Roaming or eSIM? Travelling from Türkiye to Its Neighbours (2026)

Friday evening from Kapıkule to Plovdiv, Saturday morning from İpsala to Thessaloniki, a holiday trip from Sarp to Batumi, or a work run from Habur to Erbil. Türkiye has a lot of neighbours, and for many of you, crossing into one of them is just an ordinary weekend plan. But the moment you cross the border, your phone needs a decision too. Will you roam on your Turkish line, or use an eSIM for the country you are visiting?

This guide is for anyone living in Türkiye with a Turkish phone line, whether you are a local, an expat or a long-term resident. We compare the 2026 roaming packages from Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom with what the same amount of data costs on an eSIM, then go country by country through Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iraq, Iran and Syria. We also cover the border-area mistakes that lead to surprise bills.

Roaming vs eSIM

Roaming means using your Turkish line abroad. You connect to a local network in the country you are visiting, but your Turkish operator still bills you. Without a package you pay per megabyte and per minute, which can turn into a large bill after just a few hours of use. With a package the price is fixed, but it is still expensive compared with domestic tariffs.

An eSIM is a second line loaded onto your phone digitally. You buy a data plan for the country you are visiting, install it by scanning a QR code, and once you cross the border your phone connects using that plan. You do not need to remove your Turkish SIM. Your Turkish line stays active, so calls and bank verification texts keep coming in, while the eSIM handles your internet.

The key difference is that roaming packages come with minutes and texts, while eSIM plans are data only. But since most of us now make our calls abroad over WhatsApp anyway, data is what most travellers really need.

Turkish Operators' 2026 Roaming Packages

The prices below were taken from the operators' own websites on 13 October 2026. Packages generally do not renew automatically, and once a package runs out, usage is charged at the standard roaming rate.

Turkcell

Package	Includes	Validity	Price	Neighbours covered
Avrupa Gezgin 1 GB	1 GB, 200 min, 100 SMS	7 days	300 TL	Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia
Avrupa Gezgin 3 GB	3 GB, 200 min, 100 SMS	14 days	600 TL	Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia
Avrupa Gezgin 10 GB	10 GB, 500 min, 200 SMS	14 days	1,200 TL	Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia
Global 1 GB	1 GB, 100 min, 100 SMS	7 days	600 TL	Iraq, Iran, Syria and 170+ countries
Global 3 GB	3 GB, 300 min, 200 SMS	14 days	1,200 TL	Iraq, Iran, Syria and 170+ countries
Tarifen Yurt Dışında Geçerli Avantaj	Your own tariff allowances	1 day	500 TL	65 countries

Before buying a Turkcell package, your line must be enabled for use abroad. Text ROAM to 2200 or call 532 to do this.

Vodafone

Package	Includes	Price
Yurt Dışı 1 GB	1 GB, 50 min, 10 SMS	299 TL
Yurt Dışı 3 GB	3 GB, 100 min, 30 SMS	699 TL
Yurt Dışı 5 GB	5 GB, 150 min, 50 SMS	999 TL
Red Her Şey Dahil Pasaport (outside Europe)	Your own tariff allowances	599 TL
Avrupa Her Şey Dahil Pasaport (5G Red)	Your own tariff allowances, 10 days a month	Free

According to Vodafone's website, its roaming packages are valid in 200 countries. In the Her Şey Dahil Pasaport offer, Greece and Bulgaria fall into the Europe group, while Georgia, Iraq and Iran fall into the outside-Europe group. 5G Red tariffs include 10 free days a month in Europe. Since the website does not clearly state each package's validity or how charges are calculated, we recommend confirming with the Vodafone app or customer service before buying.

Türk Telekom

Package	Includes	Validity	Price
Avrupa Avantaj 2 GB	2 GB, 200 min, 100 SMS	2 weeks	400 TL
Avrupa Avantaj 10 GB	10 GB, 500 min, 200 SMS	2 weeks	1,100 TL
Konforlu Yurt Dışı 1 GB	1 GB, 100 min, 100 SMS	1 week	550 TL
Konforlu Yurt Dışı 3 GB	3 GB, 300 min, 200 SMS	2 weeks	1,150 TL
Tarifen Yurt Dışında	Your own tariff allowances	Depends on destination	From 349 TL

Konforlu Yurt Dışı packages and Tarifen Yurt Dışında are for postpaid lines only. Türk Telekom lists the countries covered on each package's own page, so check that your destination is included before you buy.

