Asia · 14 countries
Asia Country-by-Country Rates: 14 Destinations Priced
HelloRoam is the top pick for Asia: it sells 13 of the 14 Asia destinations on this page, and its 7-day unlimited plan has a median price of $21.50 across the 13 where it sells one, from $19.71 in Japan, against $84 for a week on AT&T's $12-a-day pass, a $62 gap at the median, and Holafly ranks second on this site's rubric. HelloRoam runs its website and app in 63 languages. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185. HelloRoam's price is from its catalogue of 29 Oct 2026, rivals' from the 30 Oct 2026 price check; AT&T's rate was checked June 2026.
HelloRoam's lowest 7-day unlimited prices here are $19.71 in Japan, $21.44 in China and $21.50 in Macau, from its catalogue of 29 Oct 2026. HelloRoam also sells fixed-data plans in 13 of the 14 destinations on this page, from $3.49 for 1 GB over 7 days in Japan. HelloRoam does not sell Taiwan, so a route through it needs another provider for that leg.
The best Asia gap is $97 over 10 days in Japan: AT&T totals $120, the lowest 20GB catalog plan $22.49. Rates checked June 2026. HelloRoam, an eSIM platform, sells 13 of the 14 Asia destinations on this page as single-country plans. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185.
travel eSIM data at $1.92 a gigabyte and a $12 day pass are both dollar prices. HelloRoam settles in 31 currencies, so a non-dollar card can skip the 2 to 4 percent conversion on the eSIM side.
The gap, country by country
Asia destinations ranked by the dollar gap against the AT&T day pass
| Destination | Trip | Data need | Lowest catalog plan | AT&T total | Gap vs AT&T | T-Mobile total | Gap vs T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 10 days | 15GB | 20GB at $22.49 | $120 | $97 | $50 | $27 |
| China | 8 days | 12GB | 20GB at $35.99 | $96 | $60 | $50 | $14 |
| South Korea | 7 days | 14GB | 20GB at $28.49 | $84 | $55 | $50 | $21 |
| Hong Kong | 4 days | 7.2GB | 10GB at $15.99 | $48 | $32 | $40 | $24 |
Japan leads at $97: 10 days at the AT&T day rate total $120, and the 20GB catalog plan that covers 15GB costs $22.49. HelloRoam lists 4 operators in Japan: KDDI/au, NTT docomo, Rakuten Mobile and SoftBank. HelloRoam sells each destination in this table as its own plan, so the table prices them one by one. Rates checked June 2026.
No trip length or daily data figure is recorded for Macau, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, Mongolia and Taiwan, so this table prints no gap for them.
The lowest 1-day unlimited catalog price in Asia is $3.20, listed for Japan. Rates checked June 2026.
Savings summary
Average savings across Asia: 85-93%
A 7-day trip in Asia costs $84 in AT&T International Day Pass ($12/day x 7 days). A travel eSIM covering the same week costs $6-$13 based on the regional average price of $1.92/GB. That is a difference of $71-$78 on a single week-long trip.
| Option | 7-day cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T International Day Pass | $84 | baseline |
| Verizon TravelPass | $84 | baseline |
| Travel eSIM (3GB plan) | $6 | Save $78 (93%) |
| Travel eSIM (7GB plan) | $13 | Save $71 (85%) |
eSIM cost calculated from the Asia average of $1.92/GB across 14 countries. Rates checked June 2026. Actual eSIM cost varies by country and plan size.
Network coverage
Asia mobile network overview
This page's Asia is the East and Central Asia set: 14 destinations, from Japan and South Korea to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. The lowest catalog price per gigabyte runs from $0.61 in Japan to $4.50 in Taiwan. Rates checked June 2026.
AT&T charges $12 a day in every destination on this page, and T-Mobile's International Pass charges $10 a day. Ten days in Japan at 1.5GB a day needs 15GB, which the lowest 20GB catalog plan covers for $22.49 against $120 on AT&T at $12 a day. That $97 gap is the largest in this region. Rates checked June 2026.
China is the one destination here where the country-enrichment file records VPN status as blocked. The Great Firewall blocks most VPN services, and the file advises installing a VPN before arrival. A local SIM in China needs a passport and in-person verification at a carrier store.
Registration rules split the region. Japan sells tourist SIM cards with no ID, while South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau ask for a passport or ID at the counter. A travel eSIM is bought online and installed before the flight, so no counter visit is part of the plan.
Taiwan sits in this region's catalog at $4.50 per gigabyte, the highest rate here, and HelloRoam does not sell it. The eSIM platform lists operators for 13 of the 14 destinations on this page.
