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With the introduction of eSIM India, staying connected in the country just got a lot easier.
So whether you’re here in India for just a few days, weeks, or months – there’s an eSIM for India data pack suited just for you.
In this post, we’ll explain more about eSIMs, why they benefit tourists and travellers in India, and how to purchase an eSIM for India.
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card already encrypted within a device. It works like a physical SIM card, allowing users to join multiple cellular networks and access data, calls, and message servicing apps.
Unlike a material SIM card (which we’re confident will be phased out over the coming years), an eSIM doesn’t require switching out or inserting a new SIM card. Instead, the eSIM is downloaded digitally and activated on your device. We explain eSIM in more depth in this post.
There are simple steps to follow when downloading an eSIM to your device, we’ll cover that below.
When visiting India, tourists often face the issue of purchasing a local SIM card to stay connected to cellular networks.
However, this process can be time-consuming, as it requires finding a reliable, honest seller, purchasing the SIM card, often having to provide your passport to register the SIM, and activating the SIM card.
Then, you may have to try navigating the SIM card in the Hindi language, which is a difficult task for many.
With eSIM India, you don’t need to do the above steps.
Instead, you can buy and activate an India eSIM on your device without visiting a physical store or navigating the language barrier.
Furthermore, Airalo eSIMs for India can be topped up anytime you run low on data.
Airalo currently offers 4 x Data Packs for travel in India
The India eSIM has a reliable connection all over this diverse country.
Therefore, knowing that you will have fast and reliable internet throughout your stay in India provides peace of mind.
Whether you’re travelling in India independently or have chosen to explore India with G Adventures on a small group tour, stay in the loop with an eSIM for India.
The process for how to buy an eSIM is easy. eSIM in India for iPhone and other phone brands should be compatible, but you must check that your device supports eSIM before you buy an eSIM.
Important: Please check this list to see if your device supports eSIM before you buy Indian eSIM online.
Then, you can purchase an eSIM through the Airalo website directly from your phone or device.
Download the Airalo app, and purchase a data package from the 4 x Data Packs currently available for India eSIM. View all four of them here.
Follow the steps to activate the eSIM for India just before you arrive (remember that the data pack starts from the activation date).
And, if you decide to extend your stay in India, you can buy another eSIM card India on the Airalo app within minutes. I told you it’s convenient!
Want Comprehensive Travel Advice? Buy the Lonely Planet INDIA Travel Guide (with 10% off)
Now that you’ve got your eSIM India card (of the digital kind) all sorted, perhaps you need to consider Global eSIM too.
One of the things I love most about Airalo eSIMs for International Travel is that they offer Regional eSIMs and Global eSIMs too.
So, if you plan to travel to many countries at once (say, around Asia, and then to Europe, for example), your best bet is to purchase a Global eSIM.
A Global eSIM (which covers 84 countries) is all you need to stay connected as you travel around.
Seriously, it’s excellent value and no hassle!
Check out the range of Airalo GLOBAL eSIMs available here and start your world adventures! There are 5 x data plans, starting from just $9 for 1GB, and the most significant Global eSIM is 20GB for $89.
SAVE $3 when you buy an eSIM for India or any other Airalo eSIM. Use our referral code: MARTIN9009 to get $3 off your first purchase!
We have so many tips to help you travel more!
These 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you stretch your hard-earned dollars further.
Read our top 6 travel hacks to save money and the 20 best travel apps to make travel easier!
For food lovers, donāt miss our top 10 best countries for foodies. And, if history is your thing, these 30 amazing historical places worldwide will fascinate you!
We have many tips to save money for travel and consider these 20 jobs that PAY YOU to travel the world to help you travel longer.
If you become a trusted housesitter, you can also get FREE accommodation worldwide. Read more about how this works.
Check out our ultimate packing list for travellers, and remember to pack travel insurance! We recommend these two travel insurance companies for excellent coverage.
Our 12 essential tips for safe travel in any country are worth a read.
Youāll need to stay connected while travelling the world. We recommend eSIM. Itās easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries, or consider a Global eSIM if you travel to multiple countries or regions. This eSIM connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM.
The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.
If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Get the best deals on worldwide group tours with Tourradar.
Finally, check out our travel resources page for the best websites, tools and products we use to travel the world.
View the travel gear we use on the road, and don’t miss our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.
āļø Flights: We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.
šØ Accommodation: Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.
š„ Travel Insurance: We recommend Heymondo (Get 5% off Heymondo) & SafetyWing
š Transportation: Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.
š Car Rental: We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.
š« Group Tours: G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar.
šø Day Tours & Trips: GetYourGuide & Viator are the only two platforms you need.
š Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks, and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)
š Luggage: Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack or Samsonite Luggage Range.
š What to Pack: Donāt forget your Universal charger and a good power bank. To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers.
š¶ Become a House Sitter: Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.
š° Send Money Anywhere: WISE & Revolut are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.
š¶ Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)
ā Check out our Travel Gear and Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!
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2 Comments. Leave new
Thank you so much for this guide! I’ll definitely be getting this esim – so much easier than physical sims!
In your notes above you said: “turn off data for all apps you donāt use” – what’s the easiest way to do this? Or is it a matter of going to each app and switching it off?
Hi Michael,
If you go to the SETTINGS on your device and then select ‘Mobile’, it will show you all the apps on your phone that are either turned on OR off. You can then turn off many of them at once from here. Happy Travels in India!