Best Prepaid eSIM for Turkey: compare and travel (2023)

If you are going to travel to Turkey, don’t forget to visit places like Istanbul, Pamukkale, and Mount Nemrut, among others. It is advisable to save as much as possible on small details such as your cellphone bill and connectivity alternatives abroad. But don’t worry, thanks to technology, we have more options, and now the eSIM card has arrived in Turkey!

In this article, we explain everything about the Turkey eSIM, international operators, local eSIM, their requirements, their features, and how to buy them so that you save money and time and you contribute to the environment at the same time!

Remember that if your cellphone does not support the new eSIM card for Turkey, you can always get the traditional SIM card for Turkey. This way, you avoid paying expensive roaming bills.

Does eSIM work in Turkey?

As virtual SIM cards have become more and more standardized, local operators in many parts of the world have adapted to support them. This way, it is possible to use eSIM in Turkey, whether you buy this service in an online store or a physical store once you are in the country. 

Remember that even if you buy your eSIM internationally once you are in Turkey, it will always use local networks to work. You can confirm with your provider if they use the service of Türk Telekom, Turkcell, or Vodafone, three of the most important telephone companies in the country.

eSIM Turkey card need-to-know information:

If you compare eSIMs with traditional physical SIM cards, you will notice that the main difference is that these new versions are digital and give more versatility to their users. However, like any new technology, there are specific characteristics that we have to consider to be able to use them. This way, you will avoid researching and purchasing a service that you will not be able to use in its entirety. Some need to know to check are

• Most importantly, you must have a phone that is compatible with the technology. More and more devices have moved to this evolution; however, not everyone in the market can use them. To help you, Holafly has an updated list of compatible phones.
• The eSIM will be sent as a QR code to your email after purchase, so you must have a valid email address and access. 
• To purchase and install the virtual SIM card for the first time, you need to have an internet connection. It is advisable to do the process before traveling or from a secure network if you are already in Turkey.
• This depends on the provider, but some stores may ask you to install an App on your mobile phone to manage your digital SIM card.

Mobile eSIM card carriers for travel to Turkey

Do you meet the above requirements? Great! Now you can compare and purchase the Turkey eSIM that fits your needs. The following providers are available on the market for you to purchase your eSIM, as they are companies that sell international eSIM cards intended for use on your leisure or business trips abroad.

• Holafly
• Truphone
• Ubigi

Rates and data plans from eSIM providers for travel to Turkey

We now want to give you more information regarding rates and data plans of the providers that offer eSIM for Turkey, so you can compare and choose the plan that best suits your budget. All these prices are much lower if you compare them with the prices of roaming in Turkey offered by your domestic cellular operator, and having an eSIM is much more convenient than carrying extra equipment like pocket wifi.

Holalfy

When we talk about international eSIM, you should think of Holafly. This online store has become an excellent solution for travelers from all over the world. It has a virtual SIM card for Turkey with unlimited data in all its available packages. You can choose from eight different options ranging from 5 to 90 days of use. 

As for the cost, you can pay between $19 and $99 for the service. This depends on the duration you choose. A significant advantage is that with Holafly, you can buy top-ups whenever you need them to extend your service without installing a new eSIM. They make it easy for you to purchase and get information by having a website in more than ten languages for all types of customers.

Pros Holafly eSIM

• You can purchase and install it in just minutes, before your trip or once at your destination.
• 4G speed with coverage from the best carriers in the country.
• Possibility to have unlimited data with any plan
• You’ll have 24/7 customer service from Holafly’s support team.
• You can easily buy a top-up to extend your service with Holafly
• You can use Holafly’s mobile App to manage your eSIM on your iPhone

Cons Holafly eSIM 

• You will not be able to make analog calls within Turkey, only calls through Apps such as WhatsApp or Skype.
• You will not be able to use your phone as a hotspot.
• To use it, you must have a phone compatible with the virtual SIM card.

Truphone

This is an online store and mobile App of British origin that has data plans for more than a hundred destinations in the world. It has compatibility with phones, iPad, and Apple Watch. However, the models are reduced; You can use their eSIM on phones like iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 3 or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold – all models, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip – all models.

Their virtual SIM card for Turkey has a one-day usage option and five thirty-day usage options. The amount of data ranges from 1GB and up to 10GB of browsing, depending on your choice. You can expect to pay between $7 for the one-day option and up to $40 for the 10GB monthly.

Pros of Truphone eSIM:

• They have a mobile app to purchase and manage your service.
• Coverage in more than 110 countries.
• It is possible to use your services on other devices such as Apple Watch or iPad.

Cons of Truphone eSIM:

• They offer reduced options in their plans with little data to navigate.
• They sell data-only plans; you will not be able to call or have a local number.
• You can not purchase through their website, only through their APP, and you need to register.
• They are not compatible with a wide range of mobile phones.

