Best eSIM for India
Asia · 4G LTE nationwide (5G in Delhi + Mumbai + Bangalore + Chennai + Hyderabad + 22 other cities)
Stay connected in India without roaming charges. Compare the top travel eSIM providers — instant activation, local network speeds.
Airalo's India plans start at €4.00 (1 GB, 3 days); a month with 5 GB is €13.00.Prices as listed on airalo.com on 8 October 2026.
Airalo India eSIM plans and prices
As listed on airalo.com on 8 October 2026, in EUR. Check the price for your dates before you buy.
Which plan fits your trip?
| Trip | Light use (1 GB+) | Heavier use (10 GB+) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend (up to 3 days) | €4.00 · 1 GB, 3 days | €19.00 · Unlimited, 3 days |
| One week | €9.00 · 3 GB, 7 days | €20.50 · 10 GB, 7 days |
| Two weeks | €12.50 · 5 GB, 15 days | €21.00 · 10 GB, 15 days |
| Up to a month | €13.00 · 5 GB, 30 days | €22.00 · 10 GB, 30 days |
All 17 plans
3 days
- 1 GB€4.00
- 3 GB€8.00
- Unlimited€19.00
5 days
- Unlimited€29.00
7 days
- 3 GB€9.00
- 5 GB€12.00
- 10 GB€20.50
- Unlimited€36.00
10 days
- Unlimited€42.00
15 days
- 5 GB€12.50
- 10 GB€21.00
- 20 GB€33.50
- Unlimited€56.50
30 days
- 5 GB€13.00
- 10 GB€22.00
- 20 GB€35.00
- Unlimited€90.50
Compare eSIM Providers for India
Airalo
⭐ #1 ChoiceMost popular · 200+ countries
From €4.00
- India dedicated plan
- Easy app management
- 200+ countries covered
Yesim
💰 Best ValueCompetitive pricing
Plans by country
- Competitive pricing
- Virtual number add-on
Saily
🛡️ Best coverageBy NordVPN · 200+ destinations
Plans by country
- India plan available
- By the NordVPN team
- 200+ destinations
Drimsim
🌍 UniversalOne SIM · 190 countries
Plans by country
- Physical + eSIM option
- No plan switching
- Unlimited validity
Going to India? Sort the rest of the trip
Set your eSIM up before you fly, then book somewhere to land.
🇮🇳 India Network Coverage
4G LTE nationwide (5G in Delhi + Mumbai + Bangalore + Chennai + Hyderabad + 22 other cities) · eSIM plans connect to local networks on arrival
eSIM Tips for India
India requires KYC (passport + Indian address + local verification call) for local SIMs — process takes 60-120 min at airport kiosk + often fails for foreigners. eSIM skips ALL of it.
Jio has the best rural coverage nationwide (35,000+ towers). Airtel has the best 5G rollout in metros. Vi is behind on 5G but works fine for 4G tourists.
Bring an unlocked phone made after 2018 — most iPhones (XS+), Google Pixel 3+, Samsung S20+ support eSIM. Older phones need a physical SIM (harder as a foreigner).
Delhi + Mumbai + Bangalore have full 5G on Jio + Airtel. Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan have universal 4G. Ladakh + North East (Sikkim, Arunachal, Nagaland) get patchy — download offline maps before you go.
Payment apps (PhonePe, Paytm, GPay) require an Indian phone number to register — this is the ONE case where a local SIM helps. Most tourists use international cards for everything else.
Emergency numbers work on eSIM: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 112 (unified emergency). No eSIM/local-SIM difference.
How to set up your India eSIM
Buy plan
Choose a India plan on Airalo or Yesim
Scan QR
Install the eSIM profile in 2 minutes
Board flight
Keep your home SIM active for calls
Activate
Switch to India eSIM on landing
India eSIM FAQ
How much does an eSIM for India cost?
Airalo's cheapest India plan was €4.00 for 1 GB over 3 days, and €13.00 for 5 GB over 30 days, as listed on airalo.com on 8 October 2026. Prices are shown in EUR; Airalo may show your local currency.
How long do India eSIM plans last?
Airalo sells India plans valid for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30 days (airalo.com, 8 October 2026). The validity usually starts when the eSIM first connects to a network there.
Do foreigners need an eSIM for India?
Practically yes. Getting a local Indian SIM as a foreigner requires: (1) passport copy + visa page, (2) Indian address proof (your hotel must issue a written verification letter), (3) local reference contact, (4) 60-120 minutes at a Reliance/Airtel store, (5) 24-48 hours for activation. And it often fails at KYC verification. An Airalo or Saily eSIM activates before you land and works from the moment your flight touches down at DEL, BOM, BLR, MAA, or HYD.
What is the best eSIM for India in 2026?
Airalo, Saily and Nomad all sell eSIMs for India. Plans and prices change often, so compare the data allowance, validity and network before you buy. All three activate by QR code before you fly.
Does eSIM work across all Indian states?
Yes — Jio and Airtel have nationwide 4G coverage. Full coverage confirmed in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa (all beaches + Panjim), Kerala (Kochi + Munnar + Alleppey + Trivandrum), Rajasthan (Jaipur + Udaipur + Jodhpur + Jaisalmer + Pushkar), Varanasi, Agra, Rishikesh. Weaker coverage: Ladakh valleys (Nubra, Pangong side), Andaman Islands (Havelock has patchy signal), inner Northeast (Sikkim, Nagaland).
India eSIM vs local prepaid SIM — which is cheaper?
For most tourists on 2-4 week trips, eSIM is the correct choice.
Does eSIM support Indian payment apps (PhonePe, Paytm, UPI)?
No — Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay India, and UPI require an INDIAN mobile number linked to your bank. eSIM gives you a foreign number. Workaround: use international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) at hotels, Uber, and modern restaurants + carry ₹5,000-10,000 cash for small vendors, autos, and dhabas. Delhi and Mumbai take cards almost everywhere; rural India still needs cash.
India eSIM — how fast is it?
Airtel: 30-80 Mbps in metros (5G), 10-25 Mbps in Goa/Kerala/Rajasthan (4G). Jio: 25-60 Mbps in metros (5G), 8-20 Mbps rurally (4G). Both are faster than most tourist accommodation WiFi. Enough for Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp video calls, and Netflix HD streaming.
India eSIM for Ladakh, Andaman, or Northeast trips?
Ladakh (Leh town): Jio + Airtel both work with 4G. Nubra Valley + Pangong Lake: patchy — download offline maps + WhatsApp cached messages. Andaman (Port Blair): full Jio/Airtel signal. Havelock + Neil Islands: patchy 2G only regardless of provider. Sikkim (Gangtok): Jio has best coverage. Arunachal Pradesh: pre-download everything — signal is intermittent.
Can I use my India eSIM for calls to Indian numbers?
Yes but at international rates unless the plan explicitly includes voice minutes. Most travel eSIMs are DATA-ONLY. Use WhatsApp calls to reach Indian numbers (most Indians use WhatsApp for personal + business). Ubers + hotels typically send WhatsApp confirmations rather than SMS.