Traveling to Asia and planning your trip? Stay connected but don't get stuck with high roaming charges or let slow overseas data roaming plans annoy you. Get yourself a travel sim card for Asia with data.
This is a complete guide for finding the best physical prepaid sim card or eSIM for traveling to Asia in 2025.
From Singapore to Lake Baikal in Russia and from Turkey to Vietnam and everything in and between. My continuous travels around the world made me visit almost every country in Asia. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
In the past I used always buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected.
Table of Contents
- 1. Jetpac Asia-Pacific
- 2. Saily eSIM for Asia
- 3. Asialink eSIM for Asia
- 4. GigSky eSIM for Asia Pacific
- 5. aloSIM
- 6. Discover Global data-only eSIM
- 7. Three prepaid sim card for Asia
- 8. Nomad eSIM for South East Asia
- 9. Orange Holiday World
- 10. Discover Global eSIM including calls/sms
- 11. AIS SIM2FLY - 'unlimited' data sim card for Asia
- 12. Go Sim
- Where to buy a local prepaid sim card in Asia
- Asia sim cards vs. local prepaid sim cards
- Conclusion
All the below listed prepaid international sim cards and eSIMs for Asia can be ordered online. Prepaid international sim cards will be delivered to your home address within 2-5 business days and eSIMs will be in your email instantly.
All the Asia (e)sim cards below will only work in an unlocked phone, tablet or pocket wifi!
Some links in this article about the best Asia sim cards are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using the affiliate links I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you, but I have the duty to inform you.
1. Jetpac Asia-Pacific
Jetpac has quickly proven to be a reliable eSIM operator. Jetpac is listed as the best eSIM for traveling to Asia in 2025 because of its competitive eSIM plans and prices.
On top of that Jetpac strives to be more than just an eSIM supplier and they offer their clients extras as for example free lounge access on delayed flights, free VPN subscription, etc.
Read more about Jetpac in our Honest review about Jetpac eSIMs.
Jetpac also has a specific eSIM for South East Asia, valid in only 6 countries. It is a little bit cheaper than this Asia Pacific eSIM.
The Jetpac Asia-Pacific eSIM is valid in the following countries: Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
Here are the Jetpac Asia-Pacific eSIM plans for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $11 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $26.5 USD
- 20 GB data for 90 days = $39 USD
- 30 GB data for 180 days = $60 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $75 USD
Click here for more info or to order the Jetpac Asia-Pacific eSIM.
The Jetpac Asia-Pacific plan with 15 GB data for just $26.5 USD makes it the best value eSIM for Asia with a rate of only $1.77 USD per Gigabyte.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM before your trip to Asia, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in one of the supported countries. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
The Jetpac Asia-Pacific eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are not supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number. The Jetpac Asia-Pacific eSIMs are 5G ready.
An extra advantage of Jetpac Asia-Pacific eSIMs is that they provide a free VPN and free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIMs offer. For more info check the Jetpac website.
2. Saily eSIM for Asia
Saily is a NordVPN product and therefore definitely a reliable eSIM provider. On top of that Saily offers great eSIM plans for traveling in Asia.
The Traveltomtom Team took a closer look at Saily eSIMs, read all about it in this complete review: Saily | a NordVPN eSIM.
Here are all the Saily eSIM plans for Asia:
- 1 GB data for7 days = $4.99 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $12.49 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $19.49 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $35.99 USD
- 50 GB data for 90 days = $95.99 USD
- 100 GB data for 180 days = $179.99 USD
The Saily eSIMs for Asia are valid in 19 countries, mainly in Central and East Asia: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
On top of that the Saily eSIM for Asia is also valid in Australia and New Zealand, so it is more an eSIM for Asia/Pacific.
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Asia from Saily.
3. Asialink eSIM for Asia
Listed as one of the best eSIM for traveling in Asia in 2025 is the new Asialink eSIM from Airalo. It is valid in 18 countries in Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
You can buy the Asialink eSIM plans via Airalo, one of the most reliable eSIM providers. Traveltomtom has used Airalo eSIMs in more than 50 countries around the world and never had an issue.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $9.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $37 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $49 USD
- 50 GB data for 90 days = $100 USD
- 100 GB data for 180 days = $185 USD
So especially for those traveling to South and Southeast Asia this is the perfect sim card for your trip. Top-up is available if you need more data during your trip and there is no identification needed to activate this eSIM.
