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Best eSIM for Istanbul: Which one should you buy?
Holafly, Yesim, BetterRoamin, and Turk Telekom are the best eSIM options for Istanbul. Take a closer look at their plans, pricing, and features.
August 29, 2024
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It’s easy to get lost or overwhelmed in a city of 15 million people speaking a language you don’t know. Therefore, having a steady internet connection for map apps, translation apps, or getting a ride is crucial.
Whether you’re just about to put the finishing touches on your preparation for a trip from the UK to Istanbul or if you’re already there and need a way to stay connected, using an eSIM is the best mobile internet option in town.
That said, choosing a provider isn’t always easy. Follow along to learn all about the best eSIM providers in Istanbul, complete with their pricing, plans, and features to help you choose the one that suits your needs.
Unlimited data eSIM for Istanbul
Buy an unlimited data eSIM for Istanbul and get 5% by using the code MYESIMNOW5 at checkout
Do eSIMs work in Istanbul?
Yes, eSIMs work in Istanbul, just as they do in all of Turkey. Local carriers such as Turkcell and Turk Telekom collaborate with global eSIM providers to ensure top-quality connection for all users within the country.
Some local carriers offer their own eSIM cards as well, but their plans are typically aimed towards locals and require long-term contracts, which isn’t ideal if you’re simply visiting for a holiday. Using a global eSIM service that’s tailored around travellers is usually your best bet.
What’s the best eSIM for Istanbul?
With plenty of different eSIM providers on the market, the best is typically the one that meets your needs and expectations. Some value user experience over price, others need nothing more than simply the cheapest way to stay connected.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top eSIM options to consider whenever you’re in Istanbul.
1. Holafly
Holafly is widely considered to be the best option for unlimited data plans in all of its 200+ destinations, including an eSIM for Istanbul. It’s a great option if you’re a heavy data user or simply don’t want to spend your holiday tracking how much data you’ve used.
Plans and pricing
Instead of giving you a few fixed plans to choose from, Holafly allows you to pick any number of days ranging from 5 to 90 for your eSIM plan. And since all plans include unlimited data, all you need to choose is the plan duration.
The prices start at $21 (£16) for the 5-day plan and go up to $139 (£105.50) for 90 days of unlimited data. All plans allow up to 500 MB of data sharing daily, so you can keep your travel buddies connected on the same plan.
It’s worth noting that Holafly plans don’t include a local phone number for calls or SMS messages. But you can put the unlimited data to use and make as many VoIP calls through apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Viber.
Key features
On top of being affordable, your eSIM should be easy to use and provide helpful custom support – should you encounter any issues.. Holafly takes care of that with intuitive apps for iOS and Android, and 24/7 live chat support in multiple languages.
If you buy your eSIM in advance and have a change of plans, or if the service doesn’t work as intended, Holafly offers a flexible refund policy to ensure you don’t lose your money.
Holafly pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited data with all plans
- 24/7 customer support
- Apps for iOS and Android
- Flexible refund policy
Cons
- No local phone number available
2. Yesim
Much like Holafly, Yesim only offers unlimited data plans for Istanbul and has a solid infrastructure built around its service.
Plans and pricing
While Yesim doesn’t have a dedicated plan for Istanbul, it offers coverage in the city with its Turkey eSIM plan. The selection isn’t very big, but it does cover the bases for most popular plan times.
- 1 day for $8.40 (£6.40)
- 7 days for $31.20 (£23.70)
- 15 days for $44.40 (£33.70)
- 30 days for $70.80 (£53.80)
The short-term plans are a bit on the expensive side, but the value for money gets better with the longer plans. All of them allow data sharing, but don’t include a local phone number for calls or messages.
Key features
Yesim offers 24/7 customer support and dedicated apps for iOS and Android, which makes it easier to buy and manage your eSIMs, as well as get help if you encounter any questions or issues.
The refund policy is quite reasonable as well, so you should be able to get your money back if your travel plans change or if the service doesn’t work as intended.
Yesim pros and cons
Pros
- 24/7 customer support
- Unlimited data with all plans
- Apps for iOS and Android
- Flexible refund policy
Cons
- Small plan selection
- No local phone number available
3. BetterRoaming
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to stay connected with a small amount of data, BetterRoaming has some affordable fixed data plans for Turkey, which includes coverage in Istanbul.
Plans and pricing
BetterRoaming has five different plans for Turkey, with all but one of them offering coverage for 30 days.
- 1 GB for 7 days for $1.99 (£1.50)
- 3 GB for 30 days for $5.99 (£4.50)
- 5 GB for 30 days for $8.99 (£6.80)
- 10 GB for 30 days for $16.99 (£12.90)
- 20 GB for 30 days for $32.99 (£25)
All BetterRoaming plans allow data sharing, but with a low data allowance on most plans, you’ll probably want to keep most of it for yourself. Much like the providers above, the service doesn’t include a local phone number, so you’ll have to stick with VoIP apps for calls and messages.
