Networks and speeds in India
Plans here run on AirTel (5G) and Jio (4G); each plan names its operator and its best generation. 5G is included where the operator has it and your phone supports the local bands; elsewhere you get 4G.
Local eSIM
India eSIM plans
Install at home, switch on when you land.
Networks
- AirTel5G
- Jio4G
From$1.93US dollars, no roaming feesPrices checked 9 November 2026
The cheapest India eSIM is $2.89 for 500 MB · 7 days; unlimited data costs $1.93 a day (the first 500 MB each day at high speed, then 512 Kbps under the fair use policy). Plans run on AirTel and Jio, with 5G. Prices checked 9 November 2026.
Choose your plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 500 MB each dayYou get 500 MB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 512 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upNot availableOperatorAirTel $1.93per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 1 GB each dayYou get 1 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 512 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorAirTel $2.94per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 1 GB each dayYou get 1 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 1 Mbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorAirTel $3.49per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 2 GB each dayYou get 2 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 512 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorAirTel $5.14per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataPremiumFair use policyAfter 1 GB each dayYou get 1 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 1 Mbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorsAirTel +1 $6.38per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 2 GB each dayYou get 2 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 1 Mbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorAirTel $6.60per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 3 GB each dayYou get 3 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 1 Mbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorAirTel $9.90per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataPremiumFair use policyAfter 2 GB each dayYou get 2 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 1 Mbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorsAirTel +1 $12.13per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataPremiumFair use policyAfter 3 GB each dayYou get 3 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 1 Mbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorsAirTel +1 $17.24per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 10 GB each dayYou get 10 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 384 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorAirTel $20.16per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataPremiumFair use policyAfter 5 GB each dayYou get 5 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 384 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorsAirTel +1 $22.36per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataPremiumFair use policyAfter 10 GB each dayYou get 10 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 384 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorsAirTel +1 $41.53per dayView plan
At a glance
India eSIM at a glance
- From
- $1.93
- 27 plans
- Unlimited data
- $1.93 a day
- The first 500 MB each day at high speed, then 512 Kbps under the fair use policy
- Data plans
- $2.89
- 500 MB · 7 days
- Validity
- Up to 30 days
- Unlimited: 1–30 days
- Networks
- 5G
- AirTel, Jio
- Top-ups
- Up to 9 times
- On 26 of 27 plans
Prices
India eSIM prices
| Data | Validity | Price | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 MB | 7 days | $2.89 | AirTel · 5G |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $3.30 | AirTel · 5G |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $5.75 | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| 2 GB | 15 days | $7.07 | AirTel · 5G |
| 3 GB | 15 days | $8.80 | AirTel · 5G |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $9.35 | AirTel · 5G |
| 3 GB | 15 days | $15.35 | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $16.28 | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $14.66 | AirTel · 5G |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $25.55 | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $29.15 | AirTel · 5G |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $46.64 | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $50.77 | AirTel · 5G |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $95.84 | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| 50 GB | 30 days | $118.25 | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 500 MB each day at high speed, then 512 Kbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $1.93 a day | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 1 GB each day at high speed, then 512 Kbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $2.94 a day | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 1 GB each day at high speed, then 1 Mbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $3.49 a day | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 1 GB each day at high speed, then 1 Mbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $6.38 a day | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 2 GB each day at high speed, then 512 Kbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $5.14 a day | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 2 GB each day at high speed, then 1 Mbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $6.60 a day | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 2 GB each day at high speed, then 1 Mbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $12.13 a day | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 3 GB each day at high speed, then 1 Mbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $9.90 a day | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 3 GB each day at high speed, then 1 Mbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $17.24 a day | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 5 GB each day at high speed, then 384 Kbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $22.36 a day | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 10 GB each day at high speed, then 384 Kbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $20.16 a day | AirTel · 5G |
| Unlimited: the first 10 GB each day at high speed, then 384 Kbps under the fair use policy | 1 to 30 days | $41.53 a day | AirTel, Jio · 5G |
Against Airalo, Saily and Nomad, checked 27 October 2026
| Data | ONE eSIM Our price | Airalo | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $3.30 (7 days) Cheapest, saves $0.69 | $4.00 (3 days) | $3.99 (7 days) | $4.00 (7 days) |
| 5 GB | $14.66 (30 days) | $13.00 (7 days) Cheapest | $13.99 (30 days) | $13.00 (30 days) |
| 10 GB | $29.15 (30 days) | $22.50 (7 days) | $23.99 (30 days) | $21.00 (30 days) Cheapest |
Before you go
Travelling in India
How much data do you need in India?
