Are you planning your trip to Austria and and looking for the best way to stay connected? Don't let slow overseas data roaming plans or high roaming charges ruin your trip. This is the ultimate guide for finding the best sim card for traveling to Austria in 2024.
Find below everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Austria, where to buy a sim card, the best e-sim cards for Austria, up to date prices and info as per February 2024, a comparison of the mobile internet providers, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, info about international sim cards and more.
Making sure I stay connected is the first thing I do when I plan my next trip abroad. I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use e-sim cards. Especially when traveling to Austria or Europe.
As a full time nomadic travel blogger for more than 10 years I constantly visited different countries and always needed a new sim card. Since I like to document all my travel tips I started writing sim card guides.
As Traveltomtom is also trying to travel to every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Europe, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland, UK, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel, South Africa, Hong Kong, Bangkok, New York and many more.
Traveltomtom also wrote a specific sim card guide for Vienna Airport.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come to Traveltomtom and I show you the best prepaid sim card or e-sim card for your destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Why buying a sim card for Austria
First of all it is the best and cheapest way to stay connected and avoid high roaming charges. Local prepaid sim cards or e-sim cards give you great value for money and you get the fastest data speed compared to overseas data roaming plans. Although all hotels, bars, restaurants and even trains in Austria offer free public WiFi these days there is no guarantee it actually works or is fast enough.
Also very important: public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN in these cases is recommended.
When ordering a taxi through an app, getting directions from Google Maps, finding restaurants, nearby friends, emergencies, etc. it is very much recommended to have a working data connection on your phone. It makes life easier and traveling more fun.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends an A1 sim card for Austria. For €9.90 EUR you get 5 GB data and they have the best 4G/5G network in Austria.
An A1 sim card is Traveltomtom's advice if you intend to buy a sim card in Austria on arrival. But what if I tell you that an e-sim card with 20 GB data only costs $13 USD. If your phone is e-sim compatible then the best sim card for traveling to Austria is an e-sim card.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Austria via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
A great alternative is a global travel sim card. Check out my comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024 and find the one that suits your trip the best. Traveling onwards in Europe then have a look at my list with the best European sim cards in 2024.
When swapping sim cards and changing phone numbers is not preferred and your phone is not e-sim compatible then you can ultimately check out using a portable WiFi device. It once was the best way to get WiFi abroad, but is it still? Click on the link to read my HONEST review about these pocket WiFi's. Im not convinced anymore.
Pocket WiFi's are so old school, in 2024 the easiest way to get connected when traveling to Austria is an e-sim card.
In any way make sure your phone is unlocked. Prepaid sim cards, international sim cards and e-sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If you are unsure ask your provider in your home country.
Best e-sim cards for Austria
An e-sim card is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Austria in 2024. No more buying and swapping physical sim cards and visiting a phone shop. You arrange everything online within just a couple minutes.
You order an e-sim card for Austria on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have an Austria e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Austria it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Austria.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable e-sim provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. Here are the Airalo e-sim card plans for Austria for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 1 GB data for 15 days = $5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $6.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
Click here to order one of the above Austria e-sim card deals or find more info.
The above data-only Galli e-sim cards do not support calling and texting and they operate on the Three (3) 4G/LTE/5G network in Austria. That means they are 5G ready.
Airalo also sells Galli+ e-sim card plans for Austria that include calling and texting.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards from pretty much every country in the world. SimOptions has also e-sim cards for Austria that include calls and texting, but these are international e-sim cards and valid all over Europe.
- 15 GB data + unlimited calls in Europe for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international calls + unlimited calls in Europe for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls in Europe for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international calls + unlimited calls in Europe for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 50 GB data (5G ready) + 120 minutes international calls + unlimited calls in Europe for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for Austria directly online.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible then look into ordering a physical prepaid sim card for Austria. For $44.90 USD you get 30 GB data. Click here for more info or to order an international physical prepaid sim card for Austria via SimOptions.
