What is an eSIM and Why Is It the Best Choice for Your Trip to Turkey?
Forget hunting for the "cheapest" SIM card at the airport! An eSIM is the modern, convenient, and affordable way to stay connected while traveling.
What is an eSIM? Simply Explained
Imagine your phone already has a tiny, digital SIM card inside, just waiting to be activated. That's an eSIM (short for "embedded SIM"). It works just like a regular SIM card, but it's not a physical object. You don't need to insert or remove anything from your phone. All the necessary information is downloaded securely over the internet, for instance, from the comfort of your couch before you even leave.
How Does It Work? (4 Easy Steps)
Buy a Plan Online
Choose a suitable data plan from an eSIM provider's website and pay securely with your bank card.
Scan the QR Code
You'll receive a QR code via email. Open your phone's settings, select "Add eSIM," and scan it.
Install the Profile
Your phone will automatically download and install the digital SIM card profile.
Activate at Your Destination
When you arrive in Turkey, switch your mobile data to the eSIM, and you'll be online instantly!
Key Advantages
Internet Right After Landing
No more searching for unreliable airport Wi-Fi or a SIM card kiosk.
Keep Your Original Number
You can receive calls and texts to your primary number while using the affordable eSIM for data.
Convenience and Security
Buy your plan from the comfort of home and avoid wasting time and dealing with language barriers abroad.
Much More Affordable
eSIM plans are significantly cheaper than the roaming rates offered by your home mobile operator.
Check This Before You Buy!
Before purchasing an eSIM plan, make sure of these two things:
- Does your phone support eSIM? Most newer smartphones (e.g., iPhone XS/XR, Samsung Galaxy S20, Google Pixel 3, and later models) support it, but it's always best to double-check. Look for an "Add eSIM" option in your phone's settings. Generally, most phones that cost over €400 have eSIM capability.
- Important: Always buy your eSIM before you travel! Purchasing an eSIM data plan while you are already in Turkey (using a local network like a Tourist SIM or Wi-Fi) is often impossible due to local restrictions. Many eSIM services simply won't display Turkish plans when you browse from a Turkish network. This same issue can affect other international services (like Booking.com), which may not work as expected on a local internet connection.
Where to Buy?
You can find a massive number of eSIM providers online. Some of the most well-known names include Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and Ubigi. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of them, as essentially anyone can start their own eSIM business by buying data wholesale and reselling it.
However, like with anything that seems "too good to be true," eSIMs can have their own (often hidden) pitfalls and catches.
The Best Choice: BNESIM
Having PERSONALLY tested over 20 different eSIM providers that work in Turkey, the absolute BEST one, which I have been using daily for years, is BNESIM.
- No daily usage or speed limits
- Does not censor websites or block apps
- Uses the high-quality and fast TURKCELL network
- No separate fee for the "SIM card" itself
- Your phone's IP address remains in the European Union
- Excellent selection of plans and the best prices
- Honestly tracks used and remaining data
- 24/7, reliable customer support
Exclusive Discount!
Download the BNESIM app, create an account, and enter the discount code below before checkout to get a 20% discount on your purchase!
For example, with the discount, a 20 GB plan costs only €8+.
Let me be perfectly clear: Buy and activate the eSIM at home BEFORE your flight. DO NOT wait until you get there!
Your discount code: