Description
Benin has strong links with West African communities in the UK, and many trips are family visits to Cotonou, Porto-Novo or home towns further inland. Others come for history and culture: the slave route in Ouidah, the royal palaces of Abomey, the stilt village of Ganvié and the Vodun celebrations each January.
A travel eSIM lets you keep WhatsApp, maps and mobile banking going during your stay, without buying a local SIM on arrival. It sits beside your UK SIM, so your normal number stays in the phone for security texts while the eSIM supplies your mobile data.
Choose your Benin data plan
There are 10 plans for Benin. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 1 day | £4.68 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £5.20 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £11.25 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £11.61 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £15.75 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £19.36 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £33.96 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £62.24 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £149.40 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £291.32 |
- Short business trip: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days covers email, maps and messaging.
- Two to four weeks with family: 5GB, 10GB or 20GB for 30 days leaves room for video calls back to the UK.
- Festival visit in Ouidah: 3GB for 30 days suits sharing photos and keeping in touch with your group.
- Long stays: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days suits extended visits home.
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 Benin.
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 Benin
Most international flights arrive at Cotonou’s airport, close to the city centre. Data helps with arranging motorbike taxis and drivers, sharing your location with family, translating French, and following directions to places such as Ouidah, Ganvié or Porto-Novo.
Outside the main towns, and in the north of the country, signal can be patchy, so save maps and contact details before long journeys. The plan covers Benin only. If you are crossing into Togo or Nigeria by road, you will need a separate plan for each country.
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 Benin, 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 Benin 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.
- Travel advice: check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go, as it includes warnings for some northern areas.
- Benin only: the plan does not cover Togo, Nigeria or other neighbouring countries.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Togo, Ghana and Burkina Faso. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Can I use mobile money and banking apps with this eSIM?
Apps that run over the internet will work with the eSIM’s data. Services that rely on a local phone number need a local SIM, so check with your provider.
Will it work if I drive from Cotonou to Lagos?
Only on the Benin side. Once you cross into Nigeria you would need a Nigeria plan.
When should I buy my Benin 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.
