Iceland is a country full of natural wonders to visit. Every year many people are attracted to this country, whether it’d be to see the Northern Lights or visit its volcanoes or glaciers. That is why if your next trip is to this country, you will need to stay connected to the internet to enjoy your trip to the fullest, and this can be done with the best SIM card for Iceland.
Nowadays, there are many alternatives with which you can get an internet connection during your travels. However, the International SIM card is still one of the most preferred options among travelers due to its ease of purchase and also because of its good prices. So if you are interested in knowing how you can buy this type of service for your trip, keep reading!
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Where to buy the best data SIM card for Iceland?
Buying a data SIM card for trips tends to be a fairly straightforward process. However, how to buy it will depend on your preferences and needs. That is why we will be talking about the two best ways you can buy a SIM card for Iceland.
Firstly, the advent of technology has made online shopping from anywhere in the world very easy. That is why you can find many online stores where you can buy your data SIM card. On the other hand, if you prefer to make your purchases in person, you can also do it through physical stores of operators in the country you are visiting.
Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages. That is why it will be important for you to be well-informed about each one, so you can decide which is the best option for you.
Buy my Iceland SIM card before traveling
Let’s start by talking about how you can buy a SIM card for Iceland before you start your trip. This may be possible through online stores, which are very popular nowadays. This will allow you to compare each provider’s services, prices, and more!
The process of buying a SIM card online tends to be quite simple. Usually, you will only have to go to the website of the store you want to buy from, search for plans for your travel destination, complete the payment and provide all the necessary information for the delivery of the SIM card. You should know that usually, the delivery can take between 3 and 5 days to arrive, so if you decide to make the purchase this way, it will be important that you do it days in advance.
However, if you need options that you can get quicker, then an international eSIM could be an excellent option. We’ll talk more about it later!
How much does a SIM card for Iceland cost?
As we already mentioned, the price of a SIM card will depend on the provider you purchase from. In the case of online stores, prices tend to range from $5 to $90. But each plan price will vary depending on the amount of data and days offered by the plan.
For example, a prepaid SIM card of 1 GB for 7 days could cost you $10, or 5 GB for 15 days for around $25. Each price will vary depending on the specifications and of course, the provider.
However, keep in mind that you could get a data SIM card at a very low price, but with poor coverage. That is why before buying any SIM card, we recommend you to check the reviews of the carrier, as well as the coverage they will offer you with that SIM card.
Buy my SIM card in Iceland
On the other hand, if you are not convinced about purchasing your SIM card through online stores, you can enjoy this other option through an operator’s point of sale in Iceland.
Currently, there are three major cellular operators in Iceland, which are Siminn, Vodafone, and Nova. Most of these tend to have good coverage in the country. However, each has its advantages and disadvantages, which we will explain below.
Siminn
Let’s start talking about Siminn. This is one of the largest cellular carriers in the country, with coverage in almost all the territory. With them, you can get a prepaid SIM card during your trip, considering the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
- You can top up the data plan, depending on the one you choose.
- You’ll be able to choose different browsing GB for social media and other apps.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive prices, compared to other providers.
- They have fewer plan options than Vodafone and Nova.
Vodafone
When you arrive in Iceland you will find many Vodafone stores, as this is another of the most famous carriers in the country. They offer special plans for travelers, and their services have the following features:
Advantages:
- You will be able to connect to 4G and 5G networks.
- They offer special data plans for social media or musical apps.
Disadvantages:
- Offers data only for Iceland, with no extended roaming offers to other European countries.
- Does not offer 24/7 customer service. Only during business hours
Nova
Finally, Nova is the smallest operator company in Iceland. Therefore, they do not have the best coverage in the country. However, they also offer cellular services for travelers, which have the following features:
Advantage:
- They offer 4G and 5G connections.
- Customers can enjoy unlimited calls and SMS in Iceland and when they are in Europe.
Disadvantages:
- They do not offer good coverage in rural and mountainous areas outside the city.
- Their website is not in English, so understanding the language can be complicated.
eSIM card for Iceland, the new alternative
We have told you about the prepaid SIM card and how to buy it for your trip. However, now we would like to tell you about a new alternative very similar to SIM cards, with which you can also enjoy an internet connection during your trip to Iceland, we are talking about eSIM cards.
This is a relatively new service in the market, and they are basically virtual SIM cards, so they do not need physical installation. They are very easy to buy through online stores, such as Holafly, pioneers and leaders in this innovative industry. With the Holafly eSIM card for Iceland, you can enjoy unlimited data and many benefits that will let you enjoy it to the fullest.
As we already mentioned, this service is very easy to obtain and use. However, being a new and completely digital service, there are certain things that people should know about it, so here are some requirements to consider in regard to eSIMs:
- Firstly, it is important for you to know that not all cellphones are eSIM compatible. So, before buying one we recommend you verify that your cellphone supports eSIM technology.
- On the other hand, to purchase this service you will need two things: an active email address where you will receive the eSIM information; and an internet connection to purchase and install the eSIM.
- Installing the eSIM is done by scanning the QR code that your provider will send you once you make your purchase. With this QR code, you will be able to install your eSIM, and we recommend you do so before you start your trip. However, you should remember that you should only activate the eSIM roaming once you arrive in your destination country.
How much does the eSIM for Iceland cost?
On the other hand, it is important that you also know the prices of the eSIM. Often these tend to be cheaper than buying a SIM card, as they require less material, and you will not have to pay for delivery. Below is a chart with Holafly’s eSIM prices for Iceland:
| Days of use | Amount of cellular data | Price (USD) |
| 5 days | Unlimited data | $19 |
| 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 |
Frequently asked questions about the Iceland SIM card
We hope that the information provided in this article will be of great help to you and that you will be able to get the best service to have internet connection during your trip. However, here are some of the most frequently asked questions that travelers tend to have about SIM cards:
There are two things you should consider. The first is the amount of data you use on average. The second is the number of days you will be in Iceland. Based on this data, you will be able to choose the best SIM card for your trip.
Yes, but if you compare the roaming price to the SIM card price, it will be higher than what you would pay for using the SIM card when staying there.
Most SIM cards offer a certain amount of data and after using it, the SIM will no longer work. Some local operators will allow you to top up the SIM card. However, with Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM you won’t have to worry about running out of cellular data.
Yes, there’s no actual limit on how many SIM cards people can buy, so if you need more than one or travel with more people, it will be possible.
