How to Get and Activate Orange SIM Cards and eSIM: Guide for Tourists

William Jones

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Latest update: July 2024

While planning your upcoming holiday to France, staying connected should be one of your top priorities. This is where getting a local Orange SIM Cards or eSIM can make your life much easier.

Orange is one of the top mobile network operators in France with excellent nationwide 4G/5G coverage. Their prepaid plans are quite pocket-friendly and offer great data bundles for tourists.

This detailed guide will cover everything you need to know about getting Orange SIM cards or eSIM for your trip to France:

I. Overview about Orange – What You Need to Know

Orange, previously known as France Telecom, is the largest telecom operator in France.  Here are some quick facts about this operator:

• Founded year: 1994 
• Full company name: Orange S.A.
• Types of services provided: mobile and fixed-line telecommunications, internet services, television services, and mobile financial services. 
• Number of subscribers: 287 million worldwide (31/12/2022)
• Coverage: Orange operates in 26 countries around the world, including Europe, Africa, Middle East, and parts of Asia
• Customer support:
  • On-call: Yes, 24/7
  • Language: Multilingual support available
  • Time: 24/7
• Additional information: Orange is also involved in social responsibility initiatives in education, environment, and other areas.

II. Orange Coverage in France

You can see “4G & 5G Availability” in overall and in two parts of the country 

• 4G/LTE covers 98% of population
• Average download speed – 45 Mbps
• Maximum speed can reach up to 150 Mbps
• 5G rolled out in 2020 and fast expanding: Already covers more than 3500 cities. Orange wins the overall Download and Upload Speed Experience awards with average speeds of 66.9Mbps and 8.2Mbps, respectively.

Rural Areas & Small Towns

• Very good coverage along highways/roads
• Small villages may have only 2G

Metro & Subway

• Full coverage across metro lines/stations in Paris
• Also covered in Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Rennes etc

III. Orange Speed in France

Orange is the fastest operator with speed of 66.9Mbps. The Download Speed Experience on Orange is around 30.3% higher than that seen on Bouygues and SFR, which tie for second place, and 60.9% faster than Free Mobile’s 41.6Mbps.

As with Download Speed Experience, Orange continues to hold the Upload Speed Experience award, with users’ speeds averaging 8.2Mbps this time, just 0.2Mbps (2.7%) faster than second-placed Bouygues. SFR follows with a score of 7.4Mbps, while Free Mobile lags significantly behind with 5.6 Mbps.

► Our Recommendation: I believe Orange can provide various plans which are up to your expectation

IV. Does Orange Have eSIM in France?

YES. There are many units providing travel eSIM of Orange on the market. With this feature, customers do not need to go to the network operator to register. You can consider Gigago as one of the best reliable and convenience provider eSIM for tourists

V. Top Orange SIM Cards for Tourists

If you have an iPhone 15 (USA version) or any phone that supports eSIM, and you prefer using eSIM instead of a physical SIM card to avoid the need for disassembly. And Orange totally can support you with various eSIM plans for your consideration.

Below we will show you plans of Orange to have an overall view of Orange’s package:

1. Orange Holiday SIM

2. Regular rechargeable SIM

VI. Where to Buy an Orange SIM card and eSIM?

Below we’ll explore the most convenient options for purchasing an Orange SIM card and eSIM. You can take them into consider for buying a suitable SIM: 

• Upon Arrival

When you arrive in France, look for Orange SIM card kiosks or counters at the airport. Their representatives can quickly provide you with a SIM card for immediate connectivity. Keep in mind that not all airports offer this service, so it’s best to check in advance.

• Orange Stores

Orange stores are located in major cities and tourist areas. Visit an Orange store to get personalized assistance from friendly staff. They’ll help you select the right SIM card package and guide you through the activation process.

► Our recommendation: You should bring these documents when buying a physical SIM card for sure

• Authorized Retail Stores

Apart from Orange stores, you can find authorized retail stores that sell Orange SIM cards. These stores, such as mobile phone retailers, are authorized by Orange and offer customer support. They’re conveniently located in shopping malls and city centers.

VII. Where to Buy Orange eSIM for France?

Buying an eSIM is also a convenient option for travelers, as it eliminates all drawbacks of physical SIM cards. We can show you some popular places that sell reliable Orange eSIM: 

• Orange Website: The official Orange website allows you to purchase eSIMs directly. Visit the Orange France website and navigate to their eSIM section. You can select the plan that suits your needs and follow the instructions to purchase and activate the eSIM.

Link: 

• Orange Retail Stores: You can visit an Orange retail store in France and inquire about purchasing an eSIM. The staff will be able to guide you through the process, provide you with the necessary information, and activate the eSIM for you.

• Online Retailers: Some online retailers may offer Orange eSIMs for France. Websites like Amazon or eBay could have listings for Orange eSIMs.

With Gigago, you can receive some benefits when purchasing eSIMs: 

• Diverse Packages: Gigago offers a wide range of eSIM packages for various destinations around the world. 

• Good Price: The pricing for Gigago’s eSIM packages is transparent and can be easily accessed on their website, allowing customers to compare and choose the most suitable option based on their budget.

• Quick Support in Multiple Languages: This feature is particularly beneficial for international travelers who may have language preferences or face language barriers while seeking support.

For France, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s France eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in France, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VIII. How to Top-up Orange SIM/eSIM

To top up your Orange SIM card,  you can follow these simple steps:

• Visit the Orange Travel website: Go to https://travel.orange.com/en/top-up.

• Select your offer: Choose the prepaid offer that suits your needs from the available options. These offers provide calls, SMS, and data to keep you connected during your trip.

• Enter your phone number or SIM card number: Provide the required information to access the top-up catalog.

• Select your offer and proceed: Once you’ve entered your details, select your desired offer and proceed to the next step.

• Top up your SIM card: Follow the instructions provided to complete the top-up process. This may involve making a payment using a valid payment method.

IX. FAQs

X. Conclusion

In conclusion, getting and activating Orange SIM cards and eSIM is simple for tourists. Orange can offer extensive network coverage and reliable speeds for browsing and calling. If you have a compatible device, you should use eSIMs as its convenience. If not, physical SIM cards can also meet your needs. Both options provide access to Orange’s reliable network.