Best Tourist Sim Cards in Norway in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Norway across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
If you plan on visiting Norway, having a sim card is essential to stay connected and make your travels easier. With access to the internet, navigating new cities becomes a breeze. From finding the top-notch restaurants to getting directions to your accommodation, booking a taxi, and sharing memorable moments with your loved ones through photos, having internet access on the go is a necessity.
While roaming is always an option, the costs can quickly accumulate when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend either opting for an eSIM or purchasing a local sim card to benefit from local phone rates. The good news is that obtaining either of these options in Norway is incredibly simple.
However, it’s important to know which one suits you best. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to buy a sim card in Norway, including up-to-date pricing and the ultimate sim card choice for you.
The best sim card in Norway is an Airalo eSim which works out to be cheaper than purchasing a local sim card when you arrive in Norway.
By design, eSims are better and more convenient than physical sim cards which makes it an easy choice. I recommend the $13 USD (140 NOK) eSim which comes with 5GB data valid for 30 days. This is perfect for most people visiting Norway.
There are larger plans available for heavy data users and cheaper plans available for budget-travellers. You can view all the prices here:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $21 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 USD
Airalo’s Norway eSim uses the best network in Norway, Telenor. This is amazing as the Telenor plan costs significantly more and I couldn’t recommend it to anyone. Yet for some reason you can get access to the network, with more data, and for a lower price when you go with Airalo. I don’t understand why but it’s good news for us.
The great thing about the Airalo eSims is that you can buy the sim card online before you leave then activate it with the airport wifi when you arrive. No need to visit a store or install a physical sim card. It’s really too easy.
If you require a physical sim card, such as if your device isn’t compatible with eSims (by the way, most phones do support eSims these days, including all iPhones since 2018), then you will have to buy a local sim card.
Unfortunately, the prepaid sim cards in Norway are essentially a joke. Telenor only offers a pay as you go service at an extravagant price (20 NOK per day). ICE only offer monthly plans which require a Norwegian social security number so that’s not likely to work for you. I doubt you’d be reading this if you were Norwegian.
That just leaves Telia, which by process of elimination, offers the best physical tourist sim card in Norway at 278 NOK, or 26 USD, for 6GB data valid for 1 month. This is quite expensive and even runs on a slightly weaker network so I strongly recommend the Airalo eSim above instead.
Another option, if you have an EU sim card from anywhere else in Europe then try checking their app for roaming options in Norway – it will most likely be cheaper than actually buying a local sim card when you arrive in the country.
A Tourist Sim Card in Norway costs 140 NOK ($13 USD) in November 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Norway will cost between $4.50 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 Norway which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13 USD.
The three leading sim card providers in Norway are Telia, Telenor and ICE.
All three of these providers have extensive networks with good coverage and fast download speeds across Norway and are suitable for tourists.
Unfortunately, the plans are outrageously expensive. I can’t really recommend any of them to tourists. You’re just straight up better off with an eSim instead, or possibly even roaming with your home sim card – which is hardly ever the case.
If you must purchase a physical sim card in Norway, then the only realistic option is most likely Telia.
Telia has the best 5G coverage in Norway and is one of the largest telcos in the country. Due to the pricing of their plans, I consider Telia to be the best option for tourists visiting Norway who are not interested in eSims.
Their plans are still a bit pricey but the coverage is pretty reasonable so it’s not the worst pick.
The price of a Telia tourist sim card in Norway is 278 NOK.
The plan offered by Telia stores includes 6GB data + unlimited calls and sms valid for 14 days.
Telenor is the largest telecommunications company in Norway and they boast the most extensive mobile network across the country with fast download speeds.
Unfortunately, their prices don’t reflect the marginally better overall network compared to Telia.
The good news is that this Airalo eSim also uses the exact same Telenor network and charges a lower price than if you went to Telenor in person. Budget travellers can even ration their usage and opt for one of the more affordable Airalo plans ($4.50 USD or $7 USD) making it the cheapest and most reliable option in Norway.
The price of a Telenor tourist sim card in Norway is 20 NOK (per day).
The plan offered by Telenor stores offers unlimited data valid for as long as you require.
ICE also offers a reliable mobile network in Norway. Similar to Telia, their plans are relatively more reasonably priced and would be a good option for tourists.
But there’s a catch. ICE requires a Norwegian social security number, and if you had that, you wouldn’t be reading this guide on tourist sims in Norway! So, naturally, I can’t recommend ICE to tourists and would instead advise you not to waste your time here.
The price of a ICE tourist sim card in Norway is 249 NOK.
The plan offered by ICE stores includes 8GB valid for 1 month.
Identify the mobile providers in Norway: Telia, Telenor and ICE are your best options in Norway.
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 Norway. 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 Norway to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Telia, Telenor or ICE 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 Telia that includes 6GB data + unlimited calls and sms for 278 NOK.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 140 NOK ($13 USD) 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 Norway 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 Norway then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Norway 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 Telia, Telenor and ICE. 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 Norway 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 Norway 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 Norway. The Airalo Norway 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 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 Norway without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Norway is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Norway 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 Norway eSim uses the Telenor network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Telenor networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Norway.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Norway eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $21 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $13 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 Norway eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Norway eSim uses the Telenor Norge ASnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Norway
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Norway 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
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional SIM cards, there is no physical card to insert or remove.
Instead of physical cards, 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 easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the need to physically swap SIM cards.
The convenience, flexibility, and ease of use provided by eSIM technology is particularly beneficial for travelers or those who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient 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. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected 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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