eSIM for South Africa
A prepaid travel eSIM that gets you online the moment you land in South Africa. You install it from a QR code we email you, in about five minutes, with no SIM shop to find at Cape Town or Johannesburg airport.
- 36 data plans work in South Africa, from $3.49. Prices checked November 3, 2026.
- 8 plans cover South Africa only. 28 more cover it along with nearby countries.
- Most plans start when you first use data, so you can install at home before you fly. A few start at install, and the tables mark them.
- Data only, with no local phone number. Your home number stays on your regular SIM.
Prices by data and trip length
Prices in US dollars, checked November 3, 2026. The plan page shows the current price before you pay.
| Data | 7 days | 15 days | 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $3.491 GB, 7 days | $7.993 GB, 15 days | $8.991 GB, 30 daysGlobal plan, 175 destinations |
| 3 GB | $7.993 GB, 15 days | $7.993 GB, 15 days | $14.993 GB, 30 daysGlobal plan, 153 destinations |
| 5 GB | $11.495 GB, 21 days | $11.495 GB, 21 days | $19.9910 GB, 30 days |
| 10 GB | $19.9910 GB, 30 days | $19.9910 GB, 30 days | $19.9910 GB, 30 days |
| 20 GB | $35.9920 GB, 30 days | $35.9920 GB, 30 days | $35.9920 GB, 30 days |
Plans for South Africa only
Every size and length sold for South Africa alone, without other countries:
| Data | Length | Price | Network | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $3.49 | 5G where available | On first use |
| 3 GB | 15 days | $7.99 | 5G where available | On first use |
| 5 GB | 21 days | $11.49 | 5G where available | On first use |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $19.99 | 5G where available | On first use |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $35.99 | 5G where available | On first use |
| 25 GB | 30 days | $49.99 | 5G where available | On first use |
Plans for South Africa and nearby countries
- Africa plan, 10 destinations: from $10.43 for 1 GB over 7 days.
- Africa plan, 23 destinations: from $9.99 for 1 GB over 30 days.
- Regional plan, 98 destinations: from $41.99 for 13 GB over 365 days.
- Global plan, 132 destinations: from $7.49 for 1 GB over 7 days.
- Global plan, 153 destinations: from $9.00 for 1 GB over 7 days.
Network and plan details
- 8 of the 36 plans connect at 5G where the local network and your phone support it. The rest use 4G LTE.
- Of the 36 plans for South Africa, 34 start when you first use data and 2 start when you install the eSIM.
- Your data goes out to the internet from the UK on 11 plans, Western Europe on 5 and Hong Kong on 2. 18 do not say. Websites usually see that place as your location.
- Hotspot sharing works on every plan here.
- The catalog does not name the local network for these plans.
- Country calling code: +27
- Plans: 36, from $3.49 to $89.99
In South Africa, data on arrival is partly about getting around safely. Uber and Bolt, with the route and driver tracked, are widely recommended over street taxis, especially at night. A travel eSIM has them working from the airport, along with maps for the cities, the Garden Route, and the safari gateways.
What you can use the data for
Ride-hailing. Uber and Bolt run on data and are the recommended way around the cities, since the route and driver are tracked in the app. From the airport they are the safer choice.
Maps. Google Maps covers Cape Town, Johannesburg, and the Garden Route, plus the roads to the safari lodges. It needs a connection throughout.
WhatsApp. WhatsApp is the default for lodges, tour operators, and guides, so staying reachable means staying on data.
Bookings. Table Mountain cableway slots, wine tastings, and safari drives are easiest to arrange and confirm over a live connection.
Where it works
Coverage roams on South Africa's national networks, strong in the cities and along the main tourist routes:
- Cape Town (CPT) and the Cape Peninsula
- Johannesburg (JNB) and Pretoria
- The Garden Route and Knysna
- Kruger National Park and the safari lodges
- Durban (DUR) and the east coast
Coverage is strong in the cities, the Winelands, and along the Garden Route. It thins out inside Kruger and the private reserves, in the Karoo, and on remote rural roads. Download offline maps before a safari or a long countryside drive.
Common situations
Cape Town and the Winelands
Activate at the airport, book an Uber into the city, and keep maps and bookings live across Table Mountain, the Cape, and the wine estates. A mid-size plan covers a week easily.
Kruger safari
Use the data in the gateway towns to confirm lodge and drive bookings, then download offline maps, since signal drops inside the park and the reserves.
Garden Route road trip
Keep maps live along the coast from Cape Town toward Knysna and Port Elizabeth. The eSIM runs beside your home SIM, so your usual number still rings.
How to install your eSIM before you fly
- Buy the plan. The eSIM arrives by email, usually within a minute. Install it at home on Wi-Fi with the one-tap link or the QR code in the email. 2 plans start counting at install or purchase, and the tables mark them. Install those close to your flight.
- Name the line South Africa and keep it off until you land. Do not delete it after setup, because an eSIM installs only once.
- On arrival, turn the line on, choose it for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it. Turn off data roaming on your home line.
Screen by screen steps for iPhone and Android are in our travel eSIM install guide.
Phones that work
Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked. Check your model on our compatibility page.
Common questions
How much does an eSIM for South Africa cost?
Plans start at $3.49 for 1 GB over 7 days. A plan with at least 10 GB for 30 days starts at $19.99. Prices checked November 3, 2026.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for South Africa?
Not right now. The largest plan for South Africa has 50 GB of data.
Is there a plan for South Africa only?
Yes. 8 plans cover South Africa only, from $3.49. 28 more cover it together with other countries.
When does the plan start counting days?
It depends on the plan. Of the 36 plans for South Africa, 34 start when you first use data and 2 start when you install the eSIM. The plan page shows the rule before you pay.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
No. These plans are data only, and your home number stays on your regular SIM.
Why is data useful for safety in South Africa?
Uber and Bolt are widely recommended over street taxis, since the app tracks the route and driver. Having data on arrival means you can book one straight from the airport.
Will it work in Kruger?
The gateway towns are covered, but signal drops inside the park and the private reserves. Confirm bookings and download offline maps before your safari.
Will it work along the Garden Route?
Yes. The coastal route and the main towns are well covered. Remote inland roads have gaps, so download offline maps first.