Exploring India’s 7 Best Places with a Reliable eSIM for India

I’ll admit it straight away—I’m one of those travellers who panics if I can’t get Wi-Fi within the first five minutes of landing somewhere new. Not because I want to scroll Instagram, but because I rely on Google Maps, train schedules, and the occasional “Mum, I’m alive” message. So when I discovered how easy life becomes with an eSIM for India, it felt like a little travel hack too good to keep to myself. And since you’re probably planning your own Indian adventure, let me tell you two things: where you absolutely need to go, and why having a reliable eSIM can make the trip infinitely smoother.

India’s 7 Best Places

1. Delhi – A City That Refuses to Be Ignored

Delhi isn’t a gentle introduction to India—it’s a cannonball straight into the deep end. But that’s what makes it thrilling. One minute you’re standing in the shadows of Humayun’s Tomb, marvelling at its symmetry, and the next you’re being elbowed aside in Chandni Chowk while chasing down a plate of chaat. The city is chaos, colour, and charisma rolled into one.

Having an eSIM here is like carrying a compass in a maze. The tuk-tuk driver insists he knows the way? Double-check on your phone. Fancy a last-minute table at a rooftop restaurant in Connaught Place? Book it online in seconds. Honestly, without reliable data, Delhi could feel overwhelming—but with it, you’ll find your rhythm.

2. Agra – Because You Can’t Skip the Taj Mahal

Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s busy. And yes, you absolutely still need to go. The Taj Mahal really is that breathtaking, particularly if you drag yourself out of bed for sunrise. The soft pink glow on the marble almost looks unreal.

Here’s where the eSIM comes in handy: if you book tickets online ahead of time, you skip the snaking queues. Standing there, sipping a chai afterwards, I found myself searching “places to visit near me,” which led me to the Agra Fort just a tuk-tuk ride away. A reliable data connection can make the difference between seeing one monument and discovering a whole city.

3. Jaipur – The Pink City with a Big Personality

Jaipur is that friend who dresses boldly and refuses to blend in. From the honeycomb windows of Hawa Mahal to the grandeur of Amber Fort, everything here feels theatrical. I lost count of how many photos I took—and how many times I checked my phone for opening hours and directions.

Jaipur is also where I first tried ordering an Uber Moto (a motorbike taxi). Without an eSIM, I’d never have figured out the app setup or negotiated a fair price. With it? I zipped across the city like a local, my driver dodging cows and traffic with a grin.

4. Varanasi – Where Time Moves Differently

There’s nowhere on earth quite like Varanasi. Watching the sunrise over the Ganges as the priests performed the morning rituals felt like stepping into another world. Later, floating down the river in a wooden boat, I realised my eSIM was quietly working in the background, letting me stream music and message friends who couldn’t believe where I was.

But don’t get me wrong—Varanasi isn’t about being glued to your phone. It’s about being present. Still, having data meant I could look up the meaning of the ceremonies, find a vegetarian thali spot recommended by locals, and book my onward train—all without hunting for dodgy Wi-Fi.

5. Rishikesh – For the Adventurers and the Dreamers

Rishikesh is where yoga mats meet white-water rafts. You’ve got backpackers meditating by the Ganges, and thrill-seekers strapping on helmets for rafting or bungee jumping. I did both, badly, but with great enthusiasm.

I’ll tell you this: if you’re heading to Rishikesh, don’t rely on random cafés for Wi-Fi. It’s patchy at best. With an eSIM, I managed to stay connected enough to upload my “graceful” rafting pictures and also follow a map to the quieter, more hidden ghats. Sometimes travel magic happens in those side alleys the guidebooks never mention.

6. Kerala – Backwaters and Beaches

Kerala feels like an exhale after the rush of northern India. Picture coconut trees swaying, houseboats gliding on still waters, and beaches that practically beg you to stay longer than you planned. I booked myself a spot on a houseboat in Alleppey, and while the scenery was enough to silence anyone, I still used my eSIM to book massages, check tide timings, and order an extra night’s stay when I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

It’s the little conveniences that matter. No searching for SIM shops. No queuing with your passport. Just land, activate, and get on with living the postcard life.

7. Goa – Where Every Night is Different

Goa is the kind of place where you think you’ll stay for three nights and somehow end up staying three weeks. From trance parties in Anjuna to Portuguese churches in Old Goa, it’s a pick-your-own-adventure kind of destination.

One night, I was at a beach shack trying to decide between a fire dance show or a night market. I typed “places to visit near me” into my phone and, within minutes, I was weaving through stalls selling everything from spices to dreamcatchers. Again, without reliable data, I’d probably have missed it entirely. That’s the real value of an eSIM—you don’t just see the big sights, you stumble onto the little surprises too.

Why an eSIM Beats the Old Way

If you’ve ever queued at an airport kiosk for a plastic SIM card while fighting jetlag, you’ll know it’s the last thing you want after a long flight. With an eSIM, you just scan a QR code before you even board your plane, and you’re connected the second you land. No fiddling. No stress.

For India, I’ve found Commbitz to be brilliant. Affordable packages, solid coverage (yes, even in the middle of nowhere between Agra and Jaipur), and no nasty hidden charges. It feels like someone finally designed phone plans for travellers instead of making travellers bend to phone plans.

Another bonus? You keep your own number for WhatsApp and banking messages. That’s one less headache to deal with when you’re already juggling train tickets and street food orders.

A Few Travel Tips While We’re Here

Since we’re talking about India, let me share a couple of personal lessons:

• Trains sell out fast—use your data to book in advance. I learned the hard way after spending 12 hours on a waiting list.
• Download offline maps for when signal dips (it will, especially in rural stretches). The eSIM will carry you most of the way, but a backup never hurts.
• Don’t be shy about using your phone for translations. My attempts at Hindi were warmly received, but Google Translate smoothed over the tricky bits.

Wrapping It Up (Over a Masala Chai)

India is enormous, messy, and magical all at once. You can’t hope to see it all in one trip, but with these seven places, you’ll get a taste of its variety—from spiritual dawns on the Ganges to late-night dancing in Goa.

And the eSIM? Think of it as your invisible travel companion. It won’t argue with you about train seats, it won’t complain about the heat, but it will quietly make sure you’re connected whenever you need it. For me, that meant less worrying and more wandering.

So, if you’re packing your bags for India, do yourself a favour: sort out your eSIM for India before you even zip the suitcase. Then go. Get lost. Let India overwhelm and enchant you, safe in the knowledge that help, directions, and a friendly message home are always in your pocket.