Where to get an Asia SIM card + best options

Asia bound? Think street food that’s worth a food coma, temples that make your Instagram look legendary, and markets where you’ll probably buy things you didn’t know you needed.

But all that excitement can hit a stop if you’re left wandering without internet. Trying to decode a map that looks more like abstract art isn’t exactly easy. Or maybe you’ll end up in a market in Bangkok, attempting to haggle with hand gestures—all because your translation app is out of commission.

Not the adventure you signed up for! The good news is, a SIM card for Asia—or, an eSIM—can help you stay connected, no matter where your wanderlust takes you. 

In this article, we cover everything you need to know about an Asia SIM card. We also compare the Asia SIM with the benefits of an eSIM, helping you decide which is the best way to stay connected, whether you’re in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, or Hong Kong. 

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Where can I buy a SIM card for Asia?

Packing for your Asia trip? One thing you’ll need is a reliable way to stay connected, and that usually means picking up a SIM card. Whether you’re touching down in Tokyo, exploring the beaches of Bali, or the streets of Singapore, a local SIM card can keep you online and in the know. But where should you get one?

Here are a few ways you can stay connected in Asia:

• Grab an international SIM card before you fly: why wait until you’re jet-lagged in a foreign airport? Buy an international SIM card online, and it’ll be delivered straight to your door. Insert it in before you board, and you’ll be posting travel pics before you even hit baggage claim.
• Go local and get a SIM card in Asia: if you like living on the edge, wait until you land to pick up a SIM card from local stores or the Airport. Companies like China Mobile, SK Telecom, and NTT Japan have got you covered (more on these later). You’ll get a plan tailored to the region, and it’s a great way to feel like a local—plus, you might learn some new words while you’re at it.
• Opt for an eSIM: an eSIM is the easiest, most hassle-free option—you can get connected in about five minutes. You can even purchase it mid-trip if you decide you need it. For example, don’t waste time in the paradise of Bali looking for internet, use the best eSIM Indonesia and that’s it.

If you plan to go to the south of Asia, you may be interested in an eSIM for India and avoid paying high international roaming charges in India, for example.

Let’s break down each option in detail.

Buy before you travel

You’ve got your flights booked and your itinerary is looking epic. But what about staying connected?

Many opt for online stores to buy a prepaid SIM card for Asia before a trip. Imagine touching down in a foreign airport with a working phone, ready to conquer the city—dreamy!

Online stores give you the convenience to purchase and install from your home. Buying a local SIM card every time you move from one country to the next can be a chore, especially if you plan to visit multiple destinations. With a multi-country SIM, you’re often covered no matter where your adventures take you. 

But hold on, there’s a catch. While it’s super convenient, the quality of your connection depends entirely on the local network the SIM uses. This is because international SIM cards, even when purchased outside of Asia, will always use a local phone network to operate.

A solution for these shipping and availability situations is to use Holafly’s eSIM for Asia. This online store offers immediate delivery thanks to the virtual nature of the eSIM cards. It also has coverage from the best carriers on the continent. More to come on Holafly eSIMs soon!

Pros of buying a data plan for abroad before traveling

There are a lot of perks to buying a SIM card before your trip. Let’s take a look at them: 

• Get internet in Asia as soon as you arrive. No fuss, no stress. When you buy a SIM card before your trip, you can install it at home and not waste time looking for a physical store once you arrive on the continent.
• Shop at stores in your language. Buying a SIM card in a foreign country can be stressful, especially if you don’t speak the local language. Plus, it can end up being more expensive. Online stores usually have customer service in several languages, which is ideal for all types of travelers.
• A cheaper solution than others. Roaming charges can be a budget-killer. Prepaid SIM cards and eSIM are less expensive than using international roaming or renting a pocket wifi. Plus, having a multi-country alternative allows you to make a single purchase to stay connected throughout the trip.

Top companies to buy your tourist SIM card in Asia

So, you’ve decided to wait until you touch down in Asia to grab a SIM card—that’s totally cool too! You’ll have a ton of options to choose from when it comes to SIM providers and prices. But, not all SIM cards are created equal. Some might only work in the country you bought it in, or the coverage might not be great in certain locations.

Remember to request as much information as possible when making your purchase, you don’t want any surprises mid-trip.

These are the best local companies to buy a SIM card in Asia from.

Buy your tourist SIM card in Asia

Like everything, buying when you land has its advantages. For example, you will have a wide variety of brands to choose from and a wide variety of prices.

However, as we told you before, be very careful which brand you choose since it may not work properly or may only have coverage in the country where you purchased it.

