Are you planning a trip to Prague and wondering if you can buy a sim card for traveling in Czech Republic on arrival at Prague International Airport? The short answer is yes. Don't waste money on high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans!
This is a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card at Prague Airport. Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card, up to date prices as per August 2024, my recommendation, info about EU data roaming, the best eSIMs for Czech Republic and everything else you need to know before buying a sim card at Prague Airport.
Traveling with a working data connection on your phone is so much more convenient and it makes your trip to Prague much more fun.
One of the first things I do when planning my next trip abroad is finding out what is the best way to stay connected. It is a vital part of my travel planning. To save money on high roaming costs you can buy a prepaid sim card at Prague Airport on arrival, but you can also order a sim card for Czech Republic on the internet and arrive prepared.
Especially eSIMs are recommend and super convenient. In fact e-sims are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Prague and price-wise it is more or less the same than buying a sim card at Prague Airport on arrival.
Traveltomtom also wrote a guide for finding the best eSIM for your trip to Czech Republic in 2024.
Traveltomtom is on a journey to travel to every country in the world and everywhere I go I write sim card guides. That is why on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Romania, Bucharest, Hungary, Budapest, Albania, Tirana, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Singapore, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Canada, USA and many more.
Traveltomtom also wrote an extensive guide for the best prepaid sim card for tourists in Czech Republic, including 4G/5G coverage maps.
Is Prague one of your stops in Europe and are you visiting multiple countries then you probably want to check out Traveltomtom's guide for the best sim cards for visiting Europe in 2024.
Traveltomtom is the most complete sim card blog on the internet. Next time you are planning your trip abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and leet me help you save money!
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Prague Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Vodafone sim card at Prague Airport. You can get a Vodafone prepaid sim card with 15 GB data for $21 USD.
Want to be online as soon as the plane lands? Then look into ordering an eSIM for Czech Republic on the internet. Czech Republic eSIMs already start from just $4.5 USD and for $23.90 USD you also get 15 GB data.
For more info check out Traveltomtom's Czech Republic eSIM guide for 2024.
If you are traveling onwards to other continents on this trip, for example to Turkey then there are also international prepaid sim cards in the form of physical sim cards as well as eSIMs which are valid in up to 141 countries around the world.
Be aware that the local prepaid sim cards you buy in Prague, as well as eSIMs and international sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If your phone is locked make sure to unlock your phone before your trip to Prague. Contact your mobile internet provider in your home country if you are not sure about this.
Best eSIMs for Czech Republic
Local prepaid sim cards are not the only way to stay connected when traveling to the Prague. The easiest way to get data on your phone when visiting Prague is by ordering an eSIM for Czech Republic on the internet.
No need to visit a sim card store anymore on arrival at Prague Airport. With an e-sim you are online as soon as the plane lands.
You instal an e-sim on your phone in a couple simple steps. Then once installed the e-sim instantly connects to an available network as soon as the plane touches the ground.
You can order an eSIM for Prague directly on the internet, you process the payment, receive a QR code, scan it, follow the instructions and instal the eSIM in a couple simple steps. You are all set in less than 2 minutes.
For more detailed info and an answer to all FAQ about using e-sims check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Czech Republic in 2024.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used them in more than 50 countries around the world. Airalo has only one Czech Republic eSIM plan for 2024:
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Czech Republic eSIM via Airalo.
It says on the package in big letters: valid in all European countries, so free EU data roaming is included.
These data-only eSIMs are from O2, one of the mobile internet providers in Czech Republic. Data-only means that incoming or outgoing calls/sms are not supported and this O2 eSIM is not 5G ready, but only 4G/LTE network is supported.
Funny fact is that this exact same sim card is also sold at Prague Airport.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another trusted eSIM provider which is specialized in international eSIMs valid in multiple countries including calling and texting. They have a wide array of international eSIMs for Czech Republic available, but also a couple data-only eSIMs for Czech Republic from their own brand.
- 1 GB data-only in Czech Republic for 7 days = $4.9 USD
- 3 GB data-only in Czech Republic for 15 days = $8.90 USD
- 5 GB data-only valid in 32 countries for 15 days = $14.90 USD
These SimOptions eSIMs are data-only. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are not supported and these eSIMs do not come with a phone number.
These are ok eSIMs for a short trip to Czech Republic.
