Are you planning your trip to Hungary and looking for the best eSIM to stay connected and avoid high roaming charges? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM when traveling to Hungary and a comparison of the best Hungary eSIMs in 2025.
Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM for Hungary on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find a Hungary eSIM comparison, up to date prices as per January 2025, all eSIM specifications and my recommendations.
Find out where and when to order an eSIM, FAQ about using eSIMs, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards for Hungary and of course links to directly order your eSIM for traveling to Hungary online.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Hungary eSIM comparison
- What is the cheapest eSIM for Hungary?
- Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Hungary
- Where to buy an eSIM for Hungary?
- When to order/activate an eSIM for Hungary?
- How to activate an eSIM
- Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Hungary
- Make sure your phone is unlocked
- Which smartphones support eSIMs?
- Can I trust these eSIM providers?
- Can I keep my phone number from home with a Hungary eSIM?
- Can I make phone calls with a Hungary eSIM?
- Does a Hungary eSIM come with a phone number?
- Can I use 5G on a Hungary eSIM?
- Are there eSIMs for Hungary with unlimited data?
- Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Hungary?
- eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
- Best 4G/5G mobile data network in Hungary
Since 2012 I am traveling the world full time and throughout the years I turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.
In the past I used to buy a prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Hungary in 2025.
Some links in this article about the best eSIMs for Hungary are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Before showing you the two best eSIMs for Hungary read the following carefully:
Make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible. If not, an eSIM won't work on your phone!
1. Orange Holiday Europe eSIM - 70 GB
- 70 GB data in all of Europe
- 5G ready
- Unlimited calling/texting in all of Europe
- 120 international minutes
- 1,000 international sms
- Valid for 28 days
- Only $0.8 USD per Gigabyte
You can buy the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM via SimOptions for $55.90 USD or via Sim Local for $53.50 USD.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 15% off on all Sim Local eSIMs when using the promo code: TRAVELTOMTOM at check out!
This eSIM comes with a phone number from France starting with +33 and is valid in 39 countries in Europe. Unlimited calls and sms within Europe are included as well as 120 international minutes.
Since the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM comes with free EU data roaming and is valid in all countries in Europe it is therefore also listed as the best sim card for traveling to Europe.
2. Jetpac eSIM for Hungary - 10 GB for $12 USD
- 10 GB data-only eSIM
- Valid in Hungary only
- 5G ready
- Valid for 30 days
- $1.2 USD per Gigabyte
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Hungary.
The Jetpac eSIMs for Hungary have amazing rates all around just $1 USD per Gigabyte and they have 9 different plans.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on all Jetpac eSIMs when using the promo code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
Is Hungary one of your stops on a trip around the world then you can also look into getting an eSIM for world travelers. There are a bunch of eSIMs that cover multiple countries and some are great for traveling to Europe, Asia and America.
Hungary eSIM comparison
You can also get a tourist eSIM in Hungary in phone stores of Telekom, Vodafone and Yettel, the mobile internet providers in Hungary.
But wouldn't it be easy to be online as soon as the plane lands and not having to deal with buying a prepaid sim card in Hungary or at Budapest Airport?
Luckily there are multiple eSIM providers on the internet that sell Hungary eSIMs for tourists.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling in Hungary from one of the well-known eSIM providers that have proven to be reliable operators: Jetpac, Holafly, SimOptions, Nomad, Airalo, GigSky, Airhub, aloSIM, Saily, Roamless, Firsty, Yesim, Sim Local, Ubigi, etc.
The competition is fierce... so before you buy an eSIM first read my tips below!
Jetpac
Jetpac quickly made name in the eSIM world by not only offering very affordable eSIM solutions, but also by adding a couple benefits for travelers who order an eSIM via Jetpac. Check out our extensive Jetpac eSIM review with all pros and cons.
Check out the Jetpac eSIM plans for Hungary in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $7 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Hungary.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on all Jetpac eSIMs when using the promo code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
The Jetpac Hungary eSIMs are data-only and only valid in Hungary. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Jetpac eSIMs operate on the 4G/5G network of Yettel and Vodafone. 5G is supported.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM before your trip to Hungary, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in Hungary. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
An extra advantage of using a Jetpac eSIM is that you get a free VPN subscription, 50% discount on airport lounges and Fast Track passes. And Jetpac also provides free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel to Hungary and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided.
