Traveling to Finland and looking for the best ways to stay connected? Don't get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data plans. Traveltomtom recommends buying a prepaid or e-sim card for Finland. This is a complete guide for finding the best sim card for traveling to Finland in 2024.
Find out everything you need to know about buying a prepaid sim card in Finland, where to buy a sim card, the best e-sim cards for Finland, the best 4G/5G network coverage, up to date prices as per April 2024, my recommendation, info about EU data roaming, international sim cards and more.
Depending on the length of your trip to Finland a prepaid sim card or an e-sim card is the best way to stay connected and save money on high roaming charges. One of the first things I do when planning my next trip abroad is figuring out what is the best way to stay connected and whether to order an e-sim card on the internet or buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival.
Having internet on your phone while traveling makes life so much easier. In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival but nowadays I mostly order an e-sim card on the internet.
E-sim cards are simply so convenient that I happily pay a couple dollar extra to be online as soon as the plane lands and have internet on my phone like at home without paying high roaming charges.
As Traveltomtom is on a mission to travel to every country in the world I get to about 30 - 40 different countries every year and therefore I use about 30 different sim cards per year. As I am already traveling full time since 2012 buying prepaid and e-sim cards became part of life and that is how Traveltomtom became the ultimate specialist in providing info about sim cards for tourists.
Since I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Sweden, Norway, Germany, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tanzania, Nairobi, Bali, Thailand, Hong Kong, Panama, Brazil, Algeria, Curacao, USA, New York, Vietnam, Pakistan, Asia, Europe and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends an Elisa sim card for Finland. They have the best 4G/5G network coverage in Finland and for $33 USD you get unlimited 5G data for 1 month. However, for short stays a DNA prepaid sim card offers unlimited data for around $1 USD per day.
Unfortunately buying a sim card in Finland is a little time consuming process as you will be redirected to a convenience store and the activation you will have to do yourself by scanning your passport, etc.
To not waste any precious holiday time Traveltomtom advices to arrive in Finland prepared by ordering an e-sim card on the internet. E-sim cards for Finland already start from $4.5 USD and for $26 USD you already get 20 GB data.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Finland via either SimOptions or Airalo.
Another great alternative to stay connected when traveling to Finland is a global travel sim card with data. These international travel sim card are valid in multiple countries and there are some amazing ones for traveling in Europe.
Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best global sim cards for international travel in 2024 or my list of the best sim cards for Europe travel in 2024.
Best e-sim cards for Finland
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Finland in 2024 is an e-sim card. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.
You order an e-sim card for Finland on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Finland e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Finland 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 Finland.
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 Finland for 2024:
- 1 GB dat for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 30 days = $6.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Finland e-sim card via Airalo.
The above data-only e-sim cards for Finland are from Finn Communications and data is only valid in Finland. Finn Communications operate on the DNA 4G/LTE network in Finland. 5G is not support and neither are incoming and outgoing calls.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards from pretty much every country in the world. Traveltomtom has been using SimOptions sim cards for more than 5 years now without a problem.
If you would like to make calls with your e-sim card then check out the following international e-sim cards for Finland offered by SimOptions. On top of that most of the e-sim cards from SimOptions offer free EU data roaming:
- 1 GB data-only (5G ready) for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data-only (5G ready) for 15 days = $8 USD
- 5 GB data-only for 30 days = $17.9 USD
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 15 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $23.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 50 GB data (5G ready) + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for Finland via SimOptions directly through this link.
Before ordering an e-sim card for Finland make sure your phone is first of all unlocked and second, your phone needs to be e-sim compatible.
There is another e-sim provider tested and reviewed by Traveltomtom and although they sometimes have great e-sim card deals it is not Traveltomtom's first recommendation. Personally I have faced some issues with Nomad e-sim cards and unless they are not improving on reliability and performance Traveltomtom is not recommending Nomad e-sim cards over Airalo and SimOptions.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible then don't worry... you can still order a sim card for traveling to Finland on the internet. Get yourself a physical prepaid sim card for Finland. These sim cards will be delivered to your home address before your trip. For example 30 GB data for $44.90 USD, including unlimited calls and free EU data roaming.
Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Finland via SimOptions.
