Best eSIM for Thailand Review: Why I Use Saily

Planning a trip to Thailand and wondering what the best eSIM for Thailand is? I honestly think having mobile data from the moment you land makes travelling so much easier. You can immediately order Grab, check Google Maps, message your hotel, and avoid standing at an airport SIM card counter when you’re tired after a long flight.

I used Airalo for a few years, and it did work for me, but every time I needed to top up or turn on my data in a new country, I found myself getting confused and spending a few minutes figuring it out again, even after using it for so long. So I decided to test a different eSIM and ended up with Saily, which I personally find much more user-friendly.

Saily is a good Thailand eSIM option if you want something simple. In this article, I’ll explain how Saily works, how it compares to Airalo, how much data you need, and what to know before buying an eSIM for Thailand.

My pick for Thailand: Saily eSIM, simple to set up before your trip and useful as soon as you land.
➞ Check Saily Thailand eSIM plans here

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Best eSIM for Thailand: Quick Answer

Do You Need an eSIM in Thailand? My Experience

What you absolutely need in Thailand is an internet connection on your phone. Even if I don’t like it, when I’m out on the streets of Bangkok, I use my phone a lot. I check maps, look for directions, search for places to eat, use Google Translate when I’m food shopping and don’t want to buy something that has five different types of sugar, or simply scroll Instagram while waiting for the Skytrain.

I am terrified of losing the SIM card with the phone number I’ve had since I was 14 years old, so buying a physical Thai SIM card and swapping them was not really an option for me. I could also use two phones, but who wants to carry two phones? So the most logical solution for me was to use an eSIM.

You don’t need an eSIM in Thailand, because you can buy local SIM cards at the airport, in 7-Eleven, and in phone shops. And that’s totally fine if you have a dual SIM phone or you’re happy to swap your SIM cards. But I still think an eSIM makes your arrival much easier, especially if it’s your first time in Thailand.

For me, the biggest benefit of an eSIM is not even the price. It’s the fact that I can land in a foreign country, switch off airplane mode, and already have internet.

Almost every café in Thailand has Wi-Fi, and there are also public Wi-Fi networks at airports, Skytrain stations, and malls, but they never seem to work properly for me. So if you’re like me, the easiest solution is installing an eSIM before you arrive in Thailand.

➞ If you’re landing in Bangkok, read my guide on how to get from Bangkok Airport to the city centre.

Why I Like to Use Saily in Thailand

I like Saily because it’s easy to use, and you don’t need to try to understand different tourist SIM packages when you arrive. I have the app on my phone, and with just a tap or two, I can see how much data I have left or I can top up my plan within a second.

For Thailand, and many other countries, Saily has different types of plans available, so you can choose based on the length of your stay. The cheapest one starts at 2.99 USD for 1 GB, and you can also choose 2 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB, or pay for unlimited data for up to 30 days.

You can buy your Saily eSIM before your trip to Thailand, install it while you still have Wi-Fi, and then use it once you arrive. In my opinion, it’s the best option if you don’t want to deal with buying a local SIM card after landing.

Saily vs Airalo for Thailand

Here’s how I’d compare Saily and Airalo from my own experience.

Another reason I prefer Saily is their package options. I try to limit my screen time, (read: Instagram and TikTok scrolling), so a 3 GB package for 30 days is perfect for me. With Saily, I can get that for 5.99 USD.

Airalo used to have a similar offer, but they changed their packages a while ago. Now I can only get 3 GB for 7 days, and if I want a package for a month, I have to pay 8 USD. I know we’re only talking about a few dollars difference here, but that’s one of the reasons why, out of principle, I decided to switch to Saily.

How Much Data Do You Need in Thailand?

How much data you need really depends on your usage. If I don’t use Instagram and TikTok too much, and only use mobile data for navigation, Grab, Google Translate, and WhatsApp, then 3 GB can last me for a month.

But if you upload videos, scroll social media all the time, hotspot your laptop, or rely on mobile data all day, you’ll need much more.

