3 Best SIM Cards for Greece in 2024
Planning a trip to Greece? Kalimera! Are you preparing for your trip? Greece, where the history of ancient civilizations and beautiful nature blend together, attracts visitors with its many tourist attractions. There are many things to see, such as the Parthenon in Athens, the white streets of Santorini, and the beautiful beaches of Mykonos. Another thing to enjoy is the delicious Greek cuisine and hospitality. A smartphone is essential for making your trip more comfortable, whether it's for local route guidance, searching for restaurants and cafes, sharing photos, or updating SNS. Here we will introduce how to choose and use the best SIM card for your stay in Greece.
1. Tips for choosing a SIM card that you can use comfortably in Greece
Checking coverage and communication quality
When choosing a SIM card in Greece, it is important to make sure that your travel destinations are well covered. We recommend a local SIM card, which provides stable connections not only in major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki, but also in tourist destinations such as Santorini, Crete, and Mykonos. While you can expect high communication quality in urban areas, it is safer to choose a carrier that boasts wide coverage in remote islands and rural areas. If you are planning to travel around Europe, a multi-country SIM card is by far the most convenient.
How to choose a data plan and speed
4G networks are widely available in Greece, and 5G coverage is also increasing in major urban areas. Cafes and restaurants often offer free Wi-Fi, so there are plenty of options for internet connection. Simulate how you will use your data on your trip and choose a plan based on the data capacity and communication speed you will need. If you frequently stream videos, upload photos to social media, or download large amounts of data, a large data plan is ideal.
Choose your rate plan
It is important to choose the most suitable rate plan depending on the length of your stay and the amount of data you will use. For short stays, a pro-rata plan is convenient and can help you keep costs down. For example, if your data usage per day is low, a low-capacity daily plan is economical. On the other hand, a monthly plan is more suitable for long-term stays or those who use a lot of data. Once you set up a monthly plan, no additional procedures are required and you can maintain a stable communication environment.
2. Check the type and size of your SIM card in advance
Checking SIM card type and compatibility
It is important to choose a SIM card that is compatible with your device. In addition to traditional physical SIM cards (standard SIM, micro SIM, nano SIM), modern devices also allow the use of eSIMs. Before traveling, it is necessary to check the type of SIM card that your smartphone supports.
3. How do I get a SIM card in Greece?
Where to buy a SIM card
It is very easy to get a SIM card in Greece. You can buy one at Athens International Airport or at mobile phone specialist shops or kiosks in the center of major cities. There are also many outlets in tourist areas and shopping malls. When purchasing a SIM card, you may be asked to show your ID (passport), so don't forget to bring it with you. After purchasing, it is also important to check that your smartphone can connect to the Internet normally before leaving the store. You can also ask the staff for help with the setup, so if you have any questions, ask them on the spot. It is also important to check the SIM card plans and prices in detail and choose the best plan that suits your travel style.
Recommended SIM cards for Greece
■ Cosmote SIM
Cosmote is the largest telecommunications company in Greece, offering an extensive 4G/LTE network and high-speed communications. They offer prepaid plans called WHAT'S UP, with data capacities ranging from 4 to 70GB, and validity periods ranging from 1 to 30 days, with many options. Prices start from 1.5€ (euro) for a daily plan, and 8.5€ for a 30-day plan. You can purchase SIM cards at Cosmote shops and electronics retailers.
■ Vodafone Greece SIM
Vodafone Greece is part of the UK-based Vodafone Group and boasts a reliable network and wide coverage. Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are available in 25GB and 20-day versions, and unlimited data and 30-day versions, priced at 20€ and 30€ respectively. They can be purchased at Vodafone shops and Athens International Airport.
■ NOVA Greece SIM
NOVA Greece merged with Wind Hellas in 2023. It is the main telecommunications service provider in Greece, with wide coverage throughout the country. The prepaid SIM card for tourists, "Free2GO", can be purchased at NOVA shops and kiosks, hotels and airports. Plans are available for 15€ with 7 days validity and unlimited data, and 20€ with 15 days validity and unlimited data.
Important points when using a SIM card in Greece
Where to get a SIM card and how to prepare it
It is important to check in advance how to obtain a SIM card, the compatibility of the smartphone you will be using, and the documents required for purchase. You can obtain a SIM card at the airport, carrier shops in the city, kiosks, etc. Activation may take some time. It is important to act in good time, especially if you want to use the Internet immediately on the first day of your trip. Also, some stores have limited payment methods, so it is safe to have both cash and a card ready. Be sure to prepare both in advance.
