Country guide · AfricaLocal SIM Cards in Reunion: Carriers, Plans & Prices (2026)
Tourist SIM cards in Reunion start at $2 from Orange Reunion. Buy at Roland Garros Airport (Saint-Denis) - Orange Reunion kiosk. Or any SFR, Orange, or Free Mobile store in Saint-Denis city center.. For instant data without a store visit, a HelloRoam eSIM costs from $1.14 and activates in 2 minutes. See the comparison table below.
- Recommended
- HelloRoam eSIMfrom $1.14, instant activation
- Setup time
- Under 2 mininstall before your flight
- Physical SIM from
- $2 USDOrange Reunion
- Network
- 4G LTE / 5GOrange Reunion
Reunion is a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, 200 km east of Madagascar and 700 km west of Mauritius. It is geographically dramatic. Dominated by two volcanoes, including Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active, and Piton des Neiges, the highest peak in the Indian Ocean. Three cirques (Cilaos, Salazie, Mafate) carved by ancient eruptions create extraordinary hiking terrain. Being French territory means Euro currency, French carrier regulations, and French-language services throughout. Orange Reunion has the widest coverage including the best signal at the volcano viewpoint. No registration is required for tourist SIMs. The one genuine offline zone is the Mafate cirque. Only accessible on foot and with very limited coverage in the hamlets.
French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. Euro currency. French law. Orange has widest coverage. 5G in coastal towns. Volcanic and mountain terrain creates coverage gaps.
eSIM for Reunion: the fastest option
Travel eSIMs skip the physical SIM process entirely. Buy online, scan a QR code, and your phone connects to a local network. No passport check, no airport queue, no SIM ejector tool. Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS.
Local Orange SIM and eSIM are comparable. eSIM is worth it for pre-departure activation. Local SIM wins slightly on price for longer stays.
HelloRoam Reunion eSIM: our tested pick
HelloRoam eSIM works on Orange Reunion network with pre-departure activation. Ideal for volcano hiking visitors.
Affiliate link. Commissions never affect our rankings or editorial findings.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoamOur pick | 1 GB | 7 days | $1.14 |
| HelloRoam | 10 GB | 30 days | $18 |
eSIM provider comparison
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Activation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoamTop rated | $1.14 | 1 GB | 7 days | Instant | 8.8/10 |
| HelloRoamTop rated | $18 | 10 GB | 30 days | Instant | 8.8/10 |
Scores based on activation speed, network coverage, support response time, and pricing across 14 countries. HelloRoam (8.8/10, 31/31 activations) is the top-rated provider. All provider links marked as affiliate.
See full eSIM guide for Reunion →
eSIM vs physical SIM card in Reunion
Here is how a HelloRoam eSIM compares to buying a local SIM card in Reunion across the factors that matter most to travelers.
| Feature | HelloRoam eSIM | Local SIM Card |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | 15-60 minutes |
| Available before travel | Yes, install up to 30 days early | No, buy on arrival |
| ID required | No | No |
| Price from | $1.14 USD | $2 USD |
| Data included | 1 GB to unlimited | Varies by plan |
| Hotspot | Included | Included on most plans |
| Support | 24/7 English | Local language, business hours |
| Local phone number | No, data only | Yes, included |
| Voice calls | Data only, use WhatsApp/FaceTime | Included |
Best SIM cards for tourists in Reunion
Reunion has 3 providers offering tourist-friendly prepaid SIM cards. The table below ranks them by overall value for travelers, combining coverage, speed, price, and how easy they are to buy.
| Provider | Type | Network | Cheapest plan | Plans | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange ReunionTop pick | major | 4G LTE / 5G | €15 / $16 | 3 | Airport, Carrier Store |
| SFR Reunion | major | 4G LTE / 5G | €17.99 / $20 | 2 | Carrier Store, Supermarket |
| Free Mobile Reunion | major | 4G LTE / 5G | €2 / $2 | 2 | Carrier Store, Online |
SIM card plans compared
Below are every available tourist plan across all providers in Reunion, sorted by price. Prices are quoted in local currency where available, with USD equivalents.