Same Data, Two Prices

To make the comparison as fair as possible, we lined up Turkcell's packages against Maxesimo eSIM plans with the same amount of data and a similar validity. eSIM prices are in US dollars, with approximate TL equivalents at the 13 October 2026 exchange rate (1 $ ≈ 49.4 TL).

Country and need	Roaming (Turkcell)	eSIM (Maxesimo)
Greece / Bulgaria, 1 GB	300 TL, 7 days	$2.99 (≈148 TL), 7 days
Greece / Bulgaria, 3 GB	600 TL, 14 days	$4.99 (≈247 TL), 15 days
Greece, 10 GB	1,200 TL, 14 days	$10.99 (≈543 TL), 30 days
Bulgaria, 10 GB	1,200 TL, 14 days	$11.99 (≈592 TL), 30 days
Georgia, 3 GB	600 TL, 14 days	$5.49 (≈271 TL), 15 days
Georgia, 10 GB	1,200 TL, 14 days	$13.99 (≈691 TL), 30 days
Iraq, 1 GB	600 TL, 7 days	$4.49 (≈222 TL), 7 days
Iraq, 3 GB	1,200 TL, 14 days	$9.99 (≈493 TL), 15 days

As the table shows, an eSIM usually costs less than half the roaming price for the same data. The gap gets even wider outside Europe, in countries like Iraq. The one advantage of a roaming package is that it includes minutes and texts, so factor that in if you will be making a lot of phone calls.

🇬🇷 Greece

Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupoli are a few hours' drive through the İpsala and Pazarkule border crossings, which makes them some of the most popular weekend destinations. Plenty of people also take the ferry to the Aegean islands: from Kaş to Kastellorizo, Bodrum to Kos, Ayvalık to Lesbos, and Çeşme to Chios.

Mobile coverage in Greece is generally good on the mainland and on the islands. Turkcell's Avrupa Gezgin packages and Vodafone's Europe group both cover Greece. On the eSIM side, a 1 GB plan valid for 7 days is enough for a day trip to an island. For a weekend in Thessaloniki, 3 GB is more than enough to use maps and social media comfortably.

You can browse Greece eSIM plans here. If you are heading on from Greece to other European countries such as Italy or Bulgaria, the Europe 35 Countries eSIM works in all of them with a single installation.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

The Kapıkule border crossing right next to Edirne makes Bulgaria one of the easiest trips abroad from Istanbul and Thrace. Plovdiv, Sofia and Varna are popular city breaks, while Bansko and Borovets draw skiers in winter. Plenty of people also cross for a day of shopping.

Bulgaria is an EU member, but Turkish lines do not benefit from free EU roaming. So when you use the internet there on your Turkish line, your operator's roaming rates apply, not your domestic tariff. Turkcell's and Vodafone's Europe packages cover Bulgaria.

For a day of shopping, a 1 GB plan valid for 7 days is enough. For a week-long plan like a ski holiday, the 5 GB or 10 GB plans valid for 30 days are more comfortable. Remember that in Edirne, too, your phone may switch to a Bulgarian network near the border.

You can browse Bulgaria eSIM plans here. If you are also heading to Romania or Greece, the Europe 35 Countries eSIM works in all three with a single installation.

🇬🇪 Georgia

For people living on the Black Sea coast, Georgia feels almost as close as the next town. Batumi is a short ride after the Sarp border crossing, and Tbilisi is a very popular destination by road and by air. Since Turkish citizens can cross with just their national ID card, it is a weekend favourite.

Georgia is not in the EU, but Turkcell's Avrupa Gezgin packages still cover it. In Vodafone's Her Şey Dahil Pasaport offer, Georgia is in the outside-Europe group. For a few days' holiday in Batumi, a 3 GB eSIM plan valid for 15 days costs less than half the roaming package with the same data.

You can browse Georgia eSIM plans here.

🇮🇶 Iraq

Many people travel back and forth through the Habur border crossing to Zakho, Duhok and Erbil from south-eastern Türkiye, for both work and family visits. There are also direct flights to Erbil from Istanbul and Ankara.

Iraq falls outside the Turkish operators' Europe packages. With Turkcell you need a Global package, which means 600 TL for 1 GB and 1,200 TL for 3 GB. Iraq eSIM prices are higher than for European countries, but still less than half the roaming price: $4.49 for 1 GB over 7 days, and $9.99 for 3 GB over 15 days.

