Planning your trip to Paris and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card on arrival at Paris Airport to stay connected? Don't get fooled by slow overseas data plans or let high data roaming charges ruin your trip to Paris. This is a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card at Paris Airport in 2024.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card, all info about e-sim cards for Paris, a comparison of the available sim cards at Paris Airport, up to date prices as per March 2024, sim card shop opening times, info about international sim cards everything else you need to know before buying a sim card at Paris Airport Charles de Gaulle.
Being a full time nomadic travel blogger since 2012 I have been looking for the best ways to get connected for more than 10 years now. In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card in every country on arrival, nowadays I pretty much always use e-sim cards to stay connected.
Looking for the best way to stay connected is a vital part of my travel planning. Since I like to document all my travel tips and I am also trying to visit every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom. From Vietnam to South Africa, from Kenya to Brazil and from USA to Dubai.
But also countries and places like: Colombia, El Salvador, Egypt, Turkey, Bali, Bangkok, Marrakech, Sydney, Shanghai, China, New Zealand, Fiji, etc.
Of course Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for tourists traveling to France in 2024 and a guide only focussed on e-sims with a comparison of the best e-sim cards for France in 2024.
So whenever you are planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and e-sim card advice for your destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Why buying a sim card for visiting Paris
It is very simple, if you want to order an Uber to get to the city center you will need a working internet connection on your phone. Roaming around Paris without data on your phone can be challenging. Overcoming language barriers, getting directions from Google Maps, finding nearby rooftop bars, nice restaurants, etc.
Traveling is simply much easier when your phone is connected to the internet and therefore more fun. Traveltomtom recommends to always stay connected when traveling abroad with either an e-sim card if your phone is compatible or a local prepaid sim card.
The cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Paris? Buying an e-sim card for Paris already starts from $4.5 USD.
For more about e-sim cards for traveling in France click on the link and read my guide with everything you need to know before ordering an e-sim card for France in 2024.
Also be aware that public WiFi connections are UNSECURED networks. There is also no guarantee! The signal in your hotel room can be weak or the wifi in the restaurant too slow to even upload a photo. With a prepaid travel sim card you don't rely on others.
Buying a sim card at Paris Airport is the easiest and fastest way to get online. However, prices at Charles de Gaulle Airport for France sim cards are a little more expensive than in the city center, where you can find cheaper sim card plans for tourists.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Bouygues Telecom sim card at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. This prepaid tourist sim card for France with 30 GB costs €39.90 EUR ($44 USD).
However, the exact same sim card you can also order online for $39.90 USD and get it either delivered to your home address or get it as an e-sim card.
The Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card for France with 30 GB data in France and Europe for $39.90 USD is in fact the best buy sim card for traveling to France in 2024.
Click on the link above to order it directly and get it send to your home address or click here to buy this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card deal as an e-sim card.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide with everything you need to know about ordering an e-sim card for France in 2024.
Of course at Paris Airport they charge more for prepaid sim cards then if you would go to a phone store in Paris city center. Check out Traveltomtom's article about the best prepaid sim cards for France in 2024 to find the cheapest prepaid sim card deals for France.
Another great option is ordering an international sim card for traveling in France. These sim cards are valid in multiple countries. Traveltomtom compared and reviewed all international sim cards for traveling in 2024 and found some good prepaid and e-sim card plans for Europe.
Best e-sim cards for France
The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Paris in 2024 is an e-sim card. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. You arrange everything online in just a couple simple steps, but only if your phone is e-sim compatible.
You order an e-sim card for Paris on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a France e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Paris 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 France.
For more info about France e-sims and an answer to all your FAQ's check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an e-sim card for traveling in France in 2024.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable e-sim card provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world.
Check out the following France e-sim card deals from Airalo:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 14 days = $7.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD
Click here to order an e-sim card for France via Airalo.
Airalo always has ongoing promotions and lately they offered 50% off their France e-sim card plans. So it is always worth it quickly checking out Airalo.
The above e-sim cards from Bonbon Mobile are data-only and only valid in France. They operate on the 4G/LTE/5G networks of Bouygues, SFR and Orange. Yes, the Airalo e-sim cards from Bonbon Mobile are 5G ready.
