Planning a trip to Turkey and wondering how to stay connected? Keep reading — we talk about the best SIM and eSIM cards in Türkiye in this post!
Having reliable internet is important when you’re traveling, especially in Türkiye: you’ll need it to translate signs, open QR code menus in restaurants, use maps to get to your next destination, check the ferry schedule in Istanbul, make sure your flight to Cappadocia is on time, share awesome #vacationmode photos on Instagram… Whew, we could go on and on!
In short, staying connected is essential — and the best way to do so is to buy a Turkish SIM card or Turkish eSIM card.
Ok, that’s awesome, thanks Kedi, but what’s the best SIM to use in Turkey? You might say. Or Where should I buy a SIM card in Istanbul? And perhaps even, Is eSIM available in Turkey?
Don’t worry, we’ll answer all your questions (and tons more) in this blog post! As self-proclaimed internet addicts (we were digital nomads for a few years, after all 😁), we know just how important it is to have internet when you’re abroad. This post has everything you need to know about SIM and eSIM cards in Turkey, including where to buy them, the price of SIM cards in Turkey, which providers offer the best coverage, and even tips on getting the most out of your trip (and SIM card).
As a side note, we spent nearly a month putting this blog post together (we love our readers 🫶), including researching all of the options, going in-person to each telecom store and taking photos of the SIM card prices (and pestering the employees with questions), testing out different eSIM cards, checking each mobile provider’s coverage, and so on.
I think this is one of our biggest blog posts ever, so we really hope you enjoy and find it useful. 🙂
NOTE: This post was last updated in October 2024 with current pricing. Please note that due to high inflation in Türkiye (🥲) prices may not be accurate for the traditional SIM cards. We will go in-person to the telecom stores to update pricing every 6 months.
No time? No problem!
If you’re rushing for your flight to Istanbul and don’t want to read all the details, here a quick overview:
📱 Should I buy a Turkish eSIM or regular SIM card? An eSIM is much cheaper and more convenient than a regular SIM card. However, be sure to check if your phone supports eSIM cards.
📱 What’s the best eSIM card in Türkiye? Both Nomad and Maya are top rated and start at only ~$5. Meanwhile, Airalo is the cheapest Turkish eSIM card.
📱 My phone doesn’t support eSIM. 🥲 What (regular) SIM card should I get? Turkcell has the most coverage and fastest speeds, but it’s also slightly more expensive than the other two. We personally like and use Turk Telekom on our phone.
Turkish SIM Cards & eSIM Cards: THE BASICS
Why do you need a SIM card in Turkey?
For many things! Let us count just some of the ways…
🧿 You can use Google Translate to communicate with locals (the majority of locals don’t speak English outside of the tourist areas).
🧿 Use map applications like Google Maps, Moovit, and/or CityMapper to get around, so you can find the best option to get from Hagia Sophia to the Galata Tower.
🧿Many restaurants in Turkey have switched to QR menus, so you’ll need internet if you want to see the menu.
🧿Order a taxi through BiTaksi — we really don’t recommend waving down a random taxi as there’s a chance you might get scammed (it’s become so common that we even wrote a blog post about the top 10 taxi scams in Türkye).
🧿 Using Google Maps (or Instagram 😉) to find a good restaurant (we also wrote a helpful guide to finding the best restaurants).
🧿 Staying connected with friends and family — Whether on WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Facetime, or Skype, keep your loved ones in the loop. As some influencer (probably) once said, “If you’ve been to Istanbul and didn’t post a photo of the Galata Tower on Instagram, did you really even go?”
🧿 Check real-time currency exchange rates to make sure you’re getting the best deal and not getting scammed.
(Psst — we’ve written a blog post with 20+ Useful Travel Apps for Türkiye that will enhance your trip and make it easier and stress free — be sure to check it out!)
What is the difference between an eSIM card vs a SIM card?
A SIM card is a small chip (that you insert into your phone) that lets you connect to a mobile network (and make phone calls, use the internet, etc). SIM cards have been the standard for decades, and travelers typically buy SIM cards abroad so they can stay connected.
On the other hand, an eSIM (“embedded SIM”) is a digital version of a SIM card that is virtual. It performs the same functions as a traditional SIM but doesn’t require a physical card or slot. To make it easier, just think of it as another app on your phone (that allows you to have internet access).
