One of the wonders of having an internet connection when we travel is being able to share our experience in real time with friends and family. But that’s not all. It is also a very useful tool for finding your way around unfamiliar cities, getting tickets in advance to avoid queues, or finding out more about the destination country. That’s why in this post we tell you which is the best eSIM for Turkey, allowing you to connect to the internet immediately without paying huge bills like roaming, or putting your data at risk on public wifi networks.
There are currently a wide variety of eSIMs with different features such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of plans, so we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Simoptions, among others, and we tell you their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We already tell you that the eSIM cards without data limit like the ones from Holafly are a safe bet with which there will be no extra charges, and you will also have 24h support
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Comparison of eSIMs for a trip to Turkey
When comparing different eSIM brands, we need to take into account all the features that will determine whether the card suits your travel needs. That’s why we have prepared this summary table with all the essential information about Holafly, Airalo, Maya Mobile, Simoptions and Ubigi to help you make your choice. We’ll go into more detail on each eSIM brand below, so you won’t miss any of the information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited Data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 10, 15, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days | – | Yes | + | Unlimited data on all plans | In English, direct chat and WhatsApp | 19€ -99€ | 4.6 | 4.3 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 and 30 days | + | No | + | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB AND 20GB | In English, via bot | $4.5 – $26 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | + | No | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, unlimited | English by email | 5€ – 47€ | 4.4 | 3.2 |
| Simoptions | 14, 15 and 30 days | – | No | – | 5GB, 10GB, 8GB and 20GB | English chat | 17.9€ – 39€ | 3.5 | 3 |
| Ubigi | 30 days or 12 months | + | No | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB and 10GB | In English by email | 8€ – 59€ | 4.2 | 4.1 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for Turkey with unlimited data and customer support in English
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different prices and contract durations. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. All their Turkey eSIM plans have unlimited data. 24/7 technical support in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. Payable in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. Flexible data plan durations: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. It has an App where you can check consumption and the days left on the contract. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They are one of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because you don’t run out of data and you don’t have to recharge. The Holafly Turkey eSIM card does not allow data sharing. They do not allow data sharing with other devices. They cannot be installed via their App. |
Holafly is one of the best options to buy eSIM cards for Turkey, as all its plans have unlimited data for those who want to travel without worrying about running out of internet. In addition, the brand offers a 24-hour customer service in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute via chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the best rated company on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6.
On the website of Holafly you can find 7 unlimited data plans ranging from €19 to €99 depending on the length of the contract, which can be 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. It’s perfect for long stays, digital nomads, students abroad or express travel.
| Data plan | Euro | Dollars | Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | €19 | $19 | $339 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | €34 | $34 | $899 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | €57 | 57$ | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | €69 | $69 | $1399 |
| 60 days – unlimited data | €87 | $87 | $1699 |
| 90 days – unlimited data unlimited data | €99 | $99 | $1999 |
There are two options for installing the Holafly eSIM. One is scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. And the other is the manual installation that you can do without a computer, simply by writing a code in the settings of your mobile. This code will be sent to your email and you can also consult it in the Holafly App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards, we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but in the end they are cost-effective as all their plans have unlimited data, and you won’t need to top up at any time during your trip. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of the Holafly eSIM cards for Turkey based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing Data | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
Evaluation of Holafly’s eSIM features
In this post, you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some user reviews: Our thoughts on Holafly’s eSIM.
2. SimOptions, an eSIM marketplace
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Sim Options eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. ESIM cards for 160 countries. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 6GB or less and they do not have unlimited data cards. The features of the eSIM cards for the same country vary according to the brand contracted. None of their eSIM cards allow data top-up. The technical support depends on each brand and good customer service cannot be guaranteed. Do not include calls or sms. The speed depends on each brand of eSIM card. They do not have an App to control data consumption. |
SimOptions is an eSIM card brand marketplace where local mobile phone companies in each country sell their eSIM cards. The brand, with offices in Paris, Thailand and Hong Kong, offers data plans for eSIM cards in more than 160 countries and they also have regional and global plans.
