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Philippines eSIM
Get your Philippines eSIM sorted before you fly and you'll have mobile data as soon as you clear customs at NAIA or Mactan-Cebu. Your eSIM connects to local Filipino networks instantly.
Travelling somewhere else?
How does prepaidsims compare?
- AUD Pricing
- No Roaming Fees
- Flexible Data Options
- Local Phone Number
- Easy Setup
- Aussie Support
- Money Back Promise
Int’l Roaming &
Others
- USD/EU Pricing
- Daily Fees & Charges
- Limited Data Options
- Restricted Number
- Complicated Setup
- Limited Support
- No Guarantees
How different travellers use a Philippines eSIM
The Philippines has over 7,600 islands and mobile coverage varies depending on where your trip takes you. Major cities and popular tourist islands have strong coverage, while more remote islands and mountainous areas can be patchier. Your Philippines eSIM keeps Grab, Google Maps, messaging apps and booking platforms running wherever signal reaches.
Island hoppers and beach travellers
Boracay has strong coverage across White Beach, the main strips and D'Mall. Your Philippines eSIM keeps Grab running for tricycle alternatives, Google Maps live for finding restaurants and WhatsApp ready for coordinating island tours and boat transfers.
Palawan is where coverage starts to vary. Puerto Princesa and El Nido town both have solid signal. The Underground River area has coverage at the main access point. On island-hopping tours around El Nido's lagoons, you'll have signal at some anchor points but not consistently between islands. Coron town has coverage but boat trips to surrounding islands and wrecks are more hit-and-miss.
Siargao has coverage in General Luna and the main surf areas. Cloud 9 and the surrounding beaches are well served. Signal can thin out on the quieter northern end of the island and on boat trips to nearby islands like Naked Island and Daku.
Download offline Google Maps before heading to any island. Coverage is strong in main towns but can drop on boat transfers and remote beach areas.
City explorers in Manila and Cebu
Metro Manila has excellent coverage everywhere. BGC, Makati, Intramuros, Quezon City and the airport areas all have strong signal. Grab is essential in Manila. Traffic is intense and the app is by far the easiest way to get around the city safely and affordably. Your Philippines eSIM keeps it connected for airport pickups, restaurant runs and getting between the city's spread-out neighbourhoods.
Cebu City has strong coverage across the main areas, IT Park, the heritage sites and the airport. Moalboal (popular for sardine runs and diving) has coverage in the town centre. Oslob and Kawasan Falls both have usable signal. The ferry terminals for Bohol are well covered.
Bohol has solid coverage in Tagbilaran, Panglao and the Chocolate Hills viewing area. Your eSIM keeps Google Maps running for the countryside tour loop and Grab or local transport apps working in the main areas.
Divers and adventure travellers
The Philippines is one of the top diving destinations in the world. Moalboal, Malapascua, Apo Island, Coron and Anilao all have coverage in the main resort and town areas. Signal on dive boats varies, but you'll reconnect at the dive centres and resorts.
For trekking, Mount Pulag and the rice terraces of Banaue and Batad have coverage in the main towns and trailheads. Signal thins on the higher sections and more remote trails. Download offline maps and any trail information before heading up.
If you're surfing in Siargao or La Union, both have strong coverage in the main beach and town areas.
For most phones, your Australian SIM stays active alongside your Philippines eSIM for banking codes and verification messages. Just switch its mobile data off to avoid roaming charges.
Before you fly
- Download Grab before you arrive. It's essential for Manila and useful in Cebu. Your Philippines eSIM keeps it connected for safe, affordable rides in traffic-heavy cities.
- Save offline Google Maps for island destinations. Coverage is strong in towns but drops on boat transfers and remote beaches. Having offline maps means you're never lost.
- Book inter-island flights and ferries with live data. Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and 2GO ferries are all bookable on mobile. Having data means you can compare options and book on the move.
- Keep your Aussie SIM active for banking codes. Your Philippines eSIM runs alongside your existing Australian number on most phones. Switch your Aussie SIM's mobile data off to avoid roaming charges.
How much Philippines eSIM data do you need
Manila is a high-data city with constant Grab use, navigation and photo sharing. Island destinations use less data day-to-day, but you'll still want enough for booking platforms, messaging and sharing photos.
- 5GB covers a short 3-5 day beach trip staying in one area.
- 10-20GB is the sweet spot for a 1-2 week trip across multiple islands.
- 30GB+ or unlimited suits extended stays, digital nomads or anyone doing a lot of video calling home.
Philippines eSIM FAQs
Will my Philippines eSIM work on smaller islands?
Coverage depends on the island. Popular tourist islands like Boracay, Siargao, Palawan (El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesa), Panglao and Cebu have strong coverage in main areas. More remote islands may have limited signal. Download offline maps for any island-hopping itineraries.
Do I need Grab in the Philippines?
Essential in Manila and very useful in Cebu. Grab handles cars and motorbike taxis and is the safest, most affordable way to navigate traffic-heavy Filipino cities. On islands, local tricycles and habal-habal motorbikes are more common.
Can I use my Philippines eSIM for inter-island travel?
Yes. Your eSIM works across the entire Philippines. Flying between Manila, Cebu, Palawan and Siargao keeps the same data plan running. Signal may drop during boat transfers between smaller islands but reconnects when you reach land.
How do I set up my Philippines eSIM?
After purchasing, you'll receive an email with a QR code. Scan it in your phone's settings to install the eSIM profile. You can do this at home before your trip. When you land in the Philippines, switch your data to the new eSIM line and you're connected.
Is a Philippines eSIM cheaper than roaming with my Aussie carrier?
Significantly. Australian carriers charge steep daily rates for international roaming. A Philippines eSIM is a flat, prepaid cost for your entire trip. No daily charges, no bill shock when you get home.
Can I make phone calls with a Philippines eSIM?
Our Philippines eSIM plans are data-only. For calls and texts, use WhatsApp, Messenger or FaceTime over your Philippines eSIM data connection. They work perfectly and are free. Messenger is particularly popular in the Philippines.
Should I get a Philippines eSIM or an Asia eSIM?
If you're only visiting the Philippines, a dedicated Philippines plan gives you local coverage. If your trip includes other Asian countries like Japan, Thailand or Singapore, an Asia eSIM covers 13 countries on a single plan and includes the Philippines.
Exploring more of Southeast Asia? Our Thailand eSIM plans keep you connected from Bangkok to the islands. We also have a Vietnam eSIM for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, an Indonesia eSIM for Bali and beyond and an Asia eSIM covering 13 countries on a single plan. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, our Philippines SIM card ships to your door before you fly.