Where's the best place to buy a Turkish SIM card for a trip to Istanbul — before departure or on arrival?

From messages by 3 participants in 3 sources · Last activity: 62 days ago

TL;DR

Turkish SIM cards are sold via local marketplaces before departure, but prices at Russian airport kiosks are much higher than abroad. Operators run airport counters (e.g., at Pulkovo) but only issue physical SIM cards, not eSIMs, so travelers swap out their home SIM right before the flight.

What the community said

One traveler asked whether it's better to activate the Turkish SIM right at the departure airport, after removing their regular home SIM first.

Some operators have physical counters right at departure airports (e.g., Pulkovo), but they don't offer eSIM — only a physical SIM card.

Airport kiosk, Pulkovo

Turkish SIM cards are widely available on local marketplaces like Avito, but they're noticeably pricier at Russian airport departure points than buying one abroad for just a few dollars.

Avito marketplace