Description
Many Filipinos living in the UK fly home to see family, often for Christmas, fiestas or a long summer stay in Manila, Cebu or the provinces. Holidaymakers come too, drawn by the islands: the lagoons of El Nido and Coron in Palawan, the beaches of Boracay, and diving and surfing around Bohol and Siargao.
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data from arrival without queueing for a SIM. It is added to your phone next to your UK SIM, so your UK number is still there for banking texts, while the eSIM handles group chats, video calls with the family and directions between islands.
Choose your Philippines data plan
There are 16 plans for Philippines. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £3.00 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £4.68 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £4.88 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £6.00 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £8.62 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £9.00 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £11.61 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £13.88 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £14.25 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £20.25 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £22.50 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £25.88 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £36.00 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £53.25 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £149.40 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £291.32 |
- Week of island hopping: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days covers maps, ferry bookings and messages.
- Three weeks with family: 10GB or 20GB for 30 days leaves room for daily video calls and sharing photos.
- Heavy use on a short trip: Unlimited plans, from 3 to 30 days, suit people who stream or video call a lot.
- Balikbayan long stay: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days suits months at home in the Philippines.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Philippines.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in the Philippines
Long-haul flights usually arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila or Mactan-Cebu International. Switch on the eSIM as you land so you can let family know you are through immigration and book a ride.
Data is handy for ride apps in Manila and Cebu, ferry and domestic flight bookings, and checking the weather before boat trips. With over seven thousand islands, signal can be patchy on small islands, at sea and in mountain provinces, so download offline maps before travelling between islands.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Philippines, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Philippines and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply, as with most unlimited travel plans.
- Travel advice: the FCDO has specific advice for some areas, including parts of Mindanao. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Taiwan, Brunei and Hong Kong. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will it work in Palawan and on smaller islands?
It works where there is signal. Coverage is generally better in towns and can be weak or missing on remote islands and at sea.
Can my family in the Philippines call me on my UK number?
Your UK SIM stays in the phone, but your UK provider may charge for calls received abroad. Calls over WhatsApp or Messenger use the eSIM data instead.
When should I buy my Philippines eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
