SIM Card Guides

How to buy an Austria SIM card in 2025

Stay connected with the best Austria SIM card options. Compare prepaid SIMs, including an A1 SIM card for Austria, against competitors and digital alternatives.

If you’re heading on a trip to Austria, you must know that staying connected is essential. Whether you’re navigating with Google Maps in Vienna, checking local train times in rural areas, or staying in touch with loved ones, you’ll need a reliable solution. One way is to get a local Austria SIM card, ensuring seamless connectivity and avoiding roaming charges.

This guide covers everything you need to know, from the best prepaid Austria SIM card deals and pricing to the requirements for getting one. We’ll also explore how a digital alternative, an unlimited data travel eSIM, might be better than a SIM card in Austria.

In this article

Where to buy an Austria SIM card?

When getting a SIM card for Austria, you have a few options before and after you arrive. Both depend on how quickly you’d like to get connected in Austria.

Before you travel: Order one of the Austria prepaid SIM cards online from third-party retailers like Orange Travel or Simify. They ship straight to your address, so you can set up your Austria SIM card before you travel.
After you land: You can find multiple kiosks and mobile operator stores (A1, Magenta/T-Mobile, Drei) in Vienna International Airport and Salzburg Airport’s arrival areas. Other locations where you can find Austria SIM cards include official retail stores in city centers, convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. You can buy basic Wertkarte prepaid SIM card kits to activate yourself.

On the other hand, if you have an eSIM-compatible phone, consider opting for an eSIM or virtual SIM over a physical SIM. You can buy it online before your trip, scan a QR code, and set it up instantly, without swapping physical SIM cards.

What do I need to buy an Austria SIM card?

There are a few requirements for registering for a SIM card in Austria, similar to purchasing a SIM card in other countries. You’ll need a valid passport and a copy of this document, proof of accommodation including a local stay address, an unlocked phone to accept foreign carriers, and valid payment methods (local currency in cash and a working debit/credit card).

Holafly’s eSIM for Austria: One plan, unlimited data

While registering a local SIM card for Austria may help you avoid roaming charges, the registration process is a hassle, and you can expect long lines and fumbling with SIM cards. Holafly’s eSIM for Austria is the perfect alternative.

You can set up your mobile data in just a few clicks before you even land, with no passport scans, no local address, and no waiting. Scan the QR code, follow the instructions, and you’ll be connected in minutes.

The best part is the unlimited data plans, which allow you to browse, navigate, and stay in touch without worrying about usage limits or top-ups, especially if you tend to use data-heavy apps. You can match your plan to your vacation and choose what works best for your trip between one and 90 days.

And, if anything goes wrong, Holafly’s 24/7 customer support is there to help.

If you anticipate an extended stay in Austria, consider Holafly Plans instead. This monthly eSIM subscription service is ideal for frequent travelers, remote workers, backpackers, and those who need internet on the go. It offers three flexible data plans, one of which is unlimited data and unlimited hotspot for only $64.90 per month.

How to buy the best prepaid SIM card for Austria

When choosing the best prepaid SIM card for Austria, tourists have three major mobile providers to consider: A1 Telekom Austria, T-Mobile/Magenta, and 3 Mobile/Drei. In this section, we’ll break down what each provider offers, including A1 SIM card options for tourists, T-Mobile/Magenta’s flexible data plans, and 3 Mobile’s prepaid SIM choices.

How to buy an A1 SIM card for Austria

You can buy an A1 Telekom SIM card upon arrival at several airports at kiosks or dedicated stores. You can also head to an official A1 Telekom store or other authorized retail stores like supermarkets or gas stations.

A1 Telekom is Austria’s most common mobile operator and offers impressive network coverage across the country. A1 boasts 99% of the population coverage with 4G and the remaining with 5G, constantly expanding to include more regions.

They also provide several SIM card plans for tourists, ranging from 30 GB to 50 GB for €15 to €35 (~$16-36). These plans also include specific voice and text allowances and coverage for other EU countries.

How to buy a T-Mobile SIM card for Austria

You can purchase a T-Mobile/Magenta SIM card at most airports, train stations, and tourist information centers. Otherwise, you can always visit the official T-Mobile store.

T-Mobile, also known as Magenta Telekom, is one of the largest mobile operators in Austria. It boasts extensive network coverage across the country, including major cities like Vienna, Innsbruck, and Salzburg, as well as some rural areas.

You can get T-Mobile/Magenta SIM card plans with 30 GB to unlimited data, ranging from €1 EUR to €29.90 (~$1-27 USD). These plans often include specific text allowances as well and are valid for four weeks.

How to buy a Three (Drei) Mobile SIM card for Austria

Three’s (Drei) prepaid SIM cards are another good tourist option. Three is a major mobile operator in the country with a strong network coverage across Austria, including rural areas and indoor coverage. You can find prepaid Drei SIM cards at kiosks and counters in the airport, train stations, or tourist information centers. Otherwise, you can head to official Drei stores located all around Austria’s city centers.

Three (Drei) offers various tourist prepaid SIM card packages for Austria, with data allowances ranging from 40 GB to unlimited mobile data for €7 to €30 (~$7-33) and a 30-day validity period. Similar to T-Mobile’s prepaid Austria SIM cards, each SIM card plan includes a text allowance.

How much does an Austria SIM card cost?

A physical prepaid SIM card in Austria costs €5-10 (~$6-11) for basic packages with limited data, voice, and text allowances and can reach €30 (~$31) for more comprehensive plans with substantial data allowances.

If you opt for an Austria eSIM from Holafly, you can enjoy unlimited data-only plans and pricing from $1.99 for one day. Here are some potential eSIM plans for Austria:

5-day trip to Austria: $20.90
7-day trip to Austria: $29.90
10-day trip to Austria: $36.90

There are no activation fees, unexpected charges, or a physical SIM card required. If your trip extends beyond Austria into Europe, consider Holafly’s eSIM for Europe instead, where you can enjoy unlimited data beyond borders.

Travels extend beyond Austria? Check out how and where to get your next:

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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