Finland sim cards and EU data roaming
There are no more roaming costs within Europe. Meaning you can use your sim card from Finland also in France, Germany, Italy, etc. However, there are always restrictions and some Finland prepaid sim cards have some EU data roaming limitations.
Therefore always ask about the EU data roaming limitations when buying a prepaid sim card in Finland.
It is a very simple conclusion though that prepaid sim cards you buy in Finland are not great for traveling around Europe. On the internet you can find much better sim card deals for traveling in Europe.
Traveltomtom put together a comparison of the best e-sim and prepaid sim cards for Europe in 2024 or if you would like to know more info about EU data roaming and how it works now since Brexit then check out my article with all my tips and tricks for buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Europe.
Mobile internet operators in Finland
In total there are 3 main mobile internet providers in Finland: Telia, Elisa and DNA. All operators offer prepaid sim cards for tourists and you can buy them in their shops. As of April 2024 the mobile internet providers now also offer e-sim cards for tourists as well as physical prepaid sim cards. You can only get an e-sim card in an official DNA, Telia or Elisa store.
Where to buy a Finland for sim card
Helsinki Airport
The most convenient place to buy a sim card in Finland is of course on arrival at Helsinki Airport. Unfortunately there is no mobile internet operator store at Helsinki Airport, but there is a convenience store that sells prepaid sim cards for tourists: R-kioski.
They R-kioski convenience store where you can buy a prepaid sim card is located in the main hall on the arrivals level; keep on walking straight when you get out of arrivals and you will find it.
At the R-kioski convenience store at Helsinki Airport they sell all the Finland prepaid sim cards listed below.
Mobile internet providers stores
In Helsinki city center you can find several mobile phone shops from Telia and Elisa as well as DNA stores. You can easily find them in the main shopping malls. Don't bother going to a Telia shop though as they do not sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. You can only buy a Telia prepaid sim card in a convenience store.
At the Elisa stores they weren’t really helpful either, but they do sell prepaid sim cards for Finland.
DNA has pop-up stores all over and they do sell and help you set up your sim card for Finland. At the Telia and Elisa stores the staff basically forwarded me to any R-kioski shop, a convenience store that is scattered all over Helsinki as well as Helsinki Airport.
Convenience store
R-kioski is one of those convenience stores in Finland that sell prepaid sim cards. In general Traveltomtom does not recommend buying a prepaid sim card at a convenience store because the staff has very little knowledge about sim cards. The activation is a manual process that involves a couple steps and therefore pretty inconvenient for tourists. It may seem like there is no other option, but...
When buying a prepaid sim card in Finland you have to bring your passport. the sim card will be registered on your name and passport number, even in the convenience store.
Online
Buying a prepaid sim card in Finland is a bit of a hassle and therefore even more reasons to simply order your sim card for Finland on the internet. Getting an e-sim card for Finland online gets you connected in just a couple simple steps and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Finland via either SimOptions or Airalo.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible you can order a physical prepaid sim card for Finland via SimOptions.
When you buy a sim card for Finland on the internet you don't need your passport, or any form of ID verification, you just need your email address.
Best 4G/5G network in Finland in 2024
First let’s have a look at the 4G/5G network coverage maps and lets compare the 4G/5G mobile data network of Telia, Elisa and DNA to determine which provider has the best mobile data network in Finland in 2024.
Is there 5G in Finland?
Yes, there is a pretty decent 5G network in Finland but it is limited to the major cities and tourist destinations in Finland. If you go off the beaten path do not expect a 5G signal in Finland. However, when traveling off the beaten path in Finland it is all about being disconnected.
DNA Finland 4G/5G network coverage map
Elisa Finland 4G/5G network coverage map
Telia Finland 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 Finland in 2024.
From the above network coverage comparison we can see that Elisa has the most extensive network coverage as well as the best 5G network in Finland in 2024. However, the Telia network is pretty comparable and the DNA network in the South of Finland is also very extensive.
If you travel to the northern regions in Finland then I would recommend you buying an Elisa sim card, because of its strong 4G/5G network in those areas. Click here for more detailed maps of the 4G/5G network coverage in Finland.
Prices Finland prepaid sim cards in 2024
Info and prices below are updated as per April 2024 and prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.92 EUR and €1 EUR is $1.09 USD.
