Touch down in Delhi or Mumbai and your phone is connected even before you exit immigration. Forget searching for SIM stores or filling out forms. Book a taxi right now, text home, or locate yourself at the Taj Mahal the moment you land. Remain connected seamlessly with no Roaming and no hassle. That's the new era of traveling India via an eSIM.
What's an eSIM? And why you need it for your India Trip!
An eSIM is a digital or embedded SIM card that is permanently installed directly into your cell phone. There is no chip to install. Simply scan a QR code from your cell service provider, and you're activated on a local data plan. It only takes a few minutes to set up right from your phone.
Why choose eSIM for India?
✔Power up anywhere: Activate before you fly and land with data ready to use.
✔Save your number: Use high-speed Indian data while your UK number stays active for calls and texts.
✔Go global, stay local: Select your data plan. No contract. No commitment.
✔Travel safer: Without loss or swapping of a tiny SIM card.
Get ready to explore India with confidence! Pick your eSIM plan today and travel smarter.
- CountryIndia
- Package Option5GB
- Number of Days7 Days
- PriceFrom £7.03
- CountryIndia
- Package Option5GB
- Number of Days10 Days
- PriceFrom £7.44
- CountryIndia
- Package Option10GB
- Number of Days15 Days
- PriceFrom £14.32
Best India eSIM providers 2025
With many options available, choosing the right eSIM for India can be challenging. Our 2025 comparison helps you find the best plan for your trip:
Provider | Sample Plan | Price | Networks in India | Key Advantage |
Trip.com | 20 GB / 30 days | From £ 25.13 | Jio, Airtel, Vi | Best value (£1.26/GB), broadest coverage & Asia/Global plans |
Airalo | 20 GB / 30 days | £ 28 | Jio | Extensive eSIM library for global destinations |
Holafly | Unlimited / 30 days | £ 104 | Jio, Airtel | Truly unlimited data for heavy users |
Nomad | 20 GB / 30 days | £ 29 | Jio | Flexible, longer-term data plans |
*Data plans and prices may vary; please refer to the latest information on the provider’s official website.
Analysis & Recommendations:
- For typical UK travellers: Although a 5-10 GB pack will do for extremely limited use, our analysis demonstrates that a 20 GB / 30-day plan represents the best value for typical visitors. That produces plenty of data for typical travel essentials such as navigation, social media, and browsing, and there's heaps of room for sharing photos and videos. The longer term also eliminates any anxiety over running short of data or time, and so represents our personal recommendation for most 1-3 week trips.
- For power data users: Power data plans suit most effectively for bandwidth intensive activities like video streaming, remote websites and video conferencing but always keep in mind you verify fair usage policy of the internet service providers.
- For regional plans: If you will be traveling outside of India to neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, or the UAE, then consider regional Asia plans or Global eSIM plans. They might be easier and less expensive than having local SIM cards individually for each place you will be visiting.
Flexible India eSIM data plans
Short stay or spiritual sojourn, whether you're in India's golden triangle for three days or four weeks exploring spiritual India, we have an eSIM package created especially for you. Prepaid eSIMs provide you with low-cost and hassle-free connectivity on India's leading networks, Vodafone, Jio and Airtel, whether you're there for a short term or longer durations.
Select a validity of 1 days till 30 days, and data packs appropriate for each type of consumer. Unlimited or high-data plans continue to be offered for content creators and professional travelers, and small packs (1GB–5GB) for casual users for navigation, messaging, and casual browsing purposes. Travelers visiting India and nearby countries like Nepal or Sri Lanka can even use regional or worldwide eSIM plans for pan-border connectivity without a snag.
Last minute vacation planning in India? Trip.com eSIM will keep you connected smoothly:
- Covered by India’s leading carriers: Jio (5G) and Airtel (5G)
- Receive QR code right away by email and enable pre-arrival
- 1~30 day flexible validity and day or full-roundtrip selection of data
- Full 4G/5G internet access, always-on
- Reinstallable on the same device multiple times
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eSIM compatibility: Check your device
Before you dive into buying an eSIM plan, make sure your phone can actually handle it. The good news? Most smartphones made after 2018 are eSIM-compatible. Let’s see how you can check if yours is one of them.
If you have an Apple iPhone, here are the models that support eSIM:
- iPhones XS, XR, and all the versions that followed (up to the iPhone 15 series)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and 3rd generation)
For Android users, eSIM support typically includes:
- Google Pixel 2 and later (full support starts from Pixel 3)
- Samsung S20 series and newer (this also covers the Z Flip and Fold series)
- Various models from Motorola, Huawei, Oppo, and Sony
Wondering if your phone is eSIM compatible?
- For iPhones: Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. If you see the option "Add eSIM," then you’re good to go!