Great thing about the Airalo Asialink eSIM is that they are 5G ready in most countries, if not then they operate on the 4G/LTE network, it depends on the country. Check for more info the Airalo website.
Click here for more info or to order the Asialink eSIM via Airalo for your trip to Asia.
4. GigSky eSIM for Asia Pacific
GigSky has been in the eSIM business for quite some time and has now expanded their eSIMs for pretty much every country in the world. Traveltomtom has recently tested GigSky eSIMs and they came out of the test as quite a pleasant surprise. Read more about it in our GigSky Review.
GigSky gives its users 100 MB for free in pretty much every destination. For using a GigSky eSIM you need to download the GigSky app first which is an extra task and sometimes not preferred. But they do have some good eSIMs for Asia.
Here are the GigSky Asia Pacific plans:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.99 USD
- 3 GB data for 15 days = $9.74 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14.99 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $28.49 USD
- 50 GB data for 90 days = $74.99 USD
The GigSky Asia Pacific eSIMs are valid in: Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Not just a great sim card for Asia, but also one of the best eSIMs for traveling in the Pacific.
What is missing is for example: Pakistan, Philippines, Laos, Singapore.
GigSky gives very little info about the eSIM it sells. If the eSIMs are 5G ready is not specified, neither which network they use per specific country is not specified. What I can say is that GigSky eSIMs are data-only.
Click here for more info or to order a GigSky eSIM for Asia.
5. aloSIM
What sets aloSIM eSIM apart from other operators is that aloSIM offers eSIMs with a virtual phone number. An extra service from aloSIM called Hushed. It basically means that your eSIM comes with a phone number and you can make (international) calls.
For a full review and more details check out our article: Review of aloSIM eSIMs.
Here are the aloSIM plans for Asia:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $9.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $37 USD
- 50 GB data for 90 days = $100 USD
- 100 GB data for 180 days = $185 USD
Prices for aloSIM eSIMs for Asia are pretty much identical as Airalo Asia eSIMs.
The aloSIM eSIMs for Asia are valid in 13 countries: Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
Click here for more info or to order an aloSIM eSIMs for Asia.
6. Discover Global data-only eSIM
Without a doubt one of the best sim cards for traveling in Asia is the Discover Global eSIM. It is actually an international eSIM with global coverage in 127 countries around the world. Countries like USA, Canada, everywhere in Europe, almost all of South America, etc.
The reason why I listed this eSIM as one of the best sim card for traveling in Asia is because it covers almost all countries in Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Brunei, Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
The Discover Global sim card is only available as an eSIM and you can order it via Airalo.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $9 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $17 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
- 5 GB data for 60 days = $35 USD
- 10 GB data for 180 days = $59 USD
- 20 GB data for 365 days = $69 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Discover Global eSIM via Airalo.
Keep in mind that this is an eSIM and not a physical sim card. eSIMs are the easiest way to get internet on your phone when traveling abroad in 2025.
You will order an eSIM online, receive a QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes and can use your data in all of the above mentioned countries.
7. Three prepaid sim card for Asia
This Three Data sim card is only available as a physical prepaid sim card so perfect choice for those who don't have an eSIM compatible phone.
The Three sim card will be delivered to your home address after you order online and comes with a UK phone number that starts with +44. This physical international prepaid sim card is valid in 56 countries and is automatically activated from its first use. Meaning you can put it in your phone during your flight and when you land you will have internet on your phone.
From these 56 countries there are you can use the Three prepaid sim card in 7 countries in Asia: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Macao, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
The list of Asian countries is pretty limited compared to other Asia sim cards, but the price is also only $24.90 USD for 10 GB data. This comes down to only $2.49 USD per Gigabyte, which is a pretty good deal and therefore the Three data sim card is listed high in Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling in Asia in 2025.
Click here for more info or order a Three sim card for traveling in Asia via SimOptions.
8. Nomad eSIM for South East Asia
Nomad is a trusted eSIM provider which Traveltomtom has used in more than 10 countries around the world. They have special eSIM plans for South East Asia plus Oceania and they cover the following countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam as well as Australia and New Zealand.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
- 20 GB data for 45 days = $39 USD
- 20 GB data for 60 days = $60 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Nomad eSIM for traveling in South East Asia.
