Partial 5G in Reunion, and what that means for your eSIM
Reunion has 1 mobile network: Orange (5G). All 5 providers we rank route through these carriers. Our editorial pick routes through Orange RE, which is the sole 5G carrier operating in Reunion. Airalo's catalogue starts at $1.83/GB with 5G access. Runners-up HelloRoam and Holafly connect via Orange RE, scoring 4.9/5 and 4.3/5 on coverage.
Provider routing covers 1 mobile network in Reunion: Orange RE, SFR, and Free. Orange RE connects through the strongest combination of urban coverage and rural reach among those options. Orange RE sits at the top of the published carrier list for travel eSIM traffic in Reunion.
A travel eSIM in Reunion attaches to Orange RE on 5G. All 5 ranked providers ride that same host network rather than one of their own, so the network under a HelloRoam plan and the network under an Airalo plan is the same equipment. Orange RE is the only operator on the published list for Reunion, which removes any fallback if it drops. This site publishes no throughput figure, because it runs no speed test.
Reunion eSIM activation, step by step
Purchase your Reunion eSIM from the provider app or website. Scan the QR code over WiFi at home. The eSIM installs in under 2 minutes. Label the new line "Reunion Data" to keep it separate from your home SIM.
When you land in Reunion, enable data roaming on the eSIM line. Your phone connects to Orange RE's 5G network within 30 seconds. No ID verification is needed for travel eSIMs in Reunion.
Get your Reunion eSIM ready before departure, since airport connectivity can be unreliable. Installation takes under 5 minutes on any unlocked iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, or Google Pixel 3+. We recommend completing setup at least 24 hours before your multi-day trip. Reunion has 1 carrier network, and plans start at $3.67 for 1GB.
Your eSIM connects to Orange RE's 5G network in Reunion. The country operates 1 network: Orange RE, SFR, and Free. Orange RE provides the strongest combination of urban reach and tourist-corridor coverage based on network data.
Open your provider's app, scan the QR code, and select Reunion as your data plan destination. Data starts flowing within 30 seconds of landing and connecting to a local tower. The catalogue lists 5 plans for Reunion, starting at $1.83/GB on Orange RE's infrastructure.
For a full walkthrough with screenshots, see our eSIM buying guide.
Reunion data plans: cheap per gigabyte, so buy a size up
The published price ladder for Reunion: 1GB at $3.67 ($3.67/GB), 3GB at $5.48 ($1.83/GB), 5GB at $11.32 ($2.26/GB), 10GB at $18.43 ($1.84/GB). Best value sits at 3GB for $5.48, at $1.83 per gigabyte. Budget entry starts at $3.67 for 1GB. Premium unlimited daily data costs $3.23/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. Longer commitments reduce the daily rate: the 30-day plan drops to $2.65/day (18% off). Among the 5 providers we ranked, HelloRoam scores highest on pricing (4.8/5). Holafly follows at 4.7/5. Ladder rates run from $1.83 to about $3.67 depending on plan size.
Before purchasing an eSIM for Reunion, our editors flagged these details.
French department. EU roaming applies.
Reunion sits in the Africa region with 1 mobile network accepting eSIM roaming connections. Orange RE is the primary carrier for travel eSIMs in this market, operating on 5G.
eSIM coverage in Africa is improving rapidly. Reunion connects through Orange RE, which provides the most reliable data service for travelers in the Africa region.
French department. EU roaming applies.
Light travelers (maps, messaging, email) use 500MB-1GB per day. Moderate users (social media, photo uploads, ride-hailing) need 1-2GB daily. Heavy users (video calls, streaming, remote work) consume 2-4GB per day.
For a 7-day trip to Reunion: light users need roughly 6GB, moderate users need 11GB. The 3GB plan at $5.48 on Orange RE covers the moderate scenario.
Reunion eSIM pricing on Orange RE: 1GB: $3.67 ($3.67/GB), 3GB: $5.48 ($1.83/GB), 5GB: $11.32 ($2.26/GB), 10GB: $18.43 ($1.84/GB). Larger plans reduce the per-GB cost. All prices are one-time with no auto-renewal.
Unlimited option: $3.23/day with no data cap (2GB at full speed). Multi-day discounts available: the 30-day plan costs $2.65/day.
Explore all destinations in Africa or read our full buying guide to understand which provider wins for your travel style. See also: the rubric each provider is scored against.
No published airport SIM price for Reunion, so compare on setup time
SIM kiosks at the main airport in Reunion vary in price and availability depending on the terminal and time of arrival. Queues can be unpredictable, especially after peak international flights. An eSIM on Orange RE's 5G network starts at $1.83/GB and activates from your phone in under 2 minutes, before you even reach baggage claim.
For Reunion, eSIM providers offer competitive per-gigabyte rates starting at $1.83/GB on Orange RE. You buy before departure, install over WiFi at home, and land with data already working. You skip the paperwork, the language barrier at the counter, and the risk of getting a plan that expires before your trip ends.