Austria prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
Prepaid Austria sim cards come with free EU data roaming, restricted to a certain amount of Gigabyte. That means that the prepaid sim card you buy in Austria is also valid in Italy, Croatia, Germany and all other countries in the European Union. So when you cross the border into another EU country you can still use your data, voice and text allowance from your Austria sim card at no extra costs.
When buying a prepaid sim card in Austria always ask your provider about the EU data roaming restrictions and limitations.
For more information about EU data roaming, Brexit, Switzerland, etc. read my complete guide with tips and tricks for buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Europe.
Or if you want to arrive prepared then simply order a prepaid or e-sim card from Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling to Europe in 2024.
Traveling to Vienna? Check out my 3 days in Vienna travel blog, including the best places to visit and things to do. Vienna in winter is completely different. Check which Christmas markets are the best in the link.
Where to buy a sim card for Austria
Vienna Airport
If you fly into Vienna Airport and you are looking to buy a sim card for Austria directly at Vienna Airport then read my guide for buying a sim card at Vienna Airport in 2024.
Official retail stores mobile internet providers
All around the country you can easily find mobile shops that sell Austria prepaid sim cards. All big cities and tourist destinations in Austria have multiple official retail stores of the mobile internet providers. The easiest way to find an official mobile phone store near you is by using Google Maps.
Convenience store and gas stations
Not my preferred choice but yes you can also buy sim cards for traveling in Austria in bigger convenience stores as well as gas stations and supermarkets. These sim cards are pretty basic and don't expect any service. You will need to activate these prepaid sim cards yourself.
Therefore this is not the preferred way for tourists to get connected when traveling to Austria.
Online
I already mentioned that buying a sim card for Austria can also be done online. You are instantly online as the plane lands and you don't need to visit a phone shop on your holiday.
Austria prepaid sim cards can only be bought in Austria, but international prepaid sim cards and e-sim cards for Austria can only be ordered online.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Austria via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
Mobile internet providers Austria
There are three main mobile internet operators in Austria: A1, T-Mobile and Three (3). T-Mobile is in Austria also called Magenta.
All the mobile internet providers sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. A1 claims to have the best 4G/5G network, T-Mobile claims to be the cheapest!
Let’s see if some of that is true…
As of 2024 you can now also get e-sim cards in phone stores for Austria along side physical prepaid sim cards. You decide which one you prefer.
Best 4G/5G network in Austria in 2024
To determine what is the best sim card for Austria we will also have a look at the 4G/5G network coverage in Austria. Mobile internet providers always compete over the prices, but a stronger network and faster data speed is even more important these days.
Is there 5G in Austria?
Yes, there is a pretty decent 5G network in Austria in 2024. All the internet providers offer 5G in the bigger cities and tourist destinations in Austria. Traveltomtom compared the 4G/5G coverage maps of Austria for every operator: T-Mobile/Magenta, Three and A1.
Three Austria 4G/5G network coverage map
T-Mobile Austria 4G/5G network coverage map
A1 Austria 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Austria in 2024.
When comparing the 4G/5G network maps of the mobile internet providers in Austria it shows that Three (Drei) has the weakest 4G/5G mobile data network coverage in Austria.
The difference between T-Mobile and A1 is much smaller but Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that A1 has the best 4G/5G network in Austria in 2024.
Prices prepaid Austria sim card in 2024
All the below information and prices are updated as per February 2024. Prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.93 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.08 USD.
In stores in Austria you can now also opt for an e-sim card as well as a physical prepaid sim card for tourists.
A1
An A1 prepaid sim card for Austria is called a B.free plan and costs €9.90 EUR ($11 USD) and comes with 5,000 minutes or SMS and 5 GB data. Great deal I would say.
On top of that you can choose one of the prepaid plans to top up if you need more data:
- 6 GB data in Austria + 1,000 minutes & sms in Austria for 28 days = €10 EUR ($11 USD)
- 15 GB data in Austria + 1,000 minutes & sms in Austria for 28 days = €15 EUR ($16.5 USD)
- 18 GB data valid in all of Europe + 1,000 minutes & sms in Europe for 28 days = €20 EUR ($22 USD)
- 30 GB data (28 GB valid in all of Europe) + 3,000 minutes & sms in Europe for 28 days = €30 EUR ($32 USD)
For more info check the A1 Austria website.
