
Best Tourist Sim Cards in South Africa in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in South Africa across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!

If you’re planning a trip to South Africa, having a sim card is essential. Being able to stay connected to the internet while traveling can greatly enhance your experience by providing easy access to information.
With a sim card, you can easily find the best restaurants, navigate new cities, book a taxi, and share your adventures with your loved ones. While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly accumulate, especially when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend either an eSIM or a local sim card to take advantage of local phone rates.
Thankfully, obtaining either of these options in South Africa is hassle-free, but it’s important to know which one is best for you. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to purchase a sim card in South Africa, including current pricing and the ideal sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in South Africa is the Airalo South Africa eSim. For 291 ZAR ($15.5 USD) you can get set up quickly with a 5GB eSim, or for 487 ZAR ($26 USD) you’ll get 10GB of data – the same package in a Vodacom store is 469 ZAR!
The local sim card operators, Vodacom, MTN and Telkom offer frustrating prepaid packages with weird data packages. MTN, for example, allows you to use 5GB of data at night, 5GB during the day and 5GB for data streaming. They are also all relatively expensive which makes the Airalo eSim a much more appealing option.
MTN and Vodacom have the best networks but considering how difficult to understand and how expensive both of these operators are, the fact that Airalo uses the same Vodacom network is great news for travellers.
If your phone doesn’t support eSims (most phones these days do, including all iPhones since 2018) then we reckon your best local option is the Vodacom prepaid sim card for 469 ZAR. It is the least confusing and offers the best mobile network coverage and reliability in South Africa.
But considering it’s basically the same price as Airalo’s eSim, I recommend saving yourself the time heading in store and installing a sim card. Instead buy your eSim from Airalo anytime before you leave and activate it at the airport when you arrive.
A Tourist Sim Card in South Africa costs 291 ZAR in February 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in South Africa will cost between $4.50 USD and $26 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 South Africa which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15.50 USD.
Vodacom, MTN and Telkom are the three main sim card providers that dominate the market in South Africa. MTN and Vodacom have the best networks with extensive coverage across the country and fast download speeds, whilst Telkom is more limited.
All three providers offer sim card plans that are suitable for tourists, however, they are somewhat expensive. For this reason I recommend Airalo’s eSim above any local sim card in South Africa.
Vodacom is the largest mobile network in South Africa and boasts a very extensive network with good data speeds.
If you are planning to spend your entire trip in large cities then Vodacom is likely your best option as it is typically considered to have the best speeds and reliability within the cities.
The price of a Vodacom tourist sim card in South Africa is 469 ZAR.
The plan offered by Vodacom stores includes 10GB data valid for 1 month.
MTN is widely considered to have the best mobile network outside of the cities, so if you are planning to explore some of the more rural or remote parts of South Africa then I recommend opting for an MTN sim card.
Their plans are reasonably competitive with good data limits. However, the data is weird in the sense that some is limited to night and some to video streaming. It’s unnecessarily complicated which I don’t appreciate.
The price of a MTN tourist sim card in South Africa is 399 ZAR.
The plan offered by MTN stores offers 15GB data (5GB anytime, 5GB at night, 5GB video streaming) + 400 minutes valid for 1 month.
Telkom is not generally worth considering as their network is just not as good as MTN or Vodacom. You’re likely to be fine within the cities but once you leave you will face connectivity challenges, so for this reason I recommend opting for one of the alternatives.
The price of a Telkom tourist sim card in South Africa is 389 ZAR.
The plan offered by Telkom stores includes 11.5GB data (7.5GB for anything) valid for 1 month.
Identify the mobile providers in South Africa: Vodacom, MTN and Telkom are your best options in South Africa.
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 South Africa. 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 South Africa to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Vodacom, MTN or Telkom 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 Vodacom that includes 10GB data for 469 ZAR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 291 ZAR 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 South Africa 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 South Africa then you will be in luck. All major international airports in South Africa 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 Vodacom, MTN and Telkom. 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 South Africa 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 South Africa 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 South Africa. The Airalo South Africa 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 $15.50 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 South Africa without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in South Africa is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to South Africa 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 South Africa eSim uses the Vodacom network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Vodacom networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in South Africa.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s South Africa eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $8 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $11 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15.50 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $26 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $15.50 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 South Africa eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s South Africa eSim uses the MTN SA/Vodacomnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in South Africa
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s South Africa eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
Embedded SIM (eSIM) is a built-in digital SIM card found within devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Unlike traditional SIM cards, it does not require physical insertion or removal from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is an integral part of the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to switch effortlessly between different mobile networks or plans without having to physically swap SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch mobile networks or travel internationally. It removes the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it easier to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
Activating an eSIM involves scanning a QR code provided by the mobile network operator or manually inputting the activation details. Once activated, the device connects to the chosen mobile network and enables access to voice, data, and messaging services as one would 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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