Best eSIMs for India travel in 2024

An eSIM for India travel is an excellent choice to save money and keep your existing phone plan in the same time as installing an eSIM does not replace your existing plan, but adds a new secondary data plan. If you’re wondering if the pricing will be right for you when choosing to stay connected in India with an eSIM, bear in mind that there’s a plan and price suitable for every need. eSIM providers, such as Saily, Airalo, and Nomad, offer a great variety of plans for those traveling to India, starting from $1.00 and up to $55.00 for an extended period of time. The plans range from 1 GB to unlimited data for local or global use, depending on your chosen plan.

Because there’s such a vast choice of available eSIMs for India, it might be hard to find the one that works the absolute best for you. So, to save you time, I compiled a list of the top 5 best India eSIM choices. Before including my choices on this list, I’ve tested over 20 of the most popular eSIM providers and evaluated them to help you make an informed decision.

Top 5 eSIM providers in India: our shortlist

1. Saily

   best eSIM for India overall
   9.6
2. Airalo

   great India eSIM for foreigners
   9.3
3. Jetpac

   easy-to-use eSIM for India travel
   9.2
4. aloSIM

   affordable eSIM for India
   8.8
5. Nomad

   eSIM in India with great plan options
   8.4

Overview of best India eSIM plans

You can get an India eSIM with flexible data plans ranging from 4 to 45 days, and prices varying from $1 to over $55. The cost typically depends on the plan's duration and data capacity, which can range from 1 GB to 40 GB. The longer plans with more available data are usually cheaper when compared to the short-term plans. However, the shorter plans are excellent if you simply want to try out eSIMs. With all that in mind, I do recommend choosing longer or mid-length plans as they will save you money in the end.

Besides being an excellent choice cost-wise, eSIMs for India are also much safer as traditional SIM cards as there’s no way to clone them or tamper with. This is particularly beneficial for mobile payment security. Plus, you can keep several profiles on one phone, if you’d like to keep your personal and business matters separately.

So, here’s how the best eSIM plans for India look like compared:

As you can see from the table, Saily and Airalo offer affordable eSIM plans for India with up to 20 GB of data, priced between $3.99 and $40.00, making them suitable for light to moderate use. If you need more data, Jetpac provides up to 40 GB, although price can go up to $55.00. Since all eSIMs can be topped up, it’s often best to start with a cheaper plan and add more data as needed. While aloSIM has similar pricing to Nomad, Nomad is the only one offering a 45-day plan, which is ideal for long-term India travelers.

However, after testing five different eSIMs, I can confidently say that Saily is the best eSIM for India, offering flexible data plans, easy top-ups, and an affordable price starting at just $3.99. Plus, I found the customer support to work the fastest, which is always a nice thing when you're traveling abroad.

Best eSIM providers in India: detailed guide

Before compiling this list, I tested 20 of the most popular eSIM providers. Only the top 5 providers made it to the final cut as they measured up to my strict criteria: availability of eSIM plans of India, plan diversity, data packages, simplicity to use, and great customer support.

So, continue reading and check out my top 5 India eSIM providers:

1. Saily - overall best eSIM for India travel in 2024

Saily is the overall best eSIM for India travel because of its great plan selection, huge regional coverage, and wallet-friendly prices. Plus, it’s super easy to use even if you’ve never tried traveling with eSIMs before.

Plan variety: Saily eSIM plans for India range from 7 to 30 days and from 1 GB to 20 GB. In total, you get to choose from 5 available options. As per industry standard, you only get data with your eSIM while outgoing calls and messages are unsupported.

Cost of India eSIM plan: Saily offers 5 different eSIM plans for India with the cheapest one standing at $3.99 for 7 days and 1 GB of data and the most expensive one at $35.99 for 30 days and 20 GB of data. I was very glad to find that Saily does not have any hidden activation fees or any unexpected additional costs. All of Saily’s plans are prepaid and you cannot top up the data once you run out of it. However, I didn’t find this to be problematic with the excellent plan choice that Saily offers. You can also get a discount on your plan using one of our Saily coupon codes.

