tried one, I was hooked. Honestly, I think eSIMs are the future of travel.
The convenience is unbeatable: I can land at any airport in Asia, tap a button on my phone, and instantly have data ready to go. No more sprinting around the arrivals hall desperately hunting for Wi-Fi, trying to order an Uber, only to lose signal the second I step outside. That used to be my personal travel nightmare, and yes, it’s happened far too many times.
Now that I’ve switched, I’m fully converted. And the main reason is Sim Local, which has quickly become my go-to eSIM provider. After using it across multiple trips, I figured it was finally time to share my experience and explain why I think Sim Local is the best eSIM for Asia Travel in 2025.
Best eSIM Asia – My Experience Traveling Like a Local
Like I mentioned earlier, I used to be firmly anti-eSIM. I don’t even know why, maybe I thought they’d be too expensive or complicated to set up. Instead, I was either the person buying a random local SIM at the airport or (worse) relying on patchy Wi-Fi whenever I could. Looking back, both of those options were a nightmare.
Last year, I finally gave eSIMs a proper try, testing a few of the big names on shorter trips. In the end, the one I stuck with was Sim Local, not because the others were bad (they weren’t), but because Sim Local consistently gave me the smoothest experience and basically let me travel around Asia like a local.
Most recently, I used it while traveling through Southeast Asia, and honestly, I think it’s the best eSIM for Southeast Asia and also the best eSIM for Bali. Our route took us through the Philippines and Malaysia, but we spent most of our time in Indonesia, mainly Lombok and Bali.
The coverage was fantastic everywhere we went. Setup was quick and easy, and even when I messed something up on my end, Sim Local’s WhatsApp support helped me sort it out within minutes. Having that kind of reliability when you’re hopping between islands made a huge difference.
I’ll dive deeper into Sim Local’s plans and features below, but I wanted to start with my personal experience, so you know this isn’t just theory; I’ve actually used it, relied on it, and had a great time with it.
👉 You can sign up for Sim Local here and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA to save some extra money.
What is an eSIM (and Why Use One in Asia)?
When I first heard about eSIMs, I had no clue what they actually were. I had to do a fair bit of googling myself before I dared to try one. So let’s start with the basics.
An eSIM is exactly what it sounds like: an embedded SIM card. Instead of lining up at a phone counter in the airport or hunting down a mobile shop in town, you can set everything up digitally. No plastic card, no fiddly tray tool, no language barrier at the kiosk; it all happens through an app.
The process is ridiculously easy. With Sim Local, all I do is download the app, choose a plan, and activate the eSIM. It takes just a couple of minutes, and honestly, it’s faster and smoother than buying a physical SIM. I used to worry it would be complicated, but it’s the opposite, setting up an eSim with Sim Local is actually super easy.
To give you some perspective: I once spent ages buying a SIM card in Taiwan, with forms, ID checks, and a long wait at the counter. With an eSIM, I now land, press a button on my phone, and boom, I’ve got data before I’ve even cleared customs.
That makes the whole start of a trip so much less stressful, especially when you’re trying to order a ride or pull up directions right away. Especially in Asia, with countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, with so many islands, having data at all times is just non-negotiable for me.
👉 For me, an eSIM is essential. As a full-time traveler, I rely on staying connected wherever I go. Click here to check out Sim Local and explore their plans for reliable data around the world.
Best eSim Asia – Why I Chose Sim Local
The reason I now stick with Sim Local as my go-to eSIM for Asia is simple: I’ve just had the smoothest experience with them compared to others I’ve tried. Sim Local, as the name suggests, works together with local providers, so it really feels like being a local.
Before settling on Sim Local, I tested a few of the bigger eSIM providers, but there always seemed to be some kind of minor hiccup, whether it was a tricky setup, slow or unhelpful customer service, or random moments when the data cut out.
With Sim Local, none of that happened. From the moment I installed the eSIM, it was smooth sailing. The app is straightforward and easy to navigate, customer support was genuinely helpful when I had questions, and the data stayed reliable the entire time. I even managed to hotspot my laptop and get work done during repeated power cuts in Bali, which honestly sold me completely and saved my butt a few times.
Another major reason for me was Sim Locals refund policy because I knew that if it just wouldn’t work for me, I always had the chance to get a refund, so it’s perfect to just try it out.
