Traveling to Paris soon and looking for the best way to get connected in France? Traveltomtom recommends you to either get a local prepaid sim card for France or an e-sim card for France to avoid high roaming charges. Don't get fooled by slow overseas data plans. Buying a sim card for France at Paris Airport is easy, fast and cheaper than you might think.
This is a complete guide to find you the best sim card for Paris, where to buy a sim card in Paris and at Charles de Gaulle Airport, up to date prices as per August 2023, the best e-sim cards for France, info about international sim cards and more.
After many years of traveling the world as a nomadic travel blogger I have always been looking for the best and cheapest ways to get connected when arriving in a new country. Buying a prepaid sim card or getting an e-sim card is the first thing I do when I land in a new country. On my way to visit every country in the world I have already written more than 200 sim card guides from Vietnam to South Africa, from Kenya to Brazil and from USA to Israel. But also countries like Colombia, El Salvador, Egypt, Turkey, Bali, Bangkok, Marrakech, Sydney, etc.
So whenever you are planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and e-sim card advice for your destination. Bookmark me!
Why buying a sim card for visiting Paris
It is very simple, if you want to order an Uber to get to the city center you will need a working internet connection on your phone. Roaming around Paris without data on your phone can be challenging. Overcoming language barriers, getting directions from Google Maps, finding nearby rooftop bars, nice restaurants, etc.
Traveling is simply much easier when your phone is connected to the internet and therefore more fun. Traveltomtom recommends to always stay connected when traveling abroad with either an e-sim card if your phone is compatible or a local prepaid sim card.
The cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Paris? Buying an e-sim card for Paris already starts from $4.5 USD.
For more about e-sim cards for traveling in France click on the link and read my guide with everything you need to know before ordering an e-sim card for France in 2023.
Also be aware that public WiFi connections are UNSECURED networks. There is also no guarantee! The signal in your hotel room can be weak or the wifi in the restaurant too slow to even upload a photo. With a prepaid travel sim card you don't rely on others.
Buying a sim card at Paris Airport is the easiest and fastest way to get online. However, prices at Charles de Gaulle Airport for France sim cards are a little more expensive than in the city center, where you can find cheaper sim card plans for tourists.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Bouygues Telecom sim card at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. A tourist sim card for France with 30 GB costs €39.90 EUR. However, the exact same sim card you can also order online for $39.90 USD and get it either delivered to your home address or get it as an e-sim card.
It is no secret that buying a sim card at Paris Airport is more expensive than in Paris city center. Check out my article about the best sim cards for France in 2023 to find the cheapest prepaid sim card deals for France, including e-sim cards.
Another great option is ordering an international sim card for traveling in France. Traveltomtom compared and reviewed all international sim cards for traveling in 2023 and found some good prepaid and e-sim card plans for Europe.
The Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card for France with 30 GB data in France and Europe for $39.90 USD is the best buy sim card for traveling to France. Check out my comparison of the best France e-sim cards in 2023.
Click on the link above to order it directly and get it send to your home address or click here to buy this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card deal as an e-sim card.
Best e-sim cards for France
The latest, newest and easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Paris in 2023 is an e-sim card. Ever hear of an e-sim card? No more visiting a phone store. You do everything online! Order a an e-sim card for France, receive a QR code, follow the instructions, change some settings and voila!
Check out the following France e-sim card deals:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 14 days = $7.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD
Click here to order a France e-sim card directly online.
The above e-sim cards from Bonbon Mobile are data-only and only valid in France. They operate on the 4G/LTE networks of Bouygues, SFR and Orange.
Especially if you are looking for an e-sim card for France that also can make phone calls then look no further. Check out the following amazing international e-sim cards for France that also allowing calling and texting. They are valid in all of the European Union and beyond.
- 15 GB data for 15 days = $16.90 USD
- 15 GB data + unlimited calling/texting for 15 days = $19.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calling/texting for 30 days = $39.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for France directly online.
With an e-sim card you keep your own phone number but make sure your mobile phone is e-sim card compatible before ordering an e-sim card for your trip to Paris. Find all my tips and tricks for buying an e-sim card for traveling in France in my complete guide including everything you need to know about using e-sim cards.
Some phones are not compatible with e-sim cards and in that case you need a normal physical sim card and Traveltomtom recommends buying a sim card for France online. For $49.90 USD you get 20 GB data including unlimited texting and calling all over Europe. Click here to order this France sim card directly online or find more info in the link.
France sim cards and free EU roaming
Is a France sim card good for traveling in Europe? Yes! France has some amazing prepaid sim card deals... however always check with your provider if free EU data roaming in included when buying a sim card. Most prepaid sim cards in France allow free EU data roaming which means that with the prepaid sim card you buy in Paris you can use the internet in every other country in Europe at no extra costs. There is always a data cap for using your France sim card outside of France.
So continuing your trip after to Paris to Rome or Athens then there is no need to buy another local sim card again. Traveltomtom also wrote a guide for the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Europe in 2023.
Arriving at Paris Airport - Charles de Gaulle CDG
Charles de Gaulle has 3 terminals that are connected by a free train service. Traveling from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 can take up to 10 minuted by train. Terminal 3 is the smallest terminal and pretty much only used for European flights and some flights from Turkey and Northern Africa.
Terminal 1 is pretty much only used by Air France. Terminal 2 is the biggest and the most modern terminal. In Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 there are several Tourist Information desks which are open from 7.15 am till 8.45 pm.
In all Terminals you will find ATM's, money exchange, convenience stores and other tourist facilities, but pretty much all shops, cafes, info desks, etc are only open until 09.00 pm.
Check out my vlog below with my experiences arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport and buying a sim card for France.
