The 4 Best eSIMs for Traveling Asia: My Honest eSIM Guide (2025)
Traveling and backpacking has changed so much over the last couple of years, and one of the biggest game changers has to be eSIMs. Gone are the days of landing in a new country, frantically trying to find a kiosk for a local SIM card, and then spending half an hour arguing with your phone settings.
At least for me, those days are long gone. Now, with just a few taps, I can have data up and running the moment I step off the plane. Honestly, it makes travel so much smoother.
Since I’ve noticed that more and more travelers (myself included) are relying on eSIMs, I thought I’d put together a little comparison guide based on my own experience. Over the past couple of years, I’ve tested quite a few different providers across Asia, from Taiwan and Thailand to Indonesia and the Philippines, and some are definitely better than others.
So, in this guide, I’m sharing my favorite eSIMs for traveling Asia, how they actually worked for me, and a few honest pros and cons. Let’s dive in.
eSims for Traveling Asia – My Experience
I definitely haven’t tried every single eSIM out there (there are way too many at this point), but over the past few years I’ve tested a good handful. Since I’m basically full-time traveling as a digital nomad, I figured I might as well experiment and see which ones work best for me.
A lot of the eSIMs are pretty similar at their core: you want a user-friendly app and reliable data, and every option I’ve included in this list delivers on both of those.
The main reason I started using eSIMs was when I was traveling around Southeast Asia. Hopping from country to country meant I was constantly wasting time buying new local SIMs. Switching to an eSIM changed everything, I could land in a new country, and without pressing a single button, I’d still have data. Total game changer.
I’ll admit it: I rely heavily on having internet. Of course, it’s crucial for my work as a travel blogger (hotspotting my laptop to upload articles or photos is non-negotiable), but it’s also all the little everyday things, like finding a café on Google Maps, figuring out the bus schedule, or translating something quickly. At this point, I can’t really imagine traveling without an eSIM.
Most recently, I’ve been using Sim Local and have been really happy with it, but honestly, all of the eSIM companies on this list are worth trying. They all offer solid products that make traveling around Asia so much smoother.
My 4 Favorite eSims for Asia
1. Sim Local // Best eSIM for Asia for Traveling to Multiple Countries
Data: 20GB for the full Asia plan (unlimited available in some countries)
Speed: 4G/LTE in most cities, slower in rural areas
Plans: 5–30 days
Price range: $4.50–$88 (I personally paid $32 for the all-Asia multi-country plan)
I’ve been using Sim Local for months now, and it’s honestly become my go-to eSIM for Asia. I tested it in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and partly in the Philippines and out of all the providers I’ve tried, this has been one of the smoothest experiences.
Setup took just a few minutes, and even when I messed things up myself (by not reading instructions properly), their customer service on WhatsApp sorted everything out within minutes.
What really makes Sim Local stand out for me is their multi-destination Asia plan, which covers 34 countries. It’s perfect if you’re backpacking or working remotely and hopping between countries like I did. Coverage and reliability were excellent too. I had solid data even on smaller islands in Indonesia and the Philippines. Plus, I could easily hotspot my laptop and get work done.
Overall, Sim Local is the eSIM I recommend most right now, and in my opinion one of the best eSIMs for Asia.
Best for: Backpackers and digital nomads who want to hop between multiple countries in Southeast Asia.
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2. Holafly // Best Asia eSim for a Custom Plan
Data: Unlimited (no hotspot tethering)
Speed: 4G/LTE in most cities, slower in rural areas
Plans: 5–90 days
Price range: From $19 (5 days) to $99 (90 days)
I tried Holafly during a trip through Thailand and Vietnam, and it worked very well overall and there also were a few features worth pointing out. The setup was super easy, after purchasing online, I received a QR code, scanned it, and was connected in under two minutes. For anyone who isn’t particularly techy, this part is foolproof.
