eSIM for travellers from India: where you go and what it costs
Indian travellers go to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United States most (India's Ministry of Tourism, 2024). A 5 GB, 30-day eSIM costs $11.99 for the United Arab Emirates, $21.99 for Saudi Arabia and $11.49 for the United States, in US dollars. Delivered by email in seconds.
Travellers from India go most to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United States, based on 2024 departure figures from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. A travel eSIM lets you add a data plan for your destination on your phone before you fly, without swapping out your Indian SIM card.
Where Indian travellers go, and the eSIM for each
| Destination | Plan | Price | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
1. United Arab Emirates | 5 GB, 30 days · prices compared | $11.99 | See plans |
2. Saudi Arabia | 5 GB, 30 days | $21.99 | See plans |
3. United States | 5 GB, 30 days · prices compared | $11.49 | See plans |
4. Thailand | 5 GB, 30 days | $6.49 | See plans |
5. Singapore | 5 GB, 30 days · prices compared | $7.99 | See plans |
6. United Kingdom | 5 GB, 30 days · prices compared | $10.99 | See plans |
7. Qatar | 5 GB, 30 days | $20.99 | See plans |
8. Canada | 5 GB, 30 days · prices compared | $17.99 | See plans |
9. Kuwait | 5 GB, 30 days | $18.99 | See plans |
10. Oman | 5 GB, 30 days | $21.99 | See plans |
Ranking: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (Bureau of Immigration data), Indian Nationals' Departures by destination country, published via PIB 7 Aug 2025, 2024. 2024 departures: UAE 7,787,496; Saudi Arabia 3,423,711; United States 2,143,909; Thailand 1,908,520; Singapore 1,534,984; United Kingdom 1,322,848; Qatar 1,140,407; Canada 945,652; Kuwait 906,965; Oman 864,251. Malaysia is 11th. Prices are live, in US dollars: the shop sells in US dollars, pounds and euros.
What Indian carriers charge abroad
| Carrier and zone | Price | What it gives | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirtelPrepaid international roaming pack, 1 day (180+ countries) | ₹698 for 1 day | 1 GB data, 100 mins, 10 SMS | Airtel's page, read 7 November 2026 |
| AirtelUSA 30-day prepaid pack | ₹2998 for 30 days | 200 calling mins, 5 GB data, 20 SMS, in-flight benefits, plus an extra 10 GB high-speed data for USA travellers | Airtel's page, read 7 November 2026 |
| ViBudget international roaming pack (140 countries) | ₹755 for 5 days | 1 GB data; calls and data after the pack at ₹10 per min / ₹10 per MB | Vi's page, read 7 November 2026 |
Good to know
- Vi advises that for the USA, Australia or Singapore, International Roaming must be active and the line needs a minimum balance of ₹65 or an active roaming pack to connect to the network. Source
- Vi prepaid customers are charged standard roaming rates once a pack expires; eligible Vi postpaid roaming packs include an Always-On feature that protects against high charges after expiry. Source
- Jio says IR pack benefits apply only on the preferred partner network in the visited country, and that some regions such as the US have fully retired 2G and 3G, so a 4G/VoLTE or 5G phone is needed. Source
Which eSIM do I need for my trip from India?
Start with where you'll spend most of your days, and if you use a lot of data, check eSIMology's daily allowances and bigger fixed plans.
- Gulf (UAE and Saudi Arabia): eSIMology's plans run on Du in the United Arab Emirates and on STC in Saudi Arabia, with 5G where the network offers it. A GCC Countries bundle covers both.
- United States: eSIMology's US plans run on AT&T and Verizon, with 5G where the network offers it. A USA & Canada bundle is also available.
- Thailand: eSIMology's plans run on AIS, DTAC and True Move, with 5G where the network offers it. Bundles include Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand.
- Singapore: eSIMology's plans run on M1, SingTel and Starhub, with 5G where the network offers it. A Singapore & Malaysia bundle is also available.
What do India networks charge to roam?
Indian networks charge extra to roam, through packs. Prices read on 7 November 2026.
Airtel's one-day prepaid international pack costs ₹698 in 180+ countries, with 1 GB data, 100 minutes and 10 SMS. Its 30-day USA pack costs ₹2998, with 200 calling minutes, 5 GB data, 20 SMS and an extra 10 GB high-speed data for USA travellers.
Vi's budget pack costs ₹755 for 5 days in 140 countries, with 1 GB data. Calls and data after the pack cost ₹10 per minute and ₹10 per MB.
Vi says the USA, Australia and Singapore need International Roaming switched on, plus a ₹65 minimum balance or an active roaming pack. Jio's pack benefits apply only on its preferred partner network abroad, and the US has retired 2G and 3G, so you need a 4G/VoLTE or 5G phone.
Where home roaming costs extra, a travel eSIM gives you data for one price, and your home number stays on for calls and texts. eSIMology prices in GBP, EUR or USD. Heavy users should look at eSIMology's daily allowances and larger fixed plans. See which phones take an eSIM and how to keep WhatsApp.
Travelling from India: questions
Where do Indian travellers go most?
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Thailand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Canada, Kuwait and Oman, in that order, according to Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (Bureau of Immigration data), Indian Nationals' Departures by destination country, published via PIB 7 Aug 2025.
How much does roaming cost from India?
Airtel ₹698 for 1 day (Prepaid international roaming pack); Vi ₹755 for 5 days (Budget international roaming pack (140 countries)), from each carrier's own page, read 7 November 2026. A 5 GB, 30-day United Arab Emirates eSIM costs $11.99 for the whole trip.
Can I keep my Indian number with a travel eSIM?
Yes. A travel eSIM from eSIMology is data only: keep your home SIM switched on for calls and texts (your carrier's own rates apply to those), and use WhatsApp, FaceTime or any calling app over the eSIM's data.
Which currency do I pay in?
Pounds, euros or US dollars: pick yours at the top of any page. This guide shows US dollars. Cards from India pay in US dollars and convert to INR at the card's own rate.
Do I need an eSIM for a trip from India to the United Arab Emirates?
Not strictly, but a travel eSIM gives you mobile data in the UAE without a local SIM card. eSIMology's UAE plans run on Du, with 5G where the network offers it, and the GCC Countries and Gulf Region bundles cover more than one country.
What does Airtel's USA roaming pack include?
Airtel's roaming is sold as paid packs. Its USA 30-day prepaid pack gives 5 GB data, 200 calling minutes and 20 SMS, plus an extra 10 GB of high-speed data for USA travellers. Airtel also sells a 1-day international pack covering 180+ countries.
Does my phone need 4G or 5G for a trip to the US?
Yes. The US has fully retired 2G and 3G, so you need a 4G/VoLTE or 5G phone. eSIMology's US plans run on AT&T and Verizon, with 5G where the network offers it.
Will Vi's roaming work in Singapore?
Only if International Roaming is active on your line, and Vi advises that for Singapore you also need a minimum balance or an active roaming pack. eSIMology's Singapore plans run on M1, SingTel and Starhub, with 5G where the network offers it.
Land online, wherever you're headed
Pick your destination, install at home in two minutes, and your plan starts when you land.