Where's the best place to buy a Turkish SIM card for a trip to Istanbul — before departure or on arrival?
Based on 3 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 8 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.
20 days ago
Some operators have physical counters right at departure airports (e.g., Pulkovo), but they don't offer eSIM — only a physical SIM card.
25 days ago 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.
30 days ago Avito marketplace