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Purchasing a prepaid local SIM card is an excellent way to get the Internet while exploring Prague, Czech. This guide will help you know how and where to buy SIM card in Prague and find the best plan for your travel needs.
How to Buy a SIM Card at Prague Airport (Václav Havel) 2024: Best Plans + Updated Price
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For travelers landing at Václav Havel Airport Prague from another country, getting a prepaid SIM with reliable mobile service is crucial to stay connected. With a local SIM, tourists can keep in touch with family and friends, look up information, locate places, and share the best moments while exploring all the beautiful spots in Czech.
This guide will show you where and how to get a SIM card at Prague Airport, the most reasonably priced options, and the best alternative for staying online during your visit.
In this article
I. How to Get a SIM Card at Prague Airport (PRG)?
Three major ways to buy a Czech SIM card at Prague Airport (PRG) include:
- Directly at Prague Airport
- Online before trip
- In Prague center
Now let us dive into the pros and cons of each to see which offers the best value.
Buy at Prague Airport
- Pros: Straightforward, Internet access right after you touch down PRG
- Cons: Limited carrier and plan options, rates are higher than buying in the Prague center
Order online before trip
- Pros: More SIM and operator options, great deals, instant download and activation (for eSIM)
- Cons: If you order a physical Czech SIM card, you have to pay additional delivery fees and need to wait for delivery
Buy in Prague center
- Pros: Multiple SIM plan and provider options, cheap prices
- Cons: Need to commute to the Prague center
▶ Our recommendations:
- Get a SIM card at Prague airport if want reliable Internet right after you land.
- Go around the Prague center to find the best deals for Czech SIM card.
- Order your Czech SIM a few days before departure for a reliable instant connection.
II. Where to Get a SIM Card at Prague Airport?
To purchase a SIM card at Prague Airport, there are two ways:
- Pre-order your Czech SIM online before flight and then pick it up at Prague Airport
- Buy it upon arrival
1. Online before flight and pick up at Prague Airport
Tourists can order Czech SIM cards on mobile operator websites before flying to Czech and then collect them at Václav Havel Airport Prague. This way helps you save time and your SIM will be ready to use.
Remember to check if your carrier provides the pick-up service. The collection points are often located in the arrival halls after baggage claim.
What to prepare: payment details for online order, passport for ID check
Cost: Reasonable
Pros: No shopping after flight, time to compare carriers and plan options, no queueing
Cons: Need to book in advance
2. At Prague airport upon arrival
Václav Havel Airport Prague is the largest airport of Czech and it has two main terminals. The terminals are connected by a corridor with services and shops. Tourists can easily find several shops that offer prepaid SIM cards for visitors to Czech in the Terminal.
What to prepare: Unlocked phone, cash/ debit/credit card for payment, passport for ID check
Cost: A bit more pricey than ordering online or buying in the Prague center
Pros: Convenient, staff support
Cons: Shops at the airport are not always open late. If your flight arrives late at night, some shop may be closed and you may not get a Czech SIM card.
2.1. Vodafone shop
- Location: Level 1- Terminal 2 – Arrival Hall, after exiting customs
- Opening hours: Daily 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Plans: Vodafone SIM for tourists from 800 CZK, a SIM card vending machine is available at Vodafone store
- Language: English, Czech
2.2. Convenience stores
- Location: Terminal 1 & 2 – Near departure gates
- Opening hours: Daily 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Language: English, Czech
Pro Tip: While getting a SIM card at Prague Airport offers travelers the convenience of getting online right after landing at the airport, commuting to the city center is often a better option.
III. Do SIM card shops at PRG airport open after midnight?
No, SIM card shops at Prague Airport (PRG) do not open after midnight.
The opening hours for each shop are as follows:
- Vodafone Shop: Daily 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Convenience Stores (e.g., Relay): Daily 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
All these stores close at 10:00 pm. Therefore, if you arrive at the airport late at night, you will not be able to purchase a SIM card until the stores reopen in the morning.
