Best Tourist Sim Cards in Sweden in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Sweden across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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When traveling to Sweden, having a sim card is essential to ensure easy navigation and access to the internet. Whether you’re looking for the best eateries, directions to your accommodation, booking a taxi, or sharing moments with your loved ones through photos, having internet connectivity on the go is a game-changer.
While roaming remains an option, the associated fees can quickly pile up, especially when traveling internationally. Hence, we always recommend either opting for an eSIM or a local sim card to take advantage of local phone rates.
Thankfully, acquiring either an eSIM or a local sim card in Sweden is incredibly convenient, but it’s wise to know which option suits you best. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need about purchasing a sim card in Sweden, including updated pricing and the absolute best sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Sweden is an Airalo eSim which works out to be cheaper than purchasing a local sim card when you arrive in Sweden.
eSims are always better and more convenient than physical sim cards which is why I recommend them, however, they usually cost more than local sim cards. Sweden is one of the unique examples (along with Norway and Turkey) where Airalo’s eSim is actually cheaper!
For most people, 10GB of data is more than enough for up to 30 days in Sweden. I recommend Airalo’s 10GB plan for $18 USD (194 SEK) for general users, or the 5GB plan for $12 USD (130 SEK) for low-data users. There are smaller packages available for more budget-conscious travellers and larger packages for heavy data-users. You can see all the prices here:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $6.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $8 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $12 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $18 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 USD
All the networks in Sweden offer extensive coverage, including the Tele2 and Telenor networks which are the ones used by Airalo when you use their eSims in Sweden. These are the same networks that cost significantly more (249 SEK for 5GB data) when you buy a sim card from them directly. It’s weird, but it’s somewhat good news for those of us with eSim compatible phones.
Now, if your phone isn’t eSim compatible (by the way, most phones these days do support eSims, including all iPhones since 2018) then you will have to buy a physical sim card. In this case I recommend the Comviq prepaid sim card for 175 SEK and comes with 8GB of data valid for 31 days. It uses the exact same network as the Airalo eSim above so I can only recommend the Comviq sim card if you really can’t use eSims.
A Tourist Sim Card in Sweden costs 194 SEK ($18 USD) in December 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Sweden 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 Sweden which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $12 USD.
The three main sim card providers in Sweden are Telia, Telenor and Comviq by Tele2. All three operators boast strong networks with wide coverage and fast download speeds, however, Telenor and Comviq are typically considered to be the best.
Prices are unreasonably high in Sweden for sim cards (and many other things) so I advise avoiding physical sim cards altogether and opting for an eSim by Airalo instead. This will cost you less and be far more convenient, saving you time at the airport.
Telia is currently the largest telecommunications company in Sweden and boasts a very extensive network. Thanks to this network, their prepaid sim cards work well for tourists.
Unfortunately, the catch is it costs much more than other European countries. You can expect to pay around $25 USD for a sim card plan with fairly low data limits.
If you require a physical sim card, then Telia is a suitable option.
The price of a Telia Sweden tourist sim card in Sweden is 249 SEK.
The plan offered by Telia Sweden stores includes 5GB data +unlimited calls & SMS + EU / EEA roaming valid for 1 month.
Telenor is another one of the largest mobile network operators in Sweden. Similarly to Telia they offer an outstanding network which will keep you connected all around the country.
Their plans cost a similar amount but come with higher data caps making Telenor a more suitable option for tourists than Telia.
The price of a Telenor tourist sim card in Sweden is 250 SEK.
The plan offered by Telenor stores offers 10GB data + 500 minutes calls to EU, UK, USA + unlimited local calls & texts valid for 31 days.
Comviq is a sim card provider owned by Tele2 and offers the best, most extensive and most reliable mobile network in Sweden.
On top of this, Comviq’s tourist sim cards are the most competitively priced of the three making it the best option for tourists looking to purchase a physical sim card in person. If you don’t want an eSim then Comviq is the one to go for.
The price of a Comviq by Tele2 tourist sim card in Sweden is 175 SEK.
The plan offered by Comviq by Tele2 stores includes 8GB data + unlimited calls & SMS valid for 1 month.
Identify the mobile providers in Sweden: Telia Sweden, Telenor and Comviq by Tele2 are your best options in Sweden.
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 Sweden. 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 not legally necessary in Sweden to bring your passport with you in order to purchase a sim card. However, I still recommend bringing it just in case as it can be a major hassle to head into a Telia Sweden, Telenor or Comviq by Tele2 store only to have to come back again later with your passport – trust me, I’ve done this more than once!
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 Sweden that includes 5GB data +unlimited calls & SMS + EU / EEA roaming for 249 SEK.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 194 SEK ($18 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 Sweden 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 Sweden then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Sweden 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 Sweden, Telenor and Comviq by Tele2. 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 Sweden 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 Sweden 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 Sweden. The Airalo Sweden 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 $12 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 Sweden without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Sweden is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Sweden 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 Sweden eSim uses the Telenor and Tele2 networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Telenor and Tele2 networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Sweden.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Sweden eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $6.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $8 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $12 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $18 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $12 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 Sweden eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Sweden eSim uses the Telenor (Vodafone)network to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Sweden
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Sweden 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 electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, there is no need to physically insert or remove the eSIM.
Instead, the eSIM is incorporated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This innovation allows users to effortlessly switch between different mobile networks or plans without the need to swap out physical SIM cards.
The use of eSIM technology offers various advantages, including convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness, especially for frequent travelers or those who frequently change mobile networks or travel internationally. With eSIMs, there is no longer a need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, simplifying the management of multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users simply need to either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the provided activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and enjoy all the voice, data, and messaging services available 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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