The best eSIM for South East Asia depends on your route. If you travel through Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia or the Philippines, one South East Asia eSIM covers all six countries and most sizes last 30 days. If you stay in one country, a plan for that country costs less. Cambodia and Laos are not on the regional plan, so you add a plan for them. All these plans are data only: you install them at home and they connect when you land.
Which is the best eSIM for South East Asia?
Hopping between countries? These South East Asia plans cover Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines, last 30 days and are 4G/LTE. Pick the size from how you use your phone.
South East Asia 5GB · 10GB · 20GB (30 days each) · six countries · 4G/LTE · data only · See all South East Asia eSIMs · All destinations
Which countries does the South East Asia eSIM cover?
The plan details list six countries and the networks the eSIM uses in each:
- Thailand: AIS and dtac.
- Vietnam: VinaPhone.
- Malaysia: CelcomDigi and U Mobile.
- Singapore: Singtel.
- Indonesia, Bali included: Telkomsel, XL and Smartfren.
- Philippines: Globe.
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei and Timor-Leste are not on that list. For Cambodia and Laos, we sell country plans (see below). For Myanmar, Brunei and Timor-Leste, we don't sell a plan right now.
What to look for in an eSIM for South East Asia
- Coverage: check the country list of the plan, not the region name. A plan called South East Asia may not include every country on your route.
- Data and days: the South East Asia plans last 30 days from 3 GB up, the 1 GB plan lasts 7 days and the 50 GB plan 60 days. Most country plans of 5 GB or 10 GB last 7 days, so a long trip on country plans needs a bigger size.
- Speed: the South East Asia plan is 4G/LTE. Our Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia plans are 5G. Our Philippines, Cambodia and Laos plans are 4G/LTE.
- A local number: all these plans are data only. You call with WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps, and keep your home number on your own SIM.
- Setup before you fly: you get a QR code by email and install it on Wi-Fi at home. Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked (see how to check eSIM compatibility).
One regional eSIM or one eSIM per country?
It depends on how many countries you visit and how long you stay:
- Three or more of the six countries: a South East Asia eSIM. You install one eSIM, it keeps working when you cross a border and lasts 30 days. When we checked, from 3 GB up, it cost less than three country plans of the same size.
- Two countries: when we checked, two country plans of the same size usually cost a little less than one regional plan (not always when one of them is the Philippines), and most are 5G. But the 5 GB and 10 GB country plans last 7 days each, and you install two eSIMs. For a trip of more than a week per country, the regional plan is simpler.
- One country: a country plan costs less and, except in the Philippines, it is 5G. Read our guides to the best eSIM for Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
Also going to Japan, South Korea, China or India? Our Asia eSIM lists those countries plus Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. It does not list Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. See our best eSIM for Asia guide.
How much data do you need in South East Asia?
These are the sizes on our South East Asia eSIM page:
- South East Asia 1GB: 1 GB for 7 days. A stopover with messages and maps.
- South East Asia 3GB and 5GB: 3 GB or 5 GB for 30 days. Light use: maps, messages and some photos.
- South East Asia 10GB: 10 GB for 30 days. Two to three weeks with maps, ride-hailing and social media.
- South East Asia 20GB and 30GB: 20 GB or 30 GB for 30 days. A month, video calls, or if you share your connection.
- South East Asia 50GB: 50 GB for 60 days. A long backpacking trip or remote work.
If you run out of data, top-ups are available. Not sure how much you need? Pick the bigger size. Our guide to eSIM data plans shows how to estimate it, and how to reduce data usage abroad helps you stretch it.
Is there an eSIM for a long trip through South East Asia?
Yes. For a month or more on the road, South East Asia 30GB lasts 30 days and South East Asia 50GB lasts 60 days. Both cover the same six countries and can be topped up.
Adding Cambodia or Laos to your trip
Cambodia and Laos are not on the South East Asia plan, so buy a plan for each. You can install it next to your regional eSIM before you fly and switch to it when you cross the border.
- Cambodia: plans from 1 GB for 3 days to 60 GB for 90 days, 4G/LTE, on the Metfone network. The 5 GB and 10 GB plans last 7 days, the 20 GB plan 15 days. See our best eSIM for Cambodia guide.
- Laos: plans from 1 GB for 3 days to 60 GB for 90 days, 4G/LTE, on the ETL network. See our best eSIM for Laos guide or the Laos eSIM page.
Cambodia 5GB (7 days) · 10GB (7 days) · 20GB (15 days) · Metfone network · 4G/LTE · data only · See all Cambodia eSIMs
Does a South East Asia eSIM work on a cruise?
It works on the mobile networks listed for the six countries, so you can use it when your ship is in port in one of them, for example in Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City or Bali. Out at sea, those land networks may not reach your phone. Check with your cruise line how the ship's own connection works and what it costs, and check your stops: a port in Cambodia needs a Cambodia plan. Our list of the best islands in South East Asia may help you plan the stops.
How do you get an eSIM for South East Asia?
- Check your phone: it must support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock (Apple: Unlock your iPhone).
- Buy and install on Wi-Fi: you get a QR code by email (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Our install guide walks you through it on iPhone and Android.
- Use the eSIM for data when you land: it activates when you reach a country on the plan. Apple says that if you keep both lines on, the travel eSIM is used for data, but you might still pay roaming fees on your home line (Apple: Use eSIM while traveling).
Want to keep your home number active next to it? See how to set up a dual eSIM. No signal after you land? Read what to do when your eSIM is not activating. Not sure what an eSIM is? See what is an eSIM.
FAQ
What is the best eSIM for South East Asia?
For a trip through several of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines, a South East Asia eSIM sized to your data use. For one country only, a country plan. For Cambodia or Laos, a plan for that country.
Does the South East Asia eSIM work in Cambodia and Laos?
No. The plan lists Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. Buy a Cambodia or Laos eSIM for those countries.
Does it work in Bali?
Yes. Bali is part of Indonesia, which is on the plan, on the Telkomsel, XL and Smartfren networks.
Is the South East Asia eSIM 5G?
No, it is 4G/LTE. Our Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia country plans are 5G.
Does it include calls or a phone number?
No. It is data only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls, or keep your home SIM on for texts.
How long does a South East Asia eSIM last?
30 days from the 3 GB plan up to the 30 GB plan, 7 days for the 1 GB plan and 60 days for the 50 GB plan. Start using it within a year of buying it, or it expires.
Can I buy a South East Asia eSIM before I travel?
Yes. Buy it online, install the QR code on Wi-Fi at home, and it activates when you reach a country on the plan.
Is there an eSIM for Myanmar, Brunei or Timor-Leste?
We don't sell one right now. Check our destinations page before you travel, as new countries are added.