Click here to order these SimOptions data-only eSIMs for traveling in Czech Republic.
But SimOptions has better eSIMs and these international eSIMs are valid in all of Europe.
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) in Europe for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 15 GB data in Europe + unlimited calls for 15 days = $23.90 USD
- 12 GB data in Europe + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data in Europe + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data in Europe + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 50 GB data in Europe (5G ready) + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for Czech Republic via SimOptions.
There are many more eSIMs available for Czech Republic from for example: Holafly, Nomad, etc. Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Czech Republic in 2024.
Before ordering an eSIM for Czech Republic make sure your phone is first of all unlocked. eSIMs only work in unlocked phones. Second, make sure your phone is e-sim compatible. Pretty much all newer smartphones are eSIM compatible.
Arrival at Prague International Airport
Prague International Airport is a very nice and easy going airport, modern facilities and looks pretty new.
On arrival when walking out of the plane you will be redirected through the duty free area and will pass by shops until you arrive at passport control. After passport control there are is immediately the luggage claim area where you can find a couple ATM's and vending machines, airline offices, etc.
Opposite luggage belt 12 there is the last customs bag check and when you walk through you will get to a sliding door that brings you into the spacious arrival hall of Prague International Airport Vaclav Havel.
On your right hand side there is a tourist information desk with super friendly ladies willing to help you in perfect English. There are machines to order an Uber, there is a public transport ticketing and car rental companies.
On your left hand side there is a cafeteria and some convenience stores.
There is free WiFi at Prague Airport and it works pretty good. I tried to do a speed test, but it wouldn't let me connect to the speed test. Though data heavy apps like Instagram, Tiktok, etc. were loading without a problem.
Arriving at Prague Airport is very smooth and easy-going. I like Prague Airport a lot.
Where to buy a sim card at Prague Airport
There are a couple opportunities to buy a prepaid sim card for Czech Republic when arriving at Prague Airport.
Before you pass through passport control, in the Duty Free area there are already two stores that sell prepaid sim cards for tourists: there is 'Phone & Travel' and a Relay convenience store.
The Phone & Travel store in the duty free area sells physical as well as eSIMs for tourists.
In the baggage claim hall there are no shops or whatsoever, but there is another Relay convenience store in the arrival hall. After you pass through the sliding doors and step into the arrival hall the Relay convenience store is on your left hand side just around the corner.
Shops are open 24 hours and you can pay by credit card or with cash.
Buying a sim card in a convenience store is not Traveltomtom's favorite as there is no service whatsoever. The staff at these convenience stores is not knowledgable enough about the tourist sim cards they are selling.
Here is my YouTube video about my arrival at Prague Airport and showing you exactly where you can buy a prepaid sim card for your trip to Czech Republic.
Heads up the prices for prepaid sim cards at Prague Airport are pretty much the same compared to buying a prepaid sim card in a phone store in the city center of Prague. For more info check out Traveltomtom's guide about the best prepaid sim cards for Czech Republic.
Prices prepaid sim cards Prague Airport
All the information below is up to date as of August 2024 and prices are in Czech Koruna: $1 USD = 23.1 CZK and 100 CZK = $4.3 USD.
Keep in mind that at the Relay convenience stores you can only buy a physical prepaid sim card, there are no e-sims for tourists available. However, at the Phone & Travel store in the duty free area you can get an e-sim as well.
When buying a prepaid sim card at Prague Airport you don't need your passport. Prepaid sim cards are not registered on your name and you can buy as many as you want.
Relay Convenience Store
There are 3 mobile internet operators in Czech Republic: O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone. The Relay convenience store sells all of them.
Vodafone
- 15 GB data in Czech Republic only + 50 CZK calling credit (16 minutes) for 30 days = 249 CZK - $10.5 USD
- 15 GB data in all of Europe + 100 CZK calling credit (33 minutes) for 30 days = 499 CZK - $21 USD
O2
- 3 GB data in Czech Republic only + 100 minutes + 50 CZK credit = 299 CZK - $13 USD
- 10 GB data in all of Europe + 10 minutes for 30 days = 499 CZK - $21 USD
T-Mobile
- 10 GB data in all of Europe + 100 CZK credit for 30 days = 499 CZK - $21 USD
Phone & Travel
This phone and accessories store located in the duty free area sells physical prepaid sim cards for tourists as well as e-sims.
