Réunion is one of the more popular travel destinations in Africa for French travelers.
As Réunion is a direct outermost region of the European Union (EU), you could use your EU SIM card in Réunion (but speeds may be slow).
For everyone else, know that international roaming will certainly not be cheap in this country (like in most countries).
So, what are your local or travel eSIM options for Réunion?
You can get an eSIM for Réunion for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 101 USD from Airalo (Reunion Mobile), Holafly and Nomad.
I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Réunion and 80+ other countries, including Réunion's neighbors, for competitive rates.
Original publication: 26th of November 2022. Last updated: 8th of March 2024.
Table of Contents
In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction
I will write about four eSIM options in Réunion (and explain why they are included).
But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Réunion without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:
- Airalo Réunion Reunion Mobile eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (top pick)
- Holafly Réunion eSIM with seven choices between 3 GB and 25 GB – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
- Nomad Réunion eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 10 GB
- Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) with 12 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (extensive global coverage (125+ countries) at attractive prices) + ability to make and receive calls & send and receive SMS (new) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover(+) (Global) eSIM review too!
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 (Réunion-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 Réunion 😜).
Let's truly get started, shall we?
Airalo Reunion Mobile eSIM for Réunion
Airalo is the most popular eSIM platform, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).
That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide.
Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Réunion: Reunion Mobile.
Travel eSIM providers like Airalo set up roaming agreements with local mobile operators.
But do not get too worried about the term roaming – you will not get a 3000 USD roaming bill.
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 Réunion, the Airalo Reunion Mobile eSIM uses the Orange Réunion network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet).
Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Réunion Reunion Mobile eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).
- Réunion/Reunion Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 4.50 USD
- Réunion/Reunion Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 7.50 USD
- Réunion/Reunion Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 10 USD
- Réunion/Reunion Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 14 USD
- Réunion/Reunion Mobile 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 23 USD
- Réunion/Reunion Mobile 20 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 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 Reunion Mobile eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.
So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Reunion 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 Réunion soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.
I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Réunion in this guide.
What makes things even more pleasant is that you can top up your eSIM when it is expiring or when you are out of data without the need to purchase a new eSIM.
But you may think that a local SIM card or eSIM will (still) be cheaper than Airalo or any other travel eSIM.
And you are right – that is true in most cases.
However, you will have to deal with the Réunion SIM card registration laws.
(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers were affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).
Most mobile operators in Africa will only sell you (overpriced) tourist SIM cards (when available) or the most expensive plans because of “mandatory new plan requirements” (which are often lies to take more of your money).
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
So yes, you could get cheaper plans, but the question is if you can actually get them.
Oh, you should also be aware of the following, you can get up to 4G/LTE connections with the Airalo Réunion Reunion Mobile eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.
That is because you are roaming on the Orange Réunion network instead of being a native customers
But that does not mean you will have (extremely) slow speeds – just (slightly) slower than native customers.
Anyway, the Airalo Réunion Reunion Mobile eSIM is fantastic and is the eSIM I, and many Phone Travel Wiz readers, recommend the most.
The eSIMs are affordable, the data allowances can be tailored to your needs (1 GB only, but unlimited top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Holafly eSIM for Réunion
Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers and is one of the popular ones.
In June, they started offering unlimited data plans for some its eSIMs, making Holafly unique.
And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various East– and 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 Réunion.. yet.
I say yet because Holafly's goal is to offer unlimited data plans for every country it covers: 150+ 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 seven Holafly Réunion eSIMs (which uses the Orange Réunion network):
- Réunion Unlimited Data eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Réunion Unlimited Data eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Réunion Unlimited Data eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD
- Réunion Unlimited Data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
- Réunion Unlimited Data eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only).
As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Réunion 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 Réunion 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 you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Réunion eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.
- Check out my Holafly reviews
Nomad eSIMs for Réunion
Nomad, not to be confused with the (Digital) Nomad lifestyle, has been an eSIM provider I have seen grow significantly over the years.
It has added eSIMs for way more countries than before (improving availability), added more data options (up to 100 GB of data) & DROPPED its prices for many countries.
Incredible, I have to say 🥹 – which is why I have used its eSIMs in more than 25 countries in the past two years.
Recently, Nomad started working with JoyTelecom for most APAC (Asia-Pacific) destinations, including Réunion).