While SIM cards are widely available, they require physical swapping, which can be inconvenient (especially if your regular SIM card is lost 🥲). Additionally, the number of SIM cards you can use is limited by the number of slots on your device (typically just one or two).
In contrast, eSIM cards offer greater convenience as they don’t require a physical card, so you can switch networks much faster. In Türkiye, eSIM cards are typically cheaper than their traditional counterparts. However, the only downside is that not all phones support eSIM technology, so it’s best to check before you buy (click here for compatible devices).
Traditional SIM Cards in Türkiye
What are the major Turkish mobile operators? | What is the best Turkish SIM card?
There are 3 main mobile operators in Turkey: Türk Telecom, Turkcell, and Vodafone.
The first two are local operators, while Vodafone is a British company.
All three operators offer no-contract “tourist SIM cards”, which means you’ll get a prepaid Turkish SIM card with a set amount of data (gigabytes), phone call minutes, and SMS (text messages). If you run out of data/minutes/SMS, you can top up your Turkish tourist SIM card at the nearest telecom store (i.e. if you have a Turkcell SIM card, you can top up at the nearest Turkcell store).
Likewise, all three operators are “no roaming,” which means once you leave Türkiye, your SIM card just stops working.
Which leads us to the next question: what’s the best data plan in Turkey? As someone who has used all three mobile operators in Türkiye, I can say this: they’re practically the same (shocker! 😅)
If you’re still wondering which Turkish SIM card you should buy, our advice is buy the cheapest one. Like we said, there’s no magical provider that’s better than the rest — they all do their job well, have adequate speed and coverage in major cities, and are similarly priced.
If we had to choose, Turkcell is typically regarded as the “best” Turkish cell provider because it has the most coverage and fastest speeds, but it’s more expensive compared to Turk Telekom and Vodafone.
The best budget-friendly SIM card provider in Turkey is Turk Telekom, because they usually run special campaigns and try to competitively price themselves. However, they’re a bit slower than Turkcell.
And then there’s Vodafone, which has a nice balance of both and is just chilling somewhere between Turkcell and Turk Telekom. 🙂
SIM Card Coverage in Turkey
Ok, so city coverage is good for all three mobile providers, what happens if you’re planning to go beyond the beaten path?
For this next section, we researched all three mobile operators’ coverage across Turkey (including major cities and rural areas) using OpenSignal, nPerf, and other reliable sources.
When it comes to mobile coverage in Turkey, Turkcell generally has the best network coverage and is widely considered to be the most reliable provider. Turkcell offers extensive coverage in both urban and rural areas, making it a popular choice for travelers who want consistent connectivity when they travel around Türkiye.
Meanwhile, Vodafone also provides strong coverage (particularly in major cities and typical tourist destinations), but it may not be as reliable in more remote or rural areas compared to Turkcell. Türk Telekom has also improved its coverage in recent years and offers competitive service in many parts of the country, but it may lag in some rural regions.
This data correlates with OpenSignal’s Mobile Network Experience Report (click to read!) — they ranked Turkcell as the winner in the coverage metric, followed by Vodafone and Turk Telekom.
To illustrate this point, here are the coverage maps for all three providers:
Where to buy a SIM Card in Turkey
After arriving in Türkiye, buying a local Turkish SIM card is a fairly straightforward process.
Once you’ve decided which mobile provider you want (see above), the next step is to figure out where to buy your SIM card in Istanbul / Antalya / İzmir / etc.
Thankfully, there are only two locations to choose from — a kiosk at the airport, or visiting one of the three mobile operators at their retail store in the city.
If you plan on buying a SIM card in Turkey, here’s a neat little chart to help you decide where to buy:
| ✈️ At the Airport: Convenient but at what cost? | 🏬 At the telecom store: Requires effort but worth it | |
| Convenience | Very convenient Typically all three mobile operators have kiosks next to each other | Requires more effort, but worth it for the cheaper prices |
| Availability | Typically open 24/7 After all, someone has to sell SIM cards to passengers arriving at 4AM 🙂 | Work normal business hours (typically 9:00 to 21:00 / 9am to 9pm, but double-check ahead of time!) |
| Language | Majority of employees speak conversational English | May or may not speak English Depending on if it’s a touristy area |
| Price | More expensive than in the city They prey on convenience! | ~20 to 50% cheaper than at the airport |
⭐ Travel Tip:
If you plan to buy at the airport: Take a moment to compare prices among the kiosks (since they’re all usually right next to each other) before making your purchase.