Also, almost every café and bar in Thailand has Wi-Fi, so it’s worth connecting to their network when you can.

Does Saily Have Good Coverage in Thailand?

Saily eSIMs connect to local mobile networks, so coverage depends on the local network used and where exactly you are in Thailand.

From my experience, Saily has pretty good coverage in Thailand. I haven’t used it only in Bangkok, but also while travelling to Koh Lanta, Krabi, and tiny islands in the Andaman Sea, and I don’t remember being without data.

In Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, and other major tourist areas, mobile coverage is usually great. In more remote areas, coverage can be weaker, but this can happen with any provider.

Honestly, I wouldn’t worry too much if you’re doing a normal Thailand route and visiting the usual cities and islands. But if you’re going very remote, don’t expect perfect signal everywhere.

➞ Get Saily before your trip to Thailand

How to Install a Saily eSIM for Thailand

The exact steps might be slightly different depending on your phone, but this was my experience:

1. Check that your phone supports eSIM.
2. Download the Saily app.
3. Choose the Thailand eSIM package you want.
4. Install it while you have reliable Wi-Fi.
5. Follow the instructions in the Saily app.
6. Activate it according to the plan rules.
7. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM if required.
8. Keep your normal SIM active if you need it for calls and texts.

One important thing: don’t delete the eSIM after installing it unless you’re completely sure you don’t need it anymore.

When Should You Buy Your Thailand eSIM?

I’d buy Thailand eSIM before departure, not after landing. Install it at home while you still have good Wi-Fi and time to deal with it calmly.

My ideal timing would be: buy it a few days before your trip, install it before you fly, and activate it when you’re close to arriving or once you land, depending on the plan rules.

FAQ About the Best eSIM for Thailand

Does Saily work in Thailand?

Yes, Saily works in Thailand. I’ve been using it for the past few months, and it has never let me down. It’s good to know that coverage depends on the local network, so if you travel somewhere very remote in Thailand, the connection might be weaker.

Which eSIM is best for Thailand tourists?

My pick for most tourists is Saily because it’s simple, convenient, and can be bought before your trip. It’s especially useful if you want mobile data as soon as you land in Thailand.

I also like that you can purchase smaller data packages for a longer period of time, compared to Airalo for example, which suits the way I use data much better.

What countries does Saily cover?

Saily covers most countries around the world. You can either purchase a package for a specific country or buy a regional one, which is a great option if you’re travelling around Asia.

For example, the Asia and Oceania package covers 22 countries, and 5 GB costs 20 USD, which I think is a pretty good price.

They also recently introduced the Ultra data plan, which covers 121 destinations, with 30 GB of high-speed data starting from 50 USD per month.

Is Airalo or Saily better for Thailand?

I’ve used both of them for an extended period of time in Thailand, and they both worked pretty well. However, I find Saily easier to use, and their data plans are more suitable for my own needs, especially because I prefer smaller data packages for a longer period of time.

Do I need an eSIM in Thailand?

You don’t need one, but it makes travelling much easier. With an eSIM, you can have mobile data ready when you land, instead of looking for a SIM card counter at the airport.

Can you use Grab with a Thailand eSIM?

Yes, once you have your eSIM installed and activated on your phone, you’ll have an internet connection and can use Grab straight away. It might actually be the first thing you use it for, especially if you want to order a taxi and get straight to your hotel.

Final Thoughts: Best eSIM for Thailand

Even though I live in Thailand now, I still don’t like messing around with physical SIM cards. Swapping SIMs, keeping track of tiny cards, or worrying about losing one is just not something I want to deal with.

That’s why an eSIM makes sense for me. I use my phone constantly here, for maps, Grab, translations, restaurant reviews, and checking things while I’m out in Bangkok or travelling around Thailand.

Airalo worked for me too, but Saily feels easier to use and better suited to the way I actually use data. So if you’re looking for a simple Thailand eSIM before your trip, this is the one I’d personally choose.

➞ Bangkok Travel Guide for First-Timers: Everything You Need to Know