7 Best eSIM for Turkey

Eric Costilia Eric Costilia

With eSIM, you can keep the same phone number while traveling in Turkey, and you don’t have to visit local stores to buy it - it's available online. Check out our top rated eSIM providers

Our Top 10 eSIM in Turkey

#1. toosim - Stable Internet connection in Turkey. Seamless activation, stay connected to the Internet while traveling

#2. airalo - Operates in over 60 countries. local rates, don't pay extra money for roaming

#3. airhubapp - Offers local and regional eSIM for travellers. Trusted mobile operators, save on roaming

#4. knowroaming - Turkey eSIM, from $1.95/gig. Worldwide data plans, cancel Anytime

#5. keepgo - Starts from $1.60/gig. Lightning Fast 5G, cut roaming data fees

#6. holafly - Most popular eSIM store offers eSIMs in 190+ countries. Instant eSim delivery, cancel Anytime

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Price Table for Popular Travel eSIM operators

           
DataToosimNomadMobiMatterKnowRoamingFlexiroamAiralo
1 GB$3.54$4-$4$1.9$4.5
2 GB$4.32----$6.5
3 GB$5.38$9--$8.5$8
5 GB$7.54$10-$13$13.9$12
7 GB----$16.5-
10 GB$12.46$19--$19.9$18
12 GB-$20----
15 GB-$27----
20 GB$19.55$30---$26
50 GB$47.07-$53.99---
100 GB$88.78-----

eSIMs vs Turkish Prepaid SIM Cards

Let"s now discuss the differences between eSIMs and Turkish prepaid SIM cards and why eSIMs are better for travelers visiting Turkey (or, as it"s known now — the Republic of Türkiye).

With the convenience of being activated online and not requiring a physical card or registration, eSIMs offer greater flexibility and ease of use than traditional prepaid SIM cards. When traveling to Turkey, don't forget to visit some of the most popular sights, such as

  • Hagia Sophia
  • Cappadocia
  • Pamukkale
  • Ephesus, and
  • The Blue Mosque.

First, let's talk about the basics. A prepaid SIM card is a physical card you insert into your phone. In contrast, an eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. The biggest advantage of eSIMs is that they do not require a physical card or swapping SIMs, which can be a hassle when traveling.

Cheap eSim card for Turkey

Moreover, eSIMs allow you to have multiple numbers simultaneously without switching out the physical card. This feature is incredibly beneficial for those who travel frequently and need to have a local number in every country.

When it comes to traveling to the Republic of Türkiye, eSIMs are a much better choice than prepaid SIM cards. Turkish prepaid SIM cards require registration and validation, which can be cumbersome.

Furthermore, prepaid SIM cards have a limited lifespan, and once the balance runs out, you need to top-up, which means going through the registration process again. In contrast, eSIMs are activated online and can be purchased before arriving in Turkey.

They can also be recharged online, making it much more convenient for travelers.

Best Prepaid Sim Cards in Turkey

Turkey offers a wide range of prepaid SIM cards for travelers, but the best ones are those offered by

These providers offer various packages that suit different budgets and needs. Nevertheless, if you are a frequent traveler, using an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card is recommended.

eSIMs offer more convenience as they eliminate the need to swap out physical cards or go through registration processes each time you enter a new country.

With eSIMs, you can easily activate multiple numbers simultaneously and switch between them.

Overall, while prepaid SIM cards in Turkey are convenient for short-term stays, an eSIM is a better choice for frequent travelers who need to stay connected while on the go.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy eSIMs in Turkey?

The cost of an eSIM in Turkey typically includes the initial activation fee and the cost of the package you choose, which can include data, voice minutes, and text messages.

The prices for eSIM packages can range from as low as 10 TL for a small data package to as high as 200 TL for larger packages that include unlimited data, voice minutes, and text messages.

Overall, the cost of eSIMs in Turkey is relatively affordable and comparable to that of physical prepaid SIM cards. See the table below to get more details:

Provider Data Plan Validity Price
Airalo 10GB 30 days €37
KnowRoaming 5GB 30 days €22
AirHubApp 8GB 14 days €25
Holafly Unlimited 5 days €19
KeepGo 100MB 365 days €3

However, the convenience and flexibility that eSIMs offer makes them a better choice for frequent travelers who need to stay connected while on the go.

The prices of SIM card providers such as Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom in Turkey are relatively similar, with packages ranging to as high as 200 TL depending on the amount of data, voice minutes, and text messages included.

On the other hand, eSIM providers such as Airalo, Knowroaming, Airhub, holafly, and Keepgo offer a range of packages for different countries, with prices varying depending on the country you're visiting and the amount of data included.

However, eSIMs are generally much less expensive and more affordable than traditional SIM cards for international travel.

For example, for a 7-day trip to Turkey, a 10GB data package with Vodafone would cost around 120 TL.

Meanwhile, an eSIM package from Airalo offering 12GB of data for the same period would only cost around 40 TL.

Similarly, a 14-day package with Turk Telekom offering 7GB of data, 500 minutes of voice calls, and unlimited texts would cost around 100 TL.

In comparison, a 15-day package from Keepgo with 8GB of data and unlimited calls and texts in Turkey and other European countries would cost around 90 TL.

In conclusion, while both traditional SIM cards and eSIMs have pros and cons, eSIMs are generally much less expensive and more affordable than traditional SIM cards for international travel.

eSIMs offer the added convenience of switching between multiple numbers without needing to swap SIM cards physically.

Where To Buy a SIM in Turkey

If you're planning to travel to Turkey and need to stay connected, you can easily purchase a prepaid SIM card from several locations nationwide. The airport is one of the most convenient places to buy a SIM card.

