Data only eSIMs
Travel eSIM Asia
One eSIM, , and absolutely no need to beg for café WiFi passwords.
4.9
(401)
Set up in a few minutes
Unlimited hotspotting
Add more data with top ups
Install before travel
Set up in a few minutes
Unlimited hotspotting
Add more data with top ups
Install before travel
Plans & prices
Asia plans
$29 AUD
$45 AUD
$55 AUD
$97 AUD
$109 AUD
$3.63/day
limited to 1 Mbps
Set up in a few minutes
Unlimited hotspotting
Add more data with top ups
Install before travel
15 countries included
Say whaaaaat
All pros, no cons
100% money back guarantee
Plans changed, device incompatible or locked, can't get it working, we've got you covered - see our .
Data-only eSIM - no phone number
Use internet based apps like WhatsApp and Messenger as normal. Note: you can't make traditional calls or SMS (yet).
Reliable 4G/5G connection
Powered by the best networks in Asia, with solid coverage across each country so you're never left hunting for signal.
Multiple data options
We have plans for 5, 15 or 30 days starting at only 1GB right up to unlimited for most destinations.
Unlimited hotspotting (tethering)
Hotspot to your laptop, tablet, to your friends, to whoever with our limitless hotspotting.
Auto-activates on arrival
Automatically activates when you arrive in Asia. Just update settings (we'll send instructions), and you're connected.
Install up to 90 days before travel
Install your Asia eSIM anytime within 90 days before you travel, the plan won't start until you arrive in Asia.
Keep your current number
You can have multiple eSIMs installed and switch them on and off as you like.
How to use travel esims
How it works
If you haven't used a travel eSIM before, you're in for a treat. It only takes a few minutes to setup and it's a fraction of the cost of roaming! See WTF is eSIM.
1. Quick phone check
Let's make sure your phone's on board. Our eSIM compatibility checker has all of the answers.
2. Choose a plan, enter your details
Choose a plan for your destination, enter your details and your payment information.
4. Auto-activated on arrival
Update settings on arrival (we'll email these to you) and boom, you're connected. Check your usage in the ZenSim app.
The nitty gritty
Asia eSIM FAQs
Yes, it does! The Asia eSIM comes with a built-in VPN, which means you’ll be able to freely access your favourite apps and websites - even when you're in China.
Definitely. With the included VPN, you can use Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other apps that are usually restricted in China. You’ll stay connected and share your travels without any headaches.
No, our Asia eSIMs only deliver mobile data. For voice or SMS, you’ll need to use an app that works over data - WhatsApp, Messenger, or other similar internet calling platforms.
Of course. You can install your Asia eSIM up to 30 days before departure. Once you arrive, it will activate automatically.
Installing early won’t use any data or start your plan until you arrive in Asia.
If your iPhone shows an activation error during pre-install, you can ignore often it - refer to our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide for help.
No, the Asia eSIM is data-only and excludes voice/SMS numbers. You’ll have to rely on data-based messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Messenger for calling.
Your eSIM will activate automatically when you arrive in Asia. We recommend installing your Asia Travel eSIM in advance (installation is different from activation).
Just scan the QR code you receive or install via the ZenSim app using WiFi. Once you touch down in Asia, your eSIM will go live automatically.
If anything goes wrong, check out our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide or contact us 😊
Once you arrive in Asia, your eSIM activates automatically if it’s already installed.
If you install it after arriving, the eSIM will activate and begin working immediately.
For any setup or connection problems, refer to our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide or contact our support.
Absolutely - using a travel eSIM beats roaming in Asia for several reasons:
Cost Efficiency: Our Asia local data rates are much cheaper than pay-as-you-go roaming fees.
Instant Activation: No need to wait for a SIM card; your eSIM goes live as soon as you land.
Data Visibility: Monitor exactly how much you’ve consumed, so there are no hidden surprises on your bill.
Nope - the eSIM waits for you to land in Asia before beginning data usage or counting plan days, unless of course you're already in Asia then yes it will start using data immediately.
We advise installing before departure over WiFi so you can be connected as soon as you land on the tarmac.
For any connection hiccups, check out our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide or get in touch.
Yes! Our eSIMs cover more than 200 countries, including Asia. We even provide regional eSIMs that span multiple countries in one package - head over to our Travel eSIMs page to learn more.
Signal & Connectivity: If you’re stuck without data, follow our detailed troubleshooting guide. If issues persist, contact support and we’ll fix it promptly.
Install Assistance: For help installing, consult our installation walkthrough. Still need help? Reach out and we’ll guide you step by step.
Other Support Requests: For anything else, head to our contact page.
Yes - regional eSIMs are designed for travellers visiting multiple places. Check the included countries in the section above to see where you’ll have coverage.
One activation, and you’re set to visit all of the countries specified above with one eSIM.
Yes it can. Nearly all ZenSim eSIMs support top ups inside the app. You can boost your data, add extra days, or attach a new country to the same eSIM from the Zen Garden in only a few steps.
