Already day dreaming about the gorgeous Kenyan beaches, the Great Rift Valley, wildlife, safari or may be meeting the Maasai Mara tribe? I am sure you are excited planning your trip to Kenya. But don't let high roaming charges or slow overseas data plans ruin your trip. This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Kenya.
Let me help you find the best sim card for your trip to Kenya in 2024.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card, the best 4G/5G network in Kenya, up to date prices as per November 2024, a vlog about my experiences, my recommendation and of course info about eSIMs for Kenya.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in every country but nowadays I mostly order an eSIM on the internet.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Kenya
- Where to buy a sim card for Kenya
- Mobile internet operators in Kenya
- Prepaid sim card registration in Kenya
- Best 4G/5G network in Kenya in 2024
- Prices Kenya prepaid sim cards
- Best sim card for Kenya in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Kenya
- Buying a prepaid sim card for Kenya online
- My experiences buying a sim card in Kenya
- Vlog about buying a prepaid sim card in Kenya
Does your Kenya trip start at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport then check out my guide for buying a sim card at Nairobi Airport.
Some links in this article about the best prepaid sim cards for traveling to Kenya are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link in this article I earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Safaricom sim card for traveling in Kenya. It is slightly more expensive than the other mobile internet operators, but it has by far the best 4G/5G network coverage in Kenya. You can get 15 GB data for around $18 USD.
What about eSIM for Kenya? Great alternative, easy, fast and you are online as soon as the plane lands. But...
eSIMs for Kenya are more expensive than buying a prepaid sim card in Kenya.
Sim Local has the cheapest eSIM deals for Kenya with $33 USD for 5 GB, SimOptions, Airalo and GigSky are a little more expensive.
Another alternative are international sim cards with data. These sim cards are valid in multiple countries and regions around the world. Great for world travelers.
Very important when buying a prepaid sim card in Kenya, getting an eSIM or an international sim card is to make sure your phone is unlocked. If you are not sure about this then ask your mobile internet provider in your home country before traveling to Kenya.
Why buying a sim card for Kenya
Most hotels, restaurants, bars and lodges offer free WiFi so why buying a sim card for your trip to Kenya. Well it is very simple, you can't rely on WiFi in Kenya, it is often not working or way too slow. Uploading a video to your Instagram story could take ages on WiFi.
But first and foremost we want to avoid high roaming charges. Don't use data roaming on your phone with your sim card from home. You will end up with excessive roaming charges.
Having a data connection on your phone makes traveling so much easier, but also safer. Having an internet connection at hand gives you the opportunity to order an Uber, get direction from Google Maps when you get lost, solve language problems by translation apps, book a last minute hotel, find a good restaurant nearby, etc.
Many reasons why I advice travelers to buy a prepaid sim card in Kenya or order an eSIM for Kenya on the internet.
As I am on a journey to visit every country in the world I get to a lot of places and everywhere I go I write down my tips for fellow travelers. That is how on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cairo, Egypt, Zambia, Uganda, South Africa, Namibia, Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, etc.
But also outside of Africa: Europe, United Kingdom, London, France, Paris, Italy, Asia, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Indonesia, Sydney, USA, New York, Miami, Brazil, Argentina and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money.
An old school way of stay connected is a portable WiFi device, read my honest review in the link. Personally I am not a fan but for those that have locked phones it could be handy.
Where to buy a sim card for Kenya
Nairobi International Airport
Buying a local prepaid sim card in Kenya on arrival at the airport is the most convenient place to buy a sim card. Luckily this is pretty well arranged in Kenya and at both international airports, Nairobi and Mombasa, there are sim card shops that sell prepaid sim cards for tourists.
When flying to Nairobi check out my guide for buying a sim card at Nairobi Airport.
Official retail store mobile internet providers
If for some reason you couldn't buy a sim card at the airport or may be you arrived in Kenya overland then you will find out that there are uncountable places in Kenya where you can buy local prepaid sim cards for tourists.
In the bigger cities there are kiosks around town and little pop up stores, but I recommend you to go to an official retail store of one of the mobile internet providers. Simply locate the nearest one around you by using Google Maps.
At an official phone store you get the best service and advice and most important is that everything is done by the book and they make sure that when you walk out of the store everything is set up and working.
Online
There are several ways to buy a sim card for Kenya on the internet. The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Kenya is an eSIM. You arrange everything online within just a couple minutes. Traveltomtom has used Kenya eSIMs before from SimOptions and Airalo.
But if your phone is not eSIM compatible then you need to look into buying a prepaid international sim card for Kenya via SimOptions.
Mobile internet operators in Kenya
There are 4 main mobile internet providers in Kenya:
- Safaricom
- Airtel
- Telkom
- Faiba
All of the above mobile internet providers operate on their own mobile network, some have better network coverage than the others. Faiba is a fairly new mobile internet operator on the Kenya telecom market and Telkom is also a much smaller operator compared to Airtel and Safaricom.
When you travel to Kenya you will see the green color of Safaricom everywhere! They are the biggest mobile internet operator, Airtel and Telkom stores can be found pretty easy as well, but a Faiba store is surely much harder to find.
