Planning your trip to Israel and looking for the best tourist sim card for your trip? Israel is not a cheap country but luckily prepaid sim cards and eSIMs for Israel are cheap. So avoid high roaming charges and slow overseas data roaming plans.
This is the ultimate guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Israel in 2025..
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per February 2025, the best 4G/5G network in Israel, my recommendation, how to order a sim card for Israel online, info about eSIMs for Israel and more.
In the past I used to buy a prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected.
Traveltomtom also wrote a guide for the best eSIMs for Israel in 2025.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Israel
- Mobile internet operators in Israel
- Registration process
- Where to buy a sim card for Israel
- Prices prepaid sim card for Israel in 2025
- Best 4G/5G network in Israel in 2025
- Best prepaid sim card for tourists in 2025
- Best eSIMs for Israel
- My experiences buying a sim card in Israel
Are you flying to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv then check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card at Tel Aviv Airport.
Some links in this article about the best prepaid sim cards for traveling to Israel are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Pelephone prepaid sim card for Israel. They have a great 5G network and for around $18 USD you get 70 GB data. Cellcom is the best mobile internet provider in Israel, but also more expensive.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Israel is time consuming and therefore Traveltomtom recommends eSIMs for Israel and the price is nearly the same.
You can order an eSIM or prepaid sim card from SIM to Israel with 150 GB data and unlimited calls/sms for just $25 USD. Check my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Israel in 2025 for more eSIM plans.
Another recommended way to stay connected when traveling to Israel is an international travel sim card with global coverage. In my guide about the best international sim cards for traveling in 2025 you will find several international sim cards for Israel
There are also sim cards for Asia that are valid all across the continent. In the link you will find the best options, however if you are looking for the easiest way to get connected when traveling to Israel then you should looking into getting an eSIM for Israel.
Why buying a sim card for Israel
When there is WiFi everywhere you don't really need a sim card is what a lot of people say. Yes in an ideal world, but don't rely on WiFi in Israel. Although most restaurants, bars and hotels have free WiFi, it is often unreliable or too slow to even update an Instagram story.
Having a working data connection on your phone also makes traveling to Israel so much more convenient AND safer! What about emergency situation when on the road, getting directions from Google Maps, checking your online banking apps, finding nearby restaurants or simply order a taxi through an app. Trust me you will like being connected when traveling to Israel.
Are you not a fan of swapping sim cards and changing phone numbers then have a look into pocket WiFi's. These little portable WiFi devices are a great alternative for having internet abroad. I am not the biggest fan and in the link above you can find my HONEST review about these travel gadgets.
Be aware that using a foreign sim card in your phone only works if your phone is unlocked. If you are not sure about this contact your provider in your home country. European phones are mostly unlocked, American phones tends to be locked often! This also counts for international and eSIMs for Israel.
As part of my journey to visit every country in the world and being a full time nomadic travel blogger I am always on the move visiting new places and countries.
Since I love to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: USA, New York, Miami, Canada, Europe, London, Amsterdam, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Jordan, Thailand, Vietnam, Guatemala, Bahrain, Colombia, South Africa, Sydney, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland 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 and let me help you save money!
RELATED: 33 Best Things To Do in Israel in 2025!
Mobile internet operators in Israel
Israel is definitely unique in its kind, because there are many mobile internet providers in Israel. Finding the best Israel sim card wasn't an easy thing to do therefore as I compared all the prepaid sim card deals of the main mobile internet operators in Israel:
- Partner
- Cellcom
- HOT Mobile
- Pelephone
There are also several MVNO's like 019 Mobile, etc. 019 Mobile is part of Partner.
Registration process
When buying a prepaid sim card in Israel you have to show a valid ID. It is mandatory, so bring your passport to the store. In the phone store a copy of your passport will be taken and your new Israel sim card will be registered on your name and your passport number.
You will receive a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM with a local phone number that starts with +972.
Where to buy a sim card for Israel
Phone stores
All the mobile internet providers have several mobile phone stores scattered around all the big cities and tourist destinations in Israel. Finding a phone store in Tel Aviv, Eilat or Jerusalem that sells prepaid sim cards for tourists is pretty easy.
