The Best Prepaid SIM Cards in India

These days, it’s almost impossible to imagine visiting a foreign country without mobile connection. You may need to call a rideshare, find your hotel on maps, connect to the internet when away from Wi-Fi, or translate signs in a foreign language.

However, using international roaming with your home carrier to get data could cost hundreds of dollars. This is why prepaid eSIM cards are the fastest growing option for international tourists who own an eSIM-compatible device.

In this guide, you’ll find the 8 best prepaid SIM and eSIM options available for tourists in India, including their pricing and data plans. Let’s get going!

Where to Buy Physical Prepaid SIM Cards For India

In India, purchasing a prepaid SIM card as a tourist can be a bit cumbersome due to regulatory requirements, but they are available at airports and mobile stores. Once past the paperwork, the market offers competitive rates.

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1. Indian Airports

New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport host kiosks for Airtel and Vodafone Idea, where tourists can buy prepaid SIMs. Costs for starter packs are around 500 to 1000 INR, subject to regulatory ID checks.

2. Network Provider Retail Stores in India

Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) stores are widespread and accessible in urban areas of India, offering prepaid SIM cards after completing necessary ID verifications.

3. Online

You could also consider having a physical prepaid SIM card shipped to your house before you travel by shopping on online sites (like Amazon). You’ll often find destination-specific travel SIM cards that partner with the large Indian networks (like Jio or Airtel) to connect your phone to mobile data.

Alternatively, you could consider buying a portable Wi-Fi hotspot device.

Shopping online requires a little travel pre-planning but allows you to search around for better prices and data plans that meet your needs.

The easiest online option, and the one that we highly recommend, is to purchase an eSIM. These digital SIMs can be instantly activated straight from your smartphone from apps like Airalo and Holafly, which then give you seamless access to data in your travel destination.

Buy the Best Prepaid SIM Cards Before Your Trip

It's best to get your prepaid SIM card delivered to your home before your trip, ensuring you can start using data as soon as you land at your destination. If you're short on time, you can always ship it to your hotel address with proper timing.

Here, we list your three best options. While we earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon affiliate, this does not affect our recommendations:

1. GMYLE 4G LTE 3G Travel Data

With the GMYLE 4G LTE 3G Travel Data SIM Card, you'll enjoy unlimited high-speed 4G data for 14 days across India and 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This prepaid SIM card requires no activation, so you'll be able to simply insert it into your unlocked phone and be ready to go. The tri-cut SIM fits all sizes (Normal/Micro/Nano), making it compatible with any device.

Customers on Amazon have noted its ease of use and flexibility. Additionally, the SIM is reusable, and you can top up data online for over 50 destinations, eliminating the need to buy a new SIM for each trip. GMYLE offers dedicated customer support as well.

• $36.92
• Unlimited data for 14 days
• High-speed 4G LTE
• Coverage in 14 Asia-Pacific countries
• No activation needed
• Data only (no call/SMS services)

2. Travel Asia SIM (Silver)

With the Travel Asia SIM (Silver), you get 6 GB of non-stop internet for 10 days, with connectivity across India, 28 Asian destinations, and Australia. This physical SIM card provides high-speed data up to 6 GB, after which the speed drops to 128 kbps. It is designed for use with unlocked phones and cannot be converted to an eSIM.

Travelers appreciate the ready-to-use nature of this SIM. Simply turn on mobile data and data roaming to get started. For iPhone/iPad users, it's important to remove all profiles before inserting the SIM (Settings > General > VPN & Device Management). An English manual is available as a picture in the product listing for detailed instructions.

The SIM activates automatically within 5-10 minutes of insertion. If not, you can manually activate it by dialing #123# once you have a signal.

• $17.49
• 6 GB for 10 days
• Coverage in 28 Asian countries and Australia
• Automatic or manual activation
• Data only (no call/SMS services)

3. SimCorner Asia Travel SIM Card (6 GB, 15-Days)

SimCorner offers 6 GB of data for 15 days, providing connectivity across India, China (including Tibet), and 28 other Asian destinations. Travelers on Amazon have reviewed it as dependable, although you will be required to activate it to use. Make sure your smartphone is unlocked.

This Sim allows access to hotspots/tethering. You'll be able to access social media apps such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Google Maps, etc without a VPN too.

• $34.99
• 6 GB for 15 days
• Coverage in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Tibet), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thaliand, Uzbekisan, and Vietnam.
• Activation required before use
• Data only (no call/SMS services)

Best Digital Prepaid e-SIMs For Tourists in India

Want to ditch physical plastic SIM cards? You can conveniently download and active the following international eSIMs from your smartphone instead.

1. Airalo

Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for international travel. For India, they offer eSIMs from 1GB for 7 days at $8 up to 20GB for 30 days at $40, and other plans in between. It was super easy for us to set up in the app and purchase instantly.

More info: Read our Airalo review or visit their website.

2. Holafly

Holafly offers unlimited data volume packages for international travel. Holafly's data packages for India cost between $29 and $79 once off and are valid from 5 to 30 days, offering peace of mind that you'll never run out of data.

Although Holafly offers unlimited data in most countries, including India, if you're a globetrotter, it's worth keeping in mind that Holafly offers limited data plans to some other destinations. Be sure to check their website or app before traveling to a new country to confirm whether Holafly's unlimited packages apply.

More info: Read our Holafly review or visit their website.

3. Yesim

Yesim, a Swiss-based eSIM service, offers flexible plans for 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB. The pricing of these eSIMs for India range from $12.10 to $44.

The 3GB plan is good for 7 days while the 5GB one is good for 15 days. The 15GB and 30GB plans both last for 30 days.

More info: Read our Yesim review or visit their website.

Cheap Physical Prepaid SIM Card Options to Buy in India

Here are some of the most popular options for plastic SIM cards for tourists that you can buy once you arrive in India:

1. Jio

Jio offers plans that allocate a certain amount of data per day, catering to various needs with durations ranging from one to three months.

The plans start at 349 rupees for 30 days with 2.5 GB per day, a mid-range of 666 rupees for 84 days with 1.5 GB a day, and the most expensive at 899 rupees for 90 days also with 2.5 GB a day.

2. Airtel

Similar to Jio, Airtel employs a daily data allocation system across several plans, spanning from one and a half to nearly three months.

Airtel's offerings include 549 rupees for 56 days at 2 GB a day, 666 rupees for 77 days at 1.5 GB/day, 699 rupees for 56 days at 3 GB/day, and 719 rupees for 84 days of 1.5 GB/day.

Largest Mobile Network Operators in India

eSIMs are great because they connect to the best network available wherever you are. Your phone might connect to Jio or Airtel, depending on your location, at no extra cost. In contrast, if you buy a SIM card directly from one Indian telecom provider, then your phone will only access that provider's network.

In India, expect to see these names as you connect to data on your travels:

1. Vi: Known for its vast network, loyalty rewards, and tailored plans.
2. Airtel: Offers strong network performance and a variety of services including banking.
3. Jio: Revolutionized the market with its affordable 4G services and comprehensive digital ecosystem.

Registration Process For Prepaid SIM Cards in India

In India, registration is necessary, and you'll need to show your passport to the issuer. 

It's worth noting that an increasing number of countries are requiring registration from mobile phone users for security reasons, where purchasing a prepaid SIM card requires consumers to provide proof of identity.

For the countries that have these Know-Your-Customer (KYC) laws, registration will also apply to eSIMs. However, eSIMs do have the benefit of digital registration as opposed to the hassle of an in-person process. If your eSIM is data only (no local phone number), then you may be able to get connected without registering your info.