Buying eSIMs for a multi-country trip
A multi-country eSIM installs once and shares one allowance across countries. Separate eSIMs each have their own data and days.
By Simvito · Published · Reviewed and updated
In this guide
List every stop
Include anywhere you’ll need data, such as a layover. A plan called Europe or Asia doesn’t cover every country in that region; check its coverage list. If your route includes Switzerland or the UK, for example, make sure they’re on it.
On your first stop’s destination page, add the other countries and only plans covering all of them stay listed. If none do, buy separate plans.
One multi-country eSIM
No switching lines at borders, and crossing one doesn’t reset the data or restart validity. For example, 3 GB in France and 1 GB in Germany means an option with at least 4 GB that lasts through both stops.
Networks can differ by country. Networks by country in the plan details shows the operator in each one.
A separate eSIM per country
You switch the data line at each stop. This suits a long stay in one country, or wanting a particular operator there.
Counting travel days
A multi-country eSIM counts from your first connection to the last day you need data.
With separate eSIMs, on a travel day you use one before you leave and the next after you land, so count that day on both. Say you land in Tokyo on day 1, fly to Seoul on day 6 and fly home on day 9: a Japan and South Korea eSIM needs 9 days or more; bought separately, the Japan eSIM needs 6 days (days 1 to 6) and the South Korea eSIM 4 days (days 6 to 9).
Day trips work the same way, such as between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, or Macao and Zhuhai.
Installing and switching
If both start at first connection, install both before you leave and turn on the first stop’s eSIM. At the next stop, switch your data line to that stop’s eSIM, turn on data roaming for it and turn the previous one off.
If the next stop’s eSIM starts when installed, install it there on Wi-Fi; on the Japan and Korea trip, that means installing the Korea eSIM after you land in Seoul.
Comparing prices
Compare the multi-country option’s total with the sum of the separate options you’d buy, not a daily starting price with a whole-trip price.
Japan and South Korea share a time zone
Both are UTC+9. A per-day plan that resets at 00:00 UTC+8 resets at 1:00 a.m. local time in both countries, and plans that count days by a midnight rollover change day at the same moment in both.
Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao
Coverage is per place, so a plan for mainland China may not work in Hong Kong, and the other way round. For one eSIM across all three, check that the coverage list of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao plans includes each one. To buy separately, look at mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao plans.
Apple says an iPhone bought in mainland China that supports eSIM can install a non-mainland eSIM only outside mainland China, with Location Services on, so install it on Wi-Fi in Hong Kong or Macao.
The plan details show IP location: where your traffic reaches the internet. Websites and apps treat you as being there.