Best Tourist Sim Cards in Croatia in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Croatia across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Croatia, having a reliable sim card is essential to make the most of your visit.
Having internet access while traveling allows you to easily navigate new cities, discover the best restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book taxis, and share your adventures with your loved ones.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly add up, especially when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend either obtaining an eSIM or a local sim card to benefit from local phone rates.
Fortunately, acquiring either an eSIM or a local sim card in Croatia is simple and hassle-free. To help you make an informed choice, this guide provides you with all the necessary information about buying a sim card in Croatia, including up-to-date pricing and recommendations for the best sim card that suits your needs.
The best sim card in Croatia is the prepaid tourist sim card by A1. For just 10 EUR you will get unlimited 5G data across Croatia as well as 100 minutes / SMS. This is an amazing deal!
On top of this, A1 has the best network coverage, reliability and download speeds in Croatia making it the best option regardless of price.
The only catch is that with A1 you only get 10 days with the sim card. After this you need to text Daily to 13220 each day and you will be able to extend the package for 3 EUR per day. This is fine if you have only a few extra days, but if you were planning 30 days in Croatia this would cost you 70 EUR!
Telemach is worth considering if you are visiting Croatia for longer than 10 days as they also offer a 30 day plan with 10GB data for the same 10 EUR price, which is plenty of data for most travellers. Or check out the Airalo eSim below.
If you prefer the convenience of an eSim (and who doesn’t, they’re amazing) then make sure to check out the Airalo Croatia eSim. At about 14 EUR ($15 USD) for 5GB of data valid for 30 days it’s still a pretty good deal and a lot easier than visiting a store in person and installing a physical sim card.
As the Airalo eSim is valid for 30 days, I can recommend it to anyone looking for the best value sim card for trip durations between 10 and 30 days. You don’t get unlimited data but it’s cheaper than A1 after 12 days.
A Tourist Sim Card in Croatia costs 10 EUR in September 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Croatia will cost between $5 USD and $15 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 Croatia which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15 USD.
In Croatia, there are several main SIM card providers catering to the country’s diverse mobile needs. A1, known as the leading telecommunication company in Croatia, offers reliable and extensive coverage across the nation. With a wide range of prepaid and postpaid plans, A1 offers flexibility and value for money.
Another prominent provider is T-Mobile, which boasts a strong network and exceptional customer service. They offer various packages tailored to suit different data and calling needs, including affordable international roaming options.
Telemach is also a major player in the Croatian market, providing a range of prepaid and postpaid plans with competitive rates. Their services cover both urban areas and rural regions, making them a popular choice for residents and tourists alike.
Overall, with A1, T-Mobile, and Telemach dominating the SIM card market in Croatia, customers have plenty of options to choose from based on their specific requirements.
A1 is a leading telecommunications company in Croatia, offering convenient tourist sim cards for travelers. Their sim cards provide unlimited data and local calls, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity throughout Croatia. With easy activation and excellent network coverage, A1 sim cards are a reliable choice for tourists who want to stay connected and navigate their way effortlessly in the beautiful cities, beaches, and national parks of Croatia.
The price of a A1 tourist sim card in Croatia is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by A1 stores includes unlimited 5G data + 100 minutes / SMS (no EU roaming) valid for 10 days.
T-Mobile offers convenient tourist sim cards in Croatia, ensuring seamless connectivity during your visit. These sim cards provide extensive data packages and affordable calling rates, making it easy for tourists to stay connected with loved ones and navigate through unfamiliar places. With excellent network coverage and reliable customer service, T-Mobile ensures a hassle-free communication experience that enhances the enjoyment of your stay in Croatia. Stay connected and explore without worrying about connectivity issues with T-Mobile’s tourist sim cards.
The price of a T-Mobile tourist sim card in Croatia is 11.49 EUR.
The plan offered by T-Mobile stores offers unlimited 5G data (no EU roaming) valid for 10 days.
