How to get the internet in Turkey: eSIMs, local SIM cards, and roaming

Is the internet in Turkey good? What to expect

internet service in Turkey is pretty reliable, especially in tourist hotspots and cities. Like most large countries, however, speeds may drop when you leave the urban centers. In Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and other Turkish cities, expect excellent 4G coverage with speeds of 20-30 Mbps. You won’t have trouble making VoIP calls, streaming videos, and checking social media. Since 2022, Turkey has been rolling out its 5G networks, but the process isn’t complete, so you might move between 4G and 5G as you travel around the country. 

While the best internet in Turkey can be found in major cities like Ankara and Istanbul, service can become spotty if you visit rural areas. You might notice your connection dropping from 4G to 3G or occasionally disappearing completely when you really go off-trail. 

Most of the time, you’ll be using one of Turkey's three main mobile networks. Turkcell is the largest and boasts the best nation-wide coverage. Vodafone Turkey and Türk Telekom round out the big three, both offering decent service in populated areas.

If you don’t want to rely on any of these providers, you can always use public Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Public networks are probably the only way to get free internet in Turkey, but their speeds and reliability vary tremendously. Many public networks require SMS verification, making accessing the hotspots slow and cumbersome. 

Whatever method you use, getting connected doesn’t mean you’ll have the level of internet access you might be used to. Does Turkey have internet restrictions? Yes — in fact, internet censorship in Turkey has tightened in the last five years. Sites like Instagram and Discord are now blocked, as are some messaging apps, and these limits go far beyond social media — even Wikipedia is banned. Expect restrictions like these to intensify during times of political unrest, especially close to elections. 

Best internet options in Turkey (Ranked by cost and convenience)

The right internet solution for you depends on your travel style, budget, and connectivity needs. Here are your options, from most to least convenient.

1. Use an eSIM — fast, flexible, and works on arrival

An eSIM app offers the easiest way to get connected in Turkey. But what is an eSIM? It's essentially a digital SIM card that you can install on your phone before you board your flight. When you land, your device will connect to local networks automatically, without racking up roaming charges. 

With an eSIM for Turkey, you don’t need to find a store, deal with language barriers, or fill out paperwork at the airport. One of the big benefits of an eSIM is that getting one is an entirely digital process — your home SIM stays in your device, so there’s no risk of damaging or losing it, and you won’t miss important calls or texts while you’re away.

In 2025, Turkey started blocking eSIM apps and websites, so just be aware that you’ll need to get your data plan ready before you travel. As long as you’ve completed your purchase and set up an eSIM app in advance, you’ll have internet access when you get to Turkey.

2. Buy a local SIM Card — a good option for long stays

For longer trips (more than a couple of weeks), a prepaid SIM card for Turkey can be cost-effective, though the setup process requires more effort than that of an eSIM app. You can buy SIM cards from Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, or Türk Telekom — their stores and kiosks are found in airports and around large cities. Prices typically range from 100-300 Turkish lira (US$3-9) for starter packages with data included.

One crucial thing to know is that Turkey requires all SIM cards to be registered with your passport. This registration process can sometimes be confusing and time-consuming, especially if the user agreement isn’t in a language you’re familiar with. Once you buy your SIM, activation won’t necessarily be instant — you might be waiting up to an hour for the data to start flowing. When comparing an eSIM and a physical SIM card, the former wins out on price and ease of activation.  

3. Use data roaming — easy but expensive

If you're only visiting Turkey for a few days, your home carrier's data roaming service can be a convenient way to get online. But what is roaming, exactly? It’s a feature offered by most mobile providers, giving you access to local cell networks while you’re abroad — often at a very steep price.

Your everyday mobile carrier almost certainly offers some kind of roaming deal. Companies might offer free roaming for specific countries or let you buy cheap data passes, but others will charge you heavy fees for data usage outside of your home country. It’s not unusual for travelers to find themselves paying US$15-20 per GB in Turkey.

