- Install
- At home, before you fly, by scanning a QR code
- Works
- As soon as you land at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen
- Data for a week
- About 5 to 10 GB for maps, messaging and photos
- Check first
- That your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked
A travel eSIM is the simplest way to have mobile data in Istanbul. You buy it online, scan a QR code at home and it connects to a Turkish network as soon as you land, so you can call your driver or open the map to Nişantaşı (Nisantasi) without looking for a SIM shop. For a week, 5 to 10 GB is enough for most visitors. Your phone needs to support eSIM and must not be locked to your home network.
eSIM, roaming or a Turkish SIM card?
| Option | Setting up | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Online before you fly, a few minutes | Fixed price per package; usually far less than roaming | Most short stays; keeps your own number for calls and SMS on the other line |
| Roaming with your home operator | Nothing to do | Depends on your operator; Turkey is outside the EU roaming zone and can be expensive | Very short trips, or if your plan already includes Turkey |
| Turkish SIM card (Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom) | In an operator shop with your passport; takes time | Tourist packages are not cheap | Long stays and anyone who needs a Turkish number |
| Wi-Fi only | Ask for the password | Free in hotels and most cafés | Backup only: you will not have maps in the street or in a taxi |
How do I install an eSIM for Turkey?
- Check your phone. Most iPhones from the XS onwards and many recent Android phones support eSIM. On an iPhone, look in Settings, Mobile Data (or Cellular), for “Add eSIM”. On Android, look in Settings, Network, SIM.
- Check that it is unlocked. A phone locked to your home operator will not accept another eSIM. Ask your operator if you are not sure.
- Buy a package for Turkey, and choose the number of days and gigabytes.
- Install it at home, on Wi-Fi, by scanning the QR code or following the link in the app. Do not delete it afterwards: most eSIMs can be installed only once.
- On landing, turn on the eSIM line for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line. Keep your home SIM on for calls and SMS if you need them, with its data turned off.
Most packages start counting days from the first connection in Turkey, not from the day you install them, but check the terms of yours.
How much data do I need in Istanbul?
- Maps and messaging only: about 0.5 GB a day.
- Plus photos, social media and a few video calls: about 1 to 1.5 GB a day.
- Streaming video or working on a laptop: much more; use the hotel Wi-Fi where you can.
A typical week in Nişantaşı, with maps for the metro and the old city, taxi apps, messaging and photos, uses about 5 to 10 GB.
What should I know about mobile phones in Turkey?
- Coverage is good across Istanbul, including the metro lines, the ferries and the airports.
- WhatsApp and video calls work normally.
- Phone registration: Turkey requires foreign phones to be registered if they are used on a Turkish network for longer than about 120 days. On a normal holiday this does not affect you.
- Emergency calls to 112 work from any phone and any line.
- Taxi apps need data; see our taxi card for phrases to show the driver, and getting from the airport for your first ride.
More practical details, from money to plug sockets, are in our practical tips.
Frequently asked questions
Does eSIM work in Turkey?
Yes. Travel eSIMs connect to the Turkish networks and work across Istanbul, including at both airports, on the metro and on the ferries. Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked.
How much data do I need for a week in Istanbul?
About 5 to 10 GB for most visitors: maps, messaging, taxi apps and photos. If you only use maps and messaging, 3 to 5 GB is usually enough.
When should I install my eSIM?
At home before you fly, on Wi-Fi. Then switch it on for data when you land. Most packages only start counting days from the first connection in Turkey.
Can I keep my own number with an eSIM?
Yes, on phones that take two lines. Keep your home SIM on for calls and SMS, such as bank codes, and use the eSIM for data. Turn off data roaming on your home line to avoid charges.
Do I need to register my phone in Turkey?
Not for a normal holiday. Registration is needed only if a foreign phone is used on a Turkish network for more than about 120 days.