Internet & Phone

WLAN is almost universally available for free in hotels, restaurants, and cafes — even in cheaper accommodations. The quality varies.

Mobile Internet

• EU roaming does NOT apply in Turkey (not an EU member). Your German mobile data package is extremely expensive in Turkey (often 5–15 €/MB!).
• Turkish SIM card: Turkcell, Vodafone TR, or Türk Telekom offer tourist SIM cards at the airport (from 300–600 ₺ for 10–20 GB, 30 days). Passport required!
• eSIM: For newer phones (iPhone from XS, Samsung from S20): Airalo, Holafly, or Ubigi offer Turkey eSIMs from 5 € (1 GB, 7 days) to 25 € (10 GB, 30 days). Convenient, no card swap needed.
• Beware of IMEI registration: If you insert a Turkish SIM card into a non-Turkish phone, the device must be registered within 120 days (IMEI registration, fee approx. 20,000 ₺!). Irrelevant for short vacationers (prepaid works 120 days without registration). eSIM circumvents this issue.