want to use our mobile phones in Turkey but avoid high charges

Bazzybear

Hi, we're off on hols to Turkey for 11 days. 4 of us have mobiles - 2 adults and 2 kids. The kids will want to be able to still use their apps, contact their mates etc. Us adults want to still be able to access data in situations when there might not be wifi wherever we are (e.g. looking at map apps etc). Hoping we can just use local wifi (hotels, bars etc) and turn the data roaming off. But it looks like the only other options to get data are to pay £6 ish a day per person with our phone provider (EE) but not keen on this as it is expensive. Is the only other option to buy a local SIM? I gather I can get one with 20gb data, plus calls and texts, for about £20 once I arrive. Are there any other good options? Will a newly-purchased local SIM work straight away? thanks. Rich. 

PHK

It’s worth remembering that in Turkey you’ll need to show a passport to buy a visitor SIM card from a limited range of tariffs. 

zagfles

For map apps you can usually download a map of the area you're going so you can use it offline. For other stuff can't it wait till you have wifi, most hotels, bars, restaurants etc will have wifi. If you really think you might need mobile data then could you just get it on one phone and have a hotspot? But unless you're going to be doing a lot of independant travel and need to google stuff like bus times etc is it really necessary? If you're on a package and will take organised trips out (which are generally very cheap in Turkey) you probably don't need it. Those facebook or whatsapp updates really can wait till you've got wifi!

RogerBareford

Bazzybear said:

Hi, we're off on hols to Turkey for 11 days. 4 of us have mobiles - 2 adults and 2 kids. The kids will want to be able to still use their apps, contact their mates etc. Us adults want to still be able to access data in situations when there might not be wifi wherever we are (e.g. looking at map apps etc). Hoping we can just use local wifi (hotels, bars etc) and turn the data roaming off. But it looks like the only other options to get data are to pay £6 ish a day per person with our phone provider (EE) but not keen on this as it is expensive. Is the only other option to buy a local SIM? I gather I can get one with 20gb data, plus calls and texts, for about £20 once I arrive. Are there any other good options? Will a newly-purchased local SIM work straight away? thanks. Rich. 

If you do decide to buy a local sim make sure that the phone you plan to put it in is unlocked.

ajbrowc

If your phone(s) support eSIM, have a look at Airalo. You can buy 3GB of data for use in Turkey for £7, valid for 30 days. Other packages available as well. You buy it before you go and use it the moment you land.