Residence permit in Turkey: guide for UK citizens
A guide explaining the residence permit in Turkey, including who can apply, how to apply, how it works and costs.
How to buy a prepaid Turkish SIM card?
If you plan on going to Turkey from the UK anytime soon, you might already be thinking about all the things you’ll see and do. Your experience in this beautiful country will surely be unforgettable, but it’s good to take all the steps to ensure that. First of all, consider how you’ll be getting around and communicating while you’re there.
To make sure your Turkish holiday is nothing short of enjoyable, consider getting a Turkish SIM card. Not only will this help you avoid unnecessary expenses, it will also allow you to use translation apps and maps without having to rely on Wi-Fi.
Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. It can help you get ready for your stay in Turkey and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local for low fees and great mid-market exchange rates.
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Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to Turkey from the UK?
Having a Turkish SIM card when visiting is a great way to save money. Most of the time, international calls or data usage aren’t included in UK monthly plans. So, your provider will charge you extra for using your phone abroad. Getting a Turkish SIM card will eliminate that one extra expense and help you redirect that money towards something else.
Having a local number is convenient, especially if you have friends who live in Turkey. With a Turkish SIM card, you can make different types of reservations, call for information or have others contact you easily.
Also, having a local card guarantees better network coverage. It will give you more freedom, since you won’t have to depend on Wi-Fi.
If you still don’t want to buy a Turkish SIM card, you can rely on international roaming. The overall costs depend on the destination of your travel. Keep in mind that Turkey often isn’t included in some providers’ European roaming passes, such is the case with VOXI and Sky Mobile.
How much does a SIM card cost in Turkey?
The cost of a Turkish SIM card largely depends on how long you’ll be using it for. For example, a 7-day SIM card can set you back as little as £6. Prices for 28-day deals start at £7.5 and go up to around £30.
It’s the same with eSIMs, but you can get one for as little as £3.5. The unlimited data and yearly eSIMs are the most expensive ones at over £80.
Have in mind that not all prices are available online, so make sure you contact the providers directly for information.
How to buy a prepaid Turkish SIM card?¹
The process of buying a Turkish SIM card is pretty simple. There are plenty of selling points where you can get them, including stores, kiosks and supermarkets.
Turkey has three main mobile operators - Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom. There are some other operators that use their networks, such as Bimcell and Lifecell.
Once you make your choice, make sure you have your passport ready and prepare to fill out some forms. The store employees will register your card for you and help you activate it.
You can pay with good old-fashioned cash, as well as your credit card, debit card or even a prepaid travel card.
Where can you buy a Turkish SIM card in the UK?
There are ways to buy a Turkish SIM card in the UK, but the options are limited and more expensive. For example, you can order one through SimCorner for £24 and use it for up to 15 days.
Buying an eSIM while still in the UK is your best choice. Some providers sell country-specific eSIM cards, while others have regional or global deals. Either way, you’ll most likely be able to find an offer that fits your needs, all from the comfort of your home.
| 📚 Read more: How to buy a SIM card in the UK? |
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Can you buy a Turkish SIM card at the airport?
Yes, as soon as you land in Turkey, you can start looking for a SIM card at the airport. There should be stands or stores where you can get one at all of them. Make sure you only buy from trusted vendors, such as the three main operators we’ll mention below.
If you want to get this out of the way as soon as possible, it might be a good idea to handle it upon arrival. However, keep in mind that airport stores will have higher prices.
Best prepaid SIM cards for Turkey
Here are some of the best SIM card options for a short stay or holiday in Turkey.
Turkcell²
Turkcell has a package made specially for tourists and those who don’t plan on staying in Turkey long term. It’s called the Tourist Welcome Pack and it costs roughly £28.5 for 30 days.
The Tourist Welcome Pack includes 20 GB of data, 200 minutes of local calls, as well as unlimited messaging on BiP and WhatsApp applications. It also has various perks, such as extra data with top-ups.
Since your phone number is linked to your passport, you won’t be able to transfer any unused data or minutes to anyone else.
Türk Telekom³
Türk Telekom has a couple of packages for tourists called Tourist Welcome Packages. The deals vary based on the number of days you’ll spend in Turkey and the amount of data, minutes and SMS you get.
The smallest package is valid for 7 days only. It includes 10 GB of data, 250 local minutes and 250 text messages. At less than £6, it’s a great choice for quick trips and budgeting.
