eSIMs offer a convenient and flexible solution for travelers, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and providing seamless connectivity.
eSIM adoption is growing rapidly because of its cost-effectiveness and convenience. Many standalone eSIM providers offer roaming packages at much more affordable rates than conventional mobile carriers.
Many people want to visit Turkey and wonder what eSIM package they should choose. You’ve arrived at the right place if you’re in this category. This is a detailed guide about the best eSIMs for Turkey to help you make a smart choice.
The best eSIM for Turkey in 2024 in full:
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Best eSIM overall
Airalo is the world’s most popular standalone eSIM provider, and for good reason. This eSIM provider offers a Merhaba plan that covers the whole of Turkey. With this plan, you can enjoy speedy internet access while you move around Turkey, although without a phone number to make calls or receive SMS messages.
Airalo offers various pricing plans for Turkish visitors, including $4.50 for 1 GB for 7 days, $6.50 for 2 GB for 15 days, $8 for 3 GB for 30 days, $12 for 5 GB for 30 days, $18 for 10 GB for 30 days, and $26 for 20 GB for 30 days. The drawback is that Airalo doesn’t offer unlimited data plans like some eSIM providers.
This eSIM provider’s plans are reasonably priced, although not as budget-friendly as some rival packages. However, the tradeoffs are excellent network coverage and customer service.
You don’t need documentation to buy an Airalo eSIM package. You can simply download the app, choose and pay for your package, and activate the eSIM by scanning a QR code sent to your email address. Of course, you can purchase your eSIM outside Turkey and unlock speedy internet access once you land in the country.
Best eSIM for affordability
Nomad is an eSIM provider that offers robust data coverage on a budget. It offers unlimited data but with a catch. You have a 1 GB daily limit for browsing at high speed. If you surpass that limit, you'll continue browsing at a throttled speed (512 kbps) until the next day.
The throttled speed feels limiting, but it helps Nomad strike a balance between affordability and unlimited data. This eSIM provider offers much more affordable plans than its rivals. You can pay $4 for 1 day, $5 for 3 days, $8 for 5 days, $10 for 7 days, and $14 for 10 days.
Nomad has network-sharing agreements with Turk Telekom and Turkcell, giving users excellent coverage in Turkey. You can browse with 5G speed in supported areas and 4G or LTE in other regions. Nomad doesn't demand documentation from customers to purchase a plan. You can head to the website, select your plan, and activate it immediately by scanning a QR code. Nomad allows you to share your data without limits via tethering/hotspot.
Like most eSIM providers, Nomad doesn't offer a phone number for calls or SMS. However, you can make audio calls with VoIP apps like WhatsApp and Skype.
Best eSIM for customer service
Jetpac is a Singapore-based eSIM provider that offers reliable coverage across 100+ countries. Jetpac has network-sharing agreements with Turk Telekom in Turkey, giving customers robust network coverage.
You can choose from various Jetpac plans in Turkey, including $4 for 1 GB for 4 days, $7 for 3 GB for 7 days, $9 for 5 GB for 30 days, $15 for 10 GB for 30 days, $22 for 15 GB for 30 days, $25 for 20 GB for 30 days, or $25 for 30 GB for 30 days.
Jetpac doesn’t offer unlimited data plans, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to some rivals. However, we like the fact that Jetpac is reasonably priced and offers excellent customer service. After payment, you can activate your eSIM by scanning the QR code sent to your email. Once you reach Turkey, your Jetpac roaming pack will activate so that you can enjoy seamless internet access. You can download the Jetpac app to check your data balance anytime and manage your subscription.
Best eSIM for unlimited data
Holafly is another excellent eSIM provider you can rely on when visiting Turkey. The best thing about this eSIM is unlimited data, unlike most rivals with capped data plans. With your Holafly eSIM, you can enjoy unparalleled internet access in Turkey without paying steep roaming charges.
This eSIM provider doesn’t have fixed pricing plans. The amount to pay depends on the exact number of days you choose. For instance, a 5-day plan costs 19 euros ($20), 10 days costs 34 euros ($37), 30 days costs 69 euros ($74), and the maximum 90 days costs 129 euros ($139).
Affordable is not an honest word to describe Holafly—its prices are costlier than most competitors. However, considering the unlimited data you’ll enjoy, the prices are worth it. Holafly is a perfect fit for internet users who stream or upload a high volume of content.
A Holafly subscription lets you surf the web with speeds of up to 5G in Turkey, and you can share data using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Use code TECHRADAR to get 5% off.
Best eSIM for pay-as-you-go
The BNE eSIM is a reliable option for Turkish travelers. This eSIM stands out by offering pay-as-you-go data plans that never expire. Once you load the data, it remains valid for as long as you stay in Turkey, and you can top up your data anytime.
You can choose from various plans ranging from 1 GB to 100 GB. For each plan, you’ll pay more for the pay-as-you-go option than a fixed plan, understandably because the former doesn’t expire. For example, the 20 GB plan costs $21 for pay-as-you-go and $12 for the fixed 30-day plan.
A drawback we observed with this eSIM is that the highest data plans aren’t available via pay-as-you-go. The pay-as-you-go plan is capped at 20 GB, but you can buy a 50 GB or 100 GB plan for 30 days. However, the beauty of this eSIM is that you can choose a plan that covers only Turkey or a plan that covers 32 European countries, including Turkey. With the latter, you’ll enjoy robust internet coverage as you travel to Turkey and nearby European nations.