Orange Reunion
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prépayé 10GBBest value | 10 GB | €15 | 30 days | 2h local | 200 SMS |
| Prépayé 20GB | 20 GB | €20 | 30 days | Unlimited local | Unlimited |
| Prépayé 50GB | 50 GB | €30 | 30 days | Unlimited local | Unlimited |
SFR Reunion
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFR Prépayé 15GBBest value | 15 GB | €17.99 | 30 days | Unlimited local | Unlimited |
| SFR Prépayé 30GB | 30 GB | €24.99 | 30 days | Unlimited local | Unlimited |
Free Mobile Reunion
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forfait Free 100GBBest value | 100 GB | €19.99/mo | 30 days | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Forfait 2euro | 2 GB | €2 | 30 days | 2h | Limited |
Where to buy a SIM card in Reunion
The best place to buy is Roland Garros Airport (Saint-Denis) - Orange Reunion kiosk. Or any SFR, Orange, or Free Mobile store in Saint-Denis city center.. Here is what each channel offers and what to expect.
Airport
Airport counters are the most convenient option on arrival day. Staff speak enough English to handle registration, and you leave the terminal already connected. Expect a small premium (5–15%) over city prices and possible queues after large arrivals.
Carrier Store
Official carrier stores carry every plan, can troubleshoot activation on the spot, and have English-speaking staff in tourist-heavy areas. Prices match the carrier website.
Supermarket
Large supermarkets carry prepaid SIM starter packs in the electronics aisle. No-frills packaging, but prices are fair and no registration delay if no ID is required.
Buying experience
Roland Garros Airport in Saint-Denis has an Orange Reunion kiosk in the arrivals area. No ID required. Choose from the displayed plan menu, pay by card or cash in Euros, and the SIM is activated immediately. Staff speak French. For the city, Orange has stores on Rue Juliette Dodu in Saint-Denis center. SFR and Free Mobile stores are also in the main shopping streets. Carrefour and Leclerc supermarkets sell Orange and SFR prepaid starters in blister packaging in the phone accessories aisle. Top-up credit (recharges) is sold at any tabac, newsstand, or supermarket in standard French top-up format (€5, €10, €20).
Coverage & network in Reunion
Reunion operates on 4G LTE / 5G networks. Coverage quality varies by provider and region.
Coverage Map for Reunion
Visit each carrier's website for their interactive coverage map
Orange Reunion
major carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Strong
SFR Reunion
major carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Moderate
Free Mobile Reunion
major carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Moderate
Orange Reunion leads on overall coverage with a rating of 5/5 for reach and 5/5 for speed. In cities, all providers perform similarly. Differences become clear in rural areas, along coastal routes, and on islands where network investment varies.
Real-world connectivity
Saint-Denis, Saint-Paul, and Saint-Pierre have Orange 5G at 100-300 Mbps. The coastal Route Nationale 1 and Route Nationale 2 have 4G throughout. The road to the volcano (Plaine des Cafres, Bourg-Murat) has 4G to the Pas de Bellecombe parking at 2,311m. Inside the Enclos Fouque caldera the signal drops. Cilaos cirque town has good Orange 4G. Salazie and its Hell-Bourg village have reasonable signal. Mafate: La Nouvelle has the strongest signal (weak Orange 4G). Grand Place les Hauts and Ilet a Cordes have very weak or no signal. The GRR2 long-distance trail crossing the island gains and loses signal as it crosses ridges between the cirques.
Our verdict on SIM cards in Reunion
Best for: Piton de la Fournaise volcano visitors, Cirque hikers (Cilaos, Salazie), Saint-Denis and coast beach visitors, Adventure travelers and trail runners.
Better connectivity and cheaper plans than neighboring Mauritius. Similar mountain coverage challenges. More dramatic scenery than any mainland African destination.
Activation & registration
Check your phone is unlocked
Your device must be carrier-unlocked to accept a Reunion SIM. Check Settings or contact your home carrier before you leave.
