Best Tourist Sim Cards in Serbia in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Serbia across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you plan on visiting Serbia, having a sim card is essential for easy navigation and access to the internet. It allows you to find the best restaurants, get directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share photos with your family while on the move. Although roaming is an option, the international fees can quickly add up.
Therefore, we recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card to enjoy local phone rates. Luckily, acquiring either option in Serbia is incredibly convenient, but it’s important to know which one suits you best.
This in-depth guide provides all the information you need to purchase a sim card in Serbia, including current pricing and the ideal sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Serbia is the Tourist Plan offered by Yettel. This plan comes in two packages. For most travellers we’d recommend the 600 RSD plan which comes with 25GB data for 15 days, but if you’re staying longer there is one for 30 days which includes 50GB data.
The 30 day plan is particularly useful if you are planning to explore other countries in the West Balkan region as it includes 3.5GB data that can be used in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania.
A1’s tourist plan is very similar and is also a fantastic option if it is more convenient for you to visit an A1 store, however, Yettel has marginally better network coverage across Serbia. Last time we visited Serbia the Yettel store had sold out so we used A1 and it was fantastic.
Airalo’s Serbia eSim is another great choice for travellers who value the convenience of an eSim over a local, physical sim card. The prices for eSims are a lot higher than local sim plans in Serbia (around 1,300 RSD) so I can’t recommend it if you’re looking for the best value.
A Tourist Sim Card in Serbia costs either 600 RSD or 1000 RSD in September 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Serbia will cost between $5 USD and $21 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 Serbia which includes 3GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13 USD.
In Serbia, there are three main sim card providers that dominate the telecom market: A1, Telenor, and MTS. A1, formerly known as Vip mobile, is a popular choice among users for its competitive pricing and wide coverage. They offer various prepaid and postpaid plans with unlimited calls, messages, and data. Telenor is another prominent player, known for its reliable network and quality service. They provide flexible plans tailored to the needs of both individuals and businesses. MTS, short for Mobile Telephony of Serbia, completes the trio. It offers affordable packages with unlimited usage and fast internet speeds. All three providers constantly strive to improve their services and expand their network coverage throughout the country.
A1 is a leading telecommunications company that offers tourist SIM cards in Serbia. Their SIM cards provide seamless connectivity and excellent network coverage throughout the country. With affordable data plans, tourists can stay connected and share their experiences on social media platforms. A1 also provides services like prepaid credit top-up and customer support, ensuring a hassle-free experience for travelers visiting Serbia. Choose A1 for a convenient and reliable telecommunications solution during your trip to Serbia.
The price of a A1 tourist sim card in Serbia is 600 RSD.
The plan offered by A1 stores includes 23GB data valid for 15 days.
Yettel offers top-notch tourist sim cards in Serbia, catering to visitors’ communication needs. Their sim cards provide seamless network coverage across the country, allowing travelers to stay connected and explore Serbia without communication constraints. With affordable packages for data, calls, and texts, Yettel ensures hassle-free connectivity, enabling tourists to share their Serbian adventures and stay updated with loved ones back home. Explore Serbia with Yettel’s reliable sim cards and enjoy a stress-free travel experience.
The price of a Yettel tourist sim card in Serbia is 600RSD.
The plan offered by Yettel stores offers 25GB data valid for 15 days.
MTS, a leading telecommunications company in Serbia, offers exceptional tourist sim cards catering to travelers’ needs. Their sim cards provide fast and reliable network coverage across the country, enabling tourists to stay connected during their visit. With affordable data plans, tourists can easily browse the internet, access maps, and stay in touch with friends and family while exploring Serbia. MTS’s tourist sim cards are a convenient and cost-effective solution for staying connected while traveling in Serbia.
The price of a MTS tourist sim card in Serbia is 600 RSD.
The plan offered by MTS stores includes 3GB data valid for 7 days.
Identify mobile providers: A1, Yettel and MTS are your best options in Serbia.
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 Serbia 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 Serbia then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Serbia 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 A1, Yettel and MTS. 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 Serbia 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 Serbia 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 Serbia. The Airalo Serbia 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 Serbia without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Serbia is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Serbia 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 Serbia eSim uses the Yettel network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Yettel networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Serbia.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Serbia eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $21 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 3GB 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 Serbia eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Serbia eSim uses the Vip mobile d.o.o./Telenor d.o.o./Telekom Srbija a.d.network to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Serbia
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Serbia eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is permanently integrated into a device, like a smartphone or tablet. It eliminates the need for a physical SIM card to be inserted or removed.
Instead, the eSIM is part of the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of swapping out SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, particularly for frequent travelers or those who regularly change 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 network operator or manually input the activation information. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and access voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a traditional SIM card.
There are numerous advantages to using an eSIM, including:
– Convenience: No need to physically insert or remove a SIM card when switching networks or plans, ideal for frequent travelers.
– Dual SIM functionality: Can have two active mobile numbers on the same device, useful for separating personal and work numbers or managing multiple phone lines.
– Space-saving: eSIMs are embedded within the device, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot, allowing for smaller devices or extra space for other components.
– Remote provisioning: Activation and management of mobile plans can be done remotely, without a physical SIM card or store visit, offering flexibility and convenience.
– Future-proofing: More mobile networks and service providers are supporting eSIMs, ensuring access to new services and offerings as they become available.
Overall, eSIM technology provides flexibility, convenience, and future-proofing for mobile connectivity, making it an appealing 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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