Iran: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Iran is probably not the most popular travel destination in the Middle East, but it still has a much offer.

Especially now 🗿.

But it still has a lot to offer and is one of the cheaper destinations in the Middle East.

Be careful with with international roaming though – International roaming can be expensive, which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.

Not only will you save a lot of money by doing so, you do not have to deal with SIM card registration laws, which are often invasive (which includes Iran).

How much will a local or travel eSIM for Iran cost you?

You can get an eSIM for Iran for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 44 USD from, Airalo (Mehr Mobile) & Holafly.

Original publication: 12^th of October 2022. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about three eSIM options in Iran (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Iran without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Airalo Iran Mehr Mobile eSIM with one 1 GB option (top pick)
• Airalo Menalink eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 3 GB
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in Iran with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
• Holafly Iran eSIM with six choices between 2.5 GB and 15 GB – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Iran-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Iran 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Mehr Mobile eSIM for Iran

Airalo is probably a name you have heard of when researching travel eSIMs worldwide – perhaps even for Iran.

That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

Its extensive worldwide coverage attracted me to Airalo early on – even when I did not have an eSIM-compatible phone and had to use my dad's phone for testing purposes.

He did not like me stealing his phone so often… so I eventually got my own 🗿.

Anyway, Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Iran – it is called Mehr Mobile.

It is impossible for Airalo, or any other mobile operator, to operate in every country (and do not trust any company saying otherwise), so they set up roaming agreements.

Yes, I said roaming, but this is not the type of international roaming that will result in a 3000 USD roaming bill – do not worry!

What Airalo does, and basically all mobile operators do, is partner up with a local mobile operator so that their customers can still stay connected when abroad.

In the case of Iran, Airalo's Mehr Mobile eSIM uses the MCI (Hamrâh-e Avval) network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet, unfortunately.

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Iran Mehr Mobile eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).

Anyway, the following Airalo Iran Mehr Mobile eSIM is available:

1. Iran/Mehr Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD

Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.

Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Mehr Mobile eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Mehr Mobile 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Iran soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

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Holafly eSIM for Iran

Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers, but it is one of the popular ones.

Like SimCorner, it used to sell travel SIM cards before entering the eSIM market.

However, its travel SIM cards were criminally expensive (unlike SimCorner, which is still the best and cheapest travel SIM card seller out there), so I did not pay too much attention to Holafly.

But in 2022, they started offering eSIMs – at first, at high prices (not surprised), but the prices have decreased in recent months (which I appreciate).

However, in June, they started offering unlimited data plans for its eSIMs, making Holafly unique.

And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various East– Southeast Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.

Unfortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are not available in Iran… yet.

I say yet because Holafly's goal is to offer unlimited data plans for every country it covers: 100+ countries.

And I can tell you that I get positive emails multiple times a week from Phone Travel Wiz readers that have used the unlimited data plans in East- and Southeast Asia, Europe & North America; they love these eSIMs.

For now, you have six Holafly Iran eSIM (which uses the MTN Irancell network – the mobile operator with the best general availability and second-fastest speeds, by the way):

1. Iran 2.5 GB eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Iran 3.5 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
3. Iran 5 GB eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD
4. Iran 7.5 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
5. Iran 10 GB eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD- most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Iran 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Iran eSIM, nor can you call and text (it is a data-only eSIM).

Moreover, you cannot top up or extend the validity with the Holafly Iran eSIM – so you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.

But to soften the (potential) friction of buying multiple Holafly eSIMs, you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Iran eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ – you are welcome 😜.

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Local Iranian eSIM for Prepaid Customers

If you want the best and full network experience, including being able to call and text, you want to get a local eSIM.

You have three telecom providers in Iran: Hamrahe Aval, Irancell & RighTel.

Currently, no Iranian mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

For more information about the plans offered by the Iranian telecom providers, check out my Iran SIM card buying guide.

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International eSIM for Iran & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Iran travel eSIM options offered by Airalo & Holafly.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Iraq and not in neighboring Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or Syria.

So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?

Yes, you do. Airalo have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Iraq too.

So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Iraq and other countries, including Iraq's neighbors.

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Airalo Menalink eSIM

Airalo recently introduced an eSIM for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Menalink. The Menalink eSIM follows the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries, the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 13 Asian countries & the super new Latamlink eSIM for 19 Latin American countries.

The Menalink eSIM comes in three variants: 1 GB/7 days – very popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers & 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers, to be used in Iran and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries:

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

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AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM (5G NR access in Iran)

SimOptions also sells a global eSIM: AIS eSIM2FLY Global.

And it can be used in 140+ countries for 15 days – 53 of them with 5G NR access.

The AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM can be used in the following countries:

¹ with 5G NR access

If you get this eSIM from SimOptions, which I recommend, you will pay 39.90 USD.

The main issue I have with the AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM is its short validity.

Making it hard to call it an actual global eSIM… unless you can somehow visit 140+ countries within 15 days – something not even I can do🧐.

Still, it is a relatively affordable global eSIM covering 140+ countries… with 5G NR access!

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Iran (Airalo vs. Holafly)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Iran.

So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:

• Airalo Iran Mehr Mobile eSIM (top pick)
• Airalo Menalink eSIM
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in Iran (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
• Holafly Iran eSIM

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Iran

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting an Iranian SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.