- For Android: Navigate to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager (or Network & Internet > Mobile Network), and look for "Download a SIM" or "Add eSIM."
✅ Most eSIM-compatible smartphones support Dual SIM (a physical SIM plus eSIM), allowing you to make calls with your home number while enjoying high-speed data internationally.
Activate India eSIM: 5-step guide
Getting your eSIM up and running is a piece of cake and takes just a few minutes:
1. Buy: Pick out and purchase your favorite eSIM India plans from a trusted provider. Don’t forget to have a solid internet connection.
2. Get QR Code: Right after your purchase, you’ll get an email with your eSIM QR code and easy-to-follow installation instructions. Some providers also offer a manual installation option.
3. Installation:
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code
- Follow the prompts to add the cellular plan
- Give the plan a name that makes sense (like "India Data")
4. Configuration:
- Set your new eSIM as your main data provider
- Turn on data roaming (don’t worry about the scary name; it’s necessary for the eSIM to work)
- Keep your main SIM active for calls and texts if you’d like
5. Activation: Most eSIMs will activate automatically once installed, but some might need manual activation when you arrive in India. Just make sure to check your provider’s specific instructions.
And that’s it! Enjoy your vacation with internet access!
👉 Stay connected in India with an eSIM and discover top sights and tours.
Mobile coverage in India: What travelers should know
India provides pervasive mobile network coverage in most towns, suburbs, and tourist hubs, if reliability may be intermittent in rural or mountain conditions. Cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Goa, have reliable 4G and rising 5G availability by major networks such as Jio and Airtel, and relatively good signals at airports, metros, hotels, and key attractions such as the Taj Mahal or Jaipur's palace complex.
While connectivity is good around highways and small towns, speeds can be slowed down to 3G or 4G in rural towns, mountain resorts (e.g., Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), or forests. Performance may be variable in a rainy spot or a highly populated area.
For calls and texts, use these alternatives:
- Use data services like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom through your eSIM connection
- Get Wi-Fi calling from your primary SIM to work (check at home first)
- Choose a data-only eSIM plan and call via calling credits via apps such as Google Voice or Skype
To ensure seamless connectivity:
- Download maps offline before you pass through low-signal areas
- In an emergency, dial 112 (all-India distress number)
- Verify if your eSIM supports voice calls or if it's data only
- If you want regular calls to a single place, you might want a legacy SIM or a voice eSIM
Most of the eSIMs will autoselect the best available Indian network, typically Jio or Airtel. Both of these have nationwide comprehensive and consistent national coverage.
Trip.com eSIM: India travel made easy
Dreaming of traveling to India? We'd be happy to stay in touch the moment you touch down! With Trip.com eSIM, you're all set!
That is why Trip.com eSIM is the ideal choice for your trip to India:
- Total freedom: Unlimited data with 1-30 day flexibility.
- Instant connection: Simply purchase it, scan the barcode, and you're online immediately, with no need for a physical SIM card.
- All-in-one convenience: One-stop shop for your internet, flight, and accommodation booking.
Join over 20 million travelers who trust our hassle-free service.
Network yourself and remain curious!
India eSIM FAQs
How does an eSIM work in India?
After you purchase a plan, your eSIM will automatically connect to major local networks in India, such as Jio or Airtel. You can keep your physical SIM card in your phone to receive calls and texts on your original number. To get online, you simply select the eSIM for cellular data in your device settings. This switches your mobile data to the local Indian network, providing internet access while your regular number remains active on your home SIM.Do eSIMs change your phone number?
Absolutely Not. When you add an eSIM, you're adding a second data line, not replacing your existing one. Your primary phone number stays exactly as before.Is it cheaper to use an eSIM than roaming in India?
Yes, using an eSIM is typically much cheaper than international roaming in India. With an eSIM, you pay a fixed cost for a data plan in advance, avoiding unexpected roaming charges. This allows you to use data freely, often at significantly lower rates. eSIMs also activate instantly without changing your SIM card, and let you keep using your original number while enjoying local data prices.How long does an eSIM take to activate?
For most devices, scanning a QR code triggers the activation. Make sure you have a strong connection to the internet before you start, and the activation should wrap up in around 20 seconds— but in some cases it can take up to 10 minutes if the network connection isn't as strong.Can you buy an eSIM before going to India?
Yes, you can buy an eSIM before traveling to India. It is recommended to purchase a prepaid eSIM from a global provider ahead of your trip. This allows you to activate your data plan in advance and have internet access as soon as you arrive. You will avoid high roaming fees, save time by not needing to find a local SIM card, and skip any registration requirements. An eSIM provides affordable and convenient mobile data on major networks in India, ready to use from the airport.