Just log into the app, open the Zen Garden, and you’ll find the top up control ready to use.
Top up choices: The Asia top ups match the plans on our website, just with an extra 10% off.
If you're travelling longer than 30 days: You can purchase multiple top ups in advance. They only activate once the current plan finishes, so nothing overwrites your existing eSIM.
If your trip includes several destinations: Many of our eSIMs support multi country top ups. For example, you can add Dubai to a Europe eSIM and it will activate the moment you arrive without reinstalling anything.
Yep, you can, can you should! For every friend or family member you refer to purchase a Asia eSIM, you will earn a A$5 voucher to use on your next purchase AND they will save A$5 on their purchase.
All you have to do is share your unique referral URL with them, which you can access after purchase, and if they click it and purchase the savings are automatic.
You can monitor your referrals and find your personal referral URL directly in the ZenSim app. Read our terms for full details.
Great question! Our Asia unlimited plans come with a 3GB daily allowance, which is plenty for most travellers - the average person uses under 1GB a day.
If you do blow past that in a single day, your speed drops to 1Mbps until midnight, when your daily allowance resets and you're back to full speed.
If you're on a fixed-data plan instead (say 10GB or 20GB), there's no daily cap at all - use as much as you like until the plan runs out. We'll give you a heads up before that happens, and topping up is just a couple of taps away in the ZenSim app.
There's no fixed start date the moment you buy it - your plan sits dormant until you actually arrive in Asia, so buying and installing it early doesn't cost you any data or days.
Once you land, provided the eSIM is already installed, it activates automatically and that's your official start date.
Your expiry date follows on from there - the plan ends once either your data or your days run out, whichever comes first (or just the days, if you're on unlimited). So a 30-day plan expires 30 days after you land in Asia, regardless of when you originally bought it.
Best way to find out is with our eSIM compatibility checker - just enter your phone details and it'll confirm whether it's compatible with our Asia eSIM and networks.
Not 100% sure, or getting an unexpected result? Contact us and we'll help sort it out. Worst case scenario, if your phone truly isn't compatible, our refund policy gives you a full refund - so there's no risk in trying.
We've got a 100% money back guarantee for exactly this kind of situation.
That covers trip cancellations, phones that turn out not to be eSIM-compatible, or just a change of plans that means you no longer need it.
Our full refund policy spells it all out, but the short version is: unable to install or use the eSIM means a full refund, every time.
Why the ZenSim Travel eSIM for Asia
Fast Asia eSIM installation via QR code or one-click app setup
Getting set up for your Asia trip shouldn't mean queuing at an airport counter after a long flight. Installing your ZenSim Asia eSIM takes just a couple of minutes - scan the QR code we send you, or install it with a single tap straight from the ZenSim app, no fiddly setup required. It's worth knowing that installing isn't the same as activating - your eSIM sits ready and waiting once installed, then auto-activates the moment you land in your first destination, so there's no risk in getting it sorted well before you fly.
One Asia eSIM, works in 15 countries across the region
Your ZenSim Asia eSIM covers 15 destinations on a single plan - Bangladesh, China (plus VPN access), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The best part is switching between them takes zero effort on your part - there's no manual switching, no new settings to configure, no second eSIM to install. Land in a new country on that list and your eSIM automatically connects to the strongest local network available, so whether you're hopping from Tokyo to Seoul or working your way down through Southeast Asia, you're covered every step of the way.
Asia eSIM plans from A$7 with unlimited data options
Not every trip needs the same amount of data, so ZenSim's Asia eSIM plans are priced to match how people actually travel. Plans start from just A$7 ($5 USD) for travellers who mainly rely on hotel or cafe WiFi, right up to unlimited data for those who want to stream, navigate and post without a second thought. Whether you're island hopping for a couple of weeks or backpacking across the region for months, there's a plan sized to fit your trip.
No roaming fees or physical SIM swap needed across Asia
Roaming charges from your home provider can turn a great trip into an expensive one fast, especially when you're crossing multiple countries and racking up fees in each one. Swapping in a physical SIM at every border isn't much better - digging through your phone's SIM tray, hoping the local shop has stock, and doing it all again at the next country. A ZenSim Asia eSIM sidesteps all of that. No roaming bill shock, no fiddly SIM swaps at every border, and nothing to lose track of - just install once and you're set for the whole trip, wherever it takes you across the region.
Check eSIM compatibility before you buy your Asia eSIM
Before grabbing any eSIM for Asia, it's worth confirming your phone actually supports the technology - most phones from the last few years do, but not every device or region-locked model will. Run yours through ZenSim's eSIM compatibility checker and you'll have an answer in seconds. If it turns out your phone isn't compatible after buying, our refund policy has you covered, so there's no risk in giving it a go.
Asia eSIM data plans - data only, no phone number included
Like most travel eSIMs, ZenSim's Asia eSIM is data-only, meaning it doesn't come with a local phone number or support traditional calls or SMS. For the vast majority of travellers this isn't an issue at all - WhatsApp, iMessage, and other internet-based apps handle calls and messages over data without a hitch, wherever you are across the region. Worth knowing upfront so there are no surprises once you land.
