Best Tourist Sim Cards in Israel in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Israel across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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When traveling to Israel, having access to the internet is essential for navigating new cities and making the most of your trip. Whether you want to discover the best restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, or share photos with your family, being connected on the go is a game-changer.
While roaming is an option, international fees can quickly accumulate. That’s why we recommend either getting an eSIM or a local SIM card to enjoy local phone rates without breaking the bank. Luckily, acquiring either option in Israel is a breeze, but understanding which one suits you best is crucial.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a SIM card in Israel. We will cover everything from current pricing to the ultimate SIM card that meets your needs perfectly.
The best Israel sim card is from Pelephone which offers the best 5G network across Israel. The Pelephone prepaid sim cards are competitively priced at 59 NIS for 100GB of data making it undoubtedly the best option for travellers.
eSims are the most convenient way to access the internet when travelling, however, they are not competitively priced in Israel when compared to local sim cards. If you are after the easiest option, then consider an Airalo eSim for Israel. I recommend the Pelephone sim card for anyone looking for a good value pick, but for a slightly higher price I think an eSim such as Airalo is just so much more convenient. For shorter trips it really is the best option.
A Tourist Sim Card in Israel costs 59 NIS in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Israel will cost between $5.50 USD and $22 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 Israel which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13.50 USD.
The three top sim card providers in Israel are Pelephone, Partner and Golan telecom.
All three offer good network coverage across Israel, however, Pelephone is known to have the most extensive network with the fastest 5G internet speeds. For this reason I recommend them over the alternatives.
That said, these days I would just opt for an Airalo eSim. The convenience outweighs the lower data caps for most people, especially if you’re on a short trip to Israel.
When it comes to network coverage, network speeds and 5G experience, Pelephone is the top mobile network in Israel. For this reason I recommend tourists opt for Pelephone’s tourist sims over any of the alternatives.
They aren’t necessarily the cheapest but typically sit in the mid-range, however, due to the extensive network they typically are the best option.
The price of a Pelephone tourist sim card in Israel is 59 NIS.
The plan offered by Pelephone stores includes 100GB + unlimited social media valid for 30 days.
Partner Telecommunications is another one of the largest tourist sim card providers in Israel. Their network is also good but typically considered to be slightly worse than Pelephone.
Prices are also higher for Partner so until they get cheaper I can’t see any reason to recommend them to tourists.
The price of a Partner tourist sim card in Israel is 100 NIS.
The plan offered by Partner stores offers 35GB data + unlimited calls and texts valid for 30 days.
Golan Telecom is my back up pick for sim card providers in Israel. Tests have shown their coverage is roughly comparable to Pelephone and have good coverage all over Israel, whether you’re visiting the Dead Sea or in Jerusalem.
Prices are quite cheap and the sim card activation process is typically quite hassle-free for tourists. If it’s more convenient for you, picking up a Golan Telecom sim card is great alternative to Pelephone or Airalo.
The price of a Golan tourist sim card in Israel is 34.90 NIS.
The plan offered by Golan stores includes 300GB data + unlimited calls & SMS + 240 minutes international calls valid for 1 month.
Identify the mobile providers in Israel: Pelephone, Partner and Golan are your best options in Israel.
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 Israel. 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 Israel to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Pelephone, Partner or Golan 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 Pelephone that includes 100GB + unlimited social media for 59 NIS.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 59 NIS 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 Israel 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 Israel then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Israel 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 Pelephone, Partner and Golan. 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 Israel 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 Israel 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 Israel. The Airalo Israel 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 Israel without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Israel is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Israel 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 Israel eSim uses the Annatel network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Annatel networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Israel.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Israel eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $11 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13.50 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $18 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22 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 Israel eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Israel eSim uses the Partner Communications Company Ltd./Hot Mobile Ltd./Pelephone Communication Ltd.network to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Israel
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Israel eSim:
3GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $34 USD
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is permanently embedded within a device, like a smartphone or tablet. Unlike regular SIM cards, it doesn’t need to be physically inserted or removed.
Instead, the eSIM is already integrated into the device’s internal 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 having to physically swap SIM cards.
The significant advantage of eSIM technology lies in its convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. This eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it much simpler to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users simply 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 the full range of voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a regular 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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