Just think about it: your flight from London touches down in Colombo, and before you disembark from the plane, your phone is connected to the internet with your eSIM for Sri Lanka. There’s no need to line up at a SIM card store or wait in a line. Within a few minutes, you’re using your phone to look at maps to plan a visit to the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress, share videos of the beautiful train ride from Kandy to Ella, and find a spot to enjoy your first cup of authentic Ceylon tea. That’s what it means to land connected, just like the famous Sri Lankan hospitality.
What's an eSIM? And Why You Need It for Your Sri Lanka Trip!
An eSIM is a virtual SIM card for your phone. Activate your data plan in Sri Lanka instantly using a QR code scan.
- CoverageSri Lanka
- Package OptionDaily-1GB
- Number of Days3 Days
- PriceFrom £2.41
- CoverageSri Lanka
- Package OptionTotal-10GB
- Number of Days7 Days
- Price£7.32
- CoverageSri Lanka
- Package OptionTotal-20GB
- Number of Days15 Days
- Price£14.52
Why Choose an eSIM for Sri Lanka?
✔ Land Online, instantly: Activate before you fly. Step off at Colombo (CMB) already connected.
✔Keep Your UK Number Active: Local high-speed data with your UK SIM for calls and texts.
✔Flexible for Your Itinerary: Ideal for 7-15 day trips exploring Sri Lanka from Sigiriya's ruins to Ella's tea trails.
✔No SIM Swap, ever: Your secure digital profile is embedded—no SIM card to lose.
✔Share the Journey Live: Post from Galle Fort or on a Yala safari without the need to find Wi-Fi.
Ready to explore Sri Lanka smarter? Get your eSIM now.
Best Sri Lanka eSIM Providers
With so many options, it’s difficult to choose the best eSIM for Sri Lanka. Our detailed comparison of the best eSIM providers and plans will help you find the best eSIM for your trip.
Provider | Sample Plan | Price | Networks in Sri Lanka | Key Advantage |
🏆 Trip.com | 10 GB / 7 days | £ 7.32 | Mobitel (5G) | 🏆 Best value eSIM for Sri Lanka. Costs up to 4x less per GB than competitors, runs on the top-rated 5G network (Mobitel). Book flights & hotels together for a seamless trip. |
Airalo | 1 GB / 7 days | £ 3.50 | Hutch (4G) | Massive global eSIM library for multi-country trips |
Holafly | Unlimited / 7 days | £ 24.00 | Dialog (4G/5G) | Truly unlimited data for heavy users |
Nomad | 1 GB / 7 days | £ 2.95 | Mobitel (4G) | Flexible, region-specific APAC plans |
*Note: The plan details may vary over time. Kindly visit their website for more information.
Analysis & Recommendations:
- For the Classic Highlights Tour (Most UK Tourists): The 7-day or 10-day plan with 5-10GB is the perfect choice for the classic Sri Lanka trip. This package provides the perfect balance of price and data allowance, which is sufficient for navigation from Sigiriya to Ella, translation apps in local markets, and sharing your experiences from the beaches in Mirissa or the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya on social media.
- For Heavy Users, Vloggers & Remote Workers: Are you planning to upload 4K videos from your Yala National Park safari adventure? Do you plan to use your phone as a hotspot for your social media and email needs? In that case, the high data plan (20GB+) is the best choice for your Sri Lanka adventure.
- For Extended Itineraries (e.g., Sri Lanka & Maldives): While most UK travelers opt to stick to Sri Lanka, there are some who prefer to add on a luxury beach holiday in the Maldives. To ensure that you remain connected seamlessly on this two-destination holiday, the easiest way to do this is to purchase a separate eSIM for the Maldives in addition to your existing one for Sri Lanka.
Stay Connected with a Sri Lanka eSIM
Whether you’re exploring the Cultural Triangle on a short getaway or embarking on a two-week island adventure from Colombo to Galle, there’s a Sri Lanka eSIM tailored for your journey. Choose from flexible 1 to 30-day plans with either daily data options (0.5-100GB/day) or total data packages (10-30GB total), all on the island's leading networks.
Spontaneous trip to Sri Lanka? Trip.com eSIM has you covered:
- Premium network coverage: Stay connected wherever you go with reliable 4G/5G coverage from Sri Lanka's leading network provider, Mobitel.
- Instant activation: Receive your QR code via email prior to departure, and connect as soon as you step off the plane at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
- Total flexibility: Select the perfect plan for your trip, whether it's a short 3-day city break or a longer 15-day island adventure.
- Hotspot ready: Easily share your data with laptops, tablets, and other devices.
- Your UK number stays with you: Stay connected locally with high-speed data and still receive calls and texts on your British number.
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eSIM for Your Sri Lanka & Maldives Holiday
This popular pairing will work best if you have two different eSIM cards. You should get both before you depart. You should activate your Sri Lanka eSIM as soon as you arrive in Colombo. Then, you should switch easily to your Maldives eSIM as you depart for Malé. You should do all of this digitally before you depart, so you don’t have to worry about finding a SIM card when you arrive.
