Best Tourist Sim Cards in Bangladesh in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Bangladesh across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Bangladesh, having a sim card is essential for staying connected while you explore. With internet access, you can easily navigate new cities, discover the best restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book taxis, and share memorable moments with your loved ones.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly add up when traveling internationally. That’s why we recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card to access local phone rates. Luckily, obtaining both options in Bangladesh is incredibly easy, but it’s helpful to know which one suits you best.
This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to buy a sim card in Bangladesh, including current pricing and the top recommendation for your needs.
The best sim card in Bangladesh is the new prepaid sim card offer by Robi or Airtel. Robi and Airtel have been the same company since 2016 and their prepaid sim card offerings are identical.
All you need to do is find one of their stores and purchase a new sim card for 250 BDT. The new sim card offer includes 10GB of data which is then valid for 30 days!
They’re the second largest mobile network operator in Bangladesh and their network is very extensive and covers the entire country.
The Airalo Bangladesh eSim is an option as well, however, at around $13 or $22 USD they are not at all priced competitively compared to local sim cards. Budget conscious travellers should definitely get the Robi or Airtel sim card. If you value the convenience of an eSim, then the Airalo Bangladesh eSim is the best option for you.
A Tourist Sim Card in Bangladesh costs 250 BDT in December 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Bangladesh will cost between $4.50 USD and $22 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 Bangladesh which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13 USD.
The main sim card providers in Bangladesh are Grameenphone, Airtel, Robi, Skitto and Banglalink. All providers have similar coverage and download speeds across Bangladesh so which one you choose should probably be up to you.
All three are reputable companies operating on very established networks. Their prepaid sim plans are all good value with plenty of data at affordable prices.
Grameenphone is the largest telco in Bangladesh and has one of the best mobile networks in the country. Their plans are all reasonably priced and require purchasing a sim card for a fixed fee and then choosing a plan that works for you.
I recommend going for Grameenphone if it’s easiest for you as their sim cards work well for tourists and are just as good as Banglalink and Airtel / Robi.
The price of a Grameenphone tourist sim card in Bangladesh is 549 BDT (349 BDT for plan + 200 BDT for sim card).
The plan offered by Grameenphone stores includes 25GB data valid for 15 days.
Airtel and Robi are essentially the same company in Bangladesh, offering what I consider to be the best prepaid sim card packages for tourists. Their network is the same and is just as strong as Banglalink and Grameenphone.
Their plans, however, tend to be slightly cheaper making them a more cost-effective solution. That said, all sim cards are affordable in Bangladesh and mobile data doesn’t cost much either so I generally recommend prioritising convenience. You should be able to pick up this sim card on arrival at the airport which makes it a great choice.
The price of a Airtel or Robi tourist sim card in Bangladesh is 250 BDT.
The plan offered by Airtel or Robi stores offers 10GB data valid for 30 days.
Skitto is a subsidiary of the aforementioned Grameenphone telecommunications company. It primarily targets younger audiences meaning their plans can often be more affordable.
I would recommend a Skitto sim, however, it may be harder to acquire and I don’t recommend spending your time searching for a store that sells them. Instead just opt for any of the other brands instead and if you come across a Skitto sim when you need one then rest assured that it will still be perfectly suitable for your trip.
The price of a Skitto tourist sim card in Bangladesh is 498 BDT.
The plan offered by Skitto stores includes 7GB data valid for 30 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Bangladesh: Grameenphone, Airtel or Robi and Skitto are your best options in Bangladesh.
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 Bangladesh. 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 Bangladesh to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Grameenphone, Airtel or Robi or Skitto 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 Grameenphone that includes 25GB data for 549 BDT (349 BDT for plan + 200 BDT for sim card).
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 250 BDT 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 Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Bangladesh 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 Grameenphone, Airtel or Robi and Skitto. 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 Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh. The Airalo Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Bangladesh is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh eSim uses the GrameenPhone network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the GrameenPhone networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Bangladesh.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Bangladesh eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22 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 Bangladesh eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Bangladesh eSim uses the Grameenphonenetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Bangladesh
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Bangladesh eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is already built into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike regular physical SIM cards, there is no need to physically insert or remove an eSIM from the device.
The eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This means that users can easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, especially for travelers or people who change between mobile networks frequently or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it easier to manage multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually input the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and enjoy the same voice, data, and messaging services as with 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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