IV. Best Tourist Prague Airport SIM Card Rate
At Prague International Airport, Vodafone is the only store that sells Data SIM for tourists. The other operators like T-Mobile and O2 do not have a presence at this airport but their offers are widely available in Prague.
Good to know: CZK 1 = USD 0.042; USD 1 = CZK 23.79 (in February, 2024)
| Operator | Data | Validity | Cost |
| Vodafone (at Prague Airport) | 10 GB of data | 30 days | 800 CZK – USD 33.6 |
| 20 GB of data | 30 days | 1299 CZK – USD 54.6 | |
| T-Mobile | 25MB data | 1 day | CZK 24 – USD 1.03 |
| O2 | 1GB data | 30 days | CZK 179 – USD 7.67 |
| 3GB data | 30 days | CZK 299 – USD 12.8 |
Important Notes:
- Check the official websites of major carriers for the latest details.
- Airport prices are often higher than purchasing in the Prague city (aound 10-20%)
V. What to Prepare for Buying a SIM Card at Prague Airport – Registration Process
The process of purchasing a SIM card at Prague Airport is straightforward. Here are some things to prepare before getting a Czech SIM card for your trip:
- Passport: Many SIM stores will ask to see your passport for verification, so have this accessible.
- Know what you need: Decide if you want a data package, international calls, etc. so you can choose the right SIM card package for your usage.
- Czech currency: Most stores accept major credit cards but you may need CZK crash to top up the SIM later. Consider getting some at airport ATMs.
- Contact info: Be prepared to provide your email address for purchase receipts and account activation details to be sent to.
- Mobile unlocked: Make sure your phone is unlocked and can accommodate a Czech SIM card for the networks.
VI. Czech eSIM for Prague – An Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Prague Airport
eSIM for Czech is the best alternative to prepaid physical SIM card at Prague Airport. It is a wonderful digital way for connecting to mobile networks in the country, delivering flexibility and reliability compared to plastic SIM cards.
- Convenience: No need to hunt for a store or swap SIM cards. Profiles can be downloaded remotely right from your phone.
- Instant activation: eSIM profiles activate almost instantly so you have service right away versus waiting for a physical SIM to be provisioned.
- Multiple profiles: You can store profiles from different carriers so you are not limited to just one provider. Easy to switch between them.
- Supports dual SIM: Some phones now support eSIM + physical SIM so you have local + home coverage simultaneously without swapping.
If you are looking for a prestigious worldwide eSIM reseller, Gigago would be a top recommendation. Gigago provides cost-effective eSIM services to over 200 countries as well as territories around the world.
Gigago eSIM plans for Czech work on the networks of T-Mobile, O2, and Vodafone – the three largest cellular network carriers in Czech. These plans are very affordable, starting at a low price of $3.00 for 1GB of data, valid for 3 days and ranging from $3.00 – $95.90 . Just opt for the plan that best aligns with your needs and your trip duration in Czech.
VII. FAQs about SIM Card at Prague Airport
Where can I purchase a SIM card at Prague Airport?
You can buy SIM cards from operator stores located airside on the arrivals/ departures level of terminals 2A and 2B at Prague Václav Havel Airport.
What payment methods are accepted to buy a SIM card at Prague Airport?
Most SIM stores accept major credit/debit cards, Czech crowns in cash, and contactless payments. It is best to have Czech currency or a card to purchase a SIM card at Prague Airport.
How long does it take to activate a SIM card bought at Prague Airport?
SIM cards bought at Prague Airport come with quick and easy activation instructions in multiple languages. Activation usually takes only a few minutes to start using the SIM card.
VIII. Conclusion
In conclusion, purchasing a SIM card at Prague Airport is an important first step for any visitors arriving in Prague. Getting a SIM card from one of the airport shops makes staying connected very convenient. Besides, tourists can choose to buy Czech SIM cards at city stores for better value. An eSIM plan for Czech is also an excellent option in terms of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.
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