These are all complimentary services that no other eSIM provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering your Hungary eSIM.
The Traveltomtom Team wrote down all pros and cons about SimOptions in our full SimOptions Review.
SimOptions is specialized in international eSIMs valid in multiple countries, but also has data-only eSIMs for Hungary.
These are the SimOptions data-only eSIM plans for Hungary:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $5.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $6.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $12.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $31.90 USD
- 50 GB data for 30 days = $49.90 USD
These data-only eSIMs are only valid in Hungary. SimOptions doesn't specify on which network they operate in Hungary. 5G is not supported. These eSIMs do NOT come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms services.
Click here to order a data-only eSIM for Hungary from SimOptions.
Much more interesting are the international eSIMs for Hungary you can order via SimOptions.
These eSIMs support incoming and outgoing calls/sms as they come with a phone number.
Bouygues Telecom
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $32.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $39.90 USD
Orange Holiday Europe
- 12 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 30 minutes international for 14 days = $28.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 70 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 28 days = $55.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an an international eSIM for Hungary via SimOptions.
If you download the SimOptions app and use the coupon code TOM10 you get an extra 10% discount on all SimOptions eSIMs.
These eSIMs are valid all over Europe and they include free EU data roaming. The best thing about these eSIMs for Hungary is that they also include unlimited calling and texting.
The validity of these eSIMs is 1 year, so you have to instal the SimOptions eSIMs within 1 year. The eSIM will only be activated once you reach one of the countries included in the eSIM coverage. So you can instal your eSIM already before your trip to Hungary and the activation starts as soon as you arrive.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times. Airalo is the market leader in eSIMs and has eSIM plans for pretty much every country in the world. Rock-solid and I have never faced an issue with Airalo eSIMs.
Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Hungary for 2025
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Hungary from Airalo.
The best value Hungary eSIM from Airalo gives you 20 GB data for $36 USD, which comes down to $1.8 USD per Gigabyte. Not a bad rate but higher than the Jetpac and SimOptions eSIMs for Hungary.
The Airalo eSIMs for Hungary are from Szia! and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of Yettel. Although there is a very good 5G network in Hungary, the Airalo eSIMs do not support 5G.
For more info about the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Hungary check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card in Hungary in 2025, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.
All the Airalo eSIMs are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network.
Saily
Saily is a no-frills eSIM provider. Nothing special apart from that they are a product of NordVPN. They are a fairly new service and the Traveltomtom Team tested Saily extensively before adding them to this Hungary eSIM comparison.
Here are the Saily eSIM plans for Hungary in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $3.99 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $7.99 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $11.99 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $18.99 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $31.99 USD
Click here to order a Saily eSIM for Hungary.
Saily doesn't provide much info about their eSIM plans. It is unclear if the Saily eSIMs are 5G ready and neither on which network they operate in Hungary.
The Saily eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls or sms are not supported. Saily is very similar to Airalo but then a dollar or so cheaper.
But since some essential info is missing we rank them a little lower in this Hungary eSIM comparison.
aloSIM
Not a new kid on the block, aloSIM has earned its stripes already in the eSIM world, but Traveltomtom didn't use aloSIM much until lately. The Traveltomtom Team tested and reviewed aloSIM and came with positive notes.
Read all about it in our extensive and honest aloSIM review.
Here are the aloSIM plans for Hungary in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Hungary via aloSIM.
The aloSIM plans for Hungary are an exact copy of the Airalo eSIM plans, prices are the exact same. The aloSIM eSIMs operate on the Telenor and Vodafone 4G/5G network.
What differentiates aloSIM from Airalo and other eSIM providers is that they offer an eSIM for Hungary including an international phone number. This phone number that comes with the eSIM is via a separate application called Hushed.
Nomad
Lately Traveltomtom started recommending Nomad eSIMs as they sometimes have cheap tourist eSIMs for some countries. Unfortunately, the Nomad eSIM plans for Hungary are pretty expensive compared to Jetpac and SimOptions.
Nomad eSIMs are not Traveltomtom's first pick for traveling to Hungary in 2025.
Here are the Nomad eSIM plans for Hungary for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
- 50 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Hungary from Nomad.
The best value eSIM for Hungary from Nomad is the one with 50 GB data for $45 USD, which is less than $1 USD per Gigabyte.
