In a relatively short period of time, the Republic of Turkey has acquired the status of a tourist and business center of global importance, where thousands of tourists, businessmen and investors from different countries go every year. A popular tourist destination attracts foreigners with its luxurious beaches, wonderful climate, European level of service, reasonable prices and good conditions for profitable investment.
No matter how long you plan to visit Turkey — for a week or several months — A modern person in an eastern country cannot do without mobile communications. You will find all the answers to the most popular questions about Turkish cellular communications in our latest publication.
Content of the article:
- Roaming in Turkey
- Turkish mobile operators
- Where is the best place to buy a SIM card in Turkey
- Choosing a cellular operator: prices for tariffs
- Tourist SIM card in Turkey
- eSIM in Turkey
Roaming in Turkey
As you know, roaming services abroad are not cheap.
For example:
- For Russians, roaming from Russian mobile operators such as Megafon, MTS, Beeline costs approximately 400 ₽ (5 €) per day. Often the package includes calls to the Russian Federation and 1 GB of Internet at separate rates.
- For Ukrainians, a package with roaming from Kyivstar, Vodafone or Life costs 50–60 ₴ (1.2–1.5 €), which includes 100–200 MB of Internet. Calls have a separate tariff for about 30 ₴ (0.7 €) per 10 minutes. But messaging in Viber or WhatsApp messengers is usually free (with the exception of multimedia messages).
To summarize, we note that mobile roaming in Turkey is best used if:
- you came to the country for less than 5 days;
- you will use exclusively services such as navigation and Google maps, as well as correspondence in instant messengers;
- The quality of the Wi-Fi network in hotels completely satisfies you.
In all other cases, provided that you are willing to spend additional money, we recommend buying a SIM card in Turkey.
Turkish mobile operators
We draw your attention to one important detail: Turkish legislation allows for unlimited use of SIM cards from local operators only on gadgets that were legally imported and registered in the Republic of Turkey. Therefore, if you come to the country for a long period of time or are applying for a residence permit, you will need to register the IMEI of your phone in the e-Devlet service and pay a fee, which in 2023 is 6091 TL. If this is not done, then after 120 days from using the Turkish SIM card, the smartphone will be blocked.
Where is the best place to buy a SIM card in Turkey
In the Republic of Turkey it is impossible to purchase a starter package for free, as is practiced, for example, in Ukraine, Belarus or Russia.
We recommend that you take care of purchasing a SIM card immediately upon arrival in Turkey. This feature can be implemented in different places. The best price is available in mobile phone stores from official representatives of network operators. The most expensive starting package for mobile communications at airports, hotels and tourist locations.
Choosing a cellular operator: prices for tariffs
The leading Turkish mobile operators are:
- Turkcell — provider with excellent coverage not only in cities, but also in small towns and villages.
- Vodafone — the second largest cellular communications company, provides quality services throughout the country.
- Türk Telekom — the operator provides high-quality Internet in cities and resorts. The cost of tariff plans is slightly cheaper than that of other communication providers.
Companies offer a large selection of tariffs and services for different needs, be it calls, communication in instant messengers or mobile Internet in Turkey. In practice, Turkish mobile operators provide approximately the same service at a similar price. The quality of mobile communications and Internet speed do not differ significantly.
When purchasing a package from a particular operator, we recommend that you carefully study the terms of use to find out whether they will satisfy your needs. Most foreigners initially buy the most inexpensive service packages.
Important to know! The starter package will cost an average of 300–450 TL (depending on whether Internet traffic is included in the service), subject to purchase in the city. The price will be lower if you present an ikamet card (residence permit) at the salon, rather than a foreign passport.
