Planning a trip to Turkey and flying to Istanbul Airport and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card at Istanbul Airport (IST) on arrival? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card for Turkey at Istanbul Airport.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, best 4G/5G network in Turkey, sim card shops opening hours, my recommendation, a vlog about my experiences, the best eSIMs for Turkey, info about international sim cards and everything else you need to know.
Get yourself a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Turkey or order an eSIM on the internet to avoid high roaming charges, it will make your trip to Istanbul much easier if you have a working data connection on your phone.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a tourist sim card in Turkey in 2024 as well as buying a sim card at Istanbul SAW Airport, the other airport in Istanbul.
Rather order an eSIM for Turkey? Then click on the link for my complete Turkey eSIM guide for 2024.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Turkey
- Istanbul Airport IST
- Where to buy a Turkey sim card at Istanbul Airport
- Prices Turkey sim cards at Istanbul Airport in 2024
- Best sim card at Istanbul Airport in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Turkey
- Turkey sim cards and traveling in Europe
- Pocket Wifi for Turkey
- Buy a prepaid sim card for Turkey online
- How to get from IST New Istanbul Airport to Istanbul
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Istanbul 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's first recommendation is to order an eSIM for Turkey on the internet when traveling to Istanbul. Why? The prepaid sim cards for tourists at Istanbul airport are ridiculously overpriced!
eSIMs for Turkey are much cheaper and already start from $4.5 USD and you get 20 GB data for just $26 USD. You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Turkey on arrival at Istanbul Airport is very expensive. The cheapest prepaid sim card plan at Istanbul Airport as of November 2024 is 1,550 Turkish Lira which is $45 USD!
Buying a sim card at Istanbul Airport is easy, but also time consuming and you pay the tourist price!
Tourist sim cards in Turkey are super expensive! Why? Read more about it in my article about buying a prepaid sim card in Turkey in 2024.
Another way of staying connected when traveling in 2024 is an international sim card. Some of these travel sim cards are great deals for visiting Turkey. Check out my review and comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024 and pick the one that suits your trip.
Istanbul is a mind-blowing city and I am sure some Istanbul travel tips will help you make the most of your trip. I recommend you to stay in Besiktas, Taksim or Sultanahmet, check out the amazing things to do in Uskudar on the Asian side of Istanbul or one of these 10 hidden gems in Istanbul.
Why buying a sim card for Turkey
First of all we don't want to get stuck with high roaming charges and I can come up with a ton of reasons why being connected to the internet makes traveling to Istanbul much easier. Ordering a taxi, using translation apps, getting direction from Google Maps, looking for nearby rooftop bars and so on. Disconnecting is the new luxury and I totally agree, but not when visiting a city!
Yes, your hotel has free WiFi and so do bars and restaurants in Istanbul, but do you want to rely on others? What if the WiFi isn't working or the signal in your room is too weak, the internet speed is super slow? Also keep in mind that public WiFi connections are UNSECURED networks. Using a VPN is recommend.
The most convenient place to buy a prepaid sim card in Turkey is on arrival at the airport. But be prepared to get ripped off! Get an eSIM it is much cheaper!
As I am also trying to travel to every country in the world you can find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: USA, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Thailand, Bangkok, South Africa, Kenya, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Europe, Asia, Sydney, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Philippines, Brazil, Singapore, Australia and many more.
When not a fan swapping sim cards and changing phone number have a look into pocket WiFi devices. These travel gadgets are a great way to stay connected while traveling, but I am not the biggest fan. Read my HONEST review in the link.
Istanbul Airport IST
Welcome to Istanbul Airport (IST). The airport with the ambition to become one of the biggest airports in the world. Istanbul Airport is pretty new and obviously modern and super spacious. Seems like a great airport to arrive for your Turkey trip, but I am NOT a fan.
Most cringe about IST Airport is that they only offer 1 hour free WiFi and after that you will have to pay. However, you are probably just arriving at Istanbul Airport and starting your trip to Turkey.
When arriving it is very easy to navigate and there is only one International Arrival Hall. After you went through passport control you get to a huge Baggage Claim Hall. There are ATM's, money changers and Duty Free shops, but no sim card shops in the baggage claim area, they are in the arrival hall.
RELATED: the Ultimate Turkey Itinerary for 14 days. See all the hidden gems and don't miss any of the top sights in Turkey. Or check out my list of the best places to visit in Turkey in 2024.