Choose a plan before you buy
Decide on data volume and validity period. A 7-day plan suits short trips; 30-day plans are better value for longer stays.
Purchase the SIM
Buy at the airport, a convenience store, or a carrier store. Ask staff to insert and test the SIM before you leave the counter.
Insert and configure
Insert the nano-SIM using the ejector tool. Go to Settings > Mobile Data and confirm data roaming is on for the travel line. Run a speed test to confirm you are connected.
Tips for travelers in Reunion
Reunion is a French overseas department. French laws, Euro currency, and French carrier regulations apply.
EU roaming rules technically apply here as it is French territory, but rules differ for overseas departments. Check with your carrier.
Orange Reunion has the widest coverage including hiking trails on the Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise volcano.
No registration required for tourist prepaid SIM cards. Buy at the airport kiosk and use immediately.
The volcano (Piton de la Fournaise) hiking routes have Orange coverage at the main viewpoints but not inside the active caldera.
5G is available from Orange in Saint-Denis and main coastal towns.
The cirques (Cilaos, Salazie, Mafate) have coverage in the village centers. Mafate has the most limited signal.
Supermarkets (Leclerc, Carrefour) sell Orange and SFR prepaid SIM starters in the phone section.
Common mistakes to avoid
Assuming standard EU roaming applies. Reunion is an overseas department and some carriers treat it differently. Check before relying on EU SIM.
Choosing SFR over Orange for volcano and hiking coverage. Orange has measurably better mountain signal.
Not downloading offline hiking maps for the Mafate cirque. One of the few permanently inhabited car-free areas in France with very limited signal.
Expecting cheap French mainland prices. Some plans are slightly more expensive than metropolitan France.
Frequently asked questions
Do EU SIM cards work in Reunion?
Reunion is a French overseas department and part of the EU. However, EU roaming rules for overseas territories are complex. Some carriers include Reunion in EU roaming; others charge extra. Check specifically with your carrier before traveling.
Which carrier is best in Reunion?
Orange Reunion has the widest coverage nationally including volcano and mountain areas. Plans start at €15 for 10 GB over 30 days.
Is there coverage on Piton de la Fournaise volcano?
Yes at the Pas de Bellecombe parking and main viewpoint from Orange. Coverage drops as you descend into the Enclos Fouque caldera. The active lava flow areas have no signal.
Is there mobile coverage in the Mafate Cirque?
Limited. Mafate is only accessible on foot (no roads). The main hamlets (Ilet a Cordes, La Nouvelle, Grand Place) have weak Orange signal. Hiking trails between hamlets have very limited coverage.
How much does a SIM card cost in Reunion?
Orange Reunion plans start at €15 ($16 USD) for 10 GB over 30 days. Free Mobile is a budget option. Prices are similar to metropolitan France.
Is there 5G in Reunion?
Yes. Orange and SFR have 5G in Saint-Denis, Saint-Paul, Saint-Pierre, and main coastal towns. Mountain areas are on 4G LTE.
Can I buy a SIM at Roland Garros Airport?
Yes. Orange Reunion has a kiosk at Roland Garros Airport (Saint-Denis) in arrivals. No ID required. Available for all international arrivals.
What language is spoken at carrier stores in Reunion?
French is the only official language. Staff speak French and Reunionais Creole. English is limited at most stores. Bring a translation app if you do not speak French.
Which eSIM is best for Reunion?
HelloRoam connects to Reunion's 4G LTE / 5G network and plans start at $1.14 for 1 GB over 7 days. It works well for travelers who want data active before landing. Airalo offers a wider range of plan sizes at competitive prices. Holafly is worth considering if you want unlimited data and do not mind a higher daily cost.
Should I buy a SIM card or eSIM for Reunion?
Local Orange SIM and eSIM are comparable. eSIM is worth it for pre-departure activation. Local SIM wins slightly on price for longer stays. A local SIM from Orange Reunion starts at $2. Choose eSIM if your phone supports it and you value convenience. Choose a local SIM if you need a local phone number or plan to stay longer than two weeks.
Helpful guides
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