Buying a SIM Card in Cape Town for Travelers 2024: Guide from Locals

Claudia Anderson

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Published: July 2024

Buying a SIM card in Cape Town is of interest to many tourists when coming to this city. You should learn through the article below.

The article below outlines how to buy a SIM card in Cape Town. This information is for business people or tourists coming to Cape Town in particular and South Africa in general. Through Gigago‘s sharing, tourists will have their concerns answered about their upcoming trip.

I. Why Buy a SIM card in Cape Town?

Buying a SIM card in Cape Town is important for locals and tourists alike. Having a South African SIM card provides faster internet access than many other methods, helping you stay in touch with your family back home. Having a local SIM card makes internet access more reliable without incurring exorbitant costs. 

The high speed of a local SIM card helps you have the best travel experience. In it, you can view the map online via the internet. It is important that before buying a South African SIM card, check and make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the network provider that sells the SIM card in Cape Town.

II. Which mobile internet carrier is the best in Cape Town?

Below are the major network operators in Cape Town city:

• Network operator MTN

In 2022, MTN was ranked as South Africa’s best network operator. The report also shows that MTN is the leader in internet networks and coverage in major cities, including Cape Town. MTN’s download speed is 68.84 Mbps and upload speed is 19.77 Mbps.

• Network operator Vodacom

Vodacom has grown to become one of the largest mobile network operators on the African continent. It provides a variety of telecommunications services, including data, mobile voice and messaging to millions of customers across many African countries. Vodacom’s download speed is 48.58 Mbps, upload speed is 11.72 Mbps. 

• Network operator Telkom

Telkom is a network operator founded in 1991 and privately invested since 2000. Telkom plays an important role in telecommunications services in South Africa in general and Cape Town in particular. It provides services to businesses and individuals with download speeds of 28.54 Mbps and upload speeds of 9.95 Mbps.

• Network operator Cell C

Network operator Cell C was established in 2001, providing products and services including data, voice calls and text messages. The network’s technology is diverse with 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE networks and coverage throughout South Africa, especially big cities like Cape Town.

Coverage and speed of carriers will not be much different in famous cities. The main difference is in plan details and customer support. In terms of access speed, Vodacom and MTN are the two most recommended network operators in Cape Town.

III. Best Cape Town SIM Card Plans and Price

• Cell C SIM card plans and price

• Telkom SIM card plans and price

• Vodacom SIM card plans and price

• MTN SIM card plans and price

IV. Where to Buy a SIM Card in Cape Town?

Currently, in addition to ordering online, the two most popular ways to buy SIM cards in Cape Town are Cape Town airport and city center.

1. Buy a SIM card at Cape Town airport

If you need a SIM card to connect to the network as soon as you arrive at the airport in Cape Town, you can buy it at the operators’ kiosk. With this way of buying, you need to spend a little time queuing to buy. In addition, SIM cards may be more expensive here than in other locations in the city.

2. Buy a SIM card in Cape Town center

Cape Town is a large city with a wide range of services on offer, it is not difficult to buy a local SIM card in the city center. You can find its store on a map or with a local guide. You can buy it at the carrier’s store or authorized stores. However, you need to be prepared in foreign languages to confidently communicate. 

► Our recommentdation: You should buy a SIM card at the airport or buy eSIM online before departure from eSIM providers (not mobile network carriers because you will have to present your passport). Note that the phone must be compatible with eSIM.

V. South Africa eSIM card for Cape Town – Alternative to SIM Card for travelers

If the phone works with eSIM, there is no reason not to try eSIM. It is an electronic SIM that is easy to receive with a QR code and use. Ways to buy eSIM for Cape Town are as follows:

• Buy at websites of network carriers offering eSIM services: MTN, Vodacom and Telkom are carriers with eSIM for tourists. However, these carriers still require purchasing at the store and presenting ID/passport.
• Buy at eSIM carriers or retailers: In addition to buying directly from the carrier, visitors can buy at retailers. In it, you can refer to eSIM from Gigago – an eSIM service provider from Hong Kong. eSIM data packages at Gigago range from 2 GB to 10 GB of data and have a validity period of 15 to 30 days.

VI. What to Prepare to buy SIM card in Cape Town

To buy a SIM card in Cape Town as well as South Africa in general, visitors need to prepare the following necessary things:

• Valid identification (your passport or National ID card)
• Proof of residence (formal confirmation from hotel, on a letterhead)
• Unlocked phone
• Normally, you do not need to prepare SIM removal tools

VII. Extra Tips when buying SIM card in Cape Town

Here are our recommended additional tips for travelers purchasing a South African SIM card in Cape Town:

• You need to check the prices and data packages of many carriers, compare and finalize the appropriate package
• You should buy at reputable stores
• Ask clearly about any additional costs
• Only present documents that are absolutely necessary for registration when purchasing a SIM card
• You can refer to buying online so you don’t have to waste a lot of time buying a SIM card in Cape Town

VIII. FAQs

9. Conclusion

The above article has shared all information about buying a SIM card in Cape Town. Hopefully this information has helped make your upcoming trip to South Africa less confusing. Don’t forget to contact Gigago to choose the right eSIM for your trip!