Cell phone trips to Turkey: How to keep your costs under control!
Travel to Turkey: Tips for avoiding high cell phone bills and using eSIM. Find out about roaming costs!

Cell phone trips to Turkey: How to keep your costs under control!
Travelers planning a trip to Turkey should be prepared for high costs for cell phone use. Particular attention is paid to roaming fees, which are noticeably higher in Turkey than within the EU. Loud n-tv Turkey is not an EU country, which means that the EU roaming regulation does not apply. While “roam like at home” applies in the EU, this becomes a cost trap in Turkey.
The global cost limit for mobile internet is 59.50 euros, but travelers should be aware that automatically disconnecting the connection does not always work. Consumer advice centers recommend that you find out the exact roaming costs from your mobile phone provider before you leave and consider special flat rates for your time abroad.
Optimal preparation
To avoid unwanted costs, users should deactivate the data roaming option on their cell phone or activate flight mode before arriving in Turkey. Experts also point out that phone calls via messenger services such as WhatsApp, Signal or Threema are also subject to a charge in Turkey because they are made over the Internet. A reliable way to be online cheaply are the numerous free Wi-Fi hotspots that can be found in cafes, restaurants, at the airport or in hotels.
To protect yourself from high fees, it is recommended to use an eSIM, which can be purchased online before traveling or abroad. This makes it possible to use different data packages without physically changing the SIM card. Providers such as Revolut, Lufthansa and freenet have already established special eSIM offers for travelers, offering a variety of options to avoid high roaming costs. Loud Cell phone bunny There are now also so-called traveler SIM cards, which provide additional data volume abroad and are usually cheaper.
Costs at a glance
Roaming pricing can vary dramatically. In Turkey, roaming costs can be up to 10 euros per megabyte, which is why it makes sense to compare prices before traveling. There are many providers of eSIM tariffs. Below is an overview of providers and their tariffs:
| Provider | Tariff details |
|---|---|
| Airalo | eSIM for over 200 countries with different data packages |
| Better roaming | Local and global data passports |
| ChatSIM | Worldwide text messages for 25 euros/year |
| Dent-E-SIM | Use your own currency (“Dents”) for data passports |
| travSIM | Prepaid SIM cards for up to 150 countries |
In summary, it is crucial to plan your mobile phone usage carefully in advance. International SIM cards and special eSIM offers offer a sensible way to minimize the risk of high roaming costs and ensure that travelers can remain well connected even when abroad.