India eSIM Price Comparison: HelloRoam from $4.74 (2026)
HelloRoam is the top pick for India at 8.3/10 on this site's formula, against Holafly's 7.5/10, though Airalo sells 5 GB for $13.00 against HelloRoam's $15.89 (prices checked 30 Oct 2026). HelloRoam answers support on live chat, WhatsApp, email at any hour, in the language you write in. Airalo lists 200+ destinations to the 185 HelloRoam sells.
HelloRoam, an eSIM platform, sells 5 fixed plan sizes for India in its 29 Oct 2026 catalogue, checked against Airalo, Nomad, Saily and Holafly on 30 Oct 2026. HelloRoam lists 2 local operators for India: AirTel or Jio on 5G.
Cheapest plans ranked
5 plans, sorted by total price. The green row is the lowest entry price.
Fixed data plans by tier
| Tier | Price | Per GB | Validity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | $4.74 | $4.74/GB | 7 days | Lowest price |
| 3GB | $10.88 | $3.63/GB | 30 days | |
| 5GB | $15.89 | $3.18/GB | 30 days | |
| 10GB | $27.31 | $2.73/GB | 30 days | |
| 20GB | $48.35 | $2.42/GB | 30 days |
Catalogue price against the lowest rival price
| Size | HelloRoam | Lowest rival |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $4.74 | Saily is lower: $3.99 (7 days) |
| 3 GB | $10.88 | Airalo is lower: $8.50 (3 days) |
| 5 GB | $15.89 | Airalo is lower: $13.00 (7 days) |
| 10 GB | $27.31 | Nomad is lower: $21.00 (30 days) |
| 20 GB | $48.35 | Nomad is lower: $33.00 (30 days) |
HelloRoam has the lowest India price at no data size in the 30 Oct 2026 read. At 1 GB, Saily is lower at $3.99 against the catalogue's $4.74. At 3 GB, Airalo is lower at $8.50 against the catalogue's $10.88. At 5 GB, Airalo is lower at $13.00 against the catalogue's $15.89. At 10 GB, Nomad is lower at $21.00 against the catalogue's $27.31. At 20 GB, Nomad is lower at $33.00 against the catalogue's $48.35.
Unlimited daily plans
| Duration | Total Price | Per Day | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $8.61 | $8.61/day | 0% |
| 3 days | $24.54 | $8.18/day | 5% |
| 7 days | $53.04 | $7.58/day | 12% |
| 14 days | $96.43 | $6.89/day | 20% |
| 30 days | $175.64 | $5.85/day | 32% |
Each unlimited plan runs at high speed for 2 GB a day, then at a lower speed.
Saily sells 7 days of unlimited data for $38.99 (3 GB a day at high speed), below the catalogue's $53.04 (read 30 Oct 2026). For unlimited data in India, a rival was lower at 7, 15 and 30 days.
Which plan is cheapest right now
The lowest fixed-data India price is the 1GB plan at $4.74 ($4.74/GB). Saily sells the same size for $3.99. Best per-GB value: 20GB at $48.35 ($2.42/GB). Unlimited beats fixed if you use more than 9.4 GB/day.
Cost per gigabyte across tiers
How per-GB cost changes with plan size. Bigger plans cost less per gigabyte.
Per-GB cost ladder
- 1GB: $4.74/GB
- 3GB: $3.63/GB23% cheaper
- 5GB: $3.18/GB33% cheaper
- 10GB: $2.73/GB42% cheaper
- 20GB: $2.42/GB49% cheaper
Volume discount math
Going from 1GB at $4.74/GB to 20GB at $2.42/GB cuts per-GB cost by 49%. On a 12-day trip using 1.5 GB/day, that saves $41.76 total.
Fixed vs unlimited value
The 20GB plan at $48.35 covers 14 days at 1.5 GB/day. Unlimited at $8.61/day costs $103.32 for 12 days. Unlimited wins above 9.4 GB/day.
How to save on India data
Practical strategies to cut your India data costs.
Right-size your plan
The cheapest way to stay connected for 12 days in India: Light usage (0.5 GB/day) needs 6 GB. Moderate usage (1.5 GB/day) needs 18 GB. Heavy usage (3 GB/day) needs 36 GB. The 20GB plan at $48.35 covers moderate usage. Buy one tier above your estimate. Topping up costs more per GB.