Prepaid sim card registration in Kenya
Every prepaid sim card needs to be registered on your name and passport number, so bring your passport when buying a prepaid sim card in Kenya. The process is easy and fast and shouldn't take more than 5 minutes.
In most other Eastern Africa countries buying a local sim card is a long process as they need your fingerprint, a passport photo and so on. Check out my Uganda sim card guide for example, the process is hilarious. Luckily not in Kenya.
When you buy a sim card in Kenya you get a phone number that starts with: +254.
As per 2025 it is fairly easy to get an eSIM in phone stores in Kenya. Some phone stores only offer physical prepaid sim cards, but the major flagship stores now offer eSIMs as well.
Best 4G/5G network in Kenya in 2024
It is fair to say that the 4G network of Telkom and Faiba are way too small and not recommended for tourists. Especially if you are on the road exploring Kenya. If you travel off the beaten path the Telkom and Faiba networks are simply too weak.
Is there 5G in Kenya?
Yes, there is 5G in Kenya. Safaricom launched their 5G network in the cities of Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii and Kakamega and they expect to expand that to over 150 cities across Kenya in the next 12 months. Find here more info about the Safaricom 5G network service.
All other mobile internet providers in Kenya are trying to keep up with Safaricom, but you will see from the below comparison of the Kenya network coverage maps that Safaricom stands out when it comes to the best network coverage in Kenya.
Telkom 4G network coverage map
On the Telkom website they are talking about which towns are covered by a Telkom 4G network. All major towns are listed, but they only list 32 towns and cities. Any clue how big Kenya is? What does that mean if you go even a little off the beaten path? Therefore a Telkom prepaid sim card is not recommended for tourists.
Faiba 4G network coverage map
They claim to have the fastest mobile data internet, but ONLY in major cities in Kenya. It is therefore NOT recommend to buy a Faiba sim card if you are traveling to Kenya.
Airtel 4G network coverage map
Although Airtel is the second best when it comes to 4G network in Kenya, it does not even come close to the 4G network of Safaricom. They are investing heavily to update the Airtel 4G network, check the latest details in the link.
Safaricom 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Kenya in 2024.
There is no doubt that Safaricom has by far the best mobile network in Kenya in 2024. Period.
Based on the 4G/5G network in Kenya Traveltomtom recommends a Safaricom sim card for traveling to Kenya.
Prices Kenya prepaid sim cards
All info and prices are updated as of November 2024. Prices are in Kenyan Shilling: $1 USD = 130 KES and 100 KES = $0.77 USD.
Faiba
Let's start with the smallest operator. A Faiba sim card is free and can be registered in one of their shops and they actually have amazing data packages. Here are some of the Faiba prepaid data plans:
- 8 GB data for 1 week = 300 KES ($1.9 USD)
- 15 GB data for 1 week = 500 KES ($3.1 USD)
- 25 GB data for 1 month = 1,000 KES ($6.2 USD)
When it comes to the best data package deals in Kenya, Faiba is by far the best! Faiba already offers an eSIM for Kenya. For more info check the Faiba website.
Calling credit can be added separately, the rate is 2 KES/min.
Topping up a Faiba sim card can be done through their app, however you need to register an Mpesa account. Not preferably for tourists. Topping up with other providers can be done literally everywhere on the side of the road at one of the million kiosks.
This is another reason why I would not directly recommend a Faiba sim card for tourists.
Telkom
A Telkom sim card costs 50 KES, but comes with 50 KES credit, you will then need to buy a data package for internet. Here are some of their best data plans:
- 2.5 GB data for 1 week = 250 KES ($1.5 USD)
- 5 GB data for 1 month = 500 KES ($3.1 USD)
- 12 GB data for 1 month = 1,000 KES ($6.2 USD)
As you can see prices for data bundles in Kenya are cheap for Western tourists. For more info check the Telkom Kenya website.
Airtel Kenya
An Airtel sim card cost 100 KES and comes with 50 KES airtime. This airtime can be used as credit to put towards any data bundles. Here are some of their most common bundles:
- 3 GB data for 1 week = 250 KES ($1.5 USD)
- 6.5 GB data for 1 week = 500 KES ($3.1 USD)
- 5 GB data for 1 month = 500 KES ($3.1 USD)
- 12 GB data for 1 month = 1,000 KES ($6.2 USD)
- 20 GB data for 1 month = 1,500 KES ($9.3 USD)
Airtel is offering Free WhatsApp with its data bundles, but that is a joke. Because the 'free WhatsApp' is capped at 50 MB. That is sending 5 photos and a video! LOL
Airtel and Telkom prices are more or like the same. Check the Airtel website for more info.
