Being a digital nomad/full-time traveller can involve a lot of mundane tasks. One of these is getting a new sim card in a new country. I am now firmly on the e-sim train when I need data in a new country, and you can read my thoughts on this at the end of the article (I also have a discount code available for you lovely people to use).
I still have a mobile contract back in the UK, which allows me free data in a number of countries, but very often, I need to buy a local sim card so I can get online, as only certain countries are covered. I went to Albania twice in 2022, and in my experience, this is the best sim card to get as a tourist in this Balkan country.
Vodafone Tourist Sim Card
This is one of the better sim cards I’ve had on my travels so far, and costs 2000 lek to purchase. As of October 2022, this is roughly around 17 US dollars, 17 Euros, or 15 British pounds. 2000 lek’s gets you 35gb of data, as well as unlimited national minutes and texts. A lot of bang for your lek.
The internet is overall pretty strong in Albania, but WiFi is a bit hit and miss at times, at least in my experience, and it is great to have a reliable back-up.
One thing to be wary of, the sim card is only active for 21 days. I was in Albania for just over a month, meaning I had to get a top up, so if you’re planning a longer stay, keep this in mind. I’d buy it again regardless of the duration of my stay, as I think I almost always had signal, and while I never normally have to ring a local number, it is sometimes handy (taxi’s, food delivery etc).
For stays below 21 days, I’d still 100% recommend this sim card, and there are also week options available, but for me, this was the best value sim cards I have seen in Albania.
Regarding the top up, it was an incredibly easy process. I simply went to a Vodafone shop, with my existing sim card details, and they were able to do it over the internet, rather than having to give me a new sim card.
As is normally the case when getting a sim away from your home country, make sure you have your passport while purchasing, as they normally always need it. Having your local address can also make things easier for you.
Rating: 5/5 – As mentioned, for the price, and the sheer amount of data, this is one of the best sim cards I have bought on my travels. Only downside is the 21-day limit, but top-up is easy, and the cheap price makes it worth it. Signal was strong, and websites and videos loaded fast. The Vodafone sim card should be your choice when visiting Albania.
Note: This is an independent review. I appreciate it seems like I have a bit too much love for all things Vodafone, but it was just genuinely, a very good tourist sim card.
ESIM:
I am now firmly on the eSIM craze, after using it for the first time ahead of a trip to Turkey, so I wanted to share it as an option here, just in case you weren't aware of how easy/awesome they are.
I used the Airalo app, and downloaded it before I flew to Turkey. I had purchased the Turkey eSIM before I'd even flown, as I was arriving in the country late, so wanted to make sure I was covered. It's incredibly easy to buy the eSIM, and I was impressed with the competitive rate.
Most newer phone models are equipped with eSIM's, and Airalo provide detailed instructions on how to add the e-sim card to your phone. ESIM's will absolutely be the method I go down now, at least until I have the opportunity to shop around in the place I am visiting, and potentially get a new one.
The app is detailed and lets you know how much data you have left. This was my first time using an eSIM, and as mentioned, count me converted. This is way easier/cheaper than buying a sim-card at the airport, and this is what I recommend you do ahead of your flight to Turkey, or anywhere else. I think this is the most stressfree way to go about things, and it's a great feeling knowing you'll have data when you land.
It's also great as a top-up for a few days on a trip. Say if your original sim card data has run out, instead of buying a new simcard, or having to top up, an eSIM allows you to top up just a couple of GB for dirt cheap, and you'll be covered until the end of your trip. I like this option.
If you want to try it out, then why not use my code, and get $3 off your first eSIM purchase with Airalo! A 1GB eSIM with this code would only cost you $1.50, or a 2GB eSIM would cost just $5, and you'll be covered as soon as you land, and this will definitely help you on your way to your next stop.
Sign up here (referral code should populate automatically), or use the code DAVID8186 at checkout, and you'll get the $3 off your first eSIM purchase!
If you have any questions on the eSIM, just leave a comment!