Traveling to Sweden and looking for the best way to get connected? Let me help you planning your trip and make sure you don't end up with high roaming charges. This is the ultimate guide for finding the best sim card for traveling to Sweden in 2024.
Find out everything you need to know about buying a prepaid sim card in Sweden, where to buy a sim card, the best e-sim cards for Sweden, up to date prices as per April 2024, the best 4G/5G network in Sweden, my recommendation, info about international sim cards and much more.
Traveltomtom's goal to visit every country in the world brings me to the craziest corners of the world and everywhere I go I look for the best way to stay connected. 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.
Many years ago I started documenting all my travel tips and therefore on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides for tourists from all around the world: Europe, Norway, Finland, Germany, Spain, Italy, New York, USA, London, UK, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Mexico, Vietnam, Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, Canada, Australia and many more.
If after your trip to Sweden you are traveling onwards in Europe then you want to make sure your sim card is valid all over Europe. In that case make sure to check out Traveltomtom's list of the best prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends e-sim cards for Sweden as it is not only the easiest and the fastest way to connected but also the cheapest. E-sim cards for Sweden already start from $4.5 USD and for $32 USD you get 20 GB data.
Ordering an e-sim card on the internet is cheaper than buying a prepaid sim card on arrival in Sweden.
Prepaid sim cards for tourists that you buy in Sweden from any of the mobile internet providers are more expensive, but if you want to buy your sim card in Sweden then Traveltomtom recommends a Telia sim card. For $30 USD you get 10 GB data + unlimited minutes and texting in Sweden.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Sweden via either SimOptions or Airalo.
A great alternative to stay connected when visiting Europe is an international sim card with data valid in multiple countries. Before ordering online check out my comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024.
You can already find a sim card with 10 GB data and unlimited calling/texting for all of Europe for just $24.90 USD and it will be delivered to your home address or you get the e-sim card version.
Best e-sim cards for Sweden
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Sweden 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 Sweden on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Sweden e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Sweden 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 Sweden.
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 Iceland for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 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 = $32 USD
Click here for more info or to order an e-sim card for Sweden via Airalo.
The above Vän data-only e-sim cards are valid in Sweden only. Vän operates on the Telenor 4G/LTE and on the Tele2 5G network in Sweden. So yes these e-sim cards for Sweden are 5G ready.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards from pretty much every country in the world. They offer e-sim cards that include calling and texting.
Most of these international e-sim cards are valid in all of Europe. Check out the e-sim cards for traveling to Sweden from SimOptions in 2024:
- 1 GB data-only for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 3 GB data-only for 15 days = $8 USD
- 5 GB data-only for 30 days = $17.9 USD
- 10 GB data (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 + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 30 GB data-only for 30 days = $49.90 USD
- 50 GB data (5G ready) + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order e-sim card for Sweden via SimOptions.
A third recommended e-sim provider is Nomad. They often have amazing e-sim card deals, sometimes cheaper than SimOptions and Airalo. However, the performance and the reliability of Nomad is facing some issues and Traveltomtom has personally ran into problems a couple times and therefore Nomad is not my first recommendation anymore.
Before ordering an e-sim card for Sweden make sure your phone is e-sim compatible. Also important is that your phone is unlocked. E-sim cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards only work in unlocked phones.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would still like to order a sim card for Sweden on the internet then look into a buying a physical prepaid sim card. These international prepaid sim cards are valid in up to 124 countries around the world, including all of Europe. For $24.90 USD you can already get 10 GB data + unlimited calling/texting valid in all of Europe.
Click here to directly order a physical prepaid sim card for Sweden via SimOptions.
Sweden sim cards and EU data roaming
Is Sweden your first stop on your trip to Europe then I have good news for you. If you decide to buy a local prepaid sim card in Sweden then your prepaid sim card comes with free EU data roaming. That means you can use your data allowance, as well as calling minutes everywhere in Europe at no extra costs.
That said, I recommend you to always double check with the provider when buying a prepaid sim card in Sweden and ask about the EU data roaming limitations.
For more info on how EU roaming works and tips for buying a local prepaid sim card in Europe on arrival click on the link.
Or check out the following article if you are interested in a comparison of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Why buying a sim card in Sweden
At first to avoid high roaming coast when traveling abroad. Why pay $5 to $10 USD per day for an overseas roaming package that slows down the data speed! There are much better ways to stay connected when traveling to Sweden.
Being connected to the internet makes life so much more convenient. Ordering a taxi through an app, getting directions from Google Maps, looking up the train schedule on the go, finding a nearby restaurant with good reviews, receiving a video call from your loved ones, etc.
So many reasons to get a local sim card. Simply don't rely on public WiFi, it often is too slow, sometimes doesn't work at all and another reminder that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network! The use of a VPN is recommended in these situations.
Mobile internet providers Sweden
Sweden has 4 main mobile internet providers: Telenor, Tele2, Telia and 3 Tre. Tele2 does not sell prepaid sim cards, so that leaves our comparison for finding the best sim card for Sweden to Telenor, Telia and 3 Tre.
Where to buy a sim card for Sweden
Buying a prepaid sim card in Sweden is pretty straight forward as in every big city you can find a Telenor, Telia or 3 Tre shop in the city center. Most of the times they are all clustered next to each other. See for example the photo above from the old town of Malmo.
Best way to find sim card stores near you is to go to Google Maps and type in the by you preferred mobile internet provider or simply search for ‘sim card’. Your Sweden prepaid sim card will be activated in the shop and as soon as you walk out you will be able to use it.
To buy a sim card in Sweden you don’t need your passport, there is ID registration or verification needed.
