Buy SFR SIM Cards and eSIMs for tourists in 2024

Discover the convenience of SFR SIM cards & eSIM for your communication needs. Whether you’re traveling to France or looking for flexible connectivity options, SFR can offer reliable solutions with their SIM cards and eSIM technology. Stay connected with unlimited calls, ample data, and extensive network coverage. 

Find out more about SFR SIM cards and eSIM offerings in our comprehensive guide.

I. Quick Facts about SFR

SFR, also known as Société Française du Radiotéléphone, is a major telecommunications company in France:

• Founded year: 1987

• Full company name: Société Française du Radiotéléphone (SFR)

• Types of services provided: mobile phone plans (forfait mobile), internet (Internet Fibre et ADSL), TV (Télévision), and fixed-line telephone services (Téléphone)

• Number of subscribers: more than 27 million customers ( Q4/2022)

• Coverage: SFR provides nationwide coverage in France

• Awards: “Best Mobile Network in France” by nPerf, “Best Fixed Network Quality” by ARCEP, “Best Customer Service” by Capital:…

• Customer support: SFR offers customer support through various channels, including on-call assistance.

II. Why SFR When Traveling France – Coverage and Speed

When it comes to SFR, we appreciate its development in mobile network’s coverage and speed. We can show you why we told like that: 

1. Coverage

A report from Opensignal – a household name in analytics major in “quantifying the mobile-network experience” 

SFR takes second place with a score of 8.7 points, 0.4 when comparing coverage of mobile network operators, just after Orange. 

Percentage of uninterrupted (no static, clear audio or loss of signal) mobile calls of more than two minutes in large urban areas / rural areas is 92% / 78%. 

Percentage of web pages displaying within 10 seconds via 3G, 4G or 5G in large urban areas / rural areas is 94% / 77%

Therefore, if you choose SFR as your mobile network operator when traveling to France, you can enjoy undisruptive data in almost all areas.  

2. Speed

In a Mobile Network Experience Report from November 2023, SFR’s 5G upload speed was statistically tied with Bouygues at around 19.6-19.9Mbps

As we can see, SFR’s speed is fast enough to meet all consumers’ network needs. SFR’s speed ranks 3rd out of 379 network providers in France, just behind Orange and Bouygues.

Look at the image comparing between SFR Mobile and other France network operators:

III. What are the Best Connectivity Options of SFR for Travelers to France?

SFR is one of the best mobile network carriers in France but how we can connect with this operator. Let’s explore 4 options below to consider which way is the most suitable for you: 

Connectivity Option	Advantage	Disadvantage
SIM Card	– Easy to use: Simply insert the SIM card into your unlocked phone and start using it. – Cost-effective: You have various choices for a SIM Card sold by SFR that absolutely suits your needs and budget. – Local phone number: You’ll have a local French phone number, making it convenient for local calls and receiving calls from locals.	-Requires an unlocked phone: Your phone must be unlocked to use a SIM card  – Need to purchase and install the SIM card: You’ll need to find a place to buy the SIM card and install it in your phone.
Roaming	– Convenient: You can use your existing phone number and continue using your phone as you would in your home country. – No need to change SIM cards: You don’t have to worry about purchasing and installing a new SIM card – Wide coverage: Roaming allows you to stay connected even in remote areas of France.	– Expensive: Roaming charges can be quite costly, especially for data usage. – Slower internet speeds: Roaming connections can be slower compared to local networks.
Pocket WiFi	– Shareable: You can connect multiple devices to the pocket WiFi, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. – No need for a SIM card: You don’t need to worry about compatibility or unlocking your phone.	– Additional device to carry: You’ll need to carry the pocket WiFi device along with your other belongings. – Battery life: Pocket WiFi devices have limited battery life and need to be recharged regularly. – Rental cost: There is usually a rental fee associated with pocket WiFi devices, which adds to your travel expenses. Besides, if you lose or damage this pocket wifi, you have to pay for the repair

IV. Best SFR SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

SFR offers several prepaid offers to meet your different needs. We will show some popular plans of SFR you can consider:  

	Price	Calls	Texts	Data	Validity period
La Carte	9.99€	See current prices	See current prices	20Gb	14 to 30 days
La Carte Connect	14.99€	See current prices	See current prices	15Gb	25 to 30 days
La Carte Welcome	30€	Unlimited	Unlimited	20Gb	14 days
La Carte Web	9.99€	See current prices	See current prices	50Mb	30 days
“Classique” top-ups	5€	Unlimited after 9pm and on weekends	Unlimited after 9pm and on weekends	None	6 days
	10€				13 days
	15€				25 days
	20€				30 days
	25€				60 days
	30€				60 days
	35€				90 days
	65€				120 days
	95€				150 days
« Monde » top-ups	5€	See current prices	See current prices	None	5 days
	10€				14 days
	15€				30 days
« Internet mobile » top-ups	5€	None	None	1Gb	5 days
	10€			5Gb	8 days
	25€			15Gb	30 days
	35€			30Gb	30 days
« Welcome » top-ups	20€	Up to 1 hour	See current prices	10Gb	14 days
5G top-ups	40€	100 numbers, unlimited calls	200 numbers, unlimited calls	40Gb	30 days
« Illimité » top-ups	5€	1 hour	Unlimited	1Gb	7 days
	10.99€	Unlimited	Unlimited	5Gb	10 days
	20.99€			20Gb	30 days
	30€			30Gb	30 days

Note: Visit SFR official website to consider the best accurate price.  

