Which eSIM to Choose for Philippines Travel? 2025 Guide
Planning a trip to the Philippines? Whether you're looking to relax on the white sand beaches of Palawan or Boracay, or discover the stunning rice terraces of Banaue and majestic volcanoes of Luzon, you need a secure internet connection to make the most of your stay and keep in touch with loved ones.
To use your smartphone freely, the best option remains a travel eSIM package, which allows you to enjoy a 4G or 5G connection without roaming charges, wherever you are in the archipelago. Want to learn more about this solution? Discover everything you need to know about eSIM, as well as our tips for choosing the best offer for your Philippines trip.
How to Get Internet in the Philippines?
Whether you need to use your GPS or a real-time translation app, an Internet connection is essential during a trip to the Philippines. You have several solutions to connect to the Internet.
📱 Mobile Plan with International Option
Depending on the type of mobile plan you use daily, you may already have a data allowance usable from the Philippines. Some international plans include additional destinations, or offer international options to subscribe for the duration of a trip. These "travel packs" can however be quite expensive, with limited data quantity.
📶 Free WiFi Networks
In train stations, airports, hotels or restaurants that you'll visit during your Philippines trip, you'll probably find WiFi networks accessible for free. It's an economical solution but quite limited, especially if you want to explore more remote regions of the Philippines.
📋 Local SIM Card
You can buy a prepaid SIM card upon arrival in the Philippines, either at the airport or directly from a local operator. You'll have a Philippine phone number, as well as a Voice/SMS/data package usable throughout the country.
📡 Pocket WiFi
You'll find in specialized stores pocket WiFi devices available for rent, which will allow you to have a mobile WiFi router to take everywhere. It's compact equipment but needs frequent charging.
✨ Travel eSIM for the Philippines
Travel eSIMs are dematerialized SIM cards that allow you to instantly subscribe to a data package valid from any destination. You can get a Philippines eSIM package just before departure to enjoy an internet connection as soon as you step off the plane. And that's not the only advantage of this solution!
Why Choose an eSIM for Philippines Travel?
Travel eSIM is the most practical solution to access the Internet without roaming charges during international travel. Here's what you need to know about this technology and its advantages.
🔧 How Does an eSIM Work?
An eSIM is a SIM card that has been dematerialized to be integrated directly into compatible device components. It works like a universal SIM card, which can be configured with any operator's network parameters. To do this, you simply download an eSIM profile that contains all the necessary configuration data, using a QR Code.
🌍 How Can You Get Internet Abroad with an eSIM?
eSIM technology has enabled the emergence of a new type of mobile offers: travel eSIM packages, valid from numerous destinations. These offers are based on partnerships between eSIM providers and local operators in many countries, who sell "data packs" usable on their networks.
International operators then resell these data packs through limited-duration packages, instantly activatable thanks to eSIM technology. This is how you can enjoy a 4G or 5G Internet connection during your Philippines trip!
✅ What Are the Advantages of an eSIM for the Philippines?
Once the eSIM is installed, its activation is instant: you can immediately enjoy your new package. It's therefore a much more advantageous solution than a classic SIM card, which you have to wait to receive by mail or buy in store. It's also much more ecological!
When traveling abroad, the eSIM also allows you to juggle between different data packages, without necessarily changing numbers. That's why more and more tourists and professionals are opting for this solution!
What's the Best Internet Package for Philippines Travel?
Ready to subscribe to an eSIM for your Philippines trip? Discover our tips for choosing the best Internet package to accompany you throughout your stay.
🎯 How to Choose the Most Suitable Package for Your Philippines Trip?
There are many eSIM offers for the Philippines, with varying value for money. Here are some criteria to consider to make sure you make the right choice:
- ⏰ Duration of your stay: most eSIM packages are offered with validity periods between 1 and 30 days.
- 📊 Your data consumption: you'll need more or less data volume depending on your usage: GPS, video calls, streaming...
- 🗺️ Your itinerary: if you're taking advantage of your Philippines stay to discover other countries in the region, you might want to opt for a multi-destination eSIM.
🏆 What's the Best eSIM Card for Philippines Travel?
To help you find the best offer, we've selected the best Philippines eSIM packages for you.
🔴 Holafly Philippines eSIM
Like other destinations in its catalog, Holafly offers a Philippines eSIM with unlimited data, with duration you can choose by the day. These packages can be interesting for very heavy data users, but only if you use just your smartphone (data sharing being limited). They're also among the most expensive on the market!
🟡 Airalo Philippines eSIM
Airalo Philippines eSIM is offered in 6 packages, from 1GB valid 7 days to 20GB valid 30 days. More accessible, these eSIM packages are offered at an interesting price but offer variable network and customer service quality.
🟢 UPeSIM Philippines eSIM
UPeSIM offers a Philippines eSIM with 3 validity periods and 3 data volumes: a 7-day 1GB package, a 10-day 5GB package and a 30-day 10GB package, with excellent value for money and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 on various app stores.
📊 Philippines eSIM Packages Comparison Table
| Provider | Duration | Data | Price | Data Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 7 days | Unlimited | $29.90 | Limited to 1GB/day |
| 10 days | Unlimited | $37.90 | ||
| 15 days | Unlimited | $51.90 | ||
| 30 days | Unlimited | $75.90 | ||
| Airalo | 7 days | 1GB | $4.50 | Yes, unlimited |
| 15 days | 2GB | $7.00 | ||
| 30 days | 10GB | $19.50 | ||
| UPeSIM | 7 days | 1GB | $2.99 | Yes, unlimited |
| 10 days | 5GB | $10.99 | ||
| 30 days | 10GB | $19.99 |
🌏 What's the Best eSIM for Asia Travel?
If you want to take advantage of your Philippines stay to visit surrounding countries, like Indonesia, Vietnam or Singapore, you can subscribe to an Asia eSIM that will allow you to have uninterrupted Internet throughout the continent.
To simplify your travel, we offer an Asia 15 countries eSIM valid 7, 10 or 30 days to connect from the Philippines, but also China (with included VPN), Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and India.
FAQ: How to Use an eSIM for Philippines Travel?
Simply scan the QR code received by email to start installing your eSIM. Its activation is automatic: that's why it's recommended to install your eSIM the day before or on the day of your departure to the Philippines.
Yes, you can definitely use WhatsApp, Messenger or your other messaging apps with your eSIM during your Philippines trip, as well as all your usual social networks.
To make calls or send messages with your eSIM, you can use different messaging applications: however, you can use all your usual applications: iMessage, Facetime, WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal...
You can share your travel eSIM's internet connection, within the limits of the data available in your package. Be careful though, some operators impose daily limits!
Most latest generation smartphones are eSIM compatible (iPhone XS and later models, Google Pixel, recent Samsung Galaxy, etc.). Check your device compatibility before subscribing to your package!
In major cities like Manila, Cebu or Davao, you'll enjoy 4G and 5G. In remote islands (Palawan, Siargao, Bohol), the network may be more limited.
🎯 Ready to Travel to the Philippines?
Discover our Philippines eSIM packages and enjoy Internet from the moment you arrive!
View Our Philippines eSIM Packages
