Flying to Istanbul soon and arriving on the Asian side at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)? If so then this is your complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a Turkey tourist sim card at Istanbul SAW Airport in 2025.
Find up to date prices as per January 2025, where to buy a sim card, my recommendation, info about eSIMs for Turkey and many more tips.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in Turkey, nowadays I always use eSIMs for Turkey to stay connected.
As of 2025 an eSIM for traveling to Turkey is cheaper than buying a local prepaid sim card at Istanbul Airport. Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Turkey in 2025.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Turkey
- Istanbul SAW Airport
- Where to buy a sim card at Istanbul SAW Airport
- Prices Turkey sim cards Istanbul SAW Airport in 2025
- Best prepaid sim card at SAW Airport
- Best eSIMs for Turkey
- Turkey sim cards and traveling in Europe
- Order a prepaid sim card for Turkey online
- Vlog about buying a sim card at SAW Airport
- How to get from SAW Airport to Istanbul city
Find on Traveltomtom also a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Turkey in 2025.
Some links in this article about buying a sim card for traveling to Istanbul 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
Definitely get an eSIM for Turkey and do NOT buy a stupidly overpriced tourist sim card at Sabiha Gökçen SAW Airport in Istanbul.
In general Traveltomtom recommends a Turkcell sim card for Turkey. However, prices at SAW Airport in Istanbul are pretty ridiculous nowadays. The cheapest tourist sim card is $31 USD.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Turkey on the internet. Simply because it is easier and cheaper.
You can order a Jetpac eSIM for Turkey with 30 GB data for just $24 USD! Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Turkey in 2025 with more eSIM deals.
We also recommend looking into buying an international prepaid sim card that covers Turkey. Check out my comparison of the best travel sim cards for 2025. There are some great if you visit more countries on a trip around the world.
Why buying a sim card for Turkey
First and foremost we want to avoid high roaming charges. Don't use data roaming or get charged crazy amounts on your phone bill. Also don't fall for the trap of overseas data roaming plans. They reduce the data speed on these plans.
Most hotels, bars, malls and restaurants offer free pubic WiFi in Turkey, yet I still recommend you to buy a sim card for Turkey.
Having a working data connection can save you a lot of hassle and traveling gets simply more convenient. Turkey is a HUGE country and staying connected while on long boring road trips keeps you entertained, but what about getting directions from Google Maps, finding a nearby restaurant or ordering an Uber to get back to your hotel.
There are many reasons I can come up with to buy a sim card for your trip to Turkey.
What about your safety? What you gonna do in emergency situations when you need internet on your phone or think about checking your banking apps.
Keep in mind that surfing the web on free public WiFi is through an unsecured network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
Because I am also trying to visit every country in the world you can already find more than 200 prepaid sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Medina, Jeddah, Europe, London, United Kingdom, Madrid, Barcelona, Portugal, Austria, Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and many more.
Istanbul SAW Airport
Istanbul has two international airports, one on the European side (IST) and one on the Asian side (SAW). So check carefully where you will fly to. Both airports are about an hour away from the city center.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is the smaller airport and is very easy to navigate when you arrive. Istanbul SAW airport has only one arrival hall. It can be a bit chaotic as it is a small but busy airport.
Where to buy a sim card at Istanbul SAW Airport
There are two exits from the luggage belt, but whatever exit you take, as soon as you walk into the arrival hall you can't miss the Turkey mobile internet operator shops. Vodafone, Turkcell and Turk Telecom are located just a few meters from each other, see the picture below.
Istanbul is full of amazing places to visit! If you like going off the beaten path a little I can recommend you a walking tour in Fener Balat with its many colorful houses in a vibrant neighborhood or try visiting Uskudar.
Click here for some other unique things to do in Istanbul or if you are interested I can recommend you this complete 3-day Istanbul itinerary.
Prices Turkey sim cards Istanbul SAW Airport in 2025
Prices and info below are up to date as per January 2025 and $1 USD = 35.5 TL and 100 TL = $2.8 USD.
Turkcell Istanbul SAW Airport
The Turkcell sim card shop offers a wide array of prepaid sim cards for tourists. Turkcell has the best 4G/5G network coverage in Turkey.
There are 6 tourist sim cards for 30 days available, see the price sheet above. Here are is the best one:
- 20 GB data + 200 minutes = 1,460 TL - $41 USD
You see that if you pay cash/card there is a different price. Welcome to Turkey in 2025. Don't get ripped off. Get an eSIM!
For more info about the best eSIMs for Turkey and the best 4G/5G network in Turkey check out my guide for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Turkey in 2025, including 4G/5G network coverage maps.
Turk Telekom Istanbul SAW Airport
Turk Telekom offers 3 prepaid sim cards for tourists valid in Turkey for 30 days:
- 25 GB data + 750 minutes + 750 sms = 1,115 TL - $31 USD
- 50 GB data + 750 minutes + 750 sms = 1,380 TL - $39 USD
- 100 GB data + 750 minutes + 750 sms = 1,495 TL - $43 USD
All prepaid tourist sim card plans are valid for 30 days in Turkey only.
