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Turkey SIM Card for Tourists

Traveling to Turkey soon? Read our ultimate Guide to buying a SIM card for Tourists in Turkey below and get the best option at the lowest price!

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul or another city in Turkey, and want to stay connected, then you should consider buying a prepaid SIM card for Turkey.

On this page, we will tell you all you need to know about SIM cards for Tourists in Turkey. You will find helpful information about operators and which SIM card or eSIM card to buy online or on site, as well as their cost .

Let’s start!

istanbul tourist information airport shuttle

Do I really need a Turkey SIM Card for Istanbul?

If your visit to Istanbul is longer than 4–5 days , buying a local SIM card is definitely the best option for you to stay in touch with family and friends while having good phone coverage and access to data.

But even if your stay is shorter , it might be a wise idea to opt for a prepaid SIM card instead of depending on free Wi-Fi or renting a pocket Wi-Fi router.

Internet is charged a lot more in Turkey if you have a foreign SIM card, which does not include Turkey in their internet package.

So we recommend you to get a local SIM card either way. But how to get it easily, without waiting in line, and at the best price?

Book your SIM Card online before your trip to Turkey

What are your options of booking a SIM card or an internet device online to use it in Turkey during your trip?

For travelers who only need mobile internet and no phone calls or SMS for their Istanbul vacation, we have the perfect solution: the e-SIM card for Turkey. It is one of the most economical and practical way of getting internet in Istanbul as a foreigner.

See below our 2 top e-SIM recommendations for Istanbul, as well as another alternative, the Pocket Wi-Fi:

1. The Holafly Prepaid e-SIM Card for Istanbul

Another recommendation is Holafly's easy-to-use prepaid e-SIM card .

Holafly offers a digital e-SIM card with unlimited mobile data service with maximum speed coverage (4GLTE).

This way you don’t have to worry about roaming costs when traveling and enjoy unlimited internet as if you were at home.

Let's see the prices and conditions of these cards:

How does Holafly work?

Choose the desired number of days you want and purchase the Holafly prepaid e-SIM card here . You will immediately receive a QR code containing the e-SIM Card by email.
Scan the QR code one day before your departure.
Turn off your local provider’s cellular data.
Set your phone's options so that your mobile phone uses Holafly's internet.
Activate your QR code after you arrive in Turkey and use your Holafly SIM card during your stay.

Compatibly: Before purchasing the Holafly SIM card, make sure that your mobile phone is compatible with the Holafly service. It is available for the following cell phones: iPhone SE, XS et XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro et 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 Mini, 13,13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 13 Mini / Google Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a, / Samsung S22, S20, Galaxy Z Flip, Note 20 Ultra, Fold LTE, / Motorola Razr 2019

The easy eSIM for Turkey by Holafly ( recommended ) :

Here are the prices and conditions for the eSIM by Holafly. The ones in red are the most popular ones picked by travelers.

1 Day Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 6€)
2 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 9 €)
3 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 12 € )
4 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 15 € )
5 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 19 € )
6 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 23 € )
7 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 2 7€ )
8 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 2 9€ )

There are options to book a higher number of days. For further rates and information on the various offers and 5% discount , click on this link:

2. Rent a Pocket Wifi in Istanbul

You can easily rent a Pocket Wifi Devise for the time you are in Istanbul and access internet through it anytime. It is a device that connects you to internet without limitation and through several device (phone and computer). The access to internet is fast and covered anywhere in Turkey thanks to the support of Turkcell, which is the best phone company in Turkey.

The process to rent a pocket wifi is very easy:

Book your device on through this link
Get your device delivered to you at your hotel or directly at the airport anytime you want
Use the device(s) according to the guideline during your trip
The company will pick up the device when and where you want before you leave the country

And voilà! Now you have internet during your travel to Turkey. For more information, click the button below.

Where to buy Turkey SIM Card in Istanbul

1. at istanbul airport or sabiha gökcen airport.

You can pre-order online and then pick it up at the airport, or have it delivered to your home, Airbnb or any other address.

Or find stores selling prepaid SIM cards in the arrival terminal of Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökcen Airport . One advantage is that the staff speaks English, and since the store is tailored to tourists, it will be easy to find a deal suited to your needs. However, you will usually find more expensive offers in the stores at the airport . Additionally, there are always long queues. For this reason, buying your Turkey SIM card there is not advisable .

An easy and cheap option is to use the SIM card reservation service . Simply make an early reservation and get your Turkey SIM card delivered to your hotel by a local authorised dealer. Local communications specialists are always there to help you with any questions you may have. As prices change almost weekly, you can also get the latest prices from an local specialist via WhatsApp.

2. In the City

Please be aware that the branches of the Turkish GSM operators as well as the resellers may set their own prices for the SIM card. For this reason, prices vary from store to store , and can even be as high as 200 TL.

Cost for Turkey SIM Cards for Tourists

1. Turkcell

Turkcell provides a special package for travelers, the “Tourist Welcome Pack”.

This package will be assigned to customers who buy a prepaid Turkcell SIM card with a foreign passport.

What is included: A SIM card with 20 GB data + 200 minutes of local calls + unlimited messaging via Whatsapp &BiP. As a bonus, you get special discounts at restaurants, hotels, car rental, and more.
Validity: Turkcell’s “Tourist Welcome Pack” is valid for 30 days. After 3 months, the SIM card will be deactivated.
Visit the official Turkcell partner website for online ordering and delivery before you arrive.
These prices can go up to €47 at the stores at the airport.

2. Vodafone Turkey

The mobile provider Vodafone Turkey offers a special tourist package for prepaid SIM card. It is called "Welcome to Turkey Pack".

What is included: Vodafone's Prepaid Tourist SIM Card consists of 20 GB data + unlimited WhatsApp + 750 minutes of local calls + 1000 SMS
Validity: The tariff is valid for 28 days. You can use your Prepaid Tourist SIM Card for a total of 90 days . After that, it will be deactivated.
For more information and the most up-to-date prices, please cross check with the official Vodafone website.
These prices can go up to 8 90 TL at the airport.

3. Turk Telekom

Türk Telekom's special SIM card package for tourists is called "Hos geldin" (Welcome).

What is included: The Hosgeldin 25 GB package includes 25 GB + 750 minutes of local calls + 750 SMS
Validity: The Turk Telekom prepaid SIM Card is valid for 28 days.
Check the official Turk Telekom website for detailed information. (only in Turkish)
These prices can go up to 850 TL at the airport .

With all tariffs, it is possible to recharge it when it is used up.

Need an airport transfer from Istanbul or Sabiha Gökcen Airport? See all your airport transfer options and book your Istanbul airport transfer here .

GSM Operators in Turkey

There are three mobile operators in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom.
Turkcell is the largest mobile provider and the leading GSM operator in Turkey . In terms of good network coverage and internet speed in Turkey, it is the best provider, especially in smaller cities or remote areas
All three operators offer a variety of prepaid SIM Card packages to choose from, some of them even have special SIM cards for tourists.
Remember that prepaid SIM cards in Turkey are valid for a maximum of 120 days.
The country code for Turkey is +90

Bottom Line

Regardless of which SIM card and provider you ultimately choose, where you buy the SIM card plays a key role . There are dozens of providers selling Turkish SIM cards throughout the city, as well as at both Istanbul airports.

Generally, you will find better deals in the city, but since the branches of Turkish GSM operators as well as resellers can set their own prices for the SIM card, the cost of a Turkish prepaid SIM card varies from store to store, leaving you exposed to a confusing jungle of prices.

For this reason, we recommend either to book a very affordable online service through Holafly eSIM service or ask a question through the form present on this page above.

For more amazing pictures and tips about Istanbul, follow our official Instagram account @istanbul.tourist.information

SIM cards in Turkey FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Which SIM card is the best for tourists in Turkey?

The best SIM card for your holiday in Turkey is “Tourist Welcome Pack” from Turkcell. Since Turkcell has the best mobile network coverage in Turkey and a package deal tailored precisely to the needs of tourists, we think it is the best SIM card to use as a tourist in Turkey.

We particularly like the fact that the SIM card is already part of the package. This makes it much easier for tourists, because the fees for prepaid SIM cards vary from store to store in Turkey, which is why tourists often pay much more than locals. Another bonus is unlimited Whatsapp and the special benefits offered.

Of course, there are many more options, and ultimately it depends on your individual needs. Our local communications specialists will be happy to help you choose the right SIM card for your purposes. Just contact them via Whatsapp to get all the information and current prices, or to reserve your SIM card in advance and pick it up when you arrive in Istanbul.

How much is a SIM card in Turkey?

Since the branches of the Turkish GSM operators as well as the resellers can set their own prices for the SIM card, the cost of a prepaid SIM card varies from shop to shop and depending on the GSM operator. You can expect it to cost around 100-200 TL. Remember that you will often need to pay an activation fee and purchase an additional one-month data package.

Feel free to contact our local communication specialists via our contact form to find out the current rates at the airport and in the city.

Where to buy a Turkish SIM card?

You can buy your prepaid SIM card for Turkey either in the city or at the arrival floor at Istanbul or Sabiha Gökcen airport.

There are stores practically everywhere in Istanbul where you can buy a prepaid SIM card. In addition to the official branches of Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom, there are also electronic shops, phone stores, and kiosks that sell local SIM cards of these GSM operators. Please note that prices vary from store to store, as the branches of the Turkish GSM operators as well as resellers may set their own prices for the SIM card.

To help travelers with the confusing price jungle of Turkey SIM Cards, we offer travelers our SIM card reservation service. If you have any questions or want to know the current prices, you can ask our local communication specialists at our booth at Istanbul Airport or in advance via Whatsapp. Reserving your SIM card online allows you to pick it up as soon as you arrive, without having to wait in line.

Can I buy a SIM card at Istanbul Airport?

Yes, there are branches of all three Turkish GSM operators as well as mobile stores at the arrival floor of Istanbul Airport that sell local SIM cards. Note, however, that the prices for a prepaid SIM card in the stores at the airport are higher than in the city.

Plan your trip to Istanbul with experts

Let us help you design your trip to Istanbul according to your unique situation and desires. With our experience of 25 years and our network, we will get you the best prices for hotels and activities .

Guide of istanbul airport ist [transfers, hotels, flights – layover], 8 best audio guides for istanbul, 15 indoor activities for rainy days in istanbul, complete guide to public transport in istanbul.

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They all offer a variety of plans, but kind of a little bit more expensive than the similar to those found elsewhere in Europe. Vodafone and Turkcell competes, while Turk Telekom is a smaller company by means of number of customers and infrastructure.

And, according to Turkish law, all SIM cards have to be registered, and can only be purchased with a valid passport . They all offer plans with different amounts of data use.

Which is better value: Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) or Prepaid?

Pay-as-you-go plans.

Pay-as-you-go plans refer to prepaid plans with consumable minutes instead of a non-contract service plan. You purchase minutes and top up as necessary. You need to top up your plan in certain amount of time, which is 180 days for Turkey .

PAYG Good For

When traveling to other countries where you only need it for a short period of time.
Looking for the cheapest option
If you only want to use your phone just for emergencies.

PAYG Disadvantages

The pay-as-you-go model is not designed for heavy phone users.
It is likely to be more expensive if you use your phone every day.
You will get very very less calling and no data/internet usage.
You’ll need to keep track of your minutes.

Prepaid Plans

Prepaid plans charge you a set amount of money monthly for a specific amount of talk, SMS and data/internet. They do not require a contract (you will need to make a contact in Turkey, just by your valid passport) and you only pay for what you get in advance. If you finish your quota, the phone becomes disconnected from service.

We Highly Recommend These Fantastic Night-time Activities

Prepaid good for.

When traveling to other countries where you only need it for a short or medium period of time.
If you are a heavy phone user including internet/data
Looking for an option including internet/data usage

Prepaid Disadvantages

The prepaid model is not designed for very less phone users.
You may get higher per-minute costs when used excessively.
You’ll need to keep track of your minutes and data.

1. Pay-as-you-go SIM Cards in Istanbul

This is the most practical option. You’ll just asked for a valid passport for contracts. Pay-as-you-go cards can be purchased from any GSM operators’ shop in the city. It would take about 2-3 days to get activated.

With this pay-as-you-go option , you can make and receive calls for 180 days , starting from the day you top up your number. If you don’t add money to your account within this period, than a 90-day period (Semi-Active Period) will start. And you can receive calls, but you can’t make calls, even if you have credits. So you need to top up your line every 180 days.

1.1. What you will get?

Please check turkcell.com.tr and vodafone.com.tr for Packages and Tariffs FAQ

If you need to use data/internet, you will need to buy internet packages. And if so, we recommend you go further with Prepaid SIM Cards . (see below)

1.2. How long can I use my minutes in my package?

You can use your minutes until the end of your period.

1.3. Where you can top?

You can top up your SIM card from the official GSM stores, Post Offices , or online by your credit card . Foreign bank credit cards can only be used if your credit card supports 3D secure application.

Top Up Online

* For Vodafone (called “Cep Lira Yükleme” meaning “load Liras”) visit; vodafone.com.tr

* For Turkcell (called “TL/Paket Yükle” meaning “load TL/Package”) visit; turkcell.com.tr

1.4. How can I find out how much credit left and when I need to make a top up?

* You can see your remaining credit by dialing *123# from your mobile phone. * You can see your usage periods by dialing *166*5# from your mobile phone.

2. Prepaid SIM Card Deals for Tourists

What you will get and how much will it cost.

Turkcell currently offers Tourist Welcome Pack for travelers, , but since the rates and packages are changing very frequently, we decided not to mention what they offer.

You can reach Turkcell Customer Services by dialing +90 532 532 00 00

Please cross check the prices and details from turkcell.com.tr/en/ as they change frequently due to competition.

Vodafone currently offers Tourist Holidays Pack for travelers, but since the rates and packages are changing very frequently, we decided not to mention what they offer.

You can reach Vodafone Customer Services by dialing +90 542 542 00 00

Please check the prices and details from vodafone.com.tr as they change frequently due to competition.

Where can I buy both Turkey SIM Cards?

You can purchase both Pay-as-you-go and Prepaid Turkey SIM cards from the Turkish GSM Operators’ official stores located at the Istanbul Airports on arrival floors, the major transport stations, major streets and neighborhoods of Istanbul.

As the stores at the Istanbul Airports are dedicated to tourists, you may find lots of information about the deals in big letters/posters, or negotiate with the store sellers that will definitely speak good English. So that you won’t need to spend a lot of time with finding the right shop (city shops are mostly dedicated for locals) that have enough offers shown for tourists and store sellers that speak good English.

On the other hand, the tourist packages at the airports may cost more than the standard local rates in the downtown . If you have a local friend, or have enough skills and power to make negotiations with the store sellers, you can try purchasing your Prepaid Turkey SIM card with the best package that suits your needs in the downtown .

Our Recommendation

* If you want to buy any of the SIM card of the Turkish GSM Operators, please check the tariffs from their websites (see below) or from our given details about the recommended tariffs below, before you leave for Istanbul, and if you see a big difference with the prices offered at the airport , than don’t buy from the airport .

https://www.turkcell.com.tr/en/aboutus/traveling-turkey
https://www.vodafone.com.tr/en/roam-with-vodafone.php

Another Great Option: e-SIM

You can experience convenient and easily accessible eSim Mobile Data Roaming Plans during your trip in Turkey. With a variety of options to choose from, you can activate your eSIM anytime and anywhere during your stay in Istanbul or whole Turkey.

Features & How to Buy?

You can stay connected on your trip with high-speed coverage not only in Turkey but also in the other 39 most visited regions in Europe . Simply purchase and install your eSIM and select from a range of data packages, validity options, and coverage in additional countries. All you need to do is scan the eSIM QR code to access all your essential apps during your trip.

With one eSIM per device, you can easily top-up your plan by buying and activating additional eSIM plans as you go. Once activated, your coverage will begin according to your selected duration.

Know before you go

Before booking, please ensure your mobile device is eSIM compatible and SIM-lock-free
This eSIM data service is valid for your selected duration after activation on a 24-hour basis
Top up by adding new eSIM plans
You can have multiple eSIM plans for one device
The connection speed depends on your reception and the local network
It may take up to 15 mins to activate the plan
You need to have internet access to activate the plan. Please connect to Wi-Fi when you install the eSIM
Please select the eSIM as the data plan to use
Please make sure roaming data is on
The usage of commonly used apps (if medium quality is selected):
Video streaming: 250MB-1GB/h
Video conferencing: 0.8-2GB/h
Music streaming: 200MB/h
Social media with video content: 200MB/h

Available Countries for eSIM plan

Austria, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, La Reunion, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland.

Buy Your eSIM Online

Check & Buy Your eSIM for Turkey

Summary of All

* If you will stay in Istanbul for at least 1 week , 10 days or more , and need to make and receive local calls , than you can buy Turkey SIM cards .

* If you want to use your phone only for emergency calls , than we recommend Pay-as-you-go (the cheapest option but only for calls, no data/internet).

* If you are a heavy phone user (calls, SMS, internet/data), we recommend the Prepaid SIM Card (price is per month) plan.

* There is also pocket Wifi/mobile hotspot rental services or eSIM plans that you can try. So that you won’t need to buy GSM line if you only need Internet and make phone calls via WhatsApp, etc.

* We recommend you to check Turkey’s GSM Operators’ web sites for the latest short term offers for tourists, wrote them down before you arrive Turkey, and compare the prices and offers at their stands at the New Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) . If you feel like rates at the airport are expensive , than we recommend you to get to the city center , find their local stores and buy Turkey SIM card there.

* About GSM Companies for Istanbul, you can get about the same quality of service from all 3 GSM operators. We recommend you to catch the best deal . But, if you will stay longer and also travel around Turkey, than you we can recommend Vodafone or Turkcell .

PAY AS YOU GO SIM
PREPAID SIM

46 COMMENTS

Is there a Turkcell shop in Istanbul where English is spoken. I have a tricky phone matter to resolve that is beyond my Turkish (Besiktas, Istiklal, Levent, Sisli, anywhere central)

Today, I have been asked to pay 750 TL for a Tourist SIM card which is unbelievable price. The price was 169 TL on the website but is completely different at stores! I will keep using my UK number, I would rather pay this money as roaming fees.