Where to buy a Turkey sim card at Istanbul Airport
There are 5 different sim card shops at Istanbul Airport and they sell more or less the same prepaid sim cards for Turkey for tourists. The prices different a little, so keep reading and I tell you where you can find the best tourist sim card at Istanbul Airport.
After you collect your luggage from the luggage belts in the baggage claim area there is only one exit. Through sliding doors you will end up in the massive arrival hall and you are forced to go either left or right.
If you walk to the right you see Burger King on your right hand side and in front of you you will see: Njoy Local SIM and Vodafone (former WIFIST) Njoy is a Turk Telekom reseller store and the 'Vodafone' (former WIFIST) sells of course Vodafone prepaid sim cards but also Turkcell sim cards. Don't be fooled by the signs this is NOT an official Vodafone store.
If you walk to the left you will see the all the phone stores of all the main mobile internet provider in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom.
All sim card shops at Istanbul Airport are open for 24 hours. None of the sim card shops sell eSIMs, only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists are available.
If you want an eSIM for Turkey then check out my complete guide with the best eSIMs for Turkey in 2024.
There is also an Airport WIFI rental company. The Turkey prepaid sim card business is booming. Never have I seen an airport with so many mobile internet shops. You must think: great that means competitive prices... but NO, unfortunately not!
Here is Traveltomtom's vlog what it looks like arriving at Istanbul Airport and my experiences buying a local prepaid sim card to stay connected in Turkey.
Prices Turkey sim cards at Istanbul Airport in 2024
All information is up to date as per November 2024 with prices in Turkish Lira and $1 USD = 34 TL and 100 TL = $2.9 USD.
Always pay in Turkish Lira or by card or get ripped off! All stores accept international credit cards.
Njoy Sim Istanbul Airport
Njoy is an official Turk Telekom reseller and they offer the following Turk Telekom prepaid sim card plan valid for 30 days:
- 15 GB data + unlimited calling, texting and social media apps = 1,700 TL
- 25 GB data + unlimited calling, texting and social media apps = 2,000 TL
- 50 GB data + unlimited calling, texting and social media apps = 2,200 TL
- 75 GB data + unlimited calling, texting and social media apps = 2,400 TL
- 125 GB data + unlimited calling, texting and social media apps = 2,700 TL
At Njoy they only sell prepaid sim cards, eSIMs are NOT available as of November 2024.
The cheapest sim card for tourists at the NJOY/Turk Telekom store is 1,700 TL which is in reality $49.5 USD and not $53 as what they make you pay.
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend buying a prepaid sim card at Istanbul Airport. Instead order an eSIM for Turkey online. Read all about using eSIMs in Turkey including a comparison of the best Turkey in eSIMs in 2024 in the link.
WIFIST/WIFI 5G Vodafone Istanbul Airport
WIFIST is an official Vodafone Turkey reseller and they sell several different Vodafone Turkey prepaid sim cards valid for 30 days:
- 20 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms + unlimited social media = 2,250 TL - $70 USD
- 50 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms + unlimited social media = 2,450 TL - $77 USD
- 80 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms + unlimited social media = 2,800 TL - $88 USD
- 100 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms + unlimited social media = 3,300 TL - $103 USD
These Vodafone prepaid sim card plans are only available as a physical sim card and not as an eSIM. Unlimited social media is included, but TikTok and YouTube is NOT included.
If you have read my article about the best Turkey prepaid sim card for tourists in 2024 then you know that the prices for Turkey prepaid sim cards at Istanbul Airport are MUCH more expensive than at official Vodafone stores around Istanbul.
Again a reminder to NOT pay in another currency, always pay in Turkish Lire, the above conversion rates are stupid!
EXAMPLE: at the time of updating this articles in November 2024 --> 2,800 TL = $81.5 USD, they charge you $88 USD for 1,500 TL!
Vodafone store Istanbul Airport
All Vodafone tourist sim cards are valid for 30 days and include free WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. TikTok and YouTube are not unlimited.
There are still no eSIMs available for tourists.
- 20 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms = 1,750 TL - $51 USD
- 50 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms = 2,000 TL - $41 USD
- 80 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms = 2,500 TL - $54 USD
- 100 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms = 3,260 TL - $54 USD
The Vodafone store at Istanbul Airport has more sim card plans for tourists, see the photo above.