9. Orange Holiday World
The Orange Holiday World sim card for Asia truly covers EVERY country in Asia in 1 sim card! There is no registration needed and the sim card is automatically activated from its first use.
The Orange Holiday World sim card gives you up to 10 GB data for 14 days, depending on which country you visit. And is available as a physical prepaid sim card for $49.90 USD. Click here to order via SimOptions. But you can also order the Orange Holiday World eSIM for jsut $39.90 USD via SimOptions.
10 GB is valid in the following 28 countries in Asia: Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam.
5 GB is valid in the following 6 countries in Asia: Azerbaijan, Iraq, Mongolia, Oman, Palestine, Uzbekistan.
1 GB data is valid in the following 6 countries in Asia: Afghanistan, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Lebanon and Yemen.
All other countries in Asia you can only use 50 MB data, which of course is only just 2 minutes of browsing the internet and actually not worth it!
If you like to use your Orange Holiday World sim card for Asia longer than 14 days you must register online and buy one of the data top up packages. The same data package of 10 GB then costs €29 EUR, but it is too much work I would say.
If you are traveling in Asia for a longer period I recommend the eSIMs of Saily and Airalo.
Order an Orange Holiday World sim card directly via SimOptions. Click here for a physical prepaid sim card or here for the Orange Holiday world eSIM.
10. Discover Global eSIM including calls/sms
The Discover Global eSIM from Airalo that is valid in 127 countries is also available as an eSIM that includes calling and texting.
Valid in the same 127 countries around the world like: USA, Canada, everywhere in Europe, almost all of South America, etc. and all the following Asian countries: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Brunei, Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
- 1 GB data + 10 minutes + 10 sms for 7 days = $15 USD
- 2 GB data + 20 minutes + 20 sms for 15 days = $27 USD
- 3 GB data + 30 minutes + 30 sms for 30 days = $36 USD
- 5 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 sms for 60 days = $50 USD
- 10 GB data + 100 minutes + 100 sms for 180 days = $79 USD
- 20 GB data + 200 minutes + 200 sms for 365 days = $89 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Discover Global eSIM via Airalo.
Keep in mind that this is an eSIM and not a physical sim card. eSIMs are the easiest way to get internet on your phone when traveling abroad in 2025.
11. AIS SIM2FLY - 'unlimited' data sim card for Asia
AIS is one of the main mobile internet providers in Thailand. They offer a data sim card for Asia that works in the following 23 countries in Asia:
Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Tibet), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam as well as Australia.
An AIS SIM2FLY sim card for Asia cost $19.90 USD and gives you 6 GB data valid for 10 days in all the above listed countries.
After you used 6 GB you can use unlimited data at reduced speed of 128Kbps. That is just enough to receive incoming emails and send WhatsApp text messages.
A great deal for a short stay in Asia! There is no registration needed, but unfortunately you can NOT top up. After 10 days the AIS SIM2FLY sim card is useless. You are also NOT able to receive any calls or sms.
Click here to order an AIS SIM2FLY sim card for traveling in Asia directly online or find more info.
12. Go Sim
A sim card from GoSim is $10 as well and has coverage in the same 15 countries as Travelsim.
You will have to add a data bundle for Asia: 3 GB = $40.
Seems like GoSim, Travelsim are all selling the same prepaid sim card for Asia. However, Go Sim does NOT offer an eSIM, where Travelsim does.
Comparing Travelsim and Go Sim I would choose to use Go Sim as they offer FREE SHIPPING anywhere around the world. Go Sim also gives you 1 GB data bonus in some countries.
The conclusion is simple, this is NOT the best sim card for Asia. However if you are still interested then click here for more information or to order an Asia sim card from Go Sim.
For example: buying a sim card in Israel gets you 70 GB + unlimited calls and text in Israel for just $18. Just to let you know once more that local sim cards are always way better than international sim cards.
Where to buy a local prepaid sim card in Asia
On arrival at all the international airports in Asia they sell local prepaid sim cards for tourists. From Amman to Bangkok and from Bali to Seoul. It is hard to miss the sim card shops at the international airports. Just like car rentals and taxi services there will always be a kiosk or a store that sells local prepaid sim cards for tourists.