As per April 2024 you can opt for an e-sim card when buying a prepaid sim card in Finland. However, only in official retail stores of DNA and Elisa. If you buy a sim card in a convenience store you can only get a physical prepaid sim card.
Elisa
Elisa offers a lot of different prepaid sim cards for tourists with unlimited data:
- Unlimited data at 4G speed (14 GB in EU) + including calls/sms = €29.99 EUR ($33 USD)
- Unlimited data at 5G speed (16 GB in EU) + including calls/sms = €34.99 EUR ($37 USD)
- Unlimited data at 5G speed = €29.99 EUR ($33 USD)
Plans are valid for 1 month and data is valid in all the Baltic and Scandic countries and there is limited free EU data roaming included.
If you are looking for a sim card for Finland with unlimited data then this is a great sim card deal that I would recommend for tourist traveling to Finland. Check the Elisa webiste for more info.
Telia
Telia offers 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists
- Unlimited data on 4G speed (18 GB data in EU) = €19.90 EUR ($22 USD)
- prepaid sim card with €7 EUR credit = €4.90 EUR ($5.5 USD)
Check the Telia website for their latest deals.
DNA
DNA may have the smallest network, but buying a DNA prepaid sim card is worth it if you stay just a couple days in Helsinki and around. You can buy a DNA Finland prepaid sim card for €4.90 EUR and you get €5 credit ($5.5 USD).
For €0.89 EUR ($1 USD) you can already get unlimited data per day, meaning for €5 EUR ($5.5 USD) you can get 5 days of unlimited data in Finland. They also have a prepaid sim card plan:
- unlimited data at 5G speed for 30 days = €24.90 EUR ($27 USD)
For more info check the DNA website.
Best sim card for Finland in 2024
All the mobile internet operators offer monthly prepaid plans with unlimited data for a fair price. However, most people do not travel to Finland for a whole month. Many people visit Finland for a short trip only and especially for those there is no need to buy a monthly plan with unlimited data.
In that case DNA Finland is the best-buy prepaid sim card for Finland in 2024 as it offers unlimited data for about $1 USD per day.
If you stay longer and especially if you go on a road trip you are probably better off with an Elisa or Telia sim card with unlimited data. May you go off the beaten path then definitely buy a Telia or Elisa sim card for Finland as they have the best data networks.
All in all Traveltomtom rates Elisa as the best prepaid sim card in Finland in 2024.
So what about e-sim cards for Finland? Traveltomtom is an advocate for using e-sim cards and definitely when visiting Finland. Why? buying a prepaid sim card in Finland can be time consuming and you need to do the registration often yourself as there is no service in convenience stores.
With an e-sim card you arrive prepared and you are instantly online as soon as you arrive. There is no need to find a sim card shop on arrival in Finland. E-sim cards are very affordable and 10 GB data will only cost you $18 USD or get 30 GB data including calls/sms and free EU data roaming for just $44.90 USD.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Finland via either SimOptions or Airalo.
Reminder that if you are traveling to Europe and visiting multiple countries that there are also special prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in Europe.
Ordering a prepaid sim card for Finland online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Finland online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Finland 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 Finland, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Finland:
1. O2 Go Card - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- €2 EUR calling credit
- Valid 30 days
2. Three Data Pack - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- Valid 30 days
3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90 USD
- 12 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
4. Bouygues Telecom - $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls in Europe
- Valid 30 days
5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Click here for more info or to order a physical prepaid sim card for Finland via SimOptions.
Traveltomtom has used the Bouygues, Three as well as the Orange physical prepaid sim cards in the past and I was always satisfied. However, it is no secret that nowadays I rather use e-sim card for traveling to Europe instead of physical prepaid sim cards.
If your phone is e-sim compatible then here is a last reminder that you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Finland via either SimOptions or Airalo.
Order a data-only e-sim card for Finland via Airalo or an international e-sim card for Finland including calls/sms and EU data roaming via SimOptions.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card for Finland were helpful. If you have any question please leave me a message below and I am happy to help you out with your questions about traveling to Finland or Finland sim cards.
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 April 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Finland!
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for traveling to Finland are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.