Best Tourist Sim Cards in Ghana in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Ghana across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Ghana, having a local SIM card is essential for staying connected. Access to the internet while you’re traveling allows you to easily navigate new cities, find the best restaurants, locate your accommodation, book taxis, and share photos with your loved ones.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly add up when you’re traveling internationally. To save money and enjoy local phone rates, we strongly recommend either an eSIM or a local SIM card. Luckily, obtaining either option in Ghana is incredibly straightforward.
This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a SIM card in Ghana, including current pricing and the best SIM card for your needs.
Ghana is one of the cheapest countries in Africa to get mobile data. In my opinion, the best sim card in Ghana is the prepaid sim card by MTN. Why? MTN has the best mobile network in Ghana whilst also having fantastic and affordable prepaid plans available for tourists.
You should check out the different plans here to pick the one that works best for you. For most people I recommend either 6GB of data for 80 GHS or 10GB of data for 120 GHS, both valid for 45 days.
MTN, Vodafone and Airtel all have extensive mobile networks across Ghana, however, MTN has the best coverage. If you can’t easily reach an MTN store, Vodafone and Airtel are also perfectly fine for travellers and offer fairly similar packages.
You can also check out the Airalo Ghana eSim. The prices aren’t competitive with local sim cards for the same amount of data so I can’t recommend them if you’re looking for the cheapest option, however, they are extremely convenient when compared to physical sim cards.
If you don’t use a lot of data, or you only have a short stay in Ghana, then for 9 USD (100 GHS) you can pick up an eSim with 2GB of data. Alternatively, you can get 1GB for just $5 USD (57 GHS) or 3GB for $11.50 USD (131 GHS).
WIth the eSim you’ll be able to avoid visiting a store and installing a sim card. Instead, you just buy it online here anytime before you leave and it will work when you arrive in Ghana.
A Tourist Sim Card in Ghana costs 80 GHS in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Ghana will cost between $5 USD and $29 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 Ghana which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $17 USD.
There are three main sim card provieers in Ghana: MTN, Vodafone and Airtel. All three offer wide coverage across the country, however, Ghana is generally considered the best of the three.
It’s not uncommon for shop staff to not know how to give you a sim card without a Ghanaian ID card. This is likely the case with all three providers, however, MTN is the most likely to work out without issues. Similarly, purchasing at the airport is relatively affordable and they will be able to set you up with just your passport.
Vodafone offers generous data plans for tourists and locals that can be purchased at their official stores in Ghana.
Their coverage and mobile data speeds are good but not as good or extensive as MTN.
The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Ghana is 100 GHS.
The plan offered by Vodafone stores includes 12GB data valid for as long as you stay.
MTN is the largest telecommunications company in Ghana and offers the most extensive mobile coverage across the country. I recommend MTN to all tourists as their plans are affordable and their coverage is much better Vodafone or Airtel.
Typically you should purchase an MTN sim card at the airport when you arrive in Ghana. This may cost you more but due to challenges with getting set up in Ghana this is likely the best option for tourists. Alternatively, it can be good if you know someone in Ghana who can purchase a sim card for you before you arrive.
You can also purchase an MTN sim card from their official stores across Ghana but you may have some issues if you don’t have a local Ghanaian ID card. If this is the case, I recommend trying a few stores until you find one that can help.
The price of a MTN tourist sim card in Ghana is 80 GHS.
The plan offered by MTN stores offers 6GB data valid for 45 days.
Airtel offers good coverage across Ghana as well and is a reasonable backup option if you can’t acquire an MTN sim card for some reason. As MTN has a more extensive mobile network I recommend trying to get an MTN card – there’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to.
The price of a Airtel tourist sim card in Ghana is 100 GHS.
The plan offered by Airtel stores includes 12GB data valid for as long as you stay.
Identify the mobile providers in Ghana: Vodafone, MTN and Airtel are your best options in Ghana.
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 Ghana. 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 Ghana to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Vodafone, MTN or Airtel 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 Vodafone that includes 12GB data for 100 GHS.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 80 GHS 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 Ghana 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 Ghana then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Ghana 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 Vodafone, MTN and Airtel. 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 Ghana 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 Ghana 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 Ghana. The Airalo Ghana 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 $17 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 Ghana without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Ghana is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Ghana 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 Ghana eSim uses the Vodafone network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Vodafone networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Ghana.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Ghana eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $9 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $11.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $17 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $29 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $17 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 Ghana eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Ghana eSim uses the Scancom (MTN)/Vodafonenetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Ghana
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Ghana eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
The eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike physical SIM cards, there is no need to physically insert or remove the eSIM from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to effortlessly switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of needing to physically swap SIM cards.
The convenience, flexibility, and ease of use provided by eSIM technology are particularly beneficial for travelers or individuals who frequently switch between different mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient for managing 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 input the 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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