Regional coverage: Saily’s regional coverage is exceptional – right now, there are 150 countries available on its roster, but the operator keeps adding new ones consistently. Besides India, Saily covers all the most popular Europrean destinations like Italy, France, Germany, and UK. There are also plans for US, Canada, and Mexico just to name a few. Plus, you can choose from 8 different regional packs, with India being included in the Global and the Asia packs.

Activation process: Saily’s simple activation process is one of the things I really enjoyed about it. After you’ve downloaded the app and purchased a plan, your chosen eSIM will activate by itself once you land in your travel destination. To set Saily up it took me no more than a couple of minutes and I simply did not need to spend any additional time activating anything afterward. Plus, you do not need to have a physical SIM card inserted in your phone for Saily to work. To purchase my plan, I was able to choose from 4 payment options: credit or debit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal.

Customer support: If you ever run into trouble while using Saily, you can head to its official website and check all the information listed in the Help Center page. And, if you’d prefer to contact a representative, then there’s a 24/7 live chat on the Saily app in the Help section. Of course, I had to try it, and found the answers to be very polite and speedy.

If you want to learn more about this provider, you can check out our thorough Saily review.

2. Airalo - best eSIM in India for affordable high data needs

Airalo is another best eSIM for traveling in India, as it offers inexpensive plans with high data packages. I found it very simple to use, so if you’re on the fence about eSIMs in total, Airalo won’t disappoint you.

Plan variety: Airalo offers 6 different plans for India at 7, 15, and 30 days and from 1 GB to 20 GB data. You don’t have to pay for roaming and just use the eSIM instead. Same as with Saily, you only get data with the plans, thus calls and messages are not supported.

Cost of India eSIM plan: The cheapest Airalo plan for India stands at $4.50 for 7 days and 1 GB of data while the most expensive plan is marked at $40.00 for 30 days and with 20 GB of data allowance. Airalo plans are pre-paid, but most of them also offer a top-up option if you start running low on data. Also, no hidden activation fees here.

Regional coverage: Airalo covers 200+ countries, including India. Plus, you can get local, regional, and even global eSIMs. And, if you wanted to get an eSIM that covers both European, Asian, and other regions at the same time, then look into the Airalo Discover eSIM offer.

Activation process: You can install the Airalo eSIM directly via the app, by scanning the QR code or by manually entering the eSIM’s details in your device’s Settings. The eSIM activates itself once you land on your destination and you don’t really have to do any additional steps after installation and plan purchase to make it work. It literally takes no time activate, and that’s how I like my eSIMs to be. Airalo offers just two payment options: credit or debit card and PayPal. Bear this in mind and check if these options work for you. Remember, that Airalo might ask you for eKYC verification depending on your chosen destination.

Customer support: If any issues should arise while using Airalo eSIMs, you can look for answers in the official website’s blog under the Help Center page. If you’d prefer to chat to someone instead, there’s a 24/7 live chat option available in the app.

If you want to learn more about this provider, you can check out our thorough Airalo review.

3. Jetpac - eSIM for India travel with seamless connectivity

Jetpac is a great eSIM option for traveling to India with flexible plans. Plus, Jetpac offers a JetPass feature with every purchase which allows you to use the Fast Track option in any of covered country airport and Lounge Access should your flight gets delayed.

Plan variety: Jetpac offers 8 different eSIM plans for India and you can choose either 4 or 30 days of use with data allowances ranging from 1 GB to 40 GB. Unfortunately, Jetpac does not support calls and messages, so if you need to contact someone, you should do so via social media or apps like WhatsApp.

Cost of India eSIM plan: Jetpac eSIM plans for India start at just $1 dollar for 4 days and 1 GB of data. The most expensive plan, though, towers at $55.00 for 30 days with 40 GB of available data. And, if you run out of data while using your selected Jetpack eSIM plan, you can easily top up via the Jetpac Global app. There are also two subscription options called JetFlex and JetPro for those who travel very often.

