Flying to Moscow Airport Sheremetyevo soon and looking to buy a sim card? Avoid high roaming costs but be prepared for languages barriers. This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a tourist sim card at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.
Or make it easy for yourself and order an eSIM for Russia online.
In this guide you can read what it is like buying a sim card at Moscow Airport, where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, my recommendation info about eSIMs for Russia and more.
These days I mostly order an eSIM online because it is so convenient, but buying a local prepaid sim card is sometimes a better option.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Russia?
- Arriving at Moscow Airport SVO
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- Mobile internet operators in Russia
- Where to buy a sim card at Moscow Airport
Buying a prepaid sim card in Russia is actually really affordable! Who does not love cheap data?
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Moscow Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Megfon prepaid sim card at Moscow Airport. Megafon has a great prepaid sim cards for tourists with 30 GB data + free social media for around $5 USD.
Be prepared that pretty much no one speaks English at Moscow International Airport so buying a prepaid sim card can be a hassle.
Another reason why Traveltomtom definitely recommends eSIMs for traveling to Russia. As soon as the plane lands you are online. SimOptions and Jetpac are one of the few eSIM providers that sell eSIMs for Russia in 2024.
Need some travel inspiration for Russia? Check out my trip to Altai Mountains. Absolutely amazing!
Why buying a sim card for Russia?
First of all we want to avoid high roaming charges! Don't use data roaming on your phone, the charges are still outrageous in 2024.
Traveling is simply much easier when your phone is connected to the internet and therefore more fun.
It is very simple, in Russia very few people speak English so you will need a translation app to get around.
If you want to order a taxi from an app you also need a working internet connection on your phone. Roaming around Moscow without data on your phone can be challenging. Overcoming language barriers, getting directions from Google Maps, finding nearby rooftop bars, nice restaurants, etc.
Traveltomtom also recommends to always stay connected when traveling for your own safety. Think about what to do in an emergency... or simply have access to your banking apps, etc. wherever you go.
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 sim or an eSIM you don't rely on others.
I love to document all my travel tips for other travelers and since I am also aiming to travel to every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: Europe, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Nairobi, Johannesburg, London, Paris, New York, Toronto, Dominican Republic, Bogota, Panama City, Mexico City, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Turkey 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!
Arriving at Moscow Airport SVO
Sheremetyevo Airport SVO is really spread out with 6 different terminals. There are trains that connect the terminals so if you are in transit don't worry. The transportation system is pretty well organized, but traveling in and between the terminals takes time.
Most travelers from Europe and Asia will arrive at Terminal B, D or F.
You may think at an international airport with this status there would be a ton of people speaking English, but forget about it. Welcome to Russia!
The ladies at the information desk spoke good English and were very helpful.
Sheremetyevo Airport has very easy access to good and free WiFi but as soon as you leave the airport you would wish you had a prepaid sim card for Russia with data.
Mobile internet operators in Russia
The main mobile internet operators in Russia are: Tele2, Beeline, MegaFon, MTS and Yota. Apart from Yota and MTS you can buy a Russia sim card from any of the operators at Moscow Airport.
Yota is a fairly small operator with a weak 4G network in Russia and is not recommended for tourists. But especially for an MTS prepaid sim card it is a pity they don't sell them at Moscow Airport. MTS has the strongest 4G network in Russia and is the only provider that offers 5G in Russia.
Where to buy a sim card at Moscow Airport
Prices and info below are updated in November 2024. Prices are in Russian Ruble: $1 USD = 100 RUB and 100 RUB = $1 USD.
Terminal B
If you are arriving at Terminal B at SVO airport then the only available prepaid sim card for Russia is Beeline. It is impossible to miss the Beeline shop as it is straight in front of you when you walk out of arrivals.
Prices prepaid sim card Beeline
The picture is hard to read when you don't speak Russian. Neither do I so I had the guy selling the Beeline sim Russia sim card explain me in his best English what everything means.
- 15 GB data + 500 minutes + 300 sms for 30 days = 600 Rubles - $6 USD
- 22 GB data + 1200 minutes + 300 sms for 30 days = 900 Rubles - $9 USD
I told you prepaid sim cards in Russia are really cheap!
Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal D
At Moscow SVO Airport Terminal D there are two options for you. In the arrivals hall on level 1 there is TELE2 and at the departures hall level 3 you can buy a Megafon sim card.
