How to Buy a SIM Card at Maputo Airport (MPM) for Tourists: Where and Price?

Published: October 2024

This article helps visitors to Mozambique learn about getting the best prepaid SIM card at Maputo Airport (MPM). It covers where and how to buy SIMs, available plans, prices, and a more convenient option than airport SIM cards.

Highlights:

Three ways to buy a SIM card at Maputo Airport (MPM): Book online in advance, buy upon arrival, and download Mozambique eSIM.
Major carriers in Mozambique provide SIM cards at Maputo International Airport: Vodacom, Tmcel.
An identification document (passport) is needed for SIM purchase and registration in Mozambique.

Staying connected when traveling to a new country is vital. Obtaining a local SIM is rather simple if you are arriving in Mozambique at Maputo International Airport. This enables foreign travelers to have cellular data and make phone calls from the airport. This guide will help you find and purchase the best prepaid SIM card for your needs at stalls right in Maputo Airport before you leave the arrival hall with your new Mozambique SIM in hand.

In this article

I. How to Get a SIM Card at Maputo International Airport (MPM)?

There are a few simple ways to buy a SIM card at Maputo Airport (MPM) for your visit to Mozambique:

Book online in advance: You can reserve and pay for a SIM from the main providers Movitel or Vodacom on their websites before your trip. Then collect it when you arrive at Maputo Airport. This ensures you will have mobile access right when you touch down.
Buy upon arrival: Stalls located outside customs arrivals sell tourist SIM cards from Tmcel and Vodacom. Look for their logos for quick purchases at the airport.
Download Mozambique eSIM: If your mobile phone accepts eSIM, sign up for a Mozambique eSIM online for instant connectivity. No physical card is needed as it links digitally to your device. Connect to Maputo airport Wifi to activate your Mozambique eSIM plan.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Maputo Airport (MPM)?

Once you land at Maputo International Airport (MPM), you may buy a Mozambique SIM card at the following places:

1. Vodacom Store at Maputo Airport

Vodacom is one of the biggest cellular networks in Mozambique. This provider has an official store located on the ground floor near exits. Tourists can easily find it after they exit Maputo Airport’s international arrival area. This makes it easy to get a Mozambique SIM as soon as you land.

Opening hours: airport operational hours
Plan: different SIM card packages, data plans
Language: English, Portuguese
Payment method: cash/ credit card

Buy SIM cards at Vodacom store at Maputo Airport

2. Tmcel Store at Maputo Airport

Tmcel is another top provider in the country. Tmcel has a small shop on the ground floor – the domestic departure area. They offer tourist SIM cards, data/ minutes, and help setting everything up.

Important Note:

This Tmcel shop is only accessible if passing through domestic departures, not international arrivals.

3. Multi-carrier Kiosks

There are also little kiosks selling SIM cards from Tmcel, Vodacom, and more in the international arrivals hall. These have prepaid and postpaid packages.

These kiosks offer flexibility to compare various plans and rates from different carriers and extended opening hours. The only weak point may be if staff only speak Portuguese. But usually, they can still sufficiently help travelers get a SIM card for their visit.

III. Do SIM Card Shops at MPM Airport Open after Midnight?

No. SIM card shops and kiosks located within Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Mozambique are generally not open after midnight, as most vendors operate during regular business hours.

The official Vodacom store and Mcel shop follow the airport’s operating hours. Most international flights arrive before midnight, so these stores would close up by then.

The various independent kiosks located airside inside the international arrivals terminal may stay open a bit later to accommodate last incoming flights. However, even these tend to shutter by midnight at the latest since there are far fewer passengers and workers at the airport overnight.

Advice: To avoid surprise, it might be a great idea to buy Mozambique SIM cards online before arrival or sign up for an eSIM plan virtually.