Remember to request as much information as possible when making the purchase, so you will not be surprised and you will acquire just what you need.

1. Simify (formerly Simsdirect)

Now known as Simify, this Australia-based company offers prepaid travel SIM cards and eSIMs. It offers coverage of over 20 countries including Indonesia (Bali), Japan, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal. 

You can choose from different data packages like 10 GB, 6 GB and 4 GB across 12, 15, 20 and 30 days. You can expect to pay around $15 to $35 for these data packages, depending on the amount of data and the length of the plan.

It’s important to note that Simify offers data-only plans. This means you cannot make or receive standard phone calls or send SMS messages. However, you can access mobile data for social media, maps, and messaging apps that rely on data (e.g., WhatsApp, Skype.)

2. Orange

A well-known telecom operator, Orange operates in 30 countries and partners with local carriers to provide high-quality network services worldwide, including in Asia. 

While most packages are primarily data-only plans, the plans with calls and SMS are limited. Here’s a quick look at the Orange Holiday plans for Asia:

• 3 GB data for 14 days at $22-$27 (USD)
• 10 GB data for 30 days at  $43-$54
• 20 GB data for 30 days at $65-$75
• 10 GB data with 120 minutes of calling and 1000 SMS for 30 days at $54-$65

Orange also provides easy top-up options online, so you can extend data packages as needed. However, these plans can be expensive compared to local SIM cards in specific countries across Asia.

For example, in countries like India, Vietnam, and Thailand, local SIM cards can be purchased for as little as $10 USD with substantial data allowances, sometimes even offering unlimited data. 

It’s important to note that Orange SIM cards for Asia are country-specific. So if you start your journey in Japan and then move on to South Korea, you would need to buy a new Orange SIM card specifically for South Korea once you cross the border.

It might be worth exploring other options that cover multiple countries under one plan, which could be more cost-effective and convenient.

3. AIS SIM2Fly

Advanced Info Service (AIS) is Thailand’s largest mobile network operator. It offers coverage in over 34 countries in Asia, including popular destinations like Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, and Australia.

Here’s a look at some of their plans: 

• Basic data-only plan with 6 GB of data for 15 days at $25
• 13 GB of data for 10 days at $17 with free outgoing and incoming calls 
• Global plan with 6 GB of data for 15 days at $25

You can easily top up data or extend the validity of your SIM using the AIS app, online, or at ​ AIS shops and kiosks across Thailand, including shopping centers like Central World, Siam Paragon, and international airports.

While the data allowances are pretty good, once the high-speed data limit is reached, the speed drops to 128 Kbps. This can be frustrating for users who require more data-intensive activities like video streaming or downloading large files.

4. China Mobile

This is one of the leading phone companies in the Chinese territory and has some prepaid SIM cards for tourists with coverage in Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

You can find low-data packages with 1.5 GB of usage and high-data packages with 4 GB of usage. For example, when getting mobile internet in China, you’ll bee connected to a 3G/4G network, but this might vary from country to country.

Here are some of their plans: 

• For Mainland China: 20 GB of data for 30 days at $26 with 50 minutes of calls 
• For Hong Kong: 3 GB of data for 30 days at $20.95, no calling included
• Global roaming: Various options, starting with 1 GB of data at $27.95 for short-term use, no calling included

The duration of these packages is 7, 8, or 10 days; however, in case of re-activation, it must be done in the same territory where it was first purchased. An eSIM from this carrier is only available for locals. If you’re a tourist visiting China without local residency or ID, consider Holafly, the best eSIM for China with a VPN included.

You can also top up at various retail stores across China. However, you might face language barriers and need to register a SIM card with your passport.

5. SK Telecom

One of South Korea’s largest phone companies has a wide range of products that tourists can purchase. Their prepaid SIM card for tourists comes in 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30-day ticket-to-use options.

Each comes with unlimited local data at a maximum speed of 10 Mbps. They also include unlimited calls to local numbers from the five-day option onwards. 

The cost of these plans range between $5 for 1-day plan to $58 for 30-days plan. It’s important to note that these are all data-only plans, meaning they do not include voice calls or SMS services.

This could be a limitation for those needing to make or receive calls. Plus, their eSIM options do not provide a local phone number, which might be necessary for some services or for making local calls

You can pre-order their SIM cards on their website and pick them up at any international airport. If you do not pre-order, you can buy it in a physical store in the city, but you will have to do the SIM registration process once there.

