With a trip to a paradise like Thailand in the cards, thinking about anything other than laying on the beach or taking in breathtaking landscapes is no easy feat. Nevertheless, planning how to stay connected ahead of time will ensure you have reliable coverage, so check out my best eSIM for Thailand roundup before you set off.
To explore other Thailand eSIM options, take a look at my best international eSIMs guide. For now, let’s kick off with my number-one pick for an eSIM for Thailand.
Cloudwards’ Choice: Saily
Cloudwards’ Choice: Saily
I’ve chosen all-arounder Saily because it’s affordable, has an excellent customer support team and includes special security and privacy features with all plans. However, Saily’s 20GB max fixed plan might not be enough data for some users.
The 5 Best Thailand eSIM Options
*Unlimited plan provides a phone number
1. Saily — Best eSIM for Thailand
Saily is a security-focused eSIM provider with affordable Thailand plans.
Saily is Nord Security’s eSIM service, offering fixed and unlimited plans lasting up to 30 days. It’s rich in security features, which makes Saily stand out among its competitors. Learn more in my full Saily review.
Saily Hands-On Testing
I love Saily’s simple app; the free security features are easy to find on the home page. I also appreciate how quickly the support team responds.
Saily Pricing & Value
Saily’s fixed Thailand plans are reasonably priced. However, plans range from 1GB to only 20GB; if you need a 50GB Thailand plan, a provider like Airalo might be better. The unlimited plans are pricier, which is standard, but Saily’s unique security features boost its value.
| Plan: | 1GB (7 Days) | 3GB (30 Days) | 5GB (30 Days) | 10GB (30 Days) | 20GB (30 Days) | Unlimited Plan Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $2.99 | $5.99 | $7.99 | $10.99 | $19.99 | $18.99 (5 days) to $71.99 (30 days) |
2. Airalo — Best Call & Text eSIM for Thailand (Global Plan)
Airalo’s Thailand plans are data-only, but its global plan has a call-and-text feature.
Although not rich in features like Saily, Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider. It has 50GB plans for Thailand, making it an ideal alternative if you have heavy data needs. Check out my Airalo review for more information.
Airalo Hands-On Testing
I’d describe Airalo as a no-frills service that gets the job done. It’s not the most feature-rich, but it has a straightforward app, and support typically responds within about a minute.
Airalo Pricing & Value
Airalo’s 30-day Thailand plans offer the best value. The three-day plans are expensive in comparison. Airalo’s pricing structure, grouped by validity period, is a little different from Saily’s:
| Plan: | 3 Days | 7 Days | 15 Days | 30 Days | Unlimited Plan Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 1GB: $4 3GB: $5.50 |
3GB: $6 5GB: $7 10GB: $10 |
5GB: $7.50 10GB: $10.50 20GB: $17.50 |
5GB: $8 10GB: $11 20GB: $18 50GB: $27.50 |
$11.50 (3 days) up to $49 (30 days) |
3. Holafly — Best Unlimited Data eSIM for Thailand
Spanish provider Holafly is the only Thailand eSIM on this list to offer unlimited data plans but no standard fixed plans.
If budget isn’t an issue and you don’t want to worry about topping up, Holafly is worth checking out. My Holafly review has the lowdown.
Holafly Hands-On Testing
I had a flawless experience with Holafly both times I used it. What’s more, I always received quick and friendly responses from the support team when I asked to speak to a human.
Holafly Pricing & Value
The only downside to Holafly is that it’s not the most budget-friendly. This is normal for unlimited plans, but I’d suggest going with a different service if you have light data needs. You can buy a plan for as few or as many days as you want, up to 90 days. The table below shows just a few examples:
| Plan: | 1 Day | 3 Day | 5 Days | 10 Days | 15 Days | 30 Days | 90 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $3.90 | $11.70 | $19.50 | $36.90 | $50.90 | $74.90 | $139.90 |
4. Jetpac — Flexible Plans for Thailand
Jetpac is one of the most feature-rich services I’ve come across.
Jetpac has a lot of paid add-ons, but it’s quite generous when it comes to free features, as you can see above. Its calling feature isn’t built in, though — you need to buy a separate voice pack.
Jetpac Hands-On Testing
I’ve never experienced any issues with Jetpac. The last time I spoke with support, they responded to my query in about seven minutes. That’s a little longer than average but not too bad.