SimOptions
Especially if you are looking for an e-sim card for France that also can make phone calls then look no further. Check out the following amazing international e-sim cards for France from SimOptions.
These international e-sim cards that are valid all over Europe are also able to make and receive phone calls and sms.
- 15 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 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 France directly via SimOptions.
Nomad
Then last but not least there is Nomad, another e-sim card provider that Traveltomtom uses a lot.
Here are the Nomad e-sim card plans for France:
- 1 GB data for 30 days = $6 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
Click here to order an e-sim card for France from Nomad.
With an e-sim card you keep your own phone number but make sure your mobile phone is e-sim card compatible before ordering an e-sim card for your trip to Paris.
Find more info about buying an e-sim card for traveling in France in 2024 in my complete guide including a comparison of the best France e-sims and an answer to all FAQ's about e-sim cards.
Some phones are not e-sim compatible and in that case you need a normal physical sim card. Traveltomtom recommends buying a physical prepaid sim card for France via SimOptions. For $49.90 USD you get 30 GB data including unlimited texting and calling all over Europe. Click here to order this France sim card directly via SimOptions or find more info in the link.
France sim cards and free EU roaming
Is a France sim card good for traveling in Europe? Yes! France has some amazing prepaid sim card deals... however always check with your provider when buying a sim card in Paris if free EU data roaming is included.
Most prepaid sim cards in France allow free EU data roaming which means that with the prepaid sim card you buy in Paris you can use the internet in every other country in Europe at no extra costs. There is always a data cap for using your France sim card outside of France.
So continuing your trip after to Paris to Rome or Athens then there is no need to buy another local sim card again. Traveltomtom also wrote a guide for the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Arriving at Paris Airport - Charles de Gaulle CDG
Charles de Gaulle has 3 terminals that are connected by a free train service. Traveling from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 can take up to 10 minuted by train. Terminal 3 is the smallest terminal and pretty much only used for European flights and some flights from Turkey and Northern Africa.
Terminal 1 is pretty much only used by Air France. Terminal 2 is the biggest and the most modern terminal. In Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 there are several Tourist Information desks which are open from 7.15 am till 8.45 pm.
In all Terminals you will find ATM's, money exchange, convenience stores and other tourist facilities, but pretty much all shops, cafes, info desks, etc are only open until 09.00 pm.
Check out the above YouTube video with my experiences arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport and buying a sim card for France.
Where to buy a sim card at Paris airport
Charles de Gaulle has three different terminals and it almost feels like 3 different airports. But the good thing is that all over Charles de Gaulle Airport they only sell prepaid sim cards for tourists at two places: Tourist Information and at the Relay convenience stores.
Luckily in every terminal there is a Relay as well as a Tourisme Information.
Relay convenience store
The book stores/convenience stores at Paris Airport are called Relay and they have big red signs with white letters. There are many all around Paris Airport. Terminal 1 and 3 have both one Relay shop, Terminal 2 has multiple ones and there is another Relay shop at the train station.
Buying a prepaid sim card for France from Relay is easy but not the most convenient. It is a convenience store and pretty much always busy. The employees are already too busy selling water, sandwiches, magazines, etc. The staff is mostly not so happy when you ask too many questions.
But therefore I will explain you everything about the available sim card plans at Paris Airport.
For some reason the Relay bookstores are not located in the arrival halls, but in the departure halls or in and between.
The prepaid sim cards are stored behind the cashier so when you get in line already make sure which prepaid sim card you are going to buy when it is your turn. At the Relay convenience stores they only sell physical prepaid sim cards, e-sim cards are NOT available as of March 2024.
Tourisme Information
The Tourist Information desks at Paris Airport also sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. To make it easy: there are only 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists available at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The tourist information only sells one prepaid sim card plan.
Great news is that you can buy a tourist sim card for traveling in France as an e-sim card. So yes, e-sim cards are available at Paris Airport but only at the Tourist Information desks.
Prices tourist sim cards at Paris Airport in 2024
Prices and info below are updated in March 2024. Prices are in Euro and €1 EUR = $1.09 USD and $1 USD = €0.92 EUR.
As said before there are only 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists sold at Paris Airport.
Orange
You can buy an Orange sim card for traveling in France only at the Relay stores.