Regional coverage: Jetpac covers over 100 countries and offers local, regional, and global coverage packs. If you want to get both India and European destinations in one eSIM, you should choose the global option which starts at mere $4 dollars for 4 days and 1 GB.

Activation process: To activate your Jetpack eSIM, you first need to purchase a plan and then scan the QR code you’ll either get in email or on your app. As for the activation, the eSIM will start working as soon as you land in your travel destination. Just remember to turn on roaming, otherwise the eSIM won’t be able to connect to a local net. You can purchase your chosen plan with Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay payment options.

Customer support: The options to reach out to Jetpac if any issues should occur are excellent, as it offers a WhatsApp chat, an in-app 24/7 live chat, blog, and even email option. I contacted Jetpac via the WhatsApp option and got all my questions resolved in mere minutes.

4. aloSIM - affordable option among the best eSIM providers in India

aloSim is one of the most popular eSIM providers perfect for India. It comes with an easy-to-navigate app and you can be sure there won’t be any additional fees or unexpected costs with aloSIM.

Plan variety: aloSIM offers 6 different eSIM plans for India, ranging from 7 to 30 days of use and from 1 GB to 20 GB packs of data allowance. If you should run out of the data in your plan, you can easily top up via the app or the official aloSIM website. If you’d like to text and call while using the eSIM, you can opt for a free international phone number to be added to your plan and make outgoing calls and text with it.

Cost of India eSIM plan: You can choose from 6 different aloSIM eSIM plans when traveling to India. The cheapest pack costs $4.50 for 7 days with 1 GB of data while the most expensive plan stands at $45.00 for 30 days and 20 GB of data. Should you run out of data with your chosen plan, you can always top it up via the aloSIM app. Include details on data amount, durations, and cost per GB for different plans.

Regional coverage: aloSIM covers over 175 countries and offers local coverage plus two regional packs for Western Europe and South America. However, if you were expecting a plan that covers both India and European destinations, you won’t be able to get that with aloSIM.

Activation process: No physical SIM card is needed to activate your aloSIM eSIM. Simply download the free app, purchase a plan that works the best for you and your eSIM will activate itself once you land in India. aloSIM does not require any identity verification, including eKYC, while activating the plan. You can pay for your chosen plan with a credit or debit card, via PayPal or use aloCASH account credits.

Customer support: If something unexpected happens during your travels, you can reach an aloSIM representative via the in-app 24/7 live chat, email ticket, or check if there’s information you need in the website’s Help Center. I tried emailing aloSIM and while I had to wait a couple of hours, the answer to my inquiry was very thorough and polite.

If you want to learn more about this provider, you can check out our thorough aloSIM review.

5. Nomad - flexible eSIM for India with user-friendly activation

Nomad is an excellent eSIM choice for India for those who want a seamless, no frill experience. Plus, this eSIM provider offers a wide range of regional packs and flexible data packs.

Plan variety: Nomad offers 6 different eSIM plans for India. The most basic plan comes with 1 GB of data and spans over 7 day period. If 7 days is too short for you, you can choose either 30 day or 45 days. While most Nomad eSIMs do not allow calling and texting, some plans do come with an international phone number meant for that. However, with the Indian eSIM you do not get this option.

Cost of India eSIM plan: Nomad’s starter eSIM plan for India cost $5.00 for 7 days with 1 GB data. Then, there are mid-range plans spanning 30 days and costing from $12.00 to $30.00 depending on how much data you choose. Lastly, the most expensive plan spans 45 days, has 20 GB of available data, and costs $35.00. You can purchase your chosen plan by using a credit/debit card or PayPal. It’s also good to know that Nomad does not have any hidden fees you can encounter with some other, less reliable eSIM providers.

Regional coverage: Nomad eSIMs cover over 180+ countries and offers local, regional, and global data packs. You can find India included in the Asia-Pacific/Asia-Central 21-country pack and in the Global eSIM pack.