You don’t need documentation to buy and activate a BNE eSIM. You can buy the eSIM directly from the website and activate it by scanning the QR code sent to your email address. BNE eSIM has a network-sharing agreement with Turk Telekom to give Turkish users robust coverage.
Best eSIM for network coverage
Yesim is a reliable eSIM provider with stellar network coverage. With a Yesim eSIM, you can access robust network coverage from Turkcell, Turk Telekom, and Vodafone in Turkey. You can browse with speeds of up to 5G and enjoy data plans valid for up to 30 days.
Yesim offers unlimited data plans like Holafly. You can pay 7 euros ($7.5) for one day, 26 euros ($28) for seven days, 43 euros ($46) for fifteen days, or 65 euros ($70) for thirty days.
You don’t need documentation to purchase a Yesim plan. You can simply pay online and activate your eSIM by scanning a QR code in your email. You’ll enjoy stellar internet access with your Yesim eSIM when you land in Turkey.
Best eSIMs for Turkey FAQs
What is an eSIM?
eSIM is short for embedded SIM. It is a type of SIM card directly embedded in a device instead of the physical SIM cards you can remove or replace anytime. An eSIM comprises software installed onto a chip permanently attached to your smartphone. This chip is re-programmable, allowing you to add or remove eSIM profiles at will.
An eSIM profile on a smartphone chip works like a physical SIM with its unique ID and network authentication key. The advantage is that you no longer have to swap physical SIM cards to change networks– everything takes place via software configurations, so you only need to scan a QR code to activate a new profile.
An eSIM slot can hold up to eight profiles simultaneously, but you’ll likely never find a smartphone with eight physical SIM slots. eSIMs have become popular because of their convenience and ubiquitousness, especially for travelers. Gone are the days of swapping physical SIMs whenever you visit a new country– instead, you can download and activate an eSIM profile online and enjoy network access once you land at your destination.
Why do I need an eSIM when visiting Turkey?
Turkey is the fifth most visited country globally, with over 55 million international tourist arrivals in 2023. Most tourists need an internet connection to keep in touch with family, friends, colleagues, and global events while in Turkey. The usual way is to seek a roaming plan from their domestic mobile carrier, but not all carriers offer this option. For the ones that do, the price is usually steep. An eSIM provider is the best option for enjoying speedy internet access as a foreign visitor for a reasonable price.
You can buy and activate your eSIM profile outside Turkey. Once you land in Turkey, you can switch to that eSIM profile and seamlessly surf the web.
eSIM providers don’t operate proprietary telecom networks in all supported countries. Instead, they have roaming agreements with domestic carriers. When you get to any country, you’ll tap into the local telecom infrastructure from the partner carriers. For instance, Yesim lets you enjoy internet access from Turkcell, Turk Telecom, and Vodafone, three of the largest Turkish carriers.
Most eSIM providers offer data-only plans. It’s rare (but possible) to find an eSIM plan that comes with a phone number. In such a case, you’ll likely need to pay separately for SMS and calling allowance. Even if your eSIM provider doesn’t issue phone numbers, you can continue calling and texting online with WhatsApp, Skype, Line, and other VoIP apps.
Is my smartphone eSIM-compatible?
eSIMs are a fairly new technology. They were introduced in 2012 but didn’t gain much popularity until 2018 when Apple released the first eSIM-only iPhone. Since then, many smartphone manufacturers have jumped on the train and made eSIM-enabled smartphones common.
Many smartphones now have both physical and eSIM slots or eSIM-only slots. eSIMs are undoubtedly the future because of their convenience and the long-term effects of reducing plastic waste. But, the rollout will occur gradually because most mobile carriers and their customers, especially in developing countries, haven’t yet adapted to eSIMs.
Follow these steps to check if your smartphone is eSIM-compatible:
For iPhones
- Open the Settings app and click Cellular.
- Look for the Add eSIM button under Cellular. If you see this button, your iPhone is eSIM-compatible. If you don’t see this button, your iPhone is incompatible with eSIMs.
For Android phones
- Open the Settings app.
- Select About Phone.
- Look for SIM Status or something similar.
- Look for any mention of eSIM or Embedded SIM. If you see it, your Android device is eSIM-compatible. Otherwise, the device is not compatible.
You can check your smartphone manufacturer’s website for technical specifications if you're still uncertain. eSIM compatibility will always be mentioned under the technical specifications for your device.
Considerations for choosing an eSIM
1. Cost
Cost is the primary consideration when choosing an eSIM package. It’s advisable to compare similar plans from different eSIM providers to get a fair deal. The idea is to choose something you can pay for without breaking the bank.
2. Validity
How long will your data last? Some eSIM providers have non-expiring data plans, while others cap every plan to 30 days. The duration of your trip determines the data plan you’ll choose.
3. Data allowance
How much data do you need for your everyday activities? If you’re the type that streams and uploads a high volume of content, you’ll be best served by an unlimited data plan. If you’re an average internet user, you can choose from any plan ranging from 1 GB to 100 GB.
4. Customer support
You should be able to get external help with any eSIM issues. An ideal eSIM provider should have a support team you can contact via email, telephone, or live chat to file complaints and resolve them.