- 20 GB data in all of Europe + unlimited calls in Europe + 120 international minutes and 1,000 sms for 14 days = €39.99 EUR ($44 USD)
This prepaid sim card is only available as a physical sim card not as an e-sim card.
However, you can order the same tourist sim card on the internet as a physical sim card as well as an e-sim card for $49.90 USD and then you get 30 GB data!
Click here to order this Orange sim card for France as an e-sim card or click here to order this Orange sim card as a physical prepaid sim card.
Bouygues Telecom
You can buy Bouygues Telecom tourist sim cards at both Relay and at the Tourist Information center. However, only at the tourist information center they are able to provide e-sim cards, not at the Relay store.
- 30 GB data in all of Europe + unlimited calls in Europe + €25 EUR credit for international calls valid for 30 days = €39.90 EUR ($44 USD)
At the Relay stores they sell the exact same sim card and you can also order this tourist sim card online as a physical sim card as well as an e-sim card. Below more info.
Click here to order this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card for France as a physical prepaid sim card or click here to buy this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card deal as an e-sim card.
Best sim card at Paris Airport in 2024
It is a pretty easy conclusion that when we compare the only two tourist sim cards at Paris Airport: Orange and Bouygues Telecom, that Bouygues Telecom is the best sim card at Paris Airport in 2024.
Both of them costs €39.90 EUR ($44 USD), but a Bouygues Telecom sim card gives you 30 GB data and is valid for 30 days and an Orange sim card is only valid for 14 days and only gives you 20 GB data.
In my article about buying a tourist sim card in France in 2024 I also rated the Bouygues Telecom sim card as the best sim card for tourists for France. But you can also order this Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card as a physical prepaid sim card on the internet and get it delivered to your home address before your trip to Paris or get this Bouygues Telecom as an e-sim card.
However, €39.90 EUR ($44 USD) is a lot of money for someone who just needs a couple Gigabyte to stay connected for simple things.
The cheapest sim card at Paris Airport costs €39.90 EUR ($44 USD) and there are already e-sim cards for France starting from $4.5 USD. Therefore especially when you just need a little bit of data to stay connected then it is recommended to order an e-sim card for France.
Click here to read my complete France e-sim card guide with a comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to France in 2024.
Order a prepaid sim card for Paris online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would still like to order a sim card for France on the internet then I have a solution for you.
Don't want to waste your precious holiday time in Paris waiting in line for a sim card just buy a physical prepaid sim card online and get it delivered to your home address.
You will be online instantly when the plane lands. Much easier right? This travel sim card will automatically be activated from its first use.
Check the following international prepaid sim card deals for France via SimOptions:
1. O2 Go Card - $24.90
- 10 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- $2 calling credit in Europe and UK
- Valid for 30 days
2. Three Data Pack - $24.90
- 10 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms within Europe and UK
- Valid 30 days
3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 12 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
4. Bouygues Telecom My Europe Sim - $44.90
- 30 GB data in Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls in Europe and UK
- Valid 30 days
5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data in Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for France via SimOptions.
Also a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can order an e-sim card for traveling in France on the internet and arrange everything within just a couple clicks.
Click here for Airalo data-only e-sim cards for France or if you also want to make phone calls with your e-sim card then order your e-sim card for France via SimOptions. On top of that there is also Nomad, they also sell e-sim cards for traveling in France.
Check out my guide with everything you need to know before buying an e-sim card for traveling in France in 2024 for more info.
How to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city center
There is a direct train from Paris Airport to the city called RER B and cost €10.30 EUR ($11 USD), this is the easiest and fastest way to get to the center. The train station is within the airport, just follow the signs. An Uber will costs you approximately $35 USD.
In the city center you will find numerous mobile phone stores that sell you prepaid sim cards for €20 EUR ($22 USD) with 150 GB data package for example. Want to know more? Read my best prepaid sim card for tourists in France in 2024 article and I tell you exactly where to buy the best or cheapest sim card in Paris city center.
I hope this article about buying a sim card for your trip to Paris was helpful. Leave me a comment if you have any specific questions, also about traveling to Paris. I am happy to help.
If you are interested what it looks like traveling to every country in the world then check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom for some serious wanderlust. As of March 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to Paris!
Some links in this article about the best ways to stay connected when traveling to Paris are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link in this article I earn a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you!