Three - Drie - 3
A prepaid sim card from Three Austria €9.90 EUR ($11 USD) for the activation. Three Austria offers the following prepaid sim cards for tourists:
- 20 GB data + 2,000 minutes + 2,000 sms = €20 EUR ($22 USD)
- 30 GB data + 3,000 minutes + 3,000 sms = €30 EUR ($32 USD)
All of the above packages are for use in Austria AND in all the in Europe, both package include free EU roaming and are valid for 30 days. For more info check out the plans above. For more info check the 3 Austria website.
T-Mobile/Magenta
T-Mobile names its prepaid sim cards Magenta
A T-Mobile prepaid sim card costs €10 EUR ($11 USD) for the activation fee. And then you can chose from the following prepaid plans and data packages:
- 30 GB data + 1,000 min/sms = €9.90 EUR ($11 USD)
- 40 GB data + 2,000 min/sms = €14.90 EUR ($16.5 USD)
- Unlimited data + unlimited min/sms = €29.90 EUR ($32 USD)
All plans are valid for 4 weeks and apart from the Klax S plan all prepaid sim cards include free EU data roaming. See all details above. For more info check out the T-Mobile Austria website.
Best sim card for Austria in 2024
When comparing the Austria prepaid sim cards with the international sim cards and the e-sim cards for Austria it is clear that in 2024 e-sim cards are even cheaper than local prepaid sim cards in Austria.
If buying a local prepaid sim card in Austria you pay an activation fee of about $11 USD. On top of that you have to buy a prepaid sim card plan with data for at least another $10 USD.
But there are already e-sim cards for Austria with 20 GB data for just $13 USD. This amazing e-sim card plan is from Airalo and they also have e-sim cards for Austria including calling and texting.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Austria via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
Not everyone has an e-sim compatible phone and some people don't like to order via the internet but buy a sim card in person. In that case when buying a sim card in Austria in a phone store Traveltomtom recommends the prepaid sim card with the strongest 4G/5G network for traveling around the country.
In Austria that is A1 and since they also have a reasonable prepaid sim card deal for just €9.90 EUR ($11 USD) including 5 GB data it is an easy conclusion for Traveltomtom that A1 is the best prepaid sim card in Austria in 2024.
If you are you traveling onwards to other countries in Europe and want to buy a sim card for Europe online then click on the link for my comparison of the prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Order a prepaid sim card for Austria online
If buying a prepaid sim card on arrival in Austria sounds like too much effort and you want to arrive prepared for your holiday then why not just make it easy for yourself?
Is your phone not e-sim compatible then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Austria with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Austria, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Austria:
1. O2 Go Card - $24.90
- 10 GB data
- $2 calling credit (no top-up)
- valid for 30 days
- valid in 34 countries
- 4G/LTE
2. Three Data Pack - $24.90
- 10 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms
- Valid 30 days
- Valid in 56 countries
- 4G/LTE
3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 12 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
- Valid in 34 countries
- 4G/LTE
4. Bouygues Telecom - $44.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- Valid 30 days
- Valid in 47 countries
- 4G/LTE
5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
- Valid in 34 countries
- 4G/LTE
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim cards for Austria via SimOptions.
Personally Traveltomtom recommends the Bouygues Telecom or the Orange sim card with 30 GB data. I have used these physical prepaid sim cards a lot in the past and never had an issue.
But as mentioned many times before when traveling to Europe or Austria I always use an e-sim card nowadays. It is just so easy and done fast and as soon as the plane lands you are online.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Austria via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
There are many Christmas markets in Vienna, but which ones are the best when traveling to Vienna in winter? Check them out in my latest Vienna blog. A complete travel guide for this city? Have a look at all my Vienna travel tips and 3-day itinerary.
I am sure some of the tips for buying a prepaid sim card for Austria in 2024 were helpful. In case you have any questions please leave me a comment below and I am happy to help you out. Also with Austria travel tips.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of February 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Austria!
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