This allowed Nomad to offer more and cheaper plans than those on the Truphone network.
Not that its Truphone plans are bad… but they can be pricey in some countries (even in Asia – luckily not for Réunion anymore).
And unlike Truphone, JoyTelecom is transparent with what local partner it works with.
You have the following four Nomad Réunion eSIM options:
- Réunion 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (Orange), costing 11 USD
- Réunion 3 GB eSIM for 7 days (Orange), costing 20 USD
- Réunion 5 GB eSIM for 7 days (Orange, costing 28 USD
- Réunion 10 GB eSIM for 30 days (Orange), costing 45 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11th of October (2023 data only).
And you know that I have a lovely deal waiting for you: use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.35 GBP/4 CAD off your first Nomad eSIM purchase!
Generally, I am happy to have seen Nomad grow and become much better over the years.
Especially for its offering in many African countries.
This resulted in me using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries so far (and I share my experience in my Nomad review).
From becoming a mediocre option to one of the leading eSIM providers (especially for many African eSIMs) within a year is quite an achievement.
And to celebrate, use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.35 GBP/4 CAD off your first Nomad eSIM purchase… like the Réunionese one!
Local Réunionese 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 mobile operators and one MVNO in Réunion: SFR Réunion, Orange Réunion, Only Réunion & Free Mobile Réuinion.
Currently, no Réunionese mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.
For more information about the plans offered by the Réunionese mobile operators, check out my Réunion SIM card buying guide.
International eSIM for Réunion & More Countries
Okay, I went over the Réunion travel eSIM options offered by Airalo & Holafly.
As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Réunion and not in other countries.
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 has regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Réunion too.
So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Réunion and other countries.
Airalo Hello Africa eSIM
Airalo also has the Hello Africa eSIM covering 26 countries with two variants: 1 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers & 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers.
Like Asia, the Caribbean, Europe & Latin America, many readers tend to visit multiple African countries, so they would rather have a travel eSIM covering multiple countries than just one.
The Hello Africa eSIM can be used in 26 countries in Africa:
- Algeria
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Congo, Democratic Republic of (Kinshasa)
- Congo, Republic of (Brazzaville)
- Eswatini (Swaziland) 1
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea 1
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- South Africa
1 on 3G only
Below is an overview of how much each Hello Africa eSIM costs:
- Africa/Hello Africa 1 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Africa/Hello Africa 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 59 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 7th of September (2023 data only).
With the Hello Africa eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit.
As you can see, the Hello Africa eSIM cannot be used in Réunion (yet).
However, as many who visit Réunion do not just stay in Réunion, you can consider getting the eSIM.
Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global)
Airalo was probably the first eSIM provider to introduce a global eSIM – it was called Discover Global.
I have had decent to good experiences with that eSIM, but I felt it could improve.
Such as extending the validity of most plans (maximum used to be 180 days) and having 5G NR access in popular destinations (like many regional Airalo eSIMs do nowadays, even country-specific ones).
In August 2023, Airalo made a radical change to its global eSIM.
Until then, the eSIM could be used in about 85 countries – always up to 4G/LTE (with some networks on 3G only).
This eSIM was powered by FL1 Telecom Liechtenstein (network name can be Mobilkom (Liechtenstein) at times).
This mobile operator worked well in Europe and some Asian countries, but it was often one of the slowest performing (Airalo eSIMs).
Now, Airalo's global eSIM is called Discover(+).
It is powered by eSIM Go (which is basically Drei Austria).
The difference between the Airalo Discover and Airalo Discover+ eSIMs is that the latter has calling and texting functionalities (with an Austrian +43 phone number).
Because of this, Discover+ eSIMs can be up to 20 USD more expensive than regular Discover eSIMs.
For the previous Airalo Discover Global eSIMs, you paid the same prices as the Discover+ eSIMs for worse availability (85+ countries instead of 125+) and no calling or texting at all.
So… it is an upgrade 😎.
Not only that, but you (finally) get 5G NR access in quite some countries (55+)1 as well.
1 click here, press select the variant you want & click on network to see which network(s) allow for 5G NR access. You often have access to multiple local networks, but not all have 5G NR access (and some do not even give you 4G/LTE access)
Moreover, the most expensive option is now valid for a whole year (365 days) instead of 180 days.