Regional overview
eSIM and roaming in Asia
This page's Asia covers 14 destinations in East and Central Asia, from Japan and South Korea to Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The catalog averages $1.92 per gigabyte across them, from $0.61 in Japan to $4.50 in Taiwan. AT&T charges $12 a day in every one, so the gap grows with the trip: 10 days in Japan totals $120 on AT&T against $22.49 for the lowest 20GB catalog plan. HelloRoam, an eSIM platform, sells 13 of these Asia destinations and lists four operators in Japan. Rates checked June 2026.
Top destinations
Top 5 eSIM destinations in Asia
The most popular countries for travel eSIM plans in Asia, ranked by plan availability and pricing.
HelloRoam lists KDDI/au, NTT docomo, Rakuten Mobile and SoftBank, all with a 5G label. Lowest 20GB catalog plan: $22.49.
Operators on file: LG Uplus and SKTelecom, both 5G. Lowest 20GB catalog plan: $28.49. A local SIM needs a passport.
Operators on file: China Telecom on 4G and China Unicom on 5G. Lowest 20GB catalog plan: $35.99. Most VPN services are blocked.
A 4-day stay fits the 10GB catalog plan at $15.99. HelloRoam lists SmarTone and csl, both 5G.
$0.74 per gigabyte, the second-lowest catalog rate in this region. HelloRoam lists 3 and CTM, both with a 5G label.
Recommended
eSIM providers for Asia
These providers offer the strongest coverage, pricing, and support across Asia destinations.
Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185, the wider catalog for a route that leaves this region.
Saily sells plans with a built-in VPN. The country-enrichment file records most VPN services in China as blocked, so install one before arrival.
Fixed and unlimited plans in one app
Carrier costs
Carrier roaming rates in Asia
What AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and UK carriers charge for roaming in Asia. Rates checked June 2026.
| Carrier | Daily rate | 7-day cost |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $12/day | $84 |
| Verizon | $12/day | $84 |
| T-Mobile | $10/day | $50 |
| Vodafone UK | £2.00/day EU, £6.85/day worldwide | Varies |
| Travel eSIM (avg) | $1.92/GB | $10-$19 |
AT&T roaming in Asia
The International Day Pass charges $12 a day in all 14 destinations on this page. Ten days in Japan totals $120 and seven days in South Korea totals $84.
Verizon roaming in Asia
TravelPass charges $12 a day, so its totals match AT&T's: $120 for 10 days in Japan and $84 for 7 days in South Korea.
T-Mobile roaming in Asia
The International Pass costs $10 for 1 day, and its 10-day pass puts 10 days in Japan at $50. The lowest 20GB catalog plan for Japan costs $22.49, a $27 gap.
Vodafone UK roaming in Asia
Every destination on this page sits outside the EU line, so Vodafone UK bills its worldwide rate of £6.85 a day, not its £2.00 EU rate. Ten days in Japan comes to £68.50.
Data tips
Staying connected in Asia
Practical advice for managing data and connectivity across Asia.
China lists real-name registration with a passport and in-person verification at a carrier store for a local SIM.
Hong Kong has required real-name registration with a passport for prepaid SIMs since 2023.
Kazakhstan asks for a passport for a local SIM and can ask for an IIN. HelloRoam lists Beeline there on 4G.
Macau lists ID as required for a local SIM. HelloRoam lists 3 and CTM there.
WiFi quality
WiFi and connectivity in Asia
Wi-Fi costs nothing and a local SIM is the other paid option. The country-enrichment file records airport SIM prices, captured May 2026, and four destinations follow.
- Japan: an airport SIM costs $20-50 for 5-15GB over 7-30 days. The lowest 20GB catalog eSIM plan costs $22.49.
- South Korea: airport counters sell unlimited data for $12-30 over 3-30 days, with a passport.
- China: an airport SIM costs $15-30 for 3-10GB over 7-30 days, after in-person verification.
- Hong Kong: an airport SIM costs $8-20 for 6-15GB over 7-30 days, with a passport.
Compare providers
eSIM provider matchups for Asia
See how the top eSIM providers stack up for Asia travel.
Learn more
Related guides for Asia travelers
How roaming works and why it costs so much
Step-by-step guide for iPhone and Android
5 providers ranked and compared
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, EE side by side
Prevent surprise charges before your trip
Travel tips
Asia roaming tips
Practical advice for staying connected across Asia without overpaying.
Install a VPN before entering China. The country-enrichment file records most VPN services there as blocked.
Japan sells tourist SIM cards with no ID, and South Korea needs a passport for a local SIM. A travel eSIM is bought and installed before the flight.