Ubigi

Finally, we find Ubigi, another virtual store known for its services worldwide. With them, you can buy through their website or on their mobile applications. In either case, you must create a profile with them to be able to make the purchase. They will ask you for contact information and email.

Currently, they only have a data plan option with which you will have internet service in Turkey. Their virtual SIM card for Turkey includes 3GB of browsing for use in 30 days and costs 19$. Also, this eSIM is data only, so you will not be assigned a local number. You will be connected to the Avea network in the country, and you can pay by PayPal or credit card.

Pros of Ubigi eSIM:

• Availability to purchase through your website or applications
• Various payment methods available on both channels
• No need for a contract, and you can renew the service

Cons of Ubigi eSIM:

• Only one data plan is available for Turkey
• No unlimited data options
• You will need to install their application to manage your eSIM

(You may be interested in Best eSIM for Europe)

Comparison of eSIM providers for Turkey

Features of eSIMs for Travel to Turkey

Do you already know which international eSIM card to buy? Great, we will let you in on more details and features that you should consider, as they may be similar to the traditional physical SIM, but they are not the same. Check their details here:

• Most eSIM cards do not offer analog calls, only data. For voice calls, you can use apps like Skype or WhatsApp.
• Some eSIM cards configure the APN automatically.
• An eSIM can be installed only once, so if you are experiencing problems with your eSIM card, do not remove it from your phone. Instead, contact your eSIM provider.
• With your dual SIM iPhone, you can keep your domestic SIM when you travel to Turkey. Remember to set up your iPhone correctly to avoid surprise bills.
• You can add multiple data plans on your iPhone. This depends on the available memory, although it is only possible to use one at a time.
• You will have Unlimited data.

(You may be interested in Best eSIM for the USA)

Mobile Internet coverage map for travel to Turkey

You should remember that if you buy a very cheap eSIM card, it may not provide good coverage in Turkey. And how do we know if an operator provides good coverage? Very quickly, the eSIM cards that have the best network coverage in Turkey are those that have the most roaming agreements with leading operators such as Türk Telekom, Turkcell, or Vodafone Turkey.

For this reason, here we share with you the coverage maps of the leading cellphone operators in Turkey.

Türk Telekom 3G coverage map in Turkey

Turkcell’s 3G network coverage in Turkey

Vodafone 3G coverage map in Turkey

Local phone carriers offering eSIM in Turkey

In Turkey, local cellphone carriers already offer their residents the eSIM card. For this reason, this option is intended for permanent residents and not for travelers, although there are exceptions. Below, we are going to list the cellphone operators in Turkey that have already enabled eSIM technology to their users:

• Turkcell
• Vodafone

eSIM Turkcell Turkey

Turkcell is one of the biggest cellular operators in Turkey, and you can get a local eSIM with them to use daily if you are living in Turkey. The eSIM from Turkcell can be used with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, and Huawei devices that support eSIM.

Benefits of the Turkcell eSIM in Turkey

• Use both phone numbers.
• Make and receive voice calls in Turkey.
• Send and receive messages.
• Use the Internet and Social media.

How to Activate a Turkcell eSIM for Turkey

If you have a cellphone that supports eSIM and you want to buy an eSIM with Turkcell, you must go to a Turkcell official store or call customer service: 532.

They will give you a QR code with your new local eSIM. Follow the steps below to activate it:

iOS

• Go to the Settings menu.
• Click on Cellular.
• Click Add Cellular Plan.
• Scan your QR code.
• Enter the PIN code to unlock the eSIM.

Android

• Go to the Settings menu.
• Click Connections.
• Click SIM Card Manager.
• Click Add Mobile Plan.
• Click Scan carrier QR Code.
• Scan your QR code for the eSIM card.
• Enter the PIN code to unlock the eSIM.

eSIM Vodafone Turkey

Are you currently a Vodafone customer, and you want to change your traditional SIM card for an eSIM? Don’t worry, you can change it to a local eSIM and use it like your traditional chip to make phone calls, make send messages, and surf the internet.

Benefits of the Vodafone eSIM in Turkey

With your last-gen cellphone, you will have the possibility to use your phone as a dual SIM phone, nano SIM and eSIM or double eSIM at the same time, depending on the smartphone you have. The eSIM is also safer than the traditional SIM card since it cannot be physically stolen or lost.

How to Activate a Vodafone eSIM for Turkey

You can obtain an eSIM with Vodafone Turkey by going to a physical store or contacting a sales representative from Vodafone. If you are getting a plan for the first time with Vodafone, you will need to go through an identity validation.

To activate the eSIM on your smartphone, you need to scan the QR code they will give you, and that is all.

Frequently asked questions about eSIM in Turkey

We answer the most common questions you may have before purchasing your eSIM to travel to Turkey.

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Daniela Rojas

Soy ingeniera apasionada por la ciencia de datos, amo viajar; conocer las diferentes culturas, y estar informada sobre las nuevas tecnologías. Con Roaming te ayudare a encontrar las mejores opciones para que ahorres en tu viaje!