Prices for tourist sim cards are through the roof at Istanbul Airport. The cheapest Vodafone tourist sim card plan is $51 USD.
Therefore another reminder to look into buying an eSIM for Turkey.
Turk Telekom store Istanbul Airport
These are the update prices as per November 2024 for Turk Telekom prepaid sim cards at Istanbul Airport:
- 25 GB data + 750 minutes + sms = 1,550 TL - $45 USD
- 50 GB data + 750 minutes + sms = 1,800 TL - $52 USD
- 100 GB data + 750 minutes + sms + unlimited social media = 2,200 TL - $64 USD
They also have data only plans starting from 30 GB for 1,650 TL ($48 USD).
All Turk Telekom prepaid sim card plans are valid for 30 days and are only for use in Turkey.
Turkcell store Istanbul Airport
Turkcell sells the following prepaid sim card plans for tourists at Istanbul Airport valid for 30 days:
- 20 GB data + 200 minutes = 1,640 TL - $48 USD
- 50 GB data + 1,200 minutes + 100 sms = 1,840 TL - $54 USD
- 80 GB data + 1,200 minutes + 1,000 sms = 2,300 TL - $67 USD
- 105 GB data + 1,200 minutes + 1,000 sms + unlimited social media = 2,400 TL - $70 USD
All Turkcell prepaid sim card plans are valid only in Turkey. The Turkcell store at Istanbul Airport sells physical prepaid sim cards as well as eSIMs for tourists for the same price. However, the Traveltomtom Team has reported that in the last couple months it was a hit or miss with available e-sims.
Best sim card at Istanbul Airport in 2024
Prices for tourist sim cards at Istanbul Airport are outrageous and therefore at the beginning of the article I already recommended you to get an eSIM for Turkey as it is simply cheaper.
The cheapest prepaid sim card for tourists at Istanbul Airport is a Turk Telekom sim card from the Turkcell shop with 20 GB data and 750 minutes for 1,550 TL. That is $45 USD!
However, a reminder that an eSIM for Turkey with 20 GB data for 30 days only costs $26 USD and you can order it directly on the internet and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
There is absolutely NO NEED TO BUY a sim card for tourists at Istanbul Airport.
Best eSIMs for Turkey
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Istanbul in 2024 is an eSIM. No need to visit a sim card store at Istanbul Airport. With an eSIM you are online as soon as the plane lands.
AND THE BEST THING IS THAT ESIMS ARE CHEAPER THAN BUYING A SIM CARD AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT.
You order an eSIM for Istanbul on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Turkey eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Istanbul 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 Turkey.
For all your answers on FAQ about Turkey eSIMs check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for traveling to Turkey in 2024, including all Turkey e-sim deals from Airalo, Nomad, SimOptions, Jetpac, Holafly, etc.
Find below a selection of some recommended eSIMs for Turkey.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable e-sim provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world. Check out the Airalo eSIM plans for Turkey in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $6.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
Click here for more info or to order your Turkey eSIM via Airalo.
Airalo always has some ongoing promotions, so definitely check out if they have promotions for Turkey e-sims.
The above Merhaba eSIMs are data-only and are only valid in Turkey. Merhaba operates on the 4G/LTE and 5G network of Turk Telekom in Turkey. However, there is actually not much 5G in Turkey.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reputable eSIM provider that provides eSIMs for pretty much every country in the world and Traveltomtom has been using sim cards from SimOptions for more than 7 years now.
SimOptions updated all their Turkey eSIM plans and they have some amazing deals which are all 5G ready.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 5 GB data for 15 days = $6.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $12.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $32.90 USD
- 50 GB data for 60 days = $59.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM plan for traveling to Turkey via SimOptions.
This is just a summary of the available Turkey eSIMs, but there is more from Nomad, Jetpac, Holafly, Sim Local, Roamless, etc.
Find everything you need to know about using eSIMs when traveling to Turkey in 2024 in Traveltomtom's complete guide. Much more eSIM plans and details, a comparison of all eSIMs for Turkey, all FAQ and of course my conclusion of what is the best eSIM for traveling to Turkey in 2024.
