Long distances, road trips, ride-hailing in the cities and beach towns with patchy WiFi make mobile data essential in Australia. Here's what an Australia eSIM actually costs from the three biggest travel-eSIM brands — all three run on the same network, so price and plan type decide.
How much data do you need in Australia?
Fixed-data plan prices
Holafly only sells unlimited plans here, so fixed data is Saily against Airalo. Validity matters as much as price: a plan that expires after 7 days is only cheap if your trip is 7 days. Highlighted: the cheaper 30-day option at list price. In amber: Saily's price with my 10% code TRAVELCONNECTLY.
| Data | Saily | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $3.997 days$3.59 with code | $4.003 days |
| 3 GB | $7.9930 days$7.19 with code | $7.503 days$8.007 days |
| 5 GB | $10.9930 days$9.89 with code | $10.007 days$10.5015 days$11.0030 days |
| 10 GB | $17.9930 days$16.19 with code | $16.507 days$17.5015 days$18.0030 days |
| 20 GB | $29.9930 days$26.99 with code | $29.0015 days$30.0030 days |
| 50 GB | — | $45.0030 days |
Prices in USD from saily.com and airalo.com, checked 12 October 2026.
What that means: at 30-day validity Saily is a cent cheaper on every size from 5 to 20 GB, and its 3 GB plan lasts a full month. Airalo is up to $1.49 cheaper if your trip fits a 7- or 15-day window, and sells 50 GB for $45.00.
Unlimited plan prices
| Days | Saily | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | — | $11.50 | $11.90 |
| 5 | $18.99$17.09 with code | $18.50 | $20.50 |
| 7 | $26.99$24.29 with code | $26.50 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $34.99$31.49 with code | $32.00 | $37.50 |
| 15 | $48.99$44.09 with code | $45.00 | $51.50 |
| 30 | $71.99$64.79 with code | $66.50 | $76.50 |
Prices in USD from each provider's Australia page, checked 12 October 2026. Highlighted: cheapest for that length at list price. In amber: Saily with code TRAVELCONNECTLY. — = not sold at that length.
Airalo was the cheapest unlimited option at every length, by 49 cents to $5.49 against Saily. Saily also sells 20- and 25-day plans ($59.99 and $65.99). Holafly costs a little more and runs on the same Optus network.
"Unlimited" rarely means unlimited full speed. Saily states 5 GB per day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps, with no hotspot restrictions. Holafly states a fair-usage policy that can slow speeds for up to a day, and lets you share 1 GB per day as a hotspot. Airalo's page didn't list its unlimited limits, so check the plan details before buying.
Which one to pick
- Most travelers (1–3 weeks): Saily 5 GB or 10 GB — a cent cheaper than Airalo at 30-day validity, and it activates when you land.
- Unlimited data: Airalo — cheapest at every length, from $26.50 for a week.
- A month of heavy use: Airalo's 50 GB ($45.00) or 30-day unlimited ($66.50).
- Australia plus New Zealand: compare a regional plan against two country plans.
Networks and coverage
Australia's three mobile networks are Telstra, Optus and TPG (Vodafone). All three travel eSIMs here use Optus:
- Saily: Optus.
- Airalo: Optus.
- Holafly: Optus.
None of the three includes a local phone number — they're data-only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling.
Australia tips
- Coverage is good in cities and towns, but much of the outback and many highways between towns have no signal at all. Download offline maps and tell someone your route before long drives.
- Telstra is generally regarded as having the widest regional coverage; none of these eSIMs uses it, so expect gaps in remote areas.
- Hotel and café WiFi is common but shared — use a VPN on it. See the best VPN for hotel and airport WiFi.
- Keep your home SIM active for bank texts with its data roaming turned off.
How much data you need
Using the rates from the trip data calculator — three hours a day of maps, messaging and browsing, an hour of social media and an hour of music, with 40% of your time on WiFi:
- 7 days: about 3.6 GB → a 5 GB plan
- 14 days: about 7.2 GB → a 10 GB plan
- 21 days: about 10.9 GB → a 20 GB plan, or 10 GB plus another small plan
Streaming video or tethering a laptop changes the picture fast — use Find your plan above or the full calculator.
Setting up before you fly
- Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier won't accept another provider's eSIM.
- Install the eSIM at home over WiFi. Installation needs a connection; activation can wait. Saily plans can be activated any time within 180 days of purchase and switch on automatically when you arrive.
- On landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it. That's normal for travel eSIMs and doesn't cost extra.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so it can still receive calls and texts without running up charges.
More country guides: Japan · Thailand · USA · Turkey · Canada · Italy · Spain · UK · France · Greece · Mexico · China · South Korea · Bali · Portugal · Dubai · Vietnam · Germany · Europe. Comparing providers? See Saily vs Airalo and Saily vs Holafly across 20 destinations, or the best Saily alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for Australia?
On 12 October 2026, Saily was a cent cheaper than Airalo on every 30-day plan from 5 to 20 GB (10 GB for $17.99), while Airalo had the cheapest unlimited plans at every length ($26.50 for a week) and sells 50 GB for $45.00.
How much is an eSIM for Australia?
Prices started at $3.99 for 1 GB (Saily, 7 days). A 10 GB plan cost about $18 for 30 days, and unlimited data cost from $26.50 for a week.
Which network do Australia travel eSIMs use?
Saily, Airalo and Holafly all list Optus. Telstra, which isn't used by any of them, is generally regarded as having the widest coverage in remote areas.
Do eSIMs work in the Australian outback?
Only where there's Optus coverage. Large parts of the outback have no mobile signal on any network, so download offline maps before long drives.