The Challenge of Getting a Russian SIM Card
Since January 1, 2025, obtaining a Russian SIM card has become significantly more complicated. As a result, we’ve been exploring alternative ways to help travelers stay connected while traveling in Russia.
Roaming in Russia – The Common Option
One of the most common ways to stay connected is by using roaming from your home mobile provider. However, depending on the provider, this can often be a costly option. Here are some examples of how expensive roaming can be when traveling in Russia:
- Telekom Roaming in Russia
Telekom offers the “Travel & Surf” package, which allows you to choose between different plans, varying in duration and data volume.
- The smallest plan: 100 MB for 24 hours at €4.95.
- Other plans: 300 MB or 1 GB for 7 days.
The costs can quickly add up depending on how much data you use.
- O2 Roaming in Russia
O2 offers roaming for 4.99€ per day, giving you 50 MB of mobile data. For comparison, streaming a video consumes about 500 MB of data, which is 10 times the volume. - 1und1 Roaming in Russia
1und1 charges €0.99 per MB for roaming in Russia, which makes it even more expensive than both Telekom and O2. - Vodafone Roaming in Russia
Vodafone offers two options:
- Daily option: €7.99 for 500 MB.
- Weekly option: 500 MB for 7 days.
Roaming Too Expensive or No Suitable Plans?
If roaming costs are too high or your mobile provider doesn’t offer good rates for Russia, we’ve found an alternative solution that could save you money.
The eSIM Alternative
To use this solution, your device must be eSIM-compatible, meaning that it can use a virtual SIM card. Many modern devices from Apple to Android already support eSIM technology. If you’re not sure whether your device is compatible, you can check here: Device
Selection with eSIM.Available Data Plans for Russia
You can select from the following eSIM data plans for use in Russia:
- 3GB for 7 days – €13
- 5GB for 15 days – €18
- 10GB for 30 days – €29
- 20GB for 30 days – €54
Alternatively, you can opt for unlimited data plans:
- Unlimited 1 day – €7
- Unlimited 7 days – €26
- Unlimited 15 days – €38
- Unlimited 30 days – €59
How It Works
Download the app here: App Link.
- Add and activate your eSIM with just a few clicks.
- Alternatively, you can scan a barcode displayed after purchase to install the eSIM directly on your smartphone.
Payment Methods
You can pay with the following methods:
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Binance
- Ycoins
- PayPal
- American Express
- MIR
Additional Option for Longer Stays
If you plan to stay longer in Russia and want to use a bank card, you can get a prepaid MIR card at most international airports (especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg) and load it with cash. We’ll share more details about this option soon, so make sure to follow our channel for updates!
Conclusion for Short-Term Visitors
For short-term visitors and tourists, it’s not necessary to buy a Russian SIM card. The easiest way to stay connected is through a roaming provider or the eSIM option, which offers flexibility, convenience, and affordable rates.
