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Travel eSIM for South Africans. Data in 185+ Countries from R 16,79. Beat International Data Roaming Costs.

Buy a prepaid e SIM or travel SIM card online, scan a QR code, and connect on arrival. Works in 185+ countries across 212+ carrier networks. Data plans from R 16,79. No surprise international data roaming bills. Refund on unactivated eSIMs within 180 days.

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HelloRoam is a prepaid eSIM platform providing affordable travel data for travellers departing from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban across 185+ countries. Buy an e SIM plan online, scan a QR code, and connect to local networks on arrival. Vodacom charges R29 per megabyte for international data roaming. MTN RoamLite costs R50 per day with a 50MB cap. Cell C charges R5 per megabyte for roaming. HelloRoam plans start from R 16,79 with no per-megabyte billing, no daily fees, and a refund on unactivated eSIMs within 180 days. Works on Samsung Galaxy, eSIM-compatible iPhones, and Google Pixel. All three spellings lead here: eSIM, e SIM, e-sim. HelloRoam is a top-rated eSIM for international travel across 185+ countries, with 24/7 support.

Why Travellers Departing from South Africa Choose HelloRoam eSIM Cards

  • Honest prices for every trip

    Choose a fixed eSIM card plan from 1GB to 20GB, or go unlimited in most of our 185+ countries. Fixed plans suit shorter holidays, and the bigger ones cover streaming. Unlimited plans suit steady daily use like maps, messaging, and video calls. Prepaid eSIM card plans start from R 16,79 with no contract and no cancellation fees. Far better value than Vodacom or MTN international data packages.

  • Set it up before you leave home

    Buy your travel data plan online before you head to OR Tambo, Cape Town International, or King Shaka. Your QR code arrives by email and installs with one quick scan. The plan connects the moment you land at Heathrow, Dubai International, or Suvarnabhumi. No airport queues, no SIM card kiosks.

  • One country or a whole region

    Get a single-country plan for the UK, UAE, Mauritius, or Thailand, or pick regional coverage across 33 European countries, Southeast Asia, or the Americas. One plan covers your full trip when you are hitting multiple stops on the same holiday.

  • Keep your number active

    Your eSIM handles data abroad while your home SIM stays active for calls and texts. WhatsApp, iMessage, and your apps keep working with your existing number. Family and friends reach you the same way they always do.

  • Local 4G and 5G on arrival

    Connect to local 4G and 5G networks at your destination. Use maps, video calls, and streaming on the same carrier networks locals use, not shared tourist Wi-Fi.

  • 24/7 Support on WhatsApp

    Support is available 24/7 through WhatsApp, live chat, and email. Reach us before you fly from JNB, during transit, or after you land anywhere in the world.

What Is an eSIM Card? How eSIM Works for International Travel

An eSIM card is a digital SIM built directly into your phone. No physical chip needed. Scan a QR code and you are connected. Step-by-step guide

Unlimited data

Up to 5G support

Data sharing

Learn more about eSIM
HelloRoam app on phone showing eSIM plan active for travellers departing from South Africa

eSIM vs Physical SIM: How Does eSIM Work?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. A physical SIM is a removable chip you insert by hand. The difference matters most when you travel internationally and want to skip Vodacom RoamLikeHome or MTN RoamLite costs. eSIM compatible phones including Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, iPhone XS and newer, and Google Pixel 3 and newer let you switch international e-sim plans in seconds. A travel eSIM costs far less than Vodacom or MTN international roaming and arrives by email as a QR code. Prepaid mobile data abroad at local rates, sorted before you board at OR Tambo or Cape Town International. GSMA SGP.22 certified profiles on every HelloRoam eSIM. e SIM cards for international travel starting from R 16,79. HelloRoam covers 185+ countries worldwide.

Feature
eSIMSIM
Telephone numbersUp to two*Up to two
Network operatorsAll you wantUp to two
RemovalDeactivate the profileRemove the SIM card
ActivationManual or automatic (activates when you arrive at your destination)Manual (you must physically insert a card into the device)
CompatibilityNewer devices onlyAll old devices and most new ones
Use abroadAffordable: local data rates across multiple countries, no daily feesCan be very expensive: Vodacom charges R29/MB and MTN charges R50/day abroad

Built for travellers from South Africa

Set up once and stay connected in 185+ countries. No surprise charges on your return.

  • Connected the moment you land.

    Your plan connects automatically when you arrive. No manual setup, no stress.

    view installation guide
    • 1GB
      Good for light browsing

      R 16,79 (7 days)

    • 3GB
      The go-to pick for most holidays

      R 44,01 (7 days)

    • 5GB
      Built for heavy data users

      R 77,91 (7 days)

  • 24/7 Support

    WhatsApp and email, day or night. Real people on the other end.

    Chat on WhatsApp
    • WhatsAppavailable
    • Gmailavailable
  • Install once. Use it across borders.

    One global eSIM for 127 countries. Reliable from day one.

    • Africa
    • Caribbean
    • North America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • Unlimited data plans

    Go unlimited on your next holiday. No data stress on the road.

    TRIP DURATION
    15 Days
    HelloRoam international data plan options, eSIM card plans from R 16,79

    Fixed Data

    Unlimited Data

How HelloRoam works

Up and running in four simple steps

  1. 1

    Choose your plan and pay online.

  2. 2

    Scan the QR code to install your eSIM.

    Scan a QR code to install your eSIM quickly
  3. 3

    Activate when you land. Connected in minutes.

  4. 4

    Track your data and top up from the app.

