Where to buy a tourist SIM card in Istanbul (and is eSIM a better option)?

From messages by 3 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 67 days ago

TL;DR

Buy a tourist SIM at any Turkcell or Türk Telekom store, or at PTT post offices (cheapest option). Alternatively, get an eSIM via Ozon (m8 service) or Trip.com before arrival.

What the community said

In the Kadıköy district, tourist SIM cards are overpriced even at shops farther from the pier — couldn't find one cheaper than 1500 lira (based on experience from two years ago).

Kadıköy, ~1500 lira

There's a large post office (PTT) branch in Kadıköy that used to be open on Saturdays — convenient if you need to buy a SIM on a weekend.

PTT in Kadıköy, Saturday hours

If you don't want to bother visiting a post office, it's easier to just grab a tourist SIM at a mobile carrier store right after landing.

Tourist SIM cards are sold at any Turkcell or Türk Telekom retail store around the city.

Turkcell / Türk Telekom

For pre-trip setup, eSIM is an option — order via the m8 service on Ozon or through Trip.com before you fly.

eSIM (Ozon m8, Trip.com)

The cheapest tourist SIM option is at a PTT post office branch, though the exact price varies.

PTT post office