This is the most sensible comment. Check out the options and do whatever works best ( cheapest) for you. As you realised, you have a roaming option from your own country that works, that’s better than the one in the host country and you’re going to use that.

Was charged 500 fuc**ng TL (almost 25 GBP) for a SIM card at the official Vodafone store. Are they nuts? I pay almost as much in the UK… Hate Turkey, they rip you off everywhere. Won’t go there ever again.

If that’s equal to what you pay in the UK, why is it a rip off if it’s in Turkey?

Pre-Paid sim card is free in UK, you just have to top up.

Just out of curiosity, does that mean there is no way to escape for paying such unbelievable price which is different from the official website stated?

So where can I get the portable WiFi gadget thank you

I love the fact that various people post here to complain to the blog owner abut the sim situation on arrival – is if it was their fault :D:D:D:D

I still do not understand form Vodafone’s website how much I am supposed to top up to get 5gb of data on PAYG…

they keep it vague intentionally

Hello, I am planning a trip to Istanbul for 1 week. It is important for me to have a mobile intenet. Which one do you recommend and tell me the current rates. Thank you very much.

For everyone’s information, as of today (20 May 2022), Turkcell’s official statement on their website is you should expect a price of 289.90 (base price) + 112.05 (service fee). That makes a total of almost €24 for the tourist welcome pack.

Personal side note: I live in one of the most expensive countries in the world, and for a prepaid sim card with a low-cost operator (including 10GB data, unlimited calls and SMS both in the country and to almost all European Union) I pay the equivalent of €29/month. The offer is accessible to anybody, residents and tourists, without any commitment. Turkish packs for tourists, in my opinion, have no logical or reasonable justification: they are just a shameful way to rip off foreigners.

I was sold a sim at instanbul airport for 50euro with supposed 50gb data turns out it was 29 and the sim had no number registered to it. Am going to get my money back

How about an update? In Antalya Turk Telekom is now at least 215 TL and the rest (Vodafone, TurkCell etc) charge at least 300 TL. If you know better deals, please let us know.

normal sim price of turkcell for tourist package is 169 TL but even turkcell own registered shops (i buy from trump tower shop) are selling between 250-300 TL. it mean they do not have any price control even on there own registered shops as well.

when u ask from them that why you guys are keep increasing price each month, they they will respond you same answer which is very famous in turkey……because $ price is increasing sir…….in turkey ask any price and use these words, thats all, its enough, no more excuse required…….

Hi Mike, thank you. You are right but I wonder did you ask this to the Turkcell customer service? If so I’d be glad to hear what they say. On the other hand you should consider this that, 2 months ago USD was around 8-9TRY, last Friday was 17-18, and today 10-11. Noone knows what it will be next week! Up or down!

What you should expect from any shops including markets, restaurants, service providers etc? Do you think they can give any exact price especially when they are importing goods and paying as USD

You should update your article to mention. that even the downtown stores will try to charge you more than the official rate if you are a tourist. I went to 3 Turkcell stores that were asking from 200 to 250TL for the Welcome Tourist package before I found one that would see it for the real price of 169 TL.

Hi Cesar, thank you. Well everything including prices, tariffs, store behaviors, etc changes very frequently and I don’t know what to say with prices and the behavior of the GSM companies. I gave the GSM companies’ official website information. I recommend travelers check the prices there and compare it with shops at the airport or downtown, and decide. Thank you for the feedback anyways. Best wishes!

But the sites do not give the prices sadly

Thank you so much for detailed information! I’m not sure what package we had in Vodafone(their Ebglish was very bad) but we got monthly bills. Now we moved out of Turkey but bills keep coming. Is there any idea how we can stop this? I tried to reach any kind of support for foreigners but everything is in Turkish. Thanks a lot!

Hi. Do Sim Card and internet packages bought at Istanbul will cover other regions around Turkey (such as Goreme and Cappadocia area)? I mean, is it cover all Turkey territory or only Istanbul? Thanks

Hi Alan, thank you. Well yes all packages cover all the regions in Turkey for sure. Best!

Hi, I purchased a SIM card at Istanbul airport that was then put into my unlocked iphone. I purchased a plan sufficient enough for 20 days. I’m leaving soon. Do I have to return the SIM card at the airport?

Hi Ava, thank you. Well as I don’t know which operator you did buy and which package, I can’t give the correct answer. You should have asked about it while you are buying the SIM card.

This post is not updated and we lost 30min in queue to find out what the comments already said.

I think it’s very bad of Istanbeautiful to not mention the sim card prices. The “Vodafone offer” is not valid. Please don’t just mention the official website.

Hi Duc, thank you. Your comment is really crazy. You say you are unable to find pricing and what to do with the WORLD BRAND !!! Vodafone, and I am the one to blame?!!!

The page’s title is “Plans + Insider Advice”, which means I am telling the possible useful plans and giving my advice. GSM operators even change pricing vert frequently and it is not my business. Please be more respectful and make your complaints to Vodafone or other GSM company’s customer service or whatever. Also bear in mind that this is travel blog and we are not obliged to tell every details of the World Brands’ or any other big companies’ failure in giving information to their visitors on their own website.

Please write Vodafone Turkey or Vodafone Headquarters telling that you are unable to find any updated plus good information information in English on Turkey’s Vodafone website. Also tell that majority of the people in the Vodafone shops in Turkey don’t speak English and we are as tourist are really very disappointed …

Good evening

I came to Istanbul about a month ago. When I reached the airport I bought a telephone package from your office at the arrival point. I bought 2 two Sim cards for my wife and myself, and were given the following numbers:

1. +90 534 436 26 ** – 2. +90 534 435 01 **

Complaint : In summary I would like to file a complaint against the bad and annoying services provided by your company. When we exhausted the data (GBs) we bought, my friend and I went many times to your offices in Turium Mall and Marmara Park Mall, we asked to topup.

Unfortunately, we noticed that your staff provide normal services to the Turkish customers, but once we as Arabs reach our turn, and ask for topup, your staff immediately say the following :

1.”system down” or “system yuk” 2. I cannot help you 3.Go to Carrefour and get service or go snother Turksel office

Furthermore, most of your staff do not speak English or may be pretend not to speak English, in order to avoid serving us!!!!! We don’t believe that they are telling the truth. We believe that they don’t want to serve us for unknown reasons.!!!

We could not believe that this happens to us in such a country which promotes tourist to visit their country and invite foreign investors to make investments. If you need any further information please call me on: 0534 436 26 **

Best regards, Abdulrahman From Bahrain

Hi Abdulrahman, thank you. First of all, please don’t say “your company” or “your GSM”, because this is a travel blog and we are not selling GSM here and not a partner of the GSM companies. We are only a travel blog trying to give advice and show the current situation. GSM companies are world brands and if you are unhappy, than you should call them make your complaints. I can only say sorry for what you had.

how to reload for data plan if im using Prepaid?

I bought a chip from turk telecom about 3 months ago, but im leaving turkey now. Do i need to go personally and cancel my phone number or after 180 days it will automatically go inactive????

I too was quoted 200 TL for the initial sim card purchase, in 4 different official Vodafone shops. The 40-60 TL offers are available to you only after having purchased the sim card. The sim card comes with a 1 month option built-in (20 GB internet). I bought the sim card because i was short on time, but the misleading offers left a sour taste.

Hi I am going to Turkey in two weeks time. Please give me some info about getting a simcard in IST Airport. I need it for internet purpose mainly for GPS. Is the vodafone Tourist plan is a good option and what is the cheapest. i am in turkey for 10 days only. Thanks George

Hi. I bought a Vodafone TR prepaid SIM about 9 months ago. I tryed to find out if its still active and i can’t find ouț. Can you help me?

Hi Alexandru, sorry for the problem you had. Actually I don’t know what to say about all the problems people have globally with the GSM operators :(

https://www.vodafone.com.tr/en/roam-with-vodafone.php this is the customer satisfaction policy. You can can dial 542 or (+90 542) 542 00 00 to reach the Vodafone Call Center 24 hours/7 days. As Vodafone is a global brand, you can also ask for your complaints about them in your own country too I guess

Well, reading the comments leads to a single conclusion, which is both the data of the article and in the links of the telecom provider are not correct,, or lets say not updated!!!!! So, what is It for?? What is the benefit any traveller can have out of wrong infornation? It is only misleading. Kindly update the data, or remove It at all.

The data in the content is correct, the prices may have been changing time to time as there is a competition between the GSM operators. The page is a guide about which can be better for you. This is not a page telling about the up-to-date prices. And I did give the official links for the packages and prices for your cross check. Don’t be lazy to check the official links and don’t be rude as well. There is the update day on the top of the page. And there is also close X tab for the explorer, you can quit and go away immediately.

I’m a bit confused with the two plans you introduced here! But, here is my situation and I would appreciate if you could help.

I bought a BimCell sim card last year and each month I used to go to a BIM store and pay for a phone and internet package. It was OK for the first few months, but then as I did not use the telephone to call anyone, it went to a semi active mode; I was still able to use the internet and receive calls but could not call anyone. Now, I think it is completely inactive. I received a message today indicating that I owe 3,150 tl as a wireless usage fee to the government!!

I do not understand why am I getting this much charged for not even being able to use the damn phone for the past 6 months!

Have you any idea what I should do?

Thanks, Faye

Hi Faye, sorry that you had such a disappointing experience. Well personally I would not prefer GSM services operated by side companies like supermarket chain stores, postal services etc. For BimCell, I didn’t introduced them here as I by myself have no such experience and idea with their services. About your problem, what I know is that when your package is inactive for a specific time period, your card and line should be closed and the contract should be automatically cancelled. And I recommend you to call and their customer service from 4444551

I checked BimCell website (Turkish unfortunately) and it says below;

The details of Active Duration and Inactive Duration determined according to the last load date are as follows;

Active Duration (184 days): From your last load date, your line will be open for both making and receiving calls for 184 days. If you have not reloaded after 184 days, your line will be closed to outside calls and the 92-day inactive period will begin.

Passive Period (92 days): During the passive period, your line is closed to outside calls, you can only receive calls from your line. In order to make calls again, you need to load.

If you do not load your line until the end of the passive period, your line will be closed completely and your Contract Agreement for the line will be cancelled.

Lies. Its 200 liras for a sim, from any company. I checked with 7 shops AND the corporate stores. If 95+tax equals 200, then just say so. A lie by omission is still a lie.

Hi James, thank you for your disrespectful comment. Here I am not selling any GSM SIM card or whatever. I did give details about what you’d get. You should check the page’s last updated day as the prices may have changed. I am also giving the official links of the GSM operators to let you cross check about all. Here I give idea, you should definitely buy your SIM card or whatever from official local shops.

Lies? Seriously? The guy is only showing useful information about Istanbul and tourists SIM cards with links from the companies websites. I contacted Vodafone recently and their offer (₺40) is no longer available, but they are still publishing it on their website.

Ahmad, thank you very much for your support! Best wishes

This article isn’t accurate. I’m in Turkey now and it is impossible to buy just the sim card without activating an expensive plan. Vodafone quoted me 180 lira for a sim card with no plan on it. They want you to buy a plan, so they make it difficult to just buy the card alone.

Hi Fatima, there is a competition between 3 main GSM operators in Turkey and the prices, packages and tariffs change very frequently. I did give the official links of the GSM operators so you should cross check. And note that the prices can be higher on local shops.

Bought the TURISTCELL, thank you for your personal delivery to the airport, 1000 min international calls was enough so as 15gb 4g internet, and every where Good connection, we post everything live to or friend’s and families throw Instagram and WhatsApp. We used the unlimbered local calls for our driver, hotel etc. I just can recommend it.

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Guide: How to Buy a Tourist SIM Card in Istanbul

If you’re visiting Istanbul and want to stay connected with your loved ones, getting a tourist prepaid SIM card is a great option. Here are the detailed instructions on how not to lost in Istanbul Airport and Istanbul without the Internet!

Page Contents

Can I Get Free Wi-Fi in Istanbul?

While you don’t have a SIM card, you can still use Wi-Fi to stay connected. Many cafes, restaurants , and hotels offer free Wi-Fi to their customers. You can also find Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city, including in parks and public squares. There is free Wi-Fi available at Istanbul airport. To connect, search for the Wi-Fi network “IST-Wi-Fi” on your device and follow the instructions to connect. The Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, including in the departure and arrival areas. Some popular locations for free Wi-Fi include Starbucks, McDonald’s, and KFC. You can also find free Wi-Fi in some public parks, such as Gezi Park and Yildiz Park.

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How much is the tourist sim card in istanbul.

By 2024, the price of the tourist sim card in Istanbul will be about 800 TL. You can’t buy a local sim card, you would need a Tourist Welcome pack, and this costs more. But we’ve got you covered. Here are the prices and popular operators you can choose from!

Note, that prices for sim cars in Istanbul are very variable. What is in one place would cost the standard amount of money you would find on the official website, and would cost twice or more in the other stores, especially in the airports!

Turkcell – Welcome Tourists with the Exclusive “Tourist Welcome Package”

Turkcell is delighted to offer a special package tailored for travelers – the “Tourist Welcome Package.” This package is exclusively available to foreign passport holders who purchase a Turkcell prepaid SIM card.

Included in this package:

20 GB of data
200 minutes for local calls
Unlimited messaging with WhatsApp & BiP via your SIM card
Bonus discounts at restaurants, hotels, car rentals, and more.

Validity: The “Tourist Welcome Package” from Turkcell is valid for 30 days and will be deactivated after 3 months from the date of purchase.

For more information and the latest prices, please visit the official Turkcell website. Prices at airport stores can go up to 2000 TL. The standard price is around 800 TL.

Vodafone Turkey – “Welcome to Turkey Package”

Vodafone Turkey, a leading mobile provider, offers an exclusive tourist package for prepaid SIM cards known as the “Welcome to Turkey Package.”

Vodafone’s Prepaid Tourist SIM Card with 20 GB of data
Unlimited WhatsApp usage
750 minutes for local calls

Validity: This plan is valid for 28 days, and you can use your prepaid tourist SIM card for a total of 90 days. After that, it will be deactivated.

For detailed information and the most up-to-date prices, please check the official Vodafone website. Prices at the airport can reach up to 1890 TL. The standard price is around 1 000 TL.

Türk Telekom – “Welcome” Package

Türk Telekom welcomes tourists with its special SIM card package called “Hoş geldin” (Welcome).

Package Details: The “Hoş geldin” 25GB package includes 25 GB of data, 750 minutes for local calls, and 750 SMS.

Validity: Türk Telekom SIM Cards are valid for 28 days.

For more details, please visit the official Türk Telekom website. Prices at the airport can go up to 850 TL.

Important Note: If you decide to purchase a prepaid SIM card in Turkey, you’ll need to show your valid passport as the SIM card will be registered in your name. The standard price of the Turk Telecom sim card would be around 700-900 TL.

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Step-by-step guide on how to buy a turkish simcard, step 1: choose your network provider.

There are three major network providers in Turkey – Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom. You can choose any of them based on your preference and budget. We recommend Turk Telecom.

Step 2: Locate a store

You can find the stores of these network providers at the airport, shopping malls, or in the city center: there are a lot of them, and all of them are official even if it doesn’t seem so because of their appearance.

At Istanbul airport and Sabiha Gökcen airport, you will see mobile internet provider shops of Turkey such as Turkcell, Turk Telekom, and Vodafone. However, it’s worth noting that the prices at these stores can be higher than at stores in the city center. You can use Google Maps or ask locals for directions.

Step 3: Bring your passport

You need to bring your passport with you to the store. This is required by Turkish law to register your SIM card.

Step 4: Choose a prepaid plan and check prices

To buy a tourist prepaid SIM card in Turkish, you can say “Turist SIM kartı” (pronounced “toorist sim kart”) which translates to “tourist SIM card.” They will understand you.

The network provider will offer you different prepaid plans with various data limits and validity periods. Prices will vary depending on the provider and the plan you choose (about . Make sure to ask the store personnel about the prices and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.

Step 5: Purchase the SIM card

After choosing your prepaid plan, the network provider will give you a SIM card. You will also need to pay for the plan at this time.

Step 6: Register your SIM card

The store personnel will help you register your SIM card by entering your passport information into their system.

Step 7: Activate your SIM card

Once your SIM card is registered, the store personnel will activate it for you. You can then start using your phone with your new prepaid plan.

Roaming with Vodafone

If you use Vodafone as your network provider, you may be able to use your prepaid plan in other countries as well, including Turkey. Vodafone offers free roaming for certain plans in some countries, but it’s best to check with the store personnel to confirm if your plan includes this feature.

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Best Turkey Sim Card For Tourists in 2024

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler. Globetrotter, Adventurer, and Frequent Traveler to Turkey!

This website uses affiliate links. For more information, click here .

If you’re visiting Turkey anytime soon, you’re going to want to stay connected. This is why you should consider getting yourself a Turkey sim card for tourists.

Whether you need data plans so you can share photos with those back home, you want to stream Netflix whilst camping, or you have business calls you need to make – there are many reasons why you need the best Turkish sim card when visiting the country.

But what are the best Turkish sim cards for tourists and how much will it cost? Is it worth getting a sim card or should you look towards eSIM deals? These are all great questions we’ll be answering in this guide to the best Turkey Sim Cards for tourists.

Our Top Pick

Airalo E-Sim Cards

If you need a SIM card but don’t have a lot of time, then our top pick for tourist SIM cards in Turkey is the e-Sim packages from Airalo .

You can choose from as little as 1GB for 7 days up to 20 GB for 30 days packages .

The prices are the most affordable and the most transparent we have found compared to local companies and it’s quick and easy to connect. You can read our full review of Airalo in Turkey here .

Why Buy a Prepaid Tourist Sim Card in Turkey?

There are many reasons why you should consider buying a sim card, and not just so you can share Instagram stories.

There are many network providers these days that allow you to use your home network abroad. T-Mobile and 3 are two examples of companies that allow their contract users to use data abroad, but there’s always a catch.

