A Cotton Mobile travel eSIM for Benin starts at $8.50 for 1 GB over 7 days. The product page lists the speed as LTE. Plans run 7, 15, or 30 days. Coverage is Benin.
Key facts
| Country | Benin |
| Network | Cotton Mobile |
| Speed | LTE (published on the product page; subject to carrier Fair Usage Policy) |
| From | $8.50 for 1 GB / 7 days |
| Validity | 7, 15, or 30 days |
| Install | QR code, before you fly |
What a Cotton Mobile eSIM costs
The cheapest published plan on the Benin travel eSIM is $8.50 for 1 GB valid 7 days. A 2 GB / 15 day plan is $15.00, and a 3 GB / 30 day plan is $21.00. There is no unlimited SKU on this product. Buy the size that matches the trip, not a larger plan “just in case”.
Network
The plan is sold under the operator name Cotton Mobile and the supported country is Benin. The product page publishes the speed as LTE. That is the figure to plan around. It is not a 5G product, and speed on the ground still depends on the mast, the handset, and the carrier Fair Usage Policy. Benin is one country on this plan. A regional Africa eSIM is a different product and is not what this page sells.
How much data you actually need
Maps, chat, and boarding passes sit inside 1 GB for a short stop in Cotonou. Photos and short video push a week toward 2 GB. A month of hotel Wi-Fi plus mobile backup is the 3 GB / 30 day plan. Hotspot use burns the allowance faster than the phone alone.
Unlimited data
This Benin product does not list an unlimited plan. The three published SKUs are 1 GB, 2 GB, and 3 GB. If you need a larger allowance, buy the 3 GB / 30 day plan and top up from the same product rather than assuming an unlimited line exists.
Dual SIM
Keep your home SIM for calls and bank texts. Turn on data roaming only for the Cotton Mobile line. iPhone: Settings, Mobile Data, pick the travel line. Android: Settings, Network, SIMs, set mobile data to the travel eSIM. Do this before you leave the airport Wi-Fi.
Arrival and transit
Most visitors land at Cadjehoun Airport (COO) in Cotonou. Install the eSIM on hotel or home Wi-Fi before the flight, then switch the data line on after you clear arrivals. You do not need a local shop or a passport photo for this plan. Shared taxis cover Cotonou and Porto-Novo. This plan is data only, so it does not replace a local SIM if you need ordinary voice calls.
Install
- Buy the plan and open the QR code in the order email while you still have Wi-Fi.
- On the phone, add an eSIM and scan that code. Label the line “Benin”.
- After landing, set mobile data to that line and leave your home number on for texts.
Phone compatibility
The phone must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-capable. iPhone XS and later, and recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models, qualify. A locked handset will not take the QR code. Check the lock status with your home carrier before you pay.
FAQ
Q1: How much is the cheapest Benin eSIM?
$8.50 for 1 GB, valid 7 days, on the Cotton Mobile plan.
Q2: Which operator is on the plan?
Cotton Mobile. The supported country is Benin.
Q3: Does it include calls and SMS?
No. It is a data plan. Calls work only through apps. Keep your home SIM for ordinary calls and one-time passwords.
Q4: Is it 5G?
No. The product page lists the speed as LTE, not 5G. Real speed still depends on coverage and the Fair Usage Policy.
Q5: Can I install it after I land?
Yes, if you can reach Wi-Fi. Installing before the flight is simpler, because the QR download needs a connection.
Q6: Will it work outside Benin?
No. This plan is for Benin. A multi-country Africa eSIM is a different product.
Q7: Is there an unlimited option?
No. The published plans are 1 GB / 7 days, 2 GB / 15 days, and 3 GB / 30 days.
Q8: Can I share it as a hotspot?
Yes, within the data allowance. Hotspot traffic counts against the same gigabytes, and heavy sharing can hit the Fair Usage Policy.
Q9: What if the QR code fails?
Use the manual activation code in the same email. The phone still has to be unlocked.
Q10: When were these prices checked?
September 2026, against the published variation prices on travelydata.com. The cheapest variation is $8.50, not the parent price shown on the product card.
Bottom line
For a week in Benin, the $8.50 / 1 GB Cotton Mobile plan is the one to start with. Step up to 2 GB or 3 GB if you will be off hotel Wi-Fi most of the day. The published speed is LTE.
Prices and coverage verified on travelydata.com, September 2026.