Telemach is a well-known provider of tourist SIM cards in Croatia, offering convenient communication options for travelers. Their SIM cards provide affordable rates, extensive coverage, and reliable data connectivity throughout the country. With Telemach, tourists can enjoy uninterrupted communication, share their experiences online, and access important services effortlessly. Telemach’s exceptional customer support ensures a hassle-free experience, making them a trusted choice for visitors exploring the beautiful destinations of Croatia.
The price of a Telemach tourist sim card in Croatia is 9.95 EUR.
The plan offered by Telemach stores includes unlimited 5G data (no EU roaming) valid for 10 days.
Identify mobile providers: A1, T-Mobile and Telemach are your best options in Croatia.
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 usually be found in major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. If possible, I always recommend to to avoid airports and head in to an official store in the city.
Bring the necessary documents: It is always a good idea to carry your passport or identification documents for sim card registration purposes. We’ve found most providers will need to confirm your identity to provide a sim card and it can be a major hassle to head to a store only to have to come back again later with your passport.
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 a good starting point, but the staff will usually be able to suggest the best option.
Pay and activate your card: Pay for the SIM card and plan, and the staff will 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 search for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Croatia 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 Croatia then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Croatia 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, T-Mobile and Telemach. 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 Croatia 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 Croatia 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 Croatia. The Airalo Croatia 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 $15 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 Croatia without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Croatia is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Croatia 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 Croatia eSim uses the Telemach network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Telemach networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Croatia.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Croatia eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $10 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $15 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 Croatia eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Croatia eSim uses the Tele2network to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Croatia
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Croatia 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
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built into devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. It does not require a physical card to be inserted or removed from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is integrated into the hardware of the device and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically changing SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or those who regularly switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it 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 mobile network operator or manually enter activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and enjoy voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a traditional SIM card.
There are several reasons why using an eSIM can be beneficial. Firstly, it offers convenience as there is no need to physically insert or remove a SIM card when changing mobile networks or plans. This is particularly useful for frequent travelers who may need to switch networks or use local SIM cards in different countries.
Secondly, eSIM allows for dual SIM functionality on your device, meaning you can have two active mobile numbers on the same device. This can be useful for separating personal and work numbers or for managing multiple phone lines.
Furthermore, eSIMs are embedded within the device, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot. This saves space within the device, enabling manufacturers to make devices smaller or utilize the extra space for other components.
Additionally, eSIMs allow for remote provisioning, enabling activation and management of mobile plans to be done over the air. This means you can activate or switch to a new mobile plan without needing a physical SIM card or visiting a store, providing greater flexibility and convenience for managing your mobile connectivity.
Lastly, eSIM technology is future-proof as more mobile networks and service providers offer support for eSIMs. By using an eSIM-compatible device, you can take advantage of new services and offerings as they become available.
Overall, eSIM technology offers flexibility, convenience, and future-proofing for mobile connectivity, making it a compelling choice for many users.
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.
Using an eSim is new for many travellers, however, the good news is it’s surprisingly easy to get set up – even for the technologically challenged!
Here’s a general guide on how to use an eSIM:
Check eSIM Compatibility: Ensure that your device supports eSIM functionality. Many newer smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other devices are eSIM compatible including all iPhones produced since 2018.
Obtain an eSIM: There are multiple ways to acquire an eSIM. You can purchase an eSIM online from a provider like Airalo (which we recommend) or directly from a mobile network operator. Some devices also allow you to scan a QR code provided by your carrier to download the eSIM profile.
Activate the eSIM: Your eSim provider will send you instructions to activate the sim. This will usually involve scanning a QR code, entering an activation code, or downloading the eSIM profile directly onto your device.
Set up the eSIM: Once activated, your device will guide you through the eSIM setup process. This typically involves selecting the eSIM as your preferred mobile plan, configuring settings like data roaming, and entering any necessary authentication details.
Enjoy the Connection: Once the eSIM is set up, you can use it as you would with a physical SIM card. Make calls, send messages, browse the internet, and use data services as needed. You can also switch between eSIM profiles if you have multiple eSIMs installed on your device.
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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