V.  Does SFR Support eSIM in France?

YES. We encourage you to use eSIM instead of physical SIM for the following reasons 

• Convenience: No need to physically insert or remove SIM cards.
• Flexibility: Easily switch between mobile operators or plans.
• Remote provisioning: Activate your plan instantly online
• Multiple profiles: Store multiple plans on a single device.

To buy eSIM of SFR Mobile, you can choose one of the two following ways:

• Buy SFR eSIM directly from SFR: this way requires you to show passport or ID for verification purposes.
• Buy online from eSIM resellers or providers: this way does not require you to show passport or ID card because the provider has do it all for you. What you need to prepare is just a eSIM-compatible device and money (of course).

Currently there are many SFR eSIM providers. One of the reputable suppliers among them is Gigago. In Gigago, you can access different packages of SFR with affordable prices. We will discuss further below.

VI. Where to Buy a SFR SIM card and eSIM?

Below we explain where to buy a SFR SIM card and eSIM step-by-step:

1. Where to Buy a SFR SIM Card?

To buy SFR SIM card, you have 03 options: purchasing upon arrival, visiting an SFR store, and exploring other authorized retail stores. Let’s see in details each option:

1. Upon Arrival

Upon arriving in France, you can easily find SFR SIM cards at major airports, including Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and other international airports across the country. Look for kiosks or shops that specialize in selling SIM cards and prepaid mobile services. These locations are convenient and offer immediate access to a SIM card without the need for additional travel or searching for specific stores.

2. SFR Stores

SFR operates numerous stores across France, making it easy to find a dedicated SFR store in most major cities. These stores offer a wide range of products and services, including SIM cards, smartphones, and customer support. Visiting an SFR store allows you to receive personalized assistance from trained staff who can guide you through the purchasing process and answer any questions you may have.

 3. Other Authorized Retail Stores

In addition to SFR stores, there are several authorized retail stores that sell SFR SIM cards. These stores include supermarkets, electronics retailers, and convenience stores. These stores often offer competitive pricing and extended operating hours, making them convenient alternatives to SFR stores.

2. Where to buy SFR eSIM for France?

As mentioned above, you can buy eSIM directly from SFR but the process is complicated. Therefore, it is recommended to buy eSIM of SFR from an eSIM provider like Gigago – things are quick and simple.

Multiple eSIM plans to choose, competitive prices, good speed and coverage, and 24/7 customer support for multiple languages are what you can gain from Gigago.

For France, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.50 . What is great about Gigago’s France eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.50 – $126.00 . 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.

VII. How to Activate SFR SIM/eSIM in France?

Using a SFR SIM/eSIM for France  is not difficult. If this is your first time using it, please check the instructions below.

1. How to Use SFR SIM Card in France?

You only need to follow these simple steps and everything will be ready.

1. Insert the SIM card: Locate the SIM card slot on your device
2. Power on your device: Turn on your device and wait for it to recognize the SIM card
3. Activate the SIM card
4. Set up APN settings if you can not use the eSIM.
5. Check your services.

2. How to Activate SFR eSIM?

Getting started with an [operator] eSIM for [country] is quite easy as follows:

1. Install the eSIM
2. Activate the eSIM
3. Set up the eSIM
4. Start using the eSIM: Once the eSIM is activated and set up, you can start using its services.

Please check your detailed instructions below:

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

VIII. How to Top-up SFR SIM/eSIM

• Visit the SFR website and access your customer account: Go to the SFR website (www.sfr.fr) and navigate to the “Espace Client” (Customer Space) section.
• Look for the “Rechargement” or “Top-up” section:  look for the “Rechargement” or “Top-up” section. It may be located under the “Mon compte” (My account) 
• Choose your preferred top-up method: credit card or recharge code.

If using a credit card, enter your card details and complete the payment.

If using a recharge code, enter the code as instructed. 

• Confirm the top-up and wait for the process to complete.

IX. FAQ about SFR SIM Cards and eSIMs

X. Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to France and need a SIM card, SFR has you covered. You can easily purchase an SFR SIM card at airports, stores, or online. With options for unlimited calls and around 100GB of data, staying connected is hassle-free. SFR’s network coverage is extensive, and you can use your own unlocked phone with their SIM cards. If you have any issues, their friendly customer support is ready to assist you. Enjoy your trip to France with an SFR SIM card!