Description
Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains and some of its most famous treks, from Everest Base Camp to the Annapurna Circuit. UK visitors also come for the temples of Kathmandu, the lakeside at Pokhara, Buddhist pilgrimage to Lumbini, and to visit family, as Britain has strong ties with Nepal through the Gurkhas. A travel eSIM gives you data from the moment you land at the airport.
Your UK SIM stays in the phone beside the eSIM, so you keep your UK number for bank texts. The eSIM handles maps, messages and trekking updates. Install it at home on Wi-Fi and switch it on in Kathmandu.
Choose your Nepal data plan
There are 9 plans for Nepal. 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 | £3.75 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £6.38 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £8.25 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £12.75 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £12.75 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £18.00 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £19.50 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £26.25 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £32.25 |
- Kathmandu and Pokhara in a week: 1GB for 7 days or 2GB for 15 days covers maps, ride apps and messages.
- Three or four-week trek: 3GB for 30 days or 5GB for 30 days, used when you reach lodges and villages with signal.
- Family visit with lots of video calls: 10GB for 30 days for regular calls home and photo sharing.
- A few days of heavy use: unlimited for 3 days up to unlimited for 10 days, for example in Kathmandu before or after a trek.
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 Nepal.
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 Nepal
Most visitors arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. In the city and in Pokhara, data helps with ride apps, maps of the narrow streets of Thamel and the old squares, and translating Nepali. It is also handy for checking domestic flight times, which often change with the weather.
On trekking routes, signal may be available in some villages and lodges but absent for long stretches, especially at high altitude and in remote valleys. Download offline maps and share your itinerary before heading into the mountains.
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 Nepal, 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 Nepal 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.
- Nepal only: this plan does not cover India or Tibet. If you are travelling overland or on to other countries, ask us about a plan for that part of the trip.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply, as with most unlimited travel plans.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Bhutan, Bangladesh and India. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have data on the Everest Base Camp trek?
There is signal in some villages along the route, but not everywhere, and it becomes less reliable higher up. Many lodges sell Wi-Fi access as a backup.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most UK visitors need a visa, which can often be obtained on arrival. Check the FCDO entry requirements page for the latest rules.
When should I buy my Nepal 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.