For Turkey you’ll find four 10-day, 15-day and 30-day data plans with data limits of 3GB, 4GB, 5GB and 6GB. Prices range from $17.9 to $39.9. None of the available options include calls or the ability to top-up le eSIM.
The main drawback of Simoptions is that its website is a bit chaotic and the data plans, as they are from different brands, are very disparate, and their features vary a lot, not only price, speed or duration, but also technical support, the possibility of recharging or sharing data. This will force you to look in detail at each brand and will make it harder for you to make a decision. In the case of Turkey, you will see that SimOptions works with its own brand, with Ais and with Three HK.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 3 GB | 24.9$ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 34.9$ |
| 10 days – 4 GB | 17.9$ |
| 15 days – 6 GB | 39.9$ |
Our personal experience is that with SimOptions cards you waste a lot of time comparing with each other. In addition, the price is high, you can only pay in dollars, and they don’t give you the guarantee of good technical support. Here we leave you this ranking where we rate SimOptions eSIM cards from 1 to 5 and in this post you can read about our opinion and that of other customers about the brand: Our opinion about SimOptions: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Evaluation of SimOptions eSIM features
3. Maya Mobile, one-month data packs
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. ESIM cards are available for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB which can be used up quickly Flexible pricing. Internet sharing. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. Allow data sharing with other devices. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. No App. The unlimited data plan is limited to 5Mbps. Technical support only in English via a bot. Only 30-day data plans. |
This company makes eSIM cards available for 30 days in Turkey. In this case, the price of the data packages varies according to the gigabytes. All in all they have five packages of 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and another with unlimited gigabytes. Maya Mobile’s unlimited gigabyte plans are relative in that they have a speed limit of 2Mbp, which drops by half after 30GB has been used. The price ranges from €5 to €47.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting process and installation, which is also done via a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in the event that the data does not work, which is not usually the case as they have a minimum of two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 1 GB – 30 days | 5€ |
| 3 GB – 30 days | 8€ |
| 5 GB – 30 days | 12€ |
| 10 GB – 30 days | 19€ |
| unlimited – 30 days | 47€ |
The drawback with Maya Mobile is that their plans are very inflexible and only last for 30 days. On Trustpilot you can see that the brand has an average rating of 4.4, but there are hardly any reviews. Here’s a table showing how they rate each of their eSIM card features.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 3.2 |
Evaluation of Maya Mobile’s eSIM features
4. Airalo, the cheapest eSIM brand for travel to Turkey
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They are the cheapest brand on the market. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. Top up the eSIM. An App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Disadvantages | The gigabytes are limited to 100GB or less and they do not have cards with unlimited data. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes at 1GB and 5GB. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
Airalo is an eSIM card company founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir. It was one of the first to offer these services and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for Turkey have durations of 7, 15 and 30 days, and prices range from $4.5 to $23. Airalo is characterized as one of the cheapest brands on the market, but its technical service leaves much to be desired and takes a long time to respond. Their data plans have very limited gigabytes, and you are likely to run out of data in the middle of your journey and have to top up, which means that in the end the costs will increase, and the cheap will be expensive.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 1 GB – 7 days | $4.5 |
| 2 GB – 15 days | $6.5 |
| 3 GB – 30 days | $8 |
| 10 GB – 30 days | $18 |
| 20GB – 30 days | $26 |
Although Airalo is cheap and offers a wide variety of eSIM cards whose spending can be controlled through its App, it’s not one of the best options because of what we’ve told you above about its technical service, as you can see on Trustpilot in user reviews and ratings. Airalo has one of the lowest scores with 3.7. Here you have the ranking of each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our opinion of Airalo: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4. 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 3,8 |
Assessment of Airalo’s eSIM features
5. Ubigi and its eSIM cards for smart cars
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. The Ubigi eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install via the web or app. Free to install from the App. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 destinations. 24h real time technical support. ESIM cards for smart cars. Their eSIM cards allow data sharing. The eSIM can be recharged from the App. |
| Disadvantages | The gigabytes are limited to 10GB or less and they do not have unlimited data plans. Short duration plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIMs do not include calls or SMS. The duration of the plans is limited to 30 days. Their support service is exclusively in English. |
Ubigi is a provider of eSIM cards, a little different from the rest of the data plan companies for travelling abroad. While with other brands you have to choose and buy the plan and then proceed to install the eSIM, with Ubigi it’s the other way around. First, you can install the eSIM for free and then add credit depending on how many gigabytes you are going to use.