Coverage was strong in major cities like Bangkok and Hanoi, though I did notice weaker speeds when traveling in rural areas. It was fine for Google Maps and messaging, which was really all I needed. Pricing is on the higher side compared to other eSIMs, since most of their plans are unlimited data which is definitely a huge perk for many people.
Best for: Travelers who want a no-fuss, unlimited-data option and don’t mind paying a premium for convenience.
3. Saily // Best eSim in South East Asia for Longterm Travel
Data: Option for esim Unlimited Data
Speed: 4G/LTE in most cities, slower in rural areas
Plans: 7–180 days
Price range: From $4.00 (7 days) to $179.99 (180 days)
Saily is backed by NordVPN, so I was curious to see how their eSIM service performed. Setup was straightforward, I downloaded their app, purchased a regional plan, and within a couple of minutes the eSIM was active. Honestly everything was super easy and straightforward, but that’s something I expected from a big name like Saily (NordVPN)
Performance was definitely pretty good overall. I had consistent 4G coverage in Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, though in some smaller towns speeds dipped a little which I think is pretty normal depending on where in the world you are. I wouldn’t necessarily say that was Sally’s fault.
The only thing to watch out for is pricing, while it’s not crazy expensive, Saily’s cost per GB is a bit higher than some competitors. Still, if you want reliability, an easy-to-use app, and the flexibility of hotspot sharing, I think Saily is a strong contender for Asia travel.
4. Airalo // Best eSim in Asia for an Easy App
Data: 1GB-50GB
Speed: 4G/LTE in most cities, slower in rural areas
Plans: 7–90 days
Price range: From $4.50 (7 days) to $100 (90 days)
I used Airalo for two weeks in Jordan, and honestly it was one of the smoothest eSIM setups I’ve ever had. The installation took just a few minutes through their app, and as soon as I landed, I was connected. In my case, Airalo partnered with Jornet, and the coverage was fantastic. I had signal everywhere from downtown Amman to smaller towns and even during day trips out into the desert.
What I loved was how seamless it all felt: no hunting down SIM vendors at the airport, no language barrier issues, just scan, install, and go. The 15-day plan I used was more than enough for maps, social media, and a bit of hotspotting for my laptop.
Downsides? Like most eSIMs, the speeds weren’t always blazing fast once you left bigger cities, I noticed slower 4G in some remote desert areas, but I’d say that’s more a local network issue than Airalo’s fault.
Best for: First-time eSIM users who want something super easy and reliable with good coverage across Asia. The app makes it foolproof, so you don’t need to be tech-savvy at all.
FAQs About eSims for Travelling Asia
Should I buy an eSIM for Southeast Asia?
Absolutely. I personally think Southeast Asia is where an eSIM makes the most sense. Most people don’t just stick to one country, they’ll hop around between islands or combine Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand in one trip. Having an eSIM saves you from buying a new SIM card every time you cross a border.
Is an eSIM good for backpacking Asia?
Definitely. For backpacking especially, when you’re bouncing around from country to country, having one eSIM that just works everywhere makes your life so much easier.
What is the best eSIM for Indonesia?
I used Sim Local the whole time I was traveling through Indonesia and had a great experience. Even in more remote parts of the country, I had a signal and could rely on it.
What is the best eSIM for Bali?
Same story here, I spent a whole month in Bali and used Sim Local the entire time. I had reliable internet throughout my stay, even up in the quieter, more remote north of Bali.
Final Thoughts on the Best eSIM for Asia
All in all, I think most of the big eSIM companies are doing a fantastic job. I honestly don’t believe one of them is the best and the others aren’t. I personally went with Sim Local because I had such a positive experience, but you’ll be happy with any of the options I mentioned in this article.
That being said, I do want to point out that I’ve had bad experiences with a couple of other (very popular) providers in the past. I felt like I overpaid, the coverage wasn’t great, and their apps weren’t very user-friendly. Instead of naming names, I’d rather just encourage you to stick with one of the companies I’ve highlighted here.
I hope this guide gave you a clear idea of how eSIMs work in Asia and helps you figure out which one is the best fit for your trip.