Район Оба, квартира 1+1 площадью 55 м² в комплексе 2024 года, без мебели, расположена в 2000 м от моря и в 350 м от центра района
1+1
55 m²
10602
Район Оба Нижняя, меблированная квартира 2+1 площадью 120 м² в комплексе 2014 года, расположена в 1200 м от моря и в 300 м от центра района
2+1
120 m²
10601
Район Махмутлар, меблированная квартира 1+1 площадью 50 м² в комплексе 2022 года, расположена в 1500 м от моря и в 750 м от центра района
1+1
50 m²
10600
Район Бекташ, отдельная меблированная вилла 3+1 площадью 157 м², построена в 2023 году, расположена в 3000 м от моря и в 1500 м от центра района
3+1
157 m²
10599
Центр Аланьи, меблированные апартаменты 1+1 площадью 55 м² в комплексе 2024 года, расположены в 30 м от моря и в 200 м от центра
1+1
55 m²
10598
Alanya center, furnished 1+1 apartments of 55 m² in a 2022 complex, located 300 m from the sea and 150 m from the center.
1+1
55 m²
10597
Kargicak district, furnished 1+1 apartment of 65 m² in a 2017 complex, located 400 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the district.
1+1
65 m²
10596
Mahmutlar district, furnished 3+1 apartment with an area of 145 m² in a building built in 1999, located 400 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the area.
3+1
145 m²
10595
Tosmur district, furnished 1+1 apartment with an area of 60 m² in a 2016 complex, located 250 m from the sea and 150 m from the district center.
1+1
60 m²
10594
A modern 1+1 apartment with a new interior in one of the most sought-after areas of Alanya - Mahmutlar.
1+1
45 m²
10593
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment with an area of 45 m² in a residential complex built in 2023, furnished, distance to the sea - 1500 m, to the center of the area - 800 m.
1+1
45 m²
10591
Mahmutlar district, apartment 1+1 with an area of 55 m² in a complex built in 2025, unfurnished, built-in kitchen unit, distance to the sea - 150 m, to the center of the area - 200 m.
1+1
55 m²
10590
Mahmutlar district, apartment 1+1 with an area of 50 m² in a complex built in 2023, unfurnished, built-in kitchen unit, distance to the sea - 600 m, to the center of the area - 500 m.
1+1
50 m²
10589
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m² in a residential complex built in 2022, furnished, distance to the sea - 1500 m, to the center of the district - 1200 m.
1+1
50 m²
10588
Demirtas district, 1+1 apartment of 45 m² in a complex built in 2024, unfurnished, with installed kitchen set, distance to the sea - 750 m, to the center of the district - 500 m.
1+1
45 m²
10587
Район Тосмур, квартира 2+1 площадью 115 м² в жилом комплексе 2007 года постройки, с мебелью, расстояние до моря — 500 м, до центра района — 250 м, подходит для получения ВНЖ.
2+1
115 m²
10586
Район Махмутлар — меблированная квартира 1+1 площадью 50 м² в комплексе 2023 года, в 600 м от моря и 350 м от центра
1+1
50 m²
10585
Mahmutlar district, 2+1 apartment, 115 m² in a residential complex built in 2010, furnished, distance to the sea - 400 m, to the center of the district - 250 m.
2+1
115 m²
10584
Район Кестель, дуплекс 4+1 площадью 180 м², с отдельной кухней, мебелью, в комплексе 2015 года постройки. Расстояние до моря — 150 м, до центра района — 300 м.
4+1, Duplex
180 m²
10583
Район Махмутлар, квартира 1+1 площадью 50 м² в жилом комплексе 2023 года постройки, без мебели, расстояние до моря — 1800 м, до центра района — 1200 м.
1+1
50 m²
10581
TURKCELL
Turkcell — leader among mobile communication companies in Turkey, whose services are used by more than 60% of the state's population.
For foreign buyers who purchase a Turkish SIM card for the first time, Turkcell tariffs for Internet and call minutes for 30 days are as follows:
- 7 GB, 500 min — 72 TL;
- 10 GB, 500 min —136 TL;
- 12 GB, 500 min — 112 TL;
- 20 GB, 1,200 min — 128 TL;
- 25 GB, 2,000 min — 145 TL;
- 45 GB, 2,000 min — 245 TL
Let us clarify that minutes are provided only for calls within Turkey. There is a separate fee for roaming. On average, the cost of calls abroad — 3.3–3.5 TL/1 minute.
