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 December 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.
There are several main sim card providers in Croatia, with A1, Telemach and T-Mobile being the leading companies. All three offer roughly comparable mobile networks across Croatia. The coverage is extremely good with fast download speeds wherever you end up. You can’t really go wrong with any of them.
They all offer comparable plans for around 10 EUR each with generous amounts of data. A1 has the best coverage, reliability and speeds making it my top pick, however, their plan is only valid for 10 days so consider other options if you are staying for longer.
All providers should also provide EU roaming with no extra charges, however, there will be caps to this – it won’t be unlimited. If this is important for you, try to ask in an official store.
A1 is the best sim card provider in Croatia. They have the most extensive mobile network that ensures you stay connected wherever you end up.
Their sim card plans are good, including generous amounts of data for a good price, however, it is only valid for 10 days. After this you need to top up to get more data which can be a bit of a hassle.
That said, it’s very easy to acquire an A1 sim card at any newspaper stand in 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, or Hrvatski Telekom, is the largest telecommunications company in Croatia. Their network is also roughly comparable to A1s and as such makes them a great alternative.
Their plans are also valid for 10 days but include plenty of data at a good price. It’s basically identical to A1 so if it’s easier for you, you can’t go wrong with a T-Mobile sim card.
If you are staying for longer than 10 days you can pick up their 20 EUR plan which is valid for up to 90 days instead.
The price of a T-Mobile tourist sim card in Croatia is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by T-Mobile stores offers unlimited 5G data (no EU roaming) valid for 10 days.
Telemach is my top pick for tourists visiting Croatia for more than 10 days. Their network is basically equal to A1 and in real-world use you are unlikely to notice any difference as you travel throughout the country.
The main difference is they offer a 30 day plan for the same price as their 10 day one, just without the unlimited data.
You can easily pick up a Telemach sim card all over Croatia at official stores or newstands, grocery stores or gas stations.
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 the mobile providers in Croatia: 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 be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Croatia. 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 Croatia to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, A1, T-Mobile or Telemach 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 unlimited 5G data + 100 minutes / SMS (no EU roaming) 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 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.
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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