Stay online in Israel from the moment you land at Ben Gurion. Install a data eSIM before you fly, skip the SIM counter in arrivals, and keep your usual number for calls and texts while you use maps, Moovit and WhatsApp from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.
Israel eSIM
Israel eSIM plans
Every plan is data only, priced in US dollars, with no contract and nothing to return.
Our picks
Three plans we would buy ourselves, by the trip you are taking. Every plan we sell is listed below.
Short trip
10.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
7 days
A week or so away: maps, messages, rides and the odd video call.
Part of the Global (75 countries) bundle
$13.99
Buy this planLong trip
22.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
15 days
Two weeks or more, with room for photos, streaming and work email.
Part of the Global (75 countries) bundle
$22.99
Buy this plan
Also covered by Global (170 countries)
One eSIM that also works in the other countries of the bundle, for a trip that crosses borders.
See every country in Global (170 countries)
Also covered by Global (75 countries)
One eSIM that also works in the other countries of the bundle, for a trip that crosses borders.
See every country in Global (75 countries)
No eSIM, no charge. If your payment goes through and we cannot issue your eSIM, we refund you in full. Refund policy
Real people. A person answers every day, 07:00 to 23:00 Paris time, within 2 hours. How we look after you
Safe checkout. Secure payment by Stripe. Cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Local networks. See which ones it uses in Israel
Which plan fits your trip
Israel is sold on our global plans, which cover it together with many other countries in one install. They suit a stay in Israel alone as well as a trip that goes on to Jordan, Egypt or a stopover in Europe. The plan cards above show the days and data on sale:
- Daily data suits steady use: maps, transit, messages and photos every day. A week between Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Galilee is steady from day to day, so this is the usual pick.
- Fixed data suits a longer, lighter trip, where you use your hotel's Wi-Fi and mobile data only when you are out.
See fixed, daily or unlimited for how each type behaves.
Landing at Ben Gurion
International flights arrive at Ben Gurion airport, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with a train station under the terminal. Install the eSIM at home while you are on your own Wi-Fi, then turn on data roaming for the eSIM line once you are off the plane. You can then check the next train, book a taxi or message your host before you reach the exit.
Apps to have on your phone
- Moovit for buses, trains and the Tel Aviv light rail, with live times.
- Gett for taxis, and Waze if you drive.
- The Home Front Command app, the official source of safety alerts. Install it before you go and allow notifications.
Before you travel, read your own government's current travel advice for Israel.
Shabbat and getting around
From Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, buses and trains stop in most cities and many shops close. Plan Friday's journeys early, and use taxis or a rental car on Saturday. A working data connection is how you find what is open and book a taxi on Shabbat.
Coverage
Coverage is strong in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Eilat and along the main roads. It thins out in parts of the Negev desert and around the Ramon Crater, on hiking trails in the Golan and the Judean Desert, and at the lowest points along the Dead Sea road. Download offline maps before a desert drive or a hike.
Networks in Israel
Israel's mobile networks are Cellcom, Partner, Pelephone and HOT Mobile. A travel eSIM connects to one of them as a roaming partner, which is why data roaming must be on for the eSIM line. The partner network can differ from plan to plan, so check the plan details, or ask us at support@esimlounge.com before you buy.
How to install your eSIM
Install it at home before you fly, then switch it on when you land.
Check your phone
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. Most phones from the last few years do.
Scan the QR code
Scan the code from your email while you still have Wi-Fi at home. It takes about two minutes.
Switch on when you land
Turn on the eSIM line and data roaming for it. Keep your usual SIM for calls and texts if you like.
Israel eSIM questions
Is an eSIM cheaper than my own carrier's roaming in Israel?
Usually, yes. UK, US and Australian carriers typically charge a daily pass for each day you use your phone abroad, and over a week those passes add up to more than a plan here. Check your own plan's roaming terms to compare.
Does public transport run on Shabbat?
Not in most cities. Buses and trains stop from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. Use Moovit to check the last services on Friday, and taxis or a car on Saturday.
Which apps should I install for Israel?
Moovit for public transport, Gett for taxis, Waze if you drive, and the Home Front Command app for official safety alerts. Set them up before you fly.
Can I use the same eSIM in Jordan or Egypt?
Yes, if the countries are on the plan's list. Israel is sold on our global plans, so one install keeps you online across the countries the plan covers. Check the list on the plan before you buy.
Will I keep my phone number?
Yes. Your usual SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts, and the eSIM carries your mobile data. Keep data roaming off on your usual SIM to avoid roaming fees from home.
When does the plan start counting days?
On most plans the days start when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination, not when you install it. The plan details say how yours works.