Ferries, island flights, Grab rides in Manila and Cebu, and resort WiFi that comes and goes — data makes a Philippines trip much easier. Here's what a Philippines eSIM actually costs from the three biggest travel-eSIM brands, and which fits your trip.
How much data do you need in the Philippines?
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 | $11.9930 days$10.79 with code | $11.007 days$11.5015 days$12.0030 days |
| 10 GB | $18.9930 days$17.09 with code | $18.007 days$18.5015 days$19.0030 days |
| 20 GB | $29.9930 days$26.99 with code | $28.5015 days$30.0030 days |
| 50 GB | — | $48.0030 days |
Prices in USD from saily.com and airalo.com, checked 13 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 is the only small plan that lasts a month. Airalo is up to $1.50 cheaper if your trip fits a 7- or 15-day window, and it's the only one selling 50 GB ($48.00).
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 | $27.00 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $34.99$31.49 with code | $34.50 | $36.50 |
| 15 | $48.99$44.09 with code | $48.00 | $50.50 |
| 30 | $71.99$64.79 with code | $71.00 | $73.90 |
Prices in USD from each provider's Philippines page, checked 13 October 2026. Highlighted: cheapest for that length at list price. In amber: Saily with code TRAVELCONNECTLY. — = not sold at that length.
Saily was a cent cheaper for 7 days and also sells 20- and 25-day plans ($59.99 and $65.99). Airalo was cheapest for 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 days, by 49 cents to $1. Holafly costs a little more.
"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 trips (1–3 weeks): Saily 5 GB or 10 GB — a cent cheaper than Airalo at 30-day validity, and cheaper still with my code.
- Heavy use for a week: Saily's 7-day unlimited ($26.99), or Airalo's for other lengths.
- Digital nomads staying a month: Airalo's 50 GB ($48.00) or 30-day unlimited ($71.00).
- The Philippines plus other countries: a regional Asia plan may beat separate country plans.
Networks and coverage
The Philippines' mobile networks are Smart, Globe and DITO. Travel eSIMs roam on one of them:
- Saily: didn't name its Philippine network on its plan page.
- Airalo: Smart.
- Holafly: Globe.
None of the three includes a local phone number — they're data-only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling.
Philippines tips
- Coverage is good in Manila, Cebu and the main tourist towns, but drops on remote islands, at sea and in the mountains. Download offline maps and ferry tickets before island-hopping.
- Grab needs data for rides and food delivery in the cities, so check your eSIM works before you leave the airport.
- Resort and café WiFi is common but shared — use a VPN on it. See the best VPN for digital nomads.
- 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 · Australia · Germany · Singapore · Malaysia · Europe. Comparing providers? See Saily vs Airalo and Saily vs Holafly across 23 destinations, or the best Saily alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for the Philippines?
On 13 October 2026, Saily was a cent cheaper than Airalo on every 30-day plan from 5 to 20 GB (10 GB for $18.99) and on a 7-day unlimited plan ($26.99). Airalo was cheaper on most other unlimited lengths and sells 50 GB for $48.00. With my 10% code, Saily was cheaper on every plan it sells.
How much is an eSIM for the Philippines?
Prices started at $3.99 for 1 GB (Saily, 7 days). A 10 GB plan cost about $19 for 30 days, and unlimited data cost about $27 for a week.
Which network do Philippines travel eSIMs use?
Airalo lists Smart and Holafly lists Globe. Saily doesn't name its Philippine partner on its plan page.
Do Philippines eSIMs work on every island?
They work wherever their network has signal. Coverage is good in cities and main tourist areas, but can be weak or missing on small islands, at sea and in the mountains.
Do Philippines eSIMs include a phone number?
No. These are data-only eSIMs, so use WhatsApp, Viber or other internet calling. Keep your home SIM active for texts such as bank codes, with its data roaming turned off.