Best Tourist Sim Cards in Hungary in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Hungary across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a visit to Hungary, having a sim card is essential. It gives you access to the internet, making it easier to explore new cities. With internet connectivity, you can find the finest eateries, navigate to your accommodation, arrange transportation, and share pictures with your loved ones while on the move.
While roaming is an option, the fees can quickly accumulate when traveling internationally. That’s why we recommend either an eSIM or a local sim card, as they provide access to local phone rates. The good news is that acquiring either option in Hungary is effortless, but it’s important to know which one suits you best.
This comprehensive guide will provide everything you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Hungary, including updated pricing and recommendations for the best sim card to buy.
The best sim card in Hungary is the pay as you go sim card by Yettel. There are a few packages available, but for most travellers I recommend either the 3GB data for 2,500 HUF or 5GB data for 3,300 HUF. Both are valid for 30 days and work in Hungary and across the EU (which is very handy if you’re visiting other countries on your trip).
In terms of network coverage and reliability, all of the mobile network operators in Hungary are amazing and will be fine for your travels. Yettel and Telekom are typically known to be a bit better, whilst Telekom’s prepaid packages are a bit confusing so I generally recommend Yettel as long as it’s convenient to find a store near your accommodation.
For just a couple dollars more, I recommend an Airalo Hungary eSim over the local sim cards. It uses the same Yettel network as above, but you don’t need to visit a store and register. Instead, you just buy the eSim online before you leave then it will activate when you arrive in Hungary. For $9.5 USD (3,300 HUF) you can get 3GB of data, or for $13.5 USD (4,700 HUF) you can get 5GB of data which should be plenty.
A Tourist Sim Card in Hungary costs 2,500 HUF in March 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Hungary will cost between $4.50 USD and $36 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 Hungary which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13.50 USD.
If you’re looking to buy a sim card in Hungary, the three main providers you’ll come across are Yettel, Telekom and Vodafone. Yettel is my top pick as the 5G connection is super fast and there are a variety of plans available depending on the length of your trip or the amount of data you require. For better coverage, Telekom is highly recommended, however, chances are you’ll be visiting cities and towns rather than the rural areas.
If Vodafone is the only option for you, then the connection itself is reliable. Whereas this isn’t our personal experience, research online suggests customer service in Vodafone stores is not the best; charging customers for services not provided. For this reason, we didn’t buy a Vodafone sim card when travelling through Hungary.
Yettel is our top choice for sim card providers in Hungary. Yettel has both great coverage, and very fast 5G connection even when watching videos in high definition. Stores are available abundantly in Hungary, so it’s easy to buy a sim card in town if you haven’t picked up one at the airport. Yettel has a few different options for sim cards for 30 days.
The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Hungary is 1,000 HUF.
The plan offered by Vodafone stores includes 100MB data valid for 30 days.
Telekom Hungary is also a great choice when it comes to tourist sim cards. Telekom offers the best connection throughout the country, making it a reliable choice for your holiday. The one thing about Telekom is their prepaid packages seem to be a bit confusing, but you can ask the employees at the store to explain the differences in order to choose the best sim card for your trip.
The price of a Telekom tourist sim card in Hungary is .
The plan offered by Telekom stores offers valid for .
Vodafone is a popular sim card provider in many countries, so it is a well-known company. In Hungary however, I would recommend against buying a Vodafone sim card unless it is your only or your most convenient option. The reason being we’ve read multiple accounts of some stores only accepting cash and asking for a 10,000 HUF ‘activation fee’ which is inconsistent between stores. Whether this is true I cannot confirm through my personal experience, however, I feel as though there are other great options to choose from for sim card providers in Hungary.
The price of a Yettel tourist sim card in Hungary is 2,500 HUG.
The plan offered by Yettel stores includes 3GB data (3GB EU roaming) valid for 30 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Hungary: Vodafone, Telekom and Yettel are your best options in Hungary.
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 easily buy sim cards in major airports in Hungary. 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 Hungary to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Vodafone, Telekom or Yettel 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 100MB data for 1,000 HUF.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 2,500 HUF 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 Hungary 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 Hungary then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Hungary 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, Telekom and Yettel. 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 Hungary 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 Hungary 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 Hungary. The Airalo Hungary 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 $13.50 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 Hungary without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Hungary is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Hungary 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 Hungary eSim uses the Yettel (Telenor) network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Yettel (Telenor) networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Hungary.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Hungary eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13.50 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $36 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $13.50 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 Hungary eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Hungary eSim uses the Telenor Magyarorszag/Vodafone Hungarynetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Hungary
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Hungary 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 60 days – Price: $87 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
The eSIM, also known as the embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card integrated into electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. Unlike physical SIM cards, it doesn’t require insertion or removal.
This technology allows remote activation and programming by mobile network operators. Users can easily switch between different networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for frequent travelers or people who switch networks frequently. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, simplifying the management of multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can scan a QR code or manually enter the activation details provided by their network operator. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen network and access 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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