The brand does not offer data plans exclusively for Turkey, but it does have packages for several countries where it is included. You’ll be able to choose between a Europe data plan, a Middle East data plan or a global plan.
On their website and App you can see 5 Middle East data plans including Iraq, Israel, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia. All of them are for a duration of months and the price varies depending on the gigabytes, ranging from 1 GB to 10 GB. They do not have unlimited data plans, but they do have annual plans where you pay by the month. These plans are designed for long term stays or foreign students.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars | Euros | Pounds | Yen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | $29 | €29 | £25 | 4100¥ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | $29 | €29 | £26 | 4100¥ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | $39 | €39 | £35 | 5500¥ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | $59 | €59 | £52 | 8300¥ |
Luckily, their App works very well and as well as buying the eSIM from there, you can install it and top it up if necessary. Also, Ubigi’s eSIMs allow data sharing with other devices
A curious thing about Ubigi’s eSIM cards is that they also work in cars with internet. Some models from Jaguar, Fiat, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo or Jeep already feature this technology.
In this table, you can see how we rate each feature of Ubigi’s eSIM cards. And if you want to know our opinion on Ubigi eSIMs, check out this post: Our opinion Ubigi: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
Evaluation of Ubigi eSIM features
Conclusion of the best eSIM for Turkey
In this post we have seen that there are many important factors to take into account when comparing eSIM cards as, for each type of travel, you will have different connection needs. That is why we have prepared this section where we tell you based on our experience which eSIM card is best for which type of travel
When we travel, we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our holiday, so eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option if we want to travel without worries. In this case, the only brand offering unlimited eSIM data plans is Holafly. With some companies such as Ubigi or Airalo you can top up the eSIM already installed through their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data. Also, remember that if necessary, you will have to recharge the eSIM before the contracted plan runs out.
If you end up opting for an eSIM with limited data, here is a table to help you estimate how many gigabytes you will need based on your usual usage.
| Platform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0.18 GB – 0.8 GB |
| Netflix | 0.3 GB – 7 GB |
| Youtube | 0.14 GB – 1.7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0.8 GB – 6 GB |
The installation process for eSIM cards is always simple and quick, but it is true that some companies make it even easier. The first thing to do is to check if your mobile is compatible with the brand’s eSIM. You can check this information on the website of each provider, and in the case of Ubigi, when you download the App it informs you if your mobile is compatible.
The purchase of the eSIM for Turkey can be done through the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly or Simoptions, or through the app such as Airalo or Ubigi. Holafly’s website and Airalo’s are very intuitive and easy to use, while SimOptions is quite complicated to understand, and you will have to do a lot of reading and compare different, really disparate scores.
The only brands that allow installation via the App are Airalo and Ubigi, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also install the eSIM by scanning a QR code that you will receive by email as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly, Airalo, Simoptions or Nomad.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Airalo have a chatbot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of Simoptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this aspect Holafly’s technical support is the best as it responds in less than 1 minute in English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese via web chat or WhatsApp.
Many times when we travel we want toshare data with other devices and only some providers such as Airalo, Ubigi and some Simoptions brands make this possible.
