Best eSIM for Turkey (Türkiye): Top 5 plans for UK travellers compared

Planning a trip to Turkey? If you want to stay connected abroad, your UK SIM card might not be the most cost-effective option and could lead to high charges.

A clever alternative is an eSIM, which can help you avoid roaming fees while travelling. eSIMs work just like physical SIM cards, but don’t require a card swap or a visit to a store. In most cases, you can also keep your existing phone number so friends and family can still contact you while you’re away.

In this article, we’ll compare the top eSIM options available and help you find the best eSIM for Turkey. We’ll break down their key features and costs so you can choose the option that best suits your travel needs.

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📱 Best eSIM for Turkey: Quick picks
Best coverage: Airalo – Wide range of plans with reliable coverage.
Best unlimited option: Holafly – Flexible unlimited data plans.
Best budget choice: Nomad – Affordable short-term data plans.
Best for long stays: Maya Mobile – Plans lasting up to 180 days.
Best for added security: Saily – Includes built-in website protection.

Below, we compare each eSIM provider in more detail.

Best eSIM providers for Turkey: Top 5 plans compared

Let’s explore some options to help you find the best eSIM for Turkey:

Provider	Best for	Key features	Pricing	Data options	Coverage
Airalo¹	Unlimited data	Data-only plans (fixed and unlimited)	€4 – €64.50	1 GB – unlimited	Türk Telekom (Avea)
Saily²	Enhanced security	Data-only plans (fixed and unlimited) Malicious URL blocking	$3.99 – $71.99	1 GB – unlimited	Different local carriers
Holafly³	Unlimited data at 4G/5G speed	Data sharing Customisable plans	£3.79 – £111	Unlimited	Turkcell and Türk Telekom
Nomad⁴	Longer trips (most plans last 30 days)	Data-only plans (fixed and unlimited) Free welcome eSIM	£0 – £22	1 GB – unlimited	Türk Telekom
Maya Mobile⁵	Longer stays (up to 180 days)	Data-only plans (fixed and unlimited) Wide variety of packages	£3.99 – £161.99	5 GB – unlimited	Türk Telekom (Avea)

Prices are shown in different currencies depending on the provider. You can use the converter below to quickly check the latest exchange rates.

Airalo

Airalo provides multiple eSIM plans for Turkey, from 1 GB options to unlimited data packages. Prices start at around €4 for small 3-day plans and go up to €64.50 for unlimited monthly coverage. In Turkey, Airalo operates on the Türk Telekom (Avea) network.¹

These are some of the available plans:

• 1 GB of data for 3 days - €4
• 5 GB of data for 7 days - €8
• 20 GB of data for 15 days - €19.50
• Unlimited data for 3 days - €11.50
• Unlimited data for 10 days - €31.50
• Unlimited data for 30 days - €64.50¹

Saily

Saily offers a range of eSIM plans for Turkey, from 1 GB packages to unlimited data. By partnering with multiple local networks, it delivers a stable and reliable connection.²

Saily also stands out for its security features, protecting users from malicious websites and intrusive ads. You can also access up to 115 virtual locations with its eSIM plans.²

Here are some of Saily’s eSIM plans for Turkey:

• 1 GB of data for 7 days - $3.99
• 3 GB of data for 30 days - $6.99
• 10 GB of data for 30 days - $15.99
• 20 GB of data for 30 days - $22.99
• Unlimited data for 10 days - $34.99
• Unlimited data for 30 days - $71.99²

🇹🇷 Travel to Turkey from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Holafly

If you’re looking for the best eSIM for Turkey and need unlimited data, Holafly is a strong choice. You can customise your plan based on how long you’ll be there, and the longer your plan, the lower the daily cost.³

The prices start at £3.79. With a Holafly eSIM, you can also hotspot up to 500 MB of data per day, making it a great option for groups who want to save money. Holafly uses the Turkcell and Türk Telekom networks in Turkey.³

Here are some Holafly plan options and their prices:

• 5 days - £17
• 7 days - £24
• 10 days - £30
• 20 days - £50
• 90 days - £111³

Nomad

Nomad lets you choose between fixed-data packages and unlimited eSIM plans. Prices begin at £2.99, with the highest 30-day option priced at £21.66. New users can also claim a free 1 GB eSIM.⁴

In Turkey, Nomad operates on the Türk Telekom network.⁴

The fixed-data plans available are:

• 1 GB of data for 7 days - £2.99
• 3 GB of data for 30 days - £4.86
• 5 GB of data for 30 days - £6.72
• 10 GB of data for 30 days - £10.46
• 20 GB of data for 30 days - £14.94
• 50 GB of data for 30 days - £21.66⁴

Here are Nomad’s unlimited plans:

• 5 days - £11.21
• 10 days - £18.68⁴

Nomad is a good option if you want short-term unlimited data, but its fixed-data plans are only available in 7-day or 30-day durations. If your trip requires shorter or longer coverage, another provider may be a better fit.