6. NTT Japan

Finally, we have the first telephone company in Japan that has a tourist SIM card for visitors to the country. Here are some of their plans: 

• 3 GB for 8-Day Package at $20.25
• 6 GB for 20-Day Package at $33.75 USD
• 9 GB for 30-Day Package at $47.25 USD

Remember that your phone must be able to work under band 1 LTE. Otherwise, you will not be able to use this SIM card. It’s good to know that in Japan, NTT is the main operator, but there are nine other mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) providing options for foreigners.

These prepaid SIM cards can be reserved thirty days in advance and picked up at one of the available international airports.

How much does a SIM card for Asia cost?

Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $60 for a SIM card. However, the price of an Asia SIM card depends on factors like the countries you’re visiting, how much data you need, and the length of your trip.

If you just need basic data for a few days, you can find affordable, short-term options. But, if you’re a heavy user, or planning a longer trip, you might want to invest in a plan with more data.

Remember, prices change; it’s always a good idea to compare different options before you go.

Using an eSIM as your Asia SIM card alternative

Meet what has become a new BFF for many travelers: the embedded SIM card — known as an eSIM. 

These are a digital evolution of the physical SIM card with the ease of not needing a physical installation in your phone. Since these are virtual SIM cards, online stores like Holafly help you buy and install your eSIM for Asia in just minutes — from anywhere in the world. 

An eSIM has all the benefits of an international SIM card with the added advantage that you don’t have to wait for a package to be shipped—great for those last-minute planners!

Plus, eSIMs offer competitive rates, so you’ll be saving time and money. Holafly has plenty more options available, such as Asia, and single-destination options in over 200 countries worldwide. Including more remote destinations, such as its eSIM for Cambodia.

And for those spending multiple months on the move in Asia, Holafly Connect is your best bet. Our monthly travel eSIM subscription service comes in three plans (unlimited data, 25 GB/month, and 10 GB/month). For as low as $39.90 a month, you’ll never have to think about switching SIMs again as you enter a new country, as Holafly Connect spans 170+ destinations worldwide. Find the monthly eSIM plan that best suits your data usage and travel with peace of mind through Holafly.

Advantages and disadvantages of Virtual SIM cards

To understand the potential benefits of virtual SIM cards for Asia, we need to weigh the advantages against potential drawbacks. Here we break down the pros and cons of an Asia travel SIM card.

Advantages:

• Internet in minutes, wherever you are

This is the most flexible option that lets you buy your virtual SIM card online before, or during, your trip and get connected in minutes. You’ll need internet access, then go to Holafly’s online store and purchase your eSIM. Holafly’s online store is available in more than ten languages to make the process easier for as many people as possible.

• Solutions adapted to travelers

There’s an ideal plan for any length of stay, so you won’t have to overpay for a service you’re not using. Not only are there regional solutions, but you’ll also find an eSIM for Taiwan and many other destinations including an eSIM for Indonesia on the continent!

• You can repurchase the packages quickly.

You can select a plan that fits your needs or simply top up your Holafly eSIM for immediate activation. Several payment methods are available, including Alipay from the Holafly app for destinations such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

• Multi-country options

Holafly offers regional plans with coverage in several countries such as eSIM Asia, Europe, or North America. We also offer a Global eSIM, including service in 113 destinations.

Disadvantages 

• You must have a compatible phone.

Not all phones are currently compatible with eSIM technology. Before buying an eSIM, check if you can actually use it. To help you, check this list of compatible eSIM devices.

How much does an eSIM for Asia cost?

The cost of an eSIM card for Asia depends on the provider you choose, countries covered, and your plan duration. However, Holafly offers competitive rates with unlimited data plans. 

Here’s a quick look at Holafly’s eSIM plans for Asia.

The Holafly eSIM card uses the main network of each destination, and it includes 16 destinations: South Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Consider Holafly’s eSIM as your SIM card alternative for Asia!

Your journey across Asia is about to be epic! And with an eSIM in your pocket, your adventures are limitless—just like your data. So go ahead, snap that perfect shot in Kyoto, stream your sunset in Bali, and FaceTime your loved ones from the bustling streets of Seoul—all without a care in the world and Holafly in your pocket.

Stay connected and enjoy your trip!

Peace of mind before you fly

Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.

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Plans that may interest you

eSIM Asia

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$6.90

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eSIM Japan

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$6.90

USD

Based in Mumbai, Sharan Kaur Phillora has 6+ years of experience in the B2B writing industry. She has written for brands like Pocket52, Nexweave, Maze, NaNLABS, and Userpilot. When she's not working, Sharan can be found immersed in murder mystery novels or exploring Mumbai's streets on her bicycle in search of the perfect slice of pizza.

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