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For most visitors, the Smart Tourist eSIM for ₱599 (about US$10 / £7) is the best value: 24 GB of data, unlimited local calls and texts, a Philippine phone number, and 30 days of validity. If you stream, hotspot or work online, pick Smart’s ₱1,599 unlimited-data Tourist eSIM or Globe’s ₱1,750 80 GB Traveler eSIM. If you only need data and want to skip local SIM registration, a data-only travel eSIM (Airalo, Klook and similar) that runs on the Smart network is the easiest option.
Philippines eSIM comparison (2026)
Here’s how the main options stack up. Peso prices are the official ones; dollar and pound figures are approximate (₱61 = US$1, ₱81 = £1).
| eSIM | Data | Calls & texts | Validity | Price | PH number? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Tourist eSIM 599 Best value | 24 GB | Unlimited, all networks | 30 days | ₱599 ~US$10 / £7 | Yes |
| Smart Tourist eSIM 1599 | Unlimited | Unlimited, all networks | 30 days | ₱1,599 ~US$26 / £20 | Yes |
| Globe Traveler 5G eSIM | 80 GB | Unlimited, all networks | 30 days | ₱1,750 ~US$29 / £22 | Yes |
| Globe airport SIM + eSIM add-on | 30 GB | Unlimited, all networks | 15 days | ₱750 + ₱99 ~US$14 / £10 | Yes |
| Airalo Philippines (data-only) | 10 GB | None | 30 days | Around US$19 ~₱1,160 / £14 | No |
| Klook Philippines eSIM | Several data plans | None | Varies | See current price | No |
Sources: Globe Traveler SIM page and Smart Online Store, checked October 2026. Airalo’s Philippines plans run on Smart’s network; travel eSIM prices change often, so check before you buy.
Which eSIM should you pick?
The “best” eSIM depends on how you travel. Find the box that sounds like your trip.
One or two weeks, mostly maps and Grab
You need steady data and a number drivers and hotels can text.
Smart Tourist eSIM ₱599Remote work or heavy streaming
Video calls, hotspotting your laptop, uploading photos every night.
Smart ₱1,599 unlimited or Globe 80 GBShort stopover or multi-country trip
You want to land and be online with no paperwork.
Data-only travel eSIM (Airalo, Klook)Island hopping off the main routes
Siargao, Siquijor, northern Palawan, small islands where one network can drop out.
Install both a Globe and a Smart eSIMLocal eSIM vs travel eSIM: what’s the real difference?
A local eSIM comes from a Philippine telco (Globe, Smart or DITO). You get a +63 number, unlimited local calls and texts, and local prices. The catch is that you have to register it under the SIM Registration Act before it works.
A travel eSIM comes from an international provider like Airalo or Klook and borrows a local network (usually Smart). It’s data-only, so there’s no Philippine number, but it’s usually ready the moment you land because it’s issued abroad and doesn’t go through local registration.
The Philippine number matters more than people expect. Grab drivers, resorts, boat operators and tour guides often call or text instead of messaging in an app, and local services like GCash need a Philippine mobile number to sign up.
Globe Traveler eSIM: how to buy and activate
Globe sells its tourist eSIM inside the GlobeOne app, so you can install it before your flight. The current plan is 80 GB of all-access data with unlimited calls and texts to all networks for 30 days at ₱1,750. Globe also adds a 50% off voucher for your first GrabCar ride. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or JCB card.
- Download GlobeOne from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the app and tap “Purchase an eSIM for PH visitors.”
- Choose the promo and pay with your card.
- Download and install the eSIM on your phone.
- Register the eSIM when you arrive in the Philippines at simreg.globe.com.ph.
Prefer to buy on arrival? Globe has booths at NAIA, Clark and Mactan-Cebu airports selling 5G SIM bundles from ₱500 (20 GB for 15 days) up to ₱3,000 (169 GB for 30 days). Add ₱99 to get any of them as an eSIM instead of a physical card.
Smart Tourist eSIM: how to buy and activate
Smart offers two tourist eSIMs on its online store: ₱599 for 24 GB with unlimited calls and texts, and ₱1,599 for unlimited data with unlimited calls and texts. Both last 30 days from registration. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, GCash or Maya.
