You have booked your Hungary trip out of Delhi or Mumbai, and now you need to work out how to get online in Budapest without queueing at Ferenc Liszt Airport or paying through the nose for an Airtel or Jio roaming pack. Between thermal bath bookings, river cruise apps and navigating the metro, you will want data working from the moment you land.
Quick answer: the best eSIM for a Hungary trip from India is one you install before you fly, so it is ready the moment you land at Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport. You can keep your Indian number active for bank OTPs while your eSIM handles all your data in Hungary.
Why an eSIM beats a Budapest airport SIM counter
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone, so there is no small plastic card to buy or swap. You install it using a QR code before you leave home, which means skipping the SIM counters at Ferenc Liszt Airport entirely.
Budapest's airport SIM shops work fine, but after a long flight from India, queueing there is not how anyone wants to start a city break. An eSIM skips all of that. You land, switch off airplane mode, and you already have signal for the BKK transport app, a taxi, or checking into your hotel near the Danube.
Keeping your Indian number active for OTPs in Hungary
Most phones that support eSIM can also keep your regular Jio, Airtel or Vi SIM inside at the same time, called dual SIM mode. This means your Indian number can keep receiving calls and SMS while your eSIM handles data in Hungary.
This matters if you need a GPay or PhonePe OTP for a payment while travelling. Just make sure you do not switch off your Indian SIM completely, and check with your operator whether incoming SMS abroad needs roaming turned on. Read more in our guide on receiving OTPs while using a travel eSIM abroad.
eSIM vs an Airtel, Jio or Vi roaming pack for Hungary
| Question | Airtel/Jio/Vi roaming pack | Travel eSIM for Hungary |
|---|---|---|
| When can you set it up | A day or two before departure, through the operator app | Anytime before you fly, once you buy the plan |
| Network used in Hungary | Whichever local partner network the operator has a deal with | A local Hungarian network chosen for coverage there |
| Can you keep your Indian number for OTPs | Yes, since it is the same SIM | Yes, if you keep your Indian SIM in the phone too |
| Topping up more data mid-trip | Usually means buying another roaming pack | A few taps from the plans page |
Setting up your Hungary eSIM before you fly
Follow this order, ideally the night before your flight while you still have home wifi:
- Check your phone supports eSIM on the eSIM compatible device list.
- Buy a Hungary eSIM plan while you still have wifi or Indian data.
- Scan the QR code to install it, following our eSIM installation guide.
- Set the eSIM as your line for data, and leave your Indian SIM active for calls and SMS.
- Turn on airplane mode as you board, and switch it off once you land at Ferenc Liszt Airport.
Planning a wider Central Europe trip from Budapest?
Many Indian travellers combine Hungary with Austria, Czech Republic or Croatia on the same trip. If your itinerary covers several European countries, a Europe eSIM plan covering multiple destinations can save you from installing a separate eSIM at every border. Our guide on how much data you need for a week abroad can help you pick a plan size.
Does eSIM coverage work well across Hungary?
Coverage in Budapest, Debrecen and Szeged is strong and reliable, including on the metro and most trains. In smaller towns and rural countryside areas, such as around Lake Balaton's quieter shores, signal can be patchier, which applies to any SIM type, not just eSIMs.
If your itinerary includes rural stretches outside the main cities, download offline Google Maps before you head out.
What if your phone does not support eSIM?
If your phone only takes a physical card, a travel SIM is still an option in Hungary, fitted into a second SIM slot alongside your Indian SIM, keeping the same OTP setup described above.
A Hungary eSIM installed before you fly means no airport queue, no cash counter, and your Indian number still working for OTPs. Browse Hungary eSIM plans starting from a low daily cost on Hungary eSIM.