Jetpac Pricing & Value
Like Airalo, Jetpac lets you pick from a range of validity periods for several Thailand plans. While many Jetpac plans are quite cheap, its 20GB plan is more expensive than average, especially compared with Saily and Airalo. In addition, its 40GB plan is pricier than Airalo’s 50GB plan.
| Plan: | 1GB | 3GB | 5GB | 10GB | 15GB | 20GB | 30GB | 40GB | Unlimited Plan Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $4 (4 days) | $3.50 (1 day), $4 (4 days), $5 (7 days) | $4.50 (1 day), $5 (4 days), $6 (7 days), $7 (30 days) | $6.50 (1 day), $8.50 (4 days), $9.50 (7 days), $11.50 (30 days) | $15 (7 days), $20 (30 days) | $28 (30 days) | $23.99 (30 days) | $29.99 (30 days) | $12.99(3 days) to $65.99 (30 days) |
5. Nomad — Best Free Trial eSIM for Thailand
Nomad offers a brief free trial period for new users.
If you’re new to eSIMs, Nomad’s free trial is the perfect place to start. However, it doesn’t have the best selection of Thailand plans, as you’ll see in the pricing table further down. My Nomad review has more information.
Nomad Hands-On Testing
Nomad worked as expected, with no issues. The last time I reached out to support, the team got back to me in around five minutes.
Nomad Pricing & Value
Nomad’s 50GB plan stands out for its exceptionally cheap pricing. However, its validity period is just 10 days, so it’s best for travelers who need a lot of data in a short period of time.
| Plan: | 1GB (7 Days) | 10GB (30 Days) | 50GB (10 Days) | Unlimited Plan Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $5 | $12 | $12 | $19 (13 days) to $33 (30 days) |
What’s the Cheapest eSIM for Thailand?
The cheapest eSIM for you depends on your data usage needs. Of the providers on this list, Saily has the lowest starting price: $2.99 for 1GB for seven days, which is ideal for light data use. For heavier data use, Airalo has a slightly cheaper 20GB plan, and Nomad’s 50GB plan is a bargain — though it lasts only 10 days.
How to Get & Activate an eSIM for Thailand?
You can get an eSIM plan in seconds, but you’ll also need to enable the eSIM in your phone settings to use the data. I explain how in the steps below.
Make sure your device is eSIM compatible before you buy a plan.
- Buy a Plan
Go to the eSIM provider’s plan page on the app or website. Find Thailand (or Asia if you’re visiting more of the region) and buy a plan.
- Install Your Plan
Follow the provider’s installation instructions. You can typically find these in the app once you’ve bought a plan.
- Enable Data Roaming
When you’re ready to use your data, go into your phone’s SIM settings. Check that your eSIM provider is turned on and set it as the cellular/mobile data source. Toggle on data roaming. If you’re in Thailand, your phone will automatically connect to a local network.
Methodology: How I Tested the Best Travel eSIMs for Thailand
Reliable data is crucial, but it’s not the only factor to consider when choosing an eSIM for your Thailand adventure. In addition to making sure all providers work as expected, I dug deep into the following areas:
- Customer support: You don’t want to be stranded with an eSIM plan that doesn’t work as it should. I looked for providers that offer human support and quick responses.
- User experience: I nosed around the providers’ apps to make sure they’re beginner-friendly enough for even the biggest technophobe.
- Special features: Several providers have similar pricing models. I looked for standout features that differentiate them, such as unique tools, rare plan types (like call-and-text plans) and free trial periods.
Why You Need an eSIM for Traveling to Thailand
A travel eSIM (embedded SIM) plan is a handy alternative to a local SIM card, which is a plastic SIM card that’s easier to lose and therefore less secure. Plus, you have to find a place to buy a local SIM once you’re in the country, whereas you can purchase an eSIM mobile data plan in seconds on your phone.
What’s more, eSIM data plans are cheaper than using data roaming on your home mobile plan abroad.
Final Thoughts
Whether you need a data-only plan, a call-and-text plan or an unlimited plan, I hope my guide has helped point you toward the best eSIM for your Thailand travels. Saily is my top recommendation, but the other options are also worth considering.
Have you used any of the eSIMs on my list? If so, let me know what your experience was like in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: eSIM Thailand Travel
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Security feature-packed Saily is the best eSIM for Thailand.
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Yes, it is worth it. Travel eSIMs eliminate the worry of expensive roaming fees from your home mobile provider.
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Netizens on Reddit recommend plastic SIM cards like AIS and True. However, Saily is the best eSIM service for visiting Thailand.
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Saily is better than Airalo thanks to its unique security features.
