eSIM Asia: Prepaid Data Plans

Yes, the wider Asia plans cover mainland China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia on a single eSIM. Smaller regional plans skip some of them: a few cover only Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, others leave Japan or China out. Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are separate entries in a plan's country list, so tick off every stop on your route.

Reviewed Oct 11, 2026 · Source

The cheapest Asia eSIM on MobiMatter costs $3.49 for 3 GB, valid for 7 days. Prices come live from 5 vetted providers and change often; the price on this page is the current one.

For most tourists and business travellers, yes, if your phone supports eSIM. Asia plans start at $3.49 for 3 GB, and you install the eSIM before you fly, so you have data when you land, without queuing for a tourist SIM at the airport. If your home plan already covers Asia at no extra cost, you may not need one.

Our best plan for Asia right now is 30 GB for 30 days at $14.99 from Three Hong Kong. We rank plans on quality and value for money, and this one comes first in the list.

It depends on how you use your phone. Light use (maps, messaging, browsing) takes about 0.5–1 GB a day; scrolling a lot of social video can take 2–3 GB or more. Typical use per hour:

• Instagram Reels, TikTok: 0.3–1 GB
• YouTube, Netflix at standard quality: 0.5–1 GB
• Video calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime): 0.5–1 GB
• Voice calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio): 50–70 MB
• Maps and navigation: 2–6 MB
• Messaging and browsing: 50–150 MB

The cheapest Asia plan with at least 5 GB for a week or longer is 5 GB for 15 days at $4.99.

5G is available on 42 plans for Asia, where the local network has 5G coverage; the others use 4G/LTE. Hotspot (tethering) works on every plan, so you can share your data with other devices.

Most travel eSIMs, including most Asia plans, are data-only and have no local number. You keep your usual number on your main SIM for calls, texts and WhatsApp. Plans that include a number or minutes say so on the plan page.

Yes, if it supports eSIM and is not locked to a carrier. To check, dial *#06#: if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS/XR on, Galaxy S20 and later and Pixel 3 and later do, except most models sold in mainland China and some sold in Hong Kong and Macao.

Yes. Your eSIM and your main SIM can be active at the same time. Use the eSIM for mobile data with data roaming on for that line, and turn data roaming off on your home SIM to avoid charges. WhatsApp keeps working on your usual number.