🔥Heading to the Maldives after Sri Lanka? Your Maldives eSIM Guide.👇
Is Your Phone Compatible with Sri Lanka eSIM?
Is your phone eSIM-ready? Find out in seconds.
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 Sri Lanka eSIM: 5-Step Guide
It is very easy to get your Sri Lanka eSIM activated and only takes a few minutes:
1. Buy: Choose the desired data plan for your Sri Lanka eSIM from our recommended plans. Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection before you make the purchase.
2. QR by Email: Get instant access with the code and guide after making the payment.
3. Install:
- Connect to the internet via Wi-Fi
- Open the camera on your phone and scan the QR code
- Follow the instructions to install the cellular plan
- Name the plan something like "Sri Lanka Data"
4. Configure:
- Set your new eSIM as the default data option
- Enable data roaming, as it is required for the eSIM to work
- Leave your UK SIM card for voice and texts
5. Activate: Your eSIM should activate automatically, or you can toggle it upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
That is it! You are all set to explore the streets of Galle Fort and take pictures with your phone from the top of Sigiriya Rock as soon as you arrive.
👉 Stay connected in Sri Lanka with an eSIM and discover top sights and tours.
Mobile Coverage in Sri Lanka: What Travelers Should Know
Mobile phone coverage is generally good in cities, along main tourist routes (e.g., Colombo-Kandy, Cultural Triangle), and at main tourist attractions (e.g., Sigiriya Rock, Galle Fort). Good coverage with 4G/LTE should be available in these areas.
Mobile phone coverage can sometimes be patchy (3G) or even drop out briefly in the central highlands around Ella or Nuwara Eliya, and occasionally in some national parks, such as Yala, when on safari. The best option for mobile phone coverage is an eSIM that allows access to both Dialog and Mobitel networks.
Stay Connected in Sri Lanka:
- Call over data: Use WhatsApp or FaceTime with your eSIM.
- Use your UK number: Enable Wi-Fi Calling if available on your UK SIM.
- Call using apps: With data-only plans, you can use Skype or Google Voice.
To ensure continuous connectivity:
- Download maps of the hills in Ella or the East Coast before you start exploring.
- Save these essential emergency numbers for Sri Lanka: Police (Emergency) – 119，Ambulance –110
- Selecting the right network: Ensure that your eSIM service provider covers Dialog or Mobitel, as these two networks have the largest coverage in Sri Lanka.
- For island-wide connectivity, you may also opt for an eSIM that supports connectivity with multiple local networks, thus ensuring connectivity with the strongest signal.
Most travel eSIMs will get you connected to these top providers, so you can stay connected from the fortifications of Galle to the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya.
Unlock Sri Lanka with Trip.com eSIM
From the moment you step off the plane at Colombo's Bandaranaike Airport, until you explore the ancient ruins at Sigiriya and the beautiful beaches on the south coast, share all your experiences with friends and family in real time with Trip.com eSIM.
Why Choose Trip.com eSIM for your trip to Sri Lanka?
- Freedom to Explore: With our data plans offering daily data options ranging from 0.5GB to 100GB, or total data options ranging from 10GB to 30GB, suitable for trips lasting between 1 and 30 days, you can stay connected throughout your journey from the Cultural Triangle to the scenic train journey to Ella.
- QR Code Simplicity: Book before you take off, and then connect as you land in Colombo. Your Sri Lanka plan is active before you touch down.
- UK-Friendly Value: Enjoy fast local data access in Sri Lanka while your UK number remains active—no international roaming charges apply.
- All-in-One Travel: Need a plan for your flight to Galle, or access for your trip to Sigiriya? Do it all where you're already booking with confidence.
Your Sri Lanka journey starts when you land. Be one of the millions who arrive connected and ready to tackle the climb to Sigiriya and watch the sunset in Galle.
FAQ – Sri Lanka eSIM
How does an eSIM work in Sri Lanka?
After purchase, your eSIM connects to local networks like Mobitel or Dialog. Keep your UK SIM in the phone. Enable the eSIM for data in your settings, turn on data roaming, and you'll have internet access across the island, from Colombo to the Cultural Triangle and the southern beaches.Do eSIMs change your phone number?
No, not typically. Most Sri Lanka travel eSIMs are data-only, providing a local internet connection while your UK number remains active for calls and texts. For full clarity, we advise checking your chosen plan's details before you buy.Is it cheaper to use an eSIM than UK roaming in Sri Lanka?
Yes, absolutely. eSIMs offer far better value than standard UK roaming. You pay a clear, upfront price for local data, avoiding unexpected charges. This lets you use maps, translation apps, and social media freely throughout your trip without worry.Can I buy an eSIM before travelling to Sri Lanka from the UK?
Yes, and it's highly recommended. Buy your Sri Lanka eSIM online before you fly. You'll receive a QR code by email, ready to activate. This allows you to get online the moment you land at Bandaranaike Airport, skipping the SIM card queues and connecting immediately.
Popular eSIM options in other countries and regions
Find the most popular eSIM options for your next trip and stay connected wherever you go!