Turkey sim cards and traveling in Europe
Although Turkey and especially Istanbul is partially located in Europe, it is NOT part of the EU and therefore you can NOT use your Turkey sim card data for traveling in Europe. The other way around you might be lucky that your Europe sim card allows you free roaming in Turkey.
If you want to buy a Europe sim card that works in Turkey I can recommend you the following: Orange prepaid sim card with 10 GB data valid in more than 30 European countries + Turkey for $49.90 USD. You can order this physical prepaid sim card online and get it deliverd to your home address. This international prepaid sim card for Turkey is already pre-activated. Simply plug and play! Click on the link above for more info.
However, the best way to stay connected when traveling to Europe and also visiting Turkey on the same trip is a Eurolink eSIM from Airalo.
This eSIM is valid in all of Europe as well as in turkey. Click here to order the Eurolink eSIM via Airalo.
If you buy a local prepaid sim card in Turkey then there is NO international roaming included in any of the prepaid sim cards.
For more info about Europe sim cards check out Traveltomtom's list of the best sim card for Europe travel in 2024? In the link you find my complete guide with first hand information from more than 20 countries and 25 airports.
Also another reminder that you can order an eSIM for Turkey. You keep your own number and you don't need to swap physical sim cards and visit a sim card shop.
Pocket Wifi for Turkey
On your left-hand side when you walk into the Arrival Hall you will also find a store Airport Wifi Rental shop. Here they rent out Pocket Wifis and for $13 USD per day you get unlimited data. You can connect up to 10 devices at the same time. Sounds cool, but keep in mind that you all share the same connection, so data speed will drop drastically the more devices you connect. You will have to pay a $50 USD deposit for the pocket WiFi.
For some people, especially those with locked phones this is a solution to stay connected when traveling to Istanbul. Check out my HONEST review about these portable WiFi devices. I am not a fan! This is so old school! The easiest way to stay connected when traveling abroad in 2024 is an eSIM for Turkey as described above.
I hope all the above tips for buying a Turkey sim card at Istanbul Airport were helpful for your upcoming Turkey trip. May you have any specific questions hit me up and leave me a comment below. Also happy to help you find some cool photos spots from around Istanbul.
Buy a prepaid sim card for Turkey online
Does buying a prepaid sim card for Turkey in Istanbul sound like too much hassle and your phone is not e-sim compatible then check out the following option.
You can order an international physical prepaid sim card for turkey online and get it delivered to your home address. These pre-activated travel sim cards work like plug and play. You put the sim card in your phone in the plane and as soon as the plane lands you are online.
Check out the following international prepaid sim card for Turkey that you can order via SimOptions:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to directly order an international sim card for Turkey via SimOptions.
Also a last reminder that with an eSIM for Turkey you will get online within just 2 minutes and you arrange everything online. No need for swapping a physical sim card anymore or visiting a phone store.
Check out my guide and comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Turkey in 2024.
How to get from IST New Istanbul Airport to Istanbul
You can take a regular taxi to the city which will cost around 900 TL ($26 USD) and takes between 40-60 minutes depending on traffic and where you go in the city.
I recommend you to download Bitaxi, the leading Taxi App in Turkey, but Uber also works. A ride to Taksim, Galata, Besiktas, etc will cost you about 1,100 TL ($30 USD).
There are of course also busses and damn they are convenient. Go to the -2 floor and get one of the HavaIST busses. They have several stops in the popular tourist districts of Istanbul and you only pay 190 TL ($6 USD) for a ticket. You can buy a ticket in the bus with your credit card.
Istanbul Airport IST is insanely huge, walking distances are legit far! Having a stopover in Istanbul Airport then fingers crossed you are going to make your flight connection. From my own experience I unfortunately have to admit that I missed my connection flight already many times with Turkish Airlines. With loads I mean, almost 10 times now.
There is NO compensation as Turkish Airlines changed the Terms & Conditions in such a way that they don't have to pay you any compensation. Although having an Elite Plus status with Turkish Airlines I do NOT recommend flying them, just like I don't encourage you to buy a sim card at Istanbul Airport.
In need of some more Istanbul travel inspiration then check out this 4-day Istanbul itinerary and don't miss a visit to Turkey's biggest mosque: Çamlıca. Or go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom for some serious wanderlust inspiration. As of November 2024 I have been to more than 155 countries on my way to visit every country in the world.
Enjoy your trip to Istanbul!