A travel eSIM is the cheapest way to use mobile data overseas from Australia for most trips longer than a few days. Ten days on Telstra’s International Day Pass costs $100 in Asia, Europe or the US. A 10 GB travel eSIM for the same trip costs about A$14 to A$31, depending on where you go. You keep your Australian SIM in for texts and use the eSIM for data.
We sell travel eSIMs (ICY SIM). Our prices are in US dollars at checkout; we show them in AUD at US$1 = A$1.42. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone prices are from their websites, checked 27–28 October 2026.
- Roaming from Australia: Telstra $10 a day in most countries ($5 in NZ and the Pacific), Optus $5–10 a day, Vodafone $5 a day.
- A travel eSIM: a one-off price for the whole trip, e.g. 5 GB for 30 days from about A$9 in Bali, Japan or Thailand.
- Your phone can hold two lines: your Australian SIM for texts and calls, the eSIM for data.
- Roaming still makes sense for a day or two, or if you make lots of normal phone calls.
- Install the eSIM at home before you fly; it starts when you first use it overseas.
Travel eSIM prices for popular destinations (in AUD)
| Destination | Telstra Day Pass | eSIM 5 GB, 30 days | eSIM 10 GB, 30 days | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bali (Indonesia) | $10 a day | A$9 (US$6) | A$17 (US$12) | Best eSIM for Bali |
| Japan | $10 a day | A$9 (US$6) | A$21 (US$15) | Best eSIM for Japan |
| Thailand | $10 a day | A$9 (US$6) | A$14 (US$10) | Best eSIM for Thailand |
| Vietnam | $10 a day | A$11 (US$8) | A$23 (US$16) | Best eSIM for Vietnam |
| Singapore | $10 a day | A$9 (US$6) | A$17 (US$12) | Singapore plans |
| United States | $10 a day | A$10 (US$7) | A$17 (US$12) | eSIM for the USA |
| Europe (30 countries) | $10 a day | A$17 (US$12) | A$31 (US$22) | Best eSIM for Europe |
| New Zealand | $5 a day | A$13 (US$9) | A$23 (US$16) | New Zealand plans |
| Fiji | $5 a day | A$17 (US$12) | A$31 (US$22) | eSIM for Fiji |
ICY SIM prices checked 28 October 2026 and rounded to the nearest dollar; live prices are on each destination page. Telstra’s Day Pass includes 2 GB a day plus calls and texts.
International roaming vs a travel eSIM
| Roaming on your Australian plan | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | A daily fee on days you use your phone | One price for the whole trip |
| Typical cost, 10 days in Asia | $50 to $100 | About A$14 to A$23 for 10 GB |
| Calls and texts on your number | Included | Not included; keep your SIM in for texts |
| Setup | Turn on in your carrier app | Install a few minutes before you fly |
| Best for | A day or two, or lots of phone calls | Trips of four days or more |
Each carrier works differently. Telstra makes you turn the Day Pass on; Optus Daily Roaming and Vodafone $5 Roaming switch on by themselves the first time your phone uses data overseas. Details: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone. For how roaming works in general, see eSIM vs roaming.
Can I keep my Australian number with a travel eSIM?
Yes, if your phone supports eSIM; most phones sold since 2018 do, and you can check yours on our compatible devices list. Your Australian SIM stays in for calls and texts, such as bank codes, and the travel eSIM handles data.
- Buy a plan for your destination and install it at home on Wi-Fi.
- When you land, set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for it.
- Turn data roaming off for your Australian line, so no daily roaming fee starts.
- Leave the Australian line on if you want texts. Making a call or sending a text from it may start a daily roaming charge.
- Back home, switch mobile data back to your Australian line.
How much data do you need overseas?
| Trip | Typical use | Plan size |
|---|---|---|
| A long weekend | Maps, ride apps, messaging | 1–3 GB |
| One week | + social media, photos, a few video calls | 3–5 GB |
| Two weeks | + some streaming, hotspot now and then | 10 GB |
| A month, or working online | Video calls, laptop hotspot | 20 GB |
Visiting more than one country?
- Europe: one Europe plan covers 30 countries, including the UK and Switzerland.
- Southeast Asia: compare our Asia plan with one plan per country; country plans are often cheaper if you stay a while in each.
- Two countries on one trip: two country eSIMs can sit on the same phone; switch the data line at the border.