Turkcell also offers other tariff plans, we have listed only the most popular among foreigners. You can find out more information by contacting the mobile operator office.
TURK TELEKOM
Turkish mobile operator with good coverage and Internet in all localities of the state.
Current Turk Telekom tariffs for Internet and minutes of calls within the country:
- 6 GB, 1,000 min — for the first 3 months for 81 TL, after 95 TL;
- 15 GB, 1,000 min — 120 TL/first 3 months, after 140 TL;
- 40 GB, 2,000 min — 153 TL/first 3 months, after 178 TL.
VODAFONE
Vodafone tariffs in Turkey for those who purchase a SIM card for the first time depend on how the package is registered: through the website or at the cellular office.
If you register through the official website, the following prices apply to the Internet and calls:
- 5 GB, 1,000 min, unlimited use of the WhatsApp messenger — 39 TL;
- 10 GB, 1,000 min, unlimited use of WhatsApp — 49 TL;
- 15 GB, 1,000 min, unlimited use of WhatsApp — 59 TL
When purchasing a package in the office, the price of a tariff plan for 28 days is:
- 7 GB, 750 min — 64 TL;
- 10 GB, 750 min — 74 TL;
- 15 GB, 750 min — 84 TL
Tourist SIM card in Turkey
SIM card in Turkey for tourists — These are special cellular communication packages that are used when traveling abroad, taking into account the tariffs and prices of local operators. Purchasing a tourist SIM card is possible both in your country of residence and in the Republic of Turkey. Its purchase is justified by the high cost of roaming.
A popular version of a tourist SIM card — Drimsim. There are regular SIM cards (nano, micro, mini) and virtual ones on sale.
Approximate prices for Drimsim:
- Incoming calls — are free, regardless of the telecom operator.
- Outgoing calls within Turkey to the Drimsim card — free, to other mobile numbers — 0.22 €.
- Outgoing calls from Turkey — 0.05–0.08€ per minute of conversation (the exact cost depends on which country to call).
- Mobile Internet — 0.01 € for 1 MB.
- Incoming SMS messages — free.
More details about tariffs for different countries — here.
eSIM in Turkey
A modern and acceptable alternative to expensive international roaming when traveling abroad — eSIM card. This is a more convenient and economical solution for tourists and investors, providing the opportunity to use all services and options without expensive international roaming fees.
eSIM in Turkey — This is a digital or built-in SIM card that does not need to be inserted into the gadget to connect and activate the services of a local telecom operator. Manufacturers embed virtual SIM cards directly into smartphones.
That is, the device owner has the opportunity to install a profile and activate the eSIM without having to remove or replace a regular SIM card. To do this, it is important to check in advance whether your smartphone and its operating system supports this function.
For example, different iPhone models, iPad tablets from the 3rd generation, some Samsung Galaxy models and mobile devices with Google Pixel work with eSIM in the Republic of Turkey.
It is now possible to buy a digital SIM card in Turkey in 2021. You can purchase it from leading suppliers: Holaflay, TravelSim, True Phone, United Global, Wificoin, Ubigi. Sales in the republic are also carried out by local cellular operators — Türk Telekom, Turkcell, Vodafone. The listed companies are distinguished by good coverage and affordable price tags for service packages.
So, the cost of an eSIM in Turkey from the Turkcell operator is approximately 13 €. For this amount, up to 20 GB of mobile Internet and a network with 4G LTE coverage are provided. The tariff plan validity period starts from the moment your gadget scans the QR code.
Choose a mobile connection option, focusing on the purpose and duration of the trip, as well as those operator services that are of key importance to you. If you are planning purchase of an apartment in Turkey, contact Point Property for advice . Our specialists will answer all your questions and help you choose liquid real estate.