Buying a sim card at the Stockholm Airport
Unfortunately I have not been to Stockholm in the last 3 years and I can’t give you the precise info on where to buy a sim card at Stockholm airport. Gothenburg Airport does have a mobile shop at the airport which sells Lebara and Lycamobile sim cards. Buying a sim card at the airport is always more expensive. So if you want the best prepaid sim card deals for Sweden then head into an official phone store.
Looking for tips for a weekend in Gothenburg or a weekend trip to Stockholm? Click on the link to see what I did.
Online
But as I mentioned already before there is no need to wait till you get to Sweden for buying a sim card, simply buy your Sweden sim card online. First of all it is much easier, but even better... it is cheaper! E-sim cards for Sweden are much cheaper than local prepaid sim cards.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Sweden via either Airalo or SimOptions.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible check out the SimOptions physical prepaid sim cards for Sweden.
Best 4G/5G network in Sweden in 2024
Comparing the prices for prepaid sim cards is just one part of finding the best sim card for Sweden. Just as important is the 4G/5G network coverage around the country, especially if you are going on a road trip in Sweden you want to make sure you stay connected.
I went for example on a self guided canoe trip in Värmland in West Sweden. Värmland is near the Norwegian border and I found out that Telenor had the best network coverage in that area and therefore I bought a Telenor sim card on arrival in Sweden. Check out Nperf for more detailed maps of 4G/5G coverage in Sweden.
Is there 5G in Sweden?
Yes, there is 5G in Sweden, although not that wide spread around the country, in most tourist destinations in Sweden there is a 5G signal available. All mobile internet providers offer 5G on their prepaid sim cards for tourists. But compared to other European countries the 5G network in Sweden is still pretty small.
3 TRE Sweden 4G/5G network coverage map
Telia Sweden 4G/5G network coverage map
Telenor Sweden 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 Sweden in 2024.
From the above comparison of the network coverage maps of Telenor, Telia and Tre we see that especially if you go off the beaten path in Sweden there is a big difference between the network coverage of the internet providers.
It is pretty clear that Telia has the best 4G/5G network in Sweden in 2024.
Sweden prepaid sim card prices in 2024
All the below information and prices are updated in April 2024. Prices are in Swedish Krona: $1 USD = 10.4 SEK and 100 SEK = $9.62 USD.
Unfortunately it is still not possible to get an e-sim card for tourists. In stores in Sweden they only offer physical prepaid sim cards, no e-sims.
Telenor Sweden
There are 2 Telenor Sweden prepaid sim card plans for tourists:
- 1 GB data + unlimited calls/text in Sweden + international calls* for 31 days = 100 SEK - $9.6 USD
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls/text in Sweden + international calls* for 31 days = 250 SEK - $24 USD
* for more info see the picture above.
All Telenor prepaid plans are valid all over Europe. For more info check the Telenor Sweden website.
Telia Sweden
A Telia sim card is free and includes free calling and texting in all of Europe & free EU data roaming.
- 1 GB data + 70 calls + free sms for 1 month = 109 SEK - $10.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 1 month = 199 SEK - $19 USD
- 5 GB data for 1 month = 249 SEK - $24 USD
- 10 GB data + 100 international minutes for 1 month = 329 SEK - $32 USD
- 15 GB data + 300 international minutes for 1 month = 459 SEK - $44 USD
The above Sweden sim card packages from Telia are valid for 1 month in all of Europe. For more info check the Telia Sweden website.
Tre (3) Sweden
Tre Sweden has the weakest network, so let's see if they have the best prepaid sim cards deals for Sweden. They offer the following data packages:
- 5 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 1 month valid in all of Europe = 199 SEK - $19 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 1 month valid in all of Europe = 299 SEK - $29 USD
- Unlimited data + unlimited calls/text for 1 month valid in all of Europe = 399 SEK - $38 USD
Indeed the Tre sim card with unlimited data for 399 SEK ($38 USD) is the best buy prepaid sim card in Sweden in 2024. Check the Tre Sweden website for more info.
Best sim card for Sweden in 2024
Comparing all the local prepaid sim cards, international sim cards and e-sim cards for Sweden it is an easy conclusion that e-sim cards are the cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Sweden in 2024. E-sim cards for Sweden start already from just $4.5 USD.
When comparing the local prepaid sim cards in Sweden with the international e-sim cards for Sweden then we can also concluded that 20 GB data e-sim cards or international prepaid sim cards are cheaper than local prepaid sim cards.
Therefore Traveltomtom comes to the simple conclusion that e-sim cards are the best tourist sim cards for Sweden in 2024. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Sweden via either SimOptions or Airalo.
However, there is a big difference in mobile data network coverage in Sweden and Telia has by far the best 4G/5G network in Sweden in 2024 and therefore Telia is the best local prepaid sim card for Sweden in 2024. Especially for those who are traveling around Sweden on a road trip. If you stick to just Stockholm then a Tre Sweden prepaid sim card with unlimited data for 399 SEK ($37 USD) is a great option as well.
Order a prepaid sim card for Sweden online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Sweden online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Sweden 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 Sweden, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Sweden:
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 your international prepaid sim card for traveling to Sweden via SimOptions.
Personally Traveltomtom recommends the Bouygues Telecom international sim card for traveling to Sweden. I have used them many times in the past for traveling in Europe, but nowadays I always use e-sim cards for traveling to Europe.
Here is a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible then simply arrange everything online within a couple clicks. Airalo has amazing data-only e-sim cards for Sweden or go to SimOptions for e-sim cards that are valid all across Europe including calls and sms.
I hope some of the above tips for buying a prepaid sim card for Sweden were helpful for your upcoming Sweden holiday. In case you have any questions don't hesitate to leave me a comment below. Also for Sweden travel tips I am more than happy to help you out.
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 Sweden!
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for Sweden 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!