Use WiFi to stretch your plan
WiFi in India is limited. Airports and major railway stations offer free WiFi; cafe and restaurant WiFi is inconsistent outside the main cities Offload streaming and downloads to WiFi. A smaller plan can cover a full week when you use WiFi for heavy tasks.
Timing your purchase
India ranks among the cheapest countries for mobile data globally; Jio's aggressive pricing keeps the whole market low Peak season (Oct-Mar) means heavier network use. Buy a tier up during peak months to avoid mid-trip top-ups.
Promo codes and discounts
The top pick publishes no standing discount code, so the prices above are the prices you pay. Airalo's ALOHA code takes up to $5 offa first Airalo purchase, on Airalo's own prices. See our full promo codes list for all active deals.
What else costs money in India
Non-obvious expenses that inflate your total trip data cost.
Carrier roaming vs eSIM
This site compares every destination against a $10/day roaming baseline, so a 7-day trip runs $70.00. The lowest catalogue price for the same week is $48.35, saving $21.65 (31%).
Airport SIM markup
Airport SIM at Indira Gandhi International (DEL) / Chhatrapati Shivaji (BOM): $10-20 for 1-2GB/day / 28 days. Queue time: 30-60 min for KYC paperwork, then 24-48 hours before the SIM activates. An eSIM works on touchdown.. eSIM: from $4.74 for 1GB with no queue, no SIM swap, instant delivery.
SIM registration and IMEI fees
Tourist SIM activation requires a passport, visa copy, local address, biometric scan, and typically 24-48 hours before the SIM goes live An eSIM skips this step. The CEIR system logs every IMEI. Phones sold domestically register automatically. Foreign travelers avoid the process entirely with a travel eSIM. A travel eSIM bypasses IMEI requirements.
Fair-use throttling on unlimited plans
The India unlimited plan runs at full speed for 2 GB a day. After that, speed drops for the rest of the day. Messaging still works. Streaming usually does not. If you stream video, 2 GB is your real daily cap. Compare that against a 20GB fixed plan at $48.35 for actual cost-per-usable-GB.
Best deal right now
One plan, one provider, backed by the numbers.
The pick: 20GB at $48.35
For India, our pick is HelloRoam's 20GB plan at $48.35 ($2.42/GB, valid 30 days). It covers 14 days at moderate usage, and an eSIM there attaches to AirTel or Jio on 5G. On price alone, Nomad is lower at $33.00.
We may earn a commission if you buy through this link.
Runner-up deal
Nomad sells 20 GB for India at $33.00, valid 30 days (read 30 Oct 2026).
When to skip the deal
Skip the 20GB plan if your trip exceeds 14 days. At that point, a larger tier or unlimited is cheaper per day. Skip unlimited if you use less than 9.4 GB/day. The fixed 20GB plan saves $54.97 across 12 days.
India eSIM price breakdown
eSIM data in India is moderately priced compared to global markets. At $2.42/GB, India sits 24% below the global average of $3.20/GB. 2 carriers (AirTel, Jio) provide the underlying 5G infrastructure.
5 plan tiers are tracked for India, from 1GB ($4.74, $4.74/GB) to 20GB ($48.35, $2.42/GB). The volume discount from smallest to best-value tier is 49%. The largest tier also delivers the best per-GB rate.
Unlimited data for India is tracked at $8.61/day. Full 5G speed runs for 2GB per day before throttling. Multi-day commitments drop the daily rate: the 30-day plan runs $5.85/day (32% off). The crossover point sits at 3.6GB/day: below that, the 20GB fixed plan saves money; above it, unlimited wins.
Verizon TravelPass costs $12 per day in India; a local Jio SIM works out to about $0.50 per day in effective cost, but you need two days to activate it. Jio 5G delivers the fastest speeds in Indian cities; Airtel is a strong second choice and covers some urban areas that Jio has not yet upgraded.
With per-GB rates around $2.42, India is neither cheap nor expensive. Right-sizing your plan tier has the biggest impact on your total cost.
Cost-saving strategies on India trips
- Buy the 20GB tier instead of 1GB
The 1GB plan costs $4.74/GB. The 20GB plan drops to $2.42/GB. On 10GB of total usage, that saves $23.20. The upfront cost is higher ($48.35 vs $4.74), but the per-GB savings more than compensate if you use 50% or more of the plan's data.
