Drei (Three) SIM Cards and eSIM 2024: a Comprehensive Guide for Tourists

Drei (Three) SIM cards are one of the things that you should prepare once you travel to Austria. It is a major cellular provider in this country with a good quality network. But do you know how to get it and how it works? Here is a comprehensive guide for tourists about Drei SIM cards and eSIM. Hope it helps you to get more knowledge to prepare well for your next trip. 

I. Quick facts about Drei (Three)

Here are some quick information about Drei (Three) – one of the major mobile operators in Austria: 

• Founded year: 2003
• Full company name: Hutchison Drei Austria GmbH
• Types of services provided:
  • Mobile phone plans (prepaid and postpaid)
  • Mobile broadband internet
  • 5G network access
  • Fixed-line internet (through partnerships)
  • TV services (through partnerships)
• Number of subscribers: As of 2023, Drei has approximately 2.5 million subscribers in Austria.
• Coverage: Drei covers 99% of the Austrian population with its mobile network. Additionally, they have roaming agreements with other operators, extending coverage to areas where their own network might not be available.
• Estimated number of network of stores, agents:
  • Drei has approximately 100 of its own stores across Austria
  • Additionally, they have partnerships with various retailers and electronics stores where you can find their products and services
• Customer support:
  • On-call: Yes, Drei offers customer support via phone lines
  • Language: Customer support is available in German and English
  • Time: Customer support hours are typically from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday. However, it is recommended to check their website for the latest information on support hours, as they may change occasionally.

II. Austria Drei Coverage and Speed in the Austria

Before deciding whether you should use the Drei network or not, you should understand its coverage and Internet speed. With the following useful information, it will help you to make the best decision. 

1. Drei coverage in Austria

Drei offers strong and reliable mobile coverage across most of Austria. It boasts extensive coverage across Austria, reaching a significant portion of the population:

• Coverage: 99% of the Austrian population
• Technology:
  • 5G: Covers 85% of Austrian households, offering speeds up to 500 Mbps
  • 4G/LTE: Widely available, providing good coverage throughout the country
  • 3G: Still available in some areas, though phasing out

Additional information:

• Rural Areas: although its coverage is extensive, signal strength might be weaker in remote areas compared to urban centers
• Indoor Coverage: 5G network offers improved indoor coverage compared to previous generations
• Roaming: Drei has roaming agreements with other operators, extending coverage to areas where their own network might not be available

2. Drei speed

Drei now has the best 5G Download Speed in Austria. Drei’s users enjoy average 5G download speeds clocking in at 230.2Mbps. 

In addition, Drei also illustrates a good experience in 5G Live Video and 5G Voice App experience. Overall, Drei (Three) mobile operator falls behind the 2 other mobile operators in Austria. 

In conclusion, if you are traveling to Austria, you can consider choosing Drei (Three) SIM cards or eSIM against other operators. Except for its 5G experience, Drei’s coverage or consistency is not as good as other competitors. 

III. Drei (Three) connectivity options for travelers to Austria

When you are traveling to Austria, you can choose connectivity options of Drei provider as below:  

• SIM cards: buy Drei SIM cards at Vienna airport, Drei kiosks or convenience stores upon arrival 
• Pocket wifi: buy or rent a pocket wifi that use Drei (Three) network to connect to the Internet if you have more than 1 device 
• Roaming: roaming service is free of charge if you are from EU countries. But if you are from other countries, the price will depend on your home country operator policy 

Before deciding which options will be used, please check their pros and cons as table below: 

Connectivity options	SIM Card	Pocket wifi	Roaming
Pros	– Most affordable option – Easy to purchase  – Widely available  – Multi data packages	– Shares data with multiple devices – Good for group travel – High speed  – Secure	– No need to replace and insert new physical SIM cards
Cons	– Requires compatible phone – May require phone configuration – Potential roaming charges if used outside EU – Documents required for registration	– Limited data compared to others – Carry device to anywhere	– May be expensive  – Limited coverage outside Austria
Best for	Budget travelers, solo travelers, frequent data users	Group travel, data-heavy activities	Short trips within EU, occasional data use

In conclusion, physical SIM cards seem to be the best choice for budget travelers, or for someone really new to Austria or abroad. It is easy to purchase right after you arrive in the country. It also has many data packages. You can choose the most suitable depending on your travel purpose. 

IV. Best Drei (Three) SIM cards for tourists & cost

Are you wondering how much a Drei SIM card costs? It will depend on your choice. Drei is now offering some following packages for tourists: 

• Talk Basic: 15GB + 1,000 min/ SMS within 30 days: 7EUR ~ 7.6USD
• Talk EU S: 30GB + 1,000 min/ SMS within 30 days: 10EUR ~ 10.9USD
• Talk EU M: 40GB + 1,500 min/ SMS within 30 days: 15EUR ~ 16.5USD
• Talk EU L: 45GB + 2,000 min/ SMS within 30 days: 20EUR ~ 22USD
• Talk EU XL: 33GB + 3,000 min/ SMS within 30 days: 30EUR ~ 33USD

How come if you can not insert a physical SIM card into your phone SIM slot due to your phone model? Then, eSIM will be the best alternative option. It will be installed to your phone through a code. You can access the Internet easily with just some simple steps. 

V. Does Drei (Three) Austria support eSIM?

YES. Drei (Three) is a major mobile operator in Austria. So, they also provide eSIM technology for users.