    Track and top up your eSIM from the HelloRoam app
    Download the HelloRoam eSIM app on Google Play - travel data plans
    Download the HelloRoam eSIM app on the Apple App Store - international travel data

212+ Trusted by Thousands of Travellers from South Africa

Join thousands of travellers, expats, and business professionals who trust HelloRoam for reliable connectivity in 185+ countries, without the rand-to-dollar conversion shock of carrier roaming. Support is available 24/7.

Countries Covered
185+
Carrier Networks
212+
Customer Support
24/7

Reviews

Loved by travellers departing worldwide

Real reviews from Trustpilot and the App Store, quoted as written.

40k+ travellers have used HelloRoam

Cat

Trustpilot
On a trip to Europe, my hotel Wi-Fi was so slow and outside Wi-Fi was unreliable. I couldn’t take it anymore so I got helloroam for a few days. It was tricky to set up correctly because of the primary settings (with my original number). But I reached out to their customer service via WhatsApp. Super responsive and helpful, with specific and clear steps to troubleshoot. Appreciate having 4G roaming instead of being stuck with in and out Wi-Fi during my trip!!

Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer

A traveller smiles at the view while holding her phone by an airport window
Very good experience! The eSIM was easy to set up and worked great in London. It was much cheaper than it would have been to use my own operator there.

Ilona

Trustpilot

Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer

metulker

App Store
Hard to set up but help was good

Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer

Reuben

Trustpilot
Really happy with HelloRoam. Everything worked as expected, from messaging and Google Maps through to streaming without any issues. Easy to use, reliable and affordable. Would happily use them again when travelling.

Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer

Hikers with backpacks walk along the Great Wall of China

Angeline

Trustpilot
Reliable connection. Reasonable pricing.

Rated 4 out of 5 by this reviewer

FAQs

Is HelloRoam cheaper than Vodacom international roaming?

HelloRoam costs far less than Vodacom international roaming. Vodacom RoamLikeHome charges R29 per megabyte in most destinations outside its roaming zones. A single 1GB day of maps, WhatsApp, and browsing could cost R29,696 at that rate. HelloRoam travel eSIM plans start from R 16,79 for a full fixed data package with no per-megabyte billing. You pay once before you board at OR Tambo and that is your total cost. An eSIM is good for international travel because it connects to local networks and avoids carrier roaming fees entirely.

How much does Vodacom charge for international data roaming?

Vodacom charges R29 per megabyte for international data roaming in most destinations outside its designated roaming zones. On its RoamLikeHome day passes, costs vary by destination band. MTN RoamLite costs R50 per day with a 50MB cap. Cell C charges R5 per megabyte for roaming. HelloRoam prepaid eSIM plans start from R 16,79 with no per-megabyte billing and no daily fees, making them a direct alternative for any trip from Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban.

Does HelloRoam work in Dubai?

HelloRoam provides eSIM data plans for the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as part of its coverage in 185+ countries. Plans connect to the du network on 4G LTE and 5G. Dubai is the top outbound holiday destination for travellers flying from South Africa. Buy your UAE eSIM plan before leaving OR Tambo, scan the QR code in the departures lounge, and arrive connected at Dubai International without queuing for a SIM card.

Does HelloRoam work in Mauritius?

HelloRoam offers eSIM plans for Mauritius that connect to local networks on the island. Travellers flying from Cape Town International or OR Tambo can buy a Mauritius eSIM plan before departure, scan the QR code at home, and arrive connected without visiting an airport SIM kiosk. Plans are prepaid, with no contract. Your home SIM stays active for calls and WhatsApp throughout the holiday.

Does HelloRoam work in Thailand?

HelloRoam provides eSIM data plans for Thailand that connect to AIS and DTAC networks with 4G LTE and 5G in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui. Thailand is one of the most popular long-haul destinations for travellers flying from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Buy your plan before the flight, scan the QR code, and your phone connects the moment you land at Suvarnabhumi. You pay once, with no contract.

Does HelloRoam cover popular holiday destinations?

HelloRoam covers 185+ countries including most major holiday destinations. Top routes covered include the UK, UAE, Mauritius, Thailand, France, Italy, Kenya, and Zanzibar. Regional plans cover multiple countries across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia under one eSIM. Plans start from R 16,79 with no Vodacom or MTN roaming fees.

eSIM Terms Explained for Travellers

How Does an eSIM Work?

An eSIM works by downloading your carrier plan directly to a chip built into your phone, without a physical SIM card. HelloRoam sends a QR code to your email. Scan it at home before you leave OR Tambo or Cape Town International, and your phone connects to a local network the moment you land. Setup takes under five minutes on any compatible Samsung Galaxy or iPhone.

eSIM for International Travel

An eSIM for international travel replaces expensive Vodacom and MTN roaming with a prepaid local data plan you buy before you board. HelloRoam plans start from R 16,79 and cover 185+ countries including Dubai, Mauritius, Thailand, and the UK. No per-megabyte billing, no rand-to-dollar conversion shock, no daily fees on arrival.

eSIM Card

An eSIM card is the embedded chip inside your phone that stores carrier plans digitally. Unlike a physical SIM, an eSIM card holds multiple profiles at once, so you keep your Vodacom or MTN SIM active for calls while HelloRoam handles your data abroad. Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, iPhone XS and newer, and Google Pixel 3 and newer all support it.

eSIM Disadvantage

The main disadvantage of an eSIM is that it cannot be physically moved to another phone once installed. If you switch handsets before your eSIM has connected in your destination, HelloRoam support can issue a new one. After it connects, a new handset needs a new plan. Some Samsung Galaxy models sold in South Africa ship with dual physical SIM slots instead of eSIM support, so check your specific model before purchasing. Phones bought before 2018 generally do not support eSIM.

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