Some network providers only allow their users to use 2G abroad. To put that into perspective for you, it will take you 5 minutes to load a webpage. Other network providers only allow you to use 500MB. This can be used up in a few days and is not suitable for more than a weekend in Istanbul .

So if you want to stay connected, or you need calls and texts while you’re away, the solution is to get a tourist sim card in Turkey.

Getting a Turkish sim card means you have access to fast, reliable data since you are connected to the country’s network. Having fast data is extremely helpful for using things like Google Maps, and Google Translate, and looking up information about attractions or how to get from A to B (such as how to get to Ephesus from Istanbul ).

A local sim card also gives you calls and texts, which is extremely useful when you want to book tours and need to keep in contact with the guide or driver.

But most importantly, having a tourist sim card in Turkey means additional safety. Not only so you can call emergency services, but so you can look up directions when you’re getting lost, you can download maps and GPS tools.

Are you reading this from Turkey? Maybe you need a VPN!

If you’re already in Turkey, there is one thing you absolutely NEED: a reliable VPN .

You may find some of your favorite websites and apps are blocked in Turkey , such as popular hotel site booking.com

A VPN allows you to get passed this ruling and enables you to browse these sites without any hassle, and it’s completely legal.

We use Express VPN when we’re in Turkey and we’d recommend it to anyone. It’s affordable, quick, and easy to use.

Things To Consider Before Buying a Turkish Sim Card

Before you go browsing through the airport service counters, you need to know what to look for in a Turkish sim card. Here are some things you need to consider before making a purchase.

What is the registration process?

Usually, the registration process is quite simple. When we bought our Turkish sim card in Istanbul, we only had to present our passport for them to register our details to the sim card.

How do you activate the sim?

If you’re buying your sim card from a shop, the assistant will set it all up for you and you’ll likely be connected before you’ve even left the store. If you’re buying a sim card online or opting for an E-Sim, does the activation process seem simple? Will you have access to the tech support if you cannot figure it out?

What if you need to top up?

You should make sure to ask how to top up your sim card when purchasing it. If you buy your sim card from a store, they will usually tell you where you can top up such as from kiosks, convenience stores, or coming back to one of their stores.

You are usually given a card with your sim card that has these details on it so do not throw this away.

Where to Get Sim Cards in Turkey

The good news is there are many ways you can buy a sim card in Turkey, so you don’t need to worry about finding a place. Here are three main ways to buy a Turkish sim card…

At The Airport

The most obvious place to get a sim card is at the international airports (Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir etc). However, we don’t recommend this. When we landed at Istanbul airport, we compared deals to what we found online and they were three times more expensive at the airport.

We’re not sure why, but we can only put it down to “airport prices.” Either the sales assistant thought we don’t know any better, or they just charge more for being in the airport.

Unless the airport is missing free WiFi or you absolutely need a sim card before you leave the airport, we don’t recommend this option.

📖 Read more: Is Turkey Expensive?

There are many stores across Turkey where you can get tourist sim cards in Turkey. The main providers are:

Turk Telekom

You will find several shops for each of these providers in all major cities, as well as travel company shops offering sim cards as well.

We recommend you visit the official stores for each provider, such as the Vodafone store, Telecom store, or Turk Telekom stores, as they will have the best deal. You won’t have any issues finding a store no matter which area of Turkey you’re visiting, even in small towns like Fethiye.

However, you should scout around different stores . Turkcell does not share its prices online, and we found we were quoted different prices at different stores. You should be sure to visit a few different stores to scout out prices and get the best deal.

If you’re planning ahead and you have the time to wait for delivery, you can always get an e-sim card online before you visit.

Sometimes you can arrange for the sim to be delivered to your home address, or you can arrange to pick it up when you arrive at the airport. At present, there is no option to do this with the local sim cards in Turkey.

Best Turkish Sim Card Providers for Tourists

Now you know what to look for in a Turkish sim card, here is an overview of each plan available for tourists in Turkey. You can purchase these plans online before you visit, or you can pick them up from any of the network provider stores in Turkey.

Note : due to the fluctuation of the Turkish Lira, Turkcell, and Vodafone have removed their prices from their website and prices vary from store to store. As of August 8th, 2023, we have seen prices anywhere from $25 USD to $28 USD, and you should scout around for the best deal. In the below table, I have included the price in USD so you can check the exchange rate on the day of purchase. We try to update these prices regularly, but cannot always keep up with the moving exchange rates. These prices were given to us by members of staff in the network’s official stores in Turkey in August 2023.

Prepaid Tourist Sim Cards for Turkey

*Scroll left-right to view more

Data Coverage Map

Perhaps the biggest decider on which sim card is best for you is determined by the data coverage. While many Turkish sim cards connect you across the country, there are some patches that coverage cannot reach.

Here is a map of each provider’s data coverage.

Turkcell Data Coverage

As you can see from this data coverage map for Turkcell, the map is washed in red. This means that most of the country is connected to 4G+, even in rural areas. You’ll find no problems finding data coverage wherever you visit, as even Cappadocia has 4G and 4G+.

If you are planning a road trip and will pass through some of these rural areas, this is the best network provider for you in terms of data coverage. There are not many areas that have 5G with Turkcell.

Telekom Data Coverage

As you can see from the map above, Telekom has pretty good data coverage in the cities with most areas seeing 4G+ network service. In the region of Cappadocia, you can see there are 3G, 4G and some spots with 4G+ in most towns. In Istanbul, it is possible to connect to 5G.

There are a lot of rural areas in Turkey that don’t have connectivity according to this data coverage map, but these areas don’t tend to be on the main tourist trail. For tourists, Telekom provides decent data coverage, but if you are visiting Cappadocia you might find some areas a bit spotty.

Vodafone Data Coverage

Vodafone has similar connectivity as Telekom, but with few areas connecting to 5G. If you are sticking to the main tourist areas and not planning a road trip, the data coverage provided by Vodafone in Turkey will suffice.

e-Sim Cards for Turkey

Another option is to get an eSIM card. These are great for people who don’t have the time to find a sim card shop or you’re not visiting for long enough to make the purchase worth it.

eSIMS work by allowing you to buy flexible data packages without the need to buy a sim card. eSIM companies usually connect you to the local network, as they have deals with the providers who operate there.

They are quick and convenient, especially if you are planning to visit multiple countries on your trip.

Here are some eSIM providers we would recommend:

eSim Cards for Turkey

No calls or SMS

1 GB / 7 Days – $4.50

2 GB / 30 Days – $6.50

3 GB / 30 Days – $8.00

5 GB / 30 Days – $12.00

10 GB / 30 Days – $18.00

20 GB / 30 Days – $26.00

OneSimCard (eSIM World)

$0.25 USD per MB

Free to receive texts and calls

$0.45 per minute to call anywhere in the world

$0.59 per text anywhere in the world

Free Whatsapp

Holafly Turkey

Unlimited data / 5 days – $19.00

Unlimited data / 7 days – $27.00

Unlimited data / 10 days – $34.00

Unlimited data / 15 days – $47.00

Unlimited data / 20 days – $54.00

Unlimited data / 30 days – $64.00

Unlimited data / 60 days – $84.00

Unlimited data / 90 days – $99.00

300MB / 3 Days – $2.50

1GB / 15 Days – $6.00

2GB / 10 Days – $11.00

5GB / 30 Days – $29.90

10GB / 30 Days – $55.00

1GB / 3 Days – $4.50

1GB / 8 Days – $5.00

1GB / 15 Days – $5.50

3GB / 8 Days – $12.50

3GB / 15 Days – $13.50

5GB / 15 Days – $20.00

5GB / 24 Days – $21.50

7GB / 15 Days – $24.50

7GB / 24 Days – $25.00

10GB / 24 Days – $31.00

50GB / 90 Days – $100.00

The TRASST e-SIM Card for Turkey

Unlimited / 3 Days – €16.95

Unlimited / 5 Days – €17.95

Unlimited / 7 Days – €19.95

Unlimited / 14 Days – €26.95

Unlimited / 30 Days – €44.95

Unlimited / 90 Days – €89.95

Prepaid Sim Cards vs Pocket WiFi

If you’re just after a sim card for the data, then you might consider getting a pocket WiFi instead. These are small gadgets that allow you to connect to a mobile hotspot from wherever you are.

If you’re on the beach, simply connect to your pocket WiFi and you can share photos, chat with friends, and browse the internet just as you would with data. They also connect you to the whole of Turkey, and not just limit you to a region or city.

You can also connect to more than one device, so if you’re traveling as a family and everyone needs mobile internet, this could be better valued than getting everyone a sim card.

Pocket WiFi’s are usually expensive to buy, but fortunately, you can rent one for your trip and pick them up and drop them off at the airport. The fee is determined by how long you need it for.

Here’s where you can pick up pocket WiFis in Turkey…

Tips for Buying a Turkish Sim Card

Before you run off to buy your sim card, I have a few more words of advice for you.

Don’t buy the sim card from the airport. The deals we were offered were a lot more expensive than in the city. We’re not sure why, but they were working out to be around 3x the price.
Scout around for the best deals. Unfortunately, some companies do not advertise their prices and we found that the price varied depending on which shop we visited. Go to a few and compare prices.
Remember the exchange rate for the Lira changes dramatically. You may find that the price of a sim card changes from week to week, this is because the exchange rate for the Lira is always changing. You should have an idea of prices in USD and then convert it to Lira on the day. In fact, many stores in Turkey are now accepting Euros or British Sterling instead, so if you’re visiting from Europe, be sure to carry some of Euros as well.
Keep your receipt and the packaging. The little card that the sim card comes in usually has details on how to top up and emergency numbers, as well as your sim card’s pin code, so don’t throw this away.
Don’t leave the store until you’re up and running. If there’s a problem and you’ve left, you need to go back and get it fixed. This adds more time and effort. It should connect you within minutes, but sometimes it can take up to 15 minutes to an hour. So just wait around until you’re good to go.
Don’t remove your sim card unless you’re finished with it. The sim card is locked with a pin number (found on the card that the sim card comes in), which you need to enter to be able to open your mobile phone. If you forget your pin, you’ll be unable to use your phone if you take the sim card out and put it back in again.

FAQs About Turkey Sim Cards for Tourists

Here’s what people usually ask us about sim cards for tourists in Turkey…

Can tourists get a SIM card in Turkey?

Yes, tourists only need to show their passports to get a sim card anywhere in Turkey.

What is the best SIM card to use in Turkey?

In our opinion, the Telekom 40 GB data plan is the best value deal for tourists. If you want good connectivity, the Turkcell 20 GB plan has the best data across the country.

How much is the SIM card in Turkey?

This is dependent on the provider and the plan. You can find plans for as little as $2.50 USD, to as much as $40 USD. The most popular options are around $25 USD.

Can I use WhatsApp in Turkey?

Yes, you can use Whatsapp in Turkey.

The Verdict: Best Sim Card in Turkey for Tourists

As you can see there are a lot of choices to choose from when picking the best Turkish sim card for tourists. When we visited, we chose a Turkcell sim card for tourists because we planned to stay longer than a month and were traveling to more rural areas.

We were quite happy with Turkcell and found we always had connectivity, even when hiking in Cappadocia. We also found it easy to top up by visiting the store and asking for assistance. Their staff spoke English and were very helpful.

At the time, we believed Turkcell to be the best value for money. You get decent network coverage and 40GB lasts a long time, plus the price makes it a pretty good deal for those who need a lot of data. You can stream movies on long-distance buses for that amount.

However, we have started using the Airalo E-Sim Card because they are more transparent with their prices, and they also connect to the Vodafone Turkey AND Turk Telekom networks. If you only need data and no calls, this is the cheapest and most convenient option.

However, if your phone doesn’t support E-Sim Cards, then Telekom is the cheapest option, just be sure to shop around for the best price.

So in short, for the best data coverage, go for Turkcell, for the best-priced data plan, go for Telekom.

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler

Louisa Smith

Louisa is a professional travel blogger with an insatiable wanderlust for exploring the captivating country of Turkey. With a deep appreciation for the country’s diverse history and natural beauty, Louisa has made it her mission to share the wonders of Turkey with the world. Born in the UK and raised by two Travel Agent parents, she was born with a perpetual case of the travel bug and now travels full time as a travel writer. Louisa has embarked on numerous adventures across Turkey, and shares her first-hand expertise and experience about her favorite destinations in Turkey, such as Antalya, Alanya, Fethiye and Bodrum.

32 thoughts on “Best Turkey Sim Card For Tourists in 2024”

Hiya Sean & Louisa,

This is an awesome explanation. ‘Short’, straightforward and easy to understand. My family and I will be visiting Antalya and Istanbul in the summer (I know, 🥵 😅). And this has given us enough infos in term of connectivity (our flight lands 10:00pm). Keep on writing, I enjoy your writing. Best, Yuni

Hi, thank you for the in-depth guide on data/sim in Turkey. For the E-sim, I can’t seem to find the same deal of 20gb+200mins at 13USD on the onesimcard website? Can you advise how to get this done? Thank you

Hi Sel, I think you are referring to the OneSim, eSim card which sadly doesn’t have that deal anymore. The best deal for eSIMs (I think) is the Airlo eSim, which gives you 10gb of data for 30 days, for $18.00 USD. You can see the Airlo deals here .

hello, the prepaid sim card prices you posted, are they the prices at the airport or the normal price? thank you

From our experience, no the prepaid sim prices at the airport were a lot higher. I can’t remember exactly the price now because it was a few months since I last visited Turkey, but it was definitely cheaper to buy a sim card in the city.

Arrived at Antalya Airport yesterday (04/03/2023) sims cards were on sale for over 1100tl (€55), total rip off! The hotel I’m staying at was offering them for €35, as we arrived after 9pm local time most of the shops were closed so will head into town and see what the prices are, surely will be cheaper. I will update this side with my findings.

Hi Habs, thanks for letting us know about the prices you saw! It’s a shame that it’s so much more expensive at Antalya airport as well. I hope you are able to find a better deal by going into the shops today. We found the shops were the cheapest option in Istanbul.

Hello. We are planning to arrive at the Istanbul airport on May 1 and will need GPS from there as we will be driving around Turkey for 18 days as far East as Cappadocia. How do we avoid buying the Turkcell or Telekom SIM at the airport? We live in the US. Thank you.

It will probably be better for you to get an e-Sim card if that’s the case. You can find great deals on Airlo.

If you go to app store and get Maps.me (Green square with suit case in it) you can then through WIFI search the world or in your case Turkey and as you home in it will prompt to download the map. Once you have done this you dont need a phone signal just use like Google maps. Just second check the route because sometimes it tries to be too clever and take short cuts that no longer there. Also make sure you download all the maps there may be more than 1for Turkey. Load now and practice locally to experience it; you can drop pins find walking trails etc, etc at no cost.

Hi Mark, thank you for the advice you shared. MapsMe is a great app and is really helpful for navigating around Turkey, especially if you want to do some hiking.

I went to Turkcell in the Mall of Istanbul today and asked for the Tourist Welcome Pack. The guy who helped me said the pack would cost me 800 TRL in stead of the advertised 165 TRL. Total rip off!!! Do they really think tourists are stupid?????

Hi Adriaan, I’m sorry to hear this happened to you. There are unfortunately some shops that try to take advantage of tourists, though we have not been to the shop you mentioned. I hope you were able to find a better deal at another store.

Today at Izmir city centre I went to some Turkcell and Vodafone shops and they only had one option for tourists with 20GB and it cost around 600 TRL. I went to a few different shops, all similar prices. And they didn’t have any official flyer or poster with the values, you just need to trust what the guy tells you. A bit sketchy, I find! No official info at the store. I was wondering where can I find these deals of 169 TRL?

Hi Marina, unfortunately, Turkcell and Vodafone have stopped advertising their prices online and we are always hearing of people being quoted different amounts from different shops. If you are sure you want to use their sim package, the only way to find the best deal is to go to different stores and compare prices. It’s not convenient and can be very frustrating for the consumer. At present, only Telekom are advertising their prices online and it’s much cheaper than 600 TL. Their coverage is not as good but it should be good enough if you just visit the tourist places: https://www.turktelekom.com.tr/tt-en/Pages/prepaid-tourist-sim-turkey.aspx

Thank you for your reply. I see the advertised price on the Turk Telekom website as 85 TL for the 25GB package. But today I went to the Turk Telekom shop in Izmir centre and they told me the price is 558 TL. I still can’t understand what’s happening… are all the shops trying to rip me off, or have the sim card prices gone up insanely in the last few months? Are the shops even allowed to sell at a different price than the one advertised online?

Hi Marina, I don’t see the package you mentioned on the Turkcell website, perhaps you were looking at the prepaid sim rather than the Tourist Sim Card. A prepaid sim is for locals and cannot be bought by tourists. Sometime in early 2023, Turkcell and Vodafone removed their prices from their website for this because the Lira is always fluctuating. The exchange rate in March 2023 is at an all-time low which is suspected to be due to the earthquakes . I believe the prices you are seeing are a result of the exchange rate dropping. As of this time, it seems the most affordable way to get data in Turkey as a tourist is to choose an eSim.

What about BIM sim card. Prepaid

We didn’t include BIM as we have not used BIMcell or have any experience with them. I see that you can get them from the BIM supermarkets, which is handy.

Hello, if I take off the sim cart and leave turkey when I come back to Turkey could I use it again?

Usually with these tourist sim cards, they are registered for a period of time only. Once that period is over, you need to purchase another one. If you had a 30 day sim card, left Turkey, and came back within the 30 days, then it should work fine. If you leave for a longer period of time, then you would need to get another tourist sim when you return back to Turkey.

Thanks very much guys! Extremely helpful Nick

Thanks for this, very clear and just what I needed.

I see Turk Telekom prices have gone up on their website (hardly surprising, given Turkish inflation and the exchange rate) but at least they are still quoting them and they look good value.

Is there any additional cost on top of this to get the physical prepaid SIM that you then activate the Prepaid Tourist Plan on?

Hi Peter, thanks for reaching out. There are no additional costs on top of the prepaid tourist plan. The fee includes the data package and the sim card combined.