The Airalo Discover(+) eSIM can be used in the following 125+ countries:
- Åland Islands 3
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia (new)
- Australia 5
- Austria 3
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain (new) 3
- Bangladesh (new)
Belarus1- Belgium 3
- Bolivia (new)
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Botswana (new) 2
- Brazil 5
- Brunei (new) 1
- Bulgaria 5
Cambodia- Canada 5
- Central African Republic (new) 1
- Chad (new)
- Chile
- China 3
- Colombia
- Congo, Democratic Republic of (new)
- Congo, Republic of (new)
- Costa Rica (new)
- Croatia 3
- Cyprus 5
- Czech Republic 3
- Denmark 5
Dominican Republic1- Ecuador
- Egypt (new)
- El Salvador (new) 1
- Estonia 5
- Eswatini (new) 1
- Finland 5
- France 3
- French West Indies (new) 3
- Gabon (new)
- Georgia
- Germany 3
- Ghana (new)
- Gibraltar 1
- Greece 3
Greenland (new)1- Guatemala (new) 1
- Guernsey (new)
- Guinea-Bissau (new) 1
- Honduras (new) 1
- Hong Kong 3
- Hungary 5
- Iceland 3
- India
- Indonesia 3
- Ireland 3
- Isle of Man (new)
Iraq1- Israel 5
- Italy 5
- Ivory Coast
- Japan 3
- Jersey
- Jordan (new)
- Kazakhstan (new)
- Kenya (new)
- Kosovo
- Kuwait 3
- Kyrgyzstan (new)
- Latvia 3
Liberia1- Liechtenstein 4
- Lithuania 5
- Luxembourg 3
- Macau
- Madagascar (new)
- Malawi (new)
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Malta 3
- Mexico 5
- Moldova
- Monaco (new)
- Montenegro 5
- Morocco (new)
- Netherlands 5
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua (new)
- Niger (new) 1
- Nigeria (new) 2
- North Macedonia
- Norway 5
- Oman (new)
- Pakistan (new)
- Panama
- Paraguay 1
- Peru
- Philippines 3
- Poland 3
- Portugal 3
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar 5
- Réunion (new)
- Romania 5
Russia- Saudi Arabia 5
- Senegal (new) 1
- Serbia
- Seychelles (new)
- Singapore
- Slovakia 3
- Slovenia 5
- South Africa
- South Korea 3
- Spain 5
- Sri Lanka
Sudan- Sweden 5
- Switzerland 3
- Taiwan 3
- Tanzania (new)
Tajikistan1- Thailand 5
- Tunisia (new)
- Turkey 3
- Uganda (new)
- Ukraine (new)
- United Arab Emirates (new) 3
- United Kingdom 5
- United States 5
- Uruguay (new)
- Uzbekistan (new)
U.S. Virgin Islands- Vietnam
Yemen (new)1- Zambia (new) 1
* “(new)” is compared to the previous Discover Global eSIM (discontinued) or recently added countries
1 on 3G only
2 check the networks section on the Airalo website or app because at least one of the available networks is on 3G only (while the others are up to 4G/LTE)
3 5G NR access for all available networks
4 even if your phone does not support 5G NR, select FL1 Telecom/Telecom Liechtenstein for 4G/LTE access because Salt Liechtenstein is restricted to 3G only
5 check the networks section on the Airalo website or app because at least one of the available networks is up to 4G/LTE (while the others are up to 5G NR)
You have these 12 Airalo Discover Global eSIMs:
- Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
- Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
- Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
- Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
- Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
- Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
- Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
- Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
- Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.
Interested in using the Airalo Discover(+) eSIM in another country or countries? Read my Airalo Global eSIM review (tested in numerous countries and counting).
Before Airalo updated its global eSIM, I used the old version (Discover Global) in 15+ countries. From August 2023, I will only test the Discover+ eSIM. This is why some country-specific reviews (like Global in Japan) still refer to the Discover Global one and show the old eSIM image instead of Discover+.
Overview of the Best eSIMs for Réunion (Airalo vs. Holafly)
I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Réunion.
So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:
- Airalo Réunion Reunion Mobile eSIM (top pick)
- Holafly Réunion eSIM
- Nomad Réunion eSIM
- Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (
reasonableextensive global coverage (84+125+ countries) at attractive prices + calling and texting options (new))
Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.
Buying a SIM Card in Réunion
Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?
Consider getting a Réunionese SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.