Turkey eSIM guide: local networks, airport SIM costs & setup

Why roaming and airport SIMs cost more in Turkey

Turkey is outside the EU/EEA roaming zone. Standard German, UK and EU mobile contracts typically charge 5 € to 15 € per day for a non-EU day pass or bill per megabyte.

At Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and Antalya (AYT), tourist physical SIM packs at operator counters usually cost 35 € to 45 € and require passport registration in line.

With a prepaid Turkey eSIM from 4.49 € incl. VAT (custom & group plans — price negotiable), you receive the QR code and iPhone direct-install link right after payment.

Local networks, 4G/5G speed & coverage in Turkey

4G LTE and 5G across Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Bodrum, Izmir and major coastal highways. Turkey’s 120-day BTK IMEI registration rule only applies to phones staying in the country longer than 120 cumulative days.

Our Turkey plans connect to Vodafone with 5G / 4G LTE speeds where available. Personal hotspot (tethering) is enabled so you can share data with a laptop or a travel companion’s phone.

• Partner networks: Vodafone (5G / 4G LTE)
• Main arrival airports covered: IST, SAW, AYT, DLM, BJV
• Hotspot / tethering included at no extra cost
• Top up more data onto the same eSIM anytime via My eSIM

How much data do you need for Turkey?

For a 1-to-2-week trip, 3 GB (15 days, from 4.49 € incl. VAT; custom & group plans — price negotiable) covers daily Google Maps navigation, ride-hailing apps, restaurant lookups, boarding passes and WhatsApp calls.

If you work remotely, upload travel videos or share a hotspot between two phones, pick the 10 GB plan (30 days, from 7.99 € incl. VAT; custom & group plans — price negotiable).

• Google Maps + transit + ride apps: ~150 MB per day
• WhatsApp messages, voice notes & 20 min voice calls: ~80 MB per day
• Social media browsing & photo uploads: ~300–500 MB per day

4-step setup on iPhone and Android before you fly

Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears on screen, your phone has an eSIM chip.

Install the profile over home Wi-Fi the day before departure. Keep the travel eSIM line switched off until you land, then enable it for Mobile Data with Data Roaming turned on for the travel eSIM (and Data Roaming turned off on your home SIM).