Hi guys, great article and very helpful indeed. I had normally used roaming on my phone on previous visits. Since the UK left the EU mobile providers have cheekily removed the roaming to Turkey and charging a lot now which won’t be feasible for longer visits. With a view of getting a tourist sim I just sent a message to Vodafone Turkey as the price was not listed on their website. It is just wrong to advertise a package without the price clearly. They came back with a quote of 562 TL for a 20GB plan for 28 days. Whereas the T&Cs link states a different price. Very misleading and deceptive. Anyways looking at more options. Will share if I find something better. At this point Turk Telekom and Bimcell are looking better if only they honour the advertised prices.

Update – Turk Telekom customer services quoted 473 TL for a blank SIM card and 190 for 50GB data for 28 days. 663 TL Total. This again is extremely misleading as no mention of the extortionate charge for a blank SIM card on Turk Telekom website. They only advertise 110 TL for 20GB and 190 TL for 50GB plans.

Hi Rick, thanks for the update. This is surprising to hear as we used Telekom sim cards and were not charged a Sim Card price. It seems that times have changed.

Looks that way. I’m off to Kusadasi in a couple of weeks. Will update you with latest my findings 🙂

Thank you for your clear and informative article. Regarding esim card Airalo, I’m traveling with a family of 5. Some are not very good in technology or don’t have credit card. How can I help them to buy the e-card? A bit silly question but I wonder can I buy multiple ones and then transfer to their phone or they need to buy it with their phone?

Hi Mer, Airalo have some great tutorials on their Youtube Channel that show you how to activate the plans and set it up. You can view the Youtube Channel here.

Hi guys, check out esim-turkey.com, they have unlimited data volume for any budget, like 16,95€ for three days to 89,95€ for 90 days. I happened to come across the link for them.

Hi Star, thank you for passing this on. The deals on this site look to be the same as the TRASST e-sim deals, however I don’t know that this site you suggest is reputable as it doesn’t specify the company. We would recommend booking through Trasst instead, as this is a reputable company and has the same prices on their official website.

Tourist SIM Card/e-SIM - Internet Access on Your Device

Stay connected and enjoy high-speed internet access during your vacation in Turkey with the Tourist SIM Card offered by istanbul.com. With internet packages ranging from 20 GB to 200 GB, you can easily access the web, stay in touch with loved ones, and make the most out of your time in Istanbul and beyond. Say goodbye to the hassle of buying a SIM card in a foreign country – istanbul.com has got you covered.

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Enjoy your Internet throughout Turkey!

When you're traveling to a foreign country like Turkey, having reliable internet access is crucial. Whether it's for sharing your travel experiences on social media or staying connected with loved ones back home, the Tourist SIM Card from istanbul.com provides a convenient solution. Buying a SIM card in a foreign country can often be a complicated process, but istanbul.com simplifies it for you. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you'll find a ready-to-go SIM Card waiting for you, ensuring that you're connected from the moment you step off the plane.

Wit h internet packages ranging from 20 GB to 200 GB, you can choose the package that suits your needs. Whether you're a light user who mainly relies on social media and messaging apps or a heavy user who needs seamless internet access for browsing, streaming, and more, there's a package for you . And with 3G/4.5G high-speed internet access, you can enjoy fast and reliable connectivity throughout your stay in Turkey.

What sets the Tourist SIM Card from istanbul.com apart is the convenience it offers. Upon purchasing the card, the Turkcell SIM Card will be registered on your behalf, eliminating the need for additional paperwork or complicated registration processes. You can simply insert the SIM card into your device and start using it immediately. Plus, the coverage extends to every city in Turkey , ensuring that you stay connected no matter where your travels take you.

Hassle-free ready-to-go Turkcell SIM Card upon arrival
High-speed 3G/4.5G internet access for seamless connectivity
Internet packages ranging from 20 GB to 200 GB to suit your needs
Extensive coverage in every city across Turkey
Convenient registration process handled on your behalf
Stay connected with loved ones and access social media easily
No need to worry about complicated SIM card purchasing process in a foreign country
Enjoy uninterrupted internet access while exploring Turkey's attractions
Reliable and trusted service provided by Turkcell and istanbul.com
Ready-to-go Turkcell SIM Card registered on your behalf
Internet packages ranging from 20 GB to 200 GB
3G/4.5G high-speed internet access
Coverage in every city in Turkey
Mobile phone or device: The Tourist SIM Card does not include a mobile phone or device. You will need to have an unlocked, compatible device to use the SIM card.

Don't Worry, buy your eSIM easily!

In today's digital age , staying connected while traveling has become an essential part of any journey. Whether it's sharing your travel experiences with friends and family, accessing maps and navigation apps, or simply staying up to date with emails, having a reliable internet connection is crucial. That's where the Tourist SIM Card from istanbul.com comes in, offering a hassle-free solution for visitors to Turkey.

One of the biggest challenges travelers face when it comes to internet connectivity is buying a SIM card in a foreign country. The language barrier, unfamiliar procedures, and the need for additional documentation can make the process complicated and time-consuming. But with istanbul.com, you don't need to worry about any of that. Their Tourist SIM Card provides a convenient and seamless way to stay connected during your vacation in Turkey.

Ready to Go SIM for your Trip!

Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you'll find a ready-to-go SIM Card waiting for you. No more searching for a local store, standing in line, or dealing with language barriers – istanbul.com takes care of all the details for you. The Turkcell SIM Card, a leading provider in Turkey, will be registered on your behalf, ensuring that you can start using it right away. Simply insert the SIM card into your device, and you're ready to explore all that Turkey has to offer while staying connected.

Choose Your Package - No One Card Fits All!

The Tourist SIM Card offers a range of internet packages to suit your needs. Whether you're a casual user who mainly relies on social media and messaging apps or a heavy user who needs seamless internet access for browsing, streaming, and more, there's a package for you. With options ranging from 20 GB to 200 GB , you can choose the package that best aligns with your usage requirements. And with 3G/4.5G high-speed internet access, you can enjoy fast and reliable connectivity throughout your stay.

What makes the Tourist SIM Card from istanbul.com even more appealing is its extensive coverage. With service available in every city in Turkey, you can stay connected no matter where your adventures take you. Whether you're exploring the bustling streets of Istanbul, marveling at the historical sites of Ephesus, or relaxing on the pristine beaches of Antalya, you can count on uninterrupted internet access.

It's worth noting that Turkey also offers e-SIM technology, which allows travelers to use their phones without the need to physically swap out SIM cards. This can be especially convenient for those who have e-SIM-compatible devices or for those who prefer a digital solution. With the Tourist e-SIM, you can enjoy all the benefits of the Tourist SIM Card without the need for a physical SIM card. Simply download the e-SIM profile, and you're ready to stay connected throughout your Turkish adventure.

In conclusion, the Tourist SIM Card from istanbul.com provides a seamless and convenient solution for staying connected during your trip to Turkey. With easy registration, a range of internet packages, and extensive coverage, you can enjoy uninterrupted internet access and stay in touch with loved ones while exploring the rich culture, history, and natural beauty of this fascinating country. Say goodbye to the hassles of buying a SIM card in a foreign country and get ready to experience Turkey with the peace of mind that comes from being connected.

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Prepaid SIM card for your holiday

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Tourist prepaid sim card for your holiday.

Get your prepaid SIM card or e-SIM from nearest Vodafone Shop (incl. Airport Shops). You can apply Vodafone tourist SIM card by filling out the form below. After activating your SIM card or e-SIM, you can get your Welcome to Turkey Pack in Vodafone shop.

Apply now for the Vodafone Tourist SIM Card

You can apply now for Vodafone Tourist SIM Card by filling out the form and get your SIM card from nearest Vodafone shop.

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I agree that the information I share is processed to the required extent and for a sufficient period of time and shared with third party business partners authorized by Vodafone in order to present the most suitable offer for my needs.

Başvuru formunda belirttiğiniz bilgileriniz, 6563 sayılı Elektronik Ticaretin Düzenlenmesi Hakkında Kanun uyarınca siz ticari elektronik ileti almayı reddedene kadar, Vodafone Telekomünikasyon AŞ ve Vodafone Net İletişim Hizmetleri AŞ’nin ticari işletmelere özel ürün, hizmet, kampanyalarının tarafınıza tanıtım ve pazarlamasının yapılması amacıyla tarafınıza SMS, arama ve e-posta gönderilmesi amaçlarıyla işlenecektir. Ticari elektronik ileti iznini dilediğiniz zaman Vodafone müşterisi iseniz IPTAL yazıp 5203’e ücretsiz SMS göndererek, Vodafone müşterisi değilseniz İleti Yönetim Sistemi web sitesi ( iys.org.tr ) üzerinden giriş yaparak ücretsiz olarak Vodafone’dan ticari elektronik ileti izninize ret verebilirsiniz veyahut size gönderilen SMS, arama veya e-postada belirtilen iptal yöntemiyle ücretsiz olarak geri alabilirsiniz.

Why Vodafone Tourist SIM Card?

Wide Vodafone network quality

In the Welcome to Turkey package, 20 GB internet valid domestically, unlimited Whatsapp (including calling feature ) , Telegram and Facebook Messenger, 1 week unlimited Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, 750 minutes and 250 SMS

International calling additional packages at advantageous prices

Not having to reload with 3-month package

U ninterrupted communication without changing physical card with e-sim

Terms&Conditions

Tourist Starter Package

Tourist Starter Package will be available to foreign subscribers coming with newline.
Valid for newline only.
Vodafone reserves the right to make changes in the tariff by notifying BTK within the framework of legal rules.
New Easy Tariff campaign will be used to activate the Tourist Starter Package.
VAT and ÖIV are included in the specified fees. The price stated is the recommended price.

Click for tourist starter package.

How do I get an e-SIM card for Turkey as a tourist?

To get an e-SIM card for Turkey, you’ll need to check if your device is compatible with e-SIM. Vodafone offers both physical SIM card and e-SIM to their customers in Welcome to Turkey Pack. You can take your e-SIM from Vodafone Shops.

What is e-SIM card?

An e-SIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM that is build into a device such as smartphone or smartwatch. It eliminates the need for a physical SIM card and allows for greater flexibility. E-SIM cards are available in Turkey and are supported by Vodafone.

What is a travel sim?

A travel SIM is a type of SIM card that is designed to be used by travelers. It typically provides international roaming services, allowing the user to access local mobile networks while traveling abroad. This means that the users can use their phone as they would in their home country, without incurring additional charges or having to change SIM cards. Travel SIMs often offer competitive rates and packages, making them a cost-effective option for international travelers.

Sim card that works in Turkey

A SIM card that works in Turkey would be a local SIM card that is issued by a mobile network operator in Turkey. These SIM cards can be purchased and activated in Turkey, and will allow the user to make and receive calls, send texts, and access the internet. It's important to note that if you are planning to travel to Turkey, you should check with your mobile network operator to see if they have any roaming agreements with Turkish network operators, as this may be a more cost-effective option than purchasing a local SIM card. Also, make sure that your device is unlocked and is compatible with the Turkish networks' frequencies.

Who can buy a prepaid sim card for tourists

Prepaid SIM cards for tourists can be purchased by anyone who is visiting a country and plans to use their mobile phone while they are there. These SIM cards are typically available at airports, phone shops, and other retail outlets. Some countries have regulations that require tourists to provide proof of identity and address in order to purchase a SIM card. However, in many countries, SIM cards can be purchased with minimal documentation, or even without any documentation at all. In some cases, it's also possible to purchase a prepaid SIM card online before arriving at a destination. Tourists should check the regulations of the country they are visiting before arriving, to ensure they are able to purchase a SIM card and know what documents are needed.

How to get tourist sim card in Turkey

To get a tourist SIM card in Turkey, you will need to visit a mobile phone operator store. You will need to provide your passport and a local address, such as your hotel or hostel. You can then choose from a variety of prepaid or postpaid plans, depending on your needs. Be sure to check for any special deals or packages that may be available for tourists. Keep in mind that you may need to activate your SIM card by providing a local contact number or by making a small deposit.

How does a prepaid sim card work

A prepaid SIM card is a type of SIM card that allows you to pay for the services you use in advance. These cards are typically sold in specific denominations and the balance on the card is used to pay for services such as phone calls, text messages, and data usage. When you purchase a prepaid SIM card, you will need to activate it by providing your personal information, such as your name and passport number. Once activated, you can use the card to make calls and send messages until the balance is depleted. You can reload or top-up the card by purchasing additional credit at a store or online. Prepaid SIM cards are a good option for those who want to control their spending or for travelers who want a temporary mobile phone service.

How does international sim card work

An international SIM card is a type of SIM card that allows you to use your mobile phone while traveling abroad. These cards are typically used in lieu of a local SIM card, and they allow you to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages at a lower cost than using your regular SIM card while roaming. International SIM cards work by allowing you to switch between different networks depending on your location. They come with a specific phone number, which you can give to your friends, family and work colleagues to reach you. You will need to purchase credit for the card, which can be used to pay for services such as calls, text messages, and data usage. You can top-up or reload the card as you need. Some international SIM cards also come with additional services such as call forwarding and voicemail.

How long does a prepaid sim card stay active

A prepaid SIM card will typically stay active as long as there is a credit or an active plan on the card. Most prepaid SIM cards have a certain validity period after which the card will expire if not topped up or recharged with credit. The validity period of a prepaid SIM card can vary depending on the provider and the country in which you are using the card. Vodafone offers a 90-day validity period. It's important to check the terms and conditions of your prepaid SIM card and to keep an eye on the expiry date to ensure that you can continue using the card.

How much is a sim card in Turkey

The cost of a SIM card may vary depending on the provider and the type of plan you choose. Some providers offer prepaid SIM cards that can be purchased with a small amount of credit, while others offer postpaid plans that require a deposit and a contract. It is also possible to purchase SIM cards from street vendors or small shops, but it is recommended to buy from official providers in order to avoid any issues with activation or service. Overall, the cost of a SIM card in Turkey is relatively affordable compared to many other countries.

Pay as you go sim deals

Pay-as-you-go SIM deals, also known as prepaid SIM deals, allow users to pay for their mobile phone service in advance, instead of paying a monthly bill. These types of plans are often used by individuals who do not want to be tied to a long-term contract, or by those who are traveling and need a temporary phone line. Pay-as-you-go SIMs can be purchased at many retailers and phone stores, and they can be used with both smartphones and basic mobile phones. Users typically purchase a set amount of minutes, texts, and data, and once that is used up, they can purchase more as needed. The cost of pay-as-you-go SIM deals can vary depending on the carrier and the amount of usage.

Who can buy a Prepaid SIM Card for tourist?

Tourist Prepaid SIM Card is eligible for the subscribers who has foreign passport number and declare their passports during registration process.

How much is a Tourist SIM Card (Prepaid SIM Card for tourist) in Turkey?

New SIM Card fee may vary from shop to shop.

What is New Easy Tariff?

New Easy tariff is the tariff where foreign customers can use with a passport statement. Within the scope of the tariff, no benefit is charged to the subscriber for a fixed fee, the subscribers pay as much as they use.

What is Welcome To Turkey Pack?

This package will be automatically defined to subscribers who activate a new line with the New Easy Tariff, no fee is charged.

Welcome To Turkey Pack includes allnet 750 minutes, allnet 1000 SMS, allnet 20GB, unlimited data valid for Whatsapp usage and 5 TL that can be used for radio usage tax. Package allowance is valid for 28 days.

How much is the tariff’s overage fee?

Without any available pack, the standard exceeding fees for internet: 2 Kr/100 kB voice is 68,69 Kr/60 seconds, for SMS: 49 Kr/1 unit and for MMS: 90 Kr/ 1 unit.

How long is the Tourist SIM Card valid for?

Tourist SIM Card will be deactivated automatically after 60 days. If the customers want to keep their sim cards activated, they can change their tariffs before 60 days expire by calling 542 or typing CHANGE and sending an SMS to 7000.

Local Sim Card For Your Vacation

Get your local Simcard and stay connected during your vacation. You can get your SIM card from the nearest Turkcell store.

When you buy the Tourist Welcome Pack, you have 20GB internet, 200min. calls in all directions, unlimited messaging via BiP & whatsapp valid for 30 days.

As of 15.08.2021, Tourist Welcome Pack will be assigned to customers who purchase a new Turkcell prepaid line with a foreign passport.Tourist Welcome Pack will not be defined for lines with TCKN, YKN or other documents.

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Guide to Getting a SIM Card at Istanbul Airport

Getting a SIM card at Istanbul Airport in Turkey can be a convenient way to keep in touch during vacations. A local SIM Card or eSIM helps you avoid expensive roaming charges and ensures constant Internet access for your Business to data services like maps, transportation, and translation apps. This guide will provide all the key details you need to know about purchasing a SIM at Istanbul Airport.

Where to buy SIM Card at Istanbul Airport (IST)

I. where to buy a sim card at istanbul airport.

Where to buy SIM Card at Istanbul Airport - Airport map

Istanbul Airport has several options for purchasing SIM cards onsite after you land. The major mobile operators in Turkey like Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom have stores located in the airport terminals . There are also vending machines and information desks that sell SIM cards.

The Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom stores can be found airside (after passport control) in the International Terminal Arrivals area. Turkcell and Vodafone are located across from gates B11-B13. Türk Telekom is near gates A11-A12. There are also some stores landside before passport control, but the best selection is airside.

Opening Hours

The mobile operator stores are open daily following the airport opening hours, which are 24/7. The vending machines also operate 24 hours.

Operator store prices for SIM cards tend to be slightly higher than buying in the city. Expect to pay around 60-80 TRY ($3-$5 USD) for a SIM card including some data. Vending machine prices are usually a bit cheaper.

II. Istanbul Airport SIM Card Options and Costs

The main Turkish mobile operators offer prepaid SIM cards with a variety of data packages at Istanbul Airport. Here are some of the top options:

There are a variety of SIM card options available at Istanbul Airport, to suit all needs and budgets. It’s important to consider your individual requirements when choosing a SIM card.