Sim Local Asia eSim Plans & Pricing
1. Multi-Country Data Plan
Data: 20GB eSIM
Duration: 31 days
Speed: 4G speed
Pricing: $32.00
Covers 34 countries
For me, this was one of the biggest perks of switching to Sim Local: their multi-destination Asia plan. With just one purchase, I had seamless data across 34 countries in Asia using the super reliable Orange network. No swapping SIMs, no re-activating plans, it just worked automatically as I crossed borders.
That’s a game-changer if you’re the kind of traveler who hops between countries (which, let’s be honest, is half the fun of Southeast Asia). I know so many backpackers who spend months country-hopping, and for digital nomads like me who work while moving around, having one plan that covers everything is a lifesaver.
2. Single Country Plan
Data: 20GB, 10GB, or smaller data options
Duration: Valid for 7 or 30 days
Speed: 4G/5G depending on coverage
Pricing:$4.50 – $34.00
If you’re planning to stay put in just one country, then the single-country plan is a great option. Towards the end of my Asia trip, I was living and working in Bali, so I switched over from the multi-country plan to the single-country one. Honestly, it was seamless to set up and worked perfectly the whole time. It’s hands down the best eSIM Bali option I’ve tried.
I used it for everything: casual browsing, hotspotting my laptop for work, and even streaming Netflix without any issues.
One bonus I really noticed is that certain sites (like Reddit) are often blocked on public Wi-Fi in Bali, but with my eSIM, I never had that issue. Reliable coverage made daily life so much easier.
👉 Check out the different payment plans here and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA to save some extra money.
Setting Up My eSIM for Asia (Quick & Easy Guide)
Setting up my eSIM for Asia with Sim Local was honestly just super easy. First, I downloaded the Sim Local app, and from there it’s basically foolproof (well… unless you skim the instructions like I did). I logged in, purchased my plan, and the app gave me step-by-step instructions on how to activate it. It only required a quick change in my phone settings, and I was good to go.
The only problem I had was completely my fault: I only half-read the instructions and ended up needing help. Luckily, Sim Local’s customer service was incredible. I just messaged them on WhatsApp, and within minutes, they replied with super clear guidance. They were friendly, professional, and had me up and running right away. Big thumbs up to their support team.
Sim Local Coverage & Reliability in Asia
Coverage and reliability are always my top priorities when picking an eSIM in Asia. Having spent so much time in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, both of which have plenty of remote islands, I know how frustrating bad coverage can be. As a digital nomad, I really can’t afford to gamble with my connection.
With Sim Local, though, I’ve been seriously impressed. Here’s why:
- Solid coverage, even in remote spots: I had a strong connection not just in cities, but also on smaller islands in Indonesia and the Philippines.
- Perfect for working remotely: I used my plan to hotspot my laptop and get actual work done (including video calls), and it held up flawlessly.
- Plenty of data: I went with the 20GB plan and never came close to running out.
- Consistently reliable: No random dropouts, no frustrating dead zones. I always felt confident I’d have data when I needed it.
FAQs About the Best ESIM for Asia
Is an eSIM for Asia worth it?
Absolutely. I honestly think Southeast Asia is the perfect region for an eSIM. Backpacking and country-hopping here is so common, and not having to buy a new SIM card every time you cross a border is pure gold.
What is the best eSIM Bali?
From my experience, it’s definitely Sim Local. I used it for over a month while living in Bali, and I never had issues with coverage or reliability. I even used it to work remotely from my laptop without a problem.
What is the best eSIM for South East Asia?
For me, Sim Local is hands-down the best. Their multi-destination plan let me travel seamlessly from country to country without setting up a new SIM every time I landed somewhere new.
What is the best eSIM Indonesia?
Sim Local again. I used it for months while living in Lombok and Bali, and it never once let me down. Coverage, speed, and reliability were all excellent.
Final Thoughts on the Best eSIM for Asia Travel
For me, having an eSIM these days is non-negotiable. Since I’m always on the road, it just makes travel smoother and less stressful.There are loads of eSIM providers out there, and I’m sure many of them do a good job. But I’ve personally been using Sim Local and couldn’t be happier with the experience. From coverage and reliability to how easy the setup is, how smooth the app works, the customer service, and the pricing, it’s been a winner all around. And you can use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA to save some extra money on your Sim Local eSIM.