You can find kiosks for major Turkish providers like Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom at the arrivals hall of Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. You can also buy a SIM card from major supermarkets such as:

which have branches throughout the country.

Alternatively, you can visit the official stores of the mobile providers, which can be found in major shopping centres and tourist areas.

However, an eSIM is a better option if you're a frequent traveler. eSIMs offer more convenience as they eliminate the need for a physical SIM card and can be activated online.

With an eSIM, you can have multiple numbers on a single device and switch between them without needing a physical card. This is especially useful for frequent travel as it saves time and hassle.

So, while buying a prepaid SIM card is easy in Turkey, it's better to use an eSIM for its convenience.

1. toosim

Price Range: $5 - $185

Validity (day): 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180

Mobile App: iOS, Android

Regions: Europe, America, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania

Coverage: over 187 countries

toosim
Toosim has incredibly fast speeds and strong security. It has a local and a regional eSIMs, available from $1.55/GB, there are a couple of good data plans for travelers - 5GB, 15GB and 50GB. Instant activation. Save on roaming charges and stay connected
toosim
toosim

Try TooSim! Validity: 7 to 30 days, starts from $5/GB

Save 20% 1 GB from $3.50

2. airalo

Price Range: $3 - $62

Validity (day): 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180

Mobile App: iOS, Android

Regions: Europe, America, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania

Coverage: over 190 countries

airalo
Don’t worry about multiple sim cards anymore, various data plans: 1GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB. Airalo is the best solution if you need reliable Internet access while traveling, the most expensive plan costs around $75. Easily refill your eSIM
Airalo
Airalo

Try AirAlo now! Validity: 7 to 30 days, starts from $1.66/GB

Save 15% 1 GB from $4.50

3. airhubapp

Price Range: $1 - $58

Validity (day): 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 30, 90, 180, 365

Mobile App: iOS, Android

Regions: Europe, North America, Middle East, South Africa, Asia Oceania

Coverage: 98 countries

airhubapp
Worldwide, local, regional data plans, there are a couple of good data plans for travelers - 5GB, 15GB and 50GB. This is a budget-friendly option for those who just require a bit of data while traveling in Turkey, starts at $3.96/GB. Supported devices: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Ultra 5G and more. The validity period starts at the installation
airhubapp
airhubapp

Try Airhubapp for yourself it's fast and safe

Save 25% 1 GB from $2.85

4. knowroaming

Price Range: $4 - $55.93

Validity (day): 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, 90, 180

Mobile App: iOS, Android

Regions: Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania

Coverage: 97 countries

knowroaming
Don’t worry about multiple sim cards anymore, The plans are available for both short and long-term traveling plans. data plan from 1GB- 20GB, starts at $2.60/gig. Setup is simple and easy. Just scan QR code. Try it when your travel to Turkey
Knowroaming
Knowroaming

Knowroaming offers local eSIM for a low price

Save 30% 1 GB from $1.75

5. keepgo

Price Range: $3 - $740. Special offer: 2GB free

Validity (day): 365

Mobile App: iOS, Android

Regions: Europe, North America, South Africa, Asia, Oceania

Coverage: 110 counties

keepgo
Instant connectivity with global coverage, Lots of data connectivity option for Turkey. this plan only comes with 1GB of data, but for many travelers, that might be all they need, the starter prepaid plan in Turkey is only $8.5. Please note: to activate you eSIM you need an Internet connection. It can be wi-fi. Try it now. Get discount
Keepgo
Keepgo

Get your eSIM now. Trusted carriers only!

Save 25% 1 GB from $2.5

6. holafly

Price Range: $19 - $99

Validity (day): 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 30, 90, 180, 365

Mobile App: iOS, Android

Regions: Europe, North America, South Africa, Asia, Oceania

Coverage: over 130 counties

holafly
Any customer requests are resolved within 24 hours, this plan only comes with 1GB of data, but for many travelers, that might be all they need. Holafly provides its customers with the freedom they deserve, price from $2.25 per GB. Supported devices: Google Pixel 5a 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G and more. Save on roaming charges and stay connected
Holafly
Holafly

Take advantage of this offer now and save on roaming

Save 15% 1 GB from $1.9

FAQ

What is an eSIM, and can I use it in Turkey?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that can be activated and managed through a device's software. Yes, you can use an eSIM in Turkey.

Which mobile providers offer eSIMs in Turkey?

The three major Turkish providers — Airalo, Knowroaming, Airhub, holafly, and Keepgo — all offer eSIMs.

How do I activate an eSIM in Turkey?

To activate an eSIM in Turkey, you can purchase a package from the mobile provider's website or official store and scan the QR code provided to activate the eSIM on your device.

Can I switch between different eSIMs while in Turkey?

Yes, you can switch between different eSIMs on your device without needing to swap out SIM cards physically.

Are eSIMs more expensive than physical SIM cards in Turkey?

In general, eSIMs are priced similarly to physical prepaid SIM cards in Turkey. However, the convenience and flexibility of eSIMs make them a better choice for frequent travelers.

Can I use eSIMs in Turkey for voice calls and text messaging?

Yes, eSIMs can be used for voice calls and text messaging just like traditional SIM cards.

Are eSIMs compatible with all devices?

Not all devices are eSIM compatible. However, many newer devices such as iPhones, iPads, Google Pixel phones, and Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIMs.

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Written by: Eric Costilia

Eric Costilia is an experienced writer, editor and researcher. His writing focuses mostly on tech, gaming. He wrote dozens of eSIM carriers reviews, which makes him an expert of this technology.

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