IV. Maputo International Airport SIM Card Price

Good to know: US$ 1 = MZN 63.88; MZN 100 = US$ 1.57 (October 2024)

This table demonstrates some of the main SIM options at Maputo International Airport (MPM) for visitors:

Carrier	Coverage	Data	Minutes	Validity	Airport Price
Vodacom	Nationwide 4G	1GB	30 minutes	7 days	$10
Movitel	Nationwide 3G/4G	2GB	60 minutes	15 days	$8
Tmcel	Main cities	500MB	20 minutes	3 days	$5

Pro Tip: The information above is just some of the many SIM card choices for tourists landing at Maputo International Airport. It is best to compare different options (provider, speed, coverage, price, benefits, etc.) to pick the one that fits your usage needs and trip length in Mozambique.

V. Registration Process for Buying a SIM Card at Maputo International Airport

Registration process for getting a SIM card at Maputo Airport

Getting your Mozambique SIM activated at Maputo International Airport only takes a few minutes. Things to prepare are:

Passport: In Mozambique, buying and registering a SIM requires showing an identification document, like your valid passport.
Choose a carrier and plan: Decide if you want Vodacom, Mcel, or another provider. Check online what package works for your needs.
Payment method: Many accept cash in MZN, but credit/ debit cards are usually also okay.
Contact details: Be prepared to provide your phone number and email so they may reach you if any issues come up later.

Once you have these essentials with you, the friendly staff at the airport shops and kiosks can get you all set up with a new Mozambique SIM card before you leave the arrival area.

Advice: If you want a quick and easy setup without a long registration process, an eSIM for Mozambique would be great. An eSIM for Mozambique (digital SIM) allows you to download directly to your mobile phone. Before proceeding, ensure that your cellphone enables eSIM.

VI. eSIM at Maputo International Airport – Alternative to Maputo SIM Card

eSIM for Mozambique is an excellent connectivity option instead of a normal SIM from the Maputo Airport stores. It makes staying connected in Mozambique easy and adaptable versus a plastic SIM card. No need to find a store – just activate your Mozambique eSIM plan when the flight wifi turns on!

No waiting in lines: Just sign up online beforehand and you are connected once landing without stops for activation.
Always with you: As it is digital, do not worry about losing the physical card during your trip.
Switch plans easily: If you need more data mid-visit, adjusting your Mozambique eSIM plan takes only a few taps instead of a new purchase.
Faster activation: Simply download the eSIM profile from the plane wifi right away versus registration counters.

Better for the environment: eSIMs do not produce plastic waste like portable SIM slots.

Gigago eSIM plans for Mozambique

Choosing Gigago as your Mozambique eSIM provider makes getting online affordable and convenient.

For Mozambique, Gigago delivers eSIM plans from Vodacom – one of Mozambique’s largest mobile network operators. The plans start at $8.90 for 1GB data, for 07 days and vary from $8.90 – $26.50 . See more details on Gigago eSIM plans for tourists to Mozambique.

VII. FAQs about SIM Card at Maputo Airport (MPM)

Where can I purchase a tourist SIM card at Maputo Airport?

Tourists may buy Mozambique SIM cards from kiosks and shops located inside the international arrivals terminal of Maputo Airport. Look for stalls run by Vodacom and Tmcel near the exit gates. They offer SIM Cards at Maputo Airport.

Do they offer eSIM options at the airport?

No, eSIMs for Mozambique cannot be bought directly at Maputo Airport. However, it is possible to sign up for a Mozambique eSIM plan online from Vodacom or Tmcel before your trip for instant connectivity without needing a physical SIM card at Maputo Airport.

How much do Mozambique SIM cards cost at Maputo airport?

Basic starter SIM kits with some data start from around $5-10 USD at the airport retailers. Prices may vary by provider and selected package. Be sure to compare costs before buying a SIM Card at Maputo Airport.

VIII. Conclusion

In conclusion, getting a SIM card at Maputo Airport for your trip to Mozambique is simple. Several shops located near baggage claim and airport exits offer affordable SIM kits from major carriers like Vodacom and Tmcel. Visitors have a variety of options whether buying a physical SIM card on arrival or reserving an eSIM beforehand.