But one of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Airalo and Maya Mobile, however, their data plans are very limited, and you’re likely to run out and have to pay again with the top-up. That’s why it is sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get an unlimited data eSIM card like Holafly to give you peace of mind and avoid having to top up again.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best choice for travel to Turkey because of their unlimited data and multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute. With Holafly you will never run out of data on your trip.
Other options for getting internet in Turkey
There are various methods of getting internet when travelling abroad, and while we always recommend eSIM cards for all their advantages, there may be another system that better suits your needs. In this table, you have many of the reasons why we at Passporter will always prefer eSIM cards over the other alternatives listed below.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Pre-purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, you don’t have to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a shop first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. You won’t be dependent on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Tranquility | You will have 24h technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You won’t have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your mobile. |
| Security | Avoid using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. Avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your mobile as with eSIM cards. |
1. SIM cards when arriving in Turkey
Some companies offering SIM cards for Turkey are Turkcell or Turk Telekom. You can find their shops at airports or in shopping centres.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is quick. They can be purchased online or in physical shops. Make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Disadvantages | You have to exchange it for your regular SIM card, which can be lost or damaged. You have to open and handle the mobile phone during the installation process. When your travel SIM contract runs out, you have to replace it with another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to arrive at home. |
2. Renting a Pocket Wifi in Turkey
In Turkey you can rent a pocket wifi or portable router from companies such as Everyday Wifi and Travel Wifi, which offer these devices for around €5 or €10 per day.
This system has a number of drawbacks, but is often recommended for long periods of work or when you can share with more people as the cost is high.
| Advantages | It can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Long-term contracts are the norm. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay rent, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts at most 6 hours. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
3. Search for free Wifi networks in Turkey
This is the service most used by tourists, although it is not always the most advisable as it risks our personal data. Public wifi networks are often very vulnerable to hacking.
Here are some places where you can find WiFi on your trip in Turkey if you need it: airports, museums, the metro, parks, cafés, restaurants and hotels. There are also APPs that tell you where to find WiFi hotspots, as well as Facebook, which also offers this service.
| Advantages | It’s free. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is difficult to find free wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or have connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and give your personal details. Some free wifi networks are time-limited. You should always connect close to the router. They are vulnerable to hacking. |
4. Activate roaming for Turkey
One of the options that is increasingly losing popularity due to its high costs is roaming, also known as data roaming. It is the simplest option as you can receive calls and connect to the internet without having to install anything or change your phone number, however, the bills are very high.
In Spain, there are several companies that offer roaming abroad. Some examples are Movistar, Vodafone and Orange. Before embarking on a trip, it is advisable to ask your usual carrier about the cost of roaming so that you can compare with other services such as eSIM cards.
If you decide to use another option, remember to turn off data roaming on your mobile phones or change the main line if you use an eSIM.
| Advantages | No installation on our mobile. No extra services to sign up for. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Disadvantages | It is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without realising it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This will cost you nothing but helps us offset the costs of paying our writing team. All opinions are our own. Thank you for your support 🙂 .
Frequently asked questions about getting internet in Turkey
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your usual SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is built into the latest generation of mobile phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the website or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your mobile phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. The camera will then open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, which is why it is recommended that you do it before setting off on your trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
Most models of popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will indicate all the compatible models.
In the case of Holafly, eSIM card modalities offer you unlimited data for 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, and 90 days, depending on how long you’re going to stay in some places in this country.
In Holafly’s online shop, you will find 7 unlimited data plans.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical shops or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same day express delivery.
It is best to activate it just before your trip as you will need an internet connection.
The data on the unlimited plans is really unlimited. However, please note that local mobile operators may temporarily reduce the speed if you use applications such as Netflix or YouTube very intensively. These limits are more intended to avoid network saturation by a few users.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly has been marketing eSIMs since 2019.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average rating of 4.5.
Airalo reviews on Truspilot are good, with an average score of 3.9.
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