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Best Tourist Sim Cards in Greece in 2024

Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Greece across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!

When traveling to Greece, having a sim card is essential for easy navigation and access to the internet. Whether it’s finding the best restaurants, getting directions to your accommodation, booking a taxi, or sharing photos with your family, having internet access on the go can make your trip much more convenient.

While roaming is always an option, the fees can quickly escalate when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend either getting an eSim or a local sim card to take advantage of local phone rates.

The good news is that obtaining either option in Greece is extremely simple, but it’s important to know which one is your best choice. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary information about buying a sim card in Greece, including the most up-to-date pricing and the absolute best sim card suited for your needs.

Table of Contents

Best Sim Card in Greece for Tourists

The best sim card in Greece is the prepaid data sim by Cosmote. This package includes unlimited data in Greece for just 12 EUR, with 12GB of data able to be used outside of Greece in the EU. This makes it the perfect card for travellers planning to explore other neighbouring countries.

In addition to this, Cosmote’s network offers the most extensive mobile coverage across Greece, especially on the islands where some other operators are known to have weaker signal.

It’s for this reason why I highly recommend sticking with Cosmote or their sub-brands. I was recently travelling in Greece and Cosmote offered this prepaid card in numerous stores and it was much better value than the competitors. Bear in mind I couldn’t find it anywhere on their website but this should be available in person.

Vodafone’s tourist sim card is similar, however, I found that prices in the official stores were extremely high. There are kiosks around Monastiraki, including in Monastiraki Square, that sell official Vodafone sim cards for lower prices – around 12 EUR. These are a good alternative to Cosmote.

Airalo’s Greece eSim also uses the Cosmote network which means that coverage is also great, but you get the added convenience of an eSim. If you only require a few GB of data then this is a good option. It costs 15 EUR for 5GB which should be enough for most travellers. It’s not a cheaper option, but it’s much more convenient.

Greece Sim Card Prices

A Tourist Sim Card in Greece costs 12 EUR in November 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.

Alternatively, an eSim in Greece will cost between $5 USD and $49 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 Greece which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15 USD.

Greece Sim Card Providers

There are three leading sim card providers in Greece: Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova. Nova is a smaller player in the market with typically weaker mobile coverage, whilst Cosmote is the largest telco in Greece with the most extensive mobile network that covers the entire country.

I recommend Cosmote for anyone visiting Greece and who doesn’t prefer the convenience of an eSim. Vodafone is also a good pick, especially when the Cosmote stores are closed. I purchased both Cosmote and Vodafone in Athens and found they were outstanding sim cards.

Cosmote Tourist Sim

Cosmote is the best mobile network provider in Greece thanks to the fact that their mobile network is widely regarded as being the most extensive and fastest.

Their tourist sim card plans are great value and offer significant amounts of data at very reasonable prices. If you’re heading out to the islands, such as Santorini, Paros or Naxos, then Cosmote will ensure you have the best chances of having internet access.

if you are planning to head to other EU countries then I recommend confirming in-store that the sim card will work – when I last visited, Cosmote was including free EU roaming making it one of the best tourist sim cards in Europe.

Cosmote Greece Tourist Sim Price

The price of a Cosmote tourist sim card in Greece is 12 EUR.

The plan offered by Cosmote stores includes Unlimited data + 12GB EU roaming valid for 30 days.

Vodafone Tourist Sim

Vodafone is the next best mobile network operator in Greece. Similar to Cosmote, they operate a very extensive network with fast speeds. I used them personally in Athens and on some of the Greek islands and was very happy with the speeds, although it was occasionally patchy on boats or in more rural parts of Santorini and Paros.

One thing to note, I tried going into a store in Athens and was quoted a much higher price than Cosmote – I can’t remember exactly, but it was around 20 – 30 EUR. I then decided to give the street vendors a shot and found the price to be a lot cheaper than in the store – just 12 EUR which made them equal to Cosmote for value. The Vodafone kiosk in Monastiraki Square was safe, reliable and convenient and I would use it again.

I also want to point out that the Cosmote stores are sometimes closed when the Kiosks are open.

Like the Cosmote sim card, the Vodafone package offers a substantial amount of roaming across EU countries making it fantastic value for anyone planning a larger EU trip. You can just pick this card up and use it all over the continent. If you’re staying for longer than 1 month, the app is quite easy to use and you can top up and buy extra prepaid packages for cheap.

Vodafone Greece Tourist Sim Price

The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Greece is 30 EUR.

The plan offered by Vodafone stores offers Unlimited data + 200 minutes valid for 30 days.

Nova (formerly WIND) Free2Go Tourist Sim

Nova is another mobile network operating in Greece after rebranding from WIND. They offer a tourist sim card, however, it’s not my most recommended pick as it has a weaker overall mobile network and coverage than their competitors.

Regardless, I think nova would be more than adequate but I don’t recommend it over the previous two options.

Nova (formerly WIND) Free2Go Greece Tourist Sim Price

The price of a Nova (formerly WIND) Free2Go tourist sim card in Greece is 10.60 EUR.

The plan offered by Nova (formerly WIND) Free2Go stores includes Unlimited data (10GB in EU) valid for 30 days.

How to Get a Sim Card in Greece

Identify the mobile providers in Greece: Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova (formerly WIND) Free2Go are your best options in Greece.

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 Greece. 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 Greece to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova (formerly WIND) Free2Go 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 Cosmote that includes Unlimited data + 12GB EU roaming for 12 EUR.

Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 12 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.

Where to Get a Sim Card in Greece

At the Airport

Buying a prepaid sim card for Greece 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 Greece then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Greece 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.

In Stores

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 Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova (formerly WIND) Free2Go. 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 Greece 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.

Online

If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Greece 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!

Greece eSim

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 Greece. The Airalo Greece 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 Greece without having to venture outside.

Airalo Greece

Our preferred eSim provider in Greece is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Greece 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 Greece eSim uses the Cosmote and Wind networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Cosmote and Wind networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Greece.

Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Greece 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: $12 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $25 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $49 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.

Holafly Greece

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 Greece eSims offer unlimited data.

Holafly’s Greece eSim uses the Vodafone/Windnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Greece

Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Greece 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

What is an eSim?

An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital version of a SIM card that is permanently integrated into a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, the eSIM does not require any physical installation or removal from the device.

Instead, the eSIM is built directly into the device’s hardware 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 need to physically insert or remove SIM cards.

The eSIM technology offers great convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch between different mobile networks or travel overseas. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it much simpler to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.

To activate an eSIM, users typically need to either scan a QR code that is provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can seamlessly connect to the chosen mobile network and enjoy various services, including voice calls, data usage, and messaging, just like with a traditional SIM card.

eSim Supported Phones

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.

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Mitchell

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.