III. What You Need to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Istanbul Airport

Purchasing a SIM card at the Istanbul Airport is a very straightforward process. Here are a few tips on what to have ready:

Passport: Your passport is required to register your SIM card. Be ready to show it at the store or vending machine.
Cash: The stores may accept credit cards but often charge extra fees. The vending machines only take cash.
Unlocked phone: Your phone must be unlocked to use a foreign SIM. Contact your home provider in advance to request an unlock.
SIM size: Standard, micro, and nano SIMs are all available. Know which size your phone requires.

IV. eSIM as an Alternative to SIM Card at Istanbul Airport

Using an eSIM is another option to consider instead of a physical SIM card at Istanbul Airport. An eSIM is built into your phone and can be digitally activated with a data plan. Here are some things to know:

eSIMs allow you to install multiple plans and switch between them easily.
You can purchase a prepaid eSIM before your trip and activate it once you land via the provider app. Some good Istanbul eSIM options are Ucell or Turkcell eSIM.
eSIMs can be more expensive than regular SIMs. But they are very convenient as you don’t have to locate and insert a card.

Stay connected in Turkey with an affordable and hassle-free eSIM data plan from Turkey eSIM . With Turkey eSIM, you can enjoy high-speed 4G/LTE internet access with up to 10GB of data valid for 7-30 days, meaning you don’t have to worry about running out of data during your travels.

Do I need to register or show my passport to get a SIM card at Istanbul Airport?

Yes, you need to register your SIM card with your passport details per Turkish law. This applies to SIMs purchased at the airport or elsewhere in Turkey.

Can I use my Istanbul Airport SIM card in other countries?

Your Turkish SIM will only work domestically. It will not provide service if you travel into another country. You’ll need to purchase a new local SIM at your next destination.

Are there SIM card scams I should watch for at Istanbul Airport?

Only purchase SIMs from authorized stores, machines, or info desks inside the airport. Avoid unauthorized resellers who may try to approach you in the arrivals area. Also be sure to check the SIM packaging is sealed and branded by one of the main operators.

How can I check the remaining data balance on my Istanbul Airport SIM?

Dial *123# on your Turkish SIM to see your remaining data balance and expiration date. You can then purchase more data if needed directly from the SIM menu.

Final Words

Getting a Turkey SIM card upon arrival at Istanbul Airport is a quick and convenient way to have connectivity right away during your trip. With multiple provider options, data packages, and purchasing points available at the airport, you’re sure to find a SIM that suits your needs. Turkey eSIM is another choice, will make using maps, translators, and travel apps much easier as you explore Istanbul and Turkey.

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Turkiye SIM Card for Tourists: 2023 Guide

If you’re planning a trip to Turkiye soon and are wondering whether you need an unlocked phone or a Turkish SIM card to get connected there, the answer is yes to both. You will need to use the internet, send sms, and more while you are traveling and it’s important to make sure you have access when you need it. Having your own unlocked mobile phone will help you stay connected while traveling in the country, and getting a local SIM card from one of the top network operators there will help you make local calls at affordable rates. Here is what we have found so far.

Tip : If you’re traveling to Istanbul, renting a car is an absolute must! You’ll be able to see everything the city has to offer without dealing with the hassles of public transportation or expensive taxis. Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of being able to venture outside of the city limits to see some of Turkey’s other amazing sights. See options & prices here .

1. Should I get a sim card on my vacation in Turkiye?

2. how much does a sim card in turkiye cost, 3. which network operator is the best to get a tourist sim card (turkcell, vodafone and more), 4. what is a prepaid tourist sim card, 5. roaming on your uk / usa sim card, which sim card is best for turkey.

You don’t have to get a new SIM card while on vacation in Turkiye, if you already have an unlocked mobile phone and a UK / USA sim card with a data plan. You can keep using your existing SIM card, but keep in mind that data roaming charges might apply. The local network operators in Turkiye might have some roaming agreements with your home network operator, but you can never be sure. Therefore, it’s better to play safe and get an affordable tourist sim card in Turkiye to stay connected on the go.

“ Tip : If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul for more than 1 day, be prepared for the heavy traffic that can eat up a lot of your time. To make the most of your trip, we recommend staying in the Galata Tower area for its central location and easy accessibility to the city center, museums, and other popular attractions. Check out this link to find the best hotels in the area, and keep reading for more helpful tips!

The cost of a sim card in Turkiye will depend on the network operator you choose to buy it from, and their existing offers for local and international customers. For example, if you are an international tourist in Turkiye and looking to get a local SIM card, you can expect to pay around 25 to 30 USD for a SIM card depending on the network operator and their offers.

A local SIM card in Turkiye will cost less than 10 USD. This might be an option if you want to budget the amount of Turkish lira you want to spend, but remember this option offers local services. These are some of the network operators to get a tourist sim card in Turkiye: Turkcell and Vodafone are the leading ones. There are a variety of options as a Tourist Welcome Pack in Vodafone Turkey. A Turkcell sim card also comes with mobile internet, and more, depending on the plan you choose for your usage. You can also get a local SIM card from the two leading mobile network operators in the country – the Turkish Telecommunication Authority (T-Mobile) and Turk Telekom (A Turkish Company).

If you want to get the best sim card possible, the top network operators to get a SIM card in Turkiye are Vodafone and Turkcell . They both have the best coverage, a wide range of plans and packages for customers, and also provide a reliable network for tourists. The network operators have also partnered with a few network agencies to sell their SIM cards to tourists. It is the best option to get a sim card in Turkiye for tourists.

Considering you will be using the internet to do most things while traveling (using Google Maps , registration, email, etc.), and that accesing WiFi might be difficult in some situations, it might be best to choose a plan with unlimited data. You might want to tak to your loved ones back home frequently, or maybe you will need to make many business calls within Turkey, so making a change in your phone number may affect your travel quality. Some plans include limited GB of internet, however, they provide unlimited WhatsApp , or another app like Facebook , or Twitter , which is good if those are your primary platform of communication. There are also SIM bundles you can choose from. Either way, if you know your priorities finding the best deal is no hassle, because there are many options available, and you can find relevant info on their websites now.

A prepaid tourist sim card is a local SIM card that you can get from any of the network agencies in Turkiye. You can get a Turkey prepaid card from any of the leading operators in the country – Vodafone, Turk Telecom, and Turkcell. These companies offer special tourist prepaid SIM card options– with a tourist plan that you can get at an affordable price to stay connected while in Turkiye.

The prepaid Turkey sim card for tourists will help you stay connected with friends and family back home, get cheap local and international calls, and use data to stay connected anytime, anywhere in the country. The best thing about tourist SIM cards in Turkiye is that you can make calls and use data as much as you want without worrying about running up a huge bill. Tourist SIM card Turkiye offers have a wide variety for your convenience. Do not forget that you will need to show your passport to get a tourist SIM card Turkey. You don’t necessarily need a physical tourist SIM card Turkey, you can get an e-SIM card. An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to access your carrier without a physical one.

If you have an unlocked mobile phone and a United Kingdom or United States SIM card, you can use it while traveling in Turkiye. The only thing you need to do is enable data roaming on your network operator’s account. You can then use your UK / USA SIM card to make calls, send text messages, and use data. Don’t forget that although you will likely be able to find content to watch or listen to in English, you might need to use VPN to access content you were able to access back in Europe, or the US, in your streaming services.

Make sure you don’t go over your monthly data limit. You might incur roaming charges while traveling in Turkiye depending on your network operator. For more information about what to do in Istanbul, you can also check our blog on 7 days Istanbul itinerary !

If you’re a tourist visiting Turkiye, it is highly recommended to get a prepaid tourist SIM card. The SIM card will provide you with unlimited data and a variety of call and text packages to suit your needs without worrying about high bills.

Tourist SIM cards can be easily obtained by providing your passport at various vendors across the country. If you don’t want to bother with having a physical card, an e-SIM option is also available. However, if you have an unlocked mobile phone and a UK or USA SIM card, enabling data roaming on your operator’s account could also be an option.

Check out the HeyTripster readers’ top-rated Istanbul attractions:

Buying A Turkey Sim Card For Tourists In Istanbul (& Rest of Turkey!)

If you are planning a trip to Turkey, you must wonder whether buying a Turkish sim card is necessary.

In our guide, you will find information about how much it costs to buy a Turkish sim card, where to get it, and whether you actually need a sum card in Turkey or not . Enjoy!

Planning A Trip To Istanbul Last Minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Here is our recommended airport transfer in Istanbul:

Airport Shuttle From Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gocken Airport (SAW) (Hassle-free and cheap!)

Here are our recommended tours in Istanbul:

Luxury Bosphorus Cruise At Sunset (A must In Istanbul!)
Whirling Dervishes Show (Unique cultural experience!)
Istanbul Food Tour: Taste of Two Continents (For the foodies!)
Historical Turkish Bath Experience (SOOO relaxing!!)

Here are our recommended places to stay in Istanbul:

Magnuara Palace Hotel (Beautiful hotel in the historic center!)
Pera Palace Hotel (Luxurious and affordable)
Cheers Hostel (Perfect for backpackers!!)

Should You Buy A Sim Card In Turkey As A Tourist?

Before you pull your credit card out and start ordering a Turkey sim card, do you actually need a Turkish sim card for traveling in Turkey? After all, Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for tourism, there has to be plenty of WiFi everywhere you go, right?

Not exactly.

In places like Istanbul and Antayla, numerous public spaces offer free WiFi as long as you can receive a confirmation code on your phone . However, once you get out of Istanbul to other tourist attractions in Turkey such as Pamukkale, Cappadocia , and Ephesus, WiFi can be hard to come by .

Public transportation in Turkey doesn’t have WiFi , which is probably the most important time to have it because you need to know where to go.

When you have a Turkish sim card, not only will you get a lot of data to use for the entire country, but you also get a phone number that is necessary for booking things such as buses, accommodation, and tours.

It will allow you use to Google Translate, so you can easily get around without knowing any Turkish words or phrases for traveling !

In general, we highly recommend you to purchase a sim card for tourists in Turkey because it will be much more convenient and save you lots of headaches (as it did for us)!

Is A Sim Card In Turkey Expensive?

One of the biggest concerns about purchasing Turkey sim cards is the price. Does it cost a lot to get a sim card in Turkey? Fortunately not!

Turkish sim cards are cheap , especially when compared to western standards. It is, however, relatively expensive when compared to the cost of everything else in the country.

For us, we paid about 220 Turkish Liras (~26 USD at the time of writing) for a 20 GB sim card in Istanbul, and that was the lowest offer they had. In comparison, you can have about 5 to 7 great meals in Istanbul at that price!

Disclaimer: Turkey is in the midst of an inflation crisis, the currency exchange ratio from USD to Turkish Lira is changing rapidly. In return, the cost of everything in Turkey, including sim cars, is going to change unpredictably. Please keep that in mind when shopping!

Nonetheless, it isn’t a lot of money in terms of western standards. The only downside is that you have to get it for a minimum of 30 days , which is not great if you have a short Turkey itinerary.

If you run out of data on your sim card, it is much cheaper to top it up than buying a new one!

It is worth noting that the prices of sim cards in Turkey are not consistent. The price of the same sim card is different in different parts of the city (or country), especially the airport.

We were looking for sim cards in Istanbul and went to over 10 different stores in different neighborhoods and the prices were never the same . Maybe there is a different price for sim cards for tourists than locals.

The Turkish sim card prices in the Istanbul Airport were the highest . It seems like all airports in Turkey charge a premium for sim cards. Therefore, we recommend avoiding getting a sim card in the Turkish airports if possible.

3 Best Turkey Sim Card Providers

As far as we know, there are only 3 companies that offer Turkish sim cards: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom . From our in-depth research and personal experience, Turkcell is the best sim card and mobile phone operator company out of the three.

If you don’t want to read the rest of this guide and need to buy a sim card in Turkey right now, go with Turkcell !

1. Turkcell

Turkcell is the leading mobile phone operator in Turkey and it is easy to see why. With the best internet coverage out of the 3 mobile phone operators in Turkey, Turkcell is the best sim card to get on your Turkey trip.

When looking at the coverage map above, it is easy to tell that its coverage is much stronger and more widespread than its competitor.

But how much is a Turkcell sim card? Surprisingly, after spending hours of scouting around Istanbul for our own sim card on our trip, we found that Turkcell is conveniently the cheapest of the three options as well.

We spent about 220 TL for 20 GB of data with calls included (which is something we didn’t even know was included) at a shop in the Taksim neighborhood of Istanbul. All sim card plans in Turkey are for a 30-day period.

There is no guarantee that you will find the same price as us because the prices vary depending on the store. Near Sultanahmet (the most touristy part of Istanbul), the same Turkcell sim card was for ~350 TL.

2. Vodafone

Vodafone is the second-most popular mobile operator company in Turkey . Many of you might already know Vodafone since it is a big British multinational telecommunication company. They have services in Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania.

Vodafone Turkey used to be called Telsim until it was incorporated by the Vodafone group in 2005.

As you can see from the coverage map, a sim card from Vodafone is almost as good as one from Turkcell. In the touristic places of Turkey such as Istanbul and Cappadocia, you will find no issues with Vodafone.

But if you intend on stepping off the beaten path in Turkey, then we recommend that you get a Turkcell sim card.

From our experience, the price of a Vodafone sim card was also more than that of one from Turkcell. The lowest price we can find for a 20 GB Vodafone sim card was about 250 TL (at the time of writing).

Your result might vary depending on which city you are buying it from and whether you are in a touristy area or not.

Vodafone Tourist Welcome Pack

If you have been doing your research on prepaid sim cards for tourists in Turkey, you might come across an extraordinary offer from Vodafone. That is the Vodafone exclusive Prepaid sim card tourist welcome pack .

For only 40 Turkish Liras, tourists can get 20 GB of data, 750 minutes of calls, 1000 SMS, and unlimited messaging via WhatsApp for 28 days. We are sad to announce that this offer is misleading/false . We went to multiple Vodafone stores in Istanbul and none of the shops would honor the offer.

They said that the offer is only valid for recharging, but doesn’t include the sim card itself. You could use that offer, but you would have to first buy a sim card first (which already comes with data, minutes, and messages).

If you try purchasing it online here , the site goes to an error page. You are more welcome to try your luck, but just don’t get your hopes up!

3. Turk Telekom

Turk Telekom is a formerly state-owned Turkish telecommunications company. In terms of coverage, it is severely lacking when compared to Turkcell and Vodafone.

Its mobile service in touristy destinations is decent, but you can forget about it once you get off the top places to visit in Turkey.

If you plan on visiting the eastern side of the country, then you might not even get any service, let alone a 4G connection.

We don’t recommend Turk Telekom unless you are staying in the majority of your days in Istanbul or the other big cities of Turkey.

From our experience, a Turk Telekom sim card is about the same price as one for Vodafone, at around 250 TL for 20 GB.

Getting A Turkey Sim Card In Istanbul Airport (IST)

Can you get a Turkey sim card in Istanbul Airport (IST), the new airport of Istanbul? The answer is YES!

Matter of fact, the moment you exit the luggage claim, you will find all three mobile phone operating companies at your service.

The prices of the prepaid sim cards for tourists are a lot higher (about 50% more from our experience) than what you’d normally find in the city, but if you are someone that needs to get connected right away, then you can do so at the Istanbul airport.

Since it is quite a difficult journey to get from the Istanbul Airport to the historic center of Istanbul via public transportation, getting a sim card will give you internet access to help guide your way.

The sim card shops in Istanbul Airport accepts card and cash (in Turkish Lira, Euros, or USD). There are currency exchanges and plenty of ATMs to take Turkish Liras out if needed.

Getting A Turkey Sim Card In Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)

Similar to the new Istanbul Airport on the European side, the smaller and older Istanbul SAW Airport (Sahbika Gokcen International Airport) also has sim cards for sale.

In fact, all three of the mobile phone operator companies are located in the Arrivals Hall of the airport . Being a small airport, there is only one arrival hall. The sim card companies have small kiosks inside the airport and it is very hard to miss them.

Just like the other Istanbul Airport, sim cards at the SAW Airport are much more expensive than the ones you can get in the city center.

However, if you need internet access to navigate to your accommodation in Istanbul (which is very likely), then you are free to get one!

Pocket WiFi In Turkey

If you are traveling in a group, it might be more wise and economical to get a pocket WiFi (sometimes known as portable WiFi). A pocket WiFi allows multiple devices to connect to the internet, so you can save the time and headache of getting multiple sim cards.

The only disadvantage of getting a pocket WiFi instead of a sim card is not having a local number. Having a local sim card gives you a number that you can use for any Turkey-specific apps, such as BiTaksi (a cheaper Uber alternative), Yemeksepeti (food delivery app) and more. Though these apps claim to work with foreign numbers, we found otherwise.

Pocket WiFi also tends to have a shorter duration, so it might not be viable for those backpacking Turkey.

Nonetheless, for lots of travelers out there. A portable WiFi might be a better alternative than getting a sim card. They usually have unlimited data, which is perfect for those that might want to stream something online on one of Turkey’s long-distance buses.

There are plenty of places where you can get a pocket WiFi, but we recommend doing it as soon as you arrive at the airport. That way you can return it to the same place you got it from when you get a flight back home.

eSIM For Turkey

Thanks to the latest advancements in technology, getting connected in Turkey is as easy as ever due to eSIMs. As the name suggests, eSIMs are sim cards, but they work digitally so you don’t have to go to a physical store and get a physical sim.

This means that you can get all set up before you leave for your trip to Turkey, and immediately get online the moment you step off the plane.

In fact, we quite like getting an eSIM when we are traveling around the world, especially to countries where tourists are likely to be scammed when buying a sim card (such as Turkey). The eSIMs have a variety of data packages and are all valid for 30 days, perfect for all types of travelers.

It is easy to activate, all you need to do is purchase the eSIM online, activate it on your phone, and you are all set! However, eSIMs don’t give you a local number, which you might want.

Tips For Getting A Tourist Sim Card In Turkey

Getting a sim card might seem like an easy procedure. You just go to somewhere that seels sim cards, buy one, pop it in your phone, and voila! Unfortunately, it isn’t this simple in real life.