Maps, messaging, ride apps and a few photos use about 300 to 500 MB a day, so 1 GB covers a short stay and 3 to 5 GB a week of normal use. The smallest plan is 500 MB · 7 days for $2.89; a longer trip is cheaper per gigabyte on a bigger plan. For video calls, streaming or a hotspot for a laptop, unlimited daily data starts at $1.93 a day. Most plans top up from your order page if you run low.
Where travellers use it
Most of our customers land in Delhi and Mumbai and travel on to Bengaluru, Goa and Jaipur. Coverage follows the operator’s network, so a city centre, an airport and a main road are covered everywhere; remote coast and mountains depend on the plan’s operator.
eSIM or a local SIM card in India?
A tourist SIM in India needs a passport, visa, photo and a local reference, and activation can take hours or a day. Airport counters at Delhi and Mumbai do it, at a price. A travel eSIM avoids all of it and is working at baggage reclaim.
City guides: Mumbai eSIMDelhi eSIM
Going further?
Need broader coverage?
These multi-country eSIMs include India and keep working when you cross a border.
Why an eSIM
Why use an eSIM in India?
Landing in India with data already working means maps, translation and your ride from the airport are ready before you reach the exit. No kiosk, no passport photocopy, no hunting for Wi-Fi.
Your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts. The eSIM handles data on local networks, so you avoid roaming bills without losing your number.
Install on Wi-Fi at home and keep the line switched off until you land. Validity starts the first time it connects abroad, not when you buy.
How our India prices compare with Airalo, Holafly, Saily and Nomad →Good to know
How much does an eSIM for India cost?
Plans start at $1.93; a data plan costs from $2.89 for 500 MB · 7 days. Unlimited daily data costs $1.93 a day (the first 500 MB each day at high speed, then 512 Kbps under the fair use policy). Prices are in US dollars and include everything: no roaming fees, no subscription.
When does my India plan start?
On nearly every plan, the first time the eSIM connects to a network abroad, not when you buy or install it. A few plans start on installation; each plan says which. Install within 180 days of purchase.
Do I need to change any settings?
Turn the travel line on, enable data roaming for that line only, and set it as your mobile data line. Keep data roaming off on your home line. Most phones set the APN automatically. If you are connected but have no data, enter the APN shown on your order page or eSIM page (none shown means the phone sets it itself), or reply to your order email and we will help.
How fast is it?
Each India plan lists its operators and whether they run 3G, 4G or 5G; each plan card shows its best generation. Daily unlimited plans slow to the fair-use speed shown on the plan once the day's full-speed data is used.
Can I top up or buy again?
Most plans can be topped up from your order page, with more data for the same area or more days. Plans marked non-reloadable cannot; buy a new one and it installs the same way.
Is tethering allowed?
Yes, personal hotspot works on every plan.
Which network is best for Goa, Rajasthan and the Himalayas?
Jio has the widest 4G and 5G coverage, including Goa, Rajasthan and most hill stations; Airtel is strong in the cities and in Himachal. Ladakh and the high Himalaya have limited coverage on any network.
Can I use UPI payments and Indian apps with the eSIM?
Apps work on any data plan, but UPI payments need an Indian bank account or a wallet that accepts foreign cards. For rides and food, Uber, Ola and Zomato work with a foreign card over the eSIM.
Read next