A tip for frequent travellers: instead of buying a roaming package for every trip, you can buy a 30-day eSIM plan and use it across all your trips within that month. The plan stays on your phone until it expires.

You can browse Iraq eSIM plans here.

🇮🇷 Iran

The Gürbulak, Kapıköy and Esendere border crossings connect Van, Ağrı and Hakkari with Iran. Tabriz and Urmia are popular stops that are quick to reach from cities in the east, and there are direct flights to Tehran from Istanbul.

Iran is a different story from the other neighbours. Travel eSIMs there are both very expensive and prone to connection problems, which is why Maxesimo does not offer an eSIM for Iran. Instead, you have two options:

• Roaming: Turkcell's Global packages cover Iran. Türk Telekom and Vodafone also have packages valid in Iran; check that Iran is listed on the package page before you buy.
• Local SIM card: you can buy an Iranian SIM card with your passport at airports and operator stores. If you are staying for a while, this is the cheapest option.

Keep in mind that access to some apps and websites may be restricted in Iran. Downloading the maps and documents you need before you go will make things easier.

🇸🇾 Syria

People cross into Syria for family visits and work, mainly through Cilvegözü in Hatay and Öncüpınar in Kilis. The situation in Syria is similar to Iran. Travel eSIMs there are both expensive and unreliable, which is why Maxesimo does not offer a plan for Syria either.

• Roaming: Turkcell's Global packages cover Syria. Before buying another operator's package, check on the package page that Syria is included.
• Local SIM card: SIM cards from Syrian operators can be bought with a passport.

Before travelling to Syria, we also recommend checking the latest official travel advice.

How to Set Up an eSIM

Because access to eSIM providers' websites and apps can be restricted in Türkiye, there are two practical ways to set up an eSIM when you are travelling from Türkiye:

1. Set it up at your destination. Once you have crossed the border, connect to the Wi-Fi at the airport, your hotel or a café, then buy your eSIM and install it by scanning the QR code. It only takes a few minutes.
2. Set it up in Türkiye with a VPN. Before you leave, turn on a VPN on your phone, then buy and install your eSIM. That way your internet is ready the moment you cross the border.

After installing, there are two settings to change:

• In your phone's mobile data settings, choose the eSIM as your data line.
• Turn on data roaming for the eSIM, and turn it off for your Turkish line.

This way your internet comes from the eSIM, while your Turkish line stays active for calls and texts. If you are not sure whether your phone supports eSIM, check our compatible devices list, and see our eSIM setup page for step-by-step instructions.

Avoiding Bill Shock

Most people who get a nasty surprise on their bill after a trip abroad make the same few mistakes. To avoid them:

• Turn off data roaming on your Turkish line. Even if you use an eSIM, your phone can use data in the background through your Turkish line if data roaming is left on.
• Choose your network manually near the border. In Edirne, Hopa, along the Aegean coast and in the eastern border provinces, your phone can connect to a foreign network even while you are still in Türkiye.
• Know what happens when your package runs out. Operator packages usually do not renew automatically, and once your allowance is used up, you are charged the standard roaming rate. At Turkcell, that rate starts at 18 TL per minute.
• Watch for warning texts. Operators send a text when you have used 80% and 100% of your allowance.
• You can block roaming data entirely. Options like Türk Telekom's free roaming data block service (Yurt Dışı Veri Hizmeti Durdurma) make sure no data at all is used on your Turkish line abroad.

When Roaming Makes More Sense

An eSIM is cheaper in most cases, but there are situations where roaming is the better choice:

• Your tariff includes roaming days. Some Turkcell Platinum packages include up to 15 days, and some Vodafone Red tariffs include 10 free days a month in Europe. If you have an allowance like this, use it first.
• You will be making a lot of phone calls. Roaming packages include minutes and texts, while eSIM plans are data only.
• Your phone does not support eSIM. Older phone models cannot install an eSIM.
• You are going to Iran or Syria. Travel eSIMs are not a practical option in these countries, so you will need roaming or a local SIM card.

The prices in this guide are valid as of 13 October 2026. Operator prices change often, so check the latest price in your operator's app before buying a package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❤️ Thanks for Reading

Our neighbours are only a border crossing away, but when the bill arrives, that distance can feel a lot longer. We hope this guide means you will not pay more than you need to for data on your next weekend in Thessaloniki, holiday in Batumi or trip to Erbil.

Safe travels,
The Maxesimo Team