eSIM for Madagascar
Land connected in Madagascar. Pick a plan below - it activates in seconds, no physical SIM, no roaming fees.
Best eSIM plans for Madagascar
Three travel data plans that suit most trips to Madagascar, or see the full list of Malagasy eSIMs below.
Your Madagascar eSIM guide
How to install your Madagascar eSIM in 3 steps
Getting set up takes only a few minutes and can be done before you ever reach Ivato airport.
- Buy and download your eSIM. Choose your data plan and receive a QR code by email, no need to wait until you've landed in Madagascar or to track down an authorized SIM outlet once you arrive.
- Scan the QR code and install the profile. Open your phone's eSIM settings, scan the code over Wi-Fi, and let the profile install. This works from home, your hotel before departure, or even at the airport gate.
- Land and switch on mobile data. Once your flight touches down in Antananarivo, Toamasina, or Nosy Be, turn on data roaming for the eSIM and your phone should pick up a Telma, Orange, or Airtel signal within moments, no passport-based registration or shop visit required.
Coverage in Madagascar
Madagascar's mobile network is shared between three main operators. Telma/Yas is one of the main operators, with broad nationwide coverage. Orange Madagascar runs a widespread 2G footprint with 3G in many towns and 4G expanding gradually. Airtel Madagascar covers major towns but is less consistent once you head away from urban centers, and a smaller operator, Blueline's bip, also serves parts of the market. Taken together, mobile signal reaches most of Madagascar's populated areas.
Coverage is strongest in and around the capital, Antananarivo, and in port cities like Toamasina, where 4G is available throughout the city center and business districts. The picture changes fast once you leave major towns. Madagascar is a large island with long distances between settlements, and its rural interior, rainforest parks, and remote coastlines carry real gaps. National parks such as Marojejy, Masoala Peninsula, and Andringitra have no coverage at all, and signal on the main routes (like the RN7 and RN35) can drop off within 5-10 km of the road itself. Tourist islands are mixed too: Nosy Be's connectivity varies by area, while Île Sainte-Marie mostly runs on 3G or Edge-speed data. Some remote lodges and camps use satellite internet (such as Starlink) to fill gaps where terrestrial towers don't reach, so ask ahead if you'll be deep in a park or on a remote coast.
None of this should put you off exploring further afield, it just helps to know where a signal drop is normal rather than a problem with your eSIM.
How much data do you actually need?
| Usage level | Typical daily use | Approx. daily data | Suggested plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Maps, messaging apps, occasional social media checks | ~300 MB/day | 1GB / 7-day plan for a short trip |
| Moderate | Music streaming, social media, navigation between towns | ~750 MB/day | 3GB / 15-day plan |
| Heavy | Video calls, video streaming, hotspot for a laptop | 1.5 GB+/day | 5GB or 10GB / 30-day plan |
eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM in Madagascar
| Option | Setup | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Install before you fly, no passport or shop visit needed | Fixed data allowance from £7.49 | Most visitors touring Antananarivo, Toamasina, and coastal destinations |
| Roaming on your home SIM | No setup, works automatically on arrival | US carriers around £2 to £8 per MB or £4 to £11 a day; some EU carriers around £23 for 3GB | Very short stopovers only, given the cost |
| Local physical SIM | Mandatory registration: passport photocopy and entry stamp photo required, 10-15 minutes at an authorized outlet | Low local rates once registered | Longer stays or anyone settling in for an extended period |
Practical connectivity tips
Download offline maps for the routes you'll be driving, especially the RN7 and RN35, since signal can disappear a short distance off the main road. If you're heading into Marojejy, Masoala, or Andringitra, tell someone your plans in advance and expect no signal at all until you're back near a town or park entrance. In Nosy Be and Île Sainte-Marie, connectivity is patchy enough that it's worth checking with your accommodation about the strongest signal spots on the island.
Keep your eSIM as your primary connection in Antananarivo and Toamasina, where 4G is strong and reliable, and treat data outside major towns as a bonus rather than a guarantee. If you plan to buy a physical local SIM as a backup, keep your passport handy since registration is mandatory and can't be skipped. Finally, note that 112 does not work as an emergency number in Madagascar, so confirm the correct local emergency contacts with your hotel or guide soon after you arrive.
Travelling beyond Madagascar?
