Airalo
1GB · 7 days
32kInstant data, no physical SIM required.
Instant data, no physical SIM required. An eSIM is usually cheaper than Australian roaming add-ons, but check whether your Australian plan already includes NZ roaming - Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all sell trans-Tasman day passes.
1GB · 7 days
32k10GB · 15 days
6k10GB · 15 days
32k20GB · 30 days
32kSIM, eSIM or pocket wifi
40kCountry and regional plans
4k5GB · 30 days
8k10GB · 15 days
12kUnlimited · 15 days
28k20GB · 30 days
12kPrices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price (AUD) | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo Partner | 1GB | 7 days | $7.50 | $7.50 |
| Saily Partner | 10GB | 15 days | $13 | $1.30 |
| Airalo Partner | 10GB | 15 days | $15 | $1.50 |
| Airalo Partner | 20GB | 30 days | $25.50 | $1.27 |
| Klook Partner | Several plans | Choose on booking | Varies by plan | - |
| Yesim Partner | Several plans | Choose on booking | Varies by plan | - |
| Ubigi | 5GB | 30 days | $14 | $2.80 |
| Nomad | 10GB | 15 days | $17.50 | $1.75 |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 15 days | $25.50 | - |
| Nomad | 20GB | 30 days | $30 | $1.50 |
Excellent in cities and towns, patchy through Fiordland, the Catlins and alpine passes.
An eSIM is usually cheaper than Australian roaming add-ons, but check whether your Australian plan already includes NZ roaming - Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all sell trans-Tasman day passes.
Whether your handset takes an eSIM, and what happens to your Australian number, are the same answers everywhere - covered once on the eSIM hub.
Further reading: eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM: what Australians should actually buy
Every plan listed can be bought with an Australian account and is priced in AUD, with a per-GB column so a 1GB and a 20GB plan can be compared honestly. Jamie has personally bought and used eSIMs from the providers in these tables on real trips - being usable by an actual Australian traveller, not just cheap on paper, is the bar for inclusion. Prices are indicative and re-checked against provider pricing; the provider's checkout is always authoritative. Read the full editorial policy.
We will send you the New Zealand guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.