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How to buy a South Africa SIM card in 2025
If your next trip is to South Africa, you should take a SIM card with you, to stay connected to the internet at all times.
Using a tourist SIM card is one of the most popular ways to get data in South Africa. But with all top local cell service providers offering travel options, which prepaid SIM card should you choose?
Follow along as we take a close look at the top South Africa SIM card options, their plans, pricing, and where you can buy them. We’ll also introduce Holafly, a travel eSIM that lets you stay connected without the need for plastic SIM cards.
Say goodbye to plastic SIMs
Our eSIMs can't be damaged, broken, or lost – they're the future for every type of traveler.
Where can I buy a SIM card for South Africa?
There’s no shortage of ways to get a local SIM card for tourists in South Africa, whether it’s on arrival, online, or once you’ve settled in. Here are your main options:
- Buy online: You can buy prepaid SIM cards through online retailers such as Amazon or SimCorner. Some local service providers may also offer the option to purchase your SIM online and pick it up at the airport when you land.
- At the airport: You’ll find SIM card shops by the most popular local providers, such as MTN, Cell C, Vodacom, or Telkom, at any international airport in South Africa.
- Throughout the country: Prepaid SIM cards are available in local provider shops throughout South Africa, as well as some retail stores, convenience stores, and gas stations.
- Buy an eSIM instead: Don’t want to waste your holiday time queueing up at the SIM card shop? You can buy an eSIM online and get connected within minutes. All you need is an internet connection and an eSIM-compatible phone.
Holafly eSIM for South Africa: Get connected instantly
If you’re looking for the most convenient way to stay connected in South Africa, look no further than Holafly. You can buy your eSIM from the comfort of your couch back home and simply activate it whenever you arrive in South Africa.
All Holafly eSIM plans offer unlimited data, hotspot sharing, and 24/7 customer support. Get yourself an eSIM for South Africa if you’re only visiting one country, or get a regional Africa eSIM, which offers coverage in multiple countries on the continent. No matter which you pick, you’ll never have to worry about tracking your data usage or losing connection with Holafly.
Need to stay connected for a while longer? Holafly Plans offers pay-monthly data bundles with coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide. Simply pick a plan that suits your needs, use it for as long as you need, and cancel any time. No long-term commitments or international roaming fees needed.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
How to buy a local South Africa SIM card for tourists
Don’t have an eSIM-compatible phone? Let’s take a look at some of the best prepaid SIM cards in South Africa and how you can buy them.
How to buy a Vodacom South Africa SIM card
Vodacom is the largest operator in South Africa and has some of the best coverage in the country. You can buy your SIM at any Vodacom store nationwide, including shops at the O.R. Tambo and Cape Town international airports. You’ll also be able to find travel SIM cards in partner retail stores, such as Checkers or Woolworths.
Vodacom travel SIM bundle prices range from R299 to R699 (~US$17 to $39.90), with data allowances from 3 GB to 10 GB. Each plan is valid for 30 days and provides a local phone number, as well as some local phone calls and texts.
How to buy an MTN South Africa SIM card
You can buy an MTN SIM card at all MTN retail stores in South Africa, including those at Cape Town and O.R. Tambo airports. MTN SIM cards are also available at Connect stores and authorised retailers.
Notably, MTN SIM cards are cheaper than those by Vodacom, with prices ranging from R99 to R399 (~$5.60 to $22.70). Mobile data limits range from 2 GB to 15 GB, with 60 to 400 call minutes included in each plan.
How to buy a Telkom South Africa SIM card
Telkom is another popular cell service provider in South Africa with a solid infrastructure of retail stores, making it easy to buy their travel SIMs. There are Telkom Direct, Telkom Kiosk, and Telkom Express shops throughout South Africa, including top international airports. You’ll also find them in larger shopping malls, such as the Mall of Africa or Mall@Carnival.
There’s a vast selection of Telkom prepaid bundles, from data-only SIM cards to plans that include calls, texts, and extra features. The prices range anywhere from R35 to R629 (~$1.99 to $36.80), depending on the bundle you choose.
How to buy a Cell C South Africa SIM card
Cell C is the last major South African provider on this list. You’ll be able to find Cell C SIM cards at international airports, retail stores throughout the country, and authorised resellers, such as Checkers or Shoprite.
With Cell C, you need to buy their physical SIM card first, then choose the recharge you want to add to the card. Pick from data top-ups, voice bundles, or combo bundles, with prices varying depending on the bundle you choose.
How to register your South Africa SIM card
You will need to register your prepaid SIM card before you can start using it. To do so, you’ll need to provide a valid ID or passport, your full name, and a local address. As a tourist, you probably won’t have a permanent address to provide, in which case, you should use the address of your hotel or B&B.
Once registered, the SIM card can take up to 24 hours to become active. If you need instant connectivity, get an unlimited data plan from Holafly instead. Once you activate your eSIM, you can start using your data package almost instantly. No registration process or long waits are needed.
Yes, you can use your UK mobile phone in South Africa with international roaming. All you need to do is buy an international roaming plan from your UK cell service provider. If you use internet data, make calls, or send texts without a roaming plan, you’ll be subject to pay-per-use rates, which are typically much more expensive than any plan or local SIM card.
Yes, you will find shops by Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, or Cell C in any international airport in South Africa.
Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C offer some of the best local SIM cards in South Africa. However, if you need instant connectivity and want to avoid queues and lengthy registration processes, you can enjoy reliable and affordable connectivity with an eSIM from Holafly instead.
Say goodbye to plastic SIMs
Our eSIMs can't be damaged, broken, or lost – they're the future for every type of traveler.
Traveling to other countries in Africa as well? Check out our other blogs on local SIM cards:
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
