Australia is the perfect country to plan your next holiday. There you can visit some of the world’s most modern cities, charming villages, beautiful beaches and stunning natural parks. Australia has a lot to offer and as we don’t want you to waste your time looking for how to get internet on your trip, we have prepared this post where we tell you how to find the best eSIM card in Australia, with which you can connect to the internet immediately without paying huge bills like roaming, or putting your data at risk on public wifi networks.
There are a variety of brands on the market with different features such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of plans, so we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Sim Options, among others, and we tell you their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We have already told you that our favourite option is the Holafly eSIM cards, a safe bet with no extra charges and 24h support.
eSIM comparison for a trip to Australia
When comparing different brands of eSIM you need to consider all the features that will determine whether the card will suit your travel needs. That’s why we have prepared this table with all the essential information about each brand to help you make your choice. We’ll go into more detail on all the important points below, so you won’t miss out on any of the information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 30 days | No | – | + | 10GB y 20GB | Spanish/English, direct chat and WhatsApp | 34€ -44€ | 4,6 | 4,1 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 y 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB y 20GB | English, via bot | 4,5$ – 40$ | 3,9 | 3,8 |
| Truphone | 1 y 30 days | Sometimes | – | + | 1GB, 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB y 100GB | In English by email or App | 2€ – 30€ | 1,9 | 3,8 |
| Ubigi | 30 days | Yes | – | + | 3GB | Via chat, in English | 39€ | 4,2 | 4 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | + | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10 GB, unlimited | In English by email | 5€ – 55€ | 4,4 | 3,2 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for Australia with the best customer service in English
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. 24/7 technical support in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. They have an App where you can check your usage and the number of days left on your contract. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. One of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because they offer more gigabytes than the rest. The Holafly eSIM card for Australia does not allow data sharing. You can’t do the installation through their App. The eSIM for Australia does not have unlimited data. |
On the website of Holafly you can find 2 data plans, one of 10GB for 30 days and another of 20GB for 30 days. The price is €34 and €59. It’s a perfect option for both long and medium stays, as well as for digital nomads or students abroad.
With Holafly you will travel with peace of mind as it offers a 24-hour customer service in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the best rated company on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6.
| Data plan | Euro | Dollars | Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days – 10GB | $34 | $34 | $699 |
| 30 days – 20Gb | €44 | $44 | $899 |
There are two options for installing the Holafly eSIM. One is scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. And the other is the manual installation that you can do without a computer, simply by writing a code in the settings of your mobile. This code will be sent to your email and you can also consult it in the Holafly App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
Here is this ranking where we rate from 1 to 5 all the features of the cards eSIM from Holafly for Australia based on our experience.
In this post, you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some user reviews: Our thoughts on the Holafly eSIM
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
2. Truphone and its App
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Truphone eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install in your App. They have eSIM cards for 188 countries. Support both in the app and on the web 24/7. Very affordable prices. You can top up data from the App. Only some devices can share data. No need to scan QR code. Data plans for Apple Watch. Offer 100 MB free 1 day trial. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 100GB, no unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB) You cannot make purchases on the web, only from the App. The duration of data plans is limited to 1 or 30 days. Services and technical support are exclusively in English. |
Truphone is a UK company that offers eSIM cards to connect to the internet in over 160 countries. It was an industry pioneer and thefirst global operator to launch eSIM for iPad, Apple Watch and Google Pixel devices. It has also been a technology partner of Apple since 2016, which gives it a great competitive advantage and makes it easier to install eSIMs on its devices.
For Australia the brand offers 2 one-day plans (100MB and 1GB) , and 6 other 30-day plans with 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB and 100GB. Prices range from £2 to £30. The 100MB plan is free for you to try their product for one day.
On the other hand, Truphone also offers eSIM plans for Asia that include 14 countries. It’s a good option if we’re organising a long trip across several countries.
| Data plan | Euros | Dollars | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 100 MB | €0 | $0 | £0 |
| 1 day – 1 GB | €2 | $2 | £2 |
| 2 GB – 30 days | €4 | $4 | £4 |
| 5 GB – 30 days | €6 | $6 | £6 |
| 10 GB – 30 days | €10 | $10 | £9 |
| 20 GB – 30 days | €15 | $15 | £14 |
| 50 GB – 30 days | €25 | $25 | £23 |
| 100 GB – 30 days | €30 | $30 | £27 |
While you can check the website for data plans and all the details about their eSIMs, to buy the eSIM card you will need to download the mobile app. Once downloaded, you will need to create an account by entering your details directly or via Google or Facebook. You can then choose the country and data plan you need for your trip and pay securely. A great advantage of the App is that it detects if your mobile is compatible with eSIM before allowing you to make the purchase.
The installation and activation processes are done through the App, so you will not need to scan any QR code. Please note, however, that you will need internet to perform the operation.
