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Telstra tourist eSIM: Best SIM and eSIM options for tourists in Australia

Learn everything there is to know about Telstra eSIM tourist plans - duration, data, costs, and coverage

Telstra is the largest telecoms company in Australia, and a good choice for tourists looking for a local Australian SIM or eSIM. You can choose different Telstra tourist eSIM/SIM plans, and buy them for instant activation in the MyTelstra App.

All Telstra tourist eSIMs have data usage limits. If you’d prefer uninterrupted and unlimited data usage while you’re in Australia, a dedicated travel eSIM from Holafly may be a better fit.

In this article

Does Telstra offer a tourist (e)SIM card?

Yes. Telstra offers both prepaid tourist SIM and eSIM cards.

Telstra tourist SIM and eSIM cards range in validity from 7 days to 12 months. In addition to the validity periods, data and international call/SMS limits apply. All plans include unlimited local calls and SMS/MMS in Australia.

Telstra traveller SIM: Plans and pricing

Telstra prepaid plans and SIM cards for travellers are available as eSIMs and physical SIMs, with a couple of exceptions where only eSIMs are supported.

Duration	Price, AUD	Data	Local calls	International calls
7 days	$13	3 GB	Unlimited	Not included
28 days	$39 – $69	15 GB – 70 GB	Unlimited	Included
6 months	$180	70 GB	Unlimited	Included
12 months	$350	165 GB	Unlimited	Included

Telstra 5G reaches 85% of Australians, and most plans have a capped 4G/5G download speed of 150Mbps/250Mbps. This is usually enough for streaming, social media, and other common traveller data needs. Check the Telstra coverage map to see signal strengths for your destinations in Australia.

Where to buy a Telstra Tourist SIM in Australia

You can buy a Telstra Tourist SIM in Australia when you arrive for your visit.

Buy your Telstra eSIM most conveniently on the Telstra website or MyTelstra App. If you get your eSIM online, you can use it in minutes. You can also order a physical SIM for delivery on the Telstra website and app — this takes 5 days to arrive by mail.

Need face-to-face assistance? You can pop into a Telstra store to buy your eSIM or SIM. There’s a store locator on the Telstra website — enter the postcode or suburb you’re staying in for information on local stores.

Some Telstra SIMs are also available in supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, and at convenience stores like 7-Eleven.

Telstra doesn’t have dedicated airport stores, but there are resellers in some airports. There are also some official Telstra locations very close to major airports, such as at Westfield Shopping Centre — a 10-minute drive from Melbourne airport.

How to activate a Telstra tourist SIM/eSIM

Here’s how to activate a Telstra tourist SIM/eSIM once you arrive in Australia. In both cases, you’ll need the My Telstra app downloaded to get started.

Learn how to activate an eSIM on iOS and how to activate an eSIM on Android phones.

How to activate a Telstra SIM

Staff can help you insert and activate your Telstra physical SIM if you buy it in a store or from a reseller.

If you order a SIM for home delivery, it may take 5 days to arrive. Once you have your Telstra tourist SIM, take the following steps:

Insert your new Telstra SIM into your phone
Connect to wi-fi
Open My Telstra, and go to Get Help
Tap My Orders and then tap the order for your new SIM
Select Activate your SIM and follow the instructions

How to activate Telstra eSIM

Using an eSIM is often easier, and you can get set up in minutes:

Open My Telstra app, choose a plan, and tap Get a new number
At checkout, select eSIM when you pay
Connect to wi-fi
Follow the instructions to install and activate your eSIM

Enjoy unlimited data with the Holafly eSIM for Australia

Get a Holafly eSIM for Australia for unlimited data on a flexible plan from 1 to 90 days. Choose a dedicated Australia plan or a regional plan if you’ll be heading to other destinations, with prices starting at just $1.55 USD/day.

Enjoy instant activation, 24/7 customer support, and hotspot sharing, allowing you to share your data with friends, family, or fellow travellers.