India eSIM plans
Compare data plans and buy in a couple of taps — activated from home, working the moment you land. India eSIM data plans start from around $4.
How it works
- Buy before you fly. Choose an India data plan online — no store visit, activated from home in minutes.
- Scan the QR code. Install the eSIM from the confirmation email. Your home SIM stays untouched for calls and texts.
- Land connected. Data switches on when you land — maps, Uber, WhatsApp and your e-visa email all work at arrivals.
eSIM vs the airport SIM counter
| Travel eSIM | Airport SIM counter | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | At home, before you fly | Queue after landing |
| Paperwork | None | Passport + visa copy + photo (KYC) |
| Works from | The moment you land | Can take hours to activate |
| Home number | Keeps working (dual SIM) | SIM swap — home number offline |
India eSIM — common questions
Will an eSIM work on my phone?
Most phones from the last ~5 years support eSIM — iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and most recent Samsung Galaxy models. Your phone must also be carrier-unlocked. You can check in Settings before buying; the eSIM provider shows a compatibility list at checkout.
Why not just buy a SIM card at the airport in India?
You can — but airport SIM counters require your passport, visa and a photo for KYC registration, queues can be long after a red-eye flight, and tourist SIMs can take hours to activate. An eSIM works the moment you land, which matters when you need a taxi app or need to show your e-visa email at immigration.
Do I keep my home number for WhatsApp and OTPs?
Yes. The eSIM only provides data; your physical SIM stays in the phone for calls and SMS. WhatsApp keeps working with your existing number over the eSIM data connection, and you can still receive bank OTPs by SMS (roaming charges from your home carrier may apply for those texts).
How much data do I need for an India trip?
For a typical 1–2 week trip: maps, ride-hailing, WhatsApp and browsing use roughly 0.5–1 GB per day. Heavy video streaming or hotspotting needs more. Plans are easy to top up from the app, so starting smaller and topping up works well.
Does the eSIM include an Indian phone number?
Most travel eSIMs are data-only, without a local number. For nearly all travelers that is enough — calls happen over WhatsApp anyway. If you specifically need an Indian number (e.g. for some local booking apps), a physical tourist SIM with KYC is the alternative.
When should I set it up?
Buy and install the eSIM at home before departure while you have reliable Wi-Fi, and simply enable it when you land. Doing it before the trip means arrival-day you have nothing to figure out.
Get India eSIM deals
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Data sorted — is your e-visa?
The eSIM takes two minutes; the e-visa is the document that actually gets you into India. EasyIVisa reviews and files yours on the official portal — from $20.
Check my e-visa eligibility →