Greece Airport SIM Cards: What to Expect
Buying a SIM card at Greek airports is possible, but it comes with several drawbacks, especially for short-term travelers.
Typical Airport SIM Pricing
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10–12 GB tourist SIM: €15–€20
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Unlimited short-term bundles: €25–€35
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Activation often requires passport verification
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Limited staff availability during late-night or early-morning arrivals
Airport SIM cards are usually sold at official kiosks operated by major Greek mobile providers. While network coverage is generally excellent, airport SIMs are noticeably more expensive than most eSIM options, and the activation process can take time after a long flight.
For a full breakdown of all available options, including airport SIMs, city-store prepaid cards, and eSIMs with real price comparisons, you can also read our detailed guide on How to Get Internet in Greece: SIM Cards, eSIMs, and Real Costs
Local SIM Cards in Greece (City Stores)
If you prefer a physical SIM, city-center stores offer better value than airports.
Local Operator Pricing (Approximate)
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Vodafone Greece:
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Cosmote:
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Wind (Nova):
Local SIMs require in-store registration and your phone must be unlocked. For short trips, the time investment often outweighs the savings.
eSIM vs Local SIM in Greece: Which Is Better?
Choose an eSIM if you:
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Land late or have a tight schedule
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Travel between islands
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Want instant internet on arrival
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Prefer predictable pricing in USD
Choose a local SIM if you:
For most tourists and digital nomads, an eSIM is the more efficient option.
Mobile Networks and Coverage in Greece
Greece has three main mobile network operators, all offering solid nationwide coverage with varying strengths depending on location, speed, and congestion levels. Understanding how each network performs can help you choose the most reliable Greece eSIM for your travel style.
Vodafone Greece
Vodafone Greece is one of the strongest and most widely used networks in the country, especially among international travelers.
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Excellent 4G LTE coverage across mainland Greece
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Strong and expanding 5G availability in Athens, Thessaloniki, and major tourist hubs
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Very reliable performance on popular islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes
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Stable speeds for navigation, social media, video calls, and streaming
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Frequently used by international eSIM providers due to consistent coverage
Vodafone is generally considered the most balanced option for travelers moving between cities and islands.
Wind (Nova)
Wind operates under the Nova brand in some regions and is another major backbone for eSIM connectivity in Greece.
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Strong 4G coverage in cities, coastal areas, and tourist islands
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Competitive speeds in urban areas and ferry-connected islands
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Slightly weaker performance in very remote or mountainous inland areas
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Widely supported by budget-friendly eSIM providers
Wind is a solid choice for most tourist routes and island-hopping itineraries, especially when paired with Vodafone through dual-network eSIMs.
Cosmote
Cosmote is often regarded as having the widest overall coverage in Greece, particularly in rural regions.
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Strongest signal reach in remote villages and mountainous areas
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Reliable 4G coverage nationwide
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Expanding 5G footprint, mainly focused on large cities
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Often preferred by locals and long-term residents
While Cosmote performs very well, it is less commonly included in international eSIM plans compared to Vodafone and Wind.
Coverage Summary by Location
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Athens & Thessaloniki: Excellent 4G and fast-growing 5G across all networks
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Major islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes): Very strong 4G, improving 5G
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Smaller islands & rural mainland: Mostly stable 4G, occasional drops in mountainous terrain
While many eSIM providers in Greece operate on a single network, Roafly stands out by supporting both Vodafone and Wind, ensuring more stable coverage across cities, islands, and ferry-connected regions.
How Much Data Do You Need in Greece?
Estimated usage for common travel activities:
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Google Maps & navigation: ~100 MB/day
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Social media & messaging: ~300–500 MB/day
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Video streaming (limited): ~1–2 GB/week
Data Recommendations
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5 GB: Short city break (3–5 days)
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10 GB: 7–10 days with daily navigation
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20 GB: 2–3 weeks, island hopping, remote work
If unsure, starting with 10 GB offers flexibility without overspending. Travelers who are not sure how much data they will need can also estimate their usage in advance using our Data Usage Calculator, which helps calculate realistic data needs based on navigation, social media, streaming, and work usage.
EU Roaming and Greece: Important Clarification
Many travelers ask whether EU SIM cards work seamlessly in Greece. While EU roaming rules apply, data caps and speed limitations often reduce usability. This is explained in more detail in our guide on does EU SIM work reliably outside your home country, which is covered in our article about Switzerland roaming rules.
For consistent performance, a Greece-specific eSIM remains the safest choice.
Activation and Setup Tips
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Install your eSIM before flying
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Turn it on after landing to avoid roaming charges
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Disable data switching on your primary SIM
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Restart your phone if the network does not connect instantly
If you encounter issues, our troubleshooting guide on fixing no-service eSIM problems can help.
Final Verdict: Best eSIM for Greece
For travelers prioritizing value, ease of use, and reliable coverage, Roafly offers the most balanced eSIM solution for Greece. With competitive pricing across all data tiers and strong Vodafone and Wind coverage, it suits both short vacations and longer island itineraries.
Check the latest eSIM packages for Greece and get connected before you land. If your journey continues beyond Greece to other destinations in Europe, you can also choose Roafly’s Europe eSIM plans, which work across 34+ European countries, making it easy to stay connected without switching eSIMs as you travel.
