How much does a travel eSIM cost for each destination? Prices vary significantly: from €0.70/GB for India to €1.80/GB for sub-Saharan Africa. This statistical guide provides the complete ranking of travel eSIM prices by destination in July 2026, including the cheapest, the most expensive, and the factors explaining the differences.
Average price per region: global ranking 2026
Asia-Pacific is the cheapest region for travel eSIMs, thanks to high competition among local operators in countries like India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Europe and North America have similar average prices (~€1.25-1.40/GB). The Caribbean and Africa are the most expensive regions due to less competition and more limited network infrastructure.
The 10 cheapest travel eSIM destinations in 2026
| Destination | Price/GB (EUR) | Most popular plan | Popular plan price | Network/operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | €0.70/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €7 | Airtel / Jio |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | €0.75/GB | 15 GB / 30 days | €11 | AIS / DTAC / TrueMove |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | €0.78/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €8 | Viettel / Mobifone |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | €0.80/GB | 15 GB / 30 days | €12 | Maxis / Celcom |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | €0.80/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €8 | Turkcell / Vodafone TR |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia/Bali | €0.82/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €8 | Telkomsel / Indosat |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | €0.85/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €9 | Globe / Smart |
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | €0.85/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €9 | Claro / Tigo |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | €0.90/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €9 | Telcel / AT&T |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | €1.10/GB | 10 GB / 30 days | €11 | Docomo / SoftBank / au |
The 10 most expensive travel eSIM destinations
The most expensive destinations share common characteristics: low competition among local operators, limited or costly network infrastructure, low volume of international travelers (which reduces economies of scale), and/or telecommunications market regulation that limits competition (Cuba is the extreme case, with a single state-owned operator).
Travel eSIM prices in LatAm destinations (complete table)
| LatAm Country | Price/GB (EUR) | 10 GB Plan | 20 GB Plan | Typical Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | €0.85 | ~€9 | ~€16 | 30 days |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | €0.90 | ~€9 | ~€17 | 30 days |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | €1.00 | ~€10 | ~€18 | 30 days |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | €1.05 | ~€11 | ~€19 | 30 days |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | €1.05 | ~€11 | ~€20 | 30 days |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | €1.10 | ~€11 | ~€20 | 30 days |
| 🇪🇨 Ecuador | €1.10 | ~€11 | ~€21 | 30 days |
| 🇺🇾 Uruguay | €1.15 | ~€12 | ~€21 | 30 days |
| 🇧🇴 Bolivia | €1.40 | ~€14 | ~€26 | 30 days |
| 🇨🇺 Cuba | €2.50 | ~€25 | — | 15 days |
eSIM prices in Europe: main destination table
| European Country | Price/GB (EUR) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EU Zone (Spain, France, Italy...) | ~€1.30-1.50 | Europe regional plan available |
| United Kingdom (post-Brexit) | ~€1.20 | Especially useful for LatAm travelers in UK |
| Switzerland | ~€1.80 | Not included in EU plans |
| Turkey | ~€0.80 | Cheap thanks to competitive local market |
| Norway / Iceland | ~€1.60 | EEA but high local cost |
Why does eSIM pricing vary so much by destination?
The factors determining the price of a travel eSIM are the same as those determining the price of local mobile data: 1) Local market competition: India has Jio, Airtel, VI, and BSNL aggressively competing → low prices. Cuba has Etecsa as a monopoly → high prices. 2) Network infrastructure: Countries with modern, well-deployed 4G/5G networks have lower operating costs. 3) Traveler volume: Tourist destinations with many visitors have more competition among eSIM providers → better prices. 4) Regulation: In some countries, operators are obligated to share infrastructure (reduces costs) or there are limits on interconnection prices (wholesale roaming).
Frequently asked questions about eSIM prices by destination
Is it cheaper to buy a local SIM at the destination than a travel eSIM?
It depends on the destination. In countries with very cheap data (India: 7-9 cents/GB local), buying a physical local SIM might be cheaper than a travel eSIM, although the difference is already small. The advantage of an eSIM: you activate it before you leave, without needing to search for stores, without language barriers or documentation. For long stays (+2 weeks) in countries with very cheap data, a local SIM might be worthwhile. For short stays, the eSIM wins in terms of combined convenience and price.
Are there travel eSIM plans that cover multiple countries at once?
Yes. PuraSIM offers regional plans (Europe, LatAm, Asia-Pacific, global) that give you data in multiple countries with a single activation. The price/GB in multi-country plans is usually slightly higher than country-specific plans, but the convenience of a single eSIM for a multi-destination itinerary usually outweighs the cost.
Do eSIM prices vary by season?
Yes, though moderately. During peak tourist season (European summer, Christmas, etc.), some providers adjust prices slightly upward due to higher demand. PuraSIM maintains stable prices, but we always recommend purchasing the plan before you leave to ensure availability and price.
Why is Cuba so expensive for travel eSIMs?
Cuba has the most restrictive telecommunications market in the Americas: a single operator (Etecsa, state-owned) with very high prices for international roaming. Travel eSIM providers have to pay the price that Etecsa charges them for access to its network, and that price is very high compared to countries with multiple operators. There is no way to avoid this market restriction.
Conclusion
Travel eSIM prices reflect the local market realities of each country. Asia is the cheapest region; the Caribbean and Africa are the most expensive. For LatAm, prices are very competitive: from €9 for 10 GB in Colombia or Mexico to €11 in Chile or Argentina. Much better than any roaming. Check the price for your specific destination at purasim.com.
