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Turkey SIM card for tourists: Prices and where to buy it?
In this article, we will show you how you can purchase a SIM card with data for Turkey, how to activate it, prices, and more. (2023)
June 5, 2023
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If you’re traveling to Turkey, you’re probably thinking about how you can get an internet connection during your trip. Paying for data roaming is extremely expensive, and simple things like watching videos could set you back $100. Fortunately, data roaming is a thing of the past as you can now buy an international SIM card for Turkey, which provides you with all the internet you need for an affordable price.
Let’s learn more about the new way of connecting to the internet abroad – you’ll save money in no time.
Digital SIM card for Turkey
>>Buy a Digital SIM card for Turkey with unlimited data plans<< Get 5% OFF. Code: MYESIMNOW5
Where can I buy a SIM card for Turkey?
Turkey’s coastline is dotted with stunning beaches and resorts. The Turquoise Coast, known as the Turkish Riviera, offers crystal-clear waters, ancient ruins, and charming coastal towns like Antalya and Bodrum. You can enjoy water sports, go on boat trips, or relax on the sun-kissed beaches. To share all your adventures, you can share everything on social media with a data plan. You probably have a SIM back home, but when you’re in another country, it might not be so easy.
This is also the perfect opportunity for you to learn about a new trend in consumer tech. The embedded SIM or eSIM is a new development in the cellular industry and is the future of communication.
Traveler in Turkey – Source: Pexels.com
When visitors arrive in another country, there are several options to get internet. They can you to stores in-person and ask for a prepaid SIM card, whether it’s digital or plastic. There are two main ways to buy a SIM card for Turkey:
1. Buy your SIM card before you travel from an online store
2. You can also get your SIM card in-person once you arrive in Turkey.
3. There’s one more option to buy before you travel or during. This is the digital SIM card for Turkey through the online store Holafly.
(You may also be interested in the best eSIM for Europe)
But which is the best option for you? We recommend buying before you travel, and let’s take a look at why:
Buy before you travel
Getting your SIM card before traveling can be very beneficial and there are options to do so. When you buy through an online store, If you buy before you travel, you will get many advantages throughout your trip; things run more smoothly for travelers. Some virtual stores offer data plans and SIM cards, some even have an app where you can buy.
Before choosing the best option, you have to keep in mind several aspects, like pricing and rates, including data, and valid time. It’s also essential to check what cellular network you will connect to and how good the coverage is. One particular provider is the digital SIM card for Turkey from Holafly, which we’ll dive a little deeper later on.
Advantages of purchasing your data plan before traveling
- Internet the moment you land
If you buy a SIM card for Turkey before you travel, you can go online as soon as you land in this country. So, you’ll be able to book a cab from the airport and let friends know you’ve arrived safely. All you have to do is insert your SIM card into your phone. Forget about lines at airport stores, long installations, and contracts. Don’t waste and start discovering Turkey right away!
- An easy installation process
There are no complicated contracts to sign or long technical instructions to wade through. Just insert your SIM card by following the easy set-up instructions, turn on data roaming once you land in Turkey, and you will be connected instantly.
- A more secure option
One other perk of buying online is that you’ll receive your product before you have to use it, so in case anything goes wrong, you can call and solve any issues.
Turkey Adventures. Source: Pexels.com
Buy your tourist SIM card in Turkey.
Buying your SIM card in Turkey provides cost-effective connection by allowing you to enjoy local call and data rates, saving you from high roaming charges. Secondly, it ensures seamless connectivity, enabling you to stay connected wherever you go and connect with fellow travelers.
Purchasing a local SIM card provides flexibility in choosing data and call packages based on your needs, gives you a local phone number for accessible local communication, enhances safety and convenience during emergencies, and simplifies your travel experience. Remember to confirm that your phone is unlocked.
Turkcell
Turkcell is the leading cellular operator in Turkey, providing a wide range of telecommunications services to millions of customers. They offer cellular voice and data services, internet connectivity, and digital solutions. Known for its extensive network coverage, reliable service quality, and innovative offerings,
Turkcell offers a vast variety of subscription plans that include talk-time, data, gaming, and even social media data. From around $5 to $22 you can sign up for a monthly data plan while traveling. Some plans offer 4G and 5G network connections. To check your Turkcell balance, dial *123# and click the call button, use the Turkcell official app, log in to your online account on the Turkcell website, or text “BALANCE” to the Turkcell service number.
Vodafone Turkey
Vodafone Turkey is one of the country’s largest telecommunications firms, providing various mobile communication services to its consumers. With a robust network architecture and a focus on innovation, this carrier delivers dependable phone and data services and digital solutions. Plans from around $6 to $19 monthly provide minutes, internet, SMS and much more!
To check your Vodafone Turkey balance, dial *123# and hit the call button. This will reveal your phone’s remaining balance on the screen. On the other hand, download and install the Vodafone app on your smartphone. Once you’ve downloaded the app, sign in with your Vodafone account information. To access your current amount and other account data and use information, browse to the “Balance” or “My Account” area inside the app.
(You may also be interested in the best SIM card for Georgia)
How much does a prepaid SIM card for internet in Turkey cost?
If you can buy your SIM card for Turkey when you land, you can do so from a Turkcell store at the airport. A Turkcell prepaid SIM card in Turkey can cost 10 USD or more. It depends on the plan you choose. You will need your foreign passport to buy a Tourist Pack from Turkcell.