Estimated savings: $2.32/GB, $23.20 on 10GB
- Skip the Indira Gandhi International (DEL) / Chhatrapati Shivaji (BOM) SIM counter
Airport SIM counters charge $10-20 for 1-2GB/day / 28 days. Queue time: 30-60 min for KYC paperwork, then 24-48 hours before the SIM activates. An eSIM works on touchdown.. A travel eSIM starts at $4.74 for 1GB with zero queue. Install before departure and connect on landing. The saved queue time means more time at your destination and less at a kiosk.
Estimated savings: 30-60 min for KYC paperwork, then 24-48 hours before the SIM activates. An eSIM works on touchdown. saved, potentially lower price
- Activate on arrival to maximize validity days
Most India eSIM plans start counting from first connection to a AirTel tower. Install the eSIM at home over WiFi, but keep the cellular line disabled until you land. Activating a 7-day plan 2 days early wastes 2 days of validity. Every day of your plan should align with actual travel days.
Estimated savings: 0-2 extra valid days per plan
- Turn off carrier data roaming before departure
This site compares India against a $10/day roaming baseline. Forgetting to disable roaming costs $70.00 for a week of accidental data use. A plan covering the same week costs $48.35, 31% less. Go to Settings > Cellular > turn off Data Roaming on your home carrier line before your flight.
Estimated savings: $21.65 per 7-day trip
- Consider Asialink bundle for multi-stop Asia trips
Airalo's Asialink regional bundle covers 16 Asian countries on a single eSIM from $5.00 (1GB). If India is one of 2+ stops in Asia, compare the bundle price vs buying individual plans at $4.74 each. The bundle typically saves money from the third destination onward. One eSIM, one purchase, multiple countries.
Estimated savings: Varies; typically saves from 3+ countries
Budget data on India trips
Buy the right plan size
The 20GB plan ($48.35) costs less per GB than 1GB in India. Upgrade for better value.
Download offline maps
Download offline maps before arriving in India. This saves significant mobile data on navigation.
How much data costs in India by usage level
Average travelers use about 1.5GB of mobile data per day in India. At that rate, a 7-day trip consumes roughly 10.5GB.
The 10GB plan at $27.31 ($2.73/GB) covers a full week of average use.
The cheapest option on India trips, analysed
The entry plan in the India catalogue is the 1GB plan at $4.74 ($4.74/GB).
For better value per gigabyte, the 20GB plan at $48.35 drops to $2.42/GB, saving $2.32 per GB over the entry plan.
Unlimited daily data costs $8.61/day. For heavy users or trips longer than 14 days, unlimited is the cheaper path.
India trip cost by duration
Weekend trip (3 days): carrier roaming costs $30.00, eSIM costs about $15.89, saving $14.11 (47%).
One-week trip (7 days): carrier roaming costs $70.00, eSIM costs about $48.35, saving $21.65 (31%).
Two-week trip (14 days): carrier roaming costs $140.00, eSIM costs about $120.54, saving $19.46 (14%).
Provider value on India trips
HelloRoam ranks first of the 5 providers on this site's published rubric at 8.3/10, ahead of Holafly (7.5), Nomad (6.1), Saily (6.1), Airalo (5.3). The rubric weighs price per GB, refund window, checkout currencies, destinations and support channels.
The lead comes from a 180-day refund window on unactivated eSIMs, checkout in 31 currencies through Stripe with Apple Pay and Google Pay, and a website and app in 63 languages.
Multi-country routing that takes in India
If visiting multiple countries in Asia, consider Airalo's Asialink regional plan. A single plan covering multiple destinations is often cheaper than separate per-country plans.
For India only, the country plan's best rate is $2.42/GB. Add a regional plan only if you cross borders.
The cheapest eSIM on India trips
HelloRoam is the top pick for India, at 8.3 out of 10 against 7.5 for Holafly on this site's true-cost score; 5 GB there costs $15.89 for 30 days, or $3.18 per GB (catalogue of 29 Oct 2026).
HelloRoam bills checkout in 31 currencies through Stripe, with Apple Pay and Google Pay on its website and in its app. Airalo lists 200+ destinations to the 185 HelloRoam sells. Saily sells 1 GB / 7 days for $3.99, below HelloRoam's $4.74 (prices read 30 Oct 2026). Nomad sells 3 GB / 30 days for $8.50, below HelloRoam's $10.88 (prices read 30 Oct 2026). Plans run on Jio's 5G network.
HelloRoam's cheapest India plan is 1 GB at $4.74 for 7 days; 5 GB costs $15.89, or $3.18 per GB (catalogue of 29 Oct 2026).