- Go to the Smart Online Store and choose the Tourist eSIM 599 or 1599.
- Pay and wait for the eSIM QR code in your email.
- Scan the QR code on your phone to install the eSIM.
- Register at simreg.smart.com.ph to activate the line.
Smart also sells eSIMs at booths in the main international airports and at Smart stores nationwide.
SIM registration rules for tourists
Every Philippine SIM, physical or eSIM, must be registered under the SIM Registration Act (Republic Act 11934). As a tourist you’ll need:
- Your passport (photo page and entry stamp)
- Your address in the Philippines, such as your first hotel
- A return or onward ticket showing when you leave the country
Coverage tips for island hopping
Globe and Smart both cover Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay and the main Palawan towns well, including 5G in the big cities. Signal gets patchy between islands, on boats, in the mountains and on smaller islands, and which network is stronger can change from one beach to the next.
- Carry two networks. A Smart eSIM plus a Globe eSIM (or a Smart-based travel eSIM plus Globe) is the simplest way to stay online on multi-island trips.
- Download offline maps in Google Maps before boat transfers and long bus rides.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so your phone doesn’t fall back to expensive roaming when the local signal drops.
- Top up locally. If your local eSIM runs low, you can buy more load at convenience stores across the country.
Will an eSIM work on my phone?
Your phone needs two things: eSIM support and no carrier lock.
- eSIM support: most iPhones from the XS/XR onward, recent Samsung Galaxy models and Google Pixels support eSIM. On iPhone, look for “Add eSIM” under Settings → Cellular.
- Carrier lock (iPhone): go to Settings → General → About and check Carrier Lock. “No SIM restrictions” means you’re good.
- Carrier lock (Android): go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Network Operators and tap Search Now. If several carriers appear, your phone is unlocked. You can also ask your home carrier.
Want to be online the moment you land?Klook’s Philippines eSIM runs on Smart’s network and installs before you fly. No registration queue at the airport.
Check Klook eSIM pricesPhilippines eSIM FAQ
What is the best eSIM for the Philippines?
For most tourists, Smart’s ₱599 Tourist eSIM gives the best value: 24 GB, unlimited local calls and texts, and a Philippine number for 30 days. Heavy data users should look at Smart’s ₱1,599 unlimited plan or Globe’s ₱1,750 80 GB eSIM. If you only need data and want no registration, choose a data-only travel eSIM such as Airalo or Klook.
Do tourists need to register an eSIM in the Philippines?
Yes, if it’s a Philippine eSIM from Globe, Smart or DITO. You register online with your passport, your address in the Philippines and a return or onward ticket. Data-only travel eSIMs from international providers usually don’t go through Philippine registration.
How long does a tourist eSIM last in the Philippines?
Tourist-registered SIMs are valid for 30 days and then deactivate automatically. You can only extend it by submitting an approved visa extension.
Is Globe or Smart better for tourists?
Both are national networks with 5G in major cities and good coverage in popular destinations like Cebu, Boracay and Palawan. Smart’s ₱599 plan is cheaper for moderate use, while Globe’s 80 GB plan suits heavy users. On island-hopping trips, carrying one of each is the safest choice.
Can I buy a Philippines eSIM before I arrive?
Yes. Globe sells its Traveler eSIM in the GlobeOne app, and Smart emails a QR code when you order from its online store. You install it before your flight and register it when you arrive. Travel eSIMs like Airalo and Klook can be bought and installed at home, too.
Can I keep my home number while using a Philippine eSIM?
Yes. Your home SIM stays in your phone and the eSIM is added as a second line. Set the Philippine eSIM for mobile data and keep your home line for calls or bank verification texts, with data roaming switched off.
Does a Philippine tourist eSIM include a phone number?
Globe and Smart tourist eSIMs include a +63 Philippine number with unlimited local calls and texts. Data-only travel eSIMs like Airalo and Klook don’t include a local number.
Cebu-born travel writer raised between Cebu and Dumaguete, now based in Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao. Gio writes Best Philippines Travel Guide to help first-time visitors travel the islands with confidence. More about Gio