Walking into a shopping mall is always a good idea when looking for a sim card.
The easiest way to find a nearby phone store is to use Google Maps. Open Google Maps and search for 'sim card' or type in your favorite mobile internet provider in Israel.
You can also buy a prepaid sim card in convenience stores, but they will only have physical prepaid sim cards and you will have to activate the sim card yourself.
Ben Gurion Airport Tel Aviv
You can also buy a sim card at Tel Aviv Airport on arrival. Read my complete guide in the link. Buying a tourist sim card at Tel Aviv Airport comes at tourist prices. Prepaid sim cards at Tel Aviv Airport are much more expensive.
Eilat Airport
Are you flying directly into Eilat Airport then don't worry. At Eilat Airport you can also buy a prepaid Israel sim card. There is a kiosk in the Arrival hall that sells prepaid sim cards for tourists. You can't miss it, the airport in Eilat is very small.
Online
You can also order a prepaid sim card for Israel online and pick it up for free at Tel Aviv Airport or get it delivered to your hotel. Or even better... get an eSIM and be online as soon as the plane lands.
You can order a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM from SIM to Israel. They have sim cards with 150 GB for just $25 USD.
For more info check out my guide with everything you need to know about ordering an eSIM for Israel.
Prices prepaid sim card for Israel in 2025
All prices and info are updated in February 2025. Prices are in Israeli New Shekel and $1 USD = 3.6 ILS and 10 ILS = $2.8 USD.
Pelephone
A prepaid Phelephone Israel sim card comes with free use of social media apps + unlimited calling & texting. They have the following data packages valid for 30 days.
- 70 GB data = 59 NIS - $16 USD
- 80 GB data = 79 NIS - $22 USD
- 100 GB data = 99 NIS - $28 USD
For more info have a look at the Pelephone Israel website.
Partner
Partner has a great mobile data network, but not the best prices for prepaid sim cards.
- 35 GB data + unlimited calls & sms valid for 30 days = 100 NIS - $27
The above deal is what you will find in phone shops in Tel Aviv, but on the Partner website the up to date deals are much worse. Also the Partner website is for the most parts NOT in English and does NOT translate automatically into English either.
HOT Mobile
- 50 GB data + unlimited calls to Israel/US/Canada valid for 30 days = 89 NIS - $24 USD
- 100 GB data + unlimited calls & text to Israel/US/Canada valid for 30 days = 129 NIS - $35 USD
Cellcom
- 500 GB data + 500 minutes & 5,000 sms valid for 30 days = 49.90 NIS - $14 USD
Seems like a great prepaid sim card package, but unfortunately I could not find this on my trip to Israel in any of the Cellcom stores. The above prepaid sim card plans is what I found on the Cellcom website. Mind you that the website does NOT translate to English and it hardly impossible to figure the extra costs like activation and sim card fee.
019
The 019 sim cards cost 20 NIS ($3) and they have much smaller data packages.
- 12 GB data + 5,000 calls & sms for 30 days = 19.80 NIS - $5.5 USD
- 30 GB data + 5,000 calls & sms for 30 days = 21.90 NIS - $6 USD
For more info about the prepaid packages of 019 Israel have a look at their website.
Best 4G/5G network in Israel in 2025
All the mobile internet providers have strong network coverage in all the tourist destinations in Israel. 019 Mobile operates on the network of Partner. Below you can see all the network coverage maps for Israel per mobile operator.
Is there 5G in Israel?
Yes, there is very good 5G coverage in most of the best places to visit in Israel, especially the tourist destinations. Have a look at the comparison of the network coverage maps of Partner, Pelephone, Hot Mobile and Cellcom.
4G/5G network coverage map Cellcom
4G/5G network coverage map HOT Mobile
4G/5G network coverage map Partner
4G/5G network coverage map Pelephone
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Israel in 2025.
From the above network coverage maps we see that all Israel tourist destinations are covered with a really good 4G/LTE mobile network and even 5G is widespread in Israel.