Every size: 1 GB at $4.74 (7 days), 3 GB at $10.88 (30 days), 5 GB at $15.89 (30 days), 10 GB at $27.31 (30 days), 20 GB at $48.35 (30 days). All prices are pre-tax USD.
HelloRoam is the top pick for India on this site's true-cost score, 8.3 out of 10 against 7.5 for Holafly.
HelloRoam bills checkout in 31 currencies through Stripe, with Apple Pay and Google Pay on its website and in its app. Airalo lists 200+ destinations to the 185 HelloRoam sells.
Yes. HelloRoam covers a week of data in India for $48.35 on the 20 GB plan, against $70.00 at this site's $10/day roaming baseline, 31% less.
The $10/day baseline is a site reference, not a carrier price: the AT&T International Day Pass costs $12/day. eSIM plans are prepaid, so there are no overage charges.
A full week at 1.5 GB a day in India costs $48.35 on the top pick's 20 GB plan, against $70.00 at this site's $10/day roaming baseline.
Save 31% on a 7-day trip ($22) against the $10/day roaming baseline
HelloRoam sells unlimited data for India from $8.61 for 1 day down to $5.85 a day on the 30-day plan (catalogue of 29 Oct 2026).
Each unlimited plan in India includes 2 GB of high-speed data a day, then at a lower speed. Nomad sells unlimited for 7 days for $33.00, below HelloRoam's $53.04 (prices read 30 Oct 2026). Stay lengths: 1-day $8.61, 3-day $24.54, 7-day $53.04, 14-day $96.43, 30-day $175.64.
India eSIM price summary
The cheapest India eSIM costs $4.74 for 1GB.
Best value: 20GB at $2.42/GB.
Upgrade from 1GB to 20GB to save $2.32 per GB in India. The larger plan costs $48.35 total but delivers better value per gigabyte.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see what a India eSIM costs this year?
HelloRoam's fixed India plans range from $4.74 (1GB) to $48.35 (20GB). The unlimited plan costs $8.61 for one day. All prices are in USD, from the 29 Oct 2026 catalogue.
Can I tell which India eSIM plan gives most value?
The 20GB plan at $48.35 has the lowest India rate, $2.42/GB. It covers 14 days at moderate usage (1.5 GB/day).
Can I save by sizing up a India eSIM plan?
Yes. Per-GB cost drops 49% from 1GB ($4.74/GB) to 20GB ($2.42/GB). On a 12-day trip that saves $46.40 total.
Can I find promo codes on India eSIM plans?
The top pick publishes no standing discount code, so the prices on this page are what you pay. Airalo's ALOHA code takes up to $5 off a first purchase. Holafly's partner link takes 5% off. Saily's seasonal sales run up to 10% off select plans. Nomad's monthly flash sales run up to 20% off on select regions. Each one applies to that provider's own prices.
Can a India eSIM beat carrier roaming, and by how much?
This site compares against a $10/day roaming baseline, so 7 days costs $70.00. The lowest catalogue price for the same week is $48.35. Savings: $21.65 (31%).
Can an airport counter beat a India eSIM on price?
SIM counters at Indira Gandhi International (DEL) / Chhatrapati Shivaji (BOM) typically charge $10-20 for 1-2GB/day / 28 days with a 30-60 min for KYC paperwork, then 24-48 hours before the SIM activates. An eSIM works on touchdown. queue. An eSIM from $4.74 for 1GB installs before you fly, no queue, no SIM swap.
Can a India eSIM carry fees the headline price hides?
No hidden fees on eSIM plans. The price you see is the price you pay. Physical SIMs in India require registration. An eSIM bypasses this. The unlimited plan slows after 2 GB of high-speed data a day. Carrier roaming at $10/day is the hidden cost an eSIM eliminates.
Can one large India plan beat several small ones?
One larger plan. The 20GB plan costs $2.42/GB. Buying 20 x 1GB plans costs $4.74/GB. One plan saves $2.32 per GB.
Detailed pricing questions on India trips
What is the cheapest eSIM for India right now?
The cheapest tracked plan is 1GB at $4.74 ($4.74/GB), from the tracked price list in this site's data file.
How much does a large India eSIM plan cost?
The largest tracked plan is 20GB at $48.35 ($2.42/GB). It is also the lowest rate per gigabyte on this ladder.
How often are India eSIM prices updated?
Prices refresh when the site rebuilds from its tracked price feed. Each page shows the plans that feed lists for India.