Key features
BetterRoaming does have 24/7 customer support, but doesn’t offer dedicated apps for iOS or Android. This means you’ll have to buy and manage your eSIMs through their website, which isn’t the most convenient way to track data usage on low-data plans.
The company does offer refunds, but only within 14 days of your payment, so don’t buy your eSIM months in advance in case you need to get your money back.
BetterRoaming pros and cons
Pros
- Affordable low data plans
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- No unlimited data plans
- Refunds only within 14 days of purchase
- No local phone number available
4. Turk Telekom
If you absolutely must have a phone number for local calls and messages, Turk Telecom offers its own eSIM options, even though their infrastructure for travellers does have some room for improvement.
Plans and pricing
Turk Telekom has two eSIM plans listed on their website, both of which offer limited data without a limit on the number of days, so the plan ends when you use up the data. All plans are priced in TL, so the exact price you’ll pay depends on the exchange rate on any given day.
- 20 GB, 100 minutes, 100 messages for 160 TL (~$4.70 or £3.55)
- 30 GB, 100 minutes, 100 messages for 250 TL (~$7.30 or £5.55)
All plans allow data sharing, as well as give you a local phone number for calls and messages, with a decent amount of minutes and messages already included in the plan.
Key features
With Turk Telekom being a local network provider, its eSIM for Turkey isn’t exactly tailored to suit travellers from the UK or other destinations. You can’t buy the eSIM online, and will have to visit a physical customer center to get it set up. Thankfully, you should be able to find one at the airport, and you can use the Istanbul airport WiFi to locate the center.
There are no dedicated apps for eSIMs either, making it harder to manage and track your data usage. That said, if you must have a local phone number, it’s arguably the best option available.
Turk Telekom pros and cons
Pros
- Local phone number with calls and messages
- Affordable plans with good amounts of data
Cons
- No way to buy online
- No apps for iOS or Android
- No 24/7 customer support
Which eSIM for Istanbul should you choose?
Before you make up your mind and get yourself an eSIM to keep you connected in Istanbul, let’s quickly run through some of the main things you need to consider when choosing an eSIM provider.
Which eSIM for Istanbul is the cheapest?
BetterRoaming offers the cheapest data plan for Istanbul, $1.99 for 1 GB of data. When it comes to unlimited plans, Holafly is usually the cheapest option, thanks to its flexible plan selection. Holafly allows you to match your eSIM with the duration of your stay to avoid paying for days you don’t need.
Which eSIM for Istanbul has the most data?
Both Holafly and Yesim offer unlimited data plans for Istanbul and Turkey in general. That said, Yesim only has four plans to choose from, while Holafly offers plenty of options ranging from 5 to 90 days in duration.
Which eSIM for Istanbul is easiest to use?
Holafly and Yesim both have intuitive apps for iOS and Android, which makes buying and managing your eSIM much easier. Both also send you a QR code right after you make your payment, which you can use to quickly activate your eSIM whenever your flight from the UK lands in Istanbul.
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: Most eSIMs can be purchased online and only take a couple of minutes to buy and activate.
- Receive it to your email in seconds: You’ll receive a QR code for activation within seconds of your purchase instead of having to wait in line at customer centers.
- Eco-friendly: An eSIM is completely virtual, so you avoid plastic waste from physical tourist cards.
- No chance of loss or damage: You can’t lose a product that is fully digital, so you’re sure to always have your eSIM unless you manage to lose the phone where it’s set up.
- More options: Companies like Holafly offer specific services for your trip if you travel to other nearby destinations. For example, you can get an eSIM for the Middle East, which provides coverage in the entire region with a single eSIM.
- Available on most modern phones: Many phones, such as the latest iPhone models, are switching to eSIM-only models that no longer support physical SIMs.
Stay connected in Istanbul with an eSIM
No matter which eSIM provider you end up going with, you’re already a winner by choosing the more convenient and more affordable option over physical SIM cards or paying for data roaming charges.
That said, if you need unlimited data, Holafly is the best option for you. It includes unlimited bandwidth in all its plans and offers a completely flexible plan duration which allows you to match your eSIM with the duration of your holiday and avoid paying for any extra days.
FAQs
The only slight downside to eSIMs is that you need an eSIM-compatible device to use them. That said, most modern phones support eSIM technology, so it shouldn’t be an issue for a majority of users.
To buy an eSIM for Turkey online, visit the Holafly website or app, select the plan that suits your needs, and complete the purchase process. As soon as the payment is complete, you’ll receive a QR code, which you can use to activate your eSIM and gain instant internet access.