Choose your data plan
When using data in Greece, if you use the smartphone you brought from Japan, you may be charged international roaming fees, which can result in a high bill. It is important to check the data volume and speed limits of your current smartphone plan in advance and choose a plan that suits your usage pattern.
Check the SIM card size
Before you travel, it is very important to check which SIM card your smartphone supports. Nano SIMs are the norm, especially in the latest devices, but older models may require a different size. Make sure you know what type of SIM card your device requires before you travel. You will also need a special pin to replace the SIM card. This is often included with your smartphone when you purchase it, but if you don't have one, it's convenient to prepare one in advance. It is also a good idea to prepare a case or pouch to safely store your current SIM card.
Checking SIM lock status
If your smartphone is SIM-locked by a specific carrier, you may not be able to use a local SIM card. Many carriers allow you to check the SIM-lock status through the settings menu of your smartphone or through customer support. If your smartphone is SIM-locked, you will need to ask your carrier to unlock it. The unlocking process can take several days, so be sure to do so early in accordance with your travel plans. We also recommend that you check the conditions and costs required for unlocking in advance.
■The eSIM "VOYAGEE SIM" for traveling to Greece, which can be purchased in advance in your country, can be purchased here .
If you're traveling to Greece, we recommend an eSIM !
■Benefits of using an eSIM while in Greece
When traveling to Greece, we recommend eSIM as a means of communication. Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into smartphones and tablets. With eSIM, you don't have to worry about replacing SIM cards. Simply set it up online and you'll be able to use your smartphone immediately when you're there. Instead of public Wi-Fi, which has security concerns, you can use the Internet with peace of mind by using eSIM. In addition, there is no need to rent a mobile Wi-Fi router, and you can save the trouble of carrying it around and charging it, and there is no need to return it. This reduces luggage and makes your trip more comfortable. Please enjoy the next generation of convenient and comfortable travel using "eSIM".
■ Recommended for traveling to Greece! When it comes to eSIM, "VOYAGEESIM"
VOYAGEESIM FOR EUROPE
Click here for a list of products
You can choose from four plans: 5G for 10 days, 10GB for 15 days, 20GB for 30 days, and 50GB for 60 days.
With " VOYAGEE SIM ", you don't need to replace the SIM card you are using in Japan! No need to wait for a purchase! After purchasing online, just set it up online in the local airport Wi-Fi environment! Your smartphone will immediately be able to communicate in 42 countries and regions in Europe! It's simple, convenient, and smart!
*The communications service provided by this product is Vodafone Roaming Services S.à rl.
■VOYAGEESIM FOR Europe review
"It worked.
I used it in Athens, Greece, and Istanbul and Cappadocia, Turkey.
It connected smoothly everywhere and was easy to set up." -April 10, 2024-
"I was able to use it almost the same as I would in my own country.
I was able to do everything on my iPhone without physically changing the SIM card, and I was able to use it as usual even while traveling with almost no problems. Sometimes I had a nostalgic 3G signal, but that was an issue with the area I was traveling in, so I cleared it up by changing locations and turning the power off and on. It was my first time using it, but I'm glad I did. I'll use it again next time. If I'm in a place with a good wifi environment, I didn't use as much data as I expected, so I think I could use a little less data next time. " - May 13, 2024 -
"It saved me.
I bought it with the intention of using it in Finland, Portugal, and London, including transit points. I had trouble connecting at first, but after tweaking the settings, it finally connected. I would like to use it again. " - May 11, 2024 -
Source: VOYAGE eSIM FOR EUROPE [Europe 42] eSIM 10 days/5GB
VOYAGE eSIM FOR EUROPE [Europe 42] eSIM 15 days/10GB
VOYAGE eSIM FOR EUROPE [Europe 42] eSIM 30 days/20GB
summary
In this article, we introduced how to choose the best SIM card for your stay in Greece, especially the benefits of "eSIM" and points to note when using it. We hope that the comfortable and convenient "eSIM" from VOYAGEE SIM will make your trip to Greece even more enjoyable and smooth. Καλή ταξίδι! (Have a good trip!)