Each destination on this page is priced as its own plan. A two-country trip takes two plans, so add both prices before setting them against the day pass.
Size the plan to the trip: 10 days at 1.5GB a day in Japan needs 15GB, and the smallest catalog plan that covers it is 20GB at $22.49. Rates checked June 2026.
Asia destinations
All 14 countries in Asia
Sorted by cheapest eSIM price. Click any country to see the full carrier-by-carrier breakdown.
Common questions
Asia eSIM FAQ
How much does an eSIM cost in Asia?
The average eSIM price across 14 countries in Asia is $1.92/GB. Prices vary by country and provider. Regional bundles covering multiple Asia countries on a single eSIM offer the best per-GB value for multi-country trips.
Which eSIM provider has the best coverage in Asia?
Airalo and Holafly each list 200+ destinations worldwide. Holafly sells unlimited daily plans. Saily sells plans with built-in VPN protection. The best provider depends on your priorities: Airalo for breadth, Holafly for unlimited data, Saily for privacy, and Nomad for budget destinations. Check individual country pages for carrier-level coverage details.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in Asia?
Yes. AT&T International Day Pass charges $12/day and Verizon TravelPass charges $12/day for roaming in Asia. T-Mobile's Experience plans include 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data abroad, then up to 256Kbps, while eSIMs deliver full 4G/5G speeds.
Is a VPN needed for an eSIM in China?
The country-enrichment file records VPN status in China as blocked: the Great Firewall blocks most VPN services, and the file advises installing a VPN before arrival. HelloRoam lists two operators in China, China Telecom on 4G and China Unicom on 5G. The lowest 20GB catalog plan for China costs $35.99. Rates checked June 2026.
Which Asian destination has the largest gap against the AT&T day pass?
Japan, at $97 over 10 days. AT&T totals $120 at $12 a day, and the lowest 20GB catalog plan costs $22.49 for the 15GB that 10 days at 1.5GB a day needs. China follows at $60, South Korea at $55 and Hong Kong at $32. Rates checked June 2026.
Which Asian countries have the cheapest eSIM data?
Japan has the lowest catalog price per gigabyte in this region at $0.61, then Macau at $0.74 and Hong Kong at $0.86. Taiwan has the highest at $4.50 per gigabyte, and HelloRoam does not sell Taiwan. Rates checked June 2026.
Can I use one eSIM across several Asian countries?
HelloRoam sells each Asia destination on its operator list as its own plan, and this page prices them one by one. A Japan and South Korea trip takes two plans: $22.49 for the lowest 20GB catalog plan in Japan and $28.49 for South Korea, $50.98 together. Rates checked June 2026.
Is there unlimited eSIM data in Asia?
Yes. The lowest 1-day unlimited catalog price in this region is $3.20, listed for Japan. That is $8.80 less than one AT&T day pass at $12. Rates checked June 2026.
Does South Korea require registration for a SIM?
A local SIM in South Korea needs a passport, and airport counters sell unlimited data for $12-30 over 3-30 days. Japan sells tourist SIM cards with no ID. HelloRoam lists LG Uplus and SKTelecom in South Korea, both 5G, and the lowest 20GB catalog plan costs $28.49. Rates checked June 2026.
Explore more
Other regions
Compare roaming costs and eSIM prices across every region.
Content coverage
Asia topic coverage
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How we checked these rates
Carrier roaming rates were read from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone UK, and EE official rate cards and websites in June 2026. Destination plan prices come from HelloRoam's catalogue, read 29 Oct 2026, and destinations outside it keep their earlier record. Per-GB averages are calculated from the cheapest available plan per country. The 1-day unlimited price is the 1-day tier in that catalogue. All prices are in USD unless stated otherwise. Rates checked June 2026.
Is eSIM cheaper than international roaming?
Yes, a travel eSIM is 70-90% cheaper than carrier roaming for international trips. AT&T and Verizon charge $12/day for international data, totaling $84-168 for a 7-14 day trip. A travel eSIM on the same local network costs $5-25 for the same period. Both connect to the same cell towers in the destination country. The eSIM removes the carrier markup. Rates verified June 2026.
How do I avoid roaming charges abroad?
Five steps to avoid roaming charges: 1) Install a travel eSIM before departure (costs $5-25 for a week). 2) Turn off data roaming for your carrier SIM in phone settings. 3) Set your eSIM as the primary data line. 4) Keep your carrier SIM active for incoming calls via dual-SIM. 5) Download offline maps and translation packs before the flight. This setup saves 70-90% vs carrier roaming on the same network.
Compare Asia roaming vs eSIM prices.
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