The Nomad eSIMs are data-only and only valid in Hungary. Incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported. The Nomad eSIMs for Hungary operate on the 4G/5G network of Vodafone and Yettel.
The Nomad Hungary eSIMs have to be installed on your phone within 60 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Hungary. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Holafly
Personally Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data that do not explicitly mention what is the exact Fair Use Policy.
In fact, unlimited data eSIMs are not really unlimited, they all reduce your data speed and you only get a certain amount of high speed data per day.
Holafly is an eSIM operator that only has eSIMs with unlimited data but does NOT mention what the FUP is. They only say the following:
- Speed reduction: if necessary. Some carriers may reserve the right to apply a Fair Usage Policy.
These are the Holafly eSIM plans for Hungary:
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $12.90 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $20.90 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29.90 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $36.90 USD
- 15 days 'unlimited' data = $47.90 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $61.90 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $74.90 USD
The Holafly eSIMs for Hungary are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number.
The Holafly eSIMs operate on the Yettel and Vodafone network in Hungary. You can use a hotspot on the Holafly Hungary eSIMs, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.
Because of the undefined FUP Traveltomtom is not a fan of Holafly eSIMs but Holafly eSIMs for Hungary are also much more expensive than other eSIM providers. Holafly is in fact the most expensive eSIM for Hungary!
Vodafone
There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Hungary: Telekom, Yettel and Vodafone. In phone stores in Hungary you can also get an eSIM for tourists.
You can not buy an eSIM at Budapest Airport, only extremely overpriced physical prepaid sim cards.
In Vodafone stores in Hungary they sell the following eSIM plan for tourists:
- unlimited data (30 GB data in EU) + unlimited calls/sms = 11,990 HUF - $30 USD
Yettel
In Yettel stores in Hungary they have the following eSIMs for tourists:
- 1 GB + 50 min = 1,100 HUF - $2.8 USD
- 3 GB + 100 min = 2,500 HUF - $6.3 USD
- 5 GB - data only = 3,300 HUF - $8.4 USD
Telekom
Telekom Hungary offers only one eSIM plan for tourists.
- 1 GB + 80 minutes = 1,990 HUF - $5 USD
- Add extra 3.5 GB = 3,500 HUF - $9 USD
For more info check out my complete guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Hungary in 2025.
What is the cheapest eSIM for Hungary?
No other eSIM provider can beat the Jetpac eSIM plan with 1 GB data for just $1 USD.
There are more eSIM plans with 1 GB data. Airalo, SimOptions and aloSIM all charge $4.5 USD. Saily charges $3.99 USD for the same plan.
But then there is Jetpac again with an eSIMs for Hungary with 3 GB data for just $5 USD.
Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Hungary
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Hungary in 2025 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Hungary without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in Hungary with an activated eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Hungary, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Hungary so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2025.
eSIMs are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.
Traveltomtom also wrote eSIM guides for: Netherlands, Bali, Europe, Ireland, Iceland, Japan, Switzerland, Morocco, Mexico, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Asia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Romania, Albania, Egypt, Brazil, United Kingdom, USA, international eSIMs and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination.
Overseas data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you in pretty much all of the amazing tourist destinations in Hungary there is 4G/LTE available.
And price-wise it should be a no brainer since you have seen how affordable the eSIMs for Hungary are. Why would you pay $5 to $10 USD per day on an overseas data roaming plan that limits your data speed.
Uncountable times travel friends have asked me: "Tom, can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!" Trust me, invest a couple dollars in an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Hungary if you want a physical prepaid sim card.
Stay connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.
Where to buy an eSIM for Hungary?
Online
You can buy an eSIM for Hungary through an eSIM provider on the internet. There are multiple eSIM providers for Hungary. Traveltomtom tested lots of them and concluded that the ones mentioned in this guide are the best and most reliable eSIM providers in 2025.
When buying an eSIM for Hungary through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed.
On arrival in Hungary
There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Hungary: Yettel, Vodafone, Telekom. As per 2025 all mobile internet provider offer eSIMs for tourists.
On arrival in Hungary you be able to buy an eSIM in a phone store. You can not get an eSIM at Budapest Airport.
Traveltomtom also wrote a specific guide for buying a sim card Budapest Airport.
When to order/activate an eSIM for Hungary?
