Planning your trip to Marseille and wondering if you can buy a tourist sim card on arrival at the airport? Avoid high roaming charges and slow overseas data roaming plans.
This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card at Marseille Airport in 2025.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per January 2025, my recommendation, info about eSIMs for France and more.
Sim cards are a vital part of my travel planning. In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I pretty much always use eSIMs to stay connected.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for tourists in France and a comparison of the best eSIMs for France in 2025.
Table of Contents
- Why buying a sim card for France
- My recommendation
- Arrival at Marseille International Airport
- Where to buy a sim card at Marseille Airport
- Prices prepaid sim cards Marseille Airport
- Best sim card for tourists at Marseille Airport
- Best eSIMs for France
- Order a sim card for Marseille online
- My experiences buying a sim card at Marseille Airport
- Vlog about buying a tourist sim card in France
Some links in this guide about the buying a sim card in Marseille are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
Why buying a sim card for France
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 Marseille 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 stay connected when traveling to Marseille with either an eSIM if your phone is compatible or a local prepaid sim card.
Also be aware that public WiFi connections are UNSECURED networks. The use of a VPN to protect your data is recommended.
Traveltomtom is on a journey to travel to every country in the world and everywhere I go I write sim card guides for other travelers to find the best way to stay connected. That is why on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: United Kingdom, London, Ireland, Dublin, Belgium, Brussels, Europe, Algeria, Marrakech, Egypt, Cairo, Miami, New York, Newark, USA, Canada, Istanbul, Dubai, Asia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and many more.
There is also a complete guide for buying a sim card at Paris Airport Charles de Gaulle at Traveltomtom. Forward it to your friends traveling to Paris.
So 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!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying an SFR prepaid sim card for tourists at Marseille Airport. An SFR prepaid sim card gives you the best value for money and for around $18 USD you get 15 GB data.
Is SFR also the best sim card for France? Not really! Check out my guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in France.
But what if I tell you that eSIMs for France already start from just $1 USD? A Jetpac data-only eSIM for France with 15 GB data is only $15 USD.
Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide for using eSIMs with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for France in 2025.
If you are traveling to multiple countries in one trip then check out my comparison of the the best international prepaid sim cads. These sim cards are valid in multiple countries and regions around the world.
Especially if you are traveling to several countries in Europe I am sure you interested to see my list of the best sim cards for traveling to Europe in 2025. Because for example the recommended SFR sim card above is only valid in France, not in the rest of Europe.
Arrival at Marseille International Airport
Although Marseille is one of the best places to visit in France and a popular tourist destination the Marseille Airport is very easy going and pretty well organized. There are two terminals, Terminal 1 and 2. Terminal 2 is for flights from within the EU, Terminal 1 Is for international flights from outside of Europe.
There is free WiFi at Marseille Airport and it works pretty good. So even If you don't buy a sim card at Marseille Airport you can get connected on arrival.
After you get off the plane you will be guided to passport control and after you get stamped into France you end up in the baggage claim hall. There are no facilities apart from toilets in the baggage claim hall. The tourist information, car rentals, ATM's, money exchange, convenient stores and bars and restaurants at Marseille Airport are all located in the Arrival Hall.
Where to buy a sim card at Marseille Airport
It is very easy to find the place where to buy a sim card for tourists at Marseille Airport as there is only one.
When you walk out of the Baggage Claim hall into the Arrival Hall then on your left hand side there is a Relay book store / convenience store. This is the only store that sells sim cards for tourists.
On your right hand side there is actually a tourist information desk where they have signs about sim cards, they however don't sell them anymore and will point to the Relay store.
There is no store of any of the France mobile internet operators at Marseille Airport. When doing my research for buying a sim card at Paris Airport I came to the same conclusion.
The Relay convenience store is open from 07.00 am till 8.00 pm. May you arrive at Marseille Airport outside these hours you will have to either buy a sim card for France on the internet or go to a sim card store in Marseille city center the next day.
At the Relay bookstore they accept all major credit cards as well as Euros. USD or other foreign currencies are not accepted.
Prices prepaid sim cards Marseille Airport
All info and prices are update in January 2025 and prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.97 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.03 USD.
You can only buy a tourist sim card at the Relay store at Marseille Airport and they only sell prepaid sim cards from Orange, Bouygues Telecom, SFR and Lebara.
For buying a sim card at the Relay store at Marseille Airport you don't need any form of identification. A passport is not needed and there is no need to register the sim card on your name.
The Relay store only sells physical prepaid sim cards for tourists. You can not buy an eSIM for France at Marseille Airport, nor in Marseille city center as you might have seen in my vlog above. You can only order an eSIM for France on the internet.
Lebara
Lebara is an MVNO, a mobile virtual network operator in France and operates on the network of Orange.