	SIM cards	eSIM
Physical Form	A small, physical card that needs to be inserted into a dedicated slot in your device	A tiny, embedded chip soldered directly onto the device’s motherboard, eliminating the need for a physical card
Pros	Widely available and suitable for most devices Easily removed and transferred to another device	SecureNot be physically lost or stolenEasily switch between multiple network providers without needing a physical SIM swap
Cons	Can be lost or damagedSwitching providers requires acquiring a new SIM card and potentially waiting for activationMay not fit newer devices with limited space for SIM card slots	Suitable for compatible phone only

If you travel often, eSIMs can offer greater flexibility for switching between data plans. To purchase an eSIM, you can buy it directly at mobile operator stores when you are in this country. Or you can buy it online through some eSIM providers. 

Gigago is not offering eSIM service from Drei network due to its coverage and consistency is not as good and stable as other cellular operators in Austria. If you are considering using eSIM in Austria, you can choose another service from A1 Telekom or Magenta (T-mobile). They are also major mobile providers in Austria. 

Please visit Gigago Austria eSIM or contact customer service at +1 657-571-1199 (24/7) for more information. 

VI. Where can you buy a Drei (Three) SIM card and eSIM?

If it is your first time to go to Austria and still do not know where you can buy Drei (Three) SIM cards & eSIM, the following guide will be useful for you. 

1. Where to buy Drei (Three) SIM cards for Austria

Drei (Three) SIM cards are available in Austria. You can easily purchase one SIM at some locations as below: 

1.1. Upon Arrival

When you get to Austria, you can buy SIM cards from Drei at the international airport. There are some kiosks that sell SIM cards from other mobile operators including Drei. Or you can buy it at the train station or tourist information center. 

1.2. Drei stores

Drei stores are located around urban areas. You can check the nearest store to your hotel and go there to buy a SIM directly. Please remember to bring along your passport or other identification documents for verification when setting up. 

1.3. Other authorized retail stores

Other authorized retail stores that you can consider to buy a SIM card include convenience stores, electronics retailers, or supermarkets. They are convenient places if you need to buy a basic SIM or need to top-up your balance. 

2. Where to buy Austria Drei eSIM

A eSIM will be installed directly to your phone through a code. You can visit the Drei store to install this technology to your phone. Or you can buy it online before you travel to Austria. There are some eSIM providers. You can check with them to choose your most suitable plan. 

VII. How to activate Drei (Three) Austria SIM/eSIM

It’s not difficult to use Drei (Three) SIM cards & eSIM for Austria. If this is your first time using it, please check the instructions below.

1. How to use Drei Austria SIM card

If you purchase a new Drei physical SIM card, you can activate it through those easy steps:

• Visit Drei website
• Choose activation verification 
• Insert your phone number and PUK number (8-digit) on your SIM card carrier
• Then enter the required information and follow the on-screen instructions 

Or you can contact their customer service at 0800303030 and provide them with the necessary details. 

2. How to activate Drei Austria eSIM

For an eSIM, you can activate with some simple steps:

• Choose you most suitable plan
• Activate eSIM through a QR code
• Activate manually: follow instructions to set up and install eSIM to your phone 
• Start using eSIM service

Here are some detailed instructions for specific phone brands. You can check for more information:

• Activate eSIM on IPhone
• Activate eSIM on Samsung
• Activate eSIM on Google Pixel

VIII. Alternatives to Drei Austria 

To help you have a deep insight into 3 major mobile operators in Austria, please take a look at the table below: 

	A1 Telekom	Magenta	Drei
Network Coverage	99.9%	99%	99%
Technology	5G, 4G/LTE, 3G	5G, 4G/LTE, 3G	5G, 4G/LTE, 3G
5G Coverage (households)	90%	85%	85%
Average Download Speed (mobile broadband)	Up to 225 Mbps	Up to 225 Mbps	Up to 500 Mbps
Price Range	Moderate to Premium	Budget-friendly to Moderate	Budget-friendly

In conclusion: 

• All three operators offer a variety of prepaid and postpaid plans with different data allowances, call minutes, and SMS
• A1 Telekom is generally considered to have the best network coverage and fastest average speeds in Austria
• Magenta offers competitive prices and is a good choice for budget-conscious users.
• Drei is known for being the most affordable option and is popular among younger demographics.

Every cellular provider has their own advantages. You can choose whichever is most suitable for you. However, if this is your first time to go to Austria, it is better for you to prepare an eSIM before arriving there. So that, you can automatically connect to the Internet and navigate maps or book a taxi to go to your hotel. You do not need to waste more time going around the airport or city to buy a physical SIM card. 

Gigago is now offering a lot of eSIM packages from A1 Telekom and Magenta. You can check and choose the best plan depending on your travel purpose and duration. 

IX. FAQs about Drei (Three) in Austria

X. Conclusion

Drei (Three) SIM cards & eSIM is one of the things you should prepare when you are planning to visit Austria in the future. Although Drei’s 5G experience is the best in Austria now, its coverage and consistency is not as good as the 2 others. If you like the traditional way to be connected to the Internet, you can buy SIM cards upon arrival. But if your phone is a new model, and you want an easier and more convenient way of telecommunication, you can install eSIM to your phone before your trip.  You will be more proactive and enjoy your trip the most.