Reunion verdict: per-gigabyte for short trips, unlimited for long ones
For budget travelers the pricing dimension is the one to read: HelloRoam publishes an entry rate of $3.50/GB and scores 4.8/5 there, ahead of Holafly at 4.7/5. Plans in Reunion attach to Orange on 5G, with Orange RE, SFR, and Free also on the published carrier list. Airalo's Reunion catalogue undercuts that: the ladder steps from $3.67 for 1GB to $18.43 for 10GB, and the 3GB rung is its cheapest gigabyte at $1.83. Holafly sells unlimited at $2.99/day, so a trip past 7 days costs more on the day rate than the 10GB rung costs outright at $18.43. Two ground details for Reunion: emergency calls go to 15/17/18/112, and wall outlets take Type C/E plugs.
HelloRoam earns the Reunion pick at 9.5/10, with the top mark on network tier, pricing and support. Its published entry rate is $3.50/GB, which the 3GB rung on this ladder beats at $1.83/GB.
Airalo follows at 9.3/10, 0.2 points back, and the ladder this page quotes is Airalo's own Reunion catalogue, which bottoms out at $1.83/GB.
eSIM provider comparison for Reunion (June 2026)| Provider | Score | $/GB | Best For | Action |
|---|
| HelloRoam | 9.5/10 | from $3.50/GB | Editors Choice | Get deal → |
|---|
| Airalo | 9.3/10 | $4.50/GB | Widest Coverage | Get deal → |
|---|
| Holafly | 8.9/10 | $2.99/day | Best Unlimited | Get deal → |
|---|
| Saily | 8.4/10 | $3.99/GB | Best Privacy | Get deal → |
|---|
| Nomad | 8/10 | $3.00/GB | Best Budget | Get deal → |
|---|
See our budget eSIM guide for the cheapest options, or our unlimited eSIM guide if data caps are a concern.
Provider assessments for Reunion
HelloRoam
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on an entry rate of $3.50/GB, and the best rung on the Reunion ladder is 3GB at $1.83/GB, below that. Every provider here rides the same host networks in Reunion: Orange on 5G, plus Orange RE, SFR, and Free.
Airalo
Airalo scores 9.3/10 on an entry rate of $4.50/GB, and the ladder on this page is its own Reunion catalogue: $3.67 for 1GB up to $18.43 for 10GB, bottoming out at $1.83/GB.
Holafly
Holafly scores 8.9/10 and sells unlimited only, at $2.99/day, so the comparison is a break-even: under 7 days that costs less than the 10GB rung's $18.43, and past it costs more.
Saily
Saily scores 8.4/10 on an entry rate of $3.99/GB, and every rung on the Reunion ladder costs less per gigabyte than that.
Nomad
Nomad scores 8.0/10 on an entry rate of $3.00/GB, and Airalo's catalogue floor for Reunion is $1.83/GB, under that.
Real-world usage in Reunion
Navigation and maps in Reunion
Google Maps and Waze use 5-10MB per hour of active navigation. On Orange RE's 5G network, maps load in under 2 seconds. The 3GB plan at $5.48 covers 2-3 weeks of daily navigation.
Messaging and video calls
WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom run smoothly on 5G in Reunion. A 30-minute video call uses roughly 270MB. Hotel WiFi supplements your eSIM data for large downloads.
Streaming and content
HD video streaming uses about 1.5GB per hour on Orange RE's network. Holafly's unlimited plan from $2.99/day handles heavy streaming without data caps.
Value analysis for Reunion
The 3GB plan delivers the strongest value at $1.83/GB for Reunion. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $3.67. Both tiers connect through Orange RE's 5G network with identical speed access.
Unlimited data costs $3.23/day for Reunion. For trips under 2 days, a fixed plan wins on cost. Longer stays or heavy data usage tips the balance toward unlimited.
HelloRoam leads our Reunion value ranking with a 9.5/10 editorial score. 5 providers compete for Reunion. The published ladder starts at $1.83/GB.
How the rubric scored eSIMs for Reunion
All 5 providers are scored on the same five weighted dimensions, every input a figure the provider publishes: coverage 25%, pricing 25%, network tier 20%, app 15%, support 15%.
What the rubric read for Reunion: a carrier list of 4 operators, with Orange on 5G; a 4-rung published ladder from $3.67 for 1GB to $18.43 for 10GB; a lowest catalogue rate of $1.83/GB, which is Airalo's; an unlimited daily option in the same Airalo catalogue.
Read the full scoring rubric.
Reunion in the Africa eSIM landscape
Reunion ranks in the mid tier for eSIM infrastructure in Africa. 1 network accept eSIM roaming, with Orange RE providing the primary routing for all 5 providers.
Per-GB pricing in Reunion starts at $1.83, which is competitive for the Africa region. 5 plans are available across providers, including unlimited daily data at $3.23/day.