If you prefer to buy at a retail store: Before your trip, use Google Maps to find the nearest official retail stores close to your hotel or accommodation. Simply locate your hotel on the map and search for ‘Turkcell store’ ‘Turk Telekom store’ or ‘Vodafone store,’ and then visit them in-person to buy. Make sure to download offline maps (tutorial here) and save a few of those telecom stores to your map — that way, you don’t need mobile internet to navigate to the store!
SIM Card Prices in Turkey
The moment we’ve all been waiting for — how much do SIM cards cost in Türkiye?
The answer: ridiculously expensive. 😅 (Sorry! We hate it too!)
Unfortunately, SIM cards in Turkey aren’t exactly budget-friendly, and if you’re buying one at the airport, be prepared to pay even more. It’s no secret that ✨ airport convenience ✨ comes with a hefty markup — you’ll typically pay anywhere from 20 to 50% (or more!) for a SIM card at the airport compared to anywhere else.
If you don’t mind the brief inconvenience, we highly recommend waiting until you’ve arrived at your hotel/accommodation and then buying a SIM card. (Your wallet will thank you!)
Likewise, SIM card providers typically offer a very limited selection of packages, especially for tourists (this difference is even bigger compared to eSIM packages, which we’ll talk about in the next section). For example, the Vodafone kiosk at Sabiha Gökçen Airport only has 2 packages available, and the Turk Telekom at Istanbul Airport has 3 or 4 last time we checked.
We should also note that the price of a Turkish SIM card for tourists is different from the price of a SIM card for locals. This is one of the things we hate (even though we get the local price) because it’s so unfair!
For reference, Miss Kedi (½ of this blog) pays 320 TL ($10) per month for her Turk Telecom plan that includes 12 GB + 750 minutes + 250 SMS, while Mr. Kedi (the other ½) mooches off her using a hotspot (😀). Meanwhile, the most popular tourist plan at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport is around 1,500 TL / $45 USD (includes 25 GB + 750 minutes + 250 SMS). Yes, it’s twice the data, but it’s also five times the price. Ouch!
Anyway, that’s enough typing from us. Here are the current Turkish SIM card prices as of October 2024:
Summary
Overall, there isn’t a definitive “best” SIM card in Turkey for tourists — each of the three major providers (Türk Telekom, Turkcell, and Vodafone) offers reliable service with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Turkcell is often praised for its extensive coverage and fast speeds, especially if you plan to travel to rural areas. However, this comes at a higher cost.
Türk Telekom is the most budget-friendly option, often running special campaigns, though it may have slightly slower speeds and less coverage in some regions.
Vodafone strikes a balance between the two, offering solid coverage and decent pricing, making it a middle-ground choice for many travelers.
eSIM Cards in Türkiye
When it comes to Turkish eSIM cards, you’ll find far more flexibility and options compared to traditional SIM cards. In fact, most Turkish eSIMs are even more affordable than their physical SIM card counterparts!
Just like we did with traditional SIM cards, we’ll cover the key providers, coverage, and pricing here:
What are the most popular eSIM cards in Turkey?
Let’s start with providers. Although there are dozens of companies offering eSIM service, the most popular eSIM card providers in Türkiye include Airalo, Nomad, and Maya.
The way it works is like this: these eSIM providers partner with local mobile operators (like Turkcell or Turk Telekom) to provide connectivity to users. The only catch is that eSIMs typically offer data-only service. This means you won’t get a local phone number and, therefore, won’t be able to make calls or receive text messages on your eSIM. However, if you don’t plan to call or text local numbers, you can save a lot of money by opting for an eSIM instead of a regular SIM card!
