Where to Buy a SIM Card in Gandhi International Airport Delhi: 2025 Stores and Kiosks

Although India is known for a great Wi-Fi coverage, connection to mobile Internet is crucial when visiting Delhi. You’ll need cell data for calls, maps, chatting, and GPS outside of free Wi-Fi locations. This guide includes stores and SIM card shops in the Delhi airport. Use this article to know how to buy SIM card in Delhi airport​ , and buy mobile Internet technologies just upon arrival without leaving the Delhi airport. 

Places to Buy SIM Cards in Delhi Airport

Gandhi Nation Airport in Delhi covers 5,106 acres and serves as an ecosystem for arrivals, departures, and tourist needs. You’ll find multiple locations with cell data starter packs:

• Croma electronics shop in the T3 International sector;
• Airtel Store in the T3 arrival area, working from 10 am to 10 pm;
• Vodafone Shop in the T3 arrival area, working from 5 AM to 11 PM;
• JIO store near the T3 food court, working from 6 AM to 11 PM;
• MTNL shop close to the taxi parking area in T3, working from 8 AM to 8 PM. 

The airport includes 3 terminals, each with detailed maps. To see the newest information about where to get a SIM card in Delhi airport, use the official website’s guidelines. 

How Do You Buy and Install SIM and eSIM Cards?

All you need is a passport and the SIM shop/kiosk. You may ask the shop manager for help, as most locals speak perfect English. The standard SIM card involves several steps:

1. Select the provider (Vodafone and Airtel are considered the best).
2. Choose the data plan, adapted for tourists and your personal needs. 
3. Buy a SIM card and put it into your device’s free slot. 
4. The provider will SMS you with activation details.

Alternative option, more and more popular among tourists, is an embedded SIM. They don’t require manual installation and can be activated digitally. If you have never used eSIM Delhi airport​, ask the manager for support. You’ll need to install the provider’s application or scan the QR to purchase a local eSIM. 

The Best Data Plans for Tourists in India: Price, Data Volumes, and Coverage

India has great Internet and cell data coverage. The key to stress-free connection is the right provider choice. The leading companies in the country are Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone. Lesser-known providers are BSNL and MTNL. Don’t limit yourself to them, though. Global eSIM carriers are also available. Consider eSIM in Delhi airport by Yesim, GigSky, Holafly, Airalo, Saily, Nomad, etc. 

Yesim Digital Data Plan

Yesim is an international eIM carrier with 190+ destinations, including India. The Delhi airport eSIM price depends on duration and the number of GB in your plan. Thus, you pay for what you need without overpaying for monthly packs:

• prepaid data: 3GB for $11 (a week), 5 GB for $15 (15 days), 10 GB for $22 (30 days), pr 20 GB for $36 (30 days);
• unlimited data: 1 day for $7.70, 7 days for $33, 15 days for $48, or 30 days for $60. 

The company works with an impressive number of local cell providers. No matter where you go in India, the LTE/5G Internet is guaranteed.

GigSky in India

Another eSIM carrier, GigSky works in 200+ countries. Indian tariffs include regional and local options:

• India only: from 1 GB for $4.49 to 10 GB for $19.99;
• Asia Pacific: from 1 GB to $4.49 to 50 GB for $79.99;
• World plan: 5 GB for $55.99;
• Cruise and Asia Pacific (26 countries in Asia and the Middle East): from 512 MB for $19.99 to 10 GB for $111.99.

Be especially attentive with GigSky. While some data plans are extremely cheap, others (especially World and Cruise) are overpriced. 

Vodafone India

Vodafone India is an excellent carrier in terms of versatility:

• buy individual or family plans (activated on several devices);
• choose from pre-paid, post-paid, or unlimited mobile Internet;
• install either SIM or eSIM. 

The best plans according to customer choices are VI MAX 451 (unlimited calls, 200 GB Internet, 3,00 SMS), XI MAX 551 (unlimited calls, 90 GB, 3,000 SMS), and VI MAX 751 (unlimited calls, 150 GB, 3,000 SMS). 

Be prepared for a pitfall. Within post-paid plans, you pay after using the Internet. Calculating the spending is more complicated. 

The approximate price for 1 GB of mobile Internet is $0.15, which is much cheaper compared to eSIM companies. At the same time, you use cell towers by Vodafone exclusively – once you’re out of Vodafone coverage, connection is lost. 

Why Most Tourists Prefer eSIM to Traditional Connection in 2025?

The new technology uses a built-in chip in your device to use cell data. This way, you don’t need a plastic card anymore. At the same time, this technology works only with compatible devices, developed after 2017–2019. In all other terms, embedded SIMs are way more convenient:

• use data from multiple providers (Vodafone, Airtel, etc.), as embedded SIMs can track multiple cell towers;
• purchase data tariffs with any duration and volume;
• don’t worry about a free slot in your device;
• activate one tariff on several devices within family plans;
• use regional and global plans to use mobile Internet in several countries at the same time;
• choose the “Pay as You Go” format and pay for data you’ve actually used. 

The key advantage of plastic cards, meanwhile, is compatibility. Any device with SIM slot is compatible. 

Extra Tips for Seamless Connectivity

Digital literacy won’t make any bad, especially abroad. Follow these tips to avoid data loss:

1. Check balance regularly. Download your provider’s official application from the App Store or Google Play. Here, you’ll find the data tracking tool. Activate a new plan before you run out of mobile Internet. 
2. Avoid private SIM card sellers. In the best case, you won’t be able to activate the plan. In the worst, the SIM contains malware and steals your personal data/money. Purchase starter packs in provider’s official stores, tourist stands, and convenience stores. 
3. Don’t use public Wi-Fi spots outside the airport. Unfamiliar spots may also steal your data. That’s why connecting to cell data right after arrival is so important. 
4. Save contacts of family, friends, and emergency services of India. Connect numbers to your Apple ID or Google account, so you’ll access them from any device.

Don’t get in wrong – Delhi is a tourist-friendly and safe city. Yet, tourists become victims of cybercriminals and scams in foreign countries. Data protection is always a good idea, no matter where you are. 

Conclusion

Use local kiosks, tourist stands, and convenience shops to find SIM cards in Delhi airport. Alternatively, activate data plans with eSIM cards right on your smartphone. Simply download the eSIM provider application and purchase a plan while using the airport’s Wi-Fi.