With a Thailand eSIM, you can roam like a local and avoid costly network charges. Here’s who provides them and how to get one.
How to get an eSIM for Thailand
Much like a physical SIM, to get an eSIM for Thailand, you’ll need to purchase one from a provider. This is usually done online or via your chosen provider’s app; you just need to make sure that you have a device that is eSIM compatible. Remember, when researching eSIMs, you’ll need to estimate how much data you think you’ll use in Thailand, as most providers will offer different data plans that you can choose from.
You can do all this before you arrive in Thailand, so you can use your data immediately after you land.
Get a £20 welcome bonus when you spend your first £20 (T&Cs apply).
Revolut is an app that works as your handy financial travel companion. Not only can you spend abroad fee-free using your Revolut card, but you can also get yourself an eSIM plan for Thailand. Revolut has a range of data plans ranging from 1GB for 7 days up to 100GB for 60 days. All plans can be bought in-app, so you can mix and match or top up as you go. You can also track your usage to make sure there’s no surprises, and even use your existing RevPoints balance to redeem against your data plan.
Pros
Low overseas fees
Quick sign-up
Earn cashback on spending
Set budgets for financial goals
Virtual cards for online purchases
Easy to transfer money internationally
Linked Revolut <18 account available for one child
Cons
1% currency conversion charge on weekend spending abroad
Free cash withdrawals in the UK and abroad both limited to £200 per month
Cannot deposit cash or cheques into the account
Charged a fee to receive your bank card
Minimum opening balance
£0
Account fees
£0
Overseas card transactions
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month)
Overseas cash withdrawals
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month) conversion fee plus cash fee of £0 up to £200 per month
There are lots of specialist eSIM providers out there. Most, like AIS and TrueMove, are more well-known for traditional SIM card products and have only just launched eSIMs. So they’re pretty basic. Then there are others like Holafly, which allow you to select your destination and the number of days of your trip.
Holafly
eSIM specialist, Holafly, offers unlimited data plans for over 160 destinations, including Thailand. You can install and activate your eSIM before you land and then connect to speeds of 3G/4G/5G as you travel around. You can also control your plan through your app or at the Holafly Center, a portal designed to manage your eSIM.
How can I buy an eSIM in person?
If you don’t want to purchase your eSIM online or via an app, then there’s an option to buy it in person. For example, some airports have carrier kiosks, where you can purchase prepaid eSIM plans for your trip. Alternatively, mobile operators also have eSIMs available at their stores, typically located in shopping malls.
If you’re thinking you can pick one up at your local 7-Eleven, you’ll be out of luck. While they sell prepaid physical SIM cards, they’re not likely to have eSIMs just yet.
Can I use an eSIM with my phone?
Before buying yourself an eSIM, check that your device is compatible. Most modern smartphones, such as iPhones, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models, support eSIMs. However, if you have an older model handset, you may not have that function.
Bottom line
The benefit of an eSIM is that you can temporarily change to another network, which makes it ideal for travelling around Thailand. It allows you to connect to the local mobile network, which is much cheaper than paying roaming costs to your UK network. Just make sure that you get the right data plan for you. Pick something flexible and easily managed, so you can travel stress-free.
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Kate Steere is an editor at Finder, specialising in fintech, banking and cryptocurrency. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run. See full bio
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Taking a travel card is less stressful than taking a regular bank card and there’s also savings to be had. Find out if a prepaid travel card is right for you before booking your trip abroad.
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