Psst— many Turks use WhatsApp, which doesn’t require a local phone number!
eSIM Card Coverage in Turkey
Since eSIMs use local mobile networks, their coverage in Turkey depends on the reach of the local provider. However, you’ll have more than enough coverage if you’re sticking to the main cities and tourist sites (like Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Izmir, etc).
eSIM Card Prices in Turkey
The price of eSIMs in Turkey varies depending on the provider and the data package you choose, but they’re usually much cheaper (and more convenient) than a traditional SIM card.
Let’s go back to the example at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport, where the cheapest tourist SIM card plan was around 1,500 TL | $45 USD (25 GB + 750 minutes + 250 SMS).
If you buy a Turkish eSIM card with Maya, you’ll pay only 575 TL | $17 USD for 20 GB … or 1,080 TL | $32 USD for 40 GB!
Yes, you don’t have minutes or SMS, but you’re saving more than 60%!
Even better, some eSIM operators offer unlimited internet options, where you pay a set price for an amount of days (for example, Yesim offers a 30-day unlimited GB plan for $70 USD). This is a great option if you’re traveling with friends or family but don’t want to buy individual eSIM cards for everyone — you just use your phone as a hotspot and everyone connects to it!
Here’s a quick chart of the best eSIM cards in Turkey:
| Airalo | Yesim | Nomad | Maya | |
| Trustpilot Review (out of 5) | 2.5 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Personal hotspot (tether) allowed? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Local mobile operator Used | Avea (AKA Turk Telekom) | Avea (AKA Turk Telekom) & Vodafone | Avea (AKA Turk Telekom) | Turk Telekom |
| Unlimited data available? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Top-up available? | Yes | No | Yes (for regular plans) No (for unlimited plans) | Yes |
| Does the eSIM come with a local number? (Calls/SMS allowed?) | No | No | No | No |
| Cheapest option | 1 GB – 7 days $4.50 | Unlimited GB – 1 day $8.40 USD | 1 GB – 7 days $4.50 USD | 3 GB – 5 days $5 USD |
| Purchase eSIM | Click here → | Click here → | Click here → | Click here → |
📱 Best-rated Turkish eSIM: Maya has a 4.6 out of 5
📱 Cheapest Turkish eSIM: Tie between Airalo and Nomad
📱 Best unlimited Turkish eSIM: Yesim, Nomad, and Maya all offer unlimited plans
📱 Best Turkish eSIM for Digital Nomads: Maya has unlimited 30 day eSIM packages that includes up to 100 Mbit/s download speed
📱 Best eSIM for travel in Turkey: They’re all great! Airalo and Nomad are the cheapest, while Yesim and Maya offer more powerful plans
How to Choose the Right SIM or eSIM Card
We’re almost at the end! The final step is choosing the best SIM (or eSIM) package for you. Here are some questions to help you narrow down your choices:
Does your phone support eSIM cards?
Perhaps the most important question before we even start! 🙂
Not all phones support eSIM, so it’s essential to check if yours is compatible before purchasing. Newer models, like iPhones from the XS and above or Google Pixels starting from the 3 series, usually support eSIM. However, older phones and certain budget-friendly models might not. You can check if your device is compatible here.
How many days do you need?
Both traditional SIM cards and eSIM cards offer a package set number of days (i.e. 7 days, 15 days, 30 days). However, eSIM cards have a bit more variety — for example, Nomad’s unlimited plan lets you select 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days, while their regular plans go up to 30 days.
(Of course, you can have connection for more than 30 days, you’ll just need to top up or buy a new card!)
How much GB do you need when buying a Turkish SIM or eSIM card?
The amount of data (GB) you’ll need really depends on two factors: the length of your trip and how you plan to use your phone. To help you estimate, 1GB of data would let you do one of the following:
- Watch 1 hour Youtube video at Standard Definition
- Watch 70 minutes of videos on TikTok
- Video call on Zoom for 2 hours
- Use Google Maps for 24 hours
Data-only vs Data+Voice plans
When choosing between a data-only or data+voice plan, consider your communication needs.
If you mainly rely on apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Zoom for voice and video calls, a data-only plan (like an eSIM) should be more than enough. However, if you need a Turkish phone number to make local calls, a regular SIM might be a better option.
Where are you going?
If you’re staying in major cities like Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, etc, you can honestly go for any plan, since all the major Turkish mobile carriers have excellent coverage.
