PrepaidHow to Top Up Your Travel eSIM (2026 Guide)
- 4 providers covered
- Under 2 minutes
- No new QR code needed
- Updated June 2026
Daniel Mercer
Lead eSIM Analyst
Previously at Analysys Mason covering APAC mobile markets (2016-2021)
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Published June 2026 · Updated June 2026
Overview
How eSIM top-ups work.
An eSIM top-up adds more data to your existing plan without installing a new profile. The process happens entirely through the provider's app. You do not need to scan a QR code, change any phone settings, or restart your device.
Top-ups work through the provider's backend. When you purchase additional data, the provider updates your plan's data allowance on their server. Your phone receives the updated allowance within 30-60 seconds. The connection does not drop during the process.
There is one important requirement: you need a working internet connection to access the provider's app and complete the payment. If you have used all your data, connect to WiFi first. Hotel WiFi, cafe WiFi, or even a travel companion's hotspot works. Once the top-up is purchased, your cellular data restores immediately.
Airalo
Top-up process for Airalo.
Airalo supports mid-trip top-ups on most country and regional plans. The process takes 3 taps and under 2 minutes.
- 1
Open the Airalo app and go to My eSIMs
Launch the Airalo app. Tap My eSIMs in the bottom navigation. You see a list of all your installed and purchased eSIM plans. Find the plan you want to top up.
- 2
Select the plan and tap Add Data
Tap the active plan. On the plan detail screen, tap the Add Data or Top Up button. Airalo shows available data packages ranging from 1GB to 20GB with pricing for each tier.
- 3
Choose a package and complete payment
Select the data amount you need. Pay with your saved card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The additional data appears in your plan balance within 30-60 seconds. No restart required.
Airalo top-ups are separate data packages with their own validity periods. If your original 5GB plan has 2 days remaining and you buy a 3GB top-up with 7-day validity, both run in parallel. Data draws from the top-up first once the original plan expires.
Holafly
Top-up process for Holafly.
Holafly unlimited plans do not require traditional top-ups because data is uncapped. The only thing that expires is the plan's duration. If you need more days, you extend the plan rather than adding more gigabytes.
To extend a Holafly plan, open the Holafly app and go to My eSIMs. Select the active plan and tap Extend Plan. Holafly offers extensions in increments of 5, 7, 10, and 15 additional days. The extension price is pro-rated based on your original plan's daily rate.
If your plan expires before you can extend it, you need to buy a new plan and install a new profile. Holafly does not support retroactive extensions on expired plans. Set a reminder for 24 hours before expiry to extend in time.
For metered Holafly plans (available in some countries), data top-ups work through customer support. Contact Holafly via live chat and request additional data. Support adds it to your existing profile. Response time is typically under 2 hours.
Saily
Top-up process for Saily.
Saily supports mid-trip data top-ups directly through their app. The process is straightforward and does not require contacting support.
- 1
Open Saily and go to My Plans
Launch the Saily app. Tap My Plans. Your active travel eSIM shows remaining data and days. Tap the plan card to open details.
- 2
Tap Buy More Data
On the plan detail screen, tap Buy More Data. Saily displays available data packages with pricing. Packages range from 1GB to 10GB and include a new validity period.
- 3
Complete payment
Select a package and pay. Saily accepts credit cards and major digital wallets. The additional data activates within 1 minute. Your VPN connection (included with Saily) continues working through the top-up.
Saily's 30-day validity period on all plans means top-ups rarely expire before you use them. If your original plan has 20 days remaining and you add 3GB with a 30-day window, you have plenty of time to use the additional data.
Nomad
Top-up process for Nomad.
Nomad allows mid-trip top-ups through both their app and website. The process is similar to Airalo: select your plan, choose a data package, and pay.
- 1
Open the Nomad app or website
Launch the Nomad app or visit getnomad.app in your browser. Log into your account. Go to My Orders or My eSIMs to find your active plan.
- 2
Select Top Up on your active plan
Find the plan you want to top up and tap Top Up or Add Data. Nomad displays available data packages for the same country or region as your original plan.
- 3
Choose a package and pay
Select the data amount. Pay with your saved payment method. The top-up activates within 1-2 minutes. Nomad sends a confirmation email with the updated data balance.
Nomad top-ups are the cheapest among the four providers on a per-GB basis. A 3GB top-up for Thailand costs $6.00 ($2.00/GB). The same amount from Airalo costs $11.00 ($3.67/GB). If budget is your priority, Nomad's top-up pricing is the most competitive.
Advanced
Can you switch providers mid-trip.
Yes. You can install a new eSIM from a different provider at any time. Your phone stores multiple eSIM profiles simultaneously. Switch your data line to the new profile in your cellular settings.
This is useful when your current provider's plan expires and a different provider offers a better deal for your remaining itinerary. It is also useful if you move to a country where your current provider has poor carrier coverage but another provider partners with a better local network.
To switch: install the new eSIM while you still have internet access (remaining data or WiFi). Go to Settings, then Cellular or SIM Manager. Set the new profile as your data line. The old profile stays on your phone and can be reactivated at any time.
The only cost is the new plan. There are no cancellation fees or penalties for not using the remaining data on your old plan. Prepaid travel eSIM plans are pay-as-you-go. When the data runs out or expires, the connection stops. Nothing else happens.
FAQ
eSIM top-up questions.
Can I top up my eSIM while traveling abroad?
Yes. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad all allow mid-trip top-ups through their apps. You need a working internet connection to complete the purchase. If your current data plan still has some remaining data, use that connection to buy the top-up. Alternatively, connect to WiFi at a hotel or cafe.
Does topping up extend my plan validity?
It depends on the provider. Airalo top-ups add a new data package with its own validity period. The new package runs in parallel with any remaining data on the original plan. Holafly unlimited plans do not need top-ups. Saily and Nomad add data to the existing profile with a new validity window.
Is it cheaper to buy a larger plan upfront or top up later?
Larger plans are almost always cheaper per GB. A 10GB Airalo plan costs roughly $4.00/GB. Topping up 5GB twice costs roughly $4.50/GB each time. If you think you might need 10GB, buy the 10GB plan upfront and save 10-15% per GB.
What happens when my eSIM data runs out mid-trip?
Your data connection stops. You can still make WiFi calls and use WiFi internet. Your eSIM profile remains on the phone. To restore data, either top up through the provider's app or buy a new plan and install a second eSIM profile. Most providers complete top-ups in under 2 minutes.
Can I switch to a different provider mid-trip?
Yes. Install a new eSIM profile from a different provider while you still have WiFi or data access. Once installed, switch your phone's data line to the new profile. The old profile stays on your phone until you delete it. You can switch back at any time.
Do I need to scan a new QR code when topping up?
Usually not. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad all handle top-ups through their apps without a new QR code. The additional data is added to your existing profile or installed as a companion package. Some regional carriers may require a new QR code, but the four major travel eSIM providers do not.
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