Your Guide to eSIMs in Turkey

From the Hagia Sophia to the Grand Bazaar and the ancient city of Ephesus – there’s tons to explore in Turkey. And who can beat that incredible sunshine? No matter why you’re travelling here, it’s likely you’re going to want to keep in touch with the people you care for. However, getting a SIM and any kind of coverage while you travel isn’t always easy.

With a Turkey eSIM, however, you can easily connect to any data network across the country without having to swap new cards in and out, and you can even keep your existing phone number in case you need to take calls and texts – just check your network fees before you go!

You should be enjoying Turkey’s sights and sounds, not fiddling around with technology as soon as you land! That said, you might want to share photos of your travels from afar – which means you need a stable, reliable, and affordable data roaming connection.

SIMOVO’s here to help – and here’s what you need to know about eSIMs in Turkey.

What are Turkey eSIMs?

Turkey eSIMs are digital SIM cards you install to your phone or tablet that let you access data connectivity while you travel across the country. Instead of inserting a physical, local SIM or relying on your usual card, you can purchase a one-off eSIM to cover you for up to 5G data while you’re abroad.

In fact, you can install eSIMs on all kinds of devices – smartphones, tablets, wearable tech, laptops, and more. Just check out our list of supported devices for the complete lowdown!

SIMOVO eSIMs provide you with data only, meaning you can still keep your existing, physical SIM in place to receive normal calls and texts if you need to. However, it’ll probably work out cheaper to make calls and send messages through data apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Zoom, FaceTime, and iMessage!

What’s more, eSIMs are built for social media users. We know that there’s tons about Turkey you’re going to want to share with the world, so we want to keep you connected. SIMOVO eSIMs will connect you to the best available network and even provide you with 4G and 5G where available.

If you’re travelling further abroad, you can even buy and install eSIMs that cover you for continental and global coverage – take a look at our eSIMs store for more information.

How do I use an eSIM in Turkey?

Simple - just choose a Turkey eSIM from the SIMOVO store, or if you’re travelling further, get coverage for the region or for the globe. Buy the eSIM that covers your travel plans, and scan your unique QR code. Your device will then guide you through the rest, though we do also recommend you check out our first time setup guide if you get stuck.

A word of advice – before you travel to Turkey or buy your eSIM, always make sure that your device can accept eSIMs, and that you have data roaming activated. These settings can normally be found in the network and connectivity sections of your device’s settings app, though where they are exactly will vary depending on your phone, tablet, or other tech.

Do also make sure that your usual SIM won’t run up roaming charges while you’re in Turkey, even if you’re only using your eSIM. It’s always a good idea to check these details with your usual network provider so you don’t end up with any nasty bills.

Once you’ve activated your eSIM, you can rest easy knowing that your phone or tablet will be ready to connect to Turkey’s fastest and most reliable data networks as soon as you land. SIMOVO eSIMs scan for the best available connections no matter where you are in the country, meaning you’ll have the pick of Vodafone, Turkcell, and Turk Telecom.

Do also remember that there may be occasions where you can’t get access to 4G or 5G, for example, if you head anywhere rural!

What are the benefits of using Turkey eSIMs?

Using an eSIM in Turkey means you won’t have to worry about finding a local network SIM when you touch down, and you won’t have to swap out your usual SIM card and lose access to your number while you travel. That’s a massive weight off your mind!

What’s more, setting up a simple eSIM before you go means you can spend less time fiddling around with data connections and more time actually enjoying Turkey. On top of that, we make our eSIMs as affordable and as cost-effective as possible compared to some of the high rates that people have to pay through their usual networks!

On top of all of this, eSIMs are kinder to the environment than traditional SIMs. Think about how much plastic those little cards generate every single year – only a few years ago, it was estimated that there were more SIM cards on Earth than people! That’s a lot of plastic waste – and you can cut back even a little bit by switching to SIMOVO.

How much do Turkey eSIMs cost?

We’ve arranged all our eSIMs to be competitively affordable compared to what you’d usually pay with your normal mobile networks for data roaming.

Here’s a quick upfront breakdown of how much it costs to set up and use a SIMOVO eSIM while visiting Turkey:

1GB - 7 Days: $1.50
3GB - 15 Days: $3.60
5GB - 30 Days: $5.70
10GB - 30 Days: $9.75
20GB - 30 Days: $17.10
50GB - 180 Days: $66.75

FAQs About eSIMs in Turkey

I need help with my Turkish eSIM – what do I do?

Check out our online help guides if you’re struggling to use your eSIM – or, if you’re experiencing technical difficulties, make sure to contact our team as soon as possible for advice on the go.

Can I call and text with a Turkey eSIM?

You can call and text with SIMOVO eSIMs, however, only if you do so through data apps such as Snapchat, iMessage, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, and others. SIMOVO eSIMs give you access to mobile data, not calls or traditional SMS/MMS.

How long will my Turkish eSIM last for?

All SIMOVO eSIMs have expiry dates, which you’ll see when you first buy and set up with us. You will need to buy and install a new eSIM for any further trips you make, to Turkey or elsewhere – SIMOVO eSIMs are designed for one-trip usage.