Район Оба, квартира 1+1 площадью 55 м² в комплексе 2024 года, без мебели, расположена в 2000 м от моря и в 350 м от центра района
1+1
55 m²
10602
Район Оба Нижняя, меблированная квартира 2+1 площадью 120 м² в комплексе 2014 года, расположена в 1200 м от моря и в 300 м от центра района
2+1
120 m²
10601
Район Махмутлар, меблированная квартира 1+1 площадью 50 м² в комплексе 2022 года, расположена в 1500 м от моря и в 750 м от центра района
1+1
50 m²
10600
Район Бекташ, отдельная меблированная вилла 3+1 площадью 157 м², построена в 2023 году, расположена в 3000 м от моря и в 1500 м от центра района
3+1
157 m²
10599
Центр Аланьи, меблированные апартаменты 1+1 площадью 55 м² в комплексе 2024 года, расположены в 30 м от моря и в 200 м от центра
1+1
55 m²
10598
Alanya center, furnished 1+1 apartments of 55 m² in a 2022 complex, located 300 m from the sea and 150 m from the center.
1+1
55 m²
10597
Kargicak district, furnished 1+1 apartment of 65 m² in a 2017 complex, located 400 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the district.
1+1
65 m²
10596
Mahmutlar district, furnished 3+1 apartment with an area of 145 m² in a building built in 1999, located 400 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the area.
3+1
145 m²
10595
Tosmur district, furnished 1+1 apartment with an area of 60 m² in a 2016 complex, located 250 m from the sea and 150 m from the district center.
1+1
60 m²
10594
A modern 1+1 apartment with a new interior in one of the most sought-after areas of Alanya - Mahmutlar.
1+1
45 m²
10593
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment with an area of 45 m² in a residential complex built in 2023, furnished, distance to the sea - 1500 m, to the center of the area - 800 m.
1+1
45 m²
10591
Mahmutlar district, apartment 1+1 with an area of 55 m² in a complex built in 2025, unfurnished, built-in kitchen unit, distance to the sea - 150 m, to the center of the area - 200 m.
1+1
55 m²
10590
Mahmutlar district, apartment 1+1 with an area of 50 m² in a complex built in 2023, unfurnished, built-in kitchen unit, distance to the sea - 600 m, to the center of the area - 500 m.
1+1
50 m²
10589
Mahmutlar district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m² in a residential complex built in 2022, furnished, distance to the sea - 1500 m, to the center of the district - 1200 m.
1+1
50 m²
10588
Demirtas district, 1+1 apartment of 45 m² in a complex built in 2024, unfurnished, with installed kitchen set, distance to the sea - 750 m, to the center of the district - 500 m.
1+1
45 m²
10587
Район Тосмур, квартира 2+1 площадью 115 м² в жилом комплексе 2007 года постройки, с мебелью, расстояние до моря — 500 м, до центра района — 250 м, подходит для получения ВНЖ.
2+1
115 m²
10586
Район Махмутлар — меблированная квартира 1+1 площадью 50 м² в комплексе 2023 года, в 600 м от моря и 350 м от центра
1+1
50 m²
10585
Mahmutlar district, 2+1 apartment, 115 m² in a residential complex built in 2010, furnished, distance to the sea - 400 m, to the center of the district - 250 m.
2+1
115 m²
10584
Район Кестель, дуплекс 4+1 площадью 180 м², с отдельной кухней, мебелью, в комплексе 2015 года постройки. Расстояние до моря — 150 м, до центра района — 300 м.
4+1, Duplex
180 m²
10583
Район Махмутлар, квартира 1+1 площадью 50 м² в жилом комплексе 2023 года постройки, без мебели, расстояние до моря — 1800 м, до центра района — 1200 м.
1+1
50 m²
10581
These materials have been prepared for informational purposes and are not of a commercial nature.
Point Property — is a certified real estate agency that specializes in providing a full range of real estate services for residential and commercial real estate transactions in Turkey. Our company takes care of all the organizational aspects of a real estate transaction: searching for an object, organizing a sightseeing tour, assistance in collecting documents and checking the legal purity of documentation, support in re-registration of ownership. In addition, we provide our customers with a wide range of after-sales services.
