How to buy a SIM Card at Athens International Airport (ATH) 2024: Best Plans + Updated Price

Jessica Taylor

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Published: July 2024

Having a SIM card at Greece airports provides a convenient solution for staying connected to the Internet and making calls during your trip. Read the article below to know the price and how to buy it here.

I. Should You Buy a SIM Card at Athens International Airport (ATH)?

Yes, you should buy a SIM card at Athens International Airport (ATH) depending on some factors to consider:

• Convenience: saves you the hassle of searching for a SIM card vendor elsewhere.
• Availability: several vendors selling SIM cards, offering various plans and packages to suit different needs
• Coverage: Before purchasing a SIM card, consider the coverage offered by different mobile operators in Greece.

Buying an airport SIM card suits urgent internet needs but is pricier and offers fewer packages than other options.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Athens International Airport?

At Athens International Airport, travelers can purchase SIM cards upon arrival for immediate mobile services. They’re available at operator stores/kiosks and vending machines in the arrivals area, with prices ranging from $11-32 for starter packs and $16 for tourist data plans.

III. How Much Does a SIM Card at Athens International Airport Cost?

The cost of a SIM card at Athens International Airport can vary depending on the operator and plan you choose, but here are some typical price ranges:

For Prepaid SIM Starter Packs:

• Cosmote: €9.90 – €19.90 ($11 – $22)
• Vodafone: €9.90 – €29.90 ($11 – $33)
• Wind: €9.90 – €19.90 ($11 – $22)

These starter packs generally include a basic amount of data (1-5GB), plus some credit for domestic calls/texts.

For Tourist/Travel Data Plans:

• 5GB data valid for 7-15 days: Around €15 – €20 ($16 – $22)
• 10GB+ data valid for 30 days: Around €20 – €30 ($22 – $33)

The tourist data plans focused more on data rather than voice/texts.

You can expect to pay between €10 – €30 ($11 – $33) at the Athens airport for a prepaid Greek SIM card that includes a decent data package to get you started for 1-4 weeks of travel.

It’s recommended to compare the plans at different operator stores, as occasional promotions may offer better data/pricing. 

IV. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Athens International Airport – Registration Process

You’ll need your passport for identification, an unlocked phone compatible with Greek SIM cards, and payment in cash (Euros) or via credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard widely accepted).

Read below to learn the steps and requirements get a SIM card:

1. Visit the operator store/kiosk (Cosmote, Vodafone, Wind etc.) at the arrivals area
2. Select a prepaid SIM card plan as per your voice/data requirements
3. Show your passport to the staff for registration
4. Make the payment in cash or by card
5. The staff will assist in inserting and setting up the new SIM on your phone

V. Best Tourist Athens International Airport SIM Cards Options and Price

Visitors to Greece can conveniently pick up prepaid SIM cards from major telecommunications providers at Athens International Airport, some of which you can check out below:

Cosmote:

• Tourist SIM: €19.90 ($22) includes 10GB data, unlimited calls/SMS within Greece, valid for 30 days
• COSMOTE Travel & Data SIM: €29.90 ($33) includes 25GB data, unlimited calls/SMS within Greece, 500 international minutes, valid for 30 days

Vodafone:

• Holidays Pack: €19.90 ($22) includes 8GB data, unlimited calls/SMS within Greece, valid for 15 days
• Holidays Pack Plus: €29.90 ($33) includes 20GB data, unlimited calls/SMS within Greece, 100 international minutes, valid for 30 days

Nova:

• Nova Traveler Pack: €14.90 ($16.50) includes 5GB data, unlimited calls/SMS within Greece, valid for 10 days
• NovaTraveler Plus Pack: €24.90 ($27.50) includes 12GB data, unlimited calls/SMS within Greece, 120 international minutes, valid for 30 days

It’s recommended to compare the plans and choose one aligned with your expected usage and travel duration in Greece.

VI. Greece eSIM for Athens – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Athens International Airport

Gigago is an eSIM store that specializes in providing prepaid data plans via eSIM for travelers visiting different countries. They offer a convenient way to get connected locally with just your eSIM-compatible smartphone.

When using eSIM service in Gigago, you can receive advantages: 

• Easy to use – 100% online purchase, receive eSIM instantly via email as a QR code to scan and install on your phone.
• Free from roaming charges – Save 100% on international roaming fees and use data/calling apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime etc. conveniently.
• Nationwide Greece coverage – The eSIMs work across all of Greece, allowing you to stay connected anywhere during your travels.
• 24/7 customer support via chat/email to assist with any issues.
• Instant digital delivery – No waiting for physical shipment. No need to remove existing SIM.

VII. Where to Buy a SIM card Outside  Athens International Airpor?

Apart from purchasing a SIM card at Athens International Airport upon arrival, tourists can also buy SIM cards at various locations within the city:

1. Official Stores of Major Carriers: Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova

• What to prepare: Passport/ID, unlocked phone
• Cost: Similar to airport, around €10 – €30 ($11 – $33 USD) for a tourist SIM pack with data and some call/text allowance.

2. Convenience Stores/Supermarkets: Some places like AB Vassilopoulos, Carrefour, Lidl, etc. may sell ready-to-go travel SIM packs.

• What to prepare: Passport/ID, unlocked phone.
• Cost: Slightly higher than carrier stores

3. Some Major Gas Stations

These are some of the well-known gas station brands you can find in Athens: Eko, Avin, Shell, BP…

Note: Not all gas stations sell travel SIM cards

► Our recommendations:

• Buying at the airport is still the most convenient and efficient option for arriving tourists. Staff can assist with SIM activation on the spot.
• Purchasing from an official carrier store is the next best solution when already in the city.
• If your phone is eSIM compatible, consider getting an eSIM from Gigago or other providers before arriving in Greece for added convenience.

VIII. FAQs

IX. Conclusion

In conclusion, purchasing a SIM card at Athens International Airport (ATH) provides convenience and flexibility for tourists visiting Greece. However, it’s essential to highlight the increasing popularity of eSIM and its potential in the tourism sector. With eSIM, travelers can avoid the hassle of physical SIM installation and immediately access mobile services. Not only flexible and secure, but eSIM also offers convenience for devices without SIM slots and enables seamless network switching.