For some reason, Nepal gets left out of most regional Asia and global eSIM plans. And some of the ones that do cover it are wildly overpriced. So far I’ve tested Maya Mobile in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and Chesney has been using Roamless. Both have been seamless, but there are a few other options on the market to consider. Here’s my eSIM comparison breakdown for Nepal, with discount codes wherever possible.
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Why it's tricky to find the best eSIM for Nepal
Most regional Asia plans and global plans exclude Nepal. AndI was surprised that some providers don’t even have a Nepal eSIM at all. Prices vary a lot, so it’s worth shopping around — and you’re already here doing the research, so yay!
Does Nepal have eSIM coverage?
Yes, you can get eSIM coverage in Nepal. There are two cell networks: Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC).
Automatic “network switching” is the iPhone default, so most eSIMs automatically connect you to the strongest signal. However, if you’re deep into the Himalayas on Day 8 of the Annapurna Circuit, you likely won’t have cell signal no matter what you do.
It’s always a bit of a jump scare when I’m not expecting it and read it too quickly.
Nepal eSIM quick comparison
Here are a few providers that can offer you the best eSIM for Nepal (and a couple that can’t, just for comparison). Prices and package details are accurate as of October 2026.
| eSIM provider | Covers Nepal | Regional plan includes Nepal | Value | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maya MobileWe tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Expensive | $50 / Unlimited / 30 days |
| RoamlessWe tested | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | Good price | $17 / 5 GB / 30 days |
| Nomad eSIM | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Good price | $19 / 5 GB / 30 days |
| Airalo | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | Good price | $17 / 5 GB / 30 days |
| Saily | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | Expensive | $49 / 5 GB / 30 days |
| aloSIM | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | Expensive | $35 / 5 GB / 30 days |
| Holafly | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | Expensive | $289 / Unlimited / 30 days |
| Jetpac | ✕ No | ✕ No | N/A | N/A |
While you definitely don’t need Nepal to be covered in a regional plan, it’s helpful if you’re travelling through as part of a larger trip. For example, if you’re going to India and Nepal, it’s kind of annoying to have to buy two separate eSIMs. But not the end of the world.
Maya Mobile
I’ve been using a Maya Mobile eSIM throughout my time in Nepal. Every plan is global unlimited data for however many days you choose. They come in set packages of 3, 7, 14, or 30 days. Maya Mobile is also unique in that it has the same price in all 165+ countries it covers. (Between $2.86 and $1.67 per day, depending on how long you need it for.)
The connection has been very reliable. It even came to the rescue during a power outage when I was in the middle of a task and needed to hotspot. I occasionally get LTE rather than 4G, but my data keeps working regardless, which is all you really want/need from an eSIM.
It does land in the “expensive” column at $50 for 30 days. But for unlimited data, that’s a bargain compared to Holafly’s $289 for the same period. If you’re a heavy data user or working remotely from Nepal, it could still be the best eSIM for Nepal, even if some of the other providers are cheaper.
Maya Mobile discount?
No discount for the blog readers yet, but I’m working on it! They usually have some promotions going on their own website, so check it out and you might find a good deal anyway.
Roamless
Roamless has the best price on this list at $17 for 5 GB across 30 days. 10 GB will cost you just $24. What we also love about Roamless is that you can call local numbers and landlines for a few cents per minute. That’s handy for calling your mom, trekking guide, or bank if something goes wrong.
Roamless has a pay-as-you-go Flex plan with credit that never expires, but you’ll spend $4.45 per GB. Instead, go for a Fix package for Nepal, which brings the price per GB down.
Chesney was using a Saily Ultra subscription before we got here, but it doesn’t cover Nepal. So he switched to Roamless, which we’ve used before and it’s one of our favourite alternatives. (We travel full time, so the subscription model usually makes the most sense.)
Here’s my detailed Roamless eSIM review.
Roamless promo code
Roamless offers my readers a generous 20% off their first eSIM. Use the code: RUNAWAY20 in the promo box at check out.
Nomad eSIM
I also used Nomad eSIM very briefly when I first got to Nepal. I’d been testing it in Canada on a global plan and still had some data leftover so it got me started when I first arrived. It worked well and connected as soon as I got off the plane and turned off airplane mode. No complaints! I simply switched to Maya Mobile because I’m on a mission to test every eSIM out there. Why? No idea.
Anyway, my Nomad eSIM was great in Canada, too, and it’s one of the only providers to include Nepal in a regional and global plan. If you’re country hopping, this could be a huge point of difference.
Here’s my detailed Nomad eSIM review.
Nomad eSIM promo code
Nomad is another eSIM company that gives my readers 20% off their first purchase (with some limitations). Use RUNAWAY20 when you pay.
Travel essentials for Nepal
Airalo
If you’ve read any of my other eSIM articles, you’ve probably gathered that I’m not a fan of Airalo.
Tl;dr: I had a bad experience with their customer service in South Africa, there was a wave of Redditors claiming their accounts were hacked and charged for eSIMs they never bought, and the company tried to bribe me to improve my review article lol.
But in this case, the options are limited and Airalo is one of the few that offers an eSIM for Nepal at a good price, so it’s worth considering. It’s also like, the only provider that offers an eSIM for the neighbouring country of Bhutan.
No discount for Airalo, but...
I don’t have an affiliate partnership with Airalo, which means I can’t really offer you a typical discount. However, if you sign up and use NAOMI5256 as a promo code, you’ll get a $3 credit.
Other eSIM companies
Here are some other major eSIM companies and why they’re not top choices (or even viable options) for Nepal.
- Saily is normally one of the most consistently affordable eSIMs out there, plus it has great security features. But its Nepal eSIM is $49 for 5 GB, which is like, nearly three times the price of Roamless or Airalo. The Saily Ultra global subscription doesn’t cover Nepal. So in this case it’s not a good fit.
- aloSIM is Canadian so I like to support them. For Nepal, though, it’s $35 for 5 GB. That’s a mid-range price, so not the worst eSIM option out there. However, like most others, note its regional plans don’t include Nepal.
- Holafly is usually my pick for unlimited data, and I sometimes use the monthly Holafly Plans subscription. But Nepal isn’t covered under that global plan, and a single Nepal eSIM is a whopping $289 for 30 days. Simply not practical when Maya Mobile also gives you unlimited data for $50.
- Jetpac is usually a great budget pick with perks like free lounge access when your flight is delayed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer an eSIM for Nepal at all!
Naomi Lai
Naomi is a Canadian travel editor and writer with 13 years of international travel across Southeast Asia, Europe, South America, New Zealand, and beyond. She covers everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel — always from personal experience.
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