- 10 GB data (3 GB EU data roaming included) + unlimited calls/sms = €20 EUR ($20 USD)
SFR
- 15 GB data in France only + €5 EUR calling credit = €17.99 EUR ($18 USD)
No EU data roaming included.
Bouygues Telecom
In my article about the best sim cards for traveling to Europe in 2025 a Bouygues Telecom eSIM comes out as the best buy. However, in stores the Relay store in Marseille Airport the sim cards are more expensive than on the internet.
At Marseille Airport at the Relay store they sell the following Bouygues Telecom prepaid sim card for France:
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = €39.90 EUR ($41 USD)
This Bouygues Telecom sim card is valid in all of Europe, which means free EU data roaming is included.
Orange
The Orange Holiday Europe sim card is a classic one, sold in many countries around Europe as well as on the internet and used to be Traveltomtom's top recommended sim card for Europe.
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + 120 international minutes + 1,000 international sms = €39.99 EUR ($41 USD)
The Orange sim card is valid in all of Europe. You can buy this Orange Holiday Europe sim card also directly on the internet as an eSIM as well as a physical prepaid sim card.
Best sim card for tourists at Marseille Airport
It kind of depends what you want but it is clear that when it comes to data an SFR sim card gives you the best value for money and is therefore the best buy sim card at Marseille Airport. You pay €18 EUR ($18 USD) and you get 15 GB data.
If you buy a prepaid sim card in a phone store in France you pay a similar price. For more check out my guide about the best tourist sim card in France in 2025.
The SFR sim card is also the cheapest sim card at Marseille Airport, but if you want to make it easier and cheaper for yourself then just order an eSIM for France.
eSIMs for France already start from just $1 USD and a Jetpac data-only eSIM for France with 15 GB data is only $15 USD. Cheaper than the sim cards at Marseille Airport.
Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide for using eSIMs with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for France in 2025.
If France is one of the many stops on a trip to Europe then make sure your sim card includes free EU data roaming. Check out Traveltomtom's list of the best prepaid and eSIMs for Europe.
Best eSIMs for France
The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Paris in 2025 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.
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 2025.
SimOptions
The most recommended eSIMs for France in 2025 are from Orange and Bouygues Telecom and you can order them via SimOptions. The Traveltomtom Team wrote an Honest Review About SimOptions eSIMs if you would like more info.
These eSIMs are valid in all of Europe and come with unlimited calling in all of Europe.
Bouygues Telecom
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $32.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $39.90 USD
Orange Holiday Europe
- 12 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 30 minutes international for 14 days = $28.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 70 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 28 days = $55.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for France via SimOptions.
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 Elan are data-only and only valid in France. They operate on the 4G/LTE network of Orange. 5G is not supported.
Before ordering an eSIM for France make sure your phone is eSIM compatible.
Find more info about buying an eSIM for traveling in France in 2025 in my complete guide including a comparison from many more eSIM providers.
Order a sim card for Marseille 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 France on the internet then you have to look into ordering an international prepaid sim card for France.
These pre-activated physical sim cards will be delivered to your home address. You put them in your phone during your flight and you are online as soon as the plane touches the ground in Marseille.
Arrive prepared in Marseille with one of the following international prepaid sim cards for France that you can order via SimOptions:
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $24.90 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
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. On top of that there is also Nomad, they also sell eSIMs for traveling in France.
Check out my guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for traveling in France in 2023 for more info.
My experiences buying a sim card at Marseille Airport
On arrival in Marseille I was instantly online because I actually already got myself an eSIM for traveling in Europe on the internet. I came from Switzerland so I was already connected.
However, for you I went to check out what it is like buying a sim card at Marseille Airport in Terminal 1 where all the non-European flights arrive.
The sim cards are stocked behind the cashier at the Relay shop so you will have to queue up between the people quickly buying a magazine or a snack or a water. When it is your turn and you start asking questions, the staff gets a bit impatient.
When you ask difficult questions, like how many Gigabytes are included in free EU data roaming the smile from the staff's face disappears and the moaning of the people behind you get stronger. Everyone is in a hurry in a convenience store, so buying a sim card at a Relay store is not my personal favorite.
Good thing is that you don't need a passport for buying a sim card at Marseille Airport. You simply open the package, put the sim card in your phone and it works. Plug and play, no registration needed.
Some of the sim cards they sell at Marseille Airport can actually be ordered cheaper on the internet, so another reason why Traveltomtom recommends you to buy a sim card for traveling to Marseille online. But it is up to you.
Vlog about buying a tourist sim card in France
See my Youtube video above about buying a sim card in France, which I recorded in Marseille and it has some remarkable conclusions.
I am sure some of the above tips on how to stay connected when traveling to Marseille where helpful. If you have any additional questions then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media.
Curious what the road to 197 / visiting every country in the world looks like then head to my Instagram @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still more than 40 to go.
Enjoy your trip to Marseille!