Do I have to register the eSIM in India?

No. That is one of the biggest advantages over a local SIM card. Foreign visitors have to go through cumbersome registration with Indian providers, with a passport photo, a copy of their passport and proof of their hotel. With the Reisechip eSIM that disappears entirely: you activate it before you leave and it works as soon as you land.

Does the eSIM also work in rural regions such as Rajasthan or Kerala?

In cities and tourist areas you get a stable 4G signal. In very remote regions such as the Himalayan foothills or thinly populated desert areas, coverage can be weaker. Jio and Airtel together reach about 88% of the Indian population, so coverage on typical travel routes is very good.

How much data do I need for a trip to India?

For a two-week trip with heavy navigation, Google Maps, WhatsApp and occasional streaming, we recommend at least 5–10 GB. India is a large country with many transfers, and navigation runs the whole time. If you want to get through long train journeys with streaming, choose a 15 GB or unlimited plan.

Does the eSIM work for the Indian train reservation system IRCTC?

Yes. With an active data connection you can use the IRCTC app or website to book and manage train tickets in India. A stable internet connection is especially important here, because the system often handles heavy demand and a smooth connection makes booking much easier.

Can I use the eSIM at the same time as my German SIM card?

Yes. The eSIM is set up as a separate data profile on your smartphone. Your German SIM card stays active, so you can still be reached on your usual number. Your phone automatically uses the eSIM for data while you receive calls and texts on your German number.

How much does an eSIM for India cost?

eSIM data plans for India start at €2.19. You pay once for the data you choose — no contract, no monthly fee and no surprise roaming bill. Bigger data packs and longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in India?

It depends on the destination. Inside the EU your German plan usually includes roaming, often with a fair-use data cap; outside the EU, roaming is typically charged per day or per megabyte, and a travel eSIM is usually much cheaper. With an eSIM you see the full price before you buy and pay only for your data pack.

Which mobile networks does the eSIM use in India?

In India the eSIM connects automatically to local networks such as Jio, Airtel, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), on 4G/LTE and on 5G where it is available. Coverage in populated areas is around 88% of the population. Your phone always picks the strongest network nearby.

Will I keep my German phone number with an eSIM in India?

Yes. Your German SIM and number stay active, and the travel eSIM runs alongside it as a data-only plan. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or over Wi-Fi while browsing on the local network. Normal calls and texts still go through your German number, where roaming charges may apply.

Can I top up or extend my India data plan?

Yes. When your data runs out or the plan expires, just buy another pack. The eSIM profile already on your phone stays in place, so there is nothing to reinstall and you stay online without a break.

Can I use the eSIM as a Wi-Fi hotspot in India?

Yes. You can share the connection with a laptop, tablet or a travel companion through your phone's personal hotspot. Hotspot use comes out of the same data allowance, so choose a slightly larger pack if you plan to tether.

Should I install the eSIM before I leave or after I arrive?

Install it at home over Wi-Fi before you travel. The data plan switches on automatically when your phone joins a network in India, so you are online the moment you land instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi.

eSIM plans for India

Instant delivery

India: your travel eSIM from €2.19 works as soon as you land and connects to Jio, Airtel, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi) (4G/LTE where available), network coverage 88% of the population. Install it by QR code before you leave Germany — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day refund on unused eSIMs
Support in English
Visa · Mastercard · Maestro · Apple Pay · PayPal

eSIM for India at a glance

Price from: €2.19
Local networks: Jio, Airtel, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi)
Technology: 4G/LTE & 5G
Network coverage: 88% of the population
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Suggested data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for India

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€2.19
Unlimited	3 days	€9.49
Unlimited	5 days	€14.99
Unlimited	7 days	€20.99
Unlimited	10 days	€29.49
Unlimited	15 days	€43.49
Unlimited	30 days	€79.99
1 GB	7 days	€2.99
2 GB	15 days	€5.99
3 GB	30 days	€7.99
5 GB	30 days	€10.99
10 GB	30 days	€19.99
20 GB	30 days	€31.99
50 GB	30 days	€40.99

India overwhelms all the senses: golden temple complexes in Varanasi, the Taj Mahal in the morning light, chaotic, lively bazaars in Delhi and tropical backwaters in Kerala. In a country of this size and variety a reliable network is not a luxury but a necessity, for finding your way through big cities, booking train travel through the Indian Railways app and staying in safe contact away from the tourist trail. With a Reisechip eSIM you are online right after landing, without first having to buy and register a local SIM card.

Flight time from Germany

about 7–9 hours

Time zone

UTC+5:30 (4.5 hours ahead of CET)

Best time to travel

October–March

Plug type

Type C/D/M (adapter needed)

Why get an eSIM for India?

Buying a local SIM card in India has traditionally meant considerable effort for foreign visitors: a passport photo, a copy of your passport, proof of your hotel, waits of several hours and sometimes activation that takes days. A Reisechip eSIM avoids this bureaucratic process entirely. You set everything up at home before you leave and are online the moment you walk out of the airport, on the network of Jio or Airtel, which together cover 88% of Indian territory. That matters when you travel through Rajasthan, surf in Goa or take the train to Agra. Google Maps is indispensable in India, because addresses are often imprecise and even in a taxi you may need navigation help. Add payment apps, travel bookings and safety check-ins, and everything needs data. With an eSIM you have all of that, without a roaming shock at the end of your trip.

What is network coverage like in India?

Network operator

Jio

+ Airtel

Technology

4G/LTE & 5G

Coverage

88% of the population

How do I install an eSIM for India?

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for India that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in India and you are online straight away.

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for India that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in India and you are online straight away.

Which eSIM plan suits me?

Holiday

Away for 1–2 weeks? A 3–5 GB plan covers maps, photos and messages.

Business trip

For video calls and email on the go, choose at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpacking

On longer trips, a 10 GB+ plan or a regional plan for several countries pays off.

Family

With several devices, pick a plan with hotspot support and enough data for everyone.

eSIM vs. local SIM vs. Wi-Fi hotspot — what works best for India?

	eSIM	Local SIM card	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Buy on arrival	Pick-up or delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €2.19	€5–30	€5–15 per day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up any time	Fixed allowance	Daily rental
Best for	Most travellers	Long stays	Groups and families

eSIM for India: frequently asked questions

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