Here are some tips you’ll need before getting your prepaid sim card in Turkey:

Bring Your Passport! – Turkey requires that all sim cards are registered to passports, so make sure you bring your actual passport or else you won’t be able to get one. A copy of the passport is fine in some places, but we recommend taking your actual one instead.
The Sim Card Can Take A While To Activate – Once you have paid for your sim card and inserted it into your phone, it takes about 15 minutes to an hour to activate on their end. This means it might not be a good idea to get one at the airport, unless you don’t mind waiting for an hour.
Keep The Packaging Of Your Prepaid Turkey Sim Card – Your Turkish Prepaid Sim Card comes with a 4-digit PIN that is required every time you put it into your phone. If you don’t have this PIN, then you won’t be able to use your sim card. (You can also just take a photo of the PIN)
Browse Around For The Best Price – If you are purchasing a sim card in Turkey, then you should go to a few shops and see what the prices are. From our experience, it seems like different shops offer different prices for the same package. However, it is not possible to haggle.

Turkey Sim Card FAQs

Is there free wifi in turkey, especially in the airports, what is the best sim card in istanbul, do i need a sim card for turkey.

Like this post? Don’t forget to share it on Pinterest!

Turkish Sim Cards For Travelers Pinterest

In conclusion, we highly recommend you to purchase your Turkey sim card in the city instead of the airports to save money. However, if your budget isn’t tight and you don’t mind spending more than you need to, then feel free to get a sim card at the airport!

Any questions? Leave them in the comments!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you ! The money will help run this site! Thank you !

World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer

LivingOutLau

Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. Every day, he is traveling and sharing his discoveries of the world through exceptional travel guides on his blog!

Prepaid Tourist SIM Türkiye

EN Hakkımızda EN

Travelling to Türkiye?
Looking for an affordable tourist prepaid plan with exclusive deals?
Get your prepaid SIM card from Turk Telekom and stay connected with all-inclusive offer

Pick a tourist plan

Get calls, texts and data when traveling Türkiye with our prepaid Tourist Welcome packages:

Tourist Welcome Packages

Free BiP and Yaay

Free WhatsApp messaging

1 week unlimited social media: X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Click to learn about sim card fee

*Subscribers will only be able to purchase one of the "Welcome 10GB{*}", "Welcome 25GB", "Welcome 50GB" or "Welcome 75GB" packages. Subscribers who bought a package mentioned above shall not purchase another.

Please click to know more about Welcome Packages with English subtitles
Please click to know more about Welcome Packages with Deutsche subtitles
Please click to know more about Welcome Packages with Arabic subtitles
Please click to know more about Welcome Packages with Persian subtitles
Please click to know more about Welcome Packages with Ukrainian subtitles
Please click to know more about Welcome Packages with Russian subtitles

Come to the nearest Turk Telekom store or airport

Get a local prepaid sim card

Choose your plan and active your sim in seconds

Get access to the world of benefits

Why Turk Telekom?

Turk Telekom,

Is the first integrated telecommunications operator in Türkiye.
Has a wide service network and product ranges (mobile, internet, phone and TV products and services).
Provides services in all 81 provinces of Türkiye with 34,034 employees.
According to the Opensignal December 2021 Türkiye Mobile Network Experience Report data, Türk Telekom ranked at the top in gaming, video and audio application experiences.
Turk Telekom has more than 5000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Türkiye and is the 2nd largest wireless network in Europe and 8th in the World, click to find the nearest hotspot to you.
Customers who have bought a new prepaid card and declare their passports or ID cards during registration process in the last 60 days may opt-in.
Subscribers will only be able to purchase one of the “Welcome 25GB”, “Welcome 50GB”, “Welcome 75GB” or “Welcome 10GB” packages. Subscribers who bought a package mentioned above shall not purchase another.
Welcome 25 GB package includes 750 minutes of standard calls within Türkiye, 750 SMS of standard SMS within Türkiye, 25 GB mobile internet data valid within Türkiye and free messaging via WhatsApp for 28 days; unlimited mobile internet for using X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for 7 days. Welcome 50 GB package includes 1500 minutes of standard calls within Türkiye, 1000 SMS of standard SMS within Türkiye, 50 GB mobile internet data valid within Türkiye and free messaging via WhatsApp for 28 days; unlimited mobile internet for using X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for 7 days. Welcome 75 GB package includes 750 minutes of standard calls within Türkiye, 750 SMS of standard SMS within Türkiye, 75 GB mobile internet data valid within Türkiye and free messaging via WhatsApp for 15 days; unlimited mobile internet for using X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for 7 days. Welcome 10 GB package includes 250 minutes of standard calls within Türkiye, 250 SMS of standard SMS within Türkiye and 10 GB mobile internet data valid within Türkiye for 7 days.
Packages will not be automatically renewed after the validity period has expired.
WhatsApp free messaging covers messaging, photo, video, audio file, voice message applications and all file sending supported by WhatsApp application. It does not cover the call service of WhatsApp. Any internet content that can be accessed via an external link shared on WhatsApp (web pages, YouTube videos, location services such as Google maps, etc.) is not included.
Except for Mobil Ofis, Faturasız Bayi, Katlayan, Standart, Jet, TV8, BIMCELL, PTTCELL, Teknosacell tariffs, customers on individual prepaid tariffs who purchase a new SIM card within the last 60 days can benefit from this offer.
Subscribers shall make a request of registration by sending an SMS, calling customer service or register directly from the dealers.
For customers to purchase the package, they must have a balance of at least the package amount. In case of insufficient balances of the customers, they must top up using the relevant Türk Telekom sales channels. In case of insufficient balance, balance inquiry will be made for 27 days for Welcome 25GB, and Welcome 50GB packages, 14 days for Welcome 75GB package and 6 days for Welcome 10GB package.Unless a package cancellation is made and when the customer's balance reaches a sufficient level, the top-up payment will be made by deducting the package amount.
Benefits included in the package cannot be transferred to third parties.
In the tariff, we use 60/60 second billing increment.
When you activate your prepaid SIM card, you accept the use of the domestic 4.5G service. As a result of BTK authorization, our customers will use the domestic 4.5G service as long as they own an appropriate SIM Card and Device. Our customers will be able to cancel the service any time.
The minutes, SMS and data usage rights offered within the scope of the package are only valid for domestic use.
Extra data cost is 2KR/100KB.
Excludes the TRNC and overseas use. The free calls within the scope of the package include 3-digit calls starting with 444 and starting with 1 and video calls. The standard conditions of the tariff regarding the SMS and call will apply outside the included service.
Billing increment in 100 KB steps. The standard conditions of the tariff will apply outside the included service.
SCT and radio license fee is charged at the new line facility.
Radio usage fee is charged separately.
All prices indicated are inclusive of VAT-SCT. TT Mobil İletişim Hizmetleri A.Ş. reserves the right to change the package price.
The mobile telecommunication services provided by TT Mobil İletişim Hizmetleri A.Ş. will continue under the Türk Telekom® brand from now on.

Standard Call and SMS Coverage

The minutes, SMS and data usage rights offered within the scope of the package are only valid for national use.
Excludes the TRNC and overseas use.

Pricing Period

60/60 billing increment. Billing increment in 100 KB steps. TT Mobil İletişim Hizmetleri A.Ş. reserves the right to change any price/fee.

Information on TL Top-Up

Click to learn about these channels.
Click to top-up TL to your SIM card with a credit card.

Registration Request, Balance Inquiry Short Codes via SMS

You can get your Tourist Prepaid SIM Card from our dealers at the airport or from our nearest Turk Telekom stores.

You can choose your package at the same time by activating your Tourist SIM Card, or you can buy the package later via SMS.

Welcome 25GB and Welcome 50GB packages will be valid for 28 days, Welcome 75GB package will be valid for 15 days and Welcome 10GB package will be valid for 7 days. They are one time only and will not be renewed in the following months.

Minute and SMS package excesses are charged over the current tariff, and your mobile internet package excesses will be charged as 2KR/100KB.

To check the balance enquiry, you can type keywords in the table below and send an SMS to 5555 or click

Buy & Save 30% Now

Prices go up soon! Buy Your Pass Now!

Starting from just €26 per day!

Tourist Sim Card in Turkey

Services & Benefits

Book in Advance

Tourist sim card / e-sim for travelers.

Price Without Pass: €100

Discounted with Istanbul Tourist Pass®

Your digital pass includes:

Tourist SIM Card - Internet Access on Your Device

We all need internet access during our vacations not only for social media but also for communication with our loved ones. Buying a SIM card could be a complicated and difficult process in a foreign country. But with the Istanbul Tourist Pass®, you don’t need to worry about it! A ready-to-go SIM Card will be ready for you when you get to Istanbul with internet packages from 20 GB to 200 GB

About The Tourist Sim Card in Turkey

Highlights

3G/4G high-speed Internet access

Turkcell SIM Card Registration on your behalf

Internet packages from 20GB to 200GB up to your needs

Chose from different packages 20/25/50/100-200GBf

Coverage in every city in Turkey

Turkcell SIM Card registered for you

For this amazing experience and more, Buy Your Pass Now! Istanbul Tourist Pass® is here to make your Istanbul trip an unforgettable experience!

Hours & Meeting

How to get there, important information.

Please note that you need to fill out the reservation form for this service and get the SIM Card in person at the Airport Arrival Floor.

Tourist Sim Card in Turkey Discounted with

Avoid paying the entry fees and skip the ticket queues with Istanbul Tourist Pass®.

Tourist SIM Card is discounted with Istanbul Tourist Pass®️

Save Up To 80%

All about tourist sim card in turkey.

If you're planning on visiting Turkey as a tourist, having a reliable internet connection can be essential to staying connected with loved ones or navigating around the city. That's where the Tourist Sim Card comes in - with İstanbul Tourist Pass®, visitors can get a discounted Tourist Sim Card to stay connected while in Turkey. The Tourist Sim Card provides a local Turkish number and offers fast and reliable internet access. In addition to traditional physical SIM cards, Turkey also offers e-SIM technology, allowing travelers to use their phones without having to physically swap out SIM cards. This can be especially convenient for those who don't want to deal with the hassle of changing SIM cards or for those who have e-SIM compatible devices. With a Tourist Sim Card or e-SIM in Turkey, visitors can enjoy uninterrupted internet access to stay connected while exploring all the country has to offer.

Advantages Of Istanbul Tourist Pass®

By having the Istanbul Tourist Pass®, you can visit more than 100+ attractions in Istanbul. You can save huge amount of time and money by not waiting in the long queues or paying fees at the entrances of the museums or for other facilities and activities. You can buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days . So many attractions are available with Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ such as Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe Palace, Sapanca Lake daily tour, Dinner on the Bosphorus, Istanbul Airport Shuttle etc. included in the pass. For more details and updated attractions available with the pass can be found on website.

Tourist Sim Card in Turkey Frequently Asked Questions

How do i collect the sim card.

After making your reservation, the location of the collection point at the airport will be sent to you by email.

Can I use E-SIM instead of physical card?

Sure, depending on type of device you can use E-SIM. After making your reservation please let our supplier with your device model and if E-SIM is available on your device, they will provide you a QR CODE.

Easy to Use

Istanbul Tourist Pass® is easy to use! With only a few clicks, you can buy it online, download it to your phone, and start using your pass right away!

One Pass For 100+ Attractions

Imagine a pass to access over 100 tourist attractions, museums, art galleries, theme parks, events and more!

Free Entry to Over 100+

Guided Museums Tours, Istanbul Tours, Museum Entry, Attractions & Tickets, Activities, Places of Interest, Special Offers & Discount, Transfer & Transportation, Free Services & Benefits, Free Digital Istanbul Guide Book

Start Only €26

Istanbul Tourist Pass offers you huge savings on admission prices. Passes start from just €26.

Save Up to 80% and Enjoy

Save up 80% off the regular ticket prices with Istanbul Tourist Pass®!

No Contact, Only Digital

Istanbul Tourist Pass is completely digital! Download your Istanbul Tourist Pass® app and start to use your pass instantly. Information of all attractions, digital guidebook, subway and city maps and more…

Cost Efficient

Accessing Istanbul's top Tourist attractions, historic venues, events, and more can get extremely costly. Istanbul Tourist Pass® is the best budget friendly alternative for your upcoming Istanbul trip!

WhatsApp Support

Did you get lost in Istanbul's complicated backstreets?

Skipping the Ticket Line

Ticket lines may seem endless, but luckily Istanbul Tourist Pass® allows you to skip the line and enter your desired attraction right away. Feel like a VIP in Istanbul with your pass!

Saving Guarantee

If you visit less then you paid, get refund of the rest amount

Cancel Whenever You Want

All unused passes can be cancelled and get full refund 2 years from the date of purchase

Flexible Travel

All on one digital pass. Only show your pass get in.

Special Offers & Discount

Get the benefits of Istanbul Tourist Pass®. We offer deals, special attractions and services out of pass includes.

Other Popular Attractions

Guided museum tours, hagia sophia & path of byzantine guided tour, guided tours.

Explore 1500 Years of History on the Path of Byzantine Hagia Sophia is one of the most visited attractio...

Regular sales price €25

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" Easy to use and value for money "

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Middle east 3 gb, global special 5 gb, eurasia 3 gb, global special 3 gb, europe and usa 1 gb.

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by Laura Marshall

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Which is the best SIM card for Tourists in Turkiye?

Which is the best place to buy new SIM card while in Turkiye?

Can we get e-SIM or only option is physical SIM?

33 replies to this topic

I believe Turkcell has the best deal for a tourist sim card. You can get it at airport but if you're willing to wait it's cheaper at locations not in airport.

Is it true that the phone gets blocked for future use as the gov expect you to pay a fee after 120 days?

Next time I go I will be buying an e-sim, I recently used one in USA and I will definitely try it when in Turkey

How much did that cost?

https://www.airalo.com/turkey-esim

1 GB $4.50, 3 GB $8, 5 GB $12, 10 GB $18, all with 30-day validity and easily topped up if you are running low. If you want you can get a $3 discount by using my referral code ANDREW272, I also receive a credit if you use this.

Thank you, sounds good. I travel at the end of August so will contact you again then

Just make sure your phones are compatible. Sadly, i'm on Android (OnePlus 8) and my phone isnt compatible for esims

It seems to be good getting eSIM from internet but what about eSIM from Turkcell or Vodafone in Turkey. I heard Welcome Tourist SIM in Turkey is 340TL ($20) gives you 20GB Data and Unlimited Local Calls & WhatsApp, anybody has an experience for this plan?

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Best E-Sim Cards for Traveling to Turkey in 2024

Are you planning to travel to Turkey and about to order an e-sim card? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an e-sim card for traveling to Turkey including a comparison of the best Turkey e-sim cards for 2024.

Don’t waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendation and order an e-sim card for Turkey on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find up to date prices as per April 2024, including all specifications per e-sim card.

Also find out where and when to order an e-sim card, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards for Turkey and of course links to directly order your e-sim card for traveling to Turkey online.

Already since 2012 I am traveling the world and eventually turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger . That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected. In 2023 I visited for example 34 different countries in 1 year so imagine how many different prepaid and e-sim cards I used.

In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use e-sim cards to stay connected when traveling abroad.

Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.

Of course I also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Turkey in 2024 .

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends the following two e-sim cards for traveling to Turkey in 2024:

1. Merhaba data-only e-sim card for Turkey with 20 GB for $26 USD

best esim card for traveling to turkey 2023

20 GB data-only e-sim
Valid in Turkey only
Valid for 30 days

2. Nomad data-only e-sim card with 10 GB for $15 USD

10 GB data-only e-sim

By far the best value e-sim card for Turkey is Merhaba e-sim card from Airalo . It will cost you $1.3 USD per 1 Gigabyte.

A good second best is the Nomad e-sim card for Turkey that will cost you $1.5 USD per 1 Gigabyte.

Both e-sim cards are data-only e-sim cards and incoming and outgoing calls or sms are not supported. Data is only valid in Turkey, there is no EU data roaming included in these e-sim cards.

Is Turkey one of your stops on a trip to Europe then look into getting an Airalo e-sim card for Europe as this is the only e-sim card that is valid in all of Europe as well as Turkey.

There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an e-sim card for Turkey or in general before using an e-sim card.

Unlocked phones only

Make sure your phone is unlocked. E-sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.

In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked.

If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or e-sim card to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone.

E-sim compatible phones only

Second, and equally important: e-sim cards only work if your smartphone supports e-sim cards, also called e-sim compatible. All newer smartphones support e-sim cards. If you are not sure if your phone is e-sim compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is e-sim compatible. You will get the answer instantly.

If your phone is NOT e-sim compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an e-sim card for traveling to Turkey.

However, you can still order a sim card for Turkey on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom’s complete guide for buying a sim card for Turkey in 2024 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024 .

Comparison of the best e-sim cards for Turkey

There are multiple website on the internet that sell e-sim cards for Turkey. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for traveling in Turkey from one of the well-known e-sim card providers that have proven to be reliable operators.

These are the 3 big e-sim card providers and they sell great e-sim card plans for Turkey:

Nowadays, you can buy an e-sim card for pretty much every country around the world. Order directly from one of the above e-sim card providers and instantly receive your e-sim card in your email. But before you buy an e-sim card first read all my tips below.

SimOptions also offers international prepaid sim cards for Turkey . These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards and will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Turkey and it is plug and play when you arrive in the Turkey.

Airalo and Nomad only sell e-sim cards for Turkey.

SimOptions is a very reliable e-sim card provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering an e-sim card.

Normally SimOptions is always one of my recommendations but the SimOptions e-sim card plans for Turkey are much more expensive compared to Airalo and Nomad.

Here are the SimOptions data-only e-sim card plans for Turkey for 2024:

1 GB data for 7 days = $7.90 USD
4 GB data for 10 days = $17.90 USD
5 GB data for 10 days = $17.90 USD
10 GB data for 30 days = $29.90 USD
20 GB data for 30 days = $49.90 USD

Click here to order a SimOptions e-sim card for Turkey .

These data-only e-sim cards are provided by SimOptions and are only valid in Turkey. Unfortunately they don’t specify which mobile network operator in Turkey they use, neither is there information if these e-sim cards are 5G ready. Trust me, when they would be 5G ready SimOptions would mention it, so the max data speed on these Turkey e-sim cards from SimOptions is 4G/LTE.

