Turkey is a common tourist destination thanks to its culture, majestic architecture, and sophisticated cuisine. Traveling here, you may want to use Google Maps, post Instagram Stories, and stay connected. The easiest decision is to buy prepaid mobile internet in Turkey from one of three leading operators – Vodafone, Turkcell, and Türk Telekom.
Among foreign tourists, eSIM options also gained popularity. This technology offers to buy the Internet online without purchasing a physical SIM card. You can quickly activate the eSIM before departure and enjoy a local Internet connection without roaming. Explore the comparison of the best mobile Internet in Turkey and eSIM deals for your trips.
Leading Mobile Operators in Turkey
Once you land in the country, it is time to purchase the local SIM card for turkey. All three providers offer options for tourists. For instance, these may be special short-term plans. The difference lies in prices, coverage, and connection quality.
Turkcell: A Choice for Remote Areas
Turkcell stands out for its coverage. This is the largest mobile operator in Turkey with a market share of 34%. Users praise the connection quality not only in Istanbul and large cities. Whether you travel to mountains or other natural sights, the Internet is still available. Although 5G is not available, 4G, 3G, and LTE are more than enough.
Currently, Turkcell offers a travel plan for tourists with 20GB Internet, 200 minutes of calls, and unlimited messaging via WhatsApp. The plan is active for 30 days.
Turkcell Advantages:
- connection in remote areas;
- covers all the country;
- the best choice for car travel due to stable GPS and calls.
Turkcell Disadvantages:
- more expensive than other providers;
- plans regularly change, and there are no fixed offers for tourists.
Vodafone: Big Data Volumes and Bonuses
Vodafone is the second-largest provider in Turkey, with a market share of 27%. Covering all the country, it also offers profitable plans for people who need large data volumes. Vodafone provides LTE, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G network is a rare option in the country, available only in airports and special locations. Thus, 4G offers are the best possible ones.
For travelers in Turkey, Vodafone offers two plans:
- 20 GB of mobile Internet in Turkey, 750 minutes, 250 SMS, plus unlimited WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messanger.
- 50 GB, 750 minutes, 250 SMS, plus unlimited WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messanger.
New Vodafone users are commonly rewarded with free Internet and welcome offers as well. Although offers change, these are usually free GB, limited in time.
Vodafone Advantages:
- plans with large data volume (10-20 GB);
- over-the-country coverage;
Vodafone Disadvantages:
- standard plans are too expensive and non-beneficial, so users should choose and activate plans manually.
Türk Telekom
The third provider with a 20% market share is Türk Telekom. The company is well-known for its excellent customer service and support through all stages. If you don’t speak the Turkish language and need help in choosing the plan, Türk Telekom may be the best idea. Just like previous providers, it covers the whole country perfectly. However, plans are not so beneficial.
There are 3 pre-paid plans for tourists:
- 25 GB, 750 minutes, and 750 SMS for 28 days;
- 50 GB, 1000 minutes, and 1000 SMS for 28 days;
- 75 GB, 750 minutes, and 750 SMS for 15 days.
You can purchase the plans online, but you still need a physical SIM card.
Türk Telekom Advantages:
- good coverage all over Turkey;
- excellent customer support;
Türk Telekom Disadvantages:
- limited data volume compared to other providers.
Where to Buy a SIM Card in Turkey
You cannot purchase a physical SIM card anywhere except in Turkey. This solution has a serious disadvantage – you cannot choose and activate an eSIM plan before landing. However, most tourists still prefer SIM cards and buy them in the most popular locations:
- Airports. In airports, you’ll see dozens of shops and SIM offers. Most of the staff speaks English and is focused on tourists. But be attentive – buy cards only from authorized shops. Don’t trust private persons. You can ask to activate the card and choose the best plan right within the airport.
- Shops. Search for official Vodafone, Turkcell, or Türk Telekom stores all over the city. Again, avoid buying cards from private persons.
Don’t believe too beneficial offers and almost free plans – most likely, these are scams.
Free Connection Options
Sometimes, the connection is urgent. In this case, look for free Wi-Fi sports. Istanbul and Antalya Airports offer free Wi-Fi for visitors. The same with hotels and cafes – you can connect using the password.
However, you may need a local SIM card to enter the network. Make sure to purchase the SIM or a travel eSIM in Turkey as quickly as possible. Without it, even local Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Compare the Offers: Vodafone vs Turkcell and Türk Telekom
The final choice always depends on priorities. See what are pros and cons of each provider, and which companies suit your preferences.
| Company | Turkcell | Vodafone | Türk Telekom |
| Pros | the stable connection even far from cities; | large data plans; | reliable service and support; |
| Cons | the most expensive option; | manual plan choice; | limited plans and data volume; |
| The best for | trips over the country, including mountains. | long stays or travelers who need a lot of data. | travelers who need constant support and consultation. |
As a win-win solution, consider Yesim offers. This company provides eSIM card for Turkey with prepaid Internet or virtual numbers. The company works with local providers, so you get mobile data from all of them. Yesim will connect you to the provider with the best signal in the current situation. Plus, tourists don’t need physical SIM cards and can activate plans before arriving in Turkey.
The price varies depending on your stay duration. Buy 1 day of limited Internet for $7.70, 7 days for $28.60, 15 days for $47.30, and 20 days for $71.50.
Tips from Experience: Use SIM Plan with Efficiency
Buying Turkish Internet, avoid overpaying. Seasoned travelers follow these tips to use data efficiently:
- Check the eSIM compatibility. Never buy an eSIM plan before checking the list of devices. Even new smartphones can be an exception – for example, most Motorola smartphones don’t accept eSIM.
- Register eSIM before arrival. This way, you’ll be connected right after landing in Turkey. Activate your eSIM and change cell data settings, so your smartphone will connect to Turkish mobile providers straight away.
- Control the signal frequency. In Turkey, 5G is almost unavailable – the technology works only in Istanbul Airport and some more locations. However, make sure you have a 4G or 3G signal.
Also, use the public Internet when possible. Once you buy a SIM or eSIM, public Wi-Fi becomes available. Check for connection options in restaurants, lobbies, hotels, airports, and railway stations. This is your way to spend less money and economize traffic.
To use eSIM over the world, you don’t need a physical card. Make sure your smartphone is compatible with this technology and purchase the plan online. Before arrival, activate the eSIM using your smartphone settings, and enjoy the connection.
Sure. Most shops and kiosks allow customers to top up their SIM card for Turkey. However, this is not available for eSIM plans. Some eSIM companies offer only single-use plans – if you lack the Internet, buy the plan once more. Others allow you to top up the eSIM, but you can only do it online.
Most smartphones accept eSIM technology, but there are exceptions. Before buying eSIM, check your device compatibility. Each provider has a list of acceptable smartphones. If your phone doesn’t suit you, consider a prepaid Turkey SIM card.
No, and that’s the main advantage of such plans. eSIM companies cooperate with local providers from various countries. As a result, you surf the Internet using local providers and don’t pay for roaming. This is much cheaper.
Providers recommend doing it before arrival. After you buy eSIM, the company will send you a message with detailed installation instructions. Some providers offer QR code activation, and others make you download the application.
