Visiting Russia soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Russian SIM card.
Fortunately, Russia is one of the places where you can buy a SIM card easily.
You should be able to find an affordable SIM card pretty much anywhere in Russia. In fact, most data packages are relatively cheap, which makes the whole thing easier!
In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card for Russia in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid travel SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Russia.
If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Russian – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Russia.
Best Russia SIM Cards
If you’re traveling in Russia, we recommend using a SIM card from MTS, Megafon, Tele2, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)
That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In Russia
You can either buy a Russia prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a Russian prepaid SIM card online.
Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by MTS, Megafon, and Tele2.
MTS SIM Cards
MTS offers three different types of tourist plans:
- Unlimited messengers, valid for 1 day for RUB 130 ($1.59)
- Unlimited social networks, valid for 1 day for RUB 230 ($2.82)
- Unlimited videos, valid for 30 days for RUB 1490 ($18.27)
Megafon SIM Cards
Megafon has five different prepaid plans available:
- 6 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 550 ($6.75)
- 20 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 650 ($7.98)
- 30 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 750 ($9.21)
- 50 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 900 ($11.05)
- 60 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 2500 ($30.69)
Tele2 SIM Cards
Tele2 offers three main SIM-only plans for tourists:
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 500 ($6.14)
- 25 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 600 ($7.37)
- 35 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 700 ($8.59)
- 60 GB, valid for 30 days for RUB 800 ($9.82)
Overall, we think MTS is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.
That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!
How To Buy A Russia Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
You’ll find different SIM card options on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Russia is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.
Browse your options on Amazon
Another option is to purchase a prepaid tourist SIM card on Simify. This works if you live in the United States or Australia.
They currently offer one package that covers Russia:
- 6 GB, valid for 15 days for $40
Browse your options on Simify
Finally, the last option is to buy a Russia eSIM card or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, a global eSIM plan.
How To Buy A Russia ESIM Card
ESIM is a new concept allowing you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.
If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Russia.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, a reliable eSIM provider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Russia.
Airalo Russia
If you want a Russia eSIM, you could purchase one on Airalo.
This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Russia.
I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Learn more by reading our Airalo review.
Here are the options available:
- Ruski Telecom: 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- Ruski Telecom: 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $9
- Ruski Telecom: 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $11.50
- Ruski Telecom: 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $17
- Ruski Telecom: 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $29
- Ruski Telecom: 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $48
Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries, Discover Global offers coverage in 84 countries, including Russia.
Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
- 3 GB, valid for 15 days for $24
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $35
- 10 GB, valid for 60 days for $59
- 20 GB, valid for 180 days for $89
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.
Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.
In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Go to Airalo
Holafly Russia
Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.
You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.
Here’s an overview of the plans for Russia:
- 3 GB data, valid for 7 days for $20
- 5 GB data, valid for 10 days for $35
- 7 GB data, valid for 15 days for $48
- 10 GB data, valid for 20 days for $59
- 12 GB data, valid for 30 days for $71
- 18 GB data, valid for 60 days for $89
- 25 GB data, valid for 90 days for $102
Go to Holafly
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Russia
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Russia or even an eSIM for your travels in Russia is pretty straightforward.
You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Russia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a global plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Russia if you wish to have data upon your arrival.
This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
However, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling to Russia soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
Appeared first on: abrokenbackpack.com