- Mauritius eSIM - for onward island-hopping to this popular Indian Ocean beach destination
- Réunion eSIM - covering the volcanic French overseas department east of Madagascar
- Mayotte eSIM - for trips to this smaller island in the Comoros archipelago
- Seychelles eSIM - if your Indian Ocean itinerary continues further north
All Malagasy eSIM data plans
4 plans from £7.49. Prices include VAT, shown in GBP.
Not sure how much data you need?
Tell us your trip length and how you'll use your phone, and we'll point you to the right plan.
Local info for Madagascar
Top destinations in Madagascar
Explore the best Malagasy destinations and stay connected.
Frequently asked questions about eSIMs for Madagascar
Does my Madagascar eSIM still work inside national parks like Masoala or Andringitra?
Not reliably. Madagascar's rainforest parks and remote protected areas, including the Masoala Peninsula and Andringitra, sit in significant network dead zones with no mobile coverage at all from Telma, Orange, or Airtel. Your eSIM will reconnect automatically once you're back within range of a tower, usually near park entrances or the nearest town, so treat time deep in these reserves as offline.
Will I get signal at the Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava?
In the town of Morondava itself, Orange coverage is generally available and your eSIM should connect without issue. Signal drops off quickly once you head out along the RN35 towards the baobab avenue, so download offline maps and any photos you need to share before you leave town.
Is Nosy Be or Île Sainte-Marie well covered for data?
Coverage on Madagascar's tourist islands is inconsistent. Île Sainte-Marie generally runs on 3G or older Edge-speed connections in its main town, which is fine for messaging but slow for video. Nosy Be's connectivity varies by area, so expect stronger signal near resorts and the main settlement and weaker signal on quieter beaches or the island's edges.
Does Madagascar have 5G, and will my eSIM plan use it?
Telma/Yas operates a limited 5G network, currently concentrated around Antananarivo and Toamasina, but only a small share of the population is within range of it. Your eSIM will happily use 5G where it's available, but across most of the country, including popular routes and smaller towns, you'll be running on 3G or 4G instead, which is perfectly sufficient for maps and messaging.
Do I need to show my passport to get connected in Madagascar?
Only if you buy a physical local SIM. Madagascar requires mandatory SIM registration for foreigners: the vendor photocopies your passport, photographs your entry stamp, and enters your details into a registration system, a process that typically takes 10-15 minutes at an authorized outlet. Installing an eSIM before you fly skips this entirely, since it's linked to your existing account rather than a new local registration.
What's the emergency number in Madagascar, and does 112 work?
No, 112 is not Madagascar's standard emergency number. Locally listed numbers include the police, ambulance, and fire services, with separate lines used in Antananarivo, so it's worth confirming the current numbers with your hotel or tour operator on arrival. Keep in mind that operators on these lines may not speak English, so having a local contact or guide relay the call can help in an emergency.
Will my eSIM work as soon as I land in Antananarivo or Toamasina?
Yes. Both cities have strong 4G coverage, with Antananarivo's central districts (including the Analakely area and the airport zone) and Toamasina's city and port district well served by Telma/Yas and Orange. You can install and activate your eSIM before departure so it's ready to connect the moment you land.
Is mobile data reliable along the main RN7 and RN35 highways?
Generally yes along the roads themselves, but coverage thins out quickly if you stray even 5-10 km off them, particularly around the Bemaraha corridor on the RN35. Overall, mobile signal reaches most of Madagascar's populated areas, but the rural interior and long stretches between towns can still leave you without a connection for periods of your journey.
How much data do I actually need for a couple of weeks travelling around Madagascar?
It depends on how you use your phone day to day. Light use for maps, messaging, and occasional social media browsing runs around 300 MB a day, moderate use with music streaming and more frequent uploads sits closer to 750 MB a day, and heavy use with video calls or streaming can push past 1.5 GB a day, so match your plan size to your longest leg between towns.
Is an eSIM actually cheaper than roaming with my home carrier in Madagascar?
Usually, by a wide margin. Without a local SIM or eSIM, US carriers commonly charge £2 to £8 per MB or £4 to £11 a day for a roaming pass, while some EU carriers charge around £23 for 3 GB valid 30 days. An eSIM plan bought in advance gives you a known data allowance for a fraction of typical roaming rates.
The connectivity details on this page (networks, coverage, local SIM rules, prices and any numbers) are provided for general guidance and can change. Please confirm current details, especially emergency numbers and registration requirements, with official local sources before you travel.