However, if you’re going to a tiny little town in the Black Sea mountains, you might want to do a little more research to make sure your SIM card or eSIM card will have adequate coverage there.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Planning to visit the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC)? Be sure to double-check if your SIM card will work there, as some SIM operators don’t have coverage for TRNC.
If you plan to stay in Türkiye for more than 120 days and your phone wasn’t purchased in Türkiye, the government will lock your device from using local networks. This means you won’t be able to make calls or use mobile data unless you register your phone with the Turkish government, which involves paying a very hefty registration fee. In 2024, it’s almost 32,000 TL — no, that’s not a typo, it’s almost $1,000 USD. :)))
Since we love charts, here’s one last table comparing traditional SIM cards with eSIM cards. 🙂
| Traditional SIM Cards | eSIM Cards | |
| Availability | Need to physically purchase from a kiosk or store | Immediately |
| Installation | Need to physically open the SIM card tray to install (make sure you have an eject pin nearby!) However, many tourists have recently complained that their SIM cards either don’t work after they buy it, or turn off after only a few days (you can read some common complaints on Vodafone’s IST Airport page) | No physical installation, all you need to do is scan a QR code and voila! |
| Price | More expensive (because you get a local phone number) The cheapest plan typically starts around 1,500 TL at the airport | Typically significantly cheaper than traditional SIM cards Cheapest plan typically starts at only $5 USD |
| Carriers available | 3 major carriers: Turk Telekom, Turkcell, Vodafone | Dozens of eSIM companies available (Airalo, Maya, Nomad, etc) |
| Data & Voice | Data and voice (you get a local phone number) | Data only (no local phone number), although some companies are working on a data + voice option |
| ID to purchase? | Yes, you’ll need to show your passport to buy a SIM card in Turkey | No, you don’t need to show ID or passport to purchase an eSIM |
| Security & Privacy | If your phone (or SIM) is lost or stolen, someone can use your SIM | Enhanced security, since your eSIM is embedded into your phone (nobody can steal your eSIM) |
| Compatibility | Typically compatible with most phones | Need to check ahead of time if your device is eSIM compatible (check your phone compatibility here). |
| Eco-friendly? | Produces physical waste | Eco-friendly, since they’re entirely digital 🙂 |
Q&A | Questions & Answers
Why are Turkish eSIM cards cheaper than traditional SIM cards?
Turkish eSIM cards are typically cheaper than their traditional SIM counterparts because they’re virtual and, therefore, eliminate a lot of the overhead costs like material, production, marketing, etc.
Do you need an ID / passport to buy a SIM card in Turkey?
Yes, you’ll need to show proper identification (a passport) to buy a sim card in Türkiye, as Turkish law requires all SIM purposes to be registered to an individual.
Is it worth getting a SIM card in Turkey?
We think so. 🙂 Having reliable internet is important when you’re traveling — you’ll need it to translate signs, open QR code menus, use maps to get to your next destination, check transportation schedules, make sure your flight to Cappadocia is on time, and so on. If you want to save money (and if your phone allows it), it’s cheaper to buy an eSIM.
What are the major mobile network providers in Turkey?
Turkcell, Türk Telekom, and Vodafone are the three major mobile network providers.
Does eSIM work in Turkey?
Yes, tons of tourists use an eSIM when traveling to Turkey and have no problems. An eSIM is a convenient choice because it allows you to download a mobile plan directly to your phone without needing a physical SIM card. Just make sure that your device is eSIM compatible beforehand.
Where can you buy an eSIM card in Turkey?
You can buy an eSIM from major providers like Airalo, Nomad, Yesim, and Maya online (click the name to be taken to their website). In fact, we recommend buying your Turkish eSIM before traveling to Türkiye so that you’ll have internet the moment you land at the airport or arrive by ferry/bus/car/etc.
Which SIM card has the best coverage in Turkey?
Technically Turkcell has the best coverage inside the country, but to be honest, all three major operators work well (especially in popular cities like Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, etc).
Where can you buy a SIM card in Turkey?
SIM cards are sold everywhere in Türkiye, including airports, mobile network stores (each of the three main providers has at least one store in major cities), shopping centers, and so on.
Photo credits: Girl holding phone via Alexey Barbanakov
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