Safaricom
A Safaricom prepaid sim card costs 50 KES, but also comes with 50 KES airtime to use for voice or data. They offer daily, weekly and monthly data bundles:
- 1 GB data for 1 week = 250 KES ($1.5 USD)
- 3 GB data for 1 week = 500 KES ($3.1 USD)
- 5 GB data for 1 month = 1,000 KES ($6.2 USD)
- 15 GB data for 1 month = 2,000 KES ($12.4 USD)
As you can see Safaricom is significantly more expensive compared to Telekom, Faiba and Airtel. However their 4G/5G network is also much better. For more info check the Safaricom website.
As of 2024 Safaricom offers eSIMs for tourists. When buying a Safaricom prepaid sim card in an official Safaricom store in you can opt for an eSIM for 250 KES extra. Great!
But not every Safaricom store in Kenya offers eSIMs. For example at Nairobi International Airport they had no eSIMs available on my last trip to Kenya in 2024. They said, they ran out. It is a bit a hit or miss.
To request you remaining balance with Safaricom you can dial: *144# and to activate voice and data bundles dial: *544#.
Best sim card for Kenya in 2024
Traveltomtom compared all the prepaid sim card plans in Kenya and came to the very easy conclusion that Safaricom is the best sim card for Kenya in 2024.
The price that is the most important thing when choosing the best prepaid sim card, the mobile data network coverage is much more important.
Therefore also when choosing an eSIM, make sure it operates on the Safaricom network. Traveltomtom recommends an eSIM for Kenya from Sim Local. Not only do they have the cheapest sim card deal, but they operate on the Safaricom network.
More expensive than local prepaid sim cards, but I happily pay a couple dollar extra to be online as soon as the plane lands.
Safaricom has much better 4G/5G network coverage around Kenya than Telekom, Faiba and Airtel. Especially if you are staying in some off the beaten path lodges in National Parks definitely get a Safaricom sim card.
Best eSIMs for Kenya
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Kenya in 2024 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.
You order an eSIM for Kenya on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Kenya eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Kenya it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Sim Local
Sim Local has some of the cheapest eSIM plans for Kenya:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $21.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Sim Local Kenya eSIM.
Big plus is that the Sim Local eSIMs for Kenya operate on the Safaricom network.
The 5 GB data plan is the best-buy eSIM for Kenya with a rate of $6.6 USD per Gigabyte.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue.
SimOptions has Africa eSIMs that are valid in Kenya and 16 other countries spread around the continent. The AIS eSIM2FLYGLOBAL is a world travel sim card valid in 141 countries.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $7.4 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $20.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $34.40 USD
- 6 GB data for 15 days = $39.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for Kenya via SimOptions.
SimOptions does not specify which network these sim cards operate on in Kenya.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reliable eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. Check out the Airalo eSIM plans for Kenya in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $9 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $16.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $23.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $36.5 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Kenya eSIM via Airalo.
The above data-only Kenya eSIMs from Nakuru Mobile are only valid in Kenya. Nakuru Mobile operates on the Airtel 4G/LTE network in Kenya. Airalo does not operate on the Safaricom network, the Airtel network is much more limited.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Kenya.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Kenya online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then have a look at the following.
Arrive prepared in Kenya with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Kenya, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Kenya:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for Kenya via SimOptions.
Also a last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can order a Kenya eSIM and arrange everything online within just a couple minutes. No more visiting a sim card shop, just a couple clicks and you are done.
My experiences buying a sim card in Kenya
The first time I visited Kenya was on my big overland trip in Africa and crossed the land border from Uganda. Right at the border there were no sim card shops and I could not find a place to buy a tourist sim card for Kenya. Just 1 minute down the road there were plenty of phone shops, but since I was traveling in a bus I couldn't get off. I had to wait until I got to Kisumu to buy my prepaid sim card for Kenya.
Once in Kisumu I went straight to an official Safaricom phone store and got myself a Kenya prepaid sim card for tourists. It was done in less than 5 minutes. All I needed to do is give my passport and look into the camera for a photo.
I got connected to Safaricom and wanted to buy the 500 KES data bundle with 3 GB for 1 week. But when I dialled *544# it straight away gave me a promotion offer: 250 KES for 5 GB for 1 week. Damn Safaricom you just made another prepaid costumer very happy.
During my trip to Kenya I used more than 20 GB data and every time I could use the 5 GB top up option for 250 KES. I couldn't be any happier with my choice for buying a Safaricom prepaid sim card in Kenya.
When I visited Kenya again at the end 2023 I found out that Safaricom offers eSIMs for tourists as well in their official phone store.
At Nairobi International Airport they told me they didn't have eSIMs. So the next day I went to a Safaricom phone store in central Nairobi and I bought an eSIM without any problems. As I stayed for more than 2 weeks I needed a couple top ups. I found amazing Safaricom prepaid data plans for 2,000 KES ($12.3 USD) that gave me 30 GB data.
Vlog about buying a prepaid sim card in Kenya
Interested to see what it is like buying a local prepaid sim card in Kenya then have a look at my vlog on my YouTube Channel.
I hope all the tips and tricks for buying a Kenya sim card were helpful. If you have any additional questions or info please leave me a comment below.
In case you are looking for some serious wanderlust then check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom with all my adventures trying to visit every country in the world. As of November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to Kenya!