Prices Megafon prepaid sim card
There are two Megafon sim cards for tourists available:
- 20 GB + 750 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month = 750 Rubles - $7.5 USD
- 30 GB + 1,500 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month = 1,000 Rubles - $10 USD
Both packages are really great value for money!
TELE2 prepaid sim card
Depending on which exit you take from the luggage belts you will either walk up to the TELE2 shop or it is on your left in the arrivals hall. At the small shop two young employees were very helpful.
TELE2 Russia offers the following prepaid sim cards for tourists:
- 15 GB data + 500 minutes + 50 sms for 1 month = 600 Rubles - $6 USD
- 30 GB data + 800 minutes + 50 sms for 1 month = 900 Rubles - $9 USD
Looking at these Russian prepaid sim card packages I am impressed by the value for money of TELE2. Since I never really call and text anyway, a TELE2 sim card for Russia was a perfect match.
Beeline Russia prepaid sim card
There is a Beeline shop as well at Terminal D and they sells the following prepaid sim card for tourists:
unlimited data + 500 minutes + 300 sms for 14 days = 500 Rubles - $5 USD
There is also a shop called EBPOCETb where they sell Megafon sim cards and Beeline sim cards. The guy in the shop recommended me to buy a Megafon sim card instead of Beeline. Scroll down to see 4G network coverage maps for Russia.
Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal F
In the end I headed to Terminal E and F to find the perfect Russia sim card for tourists. At Terminal E there is NO shop that sells prepaid sim cards for Russia, but in Terminal F there was a Megafon kiosk again.
Megafon prepaid sim card
Of course here they sell the same sim cards for tourists as they did at the Terminal D, but to my surprise they also sold a specific tourist package.
- 30 GB data + 1500 minutes + unlimited social media - valid for 15 days = 500 Ruble - $5 USD
Best sim card at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow
Free social media plus 30 GB data just for $5 USD! Can it get any better? I asked if there would be any activation costs, but nope you pay just the 500 Rubles, which is equal to $5 USD.
Megafon is definitely the best sim card for tourists at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. The Megafon shop is open from 09.00 to 21.00 daily and is next to the meeting point at Terminal F.
On top of that Megafon has one of the best mobile data network coverage in Russia and is therefore also rated as the best prepaid sim card in Russia in 2024.
Best eSIMs for Russia
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Russia in 2024 is an eSIM. No doubt that eSIMs are more expensive than local prepaid sim cards, but eSIMs are super convenient.
You order an eSIM for your trip to Moscow on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Russia eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Moscow it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Airalo
Airalo has recently stopped supplying eSIMs for Russia until further notice!
SimOptions
Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world without any problems. SimOptions has the best eSIM plans for traveling to Russia in 2024.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $49.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $79.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Russia via SimOptions.
Jetpac
In fact the Jetpac eSIMs for Russia are valid in 99 countries around the world, so called international eSIMs for traveling the world. Therefore they are also more expensive than SimOptions eSIMs for Russia.
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $16 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 25 GB data for 30 days = $38 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $65 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $140 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Jetpac eSIM for Russia.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Russia.
Order a prepaid sim card for Russia online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then look into the following if you want to order a prepaid sim card for Russia on the internet.
Arrive prepared in Russia 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 Russia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Russia:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Russia via SimOptions.
My experience buying a Russia Sim Card at Moscow Airport
I decided to buy a TELE2 sim card for traveling in Russia and spent $9 USD on the smallest prepaid sim package. I went on a trip to the Altai Mountains in Siberia and to my surprise I could not only use the network of TELE2, but also the Megafon network. No clue why, but it worked smooth.
Another reason why I would recommend you to buy a Megafon or TELE2 prepaid sim card for Russia at Moscow Airport.
A working network connection in Russia is as you can imagine a challenge in the worlds biggest country. But overall if I had a signal the 4G speed was good, especially in cities. On the road in Siberia I mostly just had a 3G signal, but my data worked pretty fine.
More about my road trip in Altai, Siberia, check out my blog about this undiscovered region in Russia!
Aeroexpress SVO Airport
In and between Terminal D and E there is the Aeroexpress train station, the most convenient way to get from Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city. Just before you enter the train station there are many mobile phone shops where they sell prepaid Russian sim card for tourists as well.
The Aeroexpress is really convenient and it connects Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city perfectly.
I hope this guide about buying a prepaid sim card for Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport was helpful for you if you have a question please leave me a comment.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Russia!