How to Buy Turkish Sim Card?

In today’s world, a phone is a necessity that everyone uses to contact family and friends. You all know your own country’s policies about them, but sometimes it can be a problem during your holidays in another country. Here in our article we will help you to get a SIM card easily in Turkey by providing some basic information about mobile network operators, their plans and coverage details.

Can I buy a Turkish SIM card?

Yes you can and purchasing a new SIM Card in Turkey is very easy. All you need to do is head over to one of the mobile providers’ shops with your passport. In half an hour, you will be able to purchase a local Turkish SIM card and register it.

Which SIM card is best in Turkey?

There are three main mobile operators in Turkey; Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom (previously Avea).

Turkcell has the greatest coverage and more customers than others, so it is the best option for tourists who will be traveling to the mountains and valleys of Turkey. Vodafone holds the second place in terms of coverage and subscribers, but it has more advantage as a British origin company.

How much does a Turkish SIM card cost?

The SIM card itself costs between 350₺ to 450₺ including the packages inside plus tax. Also, we recommend checking the mobile phone tariffs on the official websites of the Turkish GSM operators.

Most Recommended Turkey Tours

Where can I buy a Turkey SIM-Card in Istanbul?

You can find stores in almost every street of Istanbul that are official branches of Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom and also phone stores, electronic shops, and special kiosks where you can obtain local SIM cards of these GSM operators.

International and domestic arrivals at the Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökcen Airport, you will see mobile internet provider shops of Turkey such as: Turkcell,  Turk Telekom and Vodafone.

You have more chances to find equipped staff in the airport rather than downtown. Generally these branches are tailored to tourists, so you can communicate easily without a language problem and find the best packages to your needs.  But don’t forget to compare packages and prices on operators web pages to avoid price differences.

How do I get data from Turkey?

The easiest way of avoiding roaming charges is getting a prepaid Turkish SIM card. Mobile network operators will deliver you SIM cards and offer you approximate rates to each other. All three of them have almost similar plans to each other including data access, voice calls and SMS.

Is the Internet free in Turkey?

You can easily reach Free Wifi almost in everywhere in Istanbul. All hotels, hostels, dorms and Airbnb apartments in Istanbul have Wi-Fi. Most restaurants, cafés, bars, beach café-bars and offices offer it for free to their customers. Also, you can check the previous post about how to connect them from here 

Can I roam free in Turkey?

If you are using Vodafone, Turkey is one of Vodafone’s roam-free destinations, which means customers can use their UK plan while abroad in this country at no extra cost.

Is E-Sim Card available in Turkey?

There is another solution to stay connected while traveling is an E-SIM card. Turkish GSM operators have been providing eSIM support since 1st January 2021.

E-SIM cards are the best way to stay connected while traveling abroad. No more swapping sim cards, still avoiding unexpected roaming charges and visiting a store to buy cards.

You can order your e-SIM and change your phone settings and enjoy reconnecting to the world.

There are some device requirements for e-SIM. Before an order your e-SIM package do not forget to check your phone compatibility.

Other Topics You May Be Interested In