Istanbul, Turkey – Source: Pexels.com
Unlimited data Digital SIM card for Turkey, the future of SIM cards
Now we’ve learned about data SIM cards, it’s time to get to know the newest way to go online and get internet. Digital SIM cards are new SIM cards that provide internet at a competitive price. But are they better than a traditional SIM card? The main advantage is that you can get a Turkey Digital SIM card anywhere in the world, and it’s delivered to you via email immediately. Let’s take a look at their advantages and disadvantages in the next section:
Advantages and disadvantages of Digital SIM cards
Advantages:
- Quick purchase and activation processes
Purchasing and activating a Digital SIM card is easy. You just make your purchase from a store like Holafly and wait a few seconds for a QR code to arrive at your email. With this, you can activate your Digital SIM and get connected.
- Get a Digital SIM anywhere in the world
Are you already in Turkey and struggling to access the internet? No matter where you are, you can always buy a Digital SIM, and it will come directly to your cellphone. There is no delivery cost, and you don’t have to wait more than a few minutes.
- Affordable rates
Compared to paying data roaming charges, Digital SIMs are incredibly cheap. You pay one upfront fee for the Digital SIM, so you don’t have to worry about surprise bills later on.
- Unlimited data
With the Holafly Virtual SIM card for Turkey, you will be able to access unlimited internet. So, you will never run out of internet.
- You keep your WhatsApp number
With a Holafly Digital SIM card, you can keep your current WhatsApp number alongside all your contacts and conversations. So, it’s easy to send photos of your adventures to loved ones back home.
Disadvantages:
- Limited compatibility with cellphones
The main disadvantage of Digital SIM cards is their limited compatibility. As a new development in consumer tech, many older cellphones do not support this tech, so before you buy check your cellphone is compatible
How much does the Virtual SIM card for Turkey cost?
The price of a virtual SIM card for Turkey varies based on the service provider and the bundle or plan you select. Virtual SIM cards, also known as eSIMs, allow you to activate a SIM card without the need for a physical card. They are generally available for purchase online or through telecom firms’ mobile apps.
In Turkey, the cost of a virtual SIM card can range from $10 and even to around $99, depending on criteria such as data allotment, validity term, and extra services included in the contract. It is essential to conduct research and evaluate several virtual SIM card providers to discover the finest package that meets your demands and budget.
Some virtual SIM card companies cater to travelers by providing specified data allowances for a set number of days or unrestricted usage within a given time frame. Before getting a virtual SIM card, be sure to read the terms and conditions, validity time, and coverage region to verify it fulfills your needs and delivers good value for money.
Holafly digital SIM for Turkey: a great alternative.
The Holafly eSIM card is a popular choice for travelers looking for a simple and convenient cellular connectivity solution. It provides virtual SIM card services for a variety of countries, including Turkey. Travelers may effortlessly connect to local networks with the Holafly eSIM card, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards or local SIM card purchases.
The eSIM may be purchased online, and activation is simple, needing only a few basic steps on supported devices. The Holafly eSIM card delivers dependable cellular data services, allowing users to stay connected, and use the internet while traveling in Turkey. It provides affordable pricing, customizable data plans, and coverage in numerous areas, making it an appealing option for individuals seeking a simple and cost-effective travel connection solution.
Let’s take a look at the different plans offered by Holafly.
| Days of use | Data Plans | Price (USD) |
| 5 days | Unlimited data | $19 |
| 7 days | Unlimited data | $27 |
| 10 days | Unlimited data | $34 |
| 15 days | Unlimited data | $47 |
| 20 days | Unlimited data | $54 |
| 30 days | Unlimited data | $64 |
| 60 days | Unlimited data | $84 |
| 90 days | Unlimited data | $99 |
Pros and Cons
Advantages and disadvantages of digital SIM card?
- Stay connected! – You will be able to stay connected to the internet in Turkey while traveling with a Holafly eSIM. Also, purchasing one takes only a few minutes and may be done from home or while visiting the nation.
- Easy to get! – Tourists from all around the world may purchase virtual SIM cards for Turkey more easily because websites and customer support are available in numerous languages. You may also discover a variety of plans and bundles to pick from according to your consumption and length of stay.
- Effortless installation – You will receive an email with a QR code and a simple installation instruction after purchasing your eSIM for Turkey. Scanning this QR code and waiting a few minutes is all that is required. You will not be required to complete any registration forms or contracts.
- Top up – Holafly will notify you after you have consumed 90% of your package via the same email that you used to make the transaction. In this message, you will also receive a link to purchase a plan top-up if necessary. The same data packages will be accessible for your chosen destination.
Disadvantages
- Compatibility – Because eSIM is a novel technology, it is not found in all mobile phones on the market. Before purchasing one, make sure that your phone can use them; you can see a list of compatible phones here.
(You may also be interested in the best SIM for Bangladesh)
Frequently asked questions about SIM card Turkey
You can activate data roaming and use data from your current provider. But this will be very expensive. If you intend to use this option, can expect a hefty phone bill when you return home. Alternatively, you could buy Pocket Wi-Fi (a portable device that generates WiFi for your phone). This option is also expensive and you’ll have to carry the device everywhere. A SIM card for Turkey is the cheapest and most convenient way of connecting to the internet.
The cost of data roaming depends on the provider, but you can expect to pay between $7 – $15. So if you watched a movie on Netflix, it could cost you hundreds. That’s why we recommend a Turkey SIM card.
