A Paro travel eSIM for Bhutan starts at $5.50 for 1 GB over 7 days. The product page lists the speed as 5G. Plans run from 7 to 30 days, and an unlimited option is sold separately. Coverage is Bhutan.
Key facts
| Country | Bhutan |
| Network | Paro |
| Speed | 5G (published on the product page; subject to carrier Fair Usage Policy) |
| From | $5.50 for 1 GB / 7 days |
| Validity | 7, 15, or 30 days |
| Install | QR code, before you fly |
What a Paro eSIM costs
The cheapest published plan on the Bhutan travel eSIM is $5.50 for 1 GB valid 7 days. A 2 GB / 15 day plan is $8.55, a 3 GB / 30 day plan is $11.25, and a 5 GB / 30 day plan is $20.50. Larger buckets go up to 20 GB for 30 days at $49.00. Unlimited data is listed separately on the same product as a single 10 day plan at $65.00. Buy the size that matches the trip, not a larger plan “just in case”.
Network
The plan is sold under the operator name Paro and the supported country is Bhutan. The product page publishes the speed as 5G. That is the figure to plan around, and real speed still depends on the mast, the handset, and the carrier Fair Usage Policy. Bhutan is covered as one country on this plan, including Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha. Mountain valleys and the high passes on the way to Trongsa lose signal in places, so download offline maps before the drive. It does not cover India, Nepal, or Bangladesh. Land crossings at Phuentsholing need a separate plan on the Indian side.
How much data you actually need
Maps, chat, and boarding passes sit inside 1 GB for a short stay. Photos and short video push a week toward 3 GB, and trekking days upload more than city days. A longer stay with hotel Wi-Fi plus mobile backup is the 5 GB or 10 GB / 30 day plan. Hotspot use burns the allowance faster than the phone alone.
Unlimited data
Unlimited data is listed on the same product page as a single 10 day plan at $65.00. It still sits under a Fair Usage Policy, so a hotspot left on all day can be slowed. For a two-week trip the 10 day unlimited plan at $65.00 costs more than 20 GB for 30 days at $49.00, so pick it only if you really will stream.
Dual SIM
Keep your home SIM for calls and bank texts. Turn on data roaming only for the Paro 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 Paro International Airport (PBH), about an hour’s drive from Thimphu. 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.
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 “Bhutan”.
- 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 Bhutan eSIM?
$5.50 for 1 GB, valid 7 days, on the Paro plan.
Q2: Which operator is on the plan?
Paro. The supported country is Bhutan.
Q3: Does it include calls and SMS?
No. It is a data plan. Keep your home SIM for calls and one-time passwords.
Q4: Is it 5G?
Yes. The product page lists the speed as 5G. Real speed still depends on coverage and the Fair Usage Policy, and mountain valleys can drop the signal.
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 Bhutan?
No. This plan is for Bhutan. Buy a separate plan if the trip continues into India, Nepal, or Bangladesh.
Q7: Is there an unlimited option?
Yes, one. A single 10 day unlimited plan at $65.00 is listed on the same product page.
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?
October 2026, against the published variation prices on travelydata.com.
Bottom line
For a week in Bhutan, the $5.50 / 1 GB Paro plan is the one to start with. Step up to 2 GB or 3 GB if you will be on the road most of the day. The published speed is 5G, and unlimited is a single 10 day plan at $65.00.
Prices and coverage verified on travelydata.com, October 2026.
