Best eSIMs for Thailand

When I landed in Bali without an eSIM, I spent hours chasing down a physical SIM before a big meeting... Total mess.

So for Thailand, I came prepared. I used the Saily app, bought and set up an eSIM in advance, and got connected the second I landed. So much easier.

I've used Saily before and loved it, but this time I wanted to test a few others among the best eSIM providers out there.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the best eSIMs for Thailand: what I liked, what I didn’t, and what to know before you buy, so you can get online right away in the Land of Smiles.

Best eSIMs for Thailand: Quick List

• Saily: Best Overall
• Airalo: Best Budget
• Holafly: Best for Unlimited Data
• Nomad: Best for Flexibility
• Jetpac: Best for Perks

If you're in a rush, here’s the quick answer: Saily is currently the most complete eSIM for Thailand, offering the best balance of value, performance, security, and ease of use. Airalo is the best budget-friendly alternative, while Holafly is still the go-to if you specifically want unlimited data without thinking about top-ups.

That said, everyone’s needs are a bit different. So, here’s a quick breakdown of the best eSIMs for Thailand and what to expect from each:

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Saily: Best Overall

If I had to pick just one eSIM for Thailand today, it would be Saily.

It’s the best all-rounder because it balances price, performance, security, and flexibility in a way most eSIMs don’t. During my tests across Thailand, setup was instant, speeds were stable, and the connection held up well even when I was working remotely and bouncing between cafés.

What makes Saily stand out is the built-in privacy layer. It’s made by the same team behind NordVPN, and every plan includes ad blocking, malicious site protection, and virtual location masking. If you connect to public Wi-Fi in airports, cafés, or coworking spaces, this is very useful.

Thailand plans start at $2.99 for 1GB, with larger plans (like 10GB for $8.99) and unlimited options that are often cheaper than Holafly while still delivering great speeds. It’s both affordabile and smart.

Setup is smooth, you can install it before your trip and activate on landing, and their 24/7 live chat actually replies fast (rare in the eSIM world).

It’s data-only (no phone number or SMS), but for most travelers, that’s not a dealbreaker. If you want one eSIM that does everything well in Thailand, Saily is the one we’d pick first.

Airalo: Best Budget

Airalo is one of those eSIMs we keep coming back to, mostly because it’s one of the most affordable options out there without sacrificing ease of use.

You can grab a plan for as little as $4.00 for a week of data, which is kind of wild. For longer trips, I usually go for one of their bigger plans (50GB for $35) and it’s always worked well for me. The speeds hold up well, and setup through the app is super easy. Just a few taps and you’re connected.

What I like most is that you can choose between limited and unlimited data, depending on what you need. If you're just trying to stay online without spending a ton, it's perfect.

That said, if you're planning to scroll Instagram all day or upload videos, be careful with the unlimited plan. Speedsslow down after about 3GB per day, which can be annoying if you’re used to faster connections as a remote worker.

Holafly: Best for Unlimited Data

If your priority is never worrying about data limits, Holafly is still one of the best options for Thailand.

It’s the eSIM I used on my most recent trip, and it worked smoothly from the moment I landed. You get unlimited data, stable speeds, and a super easy setup — just scan the QR code and you're online in seconds.

Their 24/7 customer support is also reliable and quick, which is helpful when you're traveling and something random breaks at the worst time.

Pricing is simple: you pay based on how many days you need. A 1-week plan costs $29.90, and the longer plans get better value (the 30-day plan comes out to around $2.50/day).

That said, Holafly isn’t the most balanced choice overall. It’s usually more expensive than competitors, hotspot use is limited (500MB/day), and speeds can slow after heavy usage (often around 90GB/month). If unlimited is your #1 priority, it’s great. If you want the best all-around deal, Saily tends to win.

Nomad: Best for Flexibility

Nomad is a great option if you’re heading to Thailand for just a week or two. Their short-term plans start at $5 for 1GB (valid for 7 days), and give you just enough data for things like maps, video calls, and browsing, without overpaying for what you don’t need.

One thing I love about Nomad is the flexibility. You can pause your plan and restart it when you're back on the road. It’s truly built for travelers who don’t want to overthink their mobile setup.

The app is clean, simple, and gets you set up in just a few taps. Just note that customer support is ticket-based, and response times can be slower than other providers, so it’s better to sort out any issues before you land.

Jetpac: Best for Perks

Jetpac feels more like a travel upgrade than just an eSIM. The data plans are solid, sure, but what really makes Jetpac stand out are the perks that come with it.

One of the best features is SmartDelay. If your flight is delayed by an hour or more, you (and up to five travel buddies) get free airport lounge access. They also offer Fast Track passes to get you through airport security quicker, and you can add lounge access directly from the app if your flight isn’t delayed.

On the pricing side, it’s pretty competitive. You can get 1GB for around $1. They also throw in extras like a 30-day ExpressVPN trial, which is nice if you're security-conscious. Data packs are capped at 30 days of validity, though.

Customer support can be a bit slow, which is probably the only real downside I’ve noticed. But if you're someone who flies a lot and likes to make travel a little more comfortable, Jetpac’s extras definitely make it worth checking out.

My Personal Experience Using eSIMs vs Physical SIMs in Thailand

After trying both, I honestly just prefer eSIMs in Thailand. They're way more convenient, especially when you're hotspotting for your laptop or jumping between places.

Yeah, you can get a physical SIM at literally any 7-Eleven. I did that too. But it ended up being a bit of a time-waster. I had to top up credit, mess with settings, and switch SIM profiles manually. Not the end of the world, but not super smooth either.

With the eSIM, I was connected the second I landed, which saved me immediately when I had to fill out a immigration form.

I ran a bunch of speed tests in different spots (airports, cafes, even rural areas), and honestly, eSIMs and physical SIMs performed pretty similarly. If anything, eSIMs like Holafly and Airalo were a bit more stable in the cities and airports.

Physical SIMs are still a bit cheaper if you're staying a while or using tons of data. But for me, the ease of not having to deal with setup or switching SIM cards makes eSIMs 100% worth it.

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