How to buy a prepaid SIM card for France?

Getting ready for a trip to France? Along with planning the exciting parts of your holiday, there are some practical things you should consider as well. One of the most important ones is how you’ll be communicating while you’re there.

To make the most out of your trip, consider swapping your UK SIM for a France SIM card. This will help you avoid additional expenses and also allow you to use translation apps and maps without having to search for Wi-Fi.

Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. It can help you get ready for your stay in France and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Table of contents

Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to France from the UK? How much does a SIM card cost in France? How to buy a prepaid SIM card for France?¹ Where can you buy a SIM card for France in the UK?² Can you buy a France SIM card at the airport?³ Best prepaid SIM cards for France Bouygues Telecom⁴ Orange⁵ SFR Best e-SIM cards for France SFR⁶ Airalo⁸ Maya Mobile⁹ Spend like a local in France with Wise

Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to France from the UK?

Using a France SIM card during your vacation is a great way to save money. International calls or data usage usually aren’t included in UK monthly plans and they’re an extra expense. So, better to have a local SIM card than to get charged extra by your provider for using your phone abroad.

Another reason is that having a local SIM makes it easier to stay in touch with friends and family. You’ll have better network coverage and be connected all day long, since you won’t have to rely on Wi-Fi. Also, having a France SIM card will allow you to use translation apps and maps whenever you need to, which is essential when travelling.

If you’re still not entirely convinced, you could rely on international roaming instead. Various networks, such as VOXI or Virgin Mobile, have global roaming packages that include France. Others, like Tesco Mobile, Sky or Three, will have you pay roaming charges as you go.

How much does a SIM card cost in France?

French mobile providers have an offer for everyone’s needs and they start at a few pounds. SFR has a good deal at €19.99 and 80 GB of data.

It’s the same with eSIMs. For example, Maya Mobile has a £5 plan with 3 GB of data, which is great for short stays.

How to buy a prepaid SIM card for France?¹

Buying a France SIM card is rather simple and straightforward. You can find them at various selling points, such as official operator stores, convenience stores and tabac shops. Some of the biggest mobile operators in the country are SFR, Orange and Bouygues Telecom.

You’ll need to have your passport on you in order to register your SIM card. Your phone also needs to be unlocked, so that it’s compatible with foreign SIM cards. You can pay with cash, as well as your credit card or debit card.

📚 Read more: Cash or card in France: Which is the best way to pay?

Where can you buy a SIM card for France in the UK?²

You can order a France SIM card before leaving the UK, but keep in mind that you won’t really be able to choose. One option is SimCorner and their 12 GB SIM which costs £19.

Can you buy a France SIM card at the airport?³

Yes, you can get a France SIM card as soon as you arrive. For example, if you fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport, there are numerous selling points you can go to. SIM cards are sold at official stores and kiosks, in bookstores and at the tourist information desk.

Best prepaid SIM cards for France

Here are some of the best SIM card options for a vacation in France.

Bouygues Telecom⁴

Bouygues Telecom has four tourist SIMs you can use in France and the rest of Europe.

The prices start at €19.90 for a 15 GB and 15-day SIM card. If you pay €21.90, you can get an additional 5 GB of data. The 30-day SIMs cost €39.90 and €41.90, depending on the amount of data - 30 GB or 60 GB. They also include 25€ in credits for calls outside of Europe.

Orange⁵

Since Orange operates in many European countries, their Orange Holiday SIMs can be used across Europe. They have four tourist packages with anywhere from 1 GB to 100 GB of data included.

The Orange Holiday 12 GB plan has a 14-day validity period and it costs €19.99. You also get 30 minutes and 200 SMS as part of the deal. Their larger 14-day package costs €39.99 and it comes with 30 GB of data.

If you plan on staying in France for a week only and you won’t use the internet a lot, their €4.99 deal comes with 1 GB of data.

SFR

SFR has a European Travel SIM for tourists as well, but you can also use their regular prepaid packages.

The European Travel SIM comes with 60 GB of high-speed data and unlimited calls within Europe. It comes at €34.99 and you can use it for 30 days from the moment of activation.⁶

SFR’s France-only prepaid packages have a 30-day validity period. The smallest plan has 1 GB of data and 2 hours of calls, which comes at €9.99. Next in line is the €14.99 plan with 10 GB of data and unlimited calls and texts. If you want more data, their €19.99 and €24.99 have 80 GB and 140 GB of data included.⁷

Best e-SIM cards for France

Getting an eSIM is the most convenient way to avoid unnecessary roaming fees in France. If you’re going on a road trip or you just don’t have time to stop by a provider store, this might be the solution for you. You can even buy one before you leave the UK and activate it once you arrive.

Before getting an eSIM, make sure your phone is compatible with them. That being said, here are some of the best eSIMs you can use while in France.

SFR⁶

If you think SFR’s European Travel SIM we mentioned before fits your needs, you’ll be happy to know it also comes in eSIM form.

It has 60 GB of high-speed data and unlimited calls within Europe. Just like the physical SIM, it costs €34.99 and will last you up to 30 days.

Airalo⁸

Airalo has six different eSIM plans for France and they cover everything from short trips to month-long stays.

Airalo’s 7-day France eSIM costs $4.50 and it comes with 1 GB of data, while their 15-day plan costs $7.50 with 2 GB of data. The remaining four are monthly plans. The smallest one has 3 GB of data for $10, followed by their $14 5 GB plan, the $23 10 GB deal and the $36 plan with 20 GB of data.

Maya Mobile⁹

Maya Mobile has 24 eSIM plans for France, as well as unlimited Europe deals.

The cheapest £5 plan is great for quick vacations. It has 3 GB of data which you can use in 5 days. The 10 GB pass made for 15-day stays costs £11. The unlimited 30-day plans for France and for Europe in general cost the same - £48.

Spend like a local in France with Wise

While you’re picking a France SIM card for your trip, you’ll also want to check out options for holiday spending.

The Wise card, from the money services provider Wise, is a convenient choice. Order a card for a one-time fee of £7, and you can spend and withdraw like a local in France and 150+ more countries. You can also send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation, or the like while still in the UK.

With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

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Sources used:

1. eSIM.net - How to buy a SIM card in France in 2024
2. SimCorner - France Travel Sim Card (12GB | 30 Days)
3. Gigago - Buying a SIM card at Paris CDG Airport
4. Bouygues Telecom - My European SIM
5. Orange - Orange Holiday Tourist SIM card
6. SFR - European Travel SIM
7. SFR - Prepaid card
8. Airalo - France eSIM
9. Maya Mobile - France eSIM

Sources last checked on date: 17-July-2024