Albania SIM card is a broad issue with many topics surrounding it. The article below contains detailed information on this topic, helping visitors to Albania to stay up-to-date.
Albania offers visitors and foreigners access to the internet in many ways. This article below tells you why you should buy an Albanian SIM card. Besides, there are some alternative methods for SIM cards that you may not have learned about. Gigago will provide you with information about network operators, data packages,…
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It is not difficult for you to buy an Albanian SIM with the following 4 ways: buy online before arrival, airport, official store of the network operator in the city and buy eSIM online. Gigago will provide information about the pros and cons of four purchasing methods to suit tourists.
Major network operators in Albania all allow users to buy SIM cards online before arrival through their websites. Just visit the website, choose to buy the appropriate SIM card package and schedule a pick-up date. This helps visitors have internet access as soon as they arrive in Albania.
At kiosks of major carriers at Albania’s international airport Tirana International (TIA), travelers can buy SIM cards directly. You just need to provide some personal information to get SIM card support.
In addition to buying and receiving SIM cards at the airport, many tourists choose to buy them in the city center. In cities, official stores of carriers such as One Albania, Vodafone Albania,…
If your device is compatible with eSIM functionality, you should consider this option. After accessing the provider’s website, select the appropriate data package, then order and fill in payment information.
After payment, you will receive a QR code via email address, which needs to be scanned to activate your eSIM. Your phone will then automatically integrate using the selected eSIM package. This eliminates the hassle of physically waiting for delivery or purchasing in-store.
Pros: No need to remove SIM card, no passport provided
Cons: Only high-end phones support eSIM
SIM cards are available in most towns and cities in Albania and also at Tirana airport. Tourists can locate on the map to easily find the network operators’ stores. Next, you need to choose data packages depending on the provider available. Here are some network operators in Albania you can refer to:
Depending on usage needs, visitors can choose One Albania’s data packages that provide:
Vodafone Traveler Data Plans:
ALBtelecom Traveler Data Packages:
Important Note: Prices may change over time, visitors need to refer to official information via the supplier's website.
► Our recommendation: Through the data packages for tourists of network operators, it can be seen that Vodafone has the most stable price. Visitors can refer to a number of packages of this network depending on their needs. Furthermore, in addition to the physical SIM card, Vodafone also offers eSIM with different data plan options.
Yes, using the internet from a SIM card is common in many countries, including Albania. The information in the comparison table below will tell you why SIM cards are more popular than other options:
| Criteria | SIM card | Free wifi | Data roaming | Pocket wifi |
| Cost | Affordable prices, many data packages suitable for tourists | It’s free, but not everywhere has free wifi | Most expensive of the options | You need to pay for both the pocket wifi rental and the usage package |
| Convenience | Use directly on your phone anywhere within the network operator’s coverage areaData can be used for web surfing, calling, texting, viewing maps,… | Need to find locations with free wifi hotspots, maybe that’s not where you need to go | Use your home country’s SIM card, no need to remove it | Can be carried to many places but need to bring a backup charger to maintain battery life |
| Data Speed | Stable internet access, not easily affected by surrounding factors | Speed is difficult to stabilize due to many people using it at the same time | Fast or slow access speeds depend on local providers and network operators in Albania | Speed may vary depending on the number of connected devices and coverage area |
| Making Calls & Texts | The price of the SIM card and package includes voice calls and text messages | With free wifi, you can’t make regular calls and text messages | Equivalent to roaming fees, international calling and text messaging fees are also quite high | Need to download social networking applications to be able to call and text |
Important notes:
To buy a SIM card in Albania, you have to prepare some important documents such as: passport, ID card,…to make sure while purchasing, as they normally always need it. Having your local address can also make things easier for you.
Physical prepaid SIM cards and eSIM Albania are two famous types of SIM cards in most countries, including Albania. Choosing one of these two forms also depends on the needs and preferences of tourists during the trip.
On every phone device there is at least one SIM card slot, you need to insert a physical SIM card into it to use it. Depending on usage needs, visitors can buy SIM cards with short or long-term wedding packages, data only or data and voice and text.
Albania eSIM is an electric SIM activated by a QR code on your mobile phone, allowing users to switch carriers even with a fixed SIM card installed, without having to buy and insert a new physical SIM card. Just buy online 100% and activate the eSIM on your compatible device and you’re ready to go within minutes.
eSIM Albania allows travelers to choose to purchase data only or data and voice and text. However, not all devices can use eSIM, only esim-compatible devices will work.
So that tourists can easily compare and choose the right type, Gigago gives you the information comparison table below:
| Prepaid physical Albania SIM card | Prepaid eSIM for Albania | |
| Pros | – Prices are not too high for tourists Stable connection – Many data package options – Compatibility with most unlocked devices – No need for difficult activation steps | – Easy to buy through your carrier or online supplier – Receive QR code via email and activate for use, no need to go to the store – No need to remove the main SIM card, reducing the risk of losing the communication SIM card – Between agreed providers, you can connect anywhere |
| Cons | – Need to buy and activate physical SIM card at the store or pay shipping fee home – Tourists may have difficulty communicating with store staff if they do not have good foreign language skills – You need to remove the fixed SIM card on your phone to insert a physical SIM card if your phone does not have 2 slots. | – Not all devices support eSIM – Many people think that the eSIM connection is not too fast |
► Our recommendation: From the table above, we recommend that foreigners and tourists to Albania should use eSIM and choose the data only package if the phone is compatible with eSIM and they only need to maintain basic contact through calling and calling apps using the Internet.
Albania eSIM is the electronic SIM needed to access the mobile network in this country. Not only do you get your degree online, the eSIM also eliminates the need to remove the primary SIM card as it is embedded in your phone. Furthermore, this might be the best alternative to Pocket Wifi to get online while exploring Albania for several reasons:
If you are looking for a reputable eSIM provider, maybe Gigago will help you get there. eSIM Albania from Gigago ensures a wide choice of data packages from 300MB up to 10GB of data. When buying online at Gigago, you absolutely do not need to provide personal information such as a passport.
Tourist SIM cards in Albania are typically available with validity periods of 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days. However, the exact duration varies depending on the specific package offered by the provider and the amount of data included, details:
Buying and activating an Albanian prepaid SIM card or eSIM is quite simple but still quite difficult for first-time users. Gigago provides the information below as a simple guide to further assist you on your upcoming trip.
Once you have purchased your Albania prepaid physical SIM card, follow these steps to use it:
Steps to purchase and activate eSIM on your phone are as follows:
Because it can be purchased online before arriving in Albania and can be used upon arrival. Furthermore, it has a wide variety of data package choices and stable access speeds.
You can buy online, buy at the airport, buy in the city center or at franchise stores.
Tourists can choose data-only and voice/text/data combination plans based on their needs.
Above is a sharing about an Albania SIM card brought to you by Gigago. Hope it really helps you and other tourists about to travel to Albania to have more useful information. Don’t forget Gigago’s eSIM offers!
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