On our road trip to the Nordic, we were planning to be staying in out-of-the-way places, some of which didn’t have WiFi. So having our own internet access while we were on the move was key. Our roaming packages from home weren’t the best value, (although you should check yours it may be better value). As ours wasn’t, we opted for a tourist sim card for Sweden. And so we looked at the choices available to us. While we got great data coverage in the cities and towns, we spent a lot of time driving in northern Sweden which didn’t have much coverage outside of the major towns. Here’s our guide on working out the best tourist sim card for Sweden and where to get it from.
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You have three different options when it comes to mobile data in Sweden. And I’ll cover each of them.
BEST SIM CARD
This esim from Surfroam is the best and most convenient option for a SIM Card for Sweden. You can be online as soon as you land (or arrive on the ferry) and there’s no need to swap physical sims in and out. It’s a worldwide SIM – no packs, just credit. That never expires.
Physical SIM also available – check here.
Mobile Data and SIM Card Options for Sweden
The first thing to check when you’re looking at mobile data in Sweden is to see if your cellphone provider has a roaming package and what the cost of this is.
The next choice is to buy a physical tourist sim for Sweden – and you can order and pay for this from home and get it shipped to your home address, or you can buy it from a store in Sweden. Finally, and this is what I’m going to cover first of all, as to my mind this is the most convenient, is an esim for Sweden. You can order and pay from home to ensure that you’re online as soon as you land or arrive on the ferry or buy when you arrive in Sweden. It’s really easy.
Buying an esim for Sweden
eSIMS are fabulous. There’s no swapping out of physical SIMS, which means you’re less likely to lose them or forget which is which. They work well and mean that your data access is immediate as soon as you switch on your cell service when you arrive in Sweden.
While you’ll need a phone that is compatible with esims and is unlocked you’ll find that in general phones from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia tend to be unlocked. Cell phones from North America tend to be locked. If this is the case for you, then your provider may unlock it but may charge you a fee for doing this.
If you’re not sure if your phone is esim compatible, just head off over to Google and check it out.
Here are the things to consider when selecting an esim for Sweden.
- How long do you plan on staying in Sweden
- How much data do you think you’ll need in Sweden
- Whether you’ll need voice calls
- Whether you’ll want SMS and texting
We rarely use voice calls or texting on our travel esims, sticking to using data and WhatsApp for communications when we travel. But WhatsApp is included with Surfroam. It’s a a fabulous option that we’ve used for years. One single eSIM (you can get physical SIMs as well if your phone isn’t eSIM enabled), no data packages, just credit and you pay a different rate in each country. It never expires. Perfect if you’re traveling lots. Get a Surfroam eSIM here!.
I’ve written more about Surfroam and how we use it here.
Buying a physical sim for Sweden
We’ve also bought physical SIMS for Sweden over the years. You can buy them ahead of time and get them sent to your home address, or you can arrange for them to be picked up once you arrive in Sweden.
You can also buy physical SIM cards from stores, like Telia (which gets great reviews) in Sweden, but you’ll need to find yourself a store. And as the most convenient place to do this is at the airport when you land, but it is unlikely to be any cheaper than pre-purchasing.
In recent years we’ve bought many physical sims online , and there are several options available that allow different amounts of data. We’ve never had any problems hot-spotting our cell provider to laptops and other devices.
Using roaming from your home cellphone provider
During the time we lived in California, I spent a lot of time working on business in Europe and used roaming from my provider. On my first trip, I was caught out with a HUGE roaming charges bill, so if you’re going to use roaming, you MUST set up an agreement with your provider before you go.
If you’re traveling from the UK, then you’ll need to check the specific package available from your mobile provider and that it gives you enough data to use.
Where to Buy a SIM Card for Sweden
You can choose to buy a tourist SIM card for Sweden before you leave home, or when you arrive in Sweden. You can buy a Swedish tourist esim and have it automatically working as soon as you arrive in Sweden. You can buy a physical tourist SIM card for Sweden and get it shipped to your home. Alternatively, you can use your home cellphone provider and purchase a roaming package from them.
FAQS about SIM Cards in Sweden
Here are the questions that we had about getting a tourist SIM card for Sweden, and the answers we worked out.
Can I use an esim in Sweden?
Yes. You can use an esim in Sweden. You can check out the options for buying an esim for Sweden here.
Can you use a hotspot on a Tourist SIM in Sweden?
Yes. You can use a hotspot on this esim in Sweden or some physical SIM cards in Sweden. This physical SIM card allows hot spotting.
Can I buy a SIM card in airports in Sweden?
Yes, you’ll be able to buy a SIM card at most of the airports in Sweden.
Travel Tips for Sweden
- Get Travel Insurance: Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
- Plugs, Sockets and Power Adapters for Sweden – READ NOW
- Get online immediately with an eSIM in Sweden– one SIM for the whole world, data never expires.
- My Guide to Renting a Car in Sweden
- Rent a car to explore Sweden with Discover Cars
- Get your Swedish airport transfer here with Welcome Pickups.
- Book the best tours, attractions and guides on Get Your Guide
- Book accommodation in Sweden with Booking
Final Words on Getting a Tourist SIM Card for Sweden
Mobile data is of increasing importance –and there are now lots of options for getting online while you’re on the move in Sweden. Whether you choose to have a tourist esim or a physical SIM card for your mobile data in Sweden, you can be sure that there are some great deals around.
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