The best eSIM for Asia travel
Picking the best eSIM for Asia really comes down to coverage, price and how easy it is to move between countries without extra hassle - and ZenSim delivers on all three. One eSIM, 15 countries, plans from A$7, and zero manual switching required as you cross borders. For a full breakdown against other providers, check out our Best eSIM Asia guide.
Top 5 Things to Do in Asia
1. Visit the Great Wall of China, China
The Great Wall of China is one of the world's most iconic landmarks and a testament to ancient engineering. Stretching over 21,000 kilometres across mountains, deserts and grasslands, it was built and rebuilt over centuries by successive dynasties to defend against northern invasions, and today stands as one of the most recognisable structures ever constructed by human hands.
Popular sections like Mutianyu and Badaling are easily accessible from Beijing and offer restored paths for hiking, cable cars for those who'd rather skip the climb, and some of the best-preserved watchtowers along the entire wall. For a quieter, more rugged experience, sections like Jinshanling or Simatai see far fewer crowds and let the wall's crumbling, wilder stretches speak for themselves.
Walking along the top of the wall, you'll pass watchtower after watchtower while mountain ridgelines roll out in every direction, and it's genuinely hard not to feel the scale of what was built here. Visit in spring or autumn if you can - summer brings crowds and heat, while these shoulder seasons offer clearer skies and far more comfortable hiking conditions.
2. Explore the Temples of Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto served as Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years, and few places anywhere concentrate as much historic architecture, garden design and quiet ceremony into one city. The Golden Pavilion, known as Kinkaku-ji, is often the first stop for visitors - its top two floors covered in gold leaf and perfectly reflected in the pond before it, making it one of the most photographed buildings in Japan.
Just as unforgettable is the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up the mountainside in a tunnel-like path - allow a couple of hours if you want to walk the full route to the summit rather than just the popular lower stretch. For something quieter, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove offers a genuinely peaceful escape, especially early in the morning before the crowds arrive.
Beyond the headline sights, Kyoto rewards slower exploration too - traditional tea houses, the historic geisha district of Gion, and quiet residential lanes where locals still go about daily life much as they have for generations. Few cities capture the depth of a country's history quite the way Kyoto does.
3. Experience Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of limestone karsts and islets rising dramatically from the sea. A cruise through the bay is the classic way to experience it, with most trips offering kayaking through hidden lagoons, visits to floating fishing villages, and stops at caves like Sung Sot - known as Surprise Cave for the size of its cavernous interior chambers.
Overnight cruises are especially worthwhile if you have the time, since they let you experience the bay at both sunrise and sunset, when the limestone karsts take on a soft golden or pink glow and the whole seascape feels almost otherworldly. Early morning also tends to bring calmer waters and thinner mist, ideal conditions for photography or simply sitting on deck taking it all in.
For a different pace, Lan Ha Bay sits just south of Halong and offers similarly dramatic scenery with noticeably fewer boats, making it a popular alternative for travellers who want the same iconic limestone landscape with a bit more room to breathe.
4. Wander the Palaces and Markets of Seoul, South Korea
Seoul blends centuries-old royal history with some of the most energetic street life in Asia, often within a few minutes' walk of each other. Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the city's five grand palaces, is the obvious starting point - its sweeping courtyards and mountain backdrop make it a striking sight, especially during the changing of the royal guard ceremony held several times a day.
Just nearby, the Bukchon Hanok Village preserves narrow lanes of traditional hanok houses, many still lived in today, offering a quieter contrast to the palace crowds. From there it's a short trip to Myeongdong or Hongdae for an entirely different side of Seoul - vibrant shopping streets, street food stalls serving everything from tteokbokki to Korean fried chicken, and a nightlife scene that runs well into the early hours.
Seoul's efficient subway system makes it easy to string all of this together in a single day, and the contrast between the palace's stillness and the market streets' energy is a big part of what makes the city so memorable.
5. Explore the Temples and Islands of Krabi, Thailand
Krabi, on Thailand's southwestern coast, packs an extraordinary amount of scenery into a relatively small stretch of coastline - dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and jungle-covered islands scattered just offshore. Railay Beach, only reachable by boat due to the cliffs surrounding it, is the region's standout spot, drawing rock climbers to its towering limestone walls and beachgoers to its calm, sheltered bays in equal measure.
A longtail boat trip out to the Phi Phi Islands is one of the most popular day trips from Krabi, taking in Maya Bay's dramatic cliff-ringed cove and excellent snorkelling spots along the way. Closer to shore, the Phra Nang Cave Beach and the Emerald Pool inland offer a quieter, more contemplative side of the region, with jungle trails leading to hidden freshwater pools tucked away from the coast.
Krabi Town itself makes a relaxed base for exploring, with a lively night market serving up some of southern Thailand's best street food, and it's an easy jumping-off point for day trips to nearby islands like Koh Lanta or the more remote Trang archipelago further south.