Activation process: Activating a Nomad eSIM involves a QR code which you’ll get into your app or email right after the purchase of your chosen plan. The activation is very straightforward and your India eSIM plan will start rolling as soon as you land there. As with other eSims, don’t forget to turn on roaming beforehand and that’s it. While Nomad does not specify any need for eKYC or any other verification, it once asked me to upload a copy of a photo ID, so keep one in handy just in case.

Customer support: If you need any help with using the Nomad India eSIM, you can contact the provider via an email ticket form or a 24/7 in-app live chat. Plus, you can always look for answer in the Help Center, which is very neatly structured and full of useful info. I tried contacting the custom support via the in-app live chat and got a reply very promptly.

If you want to learn more about this provider, you can check out our thorough Nomad review.

How to use eSIM in India

eSIM technology has made traveling to India more convenient than ever. You can easily purchase an eSIM before your trip without needing to activate it until you're ready to use it, ensuring hassle-free connectivity when you arrive. To use an eSIM in India, simply follow these steps:

1. Purchase an eSIM suitable for India and choose your preferred plan. I recommend using Saily, as I found it to be the simplest to use.
   
2. Install your chosen eSIM and activate it.
   
3. Check if your plan has been successfully activated.
4. Go to your phone’s Settings, choose Network & Internet, and turn on your new eSIM.
   
5. Toggle on the eSIM and click Allow data roaming.
   
6. You’re all set and ready for seamless connectivity in India!

The installation process is similar no matter whether you use an iPhone or Android smartphone or which eSIM provider you choose. If the steps do vary some, you’ll be guided on the installation process by your provider’s app.

Stay connected in India with Saily

What you need to know before buying an Indian eSIM for tourists

Here are a couple of things to consider before purchasing an Indian eSIM for our travels:

• Choose the right eSIM provider for your needs. I recommend choosing the provider and purchasing a plan before you set on your travels. Only this way you’ll be able to find the best prices and the most suitable data plans for you. And, if you don’t want to do any research of your own, trust my recommendation and choose Saily as your eSIM provider for India.
• Check if your device is compatible with eSIM. Don’t forget to check if your device is compatible with eSIMs. Most iPhones after the iPhone 11 are compatible, and so are most of the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones. You can also find this information on your eSIM provider’s website, as they usually provide a list of compatible devices on their support pages.
• Activate your eSIM on time. Most eSIMs activate automatically once you land in your travel destination with only basic setup required beforehand. However, some eSIMs activate the moment you turn them on. In that case, don’t activate your eSIM before you reach your destination to avoid running out of data or plan use time.
• Consider the time required for activation. While all the eSIM providers on my top 5 list come with eSIMs that can be activated almost instantly, I cannot guarantee the situation will stay the same with others, too. If the activation takes a longer while, it might be smart to do it while your waiting to board your plane instead of at arrival.
• Contractual speeds. Do you plan to use your eSIM for navigation or simply to keep in touch? If you want a full and seamless internet access, then make sure to choose a provider that offers at least 4G contractual speeds as 3G would simply be too slow for that. However, if you only need your phone for basic communications, 3G could be just enough.

Consider these factors when choosing your eSIM for India before you board that plane. This way, you’ll get the best deal and find a provider that works just right for your international travel needs.

Does my phone support eSIM?

You can check whether your device supports eSIMs in the settings. To find this information on an iPhone, head to Settings > Mobile Service and look if there’s a field named Add eSIM. If you find it, then your device is compatible with it. If you’re an Android user, to figure out whether your smartphone supports eSIMs, head to Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager, and look for eSIM options.

Unfortunately, older iPhone and Android smartphones do not support eSIMs and if you can’t find the option in your device’s settings, there isn’t much you can do about it. If that’s the case, you can still use a traditional eSIM when traveling to India, but if you plan on traveling often, then upgrading your device might be a smart move.

Is it better to use eSIM or physical SIM in India?

