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Many tourists choose to buy a SIM card at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) instead of buying it at another location or using another method.
Buying a SIM card at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) 2024: Travelers Guide
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A SIM to connect to the internet is important during a trip. You should not ignore the information below if you do not know how to buy a SIM at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
How to buy a SIM card at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is of interest to many tourists, especially those coming to South Africa for the first time. Please refer to Gigago’s article below for the most detailed instructions.
In this article
I. Can I Buy a SIM Card at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)?
Yes. If you are not in a hurry for time, are willing to queue and are not too concerned about fees, you can choose to buy a SIM card directly at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is not a bad choice. This is also the form chosen by many tourists when coming to South Africa.
Travelers can consider buying a SIM card at the airport if:
- Internet access is essential upon arrival at the airport
- Don’t be afraid to queue
- No consideration of cost
- Not too familiar with buying elsewhere
II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at O.R. Tambo International Airport?
With many available advantages, SIM cards are the method of use chosen by many tourists when coming to South Africa. 2 popular ways to buy a SIM card when traveling in South Africa: Buy online before departure and pick up at the airport and buy at the airport upon arrival.
1. Buy online before departure and pickup at the airport
To save time, travelers can purchase a SIM card from an online retailer or the official website of their South African mobile service provider. Before ordering, you need to check whether the network operator has a kiosk at the airport or not. Also, pay attention to your phone’s compatibility with network providers in South Africa.
Tourists should buy the card 1 day before departure if they choose to buy online. Because it helps the SIM card to be activated as soon as visitors arrive in South Africa, they can use the internet right then. The cost for this form may be more expensive than the form of buying on arrival.
Pros:
- Order easily via the internet
- The SIM card is pre-activated and can be used immediately upon arrival in South Africa
Cons: Not all carriers can purchase online
2. Buy at the airport upon arrival
After completing immigration and customs procedures, you can easily find many kiosks/stands/booths selling SIM cards at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Visitors can follow the instructions of the staff or the direction map at the airport. You can buy it at a kiosk of mobile network operators at the airport or a convenience store that sells SIM cards.
Cons:
- You can connect to the internet right at the airport without having to wait for the network store.
- Don’t be afraid of being scammed over the internet
- Get direct installation support from staff.
Pros:
- Communication is difficult if you are not good at foreign languages.
- It takes time to queue.
- Not all carrier kiosks are not opened 24/7 so in case you land at midnight you may not be able to buy a SIM card.
III. Do SIM Card Shops at JNB Airport Open After Midnight?
No, not all SIM card shops at JNB Airport are open after midnight. While you can find kiosks and convenience stores selling SIM cards, the major carrier kiosks (Vodacom, Cell C, MTN) may not be open 24/7. This means if you arrive on a late flight, you might not be able to purchase a SIM card from your preferred carrier or find any shop open at all.
IV. How Much Does a SIM Card at O.R. Tambo International Airport Cost?
Usually sim card prices at international airports are a bit more expensive because you have to pay for the convenience it brings. However, it doesn’t make much difference if you buy the sim card in the city center.
Cost of SIM cards of some carriers in O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is as follows:
- Cell C SIM card: 29 SAR = $2 USD
- Vodacom South Africa: 100 ZAR = $5.4 USD
- MTN South Africa: 63.50 ZAR = $3.45 USD
Note: Cost will depend on the provider, package, and time of year of purchase. It's best to check and compare prices between suppliers before buying.
Refer to best tourist SIM cards options and prices of major telecommunications providers in South Africa:
1. Best Vodacom SIM card options and prices
- R399 (399 ZAR – $21.02 USD): 30 minutes + 30 messages + 3 GB data + 30 ZAR credit
- R549 (549 ZAR – $28.92 USD): 50 minutes + 50 messages + 5 GB data + 50 ZAR credits
- R799 (799 ZAR – $39.46 USD): 100 minutes + 100 messages + 10 GB data + 100 ZAR credits
2. Best MTN SIM card options and prices
- 262.5 ZAR ($13.83 USD): 1 GB data + 100 ZAR credits
- 392.5 ZAR ($20.68 USD): 3 GB data + 100 ZAR credits
- 662.5 ZAR ($34.9 USD): 6 GB data + 100 ZAR credits
3. Best Cell C SIM card options and prices
- R80: 800 MB data for use in 30 days
- R95: 1 GB data for use in 30 days
- R149: 1,5 GB data for use in 30 days
Important note: Data plans and its costs may vary by time and campaign. Tourists should refer to the latest information on the supplier's website.
V. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at O.R. Tambo International Airport – Registration Process
To get a SIM card at O.R. At Tambo International Airport, tourists need to prepare the following:
- Identification: To buy an international SIM card at the airport, a passport is what you need.
- Payment method: Tourists can exchange SAR or Dola currency to pay. Although it is now possible to pay via credit card, it is recommended to bring cash for convenience.
- Unlock your phone and make sure it is compatible with telecommunications services in South Africa.
Normally, the staff at the provider’s kiosk will assist in setting up the SIM, so there is no need to prepare a SIM removal tool.
To use the SIM card as smoothly as possible, tourists need to prepare a few things in advance such as:
- Choose a supplier: Research in advance the suitability, compare the purchase price, and data package costs of each supplier to make a wise choice. South Africa has several major providers such as Vodacom, Telkom, MTN and Cell C.
- Don’t forget to ask for advice from the SIM card counter staff
- Follow the staff’s instructions to get the SIM card set up and activated before leaving.
VI. South Africa eSIM for Johannesburg – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at O.R. Tambo International Airport
The first advantage of eSIM is convenience thanks to its small size and advanced technology. Switching carriers and changing packages is done easily via software without needing to change the SIM card like before. Furthermore, the cost of eSIM is not as high as other forms such as data conversion or pocket wifi.
Travelers can solve the problem of high costs by using a South Africa eSIM from Gigago. When buying eSIM at Gigago, the cost includes insurance, easy to buy online and receive by QR code.You have data package options ranging from 2 GB for 15 days for $8.9 USD to 10 GB for 30 days for $28.9 USD.
VII. Where to Buy a SIM card Outside O.R. Tambo International Airport?
Not only is there a way to buy a SIM at O.R. At Tambo International Airport (JNB), visitors can also buy at the airline’s official stores, convenience stores, and gas stations (if available). But you will likely have difficulty finding your way around and choosing to shop at these locations if your foreign language skills are not good.
VIII. FAQs
What do I need to prepare to buy a SIM at O.R. Tambo International Airport?
Tourists need to prepare their passport, cash (or credit card), and unlocked phone to buy an international SIM card.
Which carriers have SIM cards at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)?
The major operators in South Africa are Vodacom, Telkom, Cell C and MTN with kiosks at major airports. In addition, there are a number of other small suppliers.
Can I buy an eSIM as a replacement for my SIM card?
Yes. However, not all devices are compatible with eSIM. You need to check your phone’s compatibility before deciding to buy an eSIM.
IX. Conclusion
Above is a summary of instructions for buying a SIM card at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). In addition, Gigago also suggests some places where you can buy SIM cards in South Africa. Hopefully it has been helpful to you during your trip to this country. Contact Gigago for eSIM reference if you have a compatible phone!
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