Best Tourist Sim Cards in Austria in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Austria across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Austria, having a reliable means of communication is essential. Whether it’s finding your way around a new city or staying connected with loved ones, having internet access is a game-changer. While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly add up, especially when you’re traveling internationally.
That’s why we recommend either getting an eSIM or a local SIM card to take advantage of local phone rates. Fortunately, obtaining either option in Austria is incredibly simple. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a SIM card in Austria, including the latest pricing and our top recommendation for the best SIM card to buy.
The best sim card in Austria is the B.free prepaid sim card offered by A1. For just 10 EUR you can get 50GB of data that is valid for 4 weeks within Austria.
All three mobile network operators have good coverage in Austria, however A1 officially has the best network performance and coverage in Austria.
Plus, if you are travelling to other EU countries the B.free prepaid plan by A1 includes a hefty 13GB of EU roaming data as well. For 10 EUR this is one of the best value sim cards you can get in Europe.
If you prefer convenience, then I recommend Airalo’s Austria eSim over the local sim cards above. For around 12 EUR you will get 5GB of data to use across Austria. This should be plenty for most trips and it saves you needing to visit a store and install a physical sim card -worth it in my opinion.
A Tourist Sim Card in Austria costs 10 EUR in December 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Austria will cost between $4.50 USD and $31 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Austria which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13 USD.
In Austria, A1, Drei and Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile) are the leading sim card providers. All three offer very extensive mobile networks with fast download speeds all across Austria.
The three main providers offer roughly similar prepaid plans with very generous mobile data caps, EU roaming and minutes – all for the exact same price.
A1 is the largest telecommunications provider in Austria and boasts the best mobile network in the country.
Their plans are roughly equal to their competitors with heaps of data in both Austria and the EU region for very low prices – basically, I think it’s great value.
You can find A1 stores all over Austria, in all all major cities and airports making it easy to get your hands on one – plus they’ll be more than happy to set it up for you fairly quickly.
The price of a A1 tourist sim card in Austria is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by A1 stores includes 50GB data + 13GB EU roaming + 2,000 minutes & SMS valid for 1 month.
Drei, or Three in English, is another leading sim card provider in Austria. Their prepaid plans are pretty much the same as A1 and Magenta, however, they have the weakest mobile network in Austria.
In my opinion, they’re still a good choice, but it really makes more sense to go with either A1, or Magenta if it’s more convenient.
The price of a Drei (3) tourist sim card in Austria is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by Drei (3) stores offers 30GB data + 10GB EU roaming data + 1,000 minutes +1,000 SMS valid for 30 days.
Magenta is the second best prepaid sim card in Austria offering very fast mobile internet and a reliable network all across Austria.
The packages they offer are outstanding with plenty of data in Austria and the EU for the same price as the other alternatives.
Magenta Telekom is a great backup option if for some reason it’s easier for you to find than A1.
The price of a Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile) tourist sim card in Austria is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile) stores includes 50GB data + 19GB EU roaming + 1000 minutes / SMS valid for 1 month.
Identify the mobile providers in Austria: A1, Drei (3) and Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile) are your best options in Austria.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Austria. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Austria to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, A1, Drei (3) or Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile) staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by A1 that includes 50GB data + 13GB EU roaming + 2,000 minutes & SMS for 10 EUR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 10 EUR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Austria at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Austria then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Austria have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as A1, Drei (3) and Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile). Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Austria are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Austria with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Austria. The Airalo Austria eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $13 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Austria without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Austria is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Austria and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Austria eSim uses the 3AT network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the 3AT networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Austria.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Austria eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $21 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $31 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $13 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Austria eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Austria eSim uses the Hutchison Drei Austria GmbHnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Austria
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Austria eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
The eSIM, also known as embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is permanently fixed inside a device, like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike regular SIM cards, it doesn’t require manual insertion or removal.
The eSIM is integrated into the hardware of the device and can be remotely programmed and activated by a mobile network operator. This enables users to effortlessly switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIMs offer convenience, flexibility, and user-friendly operation, especially for individuals who frequently change networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen network and access usual voice, data, and messaging services as if it had a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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