Buying Telekom Hungary SIM cards & eSIMs: Detailed Guide

Harper Thomas

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Published: August 2024

Buying a Telekom Hungary SIM card is essential for staying connected while traveling in Hungary.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Telekom Hungary SIM cards, including their coverage, speed, and the various types available for tourists. You’ll discover the best SIM card options, where to buy them, and how to top up your card. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to stay connected effortlessly during your trip.

I. Overview of Telekom Hungary – What you need to know

Telekom Hungary, officially Magyar Telekom, is one of the leading telecommunications providers in Hungary. It’s a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, a major European telecommunications company.

Here’s a quick overview:

• Foundation: 1991.
• Popularity: Present in Hungary and several other countries, including North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
• Rank: Major player in the Hungarian market.
• Coverage: Telekom Hungary has strong coverage in major cities like Budapest, Debrecen, and Szeged, reaching almost 98% of the country’s population with its 4G network. Coverage in rural areas may be weaker.
• Speed: Offers fast download speeds, averaging 51.43 Mbps (July 2024).
• Highlights:
  • Telekom Hungary was the first in Hungary to launch a 4G/LTE-based mobile internet service in 2012.
  • They were also the first to launch voice services on the 4G network in 2017.
  • Telekom Hungary is actively developing its 5G network.
  • They have a long-term partnership with the Hungarian government to promote digital development.

II. Telekom Coverage in Hungary

Source: telekom.hu

According to Opensignal’s Report for February 2024, Telekom’s coverage experience in Hungary is rated 7.6 out of 10, indicating a good coverage experience.

• Strengths and Weaknesses

Telekom’s coverage is strong in urban areas, including major cities like Budapest, Debrecen, and Szeged. However, in rural areas, the coverage experience is relatively weak, with a rating of 2.0 out of 10 for 5G coverage experience.

• Comparison with Other Operators

Compared to other operators in Hungary, Telekom’s coverage experience is ranked first, higher than that of Yettel (7.2), DIGIMobil (2.7), and Vodafone (7.5).

• Coverage Areas

Telekom’s coverage is strong in popular tourist provinces such as:

• Budapest (capital city)
• Debrecen (second-largest city)
• Szeged (third-largest city)
• Eger ( Baroque town famous for its castle)
• Pécs (cultural city with a rich history)

However, in rural areas, Telekom’s coverage is weak, particularly in the provinces of:

• Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg ( eastern Hungary)
• Hajdú-Bihar (eastern Hungary)
• Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén (northeastern Hungary)
• Heves (northeastern Hungary)

III. Telekom Speed in Hungary

According to Opensignal’s report for Feb 2024, Telekom’s speed in Hungary is good, with a median download speed of 38.8 Mbps and a median upload speed of 15.4 Mbps.

Compared to other operators, Telekom’s download speed is ranked second, behind Yettel (42.0 Mbps), while its upload speed is ranked first.

So, in general, Telekom Hungary is recommended highly when you’re planning to travel there. 

IV. Types of Telekom Hungary SIM Cards Options for Tourists

There are two main types of Telekom Hungary SIM cards options for tourists:

• Prepaid SIM Card
• eSIM

Comparison Table

► Recommendation: Using an eSIM is generally more convenient for tourists due to its ease of activation, no need for a physical store visit, and the ability to set it up before arriving in Hungary. This makes the travel experience smoother and more hassle-free.

V. Top Telekom Hungary SIM cards for Tourists & Prices

This is the best prepaid SIM card plan from Telekom for tourists, but it can be quite pricey: 

• 1 GB of data + 80 minutes = 1,990 HUF – ~ $5.50 USD 
• Add an extra 3.5 GB = 3,500 HUF – ~ $9.70 USD 

This Telekom Hungary prepaid SIM card, works for 30 days and is valid across Europe. For the most current Telekom Hungary SIM card deals, check the Telekom website.

VI. Where to buy Telekom Hungary SIM cards for tourists?

When it comes to buying a Telekom Hungary SIM card as a tourist, you have three convenient options:

Option 1: Buy a Telekom SIM Card at Hungary Airport

You can find Telekom SIM counters at major international airports in Hungary, including:

• Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
• Debrecen International Airport

What to Expect:

• Present your passport or personal documents
• A photo may be taken
• Relatively expensive price tag, from $10 to $20
• Limited options to choose from
• Risk of queuing and the store might be closed late at night or early in the morning.

Option 2: Buy Telekom SIM in Hungary City Center

After entering the city, you can also buy SIM cards from:

• Network representative stores
• Convenience stores
• Train stations
• Other authorized retailers

Where to Find: Use Google Maps to find addresses such as:

• Telekom stores in Budapest: Debrecen Street 13, 1141 Budapest, or Korvin Street 13, 1054 Budapest
• Other locations:
  • Convenience stores like Spar, Tesco, and Lidl
  • Train stations like Keleti Railway Station and Nyugati Railway Station

What to Expect:

• Register your personal information (complicated process)
• Generally cheaper than at the airport
• Requires more effort and time

Option 3: Buy Online Before Departure

How to Buy:

• Look for travel SIM suppliers that sell SIM cards using Telekom Hungary’s network, such as  Amazon or eBay
• Provide basic information like name, phone number, and shipping address. SIM will be delivered to your doorstep

Why Choose This Option:

• Convenient
• Reasonable price
• Proactive approach

VII. A Better Alternative to Telekom SIM cards – Hungary eSIM

If your phone supports eSIM, you can consider a better alternative to Hungary’s eSIM. Using eSIM will help you save 100% on data roaming charges and comfortably make calls and texts via WhatsApp, Telegram, Facetime, etc.

For Hungary, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 500MB/day for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Hungary eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 .

Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Hungary; there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VIII. How to top up Telekom Hungary SIM Card?

There are several ways to do it, and I’ll break them down for you in simple steps:

You can top up your Telekom Hungary SIM card in 3 easy ways:

1. Online top-up:

• Go to the Telekom Hungary website
• Login to your account or register if you haven’t already
• Click on “Top up” and follow the instructions

2. Mobile app top-up:

• Download the Telekom Hungary mobile app (available for Android and iOS)
• Login to your account or register if you haven’t already
• Click on “Top up” and follow the instructions

3. Store top-up:

• Visit a Telekom Hungary store or a partner store (e.g. Spar, Lidl)
• Show your SIM card and ask the staff to top up your account
• Pay with cash or card, and get a receipt as proof of top-up

That’s it! Easy, right? Now, you can keep your SIM card topped up and stay connected in Hungary.

IX. FAQs about Telekom Hungary SIM Cards

X. Conclusion

In conclusion, getting Telekom Hungary SIM cards can be a breeze and a great experience, thanks to its reliable network and diverse SIM packages that suit different needs. Whether you’re visiting, Telekom Hungary offers fantastic coverage and support. For extra convenience and peace of mind, definitely consider eSIM options. Enjoy a smooth connection with Gigago Hungary eSIM on your next adventure!