Roaming in Turkey: How to avoid charges

What is roaming?

Roaming is a type of cellular data service. Data roaming services are a partnership between your home mobile provider and a cellular company in another country, such as Turkey, which allows you to keep using data without interruptions. When you leave your home country and connect to a Turkish mobile network without a Turkish SIM card, you’re using international roaming.  

While data roaming in Turkey is extremely convenient, it comes with a hefty price tag. When you use international data roaming in Turkey, your home mobile provider will charge you extra. That means you could end up paying a lot, even for simple day-to-day phone use. And if you start doing any activities that use a lot of data, like streaming videos or navigating for a long car ride, your bill will be even higher.

How does roaming in Turkey work?

Roaming in Turkey works by connecting you to a local Turkish network. Your home mobile carrier will probably have a partnership with one of Turkey’s major mobile networks: Türk Telekom, Turkcell, or Vodafone Turkey.

Before you access data roaming services in Turkey, however, you need to make sure your smartphone is compatible with Turkish networks. First, check to see whether you have data roaming enabled. You’ll need to have data roaming turned on in order to use it.

Then, you need to determine whether your phone supports the global system for mobile communication (GSM). Turkish mobile carriers use GSM technology to provide cellular data services, so your mobile phone needs to be GSM-compatible in order to use roaming in Turkey. Most smartphones from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania work with GSM technology.

However, if you’re from the United States, Canada, Mexico, or South America, your phone likely uses code-division multiple access (CDMA) technology. If you’re from the Americas, check to see if your smartphone supports GSM or dual SIM technology before your trip. Otherwise, you may not be able to access data roaming in Turkey.

If you have data roaming enabled and your mobile phone supports GSM technology, you’ll automatically connect to a local network when you arrive in Turkey. That means you can use data to send texts, make calls, and search the internet. However, you'll also start racking up fees. 

Is Turkey within the EU roaming scheme?

Turkey is not a member of the European Union, so it does not fall within the EU roaming scheme. While vacationing in Turkey, European travelers will not benefit from the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” policy, which gives citizens access to free or reduced mobile roaming fees within other EU countries.

How much do roaming charges cost in Turkey?

Since UK travelers frequently visit Turkey, let’s compare roaming fees for three major UK providers — EE, Vodafone, and O2 — to understand how much the roaming charges cost. 

Since Vodafone operates in both the UK and Turkey, it’s often the cheapest option for traditional roaming services in Turkey. However, you have other, most cost-effective choices for staying connected in Turkey.

Three roaming charges in Turkey

Three is an up-and-coming UK mobile provider offering attractive roaming plans for Turkey and other destinations. If you join one of Three’s Value or Complete plans on a one- or two-year contract, Three will provide you with an international day pass. You can receive up to 28 day passes (for Value customers) or 56 day passes (for Complete customers), which you can use to roam in Turkey at no extra cost.

How to turn roaming on and off while in Turkey

If you decide to use international roaming in Turkey, you can minimize your roaming costs by understanding how to turn data roaming on or off. That way, you can keep your phone from using mobile data when you don’t need it.

To enable or disable roaming on iPhone:

1. Open Settings.

2. Select “Cellular.”

3. Tap “Cellular data options.”

4. Toggle “Data roaming” on or off.

To turn roaming on or off on Android

1. Open Settings.

2. Select “Connections.”

3. Click “Mobile networks.”

4. Toggle “Data roaming” on or off.

Best methods to avoid roaming charges when using the internet in Turkey

If you want to avoid roaming charges when using the internet in Turkey, you have options! Let’s get an overview of all the ways to use a phone overseas without roaming, and then we’ll compare them.

eSIM for Turkey

Getting an eSIM for Turkey is one of the most reliable and cost-effective ways to access the internet in Turkey. eSIMs are a virtual alternative to traditional prepaid SIM cards, giving you all the benefits with none of the hassle. eSIMs can’t get lost, stolen, or damaged, and you don’t have to worry about physically swapping out your SIM cards. 

An eSIM takes advantage of pre-installed features in modern smartphones that allow you to access data through international mobile carriers. All you have to do is buy an eSIM plan and download your provider’s app. You can buy an eSIM at any point during your trip to Turkey, including before you depart.

With an eSIM, you can get:

• Automatic activation as soon as you arrive in Turkey.

• High-speed data throughout Turkey.

• Flexible data plans that meet your needs.

• Coverage from the best Turkey internet providers.

• Much cheaper rates compared to international roaming.

• Easy online plan management if you need more data.

Whether you want to stay connected with your friends and family, track down the best Döner kebab, or find your way around Istanbul, an eSIM can help!

Prepaid SIM for Turkey

You can also opt for a prepaid SIM card for Turkey. If your mobile phone uses physical SIM cards, you can purchase a Turkish SIM card from local providers and swap it out for your home carrier’s SIM. This new SIM card will allow you to access data in Turkey without paying roaming charges.

If you want to use a physical local SIM card, be sure to plan ahead. First, you have to verify whether your phone uses physical SIM cards, and then you have to decide how you’re going to get a Turkish SIM card. You can order a Turkish SIM card online, or you can wait and purchase one in Turkey, either at the airport, a convenience store, a shopping mall, or a mobile provider’s retail store. 

Turkey’s three main mobile networks (Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, and Türk Telekom) all offer prepaid physical SIM cards for tourists. When you purchase a SIM card, you’ll be locked in to one provider, so research your options carefully. Prepaid SIM cards come with a preset data allowance, and if you need to add more data to your plan, you can usually do so online or at a retail location.

Pocket Wi-Fi

Pocket Wi-Fi is similar to a mobile hotspot. Pocket Wi-Fi is a small device that contains a local SIM card, and it uses mobile data to create a Wi-Fi network. Then, you can connect your smartphone to the pocket Wi-Fi to get unlimited internet access. You can rent a Turkish pocket Wi-Fi device online before you arrive or pick one up at the airport.

Pocket Wi-Fi is a good choice if you’ll need to use the internet on multiple devices during your trip. However, it has some drawbacks. Not all pocket Wi-Fi devices are compatible with all phones, laptops, and tablets due to differences in network technologies and frequency bands, and you have to make sure your pocket Wi-Fi is fully charged to use it on the go the whole day.

Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is free, so it may initially seem like an attractive option. However, it’s not safe or consistent. If you rely on free Wi-Fi for your internet access in Turkey, you have no guarantee that you’ll get wireless internet when you need it. Instead, you have to find a hotel, restaurant, or museum with a free Wi-Fi network.

Public Wi-Fi networks are also extremely vulnerable. During peak traffic times, your connection may be slow or inconsistent. Not to mention that free Wi-Fi leaves you open to cybercriminals who may be trying to steal your data or install malware on your device. If you do choose to use public Wi-Fi, make sure you always have a virtual private network (VPN).

Which method is the most reliable and effective?

Simply put, an eSIM is the most reliable and effective way to access the internet in Turkey.

Explore Turkey with the Saily eSIM app

When you compare all your options, the benefits of an eSIM outweigh every other option for accessing the internet in Turkey, from international roaming plans to pocket Wi-Fi.

Download the Saily eSIM app to explore everything Turkey has to offer, from Istanbul to Cappadocia, with peace of mind!