Vodafone Istanbul SAW Airport
Vodafone offers 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists valid in Turkey for 30 days:
- 20 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms = 1,740 TL - $49 USD
- 50 GB data + 750 minutes + 250 sms = 1,940 TL - $55 USD
As you can see these prices for tourist sim cards are crazy expensive! Get an eSIM for Turkey, much cheaper.
Don't get fooled by the social media icons, only unlimited WhatsApp is included in a Vodafone prepaid sim card for tourists.
Best prepaid sim card at SAW Airport
If you want to buy a prepaid sim card for Turkey on arrival at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) then get ready to pay the tourist price. Prepaid sim cards for tourists are super expensive.
Prices for tourist sim card are absolutely insane. The cheapest prepaid tourist sim card is from Turk Telekom for 1,115 TL ($31 USD) and you get 25 GB data. So that would be my recommendation if you have no other choice.
Because of this Turk Telecom is the best Turkey prepaid sim card at Istanbul SAW airport in 2025.
But please if your phone is eSIM compatible simply get an eSIM card for Turkey! Why? Much cheaper!
You can order a Jetpac eSIM for Turkey with 30 GB data for just $24 USD! Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Turkey in 2025 with more eSIM deals.
Best eSIMs for Turkey
Trust me eSIMs are cheaper than buying a prepaid sim card for tourists at SAW Airport in Istanbul.
If you want to make it really easy for yourself then order an eSIM for traveling to Istanbul. eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected as you arrange everything directly online and within just a couple minutes.
After you order you will receive a QR code, follow the instructions and you are connected in less than 2 minutes and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Would you like to get more info about using eSIMs when traveling to Turkey then read my complete guide including a detailed comparison in the link.
Here are some recommendations.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a an eSIM provider that offers amazing eSIMs for Turkey. Jetpac strives to be more than an eSIM provider and comes with a bunch of perks for travelers like airport lounge access, free VPN subscription, etc. Read all about it in our extensive Jetpac review with all pros and cons.
Here are the Jetpac eSIM plans for Turkey in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $4 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $16.5 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
Click here for more info or to order the Jetpac Turkey eSIM.
The Jetpac eSIM are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are not supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number. The Jetpac Turkey eSIMs are 5G ready and operate on the network of Turk Telekom.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world without ever facing an issue.
Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Turkey in 2025:
- 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
- Unlimited data* for 10 days = $35 USD
* Unlimited data is in reality only 3 GB data per day on max speed! Don't be fooled.
Click here for more info or to order a Turkey eSIM card directly via Airalo.
The above Merhaba eSIM cards are data-only and are only valid in Turkey. They operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Turk Telekom. Incoming and outgoing phone calls and sms are not supported.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Turkey.
Find everything you need to know about using eSIMs when traveling to Turkey in 2025 in Traveltomtom's complete guide with the best eSIM for Turkey in 2025.
Turkey sim cards and traveling in Europe
Although a part of Istanbul and Turkey is located in Europe, Turkey sim cards do NOT allow international roaming in other countries in Europe. If you are traveling onwards to Europe you might want to order an international sim card for traveling in Turkey AND Europe.
There are also eSIMs for Turkey and Europe. Airalo offers the following e-sims that are valid in Europe AND Turkey.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $37 USD
- 50 GB data for 90 days = $100 USD
- 100 GB data for 180 days = $185 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for traveling to Turkey and Europe.
Order a prepaid sim card for Turkey online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then order an international prepaid sim card on the internet. These physical prepaid travel sim cards will be shipped to your home address and are pre-activated for you. Which means it is plug and play.
Check out the following international sim card for Turkey:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order an international sim card for Turkey via SimOptions.
Here also another reminder that you can also order an eSIM for Turkey on the internet and keep your own phone number at the same time, no more swapping sim cards.
Vlog about buying a sim card at SAW Airport
Here is what it looks like arriving at SAW airport and buying a prepaid sim card for tourists. Prices in the vlog are not up to date of course but it gives you an idea what arriving at SAW airport in Istanbul looks like.
How to get from SAW Airport to Istanbul city
Buying a sim card at SAW Airport is pretty well organized and so is the public transportation from SAW Airport to Istanbul city center. When you exit SAW Airport you cross the road and go straight. On your right hand side you will see Havabus busses that have a couple fixed destinations around Istanbul center.
RELATED: How To Get From Sabiha Gokcen Airport SAW to Taksim Square.
The bus to for example Taksim Square cost 219 TL, a little more than $6 USD per person one-way. The drive takes around 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Taking a normal yellow taxi (meter) will cost you about 1,300 TL which is around $37 USD nowadays in 2025.
An Uber or a BiTaxi is about the same price then a regular taxi, but safer and less chance to get ripped off.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a Turkey sim card at Istanbul SAW airport were helpful. If you have any additional questions please leave me a comment below.
More about traveling in Turkey: Ultimate 2 week Turkey itinerary, Stay in Taksim Square or Sultanahmet, Best places to visit in Turkey, etc.
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 January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your destination. Bookmark me!
Enjoy your trip to Istanbul!