The short answer
The best eSIM for India is the one that fits your trip and your networks. For two weeks of photos, maps and social, NUM picks 5 GB for 30 days at $6.29, as of 3 Nov 2026.
| Plans from | $0.79 on 3 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Networks on local plans | AirTel |
| A week | 3 GB, 15 days, $4.59 (regional plan, 14 countries) |
| Two weeks | 5 GB, 30 days, $6.29 (regional plan, 14 countries) |
| A month | 10 GB, 30 days, $9.89 (regional plan, 14 countries) |
| Longer | 20 GB, 90 days, $34.19 (regional plan, 20 countries) |
| Phone number | None, data only |
| Payment | Apple Pay, Google Pay or card |
A regional plan may list fewer networks here than a local plan. If you need a particular network, check that plan’s network list in the shop before you pay.
Coverage in India: what to know
Opensignal's 2024 report put Jio, not Airtel, ahead on coverage and availability: Jio was on 5G about 67% of the time, roughly triple Airtel. Airtel won 5G speed and video experience.
Checked 3 Nov 2026. Source: telecomtalk.info. Coverage changes, so check your route before you rely on it.
Which India eSIM for your trip
- A week$4.593 GB · 15 days
- Two weeks$6.295 GB · 30 days
- A month$9.8910 GB · 30 days
- Longer$34.1920 GB · 90 days
The shop’s pick for each trip length on 3 Nov 2026, for photos, maps and social. Prices in US dollars; the shop always shows today’s price.
India data plans, cheapest first
| Data | Valid for | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB | 7 days | AirTel 5G | $0.79 |
| 500 MB | 7 days | AirTel 5G | $2.09 |
| 1 GB | 7 days | AirTel 5G | $2.39 |
| 2 GB | 15 days | AirTel 5G | $4.59 |
| 3 GB | 15 days | AirTel 5G | $5.29 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | AirTel 5G | $5.49 |
| 5 GB | 30 days | AirTel 5G | $7.49 |
| 1 GB | 7 days | Regional plan, 14 countries | $1.79 |
21 plans in the shop on 3 Nov 2026; the 8 cheapest are shown. See every plan and today’s prices.
How it works
- Pick your trip. Tell the shop how long you’re away and how you use your phone; it picks the plan.
- Pay in seconds. Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. Then open NUM and join free: your install code is waiting in the chat.
- Install at home, switch on when you land. One tap on iPhone or Android, or scan the QR from another screen. Tell us your landing day and we text you the switch-on steps that morning.
India eSIM by city
India coverage, place by place
| Delhi | Lonely Planet says 5G is easy to find in Delhi, and cafes and coworking spaces often have fast wifi, though public hotspots deserve a speed check. |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | Lonely Planet lists Mumbai among cities where 5G is readily available; wifi at cafes and coworking spaces is often fast, but public spots can be unreliable. |
| Goa | One travel guide describes coastal Goa as having good coverage; remote inland stretches were not detailed, so keep offline maps handy. |
| Jaipur | Lonely Planet lists Jaipur among 5G cities; another guide says town centers are strong while rural fringes and desert edges get patchier. |
| Kerala | A guide says backwater areas are well served near towns but can be patchy on remote houseboat routes; download offline maps first. |
From network data, travel guides and traveler reports, checked 3 Nov 2026. Signal changes, so treat these as a guide.
Online as you land in India
Switch it on as the plane lands at any of these and you’re online walking off:
Planning India
Questions people ask
What is the best eSIM for India?
The one that fits your trip and runs on India’s main networks (AirTel). For a week most people need about 3 GB; for two weeks about 5 GB; for a month of social and video, 10 GB or more. NUM lists 21 plans here and picks one for your trip and how you use your phone.
How much does an eSIM for India cost?
On 3 Nov 2026, plans started at $0.79 and went up to $72.59 for the biggest. The shop always shows today’s price, and the price on the pay button is the price you pay.
Which network works well in India?
Opensignal's 2024 report put Jio, not Airtel, ahead on coverage and availability: Jio was on 5G about 67% of the time, roughly triple Airtel. Airtel won 5G speed and video experience.
Why does my eSIM show another carrier’s name?
Many travel eSIMs are issued by one carrier and roam on local networks, so your phone can show the issuing carrier’s name while your data runs on a local network. Keep data roaming on for the eSIM.
Will it work on my phone?
Dial *#06# on the phone you’re taking. If you see an EID number, it takes an eSIM. Every iPhone from the XR and XS on does, and the SE from 2020, as do Google Pixel 3 and later and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later. The phone must be carrier-unlocked. Not sure? Text PHONE and your model and we’ll check.
When do I install it?
At home, on wifi, before you fly. Then switch it on when you land. Tell us your landing day and we text you the switch-on steps that morning.
Does it come with a phone number?
No. It’s a data-only eSIM. WhatsApp, LINE, iMessage and FaceTime all work over it, and your home number can stay on for calls and codes.
What if it doesn’t work?
If we can’t issue your eSIM, we refund you in full. If it won’t install or connect, text us and we help you get connected.
An eSIM with a concierge inside.
Text NUM a table for tonight, a driver at 6 am or a pharmacy that’s open now. Any language, any hour, on the data you just bought.
Get my India eSIM