So, you're going to Thailand. I'm not jealous, at all. You have your accommodation booked, you're going to be heading to a load of different islands and places, but just one thing needs sorting before you can fully relax, and that is your sim card.

You'll meet a LOT of people on your travels in Thailand, so reliable data is a must. There will be a lot of Instagram handles to add.

You can of course purchase a sim card when you land, but after an expensive airport sim buying experience in Antalya, I have gone head first down the eSIM route, even if it's just a small GB package, so I can make sure I have data and I am covered for when I land.

I adopted this approach in Egypt recently. I bought a 2GB eSIM before I flew, so I knew I had data when I landed, and this proved very helpful for meeting our driver. The Egyptian eSIM is a bit more expensive, and I knew (having been to Dahab before) I could get one on the ground for a cheaper amount, so I went with this option. This means you are covered when you land, avoiding any stress, and then you can then assess your options.

The Great Thing about eSIM's:

What I really like about esim's, is that you can get everything sorted before you fly. I have been using Airalo, and their instructions are super clear for adding an esim to your phone, so I'd absolutely recommend going down this route for your journey to Thailand.

As mentioned, I don't like the stress of not having data when I land, so this eSIM world, despite being pretty late to the party, makes my life much easier.

Will an eSIM work on my phone?

The good news is, the majority of phones released over the last few years, will have e sim capability, even if you're not aware of the fact.

I'm team android, so the image below would apply for those phones. But, I imagine the process is the same on Apple and iPhone's, so what I'd recommend doing is the following.

If you’re not sure if your phone can indeed run eSIMs, then go to settings, search eSIM, and see what pops up (the below image is what pops up in my search settings). If nothing does, then you might not be able to use it on your phone, but it’s always worth checking with your network provider as well.

Which eSIM provider should I use?

Million dollar question, right? So, I've been firmly on the Airalo train since I got down with the cool kids, and learned how to use an eSIM on my phone. I've written a substantial review here which will hopefully help you with your decision.

Whilst researching this article, Holafly seemed to be the other eSIM company that came up regarding the best e sim to use in Thailand. I haven't used them, but their rates also look good, so worth doing some detective work, and finding out what works for you.

How much does an eSIM cost for coverage in Thailand?

You'll be pleased to discover, that eSIM costs are ridiculously cheap in Asia. Here's two different options for you, both available via Airalo, and both offering tremendous value.

So, in box number one, we have a 10-day offering from dtac. Here you can get 50 GB, for $9.90 which for me, after seeing data costs around the world, feels insane. I'd personally prefer to have a longer validity date, but it's so easy to top up via Airalo, so it's not the end of the world.

And in box number two.....

We have this option, also from our dtac gang. This eSIM offers you UNLIMITED data for $19.95, and the good news is, the validity is a bit longer at 15 days. It's also a bonus that both options give you the ability to call, as not all eSIM's offer this service.

The unlimited data is an insane perk as well. A lot of Thailand is well covered by WiFi, but if you're travelling more off the beaten track, or to a remote island, you'll want to make sure you're covered.

If you're travelling around Asia, I've also got you covered. Here comes box number three!

Region based eSIMs:

Not only does Airalo offer country specific options, they also offer regional eSIMs, which cover continents, and even the WORLD (caps for dramatic effect). 

These definitely cost a bit more, but still appear to not be too bad, and if you’re visiting a number of places in Asia for example, and moving around countries quickly, this type of eSIM could be your best option.

Conclusion:

I travel a lot, and so far I haven't had any issues with Airalo, so they get my recommendation. If/when I use Holafly though, and/or another eSIM provider, I will be sure to share my thoughts here.

For Thailand, the rates I've highlighted are ridiculously good, even if I wish the validity lasted a bit longer. I like to stay in places at least a month, and even though topping up is easy on Airalo, it's just another thing to do, so I'd love to see a 30-day option in the future.

Do you want $3 off your first eSIM purchase with Airalo?  

Of course you do! If you want to try it out, then why not use my Airalo discount code, and you’ll get $3 off your first eSIM purchase. A 50 GB eSIM with this code for a Thailand esim would only cost you $6.90, and you'll be covered as soon as you land, which at the very least, will definitely help you on your way to your next stop.

Sign up here (referral code should populate automatically), or use the code DAVID8186 at checkout, and you'll get that $3 off your first eSIM purchase! As always, any questions, then feel free to leave a comment, or drop me a message, and I’ll be happy to help!

Notice: I want to point out that I wasn’t paid by Airalo to write this article. I have no link to Airalo, and these are my independent views. As a regular traveller, I’m always on the lookout for things that can help me, and this eSIM definitely does.