They only have O2 sim cards. The following sim card is available as e-sim as well:
- 10 GB data in all of Europe + 10 minutes for 30 days = 499 CZK - $21 USD
These sim cards are displayed and the very friendly staff explained everything to me in detail.
Then they also showed me 2 sim cards that are not displayed. These are Ukrainian based physical prepaid sim cards but they work in all of Europe. Figuring out information was also a little complicated for the staff as they also don't speak Ukrainian.
However, we came to the following conclusion:
- 7 GB data for 30 days = 330 CZK - $14 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = 350 CZK - $15 USD
As you can understand it is a bit a leap of faith buying this Ukrainian based sim card at Prague Airport.
Best sim card for tourists at Prague Airport
So what is the best sim card deal at Prague Airport?
After comparing all the prepaid sim cards available at the sim card stores Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that a Vodafone sim card is the best prepaid sim card at Prague Airport.
The Vodafone sim card with data valid in Czech Republic only is the cheapest sim card with 15 GB data for just $10.5 USD and the Vodafone sim card with 15 GB data for all of Europe is the best-buy for $21 USD. Similar sim cards from O2 and T-Mobile only give you 10 GB data for all of Europe for $21 USD.
If you really would like to buy an eSIM at Prague Airport then you have to go to the Phone & Travel accessories shop as they are the only sim card shop at Prague Airport that offer e-sims. The Relay convenience stores only have physical prepaid sim cards.
When we look at these Vodafone, O2 and T-Mobile sim cards and we compare them with eSIMs for Czech Republic we see that the price are the same.
Therefore Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIMs for traveling to Czech Republic via either Airalo or SimOptions.
For more detailed info check out Traveltomtom's list of the best eSIMs for Czech Republic in 2024.
Prices for prepaid sim cards at Prague Airport are more or less the same as in the city center in a Vodafone, T-Mobile or O2 phone store. There is no price difference.
For my research for finding the best prepaid sim card in Czech Republic I also compared the 4G/5G network coverage maps and found out that all mobile internet providers have an excellent 4G/LTE network coverage around the country.
Order a prepaid sim card for Czech Republic online
Remember that eSIMs can only be used in e-sim compatible phones. If your phone is not e-sim compatible and you want to order a sim card for Czech Republic on the internet then you have to look into buying a physical international prepaid sim card.
These pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put them in your phone during your flight and you are online as soon as the plane touches the ground in Prague. An international sim card connects automatically to an available network.
Arrive prepared in Prague with an international prepaid sim card for Czech Republic from SimOptions:
1. O2 Go Card - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- €2 EUR calling credit
- Valid 30 days
2. Three Data Pack - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- Valid 30 days
3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90 USD
- 12 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
4. Bouygues Telecom - $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls in Europe
- Valid 30 days
5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Click here for more info or to order an international physical prepaid sim card for Czech Republic via SimOptions.
Traveltomtom has used the Bouygues Telecom, Three as well as the Orange physical prepaid sim cards in the past and I was always satisfied. However, it is no secret that nowadays I rather use eSIM for traveling to Europe instead of physical prepaid sim cards.
If your phone is e-sim compatible then here is a last reminder that you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Czech Republic via either SimOptions or Airalo.
Order a data-only eSIM for Czech Republic via Airalo or an international eSIM for Czech Republic including calls/sms and EU data roaming via SimOptions.
For more detailed info and an answer to all FAQ about using e-sims when traveling abroad check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Czech Republic.
How much data do you need?
I consider myself a very heavy data user, but even on a crazy day I won’t use more than 5 GB per day. On average I use about 2-3 GB per day, mostly on social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.
But if you only use data to stay in touch through WhatsApp and get directions from Google Maps you likely only use 2 GB data in 1 week.
Always make sure you don’t have Google Drive or iCloud enabled on data, but only on WiFi. As well as automatic updates. Turn it off on data, so you are not uploading all your Czech Republic holiday photos and videos directly to the cloud and using all your data.
I am sure some of the above tips on how to stay connected when traveling to Prague were helpful. If you have any questions then please leave me a comment below and I will try to help you out.
Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my 610K Instagram account or 1.2 Million TikTok account both called @traveltomtom. Follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.
Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of August 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Prague!