Where to buy a sim card at Paris airport
Charles de Gaulle has three different terminals and it almost feels like 3 different airports. But the good thing is that all over Charles de Gaulle Airport they only sell prepaid sim cards for tourists at two places: Tourist Information and at the Relay convenience stores.
Luckily in every terminal there is a Relay as well as a Tourisme Information.
Relay convenience store
The book stores/convenience stores at Paris Airport are called Relay and they have big red signs with white letters. There are many all around Paris Airport. Terminal 1 and 3 have both one Relay shop, Terminal 2 has multiple ones and there is another Relay shop at the train station.
Buying a prepaid sim card for France from Relay is easy but not the most convenient. It is a convenience store and pretty much always busy. The employees are already too busy selling water, sandwiches, magazines, etc. The staff is mostly not so happy when you ask too many questions.
But therefore I will explain you everything about the available sim card plans at Paris Airport.
For some reason the Relay bookstores are never located in the arrival halls, but in the departure halls or in and between.
The prepaid sim cards are stored behind the cashier so when you get in line already make sure which prepaid sim card you are going to buy when it is your turn. At the Relay convenience stores they only sell physical prepaid sim cards, e-sim cards are NOT available as of August 2023.
Tourisme Information
The Tourist Information desks at Paris Airport also sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. To make it easy: there are only 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists available at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The tourist information only sells one prepaid sim card plan.
Great news is that you can buy a tourist sim card for traveling in France as an e-sim card. So yes, e-sim cards are available at Paris Airport but only at the Tourist Information desks.
Prices tourist sim cards at Paris Airport in 2023
Prices and info below are updated in August 2023. Prices are in Euro and as per August 2023: €1 EUR = $1.10 USD and $1 USD = €0.91 EUR.
As said before there are only 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists sold at Paris Airport.
Orange
You can buy an Orange sim card for traveling in France only at the Relay stores.
- 20 GB data in all of Europe + unlimited calls in Europe + 120 international minutes and 1,000 sms for 14 days = €39.99 EUR
This prepaid sim card is only available as a physical sim card not as an e-sim card.
However, you can order the exact same tourist sim card on the internet as a physical sim card as well as an e-sim card for $49.90 USD. See below for more info about ordering a sim card for France online.
Bouygues Telecom
You can buy Bouygues Telecom tourist sim cards at both Relay and at the Tourist Information center. However, only at the tourist information center they are able to provide e-sim cards, not at the Relay store.
- 30 GB data in all of Europe + unlimited calls in Europe + €25 credit for international calls valid for 30 days = €39.90 EUR
At the Relay stores they sell the exact same sim card and you can also order this tourist sim card online as a physical sim card as well as an e-sim card. Below more info.
Best sim card at Paris Airport in 2023
It is a pretty easy conclusion that when we compare the only two tourist sim cards at Paris Airport: Orange and Bouygues Telecom, that Bouygues Telecom is the best sim card at Paris Airport in 2023.
The both costs €39.90 EUR, but a Bouygues Telecom sim card gives you 30 GB data and is valid for 30 days and an Orange sim card is only valid for 14 days and only gives you 20 GB data.
However, this also means that the cheapest sim card at Paris Airport costs €39.90 EUR and there are already e-sim cards for France starting from $4.5 USD. Therefore especially when you just need a little bit of data to stay connected then it is recommended to order an e-sim card for France.
In my article about buying a sim card for France in 2023 I also rated this sim card as the best sim card for tourists for France. But you can also order the above Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card directly online and get it delivered to your home address before your trip or get this Bouygues Telecom as an e-sim card.
Order a sim card for Paris online
If you don't want to waste your precious holiday time waiting in line for a sim card in Paris then buy one online! Get an international prepaid sim card shipped to your home address before your trip and get online instantly when the plane lands. Much easier right? This travel sim card will automatically be activated from its first use.
Check the following sim card deals for France:
1. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 8 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
2. O2 Go Card - $24.90
- 10 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- $2 calling credit in Europe and UK
- Valid for 30 days
3. Three Data Pack 12 GB - $29.90
- 12 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms within Europe and UK
- Valid 30 days
4. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 20 GB data in Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
5. Bouygues Telecom My Europe Sim - $39.90
- 30 GB data in Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms within Europe
- Valid 30 days
Click here to directly order an international prepaid sim cards for France or find more info in the link.
Personally as you know by now the Bouygues Telecom tourist prepaid sim card is my personal favorite. However, this sim card can only be used if it is first activated in France. For people traveling to France of course no problem, because as soon as you land it will automatically activate.
As I travel often to Europe but not always arrive in Paris first, I also use the Orange Holiday Europe sim card a lot as it can be activated anywhere in Europe.
Also keep in mind that you can order an e-sim card for traveling in France and arrange everything within just a couple minutes. Click here for data-only e-sim cards in France or if you also want to make phone calls with your e-sim card then order your e-sim card for France here. On top of that there is also Nomad, they also sell e-sim cards for traveling in France.
Check out my guide with everything you need to know when buying an e-sim card for traveling in France in 2023 for more info.
How to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city center
There is a direct train from Paris Airport to the city called RER B and cost €10.30 EUR, this is the easiest and fastest way to get to the center. The train station is within the airport, just follow the signs. An Uber will costs you approximately $35 USD.
In the city center you will find numerous mobile phone stores that sell you prepaid sim cards for €20 with 150 GB data package for example. Want to know more? Read my best sim card in France in 2023 article and I tell you exactly where to buy the best sim card in Paris.
I hope this article about buying a sim card at Paris Airport was helpful for you! Leave me a comment if you have any specific questions, also about traveling to Paris. I am happy to help.
If you are interested what it looks like traveling to every country in the world then check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom for some serious wanderlust. As of August 2023 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to Paris!
Some links in this article about the best ways to stay connected when traveling to Paris 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 no extra cost to you!