Roaming in Turkey makes sense for very brief stays when convenience outweighs cost considerations, or if your home carrier offers exceptionally good international packages. For most people, however, almost any other option on this list is preferable to data roaming.  

4. Rent pocket Wi-Fi — good for large groups and families

Pocket Wi-Fi devices are mobile hotspots, portable routers that create your own private Wi-Fi networks. You can connect multiple devices to a pocket Wi-Fi device simultaneously, which makes it a good option when you’re traveling with a larger group.

In Turkey, you can rent these devices from companies like Alldaywifi, Rent 'n Connect, or TravelWifi. Most are available for pickup at international airports or can be delivered to your hotel. Daily rental fees typically start at around US$5, on top of whatever you pay for data.

The main advantage of pocket Wi-Fi is the opportunity to connect multiple devices. The downsides include carrying yet another device, keeping it charged, and having to return it after your trip. You may also end up paying more if you damage or lose the router. 

5. Connect to Public Wi-Fi

You can find free Wi-Fi in Turkey's touristy areas — hotels, resorts, and transport hubs like Istanbul Airport all have their own networks. Cafes and restaurants in tourist areas are also likely to provide free customer Wi-Fi, though these routers are usually password protected.  

Public Wi-Fi in Turkey isn’t a perfect solution for internet access, though. These networks are often slow (especially when multiple people are logged on at once), it’s hard to verify how secure they are, and you have to be within range to use them. Being on the Wi-Fi in your hotel is great until you decide to leave — then, if you want to call a taxi or get directions to a restaurant, you’re out of luck.

Public Wi-Fi should be considered a backup option rather than your primary connection method in Turkey. It's fine for checking emails or browsing before bed but just isn’t reliable for consistent connectivity.

How much does the internet cost in Turkey? (Price comparison)

On the table below, we’ve compared some of the most popular internet options for travelers in Turkey. Remember — these are very, very loose estimates. Every eSIM app, mobile company, and pocket Wi-Fi provider offers different prices, so the details below represent a very broad sample of the market.

The eSIM cost listed above is based on Saily’s cheapest Turkey eSIM deal — a 7-day 1 GB plan for US$3.99. The roaming figures assume a baseline of at least US$5-10 per day. The averages for local SIM cards and pocket Wi-Fi draw from an overview of major providers that operate in Turkey, without representing any specific plans.

How much data do you need for your trip to Turkey?

Before you pick between the internet options we’ve discussed, you need to ask yourself a question — how much data do you need, exactly? Let’s break it down.

Light usage, including occasional messaging and map checks, might only require around 500 MB per day. This would cover basic navigation, messaging apps, and checking email, but not much else.

If you engage in regular social media browsing, use map and navigation apps, and enjoy some video content each day, you’re probably a moderate user. You’ll want at least 1 GB per day.

Heavy usage, like streaming and regular social media use (especially apps like TikTok that involve video content), could easily burn through 2 GB or more daily. Planning to watch Netflix, make video calls, or download large files? Think about getting a data allowance that covers around 3 GB or more per day. Even that might prove limited, but luckily many providers now offer unlimited plans.

Most people aren’t going abroad to browse the internet, though, so only buy the amount of data that you actually need. For a typical week-long trip to Turkey with moderate usage, a 5-7 GB plan should tick all the boxes.

How to get internet in Turkey as a tourist

For travelers visiting Turkey for a week or two, an eSIM is the perfect way to get online while balancing convenience and cost. You can download the eSIM app for free, set up your account in minutes, and get connected instantly when you arrive in Turkey. 

With a Saily eSIM, you’ll get reliable coverage on Turkey's best networks, no physical cards are needed, and you can share your connection with travel companions through an unlimited hotspot. An eSIM is probably the simplest way to get online overseas without roaming data — you get all of the benefits at a fraction of the cost.

As we said at the start of this guide, there’s no wrong way to spend your trip in Turkey, but there might be a right way to get online.