Let’s talk about the most exciting topic for tourists – how is it with mobile communication and the Internet for travelers in Turkey? Roaming abroad is not a cheap pleasure, sometimes the internet in hotels is not at a high level. But many people need a constant, high-quality connection to communicate with loved ones or combine rest and remote work.
Let’s talk specifically about mobile internet messaging, as regular calls are gradually losing their relevance. Our article briefly discusses the main points: mobile Internet and mobile communication in Turkey, from which operators to buy SIM cards, what to choose for a tourist, and the main questions tourists have about Internet in Turkey.
Mobile communication in Turkey: a brief summary of the main points
- There are 3 major mobile operators in Turkey: TurkTelekom, TurkCell, Vodafone. There are also many small virtual companies that provide similar services, but they are not as popular;
- There is no roaming between cities in Turkey, i.e. in which city of the country you are located, the call tariff will be the same and it does not matter where you bought the SIM card;
- Travelers need to know: if you stay in Turkey for more than 120 days, you must legally register your phone (or rather its IMEI number) during that time. This is the law 5809 sayılı Kanun, which states that “İşletmecler, kızılı, kaçak veya çalıntı chazlara, elektrok haberleşme hzmet veremezler” – that is, organizations providing communication services are not allowed to service lost, “gray” or stolen phones without registration. Thus, the law prohibits the telecommunications operator from doing so.
- To buy a SIM card, it is necessary to present a foreign passport;
- Guests from the country are most convenient to pay for communication services at the offices of operators, which are located in many shopping centers and stores. When choosing a tariff plan, it is better to pay attention to the package options – they include internet and calls;
- The speed of mobile internet in Turkey is often higher than that of a landline. You cannot do without it on a trip. You can not only book sightseeing trips and hotel rooms remotely, but also monitor your email and contacts, which is important.
Turkish telecommunications operators
Each of the three main Turkish telecommunications operators has an almost identical list of services and a similar cost. Internet speed level and connection quality are the same. From the general mass, only Vodafone stands out. They provide travelers with a “home away from home” fare. But this applies only to those tourists who already have a SIM card from one of the European countries.
When choosing a SIM card, carefully read the terms of the tariff and determine whether they cover your needs. As a rule, guests from the country buy the cheapest packages. The minimum possible prices are provided by Turk Telekom.
SIM cards in Turkey
In Turkey, it is not possible to buy a SIM card for free, as is practiced in some countries. The cost is about $7 (without connected tariff). In addition, most even the official representatives of the operator make their own markup. The most popular travel package costs an average of $10. Remember that you won’t buy an unlimited package for this price – minutes and gigabytes of internet will be counted.
It is better to connect to the local network in tourist places – train stations, airports, etc. Not only is it more profitable financially, it is even more convenient to communicate with sellers – they are likely to be able to talk to you in English.
Turkish sim card blocking
Turkish law requires registration of any communication device brought into the country from abroad (when using a local SIM card). Registration requires payment of tax. If you ignore the registration requirement, you can get into trouble – after 120 days, the IMEI number of the device is simply blocked and the use of Turkish SIM cards will no longer be possible. In fact, this is the only limitation. The phone will work normally, but only with SIM cards from other countries. There is a lifehack: if your device has 2 slots, you can move the SIM card from one slot to another after 120 days. In this way, the IMEI will change and the stopwatch will restart.
But all this information is relevant for those who plan to live in Turkey for more than 120 days by issuing a residence permit (“ikamet” in Turkish).
Where to buy a Turkish SIM card
It is best to take care of establishing communication immediately after arrival in the country, at the airport. In small resort towns, offices of transport operators are not often found, so there may be a need in the nearest city. By the way, SIM cards are on sale in all stores selling smartphones and similar equipment. But the cost is a bit overpriced.
Tariff prices of Turkish mobile operators
Like any telecom operator, Turkish also offers many tariffs and ready-made packages. Let’s consider the most important and convenient options for tourists from each company.
At the airport, the price of a SIM card can range from 230 to 350 lira. In the city you can find cheaper, about 200 (without internet) – 230 lira (with internet).
Turkcell
Since you will be buying a Turkish SIM card for the first time, Turkcel offers tariffs specifically for such customers.