If you go to Trustpilot, you will see that Truphone has over 100 reviews and a rating of 1.9, one of the lowest among eSIM card providers. We have also rated the Truphone eSIM card based on our experience, and these are our findings.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.8 |
If you want to know more about our experience with Truphone eSIM cards and what other users have to say about them, check out this post: What we think of the Truphone eSIM
3. Airalo, the cheapest eSIM
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They are the cheapest brand on the market. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. Top up the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Disadvantages | The gigabytes are limited to 20GB or less and they do not have cards with unlimited data. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. ESIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of data plans is limited to 7, 15 and 30 days. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
Airalo is along with Holafly one of the world’s best-known brands for buying an international travel eSIM. The company, founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir, was one of the first to offer these services, and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Although Airalo is one of the cheapest brands on the market, it can be expensive in the long run as its data plans have very limited gigabytes that can run out at any time, and its technical support takes a long time to respond.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for Australia are for 7, 15 and 30 days, and prices range from $4.5 to $40.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 1 GB – 7 days | $4.5 |
| 2 GB – 15 days | $8 |
| 3 GB – 30 days | $9 |
| 5 GB – 30 days | $12.5 |
| 10 GB – 30 days | $20 |
| 20GB – 30 days | $40 |
The Airalo eSIM for Australia offers 6 data plans, so you can choose the one that best suits your trip. We’ve compared customer reviews and feedback on Trustpilot and found that Airalo has one of the lowest scores at 3.7. Here’s the ranking for each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our review of the brand: Our review of Airalo: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 3.8 |
4. Ubigi and its eSIM cards for smart cars
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. The Ubigi eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install via the web or app. The Ubigi eSIM is free to install from the App. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 destinations. 24h real time technical support. They offer eSIM cards for smart cars. Their eSIM cards allow data sharing. The eSIM can be recharged from the App. |
| Disadvantages | The gigabytes are limited to 3GB or less and they do not have unlimited data plans. Short duration plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIMs do not include calls or SMS. The duration of the plans is limited to 30 days. Their support service is exclusively in English. |
Ubigi is a provider of eSIM cards a little different than the rest of the data plan companies for travelling abroad. While with other brands you have to choose and buy the plan and then proceed to install the eSIM, with Ubigi it’s the other way around. You can first install the eSIM for free and then add credit depending on how many gigabytes you are going to use. You can pay in dollars, euros, pounds and yen.
On their website and App, you will see a 30 GB data plan for 30 days. This eSIM is designed for people who travel a lot and for long periods of time. The data plan also includes New Zealand. These countries are also included in the data plan for Oceania and in the worldwide plan.
| Data plan | Dollars | Euros | Pounds | Yen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days – 3GB | $39 | €39 | £35 | ¥5500 |
Luckily, their App works very well and as well as buying the eSIM from there, you can install it and top it up if necessary. Also, Ubigi’s eSIMs allow data sharing with other devices
A curious thing about Ubigi’s eSIM cards is that they also work in cars with internet. Some models from Jaguar, Fiat, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo or Jeep already feature this technology.
In this table, you can see how we rate each feature of Ubigi’s eSIM cards. And if you want to know our opinion on Ubigi eSIMs, check out this post: Our Ubigi opinion: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4 |
5. Maya Mobile, data packages for one month
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. They have plans with unlimited data. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. They allow data sharing with other devices. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. No App. The unlimited data plan is limited to 5Mbps Technical support only in English via a bot. Only 30-day data plans. |
This company makes eSIM cards available for 30 days in Australia. In this case, the price of the data packages varies depending on the gigabytes. All in all they have 5 packages of 1, 3, 5, 10 gigabytes, and another with unlimited gigabytes. The unlimited data plan is relative as the maximum browsing speed is 5Mbps and after 30GB of the plan has been used, it drops to 1Mbps. The price ranges from €5 to €55.
On their website you will also find a plan for parts of Asia and some Pacific countries including Australia that will allow you to cross borders without having to sign up for another eSIM data plan.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting process and installation, which is also done via a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in the event that the data does not work, which is not usually the case as they have a minimum of two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 1 GB – 30 days | 5€ |
| 3 GB – 30 days | 8€ |
| 5 GB – 30 days | 12€ |
| 10 GB – 30 days | 19€ |
| unlimited – 30 days | 47€ |
The drawback with Maya Mobile is that their plans are very inflexible and only last for 30 days. On Trustpilot, you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.4, but there are hardly any reviews. Here’s a table showing how they rate each of their eSIM card features.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 3.2 |
Conclusion on the best eSIM for Australia
After testing several eSIM cards in Australia, we tell you in this section which eSIM card is best for Australia based on our experience.
When we travel we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our holiday, so eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option if we want to travel without worry. In Australia, no brand offers real unlimited data plans. On Maya Mobile’s website, there is an unlimited data plan, but remember that it is capped at 30GB and has a browsing speed limited to 5Mbps. The brand offering the most data relative to contract length is Truphone with 100GB for one month, followed by Holafly and Airalo. With some companies such as Ubigi or Airalo you can top up the eSIM already installed via their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data.
If you don’t know how much data you’ll need during your trip, you can use this table to help you make an estimate.
| Platform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0.18 GB – 0.8 GB |
| Netflix | 0.3 GB – 7 GB |
| Youtube | 0.14 GB – 1.7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0.8 GB – 6 GB |
The installation process for eSIM cards is always simple and quick, but it is true that some companies make it even easier. The first thing to do is to check if your mobile is compatible with the brand’s eSIM. You can check this information on the website of each provider, and in the case of Ubigi, when you download the App it informs you if your mobile is compatible.
The purchase of the eSIM for Australia can be done via the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly or Sim Options, or via the app as with Ubigi or Airalo. Holafly’s website is very intuitive and easy to use, while Sim Options’ is quite complicated to understand and you will have to do a lot of reading.
The only brands that allow installation through the App are Airalo and Ubigi, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation by scanning a QR code that you will receive by email as soon as you complete the purchase with Holafly, Airalo or Sim Options.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and to solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Airalo have a chatbot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of Sim Options, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this aspect Holafly’s technical support is the best as they respond in less than 1 minute in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese via web chat or WhatsApp.
Many times when travelling we want to share data with other devices and only some providers such as Airalo, Ubigi and some Sim Options brands make this possible. However, keep in mind that if you share data, it will run out sooner.
At Passporter, what we value most is the peace of mind and security of knowing that the eSIM will work without any problems and that if there are any, we will get an immediate solution. That’s why our favourite travel eSIM is from Holafly for their efficient, multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute. With Holafly you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that everything will go smoothly.
Other options for internet in Australia?
There are a number of ways to get internet when travelling abroad, however, eSIM cards are our favourite option due to the number of advantages they offer, which we are about to detail.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Pre-purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, you don’t have to remove the original card. Connection as soon as you land, no need to find a shop first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No dependency on batteries, as with Pocket WiFi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket WiFi. |
| Tranquility | 24h technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket WiFi. You won’t have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your mobile. |
| Security | Without using public WiFi networks vulnerable to hacking. Avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get WiFi. No need to open or manipulate your phone as with eSIM cards. |
There are other alternatives for connecting to the Internet in Australia that may also be of interest to you. That’s why we’ve put together this list of other options, their prices, advantages and disadvantages for you to compare and choose the one that best suits your trip.
1. Buy SIM cards
This was the most common option until eSIM cards came along. When you arrive in Australia, you can get yourSIM card at the airport or in the shopping areas of the cities. There you will find shops of the main telephone companies such as Ais, Three UK or Truemove. Although this is one of the most widespread methods of getting internet, the truth is that it has several disadvantages, as detailed in this table.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is quick. They can be purchased online or in physical shops. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Disadvantages | You have to exchange it for your regular SIM card, which can be lost or damaged. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to arrive at home. When your travel SIM contract runs out, you have to replace it with another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. You have to open and handle the mobile phone during the installation process. |
2. Renting a Pocket WiFi for Australia
A Pocket WiFi is a wireless router that allows you to connect to the internet from anywhere in the world. These are the advantages and disadvantages of this system, which is considered to be one of the most expensive.
| Advantages | It can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Long-term contracts are the norm. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay rent, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts at most 6 hours. If you use it with other people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
Some of the best brands to rent Pockets Wifi in Australia are Optus, Telstra, Spintel or Vodafone. Only the first two offer 5G, the rest are 4G. Most offer monthly data plans at a cost of around €6 a day, but to these costs must be added shipping, insurance, extra batteries or car chargers.
This system can be uneconomical for a short trip. It is therefore recommended for longer stays or business trips where the device will always be kept in one place and can be shared between several people.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Australia
Australia is a very touristy destination where you’ll have no trouble finding free wifi hotspots in places like department stores, cafés, museums and hotels. However, the big disadvantage of public networks is their vulnerability to hacking. It is therefore recommended that you limit their use to a minimum and avoid at all costs making transactions that put your personal data at risk.
| Advantages | It’s free. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is difficult to find free wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or have connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and give your personal details. Some free wifi networks are time-limited. You should always connect close to the router. They are vulnerable to hacking. |
4. Enable roaming for Australia
Data roaming is a service offered by phone companies to continue using your local data plan when you travel to Australia.The cost of this service is usually high, so it is advisable to check with your usual carrier before you set off on your trip, to avoid surprises at the end of the month.
From Spain, the price is around €25 per gigabyte spent, which is really expensive compared to other options such as eSIMs.
| Advantages | No installation on our mobile. No extra services to sign up for. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Disadvantages | It is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without realising it. Not all phone companies offer this service. |
Frequently asked questions about how to have internet in Australia
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your usual SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is built into the latest generation of mobile phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the website or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your mobile phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. The camera will then open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, which is why it is recommended that you do it before setting off on your trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
Most models of popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will indicate all the compatible models.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical shops or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same day express delivery.
It is best to activate it just before your trip as you will need an internet connection.
Unlimited data plans do not normally allow data sharing, but plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly has been marketing eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences published on Trustpilot, with a rating of “Excellent” and an average score of 4.6.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and a lower average Trustpilot rating than Holafly at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong based company.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average rating of 4.5.
Airalo reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average score of 3.9.
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