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Over the past decade, mobile phones have become central to how people experience travel.
Tourists rely on maps to navigate unfamiliar streets, translation apps to communicate, and social media to record and share moments from their trips. This dependence on constant connectivity makes mobile data costs an important part of planning a visit to any destination, including Türkiye.
Recent survey findings from the UK and ongoing eSIM restrictions inside Türkiye show why visitors should pay closer attention to roaming terms, data usage, and access to global platforms.
New research from the UK reflects how easily roaming fees can build up when travelers visit non EU destinations.
A survey of 2,000 British travelers commissioned by Slice Mobile found that 74 percent had received unexpected roaming charges abroad, including during trips to Türkiye. For travel outside the EU, these fees reached an average of £187.30 (around $250).
The survey also found that 63 percent of Brits did not know that Türkiye is not part of the EU. This misunderstanding can lead people to assume they have the same roaming protections they enjoy within the EU, which leaves them unprepared for higher costs.
Jenna Banks from Slice Mobile said many people do not realise how much data they use while traveling, as reported by Daily Mail. Simple actions such as checking directions or posting a photo online can create higher bills.
She said phones may also switch from hotel Wi Fi back to mobile data when the signal weakens, which increases usage without warning.
Banks advised travelers to check their data plans before departure and consider roaming add ons. She said some providers offer international packages that reduce roaming costs to as low as £4 for 1GB of data.
Travel specialists also warn that certain phone settings can increase data use even when people think they are not doing anything online. Georgia Brivida from Sim Local advised travelers in June to disable autoplay on apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. She said autoplay loads video s automatically as people scroll, which uses significant data without users tapping play.
International visitors are also adjusting to Türkiye’s restrictions on several major global eSIM providers.
Türkiye’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) blocked access to eight international eSIM platforms earlier this year. The restriction remained in place as of mid October.
Travelers can still enter the country with an eSIM they installed beforehand. However, they cannot access the websites or apps of blocked providers without a VPN once inside Türkiye. This affects popular platforms that normally allow visitors to buy or top up mobile data plans on the go.
The services currently blocked include:
Reasons behind Türkiye's eSIM restrictions
BTK has not released an official statement explaining the block. However, Turkish news outlets and digital rights groups outline two main factors.
One is Türkiye’s data localization rules, which require telecom data and user information to be stored inside the country. Many international eSIM companies use global cloud systems that do not meet these requirements.
Another factor is licensing. Reports say global eSIM platforms are not registered as telecom operators in Türkiye, which means they do not operate under BTK’s regulatory framework. This gives the agency grounds to restrict services that fall outside national oversight.
The restrictions do not leave visitors without mobile access, but they change how travelers manage their data. Many visitors face:
Local telecom operators such as Turkcell, Türk Telekom, and Vodafone continue to offer prepaid physical SIM cards and eSIMs. These options are available at airports and city shops and remain the most straightforward choice once inside the country.
Practical steps for staying connected
Travel experts advise visitors to prepare before departure to avoid disruptions or unexpected fees.
Before arriving in Türkiye:
While in Türkiye:
Because mobile data is now central to the travel experience, understanding roaming rules and eSIM access has become a necessary part of preparing for a trip to Türkiye. This helps visitors avoid unexpected costs and ensures they stay connected throughout their stay.
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