Embedded SIMs, or eSIMs for short, offer greater flexibility when it comes to plan managing, device control, operating several profiles on one phone, and data expenditure. However, traditional SIMs also have their benefits and are still cheaper for prolonged stays in India. To paint a better picture, I made a table showing pros and cons of both of the cards:

As you can see, both traditional SIMs and eSIMs have their own pros and cons, but eSIMs are definitely easier to use, safer, and offer more flexibility. On the other hand, if you plan to stay for months on end in India, then a traditional SIM card might be a cheaper choice.

Travel seamlessly with Saily

Alternative ways to stay connected in India

If you’re wondering about eSIM alternatives when traveling in India, there are a couple more options for you to choose from:

• Local SIM cards. You can purchase a SIM card upon arriving to India from local telecom providers like Jio, Airtel, or Vi at an airport, shop, or any other vendor that carries them. Such SIM cards often come wih quite affordable data and call packages great for short stays.
• Portable Wi-Fi devices. Pocket Wi-Fi routers can be a great choice if you need a reliable internet source on your travels. These small routers are easy to carry and provide internet access that can be shared across multiple devices.
• International roaming plans. You can get an international roaming plan from your own provider before traveling to India. However, such plans are typically quite expensive.
• Public Wi-Fi. Lastly, you can simply use public Wi-Fi in train stations, airports, cafes, and malls. However, remember that public Wi-Fis are generally very unsafe to use and I always recommend using them with VPN turned on to protect your sensitive data. If you’re wondering which VPNs are good for traveling, you can read our recommendations here.

Conclusion: Which eSIM is best for India?

eSIMs provide an excellent solution for international travelers who want to stay connected without breaking the bank no matter where the road takes them. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIMs come with various data plans, are very easy to use, offer more security, and can save you big bucks on roaming charges.

My top recommendation for eSIM card for tourists visiting India is Saily. This provider offers flexible pre-paid eSIM plans that cater to any traveler’s needs. I found Saily to be the easiest to activate and the connectivity was always seamless. Lastly, it’s no small feat that it allowed me to save huge on my roaming charges.

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You may also want to read:

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Saily eSIM review in 2024
Airalo eSIM review in 2024
Best eSIM for travel in 2024
Best eSIM for USA travel in 2024
Saily vs Holafly eSIM

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FAQ

Is eSIM available in India?

Yes, eSIMs are available and safe to use in India. My top recommendation is Saily as it offers the best eSIM prices for India, has excellent customer support and is very easy to activate.

Can I get eSIM in India from USA?

Yes, you can get an eSIM in India from the United States. You can choose providers like Saily or Airalo, which offer affordable and flexible plans specifically for India. Simply head to your chosen provider’s page or app, choose a destination and a plan, and activate your new eSIM.

How to get eSIM in India for tourists?

To get an eSIM in India for tourists, you simply have to head to your chosen provider’s website or app, choose India as your destination, select a plan, and purchase your India eSIM. I recommend choosing and activating your new eSIM before you land in your travel destination as that way you’ll experience seamless roaming transition.

How much does an eSIM cost in India?

An eSIM for India can cost anywhere from $1.00 to $55.00. The price varies depending on the provider, the length of the plan, and data allowance. If you’re traveling for a week, you can choose Saily’s 7-day pack with 1GB of data and if you’re staying in India for more than a month, then you can get Nomad’s 45-day plan.

What is the benefit of eSIM India?

eSIM for India offers flexible data plans, simple activation, and will save you a lot of money on roaming charges during short-period travels. Plus, eSIMs do not require for you to physically change a card on your phone and are generally safer to use than traditional SIM cards.

Does Airalo eSIM work in India?

Yes, Airalo eSIM works in India. The provider offers 6 different eSIM plans for India, ranging from 7 to 30 days and from 1 to 20 GB of data. You can easily purchase a suitable plan via the Airalo website or the app.

What are the best Airalo alternatives in India?

The best Airalo alternative in India is Saily as it offers very similar data packages and even better prices. Plus, Saily eSIMs are very simple to activate and provides great connectivity no matter where you are in the world.