Planning your trip to Paris and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card on arrival at Paris Airport to stay connected? Don't get fooled by slow overseas data plans or let high data roaming charges ruin your trip to Paris. This is a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card at Paris Airport in 2024.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card, a Paris Airport sim card comparison, up to date prices as per November 2024, info about eSIMs, opening times, info about international sim cards everything else you need to know before buying a sim card at Paris Airport Charles de Gaulle.
Sim cards are a vital part of my travel planning. In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card in every country on arrival, nowadays I pretty much always use eSIMs to stay connected.
Of course Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for tourists traveling to France in 2024 and a guide only focussed on e-sims with a comparison of the best eSIMs for France in 2024.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for visiting Paris
- France Prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
- Arriving at Paris Airport - Charles de Gaulle CDG
- Where to buy a sim card at Paris airport
- Prices tourist sim cards at Paris Airport in 2024
- Best sim card at Paris Airport in 2024
- Best eSIMs for France
- Order a prepaid sim card for Paris online
- How to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city center
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!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Bouygues Telecom sim card at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. This prepaid tourist sim card for France with 30 GB costs €39.90 EUR ($43 USD).
You can also order this sim card online and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
This Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card for France with 30 GB data in all of Europe is in fact the best buy sim card for traveling to France in 2024. You can also order this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card as an eSIM.
There are also eSIMs for France that start from just $1 USD. Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide with everything you need to know about ordering an eSIM for France in 2024.
Of course at Paris Airport they charge more for prepaid sim cards then if you would go to a phone store in Paris city center. Check out Traveltomtom's article about the best prepaid sim cards for France in 2024 to find the cheapest prepaid sim card deals for France.
Another great option is ordering an international sim card for traveling in France. These sim cards are valid in multiple countries. Traveltomtom compared and reviewed all international sim cards for traveling in 2024 and found some good prepaid and eSIM plans for Europe.
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 eSIM if your phone is compatible or a local prepaid sim card.
The cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Paris? Buying an eSIM for Paris already starts from $4.5 USD.
For more about eSIMs for traveling in France click on the link and read my guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for France in 2024.
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.
Being a full time nomadic travel blogger since 2012 I have been looking for the best ways to get connected for more than 12 years now.
Since I like to document all my travel tips and I am also trying to visit every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom. From Vietnam to South Africa, from Kenya to Brazil and from USA to Dubai.
But also countries and places like: Colombia, El Salvador, Egypt, Turkey, Bali, Bangkok, Marrakech, Sydney, Shanghai, China, New Zealand, Fiji, Brazil, Mexico, etc.
So whenever you are planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
France Prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
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 mostly a data cap for using the Gigabyte on your France prepaid sim card in another country in Europe.
Are prepaid sim cards you buy in France good for traveling in Europe? Yes! France has some amazing prepaid sim card deals that include free EU data roaming. However, always check with the provider when buying a sim card in Paris if free EU data roaming is included and what are the restrictions and limits. So that if you continue your trip to Paris to Rome or Athens then there is no need to buy another local sim card again.
You can also buy sim cards for traveling in Europe on the internet. Check out Traveltomtom's guide for the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Europe in 2024.
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 used by Air France and its codeshare partners. Terminal 2 is the biggest and the most modern terminal at Charles de Gaulle Airport. In Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 there are several Tourist Information desks which are open from around 07.00 am till 9.00 pm. Although I am sure during the Olympics in Paris there will be volunteers around all the time.
In all the terminals at Paris airport you will find ATM's, money exchange, convenience stores and other tourist facilities. However, pretty much all shops, cafes, info desks, etc. are only open until 09.00 pm. If you arrive after 09.00 pm you will find most of the airport deserted.
Check out the above YouTube video with my experiences arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport and trying to buy 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 about buying sim cards.
But therefore I will explain you everything about the available sim card plans at Paris Airport.
For some reason the Relay bookstores are not directly located in the arrival halls, but more 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 you know which prepaid sim card you are going to buy when it is your turn.
At the Relay convenience stores in Paris Airport they only sell physical prepaid sim cards, eSIMs are NOT available as of November 2024.
Tourisme Information
The Tourist Information desks at Paris Airport also sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. The tourist information only sells one prepaid sim card plan for tourists.
To make it easy, there are only 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists available at Charles de Gaulle Airport: Orange and Bouygues Telecom.
Great news is that as of 2024 you can buy an eSIM at the Tourisme Information. So yes, eSIMs are available at Paris Airport but only at the Tourist Information desks.
Prices tourist sim cards at Paris Airport in 2024
Prices and info below are updated in November 2024. Prices are in Euro and €1 EUR = $1.06 USD and $1 USD = €0.94 EUR.
There are only 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists available at Paris Airport.
Orange
At the Relay stores you can buy an Orange sim card for traveling in France:
- 20 GB data in all of Europe + unlimited calls in Europe + 120 international minutes and 1,000 sms for 14 days = €39.99 EUR ($43 USD)
This prepaid sim card is only available as a physical sim card not as an eSIM.