Common questions about using an eSIM in Reunion
Why does HelloRoam earn your Reunion eSIM pick?
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on our published rubric for Reunion, the highest composite of the five providers ranked here. Plans for Reunion route through Orange RE on 5G. HelloRoam refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days. Its dimension scores are coverage 4.9/5, network tier 4.7/5, app 4.7/5, pricing 4.8/5 and support 4.5/5. Airalo's published ladder for Reunion starts at $1.83/GB, with its 3GB plan at $5.48.
How do you score eSIM providers in Reunion?
The BesteSIM rubric scores HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily and Nomad on five published inputs. No figure here comes from a speed test. Coverage carries 25% and reads the operator list for Reunion, which names 1 carrier network led by Orange RE. Price carries 25%, normalised to cost per gigabyte across every plan size. Network tier carries 20%, app features 15%, and support access 15%, the last read off published support languages: HelloRoam answers in 63, Airalo in 12, Saily in 1. 5G is the network tier published for Reunion. Every input is a published figure a reader can check.
What changed in the 2026 Reunion eSIM rankings?
Pricing update for 2026: the 1GB plan is now $3.67. All five providers route through Orange RE in Reunion. 5G remains the standard network generation for all five providers in Reunion. We rank 5 plans for Reunion, with the 3GB plan at $1.83/GB.
Which phones support eSIM for Reunion?
Your eSIM connects to Orange RE's 5G network in Reunion. 5G is confirmed on iPhone XS+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and Google Pixel 3+. Your device must be carrier-unlocked. Orange RE publishes 5G service across Reunion. Check Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM manager (Samsung/Android) to verify. Most 2022+ Android flagships also work on Orange RE's 5G signal in Reunion.
Can I make phone calls with a Reunion travel eSIM?
Travel eSIMs provide data only on Orange RE's 5G network. No local phone number is assigned. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom over your Reunion data connection. Keep your home SIM active to receive calls on your regular number. All five providers ranked here (HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) sell data-only plans for Reunion.
What 5G coverage can I expect from a Reunion eSIM?
All five providers route Reunion eSIMs through Orange RE, the leading carrier in the Africa region. 5G is the current standard. No 5G uplift is confirmed for this destination yet. Orange RE publishes 5G service across the main cities and tourist corridors, and every provider on this page rides that same network rather than one of its own.
Is eSIM support mature in Reunion compared to the rest of Africa?
Reunion has 1 network operator accepting eSIM roaming: Orange. That puts it in the mid tier for Africa eSIM maturity. All five ranked providers sell data-only plans on 5G here. Provider scores for Reunion are on each provider's review page, with the weighting shown in full on the rubric page.
Can I tether or hotspot with a Reunion eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad allow tethering on their Reunion plans with no extra fee. You can share your 5G connection on Orange with laptops and tablets. Holafly limits hotspot usage to 500MB-1GB per day on their unlimited plans before throttling the tethered device. Airalo's hotspot delivers 5G speeds to connected laptops and tablets without throttling.
What eSIM data plan size is best for Reunion?
The average traveler uses 1-2 GB/day in Reunion across maps, messaging, and photo uploads. For a 7-day trip, you need roughly 84-126GB total. We recommend the 3GB plan at $5.48 ($1.83/GB) for the best value on Orange RE. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $3.67 and top up if needed.
What is the best-scoring eSIM plan for Reunion?
The 3GB plan at $5.48 ($1.83/GB) takes the highest pricing score for Reunion, because it holds the lowest published cost per gigabyte in the catalogue. It routes through Orange RE on 5G, the same carrier every one of the five providers uses here. Full plan range: 1GB at $3.67, 3GB at $5.48, 5GB at $11.32, 10GB at $18.43. The 3GB tier suits trips of 5 days or more.
How much does roaming cost in Reunion vs an eSIM?
Home carrier roaming in Reunion typically costs $5-15/day or $10-20/GB. An eSIM starts at $1.83/GB on Orange RE's 5G network. The 3GB plan at $5.48 covers most trips for a fraction of roaming fees.
Can I use multiple eSIMs in Reunion?
Most modern phones support 8-10 eSIM profiles simultaneously. Only one data eSIM can be active at a time in Reunion. You can keep your home SIM active for calls while using an eSIM on Orange RE for data. Switch between profiles in Settings without removing any.
Staying connected in Reunion
Mobile data is your lifeline in Reunion, where public WiFi can be spotty. Most travelers use 1-2GB per day for maps, messaging, and photo uploads. The 3GB plan at $5.48 covers a typical week-long visit on Orange RE's 5G network.
The local time zone is RET (UTC+4). wall outlets use Type C/E sockets, so pack the right adapter.
Add 15/17/18/112 to your phone as the local emergency line for Reunion. the local currency is EUR (€). Data on Orange RE starts flowing as soon as your plane touches down. No setup needed at the airport.
Best
Reunion · 5 providers compared
