Asia eSIM: the cheapest mobile data in the world
Thailand sells mobile data at $0.26 per gigabyte. Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia all sit around $0.48. There is nowhere else on earth where connectivity is this good and this cheap simultaneously.
How Asia works for mobile data
The reason is that Asia skipped a generation. Much of the region never built out fixed-line broadband at scale, so mobile became the primary internet — and got funded accordingly. Seoul and Singapore have among the fastest mobile networks measured anywhere. Tokyo has effectively total coverage including the entire subway system. Even Vietnam and the Philippines, at a fraction of the income level, have dense, cheap, usable 4G.
The corollary is that data-heavy behaviour is normal here. Where a European traveller might buy 3 GB for a fortnight, an Asia traveller frequently burns that in four days — because everything runs through the phone. Grab and Gojek for transport, QR codes for payment, LINE and KakaoTalk for messaging, translation apps running constantly.
Coverage gaps exist but they're specific rather than general: mountain regions in Nepal and northern Vietnam, the smaller Philippine and Indonesian islands, and rural Laos and Cambodia off the main routes. Almost everywhere else, including the islands people actually visit, you'll have signal.
China is the significant exception and is deliberately not in this list. It has its own regulatory regime, and a normal Asia regional plan either won't work there or won't reach the services you expect. Treat it as a separate problem.
Asia countries and prices
Prices are live floor prices per gigabyte from our current catalogue and change as wholesale rates move.
Single-country or regional?
One country
Given how cheap individual Asian markets are, single-country plans win on price more often than in any other region. Thailand at $0.26 per GB is hard to beat with anything regional.
Southeast Asia backpacking
Thailand–Vietnam–Cambodia–Laos, or the Bangkok–Singapore overland run, is the strongest case for a regional plan. Land borders, frequent movement, no time to re-buy.
Japan and South Korea together
Very common, always a flight. Two country plans at $0.48 per GB each beat any regional alternative.
Island-hopping in Indonesia or the Philippines
Stay on the single-country plan — these are one market each, and inter-island travel doesn't change your network.
How much data to buy
Budget more than you would elsewhere. Asia runs on the phone — ride-hailing, QR payments, live translation, messaging apps — and 5 GB for a fortnight is realistic rather than generous. Because per-gigabyte prices are so low, buying up a tier costs almost nothing and removes the mid-trip top-up.
Full data-budgeting guideAsia eSIM questions
Which Asian country has the cheapest eSIM data?
Thailand, at around $0.26 per gigabyte, is the cheapest mobile data market in the world. Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia all cluster near $0.48, which is still cheaper than most of Europe.
Does an Asia eSIM work in China?
Generally not usefully. China has its own regulatory environment and most regional Asia plans either exclude it or connect without reaching the services travellers expect. Treat China as a separate purchase and check the plan specifically covers it.
How much data do I need for two weeks in Southeast Asia?
Around 5 GB for typical use, which is higher than the equivalent European trip. Ride-hailing apps, QR payment, live translation and messaging all run continuously, and mid-range accommodation Wi-Fi is less reliable than in Europe.
Will my eSIM work on the Japanese shinkansen and subway?
Yes. Japan has coverage in the subway systems of every major city and along the shinkansen lines, including most tunnels. It is among the most comprehensively covered countries in the world.
Is one eSIM enough for a Southeast Asia backpacking trip?
A regional Southeast Asia plan makes real sense if you're crossing land borders — Thailand into Cambodia or Laos, or the overland run down to Singapore. Check that every country on your route is on the coverage list, since Laos and Myanmar are often omitted.
Does eSIM work in Bali?
Yes, very well. Bali has strong 4G and 5G across the tourist south, Ubud and the east coast. An Indonesia plan covers the whole country, so island-hopping to Lombok or the Gilis needs nothing extra.