The SimOptions e-sim cards for Turkey do NOT come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms services. The validity of these e-sim cards is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the e-sim card, even if you are not in Turkey. For more info check the SimOptions website .

Airalo is another very reputable e-sim card provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your e-sim card for Turkey through Airalo is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest e-sim card deals.

Why using Airalo? When it comes to Turkey e-sim cards Airalo has much better e-sim card plans than SimOptions and is therefore also recommended as the best e-sim card for Turkey.

Also, if you only use a little bit of data while traveling and need just 1 or 2 GB to stay in touch through WhatsApp, check your email and get directions from Google Maps, Airalo is a great e-sim card for traveling to Turkey.

Here are Turkey e-sim card plans for 2024 from Airalo:

1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
2 GB data for 15 days = $6.5 USD
3 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
20 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD

Click here to order an e-sim card for Turkey from Airalo .

The Airalo e-sim cards for Turkey are from Merhaba and operate on the Turk Telekom 4G/LTE network in Turkey. Unfortunately the Airalo Merhaba e-sim cards for Turkey are not 5G ready.

However, as of 2024 the 5G network in Turkey is very limited. They just started rolling out 5G in Istanbul. That said, in pretty much all the beautiful places to visit in Turkey you will find a 4G/LTE signal and the data speed is pretty decent, even off the beaten path.

For more info about the best 4G/5G network in Turkey check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for Turkey in 2024, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.

E-sim card for traveling to Turkey AND Europe

Are you traveling onwards to Europe after visiting Turkey and wondering if there is one e-sim that covers both Turkey and Europe then check out the Eurolink e-sim card. These e-sim cards from Airalo work in all of Europe and Turkey. So this is the perfect e-sim card for your trip to Europe and Turkey.

eurolink esim card plans for turkey and europe

1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
3 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
10 GB data for 30 days = $37 USD
50 GB data for 90 days = $100 USD
100 GB data for 180 days = $185 USD

Click here to order an e-sim card for traveling to Turkey and Europe .

All the Airalo e-sim cards are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo e-sim card has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website .

Traveltomtom only recently discovered Nomad e-sim cards when looking for the best e-sim card deals and comparing e-sim cards for traveling to Turkey. Traveltomtom has only used Nomad a few times now and is keen on experiencing more about Nomad e-sim cards because Nomad has some of the cheapest e-sim card plans.

Here are the Nomad e-sim card plans for Turkey:

1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
3 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
5 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
10 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD

Click here to order an e-sim card for Turkey from Nomad .

The Nomad e-sim cards for Turkey are either from eSIM Go. The Nomad e-sim cards for Turkey are 5G ready, this in comparison with the SimOptions and Airalo e-sim cards for Turkey, which only support 4G/LTE network.

The Nomad Turkey e-sim cards have to be installed on your phone within 30 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Turkey. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website .

Why did Traveltomtom already used more than 100s of e-sim cards? I told you before that I travel full time and I am on the road constantly. Per year I use about 40 to 50 different prepaid and e-sim cards and therefore I am the ultimate sim card for tourist specialist.

Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world . As of April 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still more than 40 to go, but no rush.

What is the cheapest e-sim card for Turkey?

The cheapest e-sim card for Turkey is a Nomad e-sim card for just $4 USD , it will give you 1 GB data for 7 days. Airalo has the same plan, but charges $4.5 USD. These e-sims are only valid in Turkey and do not support calling and texting.

Why ordering an e-sim card for traveling in Turkey

E-sim cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Turkey in 2024 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.

The most important reason to get an e-sim card is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Turkey without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.

One of the best things about arriving in Turkey with an activated e-sim card is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your e-sim card later.

There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Turkey, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Turkey so much more convenient and fun!

At the same time we don’t want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2024.

E-sim cards are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!

International data roaming plans

So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed, but there is 4G/LTE in all the amazing tourist destinations in Turkey and even 5G nowadays in Istanbul.

Uncountable times (mostly American) travel friends asked me: “can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!” Trust me, get yourself an e-sim card or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Turkey. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.

Where to buy an e-sim card for Turkey?

You can only buy an e-sim card for Turkey on the internet through an e-sim card provider. There are multiple e-sim card providers for Turkey. Traveltomtom compared 6 e-sim card providers and concluded that the above mentioned ones ( SimOptions , Airalo , Nomad ) are the best e-sim card providers for traveling to Turkey in 2024.

None of the mobile internet operators in Turkey sell tourist e-sim cards on their own websites.

When buying an e-sim card for Turkey through one of the above recommended e-sim providers you only need your email address and the e-sim card is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed.

On arrival in Turkey

When you arrive in Turkey and you want to buy an e-sim card for tourists then you will have to go to an official retail store of an internet provider. How to locate the nearest one to your hotel? Use Google Maps.

However, as of April 2024, some Vodafone and some Turkcell shops offer e-sim cards in store. However, it is very random! I asked around some of their shops in the most touristy areas in Istanbul and some say yes, e-sim cards are available, but most of the stores say NO.

When buying a sim card in Turkey expect to pay tourist prices of around $40 USD per physical prepaid or e-sim card with 20 GB data. So it is cheaper to order an e-sim card for Turkey on the internet.

Turk Telekom does NOT sell e-sim cards in their stores, only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists are available.

For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Turkey in 2024 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Turkey, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.

Flying into Turkey and landing in Istanbul then you can also buy a sim card for Turkey on arrival at the airport. However, there are NO e-sim cards sold at airports in Turkey, only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists and expect to pay tourist prices when buying a sim card at the airport.

The e-sim cards mentioned in this article are much cheaper then buying a sim card at the airport on arrival in Turkey.

Check out my complete guide for buying a sim card at Istanbul Airport IST in 2024 or when flying to Sabiha Gökçen read more in my guide for buying a sim card at SAW Airport in Istanbul . There is also a guide for buying a sim card at Izmir Airport .

How to activate an e-sim card

Installing and activating an e-sim card is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an e-sim card and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code.

When you order an e-sim card plan for Turkey you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.

You will see a summary of your e-sim card order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Turkey e-sim card.

But installing an activating an e-sim card is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the e-sim card on. The QR contains all the information about your Turkey e-sim card.

Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your e-sim card is successfully installed.

Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your e-sim card otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.

Tip: if you order an e-sim card with the same phone where you want to instal the e-sim card on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.

When to order/activate an e-sim card for Turkey?

You can order an e-sim card for Turkey pretty much any time you want. Most e-sim cards have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.

More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the e-sim card. The validity of some e-sims start straight after the installation, other e-sim cards only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.

Traveltomtom advices to instal your e-sim card on the day of departure to Turkey. Or if you want to maximise your validity then activate your Turkey e-sim card on arrival after you connect to the free WiFi of the airport on arrival in Turkey. All international airports in Turkey have free public WiFi. However, it is very limited and annoying as you have to login with your passport.

Turkey is really proud of its international airports, but the reality is that they are shit and extremely overpriced! I can’t help it, but an airport that does not offer free WiFi is a very unfriendly welcome to a country.

How do I know? Traveltomtom travels on average about 10 times per year to or through Turkey. You can also find Turkey airport guide on Traveltomtom about Istanbul Airport IST , Istanbul Airport SAW and Izmir Airport .

Things to know before ordering an e-sim card for Turkey

Here are some general tips for using e-sim cards when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Turkey e-sim cards, but are things you have to know before buying an e-sim card in general.

Make sure your phone is unlocked

To make sure you didn’t miss this, let me say this again: e-sim cards only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any e-sim card without any problems.

If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Turkey. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.

If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Turkey or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Turkey and use it as a portable WiFi device.

Which smartphones support e-sim cards?

Another very important thing you have to check before buying an e-sim card is if your smartphone supports e-sim cards. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support e-sim cards.

The fastest way to find out if your phone is e-sim compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) e-sim compatible? Simple as that!

Can I trust these e-sim card providers?

All the e-sim card providers for Turkey recommended above ( SimOptions , Airalo , Nomad ) are reputable e-sim card providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Turkey.

Traveltomtom has successfully partnered for several consecutive years with SimOptions and Airalo. Nomad is a fairly new partner of Traveltomtom, but has so far proven to be a reliable e-sim card provider. All e-sim card providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.

Traveltomtom does NOT sell Turkey e-sim cards, only RECOMMENDS you to use e-sim cards for traveling to Turkey.

Can I keep my phone number from home with a Turkey e-sim card?

Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an e-sim card to stay connected when traveling to Turkey. An e-sim card can be used next to your physical or e-sim card from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an e-sim card.

So you can have multiple e-sim cards installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!

For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Turkey e-sim card you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.

Switching between physical and e-sim cards is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings.

Can I make phone calls with a Turkey e-sim card?

No, unfortunately there are no e-sim cards for Turkey available on the internet that include calling and texting. All the e-sim cards from Nomad, Airalo and SimOptions are data-only e-sim cards and any incoming/outgoing calls/sms are not supported.

Does a Turkey e-sim card come with a phone number?

No, none of the Turkey e-sim cards that you can buy on the internet come with a phone number which also means you can not receive any phone calls or sms.

In the above Turkey e-sim card comparison you can find all the specifications per e-sim card.

Can I use 5G on a Turkey e-sim card?

Yes, as of April 2024 the Nomad e-sim cards for Turkey are 5G ready . All the Airalo and SimOptions e-sim cards for Turkey are not 5G ready yet . Which means the max data speed is 4G/LTE.

Don't get too excited there is still barely 5G in Turkey as of 2024.

Are there e-sim cards for Turkey with unlimited data?

None of the by Traveltomtom recommended Turkey e-sim cards for tourists include unlimited data.

Even if you would come across e-sim card providers that offer e-sim cards for Turkey with unlimited data then make sure the unlimited data is on max data speed. Mostly the data speed is capped after you used X amount of Gigabytes.

Holafly is an e-sim card provider that sells e-sim cards for Turkey with unlimited data, but does NOT specify what is the exact so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP).

Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Turkey e-sim cards with unlimited data plans. There are always restrictions. And on Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. When I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.

Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media apps were not even loading!

Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend e-sim cards for Turkey with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then this might be your favorite e-sim card.

An e-sim card with 20 GB data is for most tourists more than enough. If your trip to Turkey is about 10 days then you have 2 GB data per day, which is a lot! Check out this Airalo e-sim card for $26 USD with 20 GB data .

There are a lot of different specifications per e-sim card. Another reason why I advice you to take a close at my comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to Turkey in 2024 before choosing your favorite.

Are e-sim cards the best way to stay connected when traveling to Turkey?

E-sim cards are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Turkey, but are they also the best way to stay connected when traveling to Turkey?

There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Turkey:

Local prepaid sim cards

International prepaid sim cards, e-sim cards.

Let’s compare e-sim cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.

If you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are often a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip. Local prepaid sim cards often offer bigger data plans than e-sim cards. However, local prepaid sim cards can only be purchased on arrival in Turkey in a phone store and NOT on the internet.

More info about the best Turkey sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a sim card for Turkey in 2024.

For example in the link above in my comparison of the best prepaid sim cards for tourist in Turkey you will find that the best prepaid tourist sim card in Turkey costs $27 USD and comes with 20 GB data.

If this sounds like something you want then on arrival in Turkey you will need to find a sim card shop nearby your hotel.

The sim cards you can buy at Istanbul or Izmir Airport are much more expensive. At the international airports in Turkey they sell tourist sim cards for tourist prices. It is NOT recommended to buy a sim card at the airport in Turkey.

A reminder there is already an e-sim card for Turkey with 20 GB data for just $26 USD and you can directly order one here via Airalo .

The advantage of local prepaid sim cards is that you buy them directly from the mobile internet provider. You get the cheapest prices, (unlimited) local calls & sms included, the biggest data packages and the fastest data speed.

The local prepaid sim cards for tourists you buy in Turkey are all 5G ready. All of the mobile internet operators in Turkey (Vodafone, Turk Telekom and Turkcell) allow prepaid users to use the 5G network.

international prepaid sim cards for turkey

If your smartphone is not e-sim compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Turkey. Some of them are great for using in Turkey as well as in all other countries in for example Europe, USA, Asia and you can easily order them online.

If after visiting Turkey you are traveling onwards to Europe or Asia then check Traveltomtom’s list of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024 or the best Asia tourist sim cards in 2024 .

A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!

Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Turkey directly online .

There are two different e-sim cards:

E-sim cards that you buy on the internet through a third party
E-sim cards that you buy in Turkey in a mobile internet provider store

The big difference is that e-sim cards provided by the local internet operators in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom can only be purchased at one of their phone stores around Turkey.

However, as of April 2024 e-sim cards are very limited available for prepaid tourist sim cards. Traveltomtom personally shopped around in Istanbul to find out if e-sim cards were available for tourists.

In Turk Telekom stores they gave me a clear NO, some Vodafone and Turkcell stores said: yes, we offer e-sim cards for tourists. However, they charge an extra fee of $10 USD. It was very random, most of the stores of Vodafone and Turkcell still said: no, we don't do e-sim cards for tourists.

On arrival at the international airports in Turkey they only sell physical prepaid sim cards for tourists. Read all about it in my detailed guide about buying a sim card at Istanbul Airport .

E-sim cards vs. local prepaid sim cards

Getting an e-sim card is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Turkey, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Turkey. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop. As soon as the plane lands, you are online.

But what is cheaper? An e-sim card or a local prepaid sim card for tourists? When we compare Turkey e-sim card prices with local prepaid sim cards for Turkey, Traveltomtom comes to the simple conclusion that e-sim cards for Turkey that you buy on the internet are in fact cheaper than local prepaid sim cards for tourists that they sell in mobile phone stores in Turkey.

Turkey has so called visitors sim cards for tourists and they are specially designed for foreigners buying a sim card with a non-Turkish passport. They are also specially designed to make a lot of money on tourists. The cheapest tourist sim cards start from $25 USD and up. You can buy them in the official retail stores of Vodafone, Turkcell and Turk Telekom in the city center of every popular tourist destination in Turkey.

After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. On top of that there are much better deals online and with these e-sim cards as soon as the plane lands you are connected. Therefore Traveltomtom recommends to order one of the listed best e-sim cards for Turkey in the comparison above.

Many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an e-sim card for Turkey. Faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper.

Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an e-sim card is that e-sim cards are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO’s operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.

This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that e-sim cards through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an e-sim cards is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.

Bottomline: the data speed of e-sim cards can be less compared to a local prepaid sim card.

I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best e-sim card for your trip to Turkey were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your e-sim card for Turkey right away.

If you still have any questions about e-sim cards then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media and I am more than happy to help you out.

Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world ? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of April 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.

Enjoy your trip to Turkey!

Some links in this article about the best e-sim cards for Turkey are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

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eSIM Data Plans

Best eSIM for Istanbul: Which one to buy?

Connect to the internet with an eSIM for Istanbul- cheap data and internet for your trip to Istanbul. We compare the best deals

Leoneska R.

August 23, 2023

In this article

Holafly saves you +30% compared to other roaming fees

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If you’re traveling to Istanbul this year, have you considered how you’ll connect to the internet? Finding an internet connection abroad used to be a long and expensive process. But connecting abroad has never been easier with an Istanbul eSIM with coverage in Istanbul.

The eSIM for Istanbul is the cheapest way of connecting, and all you need to do to use it is scan a QR code that you’ll receive on your email once you buy it. As easy as that! You’ll then have all the internet you need for sending messages, browsing social media, and searching for directions.

Let’s learn more about the eSIM and find the best deal for you.

Unlimited data eSIM for Istanbul

Buy an Unlimited data eSIM for Istanbul with a 5% OFF. Code: MYESIMNOW5

Why buy an Unlimited data eSIM card for Istanbul?

Nowadays, just like the internet is a need at home, it is also a necessary item on your travel checklist. Whether it’s for searching for things to do, getting directions, or messaging loved ones back home, staying connected is essential. The eSIM is the newest and easiest way to do this.

If you know what an eSIM is, these virtual SIM cards are embedded in many of the latest generation cell phones. That’s why they are incompatible with every phone. However, you may be wondering how is it possible to use an eSIM? All you have to do is buy one online, scan the QR code that you will be provided, on your phone and activate your data plan!

They are effortless to purchase through online stores, such as Holafly . And it is a great advantage to purchase them before you start your trip, so you can activate them once you arrive at your destination . In addition, the online stores will not require you to fill out a contract form or subscription.

eSIMs are undoubtedly becoming the favorite option for many travelers, as you can acquire this type of service in a matter of minutes and enjoy your travels with an excellent internet connection.

>Traveling to Seville> Here are the top 4 best eSIMs for Seville <

What is the best eSIM for traveling to Istanbul?

Let’s compare the plans and different eSIM providers.

Which eSIM for Istanbul is the cheapest?

Holafly is by far the cheapest. So we recommend buying a Holafly Unlimited data eSIM as the most economical option.

Which eSIM for Istanbul has the most data?

Knowroaming offers 5GB of data for 30 days, but there is a considerable difference in price with Holafly, which has Unlimited data as the cheapest.

Which eSIM for Istanbul is easiest to use?

With a Holafly eSIM, you just need to scan the QR code you receive on your email, and that’s it! Afterward, activate the data plan, and you’ll be connected when you arrive in Istanbul. Holafly also offers 24-hour customer support.

Advantages of the eSIM card vs a physical card

Now we know what an eSIM is, let’s find out why it’s better than a physical SIM card:

Easy purchase and activation process: You can purchase your eSIM through online stores so that the process can be done from anywhere in a matter of minutes. Additionally, the activation process only requires scanning the eSIM QR code and activating it once you arrive at your destination.
Receive it to your email in seconds: When you purchase your eSIM, you will receive all the necessary information to activate your eSIM in a matter of minutes to your email.
Eco-friendly: The eSIM, being a totally virtual product, does not need physical material for its creation, so it will not contaminate.
No chance of loss or damage : unlike a physical card, an eSIM cannot be lost, stolen, or damaged. As long as you don’t delete your QR code, you’ll always be able to access the internet.
More options : Companies like Holafly offer specific services for your trip if you travel to other nearby destinations. It will be easier for UAE tourists to buy eSIM instead of arriving and looking for how to connect.

