Best Tourist Sim Cards in Malta in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Malta across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Malta, having a sim card is essential for staying connected while travelling. With internet access, you can easily explore new cities, locate the top restaurants, find your way to your accommodation, book taxis, and share pictures with your loved ones on the go. While roaming is available, international fees can quickly accumulate.
To avoid these charges, we recommend either an eSIM or a local sim card to access local phone rates. The good news is that obtaining either option in Malta is incredibly simple. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Malta, including updated prices and the best sim card options available to suit your needs.
The best sim card in Malta is the Go Smart top-up prepaid sim card for 9.99 EUR. This sim card offers 10GB of data plus 200 calls and texts across Malta, the EU and the UK valid for 28 days. This is the perfect sim card for most visitors to Malta.
Go has the best mobile network coverage, however, Melita and Epic both have extensive networks and very similar prepaid plans. For this reason, you’ll be absolutely fine with any of the three networks, so if a Melita or Epic store is more convenient for you then just pick up one of them instead.
If you’re looking for the most convenient sim card in Malta then I have to recommend picking up an Airalo Malta eSim instead. For 13.7 EUR, or $15 USD, you will get 5GB of data. This is obviously a worse deal than the local sim cards, but I consider it worth it over the local sim cards due to the convenience it brings. Not having to visit a store, join a plan and install a physical sim card makes the eSim an obvious choice.
A Tourist Sim Card in Malta costs 9.99 EUR in September 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Malta will cost between $5 USD and $32 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 Malta which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15 USD.
Malta, a picturesque Mediterranean island, offers a range of sim card providers to cater to the needs of its locals and tourists. Among the popular options, Epic (formerly Vodafone) and GoMelita stand out.
Epic, formerly known as Vodafone, is one of Malta’s leading providers, offering excellent network coverage across the island. With numerous data plans and competitive prices, Epic attracts customers with their reliability and customer-centric approach.
GoMelita, on the other hand, is a prominent telecom provider known for providing high-quality service and fast internet speeds. Their extensive network coverage and attractive data packages make them a preferred choice for many users seeking stability and reliable connectivity.
Both providers offer competitive options, including prepaid plans, postpaid plans, and data-only sim cards, ensuring that locals and visitors can easily stay connected in Malta’s vibrant and picturesque environment.
Epic, formerly known as Vodafone, offers convenient tourist SIM cards in Malta. These SIM cards provide seamless connectivity for visitors to explore the beautiful island. With affordable data plans, travelers can stay connected with their loved ones and share stunning photos of Malta’s landmarks. Epic’s network coverage is reliable, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Whether it’s checking maps, finding local attractions, or staying connected throughout the trip, Epic’s tourist SIM cards are an ideal companion for tourists visiting Malta.
The price of a Epic (formerly Vodafone) tourist sim card in Malta is 9.99 EUR.
The plan offered by Epic (formerly Vodafone) stores includes 8GB data + 200 local minutes + 200 SMS valid for 28 days.
Go is a leading telecommunications operator in Malta, offering convenience to tourists through their dedicated tourist sim cards. These sim cards provide easy access to data, calls, and SMS services at competitive prices. With high-speed internet connectivity, visitors can stay connected, share moments, and explore Malta effortlessly. The Go tourist sim cards are available at various locations across the island, making it convenient for travelers to obtain and use during their stay.
The price of a Go tourist sim card in Malta is 9.99 EUR.
The plan offered by Go stores offers 10GB data + 200 EU & UK minutes + 200 SMS valid for 28 days.
Melita is a leading telecommunications company in Malta, offering exceptional tourist sim card services. Their sim cards provide reliable and high-speed internet connectivity, enabling tourists to stay connected throughout their visit. With affordable rates and extensive coverage across the island, Melita ensures seamless communication for travelers. Whether it’s browsing the web, making international calls, or accessing social media, Melita’s tourist sim cards are the ideal companion for a hassle-free experience in Malta.
The price of a Melita tourist sim card in Malta is 10 EUR.
The plan offered by Melita stores includes 8GB data + 100 EU & UK minutes + 100 SMS valid for 30 days.
Identify mobile providers: Epic (formerly Vodafone), Go and Melita are your best options in Malta.
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 usually be found in major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. If possible, I always recommend to to avoid airports and head in to an official store in the city.
Bring the necessary documents: It is always a good idea to carry your passport or identification documents for sim card registration purposes. We’ve found most providers will need to confirm your identity to provide a sim card and it can be a major hassle to head to a store only to have to come back again later with your passport.
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 a good starting point, but the staff will usually be able to suggest the best option.
Pay and activate your card: Pay for the SIM card and plan, and the staff will 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 search for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Malta 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 Malta then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Malta 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 Epic (formerly Vodafone), Go and Melita. 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 Malta 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 Malta 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 Malta. The Airalo Malta 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 Malta without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Malta is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Malta 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 Malta eSim uses the Go Mobile network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Go Mobile networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Malta.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Malta eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $10 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22.50 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 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 Malta eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Malta eSim uses the Gonetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Malta
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Malta 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
The eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, there is no need to insert or remove a physical card with an eSIM.
Instead, the eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This means that users can easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who switch between different mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it easier 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 the activation details. After activation, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and access voice, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
Advantages of using an eSIM:
– Convenience: No need to physically insert or remove SIM card when switching networks or plans.
– Dual SIM functionality: Allows two active mobile numbers on one device.
– Space-saving: No need for physical SIM card slot, freeing up space for other components.
– Remote provisioning: Activation and management of plans can be done remotely without physical SIM card.
– Future-proofing: More networks and providers are supporting eSIM technology.
Using an eSIM offers convenience, dual SIM functionality, space-saving, remote provisioning, and future-proofing, making it a popular choice for many users.
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.
Using an eSim is new for many travellers, however, the good news is it’s surprisingly easy to get set up – even for the technologically challenged!
Here’s a general guide on how to use an eSIM:
Check eSIM Compatibility: Ensure that your device supports eSIM functionality. Many newer smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other devices are eSIM compatible including all iPhones produced since 2018.
Obtain an eSIM: There are multiple ways to acquire an eSIM. You can purchase an eSIM online from a provider like Airalo (which we recommend) or directly from a mobile network operator. Some devices also allow you to scan a QR code provided by your carrier to download the eSIM profile.
Activate the eSIM: Your eSim provider will send you instructions to activate the sim. This will usually involve scanning a QR code, entering an activation code, or downloading the eSIM profile directly onto your device.
Set up the eSIM: Once activated, your device will guide you through the eSIM setup process. This typically involves selecting the eSIM as your preferred mobile plan, configuring settings like data roaming, and entering any necessary authentication details.
Enjoy the Connection: Once the eSIM is set up, you can use it as you would with a physical SIM card. Make calls, send messages, browse the internet, and use data services as needed. You can also switch between eSIM profiles if you have multiple eSIMs installed on your device.
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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