There are exceptions: Karachi and Islamabad Airport in Pakistan! I searched everywhere, but you can not buy a tourist sim card in Pakistan on arrival at the airport.
On arrival you can mostly only get a physical prepaid sim card and not an eSIM. However, this is slowly changing and in several countries they already offer the option for tourists to get an eSIM.
For more detailed info check out the Traveltomtom guides for the Asian countries and airports: Pakistan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Jakarta, Bali, Thailand, Bangkok, Israel, Tel Aviv, Jordan, Amman, Turkey, Istanbul, Lebanon, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Nepal, Kathmandu, Oman, Muscat, Saudi Arabia, Medina, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain, Qatar, Philippines, Manila, China, Shanghai, Tashkent and more.
When it comes to buying a local prepaid sim card then Asia is the best continent to be in. Sim cards are sold in convenience stores, mobile phone shops and even souvenir shops have sim cards for tourists. In Southeast Asia and South Asia you will find signs of the mobile internet providers everywhere. A local prepaid sim card with data in Asia is mostly very cheap.
Asia sim cards vs. local prepaid sim cards
But why buying a sim card for Asia online when you can buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival? Very easy answer. Local prepaid sim cards are only valid for 1 country and can only be bought on arrival, not on the internet. International sim cards for Asia are valid across the whole continent and can be bought directly online.
You might also want to check out my article about the best global travel sim cards in 2025. Would I recommend you to buy an international sim card for Asia? It depends what kind of traveler you are But some are definitely worth checking out.
Anyway it is also a very simple conclusion after comparing local prepaid sim cards vs. international (e)-sim cards for Asia that if you want a lot of data or sim cards with unlimited data that local prepaid sim cards are cheaper.
But imagine traveling for 10 days and visiting 3 countries in Asia. A trip to Bangkok in Thailand, then Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and then ending in Singapore. You can buy a new prepaid sim card in every country you go to, but that will eventually be more expensive and costs you precious time. Therefore for these situations and for these trips to Asia it is definitely recommended to buy a prepaid Asia data sim card or an eSIM for Asia online.
Buying a local prepaid sim card in Asia might be cheaper but cost time. You will have to queue up in line, find a prepaid sim card plan from one of the available mobile internet operators, hand over your passport, wait for the registration, pay, put the sim card in your phone and wait till it starts working.
After a long flight this might not be what you want and these situations can be avoided by buying a sim card for Asia online. Whether that is a prepaid travel sim card or an eSIM for Asia. You arrive prepared and as soon as the plane touches the ground you are online.
No need to worry about losing signal when crossing borders with online Asia travel (e)-sim cards with data. I selected the best Asia sim cards for you so that you stay connected wherever you travel in Asia.
However, staying in certain country for a longer period of time I definitely recommend you to buy a local prepaid sim card rather than a travel sim card for Asia on the internet.
Conclusion
I keep on saying it, the best sim card for traveling to Asia is a LOCAL SIM CARD. Local sim cards are in general cheaper and they give you sometimes even UNLIMITED data for just $10 USD.
However, you can only buy these prepaid sim cards on arrival. Mostly at the airports they charge tourist prices, so it takes a bit of effort the find the best local prepaid sim card.
If you are like me then you simply want to arrive prepared and have a data connection on your phone as soon as the plane lands. Therefore I pretty much only use eSIMs these days for traveling to Asia.
Comparing all the Asia sim cards Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that Jetpac is the best sim card for traveling to Asia in 2025. An eSIM for Asia from Saily is a great alternative.
Or otherwise I recommend an Asialink eSIM from Airalo or a GigSky eSIM, both also great eSIMs for traveling in Asia.
The main reason why I started a travel blog was to help other travelers save money by documenting all my travel tips and that is how I started writing sim card guides. Now you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from around the world.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
I am sure some of the above tips about buying an international sim card with data for Asia were helpful. If you have any questions please leave me a comment and I am more than happy to help you out. Also with travel tips for Asia.
If you are interested in my journey to visit every country in the world then check out my progress in the link or for the most up to date travel tips go check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.