Partner and Cellcom have the strongest mobile network and the best 4G/5G coverage in Israel in 2025.
Pelephone has a great 5G network in Israel, Hot Mobile has the weakest 4G/5G mobile data network in Israel in 2025.
Best prepaid sim card for tourists in 2025
From the comparison of all the Israel prepaid sim cards Traveltomtom concludes that you get a lot of data with prepaid sim cards in Israel
Pelephone has an amazing 5G network and offers a prepaid sim card with 70 GB and unlimited calls and sms in Israel for around $16 USD, an excellent tourist sim card.
Cellcom is the best prepaid sim card in Israel in 2025, but getting a Cellcom prepaid sim card for a good price is complicated. Partner also has great network coverage but is more expensive.
A local prepaid sim card for Israel might be a couple dollar cheaper, but you can only buy one on arrival in Israel in a phone store. So why not get yourself an eSIM on the internet before your trip to Israel and be instantly online when the plane lands.
Check out the prepaid and eSIM offers from SIM to Israel with 150 GB data starting from just $25 USD.
Check my comparison of the best eSIMs for Israel in 2025 for more eSIM plans.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible SIM to Israel also offers physical prepaid sim cards and you can either pick them up at Tel Aviv Airport, let the be delivered to your hotel or delivered to your home address before your trip.
Best eSIMs for Israel
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Israel in 2025. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks.
You order an eSIM for Israel on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have an eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Israel it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
For more info check out my guide everything you need to know about ordering an eSIM for Israel in 2025.
SIM to Israel
The Traveltomtom Team has tested the SIM to Israel eSIMs and was very happy with the outcome. SIM to Israel has the best-buy eSIMs for Israel and are by far the most recommended eSIM for traveling to Israel in 2025.
- 150 GB data + unlimited calls & sms in Israel + unlimited calls & sms to USA and Canada for 7 days = $25 USD
- 150 GB data + unlimited calls & sms in Israel + unlimited calls & sms to USA and Canada for 10 days = $29 USD
- 150 GB data + unlimited calls & sms in Israel + unlimited calls & sms to USA and Canada for 14 days = $35 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Israel from SIM to Israel.
They have many more eSIM plans up to 3 months validity even. All SIM to Israel eSIMs come with a phone number and they are 5G ready.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. Airalo is the market leader in eSIMs and rock-solid.
Before buying an Airalo eSIM for Israel you need to scan you passport. Airalo requires an ID verification.
These are the Airalo Israel eSIM plans for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $5.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $7 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $9.50 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $13.5 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Israel via Airalo.
Airalo has in total 12 eSIM plans for Israel. They have data-only eSIMs as well as eSIMs with data & voice.
The Airalo eSIMs for Israel are called Annatel and according the the Arialo website they operate on the Annatel 5G network. We couldn't find more info on which mobile network Annatel uses in Israel, so it is unclear.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Israel.
For many more eSIM plans check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Israel in 2025.
My experiences buying a sim card in Israel
Last time I traveled to Israel is already a while ago and I already had an eSIM from SIM to Israel. But on previous Israel trip I have tried pretty much all the mobile internet providers.
Here is a story from the time I chose to buy a HOT Mobile prepaid sim card in a store in Israel.
Why HOT Mobile? Simply because they were the first store that I stumbled upon and they offered a mountain of Gigabytes for around $20 USD. HOT Mobile has the smallest 4G/5G network in Israel, but I had no problems at all traveling getting connected while traveling around Israel. Honestly, I always enjoyed a fast internet connection.
Looking for some vital Israel travel tips then click in the link. While traveling in Israel I went on some pretty cool adventures: hot air ballooning, ATV riding through the desert and many more things. See my list of the best things to do in Israel.
If you are traveling around the world then check out my list of sim cards for international travel in 2025 or when you stick to traveling in Asia I compared the best sim card for Asia in 2025.
I am sure some of the above tips for getting a sim card for Israel were helpful. If you have any questions please leave me a comment, I am happy to help you out.
Go check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom if you are interested in a world traveler trying to visit every country in the world. As of February 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries.
Enjoy your trip to Israel!