You can also order an Orange tourist sim card on the internet, available as a physical prepaid sim card as well as an eSIM. For $49.90 USD you get 30 GB data.
Click here to order an Orange eSIM for France directly online or click here to order a physical prepaid sim card from Orange and be online as soon as the plane lands.
Bouygues Telecom
The other sim card they sell at Paris Airport is a Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card.
You can buy a Bouygues Telecom sim card at both, the Relay stores as well as the Tourist Information Desks. However, only at the Tourist Information they provide eSIMs, there are no e-sims available at the Relay stores.
- 30 GB data in all of Europe + unlimited calls in Europe + €25 EUR credit for international calls valid for 30 days = €39.90 EUR ($43 USD)
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 eSIM. Below more info.
Click here to order this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card for France as a physical prepaid sim card or click here to buy this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card deal as an eSIM.
Best sim card at Paris Airport in 2024
The cheapest sim card at Paris Airport costs €39.90 EUR ($43 USD) but eSIMS for France already start from just $1 USD. Therefore it is recommended to check Traveltomtom's complete France eSIM guide with a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to France in 2024.
It is a pretty easy conclusion that when we compare the two tourist sim cards at Paris Airport: Orange and Bouygues Telecom, that Bouygues Telecom is the best sim card at Paris Airport in 2024.
Both of them costs €39.90 EUR ($43 USD), 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.
In my article about buying a tourist sim card in France in 2024 I also rated the Bouygues Telecom sim card as the best sim card for tourists.
You can also order this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card as a physical prepaid sim card on the internet and get it delivered to your home address before your trip to Paris or get this Bouygues Telecom as an eSIM.
Best eSIMs for France
The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Paris in 2024 is an eSIM. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. You arrange everything online in just a couple simple steps, but only if your phone is e-sim compatible.
You order an eSIM for Paris on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a France eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Paris it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an eSIM for France.
For more info about France e-sims and an answer to all your FAQ's check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for traveling in France in 2024.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world.
Check out the following France eSIM deals from Airalo:
- 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 an eSIM for France via Airalo.
The above eSIMs from Bonbon Mobile are data-only and only valid in France. They operate on the 4G/LTE/5G networks of Bouygues, SFR and Orange. Yes, the Airalo eSIMs from Bonbon Mobile are 5G ready.
SimOptions
Especially if you are looking for an eSIM for France that also can make phone calls then look no further. Check out the following amazing international eSIMs for France from SimOptions.
These international eSIMs that are valid all over Europe are also able to make and receive phone calls and sms.
The above shown e-sims is a small selection. See below listed all the international eSIMs for traveling to France from SimOptions:
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $23.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
- 100 GB data (5G ready) + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here to order an international eSIM for France directly via SimOptions.
Traveltomtom also wrote an Honest Review About SimOptions eSIMs if you would like more info.
Find more info about buying an eSIM for traveling in France in 2024 in my complete guide including a comparison of the best France e-sims and an answer to all FAQ's about eSIMs, including more e-sims from Holafly, Jetpac, Sim Local, eSIMple, Roamless, etc.
Order a prepaid sim card for Paris online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would still like to order a sim card for France on the internet then check out the following option.
Don't waste your precious holiday time in Paris waiting in line for a local sim card. Instead get your physical prepaid sim card online and get it delivered to your home address.
You are instantly online when the plane lands. Much easier right? This travel sim card will automatically be activated from its first use.
Check the following international prepaid sim card deals for France via SimOptions:
1. 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
2. Three Data Pack - $24.90
- 10 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms within Europe and UK
- Valid 30 days
3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 12 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
4. Bouygues Telecom My Europe Sim - $44.90
- 30 GB data in Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls in Europe and UK
- Valid 30 days
5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data in Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for France via SimOptions.
Also a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can order an eSIM for traveling in France on the internet and arrange everything within just a couple clicks.
Click here for Airalo data-only eSIMs for France or if you also want to make phone calls with your eSIM then order your eSIM for France via SimOptions.
Check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for traveling in France in 2024 for more info, including more e-sims for France from Jetpac, Nomad, Holalfy, Sim Local, etc.
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 €12.80 EUR ($14 USD), this is the easiest and fastest way to get to the center. The travel time by RER B train will take approximately 25 minutes.
The train station is within the airport, just follow the signs. An Uber will costs you approximately $45 USD and much more in peak times.
In the city center you will find numerous mobile phone stores that sell you prepaid sim cards. For around €20 EUR ($22 USD) you can get a sim card with 200 GB data.
Want to know more? Read my best prepaid sim card for tourists in France in 2024 article and I tell you exactly where to buy the best or cheapest sim card in Paris city center.
I hope this article about buying a sim card for your trip to Paris was helpful. 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 November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to Paris!