How Much Does Internet Cost in China?

eSIM from 1,00 USD · 100 MB. Networks: China Mobile (5G), China Unicom (5G).

How much does internet cost in China?

eSIM (our store): from 1,00 USD · 100 MB. See all plans.

Roaming with your home carrier

Prices vary by carrier and plan. Within the EU, roaming is regulated. Outside Europe costs can skyrocket (sometimes €1–12/MB). Check with your home carrier before you travel. If you don't have included roaming, disable it to avoid bill shock.

Local SIM in China

Can be cheaper on paper, but there are hidden costs: time finding a shop, possible passport registration, queues, and the SIM only works in that country. For short trips, the saving rarely justifies the hassle.

What affects the price of an eSIM?

• GB included: more data = higher price. Choose based on your real usage.
• Duration: 7-day plans cost less than 30-day, but cost-per-day can be similar.
• Coverage: single-country plans are usually cheaper than regional or global ones.

Quick checklist: stay online without surprises

The make-or-break moment is often the first 30 minutes after landing: maps, transport, messages. Install your eSIM on Wi‑Fi before you travel and switch mobile data to the eSIM when you arrive. That way you're not dependent on airport Wi‑Fi and you avoid accidental roaming charges.

For typical use (maps + messaging + light social media), 1–3 GB per week is often enough. If you tether for a laptop, take video calls, or stream daily, aim for 10 GB+ or a plan with fair-use throttling instead of a hard cut-off.

• Networks: China Mobile (5G), China Unicom (5G)
• Offline maps: download the area in Baidu Maps, Apple Maps (offline downloads work), MAPS.ME (offline) while you're on hotel Wi‑Fi.
• On the move: DiDi, Meituan taxi + WeChat, Line (may need VPN) work well on low data — video and app updates are usually the real data drains.
• Common weak spots: Tibet Plateau and high-altitude Sichuan roads · Remote karst mountains in Guangxi (Guilin countryside)
• City context: Beijing: Excellent coverage; Great Wall tourist sections have 4G. · Shanghai: World-class 5G coverage; Metro line LTE on most lines.

Phone setup tip: keep your primary SIM active for calls/SMS (so 2FA codes can arrive), but turn off mobile data on that line. Set the eSIM as your data line — it prevents accidental roaming on the wrong SIM and keeps WhatsApp/banking flows more predictable.

Current eSIM plans (examples)

Examples from our database — availability and pricing can change.