The last two packages can be used over a course of 28 days. The smaller one has 25 GB of data, 750 minutes and SMS, as well as 5 GB covering social media only. It will set you back £7.5.
Finally, the big 28-day Tourist Welcome Package should be enough even for the biggest talkers. It includes 1500 minutes, 1000 SMS and 50 GB of mobile data. On top of that, you get an extra 5 GB for social media. At under £10, it’s a great deal for those who don’t plan on staying longer than a month.
Vodafone⁴
Vodafone has multiple package options for travellers. They vary from weekly to 3-month deals, with as much as 50 GB of mobile data available. Their official website doesn’t list all package fees and prices, but you can sign up for a card there.
If you plan on extending your stay in Turkey or coming back soon, the 3 Months Tourist 50 plan might be for you. You can get 750 minutes for local calls, 1000 SMS and 50 GB of data. This is available to you for 90 days and it will set you back roughly £25 in total.
Besides this, they have the Welcome To Turkey Pack, as well as the Sosyal Pass Paketi and Super Kolay Tourist in their offer.
Best e-SIM cards for Turkey
The most convenient way to avoid roaming fees is certainly getting an eSIM in Turkey. With only a couple of clicks, you can get a package that’s going to last you through your trip. You can even get it while still in the UK, as long as you activate it when you arrive. This will save you time and give you immediate access.
Before getting an eSIM, make sure you look up whether your phone is compatible with them. If not, stick to regular SIM offers. And if it is, here are some of the best eSIM cards for Turkey.
Airalo⁵
Airalo has different Turkish eSIM plans, but none of them cost over $30 for a 30 day validity period. The cheapest one is only $4 at the moment (with a sale going on until February 29th 2024).
7-day and 15-day plans are $4.5 and $6.5 each. The biggest package with 20 GB of data is $13 with the current discount.
Airalo also offers global eSIMs, which are great if you’ll be travelling somewhere else as well. They can be used in 126 countries, Turkey included. The prices for global eSIMs start at $9 for weekly validity and go up to $89 for year-long deals that include calls and texts.⁶
Holafly⁷
If you need unlimited data access, Holafly is the operator for you. Their prices start at £5 per day, but the more days you buy, the better the deal.
For example, 5 days of unlimited data with Holafly is £16, while 10 days is £29. If you plan on using your eSIM for a whole month, that will set you back £59. However, keep in mind that Holafly only offers data, so don’t try to text or make local calls.
EasySIM⁸
EasySIM’s data bundles cost between £3.5 and £25. The most affordable one includes 1 GB of data that you can use over the course of a week. The rest of the packages are valid for 30 days and have between 3 GB and 20 GB of data.
You can use EasySIM’s Turkey eSIM in 30+ other European countries, so this could be considered a sort of a regional eSIM.
Maya Mobile⁹
Maya Mobile eSIMs are very customisable, since you can pick between 4 validity periods and 4 data amounts. Their deals last 5, 10, 15 or 30 days. When it comes to data, the lowest amount is 3 GB and the highest 20 GB. So, the least you can pay for a Maya Mobile eSIM is £7, while £27 is the biggest package. On top of that, there is a separate unlimited data eSIM that costs between £19 and £55.
There are also special unlimited data eSIMs that you can even share with your friends. The difference between them is in the amount of high-speed data you get. These group eSIMs cost between £63 and £81, so they could be a pretty affordable option when splitting the cost.
Spend like a local in Turkey with Wise
While you’re figuring out which Turkish SIM card to buy, you’ll also want to check out options for holiday spending.
The Wise card, from the money services provider Wise, is a convenient choice. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend like a local in Turkey and 150+ more countries. The Wise card has no foreign transaction fees for spending abroad, no hidden fees or margins, and only a small currency conversion fee.
You can get the Wise card by opening a Wise multi-currency account. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.
What’s more, you can also make international payments for low fees and mid-market exchange rates. The account supports 40+ currencies, including TRY. You can send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation, or the like while still in the UK.
Sources used for this article:
- Ephesian Tourism - Turkey mobile operators
- Turkcell - Tourist Welcome Pack
- Türk Telekom - Tourist Welcome Packages
- Vodafone - Tourist SIM card options
- Airalo - Turkey eSIM
- Airalo - Global eSims for Travelers
- Holafly - Turkey eSIM
- EasySIM - Travel eSIM for Turkey
- Maya Mobile - Turkey eSIM
Sources last checked on date: 14-Feb-2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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