Skip the tourist rip-off. Compare local providers, prices, and coverage in 100+ countries. Know exactly where to buy and what to expect before you land.
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Step-by-step guides
Select a region to find SIM card guides for countries in that area. Each guide includes local provider comparisons, pricing, and where to buy.
12 country guides
3 country guides
97+
Country Guides
150+
Providers Compared
6
Continents Covered
2026
Data Updated
The most-searched destinations for prepaid SIM cards. Each guide includes provider comparisons, pricing in local currency, activation requirements, and tips from real travelers.
Japan
From $15
Thailand
From $10
United States
From $30
France
From $15
Italy
From $15
Spain
From $12
United Kingdom
From $15
Germany
From $15
South Korea
From $20
Australia
From $20
Turkey
From $15
India
From $5
Vietnam
From $5
Indonesia
From $5
Mexico
From $10
Brazil
From $10
Singapore
From $12
New Zealand
From $18
Portugal
From $12
Greece
From $15
Filter by continent to find SIM card guides for your destination.
Japan
$15/plan
Thailand
$10/plan
South Korea
$20/plan
Vietnam
$5/plan
India
$5/plan
Taiwan
$12/plan
Indonesia
$5/plan
Malaysia
$8/plan
Philippines
$5/plan
Singapore
$12/plan
Cambodia
$3/plan
China
$10/plan
Nepal
$3/plan
Sri Lanka
$3/plan
Myanmar
$2/plan
Laos
$2/plan
Bangladesh
$2/plan
Hong Kong
$8/plan
Macao
$8/plan
Mongolia
$3/plan
Uzbekistan
$3/plan
Kazakhstan
$5/plan
Jordan
$8/plan
Israel
$15/plan
United Arab Emirates
$15/plan
Saudi Arabia
$12/plan
Oman
$10/plan
Qatar
$15/plan
Trending SIM card guides this week
Both local SIM cards and eSIMs give you affordable data abroad, but they work differently. Here is a side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
Best for longer stays
Best for convenience
For most travelers, a local SIM card offers the best value, especially for trips longer than a week. If you want instant activation without visiting a store, an eSIM is the more convenient choice. Many travelers use both: keep your home SIM for calls and add a local SIM or eSIM for data.
Not sure where to pick up a SIM card? Here are the most common purchase locations ranked by convenience, with pros and cons of each.
Carrier counters and vending machines right past customs. Staff speak English and handle registration.
Pros
Cons
In Asia (Japan, Thailand, South Korea), stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart sell prepaid SIM cards.
Pros
Cons
Official stores (Vodafone, Orange, Telcel) offer the widest plan selection and expert staff.
Pros
Cons
Some vendors let you order online and pick up at the airport or have it delivered to your hotel.
Pros
Cons
In Europe, supermarkets (Carrefour, Tesco, ALDI) sell house-brand SIM cards at competitive prices.
Pros
Cons
Some hotels sell SIM cards at the front desk. Convenient but often limited selection.
Pros
Cons
Every country has multiple carriers to choose from. Here is what to consider when picking a SIM card provider.
The cheapest SIM is not always the best. If you plan to travel outside major cities, choose the carrier with the widest network coverage. Our country guides indicate which carrier is best for rural travel.
Confirm your phone is unlocked and supports the LTE bands used in your destination. Most modern phones from the last 3-4 years work globally, but budget phones sometimes miss specific frequency bands.
Many tourist SIM cards are data-only. This is fine if you use WhatsApp or LINE. If you need local calls (booking restaurants, calling hotels), look for plans that include call minutes.
SIM card registration laws vary. Some countries (UK, US) have no ID requirements. Others (India, Germany, Egypt) require passport scans. Our guides detail exact requirements.
Check how easy it is to add more data if you run out. In some countries, you can top up at any convenience store or via an app. In others, you may need to visit a carrier store.
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