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Guide · as of 22 Oct 2026Best eSIM for China: what to check before you buy
In China, the “best” eSIM is the one that still reaches Google, WhatsApp and your banking app behind the Great Firewall, works on your phone, and is installed before you land. This guide shows what to check, what Saily charges for China (as of 22 Oct 2026) and what A1, Drei and Magenta charge instead.
Five things a China eSIM has to get right
- Routing: China’s tourism ministry says Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are not directly accessible in China. What matters is whether the eSIM routes data through a gateway outside mainland China. Saily’s China FAQ says Google and Instagram work via its virtual-location feature, WhatsApp only with a VPN.
- Your phone: it must support eSIM and be unlocked. Saily notes that devices sold in mainland China do not support eSIM; Apple lists only iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17e and iPhone Air with eSIM in mainland China. A phone bought in Europe that supports eSIM is the normal case.
- Buy and install before the trip: Saily says you cannot purchase an eSIM once you are in China.
- Hong Kong and Macau: Saily’s China plan does not work there. For a trip that includes them you need a second plan or the Asia and Oceania regional plan.
- Network and speed: in China Saily uses China Telecom and China Unicom, 5G where available, 4G/LTE elsewhere (Saily technical details).
Disclosure: TripUtils earns a commission if you buy Saily, Yesim or Airalo through our links (Yesim and Airalo via the Travelpayouts partner network). We have only checked Saily’s plans and the published A1, Drei and Magenta prices – we have not checked Yesim, Airalo or other eSIM providers’ prices and do not rate them here.
Saily plans for China — snapshot from 22 Oct 2026
As listed on saily.com, in US dollars, not converted.
| Data | Valid | Price (as listed) | Price per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | US$4.49 | US$4.49 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | US$10.99 | US$3.66 |
| 5 GB | 30 days | US$15.99 | US$3.20 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | US$26.99 | US$2.70 |
| 20 GB | 30 days | US$39.99 | US$2.00 |
Unlimited plans (China)
| Length | Price (as listed) | per day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | US$22.99 | US$4.60 |
| 7 days | US$29.99 | US$4.28 |
| 10 days | US$35.99 | US$3.60 |
| 15 days | US$49.99 | US$3.33 |
| 20 days | US$60.99 | US$3.05 |
| 25 days | US$66.99 | US$2.68 |
| 30 days | US$72.99 | US$2.43 |
Saily says the unlimited plan includes 5 GB per day without a speed limit, then unlimited data at up to 1 Mbps.
Which plan for 7, 14 or 30 days?
| Trip | Estimate (normal use) | Saily fixed plan | Saily unlimited | A1 Roaming Pass | Drei packages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | 3–5 GB → 5 GB | 5 GB – US$15.99 | 7 days – US$29.99 | €29.50 | Go Select – €10.00 |
| 14 days | 6–9 GB → 10 GB | 10 GB – US$26.99 | 15 days – US$49.99 | €59.00 | 2 × Go Select – €20.00 |
| 30 days | 12–18 GB → 20 GB | 20 GB – US$39.99 | 30 days – US$72.99 | €118.00 | 2 × (2 × Go Select) – €40.00 |
Drei packages last 15 days; for 30 days we count one package mix per 15-day period (data split evenly). A1 blocks roaming data at €60 by default – higher totals only apply if you raise the limit yourself.
Compare offers
Open Saily and pick a live plan at or above the GB figure. TripUtils does not fetch prices.
Alternative eSIM provider with country and regional plans. TripUtils has not checked Yesim prices – compare the live plan for your destination and GB figure.
Large catalogue of country, regional and global eSIMs. TripUtils has not checked Airalo prices – compare the live plan for your destination and GB figure.
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China plus Hong Kong or Macau
On 22 Oct 2026, the China plan costs US$26.99 for 10 GB, plus US$8.99 for 3 GB in Hong Kong. The Asia and Oceania plan lists 10 GB for 30 days at US$35.99 – valid in China, Hong Kong, Macau and 19 more countries, but we have not verified how it handles China routing. For a China-only trip, the China plan is the obvious choice.
eSIM Asia and Oceania – all countries and prices · eSIM Hong Kong
Roaming in China on an Austrian plan: what A1 and Drei charge
China is outside EU roam-like-at-home, so the EU data in an Austrian plan does not apply there. Published prices, checked on 22 Oct 2026 (euros incl. VAT):
| Network | Option | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Roaming Pass (Zone 2) | per started GB | €5.90 |
| Drei | Roaming-Paket Go | 1 GB, 15 days | €5.00 |
| Drei | Roaming-Paket Go Select | 5 GB, 15 days | €10.00 |
For the 10 GB planning size (14 days), A1’s Roaming Pass would bill 10 × €5.90 = €59.00; on Drei, 2 packages (Go Select + Go Select) cover it for €20.00. A1 says the Roaming Pass is switched on automatically for every tariff signed since 24 June 2026, and it blocks roaming data at a default limit of €60, which you can raise yourself.
Magenta prices depend on the tariff — look them up in Magenta’s roaming finder. Older tariffs without these options can cost more. Sources: A1, Drei, Magenta.
Magenta in China
Without a travel package or included units, Magenta bills data in China (data zones 3–5) at €15.36 per MB and cuts data roaming at €60. Travel packages depend on your tariff – check Magenta’s roaming finder.
Checklist before you fly
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi‑Fi and switch the line on for mobile data and data roaming (setup guide below).
- Install a VPN you trust before you go – Saily says you need one for WhatsApp.
- Keep your home SIM on for SMS codes, but turn its data roaming off so only the eSIM uses data.
- Download offline maps and translation apps beforehand; hotel Wi‑Fi is filtered.
- Add a second plan if you visit Hong Kong or Macau.
eSIM ChinaRoaming in ChinaPlugs in ChinaChina budgetSet up an eSIM on iPhone/Android
Sources
Checked on the date shown. Prices change; the provider page is what counts.
- Saily: eSIM for China (plans, FAQ, technical details) (2026-10-22)
- Saily: eSIM for Hong Kong (2026-10-22)
- Saily: eSIM Asia and Oceania (2026-10-20)
- Travel China (Ministry of Culture and Tourism): SIM Cards & Networks (2026-10-18)
- Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone (China mainland models) (2026-10-20)
- A1: Roaming Pass (2026-10-22)
- Drei: Roaming-Pakete (2026-10-22)
- Magenta: Roaming (2026-10-22)
Common questions
Which eSIM works best in China?
One that routes data through a gateway outside mainland China, works on your phone, and is installed before the trip. Saily’s China FAQ says Google and Instagram work via its virtual-location feature, but WhatsApp needs a VPN. We have not tested other providers.
Do I need a VPN in China?
For WhatsApp, yes according to Saily, even on its eSIM. On hotel or café Wi‑Fi you need a VPN for blocked services anyway. Install it before you leave.
Can I buy the eSIM after I arrive in China?
Don’t count on it: Saily says you cannot buy an eSIM once you are in China. Buy it at home and install it on Wi‑Fi.
Does a China eSIM work in Hong Kong and Macau?
Saily’s China plan does not. Hong Kong and Macau are separate destinations; Saily’s Asia and Oceania plan covers China, Hong Kong and Macau together.
Is roaming on my Austrian SIM an alternative?
Yes, but it costs more per GB: A1 bills China in Roaming Pass zone 2 at €5.90 per started GB, and Drei sells 15-day packages (table above, as of 22 Oct 2026).