- Internet 7 GB, 500 minutes* – 72 Lira/mo
- Internet 10 GB, 500 minutes – 136 lire/month
- Internet 12 GB, 500 minutes – 112 lire/month
- Internet 20 GB, 1200 minutes – 128 lire/mo
- Internet 25 GB, 2000 minutes – 145 lire/month
- Internet 45 GB, 2000 minutes – 245 lire/month
* The number of minutes is for local calls only, roaming is charged separately.
*The operator has a lot of tariffs, I gave examples of suitable ones, but their choice is much wider. The scope of services and the cost should be specified in the office.
Depending on the selected tariff or package, the cost of an international call is 3.26 or 3.50 lira per minute.
Vodafone
For those who buy a Vodafone SIM card for the first time, the following packages are offered
When registering through the website:
- Internet 5 GB, 1000 minutes, WhatsApp without limits – 39 lira
- Internet 10 GB, 1000 minutes, Whatsapp – 49 lira
- Internet 15 GB, 1000 minutes, Whatsapp – 59 lira
When registering at the office:
- Internet 7 GB, 750 minutes for 64 lira (for 28 days)
- Internet 10 GB, 750 minutes for 74 lira (for 28 days)
- Internet 15 GB, 750 minutes – for 84 lira (for 28 days) – for issuers of this tariff – 50 lira
Turkish Telecom
In a simplified form, Turk Telecom’s tariffs are as follows:
- Internet 6 GB, 1000 minutes – first three months 81 lire, then 95 lire
- Internet 15 GB, 1000 minutes – first three months 120 lire, then 140 lira
- Internet 40 GB, 2000 minutes – first three months 153 lire, then 178 lira
It is worth noting here that this price is marked according to the Taahhütsüz Fiyat tariff. In addition, such tariffs are paid after the end of the month and receipt of the check.
Which Turkish operator should a tourist choose?
Undoubtedly, it is easiest to buy a SIM card from Turkcel or Vodafone operators, as they offer ready-made communication packages, unlike Turk Telecom. You pay for a given package on the spot and use it until the end of the journey or minutes/GB according to the tariff or after the package expires.
Turkcel’s packages are the most “transparent” and understandable even for those who do not know Turkish. Vodafone has much more nuances in this respect (division by age, less variety of basic packages, but more additional packages, etc.).
Internet speed and coverage are approximately the same with both operators.
Speaking of my opinion, the coverage of the Turktsel mobile operator and its Internet speed are at a very decent level (if there is no Wi-Fi nearby, then mobile Internet will work for you, and you will not notice the difference with wireless) . In addition, a fairly transparent tariff that does not raise any doubts.
How to top up mobile in Turkey
You can deposit money to a SIM card at the offices of mobile operators or online on the website. Many supermarkets offer special scratch cards for sale. You can find them, for example, in the Migros network, right at the checkout.
Popular questions about mobile communications in Turkey
How much internet do you need for a holiday in Turkey?
This indicator depends on the needs of the user. For moderate access to messengers, social networks and navigation around the estate, 400 MB per day is enough. You need at least 1 GB per day to watch YouTube videos or movies.
Check in advance if your hotel complex provides free Wi-Fi, then decide which rate is right for you. For example, in Istanbul, unlimited wireless Internet with free access is available in almost all corners of the city. In Antalya, this service is provided mainly on beaches and in popular public places.
What to do when the internet limit in Turkey is over?
The connection of the new package takes place in the operators’ offices. You can also download the mobile application and continue your Internet traffic yourself.
What is the validity period of the Turkish SIM card
The SIM card will be valid for no more than six months, provided that you do not top up your account periodically.
How not to go bankrupt on international roaming while in Turkey with a SIM card from a Russian operator?
Everything is quite simple here: you need to enter your personal account in the mobile application of your operator and set a ban on international roaming. Remember to turn off mobile data. But be careful: even when all these conditions are met, it happens that money is charged for something. Check in the app!
WiFi in Turkey
In major cities of Turkey, such as Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir and others, on public embankments and squares, on some types of public transport (metrobus and subway) you can catch the universal network from the local municipality. To connect to the network, you must enter the mobile number to which the code is sent. If you need the Internet for work, the general network does not have the greatest speed and coverage.
If you actually want to periodically contact relatives or friends, or answer questions about work from time to time, then there is no point in buying an expensive SIM card with a lot of traffic. Use Wi-Fi at the hotel, coffee shop or connect on the waterfront.
Many chain Turkish coffee shops, such as Starbucks or Cafe Nero, also always have free Wi-Fi.