You can order an eSIM for Hungary pretty much any time you want. Most eSIMs have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIMs only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM on the day of departure to Hungary or a day before. You will need a stable internet connection to instal your eSIM. Pretty much all the international airports in Hungary have free public WiFi which works ok most of the time, so you could use that to install your eSIM on arrival.
Very important is to make sure you have a stable internet connection or you might run into issues with your eSIM. Therefore just to make sure Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your eSIM in your home country.
My personal advice is to instal your tourist eSIM for Hungary before you get into the plane, because then as soon as the plane lands in Hungary you will be connected to the internet and you can enjoy data on your phone instantly.
How do I know all this info about eSIMs? Traveltomtom uses on average more than 30 eSIMs per year because of my nomadic lifestyle of constantly traveling the world, 365 days a year, since 2012.
How to activate an eSIM
Installing and activating an eSIM is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email after you ordered your eSIM.
But wait, forget about the instructions, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code!
When you order an eSIM plan for Hungary you instantly receive a summary of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Hungary eSIM. Regardless where you order your eSIM, all eSIM providers send you detailed instructions.
But installing an activating an eSIM is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM on. The QR code contains all the information about your Hungary eSIM.
Once you scan the QR code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM is successfully installed.
Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Hungary
Here are some general tips and FAQ's for using eSIMs when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Hungary eSIMs, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM in general.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIMs only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Hungary. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Hungary or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Hungary and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIMs?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM is if your smartphone supports eSIMs. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIMs.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM for traveling to Hungary.
However, you can still order a sim card for Hungary on the internet before your trip. Find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2025.
Can I trust these eSIM providers?
All the eSIM providers for Hungary recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Hungary.
Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.
Check out the pros and cons of SimOptions in our review.
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom has tested and reviewed Jetpac now in more than 15 countries and is very happy with the performance and the extra perks like airport lounge access, etc.
Sim Local has more than 100 sim card shops and kiosks in international airports around the world and has been selling sim cards for tourists for more than 5 years. Read Traveltomtom's honest review about Sim Local eSIM provider.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.
Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.
But there are many more eSIM providers. Traveltomtom has tested and wrote dedicated reviews for the following eSIM providers: GigSky, aloSIM, Ubigi, Airhub, Saily, Yesim, etc.
On top of that there is also Roamless, an eSIM provider with no data expiration. And Firsty, which offers free data in exchange for watching ads. Truly two game changers!
Traveltomtom does NOT sell Hungary eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIMs for traveling to Hungary.
All eSIM providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.
Can I keep my phone number from home with a Hungary eSIM?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM to stay connected when traveling to Hungary. An eSIM can be used next to your physical or eSIM from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM.
So you can have multiple eSIMs installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Hungary eSIM you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.
Switching between physical and eSIMs is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.
Can I make phone calls with a Hungary eSIM?
The international eSIMs from SimOptions: Bouygues Telecom and Orange Holiday Europe offer calling and texting in all of Europe.
All other eSIMs are data-only eSIMs and any incoming/outgoing calls/sms are not supported.
If you buy a prepaid eSIM in Hungary you get calling and texting included.
Does a Hungary eSIM come with a phone number?
All the eSIMs that offer calling and texting also come with a phone number.
Data-only eSIMs do not come with a phone number and can not receive calls or sms.
aloSIM has a calling service including in their eSIM, but it is via an application called Hushed, not directly on the eSIM. This calling service is complimentary when buying an aloSIM eSIM.
Local prepaid sim cards that you buy in Hungary come with a Hungary phone number that starts with +36.
Can I use 5G on a Hungary eSIM?
Yes, as of 2025 most of the eSIMs for Hungary support 5G.
Are there eSIMs for Hungary with unlimited data?
Yes, some eSIM plans for Hungary include unlimited data. Holafly sell eSIMs for Hungary with unlimited data.
Traveltomtom is in general not a fan of data sim cards with unlimited data. Why? There is mostly a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy), which is sometimes already after 2 GB data per day. That means that after 2 GB usage your internet will be slowed down to a data speed which is completely useless.
In general, unlimited data is pretty much never unlimited data at max speed. And trust me the reduced data speed will creep you out as it barely works!
So yes, there are eSIMs for Hungary with unlimited data but always read the fine print for more details, terms & conditions.
Holafly does not specify what the FUP is and that makes it very tricky. Is it after 1 GB or after 2 GB?
A Holafly eSIM is more expensive than other eSIMs for Hungary. A Holafly eSIM with unlimited data for 7 days = $29.90 USD, which makes Holafly the most expensive eSIM for Hungary in 2025.
On Holafly eSIMs I also experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. When I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait the rest of the day until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media apps were not even loading! Imagine being on a 10 hour bus ride and after 2 hours you reached the FUP...
Therefore Traveltomtom does not directly recommend eSIMs with unlimited data.
Think about it... if you will not use more than 2 GB per day, then what is the point of having an eSIM with unlimited data?
Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Hungary?
eSIMs are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Hungary, but what is the best way?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Hungary:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIMs
Let's compare eSIMs, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
In general if you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip.
The downside is that a local prepaid sim card for tourists can only be purchased on arrival in Hungary in a phone store or you can buy a sim card on arrival at Budapest Airport.
Another big difference is that local prepaid sim cards in Hungary have the advantage that they come with a local phone number and calling minutes and sms bundles. That means incoming and outgoing calls are supported.
More info about the best Hungary sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Hungary in 2025.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Hungary. These are physical prepaid sim cards you order on the internet and will be delivered to your home address.
Some of these are great for visiting Hungary and they are valid in up to 124 countries around the world and you can easily order them online.
If after visiting Hungary you are traveling onwards in America, Asia or in Europe then check Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2025.
As I mentioned before SimOptions is the only sim card provider that also sells physical prepaid sim cards for traveling internationally.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your door step before your trip to Hungary. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground in Hungary and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
A physical prepaid sim card with 20 GB data only is $21.90 USD, which is only around $1 USD per Gigabyte.
Click here to order a physical prepaid sim card for Hungary via SimOptions.
eSIMs
As explained throughout the article there are two different eSIMs for traveling in Hungary:
- eSIMs that you buy on the internet through a third party
- eSIMs that you buy in Hungary in a mobile internet provider store
As of 2025 all mobile internet providers in Hungary offer eSIMs for tourists. In a Yettel, Vodafone and Telkom store you can opt for an eSIM as well as a physical prepaid sim card.
eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Getting an eSIM on the internet is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Hungary, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Hungary.
You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in Hungary. As soon as the plane lands, you are online!
But what is cheaper? An eSIM or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?
When we compare the prices for Hungary eSIMs with the prices for local prepaid sim cards in Hungary, Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that local prepaid sim cards are more affordable as you get much more Gigabytes for a cheaper price.
For around $15 USD you can get a local prepaid sim card with 20 GB data for 28 days. For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards in Hungary in 2025.
But local prepaid sim cards can only be bought in Hungary on arrival in a sim card shop or at the airport (no eSIMs at Budapest Airport). Ordering a tourist eSIM for Hungary on the internet takes just 2 minutes and can be done at any time of day without any form of identification.
Remember that some of the eSIMs for Hungary go down to only $0.8 USD per Gigabyte. The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM from SimOptions gives you 70 GB data and is one of the best buy eSIMs for Hungary in 2025.
After a long flight you just want to get to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a phone store and buy a local prepaid sim card. With an eSIM that you order on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands.
Simply because of this convenience Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIMs for Hungary on the internet.
Data speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM is that eSIMs are in general through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO's operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIMs through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs could be less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator you bought in Hungary.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIMs can be less compared to a local prepaid Hungary sim card.
My data speed experiences in Hungary with my Orange Holiday Europe eSIM were excellent. Mobile data speed in Budapest was very good and enjoyed a 5G signal all the time. Pretty much all the time I tested I reached a download speed of more than 100 Mbps and an upload speed varied between 30 to 60 Mbps.
In reality you won't really notice the difference between eSIMs and local prepaid sim cards much because yes it may occur that your data speed is a little slower for a couple minutes, but it is still fast enough to roam the internet without any problems.
Best 4G/5G mobile data network in Hungary
Traveltomtom researched the 4G/5G network of all the mobile internet providers in Hungary and compared the mobile internet coverage maps of Yettel, Vodafone and Telekom.
Traveltomtom came to the conclusion that overall Vodafone has the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Hungary in 2025. For more information check out Traveltomtom's article about the best tourist sim card for Hungary in 2025, including a comparison of the network coverage maps of Yettel, Vodafone and Telekom.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM for your trip to Hungary were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison and all my tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your preferred eSIM for Hungary.
If you have any questions please leave me a comment below and I am more than happy to help you out.
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Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Hungary!