Nowadays, the eSIM is becoming one of the best options to have an internet connection while traveling, do not hesitate to purchase one for your trip to Istanbul.

Holafly’s eSIM for Istanbul

We recommend Holafly’s eSIM for Istanbul as it offers Unlimited data at the cheapest price .

Let’s see what features make Holafly the best option:

Instant delivery – no waiting around; just scan the QR code sent to your email, and you’ll be able to connect.
Keep your WhatsApp number – you’ll keep all your current contacts and conversations even with a new eSIM card.
Unlimited data – You will have unlimited data always to stay connected, so you won’t have to worry about running out of data.
Top-ups – if you need more days you can buy top ups to recharge your service.
Easy to use – it’s simple to set up a Holafly eSIM, but if you experience any problems, just contact their 24-hour customer support team.

Frequently asked questions about Holafly’s eSIM for Istanbul

Holafly’s eSIM cards from 5 to 90 days, and you can choose any plan with unlimited data. We recommend checking your monthly data usage to decide which option is best for you.

No, the eSIM for Istanbul does not allow you to share data.

With Holafly, you have 24h customer service in English for any questions about using your eSIM. Enjoy eSIMs work smoothly most of the time, and the set-up process is easy. But if you encounter any problems, just contact Holafly’s 24-hour support team.

Holafly’s virtual card for Istanbul works with the Turkish operator Türk Telekom cellular network, the best eSIM operator in Turkey.

Do not hesitate to purchase the best eSIM for Istanbul with Holafly . With it, you can connect to the best internet network in the country, and thus enjoy your trip to the fullest and share your best moments with your family and friends.

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eSIM Research

The Best eSIM Card for Istanbul Travel in 2024

Why use an esim in istanbul, ease of connectivity, cost-effective solutions, top esim providers for istanbul.

How to Choose the Best eSIM for Istanbul

Coverage and speed, pricing and packages, customer support and flexibility, activating your esim in istanbul, step-by-step guide.

Purchase Your eSIM : Start by selecting the best eSIM provider for your needs in Istanbul. Once you’ve made your choice, purchase the eSIM plan that suits your travel needs best, whether it’s a short trip or an extended stay.
Receive Your eSIM QR Code : After purchasing, you’ll receive an email with a QR code. This is what you’ll use to install your eSIM on your device. Make sure your email is accessible on another device or printed out, as you’ll need to scan this QR code.
Ensure Your Phone Is Compatible and Unlocked : Before you proceed, double-check that your smartphone supports eSIM technology and is unlocked. Most recent models of smartphones are compatible, but it’s always wise to verify.
Scan the QR Code : Go to the settings menu on your smartphone, find the “Cellular” or “Mobile Data” option, and select “Add Cellular Plan” or “Add Data Plan.” From here, use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code provided by your eSIM provider.
Follow On-Screen Instructions : After scanning the QR code, your phone will display a series of instructions. Follow these carefully to complete the setup process. You’ll be able to name your plan (e.g., “Istanbul eSIM”) to easily identify it.
Turn On Data Roaming : Lastly, ensure that data roaming is turned on for your eSIM. This might seem counterintuitive, but since the eSIM is considered a “foreign” SIM to your device, turning on data roaming is necessary for it to work.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

QR Code Not Scanning : If your phone refuses to scan the QR code, ensuring good lighting can help. If it still doesn’t work, manually entering the eSIM information (provided by your eSIM provider) is an option.
No Data Connection After Activation : First, double-check that data roaming is enabled for your eSIM. If it’s on and you’re still not connected, try restarting your phone. Sometimes, toggling the airplane mode on and then off can also jumpstart the connection.

Tips for Using Your eSIM in Istanbul

Managing data usage.

Monitor Data Consumption: Most smartphones allow you to monitor your data usage directly through the settings. Keep an eye on this regularly to avoid any surprises.
Use Wi-Fi When Available: Istanbul is dotted with cafes and restaurants offering free Wi-Fi. Take advantage of these to save your eSIM data for when you need it.
Limit Background Data: Apps running in the background can use up data without you even noticing. Adjust your phone’s settings to restrict background data usage for apps that don’t need to stay active.
Download Maps Offline: Google Maps allows you to download maps for offline use. Doing this before you head out can save a significant amount of data and keep you on track without constant data use.

Staying Connected in Remote Areas

Select an eSIM with Extensive Coverage: As mentioned in the section on choosing the best eSIM, ensure your provider has comprehensive coverage that extends beyond the city center into more remote areas.
Carry a Portable Charger: Keeping your phone charged is crucial, especially when venturing into areas where power sources might not be readily available.
Download Necessary Apps and Information: Before you head out, download any guides, maps, or translation apps you might need. Having access to this information offline ensures you’re never truly disconnected.
Understand Your eSIM’s Capabilities: Some eSIMs might offer better coverage in urban areas than in remote locations. Know the limitations and plan your travels accordingly, especially if you’re heading off the beaten path.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using an esim in istanbul for travelers, who are some of the esim providers mentioned for istanbul, how can i choose the best esim for istanbul, what is required for activating an esim in istanbul, how can i manage my data usage effectively in istanbul using an esim, what should i do to stay connected in remote areas of istanbul, leave a comment cancel reply.

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More From Forbes

5 of the best english-language bookstores in istanbul.

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Istanbul, Turkey: Photo of Kadıköy passenger ferry port at sunset time. Passenger ferry, which is ... [+] coming from Beşiktaş just arrived the Kadıköy port.

Finding a great bookstore while traveling can be just as satisfying as spending the day at a beloved museum or sacred monument—and that’s certainly the case in Istanbul. The city is packed with hidden second-hand bookstores and flea market-style book alleys. The thing is—the majority of these places sell books written in Turkish, which, while beautiful to look at, mightn’t be the most practical if you’re looking for something to bring back to your hotel and read (unless of course, you speak Turkish).

That said, there are a handful of really good bookstores in Istanbul where you’ll find a huge variety of English-language books—from cookbooks and coffee table books to novels and nonfiction. Here are some of the best places to check out if you’re hoping to find a great read while in Istanbul:

Minoa Books & Coffee

Minoa Books & Coffee in Beşiktaş is a stunning spot to explore—whether you’re looking for a new book, fancy stationery, or you just want a pretty spot to stop and have a cappuccino. The independent bookstore and cafe has been around for over a decade and amassed a huge fan base thanks to its great selection of fiction and nonfiction and Instagram-friendly interior decor and art installations.

This massive bookstore chain in Istanbul might not be the most charming—but D&R is still one of the best spots in the city to find English language books and other media (including vinyl, video games, DVDs, and more). You’ll find this bookstore all over the city, including at the Istanbul Airport.

Robinson Crusoe 389

Robinson Crusoe 389 on İstiklal Caddesi is a must-visit while you’re exploring the bustling shopping street. This stunning bookstore is a great spot to stop and read (there are even cozy seating nooks to encourage patrons to stop and sample a book) and while most of the books are in Turkish, you’ll still be able to find a fair amount of English titles.

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Apple iphone 16 unique all new design promised in new report, the world s best beers according to the 2024 world beer cup, homer kitabevi.

Homer Kitabevi is going to be your best bet if you have a specific book in mind that you’re hoping to source. The sprawling space is probably the most comprehensive collection of English titles in the city and also includes a huge variety of children’s literature as well. This shop also has—true to its name—a great selection of philosophy and classic literature that will be worth seeking out as well.

Kadikoy Istanbul Bookstore

This beautiful bookstore is located just above the ferry terminal in Kadikoy—and it’s well worth checking out while you wait for your ferry to the European side of the city. The selection of English titles at the Kadikoy Istanbul Bookstore is on the smaller side but the views from the second-story bookstore are bar none.

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Buying A Turkey Sim Card For Tourists In Istanbul (& Rest of Turkey
Buying A Turkey Sim Card For Tourists In Istanbul (& Rest of Turkey
Guide: How To Buy A Tourist SIM Card In Istanbul
Buying a Sim Card at Istanbul Airport in 2021
Buying a Sim Card at Istanbul Airport in 2022
Buying a Sim Card at Istanbul Airport in 2023

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Happy Tourist SIM : Your Perfect Travel Buddy
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COMMENTS

Turkey SIM Card for Tourists
6 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 23€) 7 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 27€) 8 Days Unlimited Data in Turkey (approx. 29€) There are options to book a higher number of days. For further rates and information on the various offers and 5% discount, click on this link: Get your e-SIM with a discount.
Buying a Turkey SIM Card in Istanbul (Plans + Insider Advice)
1. Pay-as-you-go SIM Cards in Istanbul. This is the most practical option. You'll just asked for a valid passport for contracts. Pay-as-you-go cards can be purchased from any GSM operators' shop in the city. It would take about 2-3 days to get activated.
Guide: How To Buy A Tourist SIM Card In Istanbul
Step 4: Choose a prepaid plan and check prices. To buy a tourist prepaid SIM card in Turkish, you can say "Turist SIM kartı" (pronounced "toorist sim kart") which translates to "tourist SIM card.". They will understand you. The network provider will offer you different prepaid plans with various data limits and validity periods.
Best Turkey Sim Card For Tourists in 2024
Airalo E-Sim Cards. If you need a SIM card but don't have a lot of time, then our top pick for tourist SIM cards in Turkey is the e-Sim packages from Airalo.. You can choose from as little as 1GB for 7 days up to 20 GB for 30 days packages.. The prices are the most affordable and the most transparent we have found compared to local companies and it's quick and easy to connect.
Tourist SIM Card/e-SIM
Stay connected and enjoy high-speed internet access during your vacation in Turkey with the Tourist SIM Card offered by istanbul.com. With internet packages ranging from 20 GB to 200 GB, you can easily access the web, stay in touch with loved ones, and make the most out of your time in Istanbul and beyond. Say goodbye to the hassle of buying a ...
Tourist Prepaid SIM Card in Turkey
In the Welcome to Turkey package, 20 GB internet valid domestically, unlimited Whatsapp (including calling feature), Telegram and Facebook Messenger, 1 week unlimited Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, 750 minutes and 250 SMS. Special sim card for tourists in Turkey. You can travel all around Turkey and be reachable via internet, SMS and phone calls.
Local Sim Card For Your Vacation
Get your local Simcard and stay connected during your vacation.You can get your SIM card from the nearest Turkcell store. When you buy the Tourist Welcome Pack, you have 20GB internet, 200min. calls in all directions, unlimited messaging via BiP & whatsapp valid for 30 days. As of 15.08.2021, Tourist Welcome Pack will be assigned to customers ...
Buying a Prepaid Sim Card for Turkey in 2024
Based on the Turkey tourist sim card plans and the 4G/5G network coverage Traveltomtom ranks Turkcell is the best prepaid sim card for Turkey in 2024. Remember that you can also buy a sim card for traveling in Turkey at the airports of Izmir, Antalya and of course Istanbul, but these tourist sim cards are sold for tourists prices.
Buying a Sim Card at Istanbul Airport in 2024
Prices for prepaid tourist sim cards at Istanbul Airport skyrocketed in the last months and it is hard to recommend a specific prepaid sim card as all of them are overpriced. The cheapest prepaid sim card for tourists at Istanbul Airport is a Turkcell sim card with 20 GB data and 200 minutes for 1,000 TL. That is $31 USD.
Best SIM Card at Istanbul Airport for Tourist in 2024
Source: maps-istanbul.com. Istanbul Airport has several options for purchasing SIM cards onsite after you land. The major mobile operators in Turkey like Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom have stores located in the airport terminals. There are also vending machines and information desks that sell SIM cards.
Istanbul Airport (IST) SIM Card Buying Guide
Yes, airport SIM cards are almost always overpriced, but it is extra offensive at Istanbul Airport. For example, a plan with 20 GB of data and 1000 local minutes costs 152 TRY (5.25 USD) in a Turkcell store, while it is sold for 1000 TRY (34.45 USD) at the airport - a premium of 558%. Yeah… crazy 🤨.
Turkiye SIM Card for Tourists: 2023 Guide
A local SIM card in Turkiye will cost less than 10 USD. This might be an option if you want to budget the amount of Turkish lira you want to spend, but remember this option offers local services. These are some of the network operators to get a tourist sim card in Turkiye: Turkcell and Vodafone are the leading ones.
Buying A Turkey Sim Card For Tourists In Istanbul ...
All sim card plans in Turkey are for a 30-day period. There is no guarantee that you will find the same price as us because the prices vary depending on the store. Near Sultanahmet (the most touristy part of Istanbul), the same Turkcell sim card was for ~350 TL. 2.
Prepaid Tourist SIM Türkiye
Welcome 10 GB package includes 250 minutes of standard calls within Türkiye, 250 SMS of standard SMS within Türkiye and 10 GB mobile internet data valid within Türkiye for 7 days. Packages will not be automatically renewed after the validity period has expired. WhatsApp free messaging covers messaging, photo, video, audio file, voice message ...
Get Your Tourist SIM Card/e-SIM
Tourist SIM Card / E-SIM for Travelers. Services & Benefits. Price Without Pass: €100. Discounted with Istanbul Tourist Pass®. Your digital pass includes: Free access to 100+ top Attractions. All digital, show & go easy Access. Valid 2 years after purchase. Huge savings up to 80%.
Buying a SIM card at Istanbul Airport: Travelers Guide 2024
Plans: Tourist Welecom Pack - 20GB for 30 - 40 USD. Turkcell's booth SIM card at Istanbul Airport. 2. Vodafone store. Vodafone is a strong competitor of Turkcell, known for its reliable network and competitive prices. Location: Vodafone kiosks and stores are readily available throughout the arrival terminals.
Buying a Sim Card at Istanbul SAW Airport in 2024
Prices Turkey sim cards Istanbul SAW Airport in 2024. Prices and info below are up to date as per January 2024. The Turkish Lira fluctuates a lot and therefore most phone stores display their Turkey tourist sim cards in USD as well. As of January 2024: $1 USD = 29 TL and 100 TL = $3.4 USD.
SIM Cards in Turkey: The Best Prepaid Plans
Türk Telekom: up to 200 TRY. The following Turkey mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists: Turkcell: 169 TRY. Vodafone Turkey: 40 TRY (excludes new SIM card fee) If you plan to buy a SIM card at an airport, the prices can be higher than those listed above - be aware of this.
10 Best Turkey eSIM for Tourists
KLOOK TOPSELLER: 4G Turkey eSIM by Frewie. BEST: 4G Turkey eSIM by BNESIM. WITH VPN: 4G Turkey eSIM by Yesim. FASTEST: 5G Turkey eSIM by Ubigi. FREE DATA PLAN: 4G Turkey eSIM by GigSky. UNLIMITED DATA: 4G Turkey eSIM by NPN Travel. FOR AIRALO USERS: 4G Turkey eSIM by Airalo. BEST GLOBAL eSIM: 4G Turkey eSIM by Xplori.
Buy Digital Tourist SIM Card Istanbul from $0.3 per GB
10 GB. Price. Works in 🇹🇷 Turkey & 44 more destinations. View offer. Buy Digital Tourist SIM Card Istanbul starting at $0.3 per GB with instant delivery. Stay connected with MobiMatter throughout your travel to Istanbul.
Turkiye SIM Card for Tourists
I just returned from a week-long trip to Istanbul and the e-Sim from Airalo worked great. Only used it for maps, navigating around and picking up the occasional email and Whatsapp. ... I heard Welcome Tourist SIM in Turkey is 340TL ($20) gives you 20GB Data and Unlimited Local Calls & WhatsApp, anybody has an experience for this plan? Reply.
Best E-Sim Cards for Traveling to Turkey in 2024
However, as of April 2024 e-sim cards are very limited available for prepaid tourist sim cards. Traveltomtom personally shopped around in Istanbul to find out if e-sim cards were available for tourists. In Turk Telekom stores they gave me a clear NO, some Vodafone and Turkcell stores said: yes, we offer e-sim cards for tourists.
Best eSIM for Istanbul: Which one to buy?
Holafly's virtual card for Istanbul works with the Turkish operator Türk Telekom cellular network, the best eSIM operator in Turkey. Do not hesitate to purchase the best eSIM for Istanbul with Holafly. With it, you can connect to the best internet network in the country, and thus enjoy your trip to the fullest and share your best moments ...
The Best eSIM Card for Istanbul Travel in 2024
I've gathered the best eSIM providers for Istanbul, ensuring you can choose the one that fits your travel needs perfectly. eSIMX eSIM Turkey from eSIMX offers a budget-friendly option at $4.5 USD for 1GB over 7 days, scaling up to 20GB for as long as 30 days starting at $24.5 USD.
5 Of The Best English-Language Bookstores In Istanbul
This massive bookstore chain in Istanbul might not be the most charming—but D&R is still one of the best spots in the city to find English language books and other media (including vinyl, video ...

Turkey SIM Card for Tourists

Do I really need a Turkey SIM Card for Istanbul?

Book your SIM Card online before your trip to Turkey

1. The Holafly Prepaid e-SIM Card for Istanbul

How does Holafly work?

The easy eSIM for Turkey by Holafly ( recommended ) :

2. Rent a Pocket Wifi in Istanbul

Where to buy Turkey SIM Card in Istanbul

2. In the City

Cost for Turkey SIM Cards for Tourists

1. Turkcell

2. Vodafone Turkey

3. Turk Telekom

GSM Operators in Turkey

Bottom Line

SIM cards in Turkey FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Plan your trip to Istanbul with experts

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1. Pay-as-you-go SIM Cards in Istanbul

1.1. What you will get?

1.2. How long can I use my minutes in my package?

1.3. Where you can top?

Top Up Online

1.4. How can I find out how much credit left and when I need to make a top up?

2. Prepaid SIM Card Deals for Tourists

Where can I buy both Turkey SIM Cards?

Our Recommendation

Another Great Option: e-SIM

Features & How to Buy?

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Summary of All

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Step 2: Locate a store

Step 3: Bring your passport

Step 4: Choose a prepaid plan and check prices

Step 5: Purchase the SIM card

Step 6: Register your SIM card

Step 7: Activate your SIM card

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