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Maya Mobile

Maya Mobile offers a wide selection of eSIM plans for Turkey, ranging from 5-day to 180-day options. Data choices start at 5 GB and go up to unlimited. Depending on the plan you choose, prices range from £3.99 to £161.99.⁵

Here are some of Maya’s Turkey travel eSIM plans:

• 5 GB of data for 5 days - £3.99
• 20 GB of data for 5 days - £14.99
• 100 GB of data for 15 days - £42.99
• 50 GB of data for 60 days - £31.99
• Unlimited data for 5 days - £12.99
• Unlimited data for 15 days - £24.99
• Unlimited data for 60 days - £64.99
• Unlimited data for 180 days - £161.99⁵

Maya Mobile uses the Türk Telekom network in Turkey. You can share data from your plan without restrictions, which is useful for group travel. However, some plans are priced higher compared with budget providers.⁵

🏧 ATMs in Turkey (Türkiye): locations, fees, and tips

How to choose the best eSIM for your Turkey trip

With so many options available, choosing the best eSIM for Turkey can be confusing. To help you decide, consider these key factors before you buy:

• Price
• Compatibility with your phone
• Plan duration
• Data allowance
• Network quality and speed

How to install and activate an eSIM for Turkey travel

Installing and activating an eSIM works differently on iPhones and Android devices, so we’ve outlined the steps for each separately.

If you have an iPhone, this is how you’ll install your eSIM:

• Go to Settings and select Cellular or Mobile Data
• Tap Add eSIM and choose Use QR Code
• Select Scan the QR Code or Enter Details Manually⁶

Once the eSIM is installed, the activation process usually involves the following steps:

• Go to Settings and select Cellular
• Select your eSIM
• Make sure the Turn On This Line option is activated
• Enable Data Roaming
• Go back to Cellular and tap Cellular Data
• Select your eSIM as the Mobile Data line

If you have an Android device, here’s how to install your eSIM:

• Go to Settings and select Connections
• Tap SIM Manager and select Add eSIM
• Choose Scan QR Code or Enter Activation Code
• If you’re entering the code manually, include LPA and the colons
• Click Add⁶

After installation, you can activate your eSIM using these steps:

• Go to Settings and select Connections
• Tap SIM Manager and turn on your eSIM
• Turn off any other SIMs
• Select your eSIM in Mobile Data
• Go back to Connections and tap Mobile Network
• Turn on Data Roaming of your eSIM⁶

Why use an eSIM for travelling to Turkey?

There are many benefits to using eSIMs when travelling compared to physical SIM cards. Here’s a quick look at some of them:

• They’re often more affordable
• Can be activated without visiting a store
• You can’t lose them
• You can keep your UK phone number while using them
• A more sustainable option

Save on holiday spending in Turkey with the Wise card

Finding the best eSIM for Turkey will look different for each traveller, but there’s something to suit every need. For short visits you can even get free plans, and a one-week eSIM can be as low as £3. As you explore your eSIM options, it’s also a good idea to think about simple ways to keep your holiday spending under control.

The Wise card can be a convenient choice for your trip to Turkey. For a one-time cost of £7, you can spend and withdraw in over 150+ countries, including Turkey. You can also send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation or other travel expenses while still in the UK.

With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Join Wise today for free 🌍

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FAQs about using an eSIM in Turkey

Let’s go through some frequently asked questions about using a Turkey travel eSIM:

Is an eSIM secure?

Yes, eSIMs are generally considered more secure than physical SIMs because they can’t be physically removed or stolen.

Can I make calls and send texts with an eSIM?

Most eSIM plans offer data only, though some providers may also include calling and texting.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?

Most newer phones support eSIM, but it depends on the exact model. Check your phone’s specifications to be sure.

Can I keep my original phone number?

In most cases, you’ll be able to keep your original number while using an eSIM. This means you won’t need to remove your physical UK SIM.

What if I run out of data?

This depends on the provider, but you’ll be able to either top up your existing plan or buy a new one.

How much data do I need for my trip to Turkey?

It depends on how you use your phone, but most travellers get by with 5-10 GB for a shorter trip.

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Sources used:

1. Airalo - Turkey eSIM
2. Saily - Turkey eSIM
3. Holafly - eSIM Turkey
4. Nomad - Turkey eSIM
5. Maya Mobile - eSIM for Turkey
6. Holafly - setting up your eSIM

Sources last checked on date: 23-Jan-2026