Best Tourist Sim Cards in Tanzania in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Tanzania across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
Menu
If you’re planning a trip to Tanzania, having a sim card is essential to stay connected while exploring the country. With internet access, navigating unfamiliar cities becomes a breeze. You can discover the finest dining options, find your way to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share memorable moments with your loved ones through photos, all on the go.
While roaming is a possibility, international fees can quickly accumulate, making it more cost-effective to opt for either an eSIM or a local sim card, which will grant you access to local phone rates.
Fortunately, obtaining either an eSIM or a local sim card in Tanzania is incredibly convenient. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Tanzania, including up-to-date pricing and the most suitable sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Tanzania is the Vodacom prepaid sim card with an internet bundle loaded for the period of time you are planning to visit. For most travellers, there is a 30 day bundle that comes with 9.8GB of data for 20,000 TZS, plus you will need to buy the sim card for 1,000 TZS bringing the total to 21,000 TZS (around $9 USD).
This is pretty good! On top of this, Vodacom has the best network coverage in Tanzania, as well as a reputation for being more reliable and easier to acquire a sim card from. For these reasons I recommend it above any of the other providers.
Also consider checking out the Airalo Tanzania eSim. For the same amount of data, it is not at all competitive compared to local sim cards in Tanzania. However, it is far more convenience as you don’t need to visit a store, register with your passport, buy a plan, top up and install a sim card. So if you’re only visiting for a few days or are looking for the easiest option, then definitely consider an Airalo eSim.
A Tourist Sim Card in Tanzania costs 21,000 TZS in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Tanzania 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 Tanzania which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15.50 USD.
The top three sim card providers in Tanzania are Vodacom, Airtel and Tigo. All three networks have fairly similar coverage across the country. Vodacom has the best coverage overall, whilst Airtel is the best in the Serengeti and Northern parks and Tigo (and also Zantel) having the best coverage in Zanzibar.
All three have similarly priced plans so the difference really comes down to where you plan to be exploring. In general, however, I recommend the Vodacom prepaid bundle.
Vodacom is a popular sim card provider in Tanzania that offers the most extensive network across Tanzania as a whole. Their data plans are also excellent, offering huge amounts of data for extremely low prices.
Overall, Vodacom is my top pick for sim cards in Tanzania.
The price of a Vodacom tourist sim card in Tanzania is 21,000 TZS (1,000 for the sim card + 20,000 for the plan).
The plan offered by Vodacom stores includes 9.8GB data valid for 30 days.
Airtel is another leading sim card provider in Tanzania. It is particularly known for having the best coverage in Serengeti and the national parks of Tanzania which makes it a good choice for travellers planning to head on safaris.
Their plans are similar to their competitors so the only consideration should be where you plan to spend your time.
The price of a Airtel tourist sim card in Tanzania is 21,500 TZS (1,500 for the sim card + 20,000 for the plan).
The plan offered by Airtel stores offers 9.5GB data valid for 30 days.
Tigo offers good coverage in Zanzibar, so if your plans include heading here it can be a good idea to pick up one of their sim cards.
If you are travelling to other parts of Tanzania as well then I would still recommend opting for Vodacom, or possibly one Vodacom and one Tigo if you are travelling with someone else.
The price of a Tigo tourist sim card in Tanzania is 21,000 TZS (1,000 for the sim card + 20,000 for the plan).
The plan offered by Tigo stores includes 6GB data valid for 7 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Tanzania: Vodacom, Airtel and Tigo are your best options in Tanzania.
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 Tanzania. 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 Tanzania to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Vodacom, Airtel or Tigo 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 9.8GB data for 21,000 TZS (1,000 for the sim card + 20,000 for the plan).
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 21,000 TZS 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 Tanzania 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 Tanzania then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Tanzania 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, Airtel and Tigo. 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 Tanzania 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 Tanzania 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 Tanzania. The Airalo Tanzania 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 Tanzania without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Tanzania is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Tanzania 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 Tanzania 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 Tanzania.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Tanzania 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 Tanzania eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Tanzania eSim uses the Vodacomnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Tanzania
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Tanzania eSim:
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $44 USD
The eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is incorporated 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 already a part of the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to effortlessly switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
The use of eSIM technology offers great convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness, especially for frequent travelers or those who frequently switch between various 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 one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually input the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and enjoy all the features of a traditional SIM card, including voice calling, data usage, and messaging services.
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.
© Travel Sim Expert – Designed by us.
