Lois Larson
Johannesburg Airport is a very easy airport to navigate, and it is possible to buy a SIM card there. After exiting the customs area, you can find the stores of MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C all next to each other. Virgin Mobile also offers free SIM cards with R10 loaded in the arrivals hall before baggage collection. While it is possible to buy a SIM card at the airport, it is more expensive than buying one in a shop outside of the airport. However, it is convenient and they will set it up for you.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I buy a SIM card at Johannesburg Airport? | Yes |
| Where to buy? | MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C stores are located to the right after exiting the customs area. |
| Opening hours | 6.00 am - 10.00 pm |
| Cost | A Vodacom SIM card costs 100 ZAR ($5 USD) for registration, then you can buy data separately. An MTN prepaid SIM card costs 63.50 ZAR ($3.45 USD) and comes with 60 ZAR airtime. Virgin Mobile offers free SIM cards with R10 loaded. |
| eSIM availability | eSIMs are available for South Africa and can be purchased online. |
| Identification requirements | Identification is required to purchase a SIM card in Johannesburg. A record of your address may be required. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C stores are located in the arrival hall
Johannesburg Airport is easy to navigate. After collecting your luggage, follow the exit signs to the arrival hall. You'll enter on the ground floor, and in front of you, to your left, you'll see information desks. It's hard to miss the mobile phone stores, especially as they're right next to each other.
Turn right as you enter the arrival hall and then go right around the corner, and you'll see the MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C stores. The phone shops are open from 6 am to 10 pm.
MTN offers affordable tourist sim cards with good 4G/5G coverage. An MTN prepaid sim card costs 63.50 ZAR ($3.45 USD) and comes with 60 ZAR airtime.
Vodacom is a good choice, but it's more expensive than MTN. A Vodacom sim card costs 100 ZAR ($5 USD) for registration, and then you need to buy data and minutes separately.
Cell C seems to offer good value on its longer-term plans or through its partner, Hello Mobile.
Manila Airport: What You Need to Know About Flying Out
You may want to see also
Explore related products
eSIMs are a convenient alternative to physical SIM cards
Johannesburg Airport is a very easy-to-navigate airport with mobile phone stores selling prepaid SIM cards. After picking up your luggage, follow the exit signs to the arrival hall. The phone shops are located to the right after exiting the customs area. The stores of MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C are right next to each other, and their opening hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. While physical SIM cards are still the most common type, eSIMs are a convenient alternative that is quickly rising in popularity. An eSIM is a virtual SIM card that you can set up with just a Wi-Fi connection, provided your phone is compatible. You can switch between carriers or activate a new plan online, eliminating the need to find a local SIM card vendor. This makes eSIMs especially convenient for travellers, allowing them to download new carrier profiles when moving between countries. With an eSIM, you don't have to worry about losing or damaging your SIM card, and you can avoid the hassle of swapping SIM cards when travelling.
However, it's important to note that not all networks support eSIMs, and compatibility may vary depending on the country and device. While more manufacturers are including eSIM compatibility, it is not yet supported by all phones. Additionally, some travellers may prefer the flexibility of physical SIM cards, which can be easily swapped between devices and are widely available, even in areas with limited eSIM support.
When travelling to Johannesburg, you can purchase an MTN prepaid SIM card at the airport for $3.45 USD, which includes 60 ZAR airtime. A Vodacom SIM card is also available at the airport but is more expensive, costing $5 USD for registration, after which you need to purchase data and minutes separately. Alternatively, you can order an eSIM for South Africa before your trip, with prices starting at $24.50 USD for 10 GB. This option allows you to be online as soon as your plane lands, providing a convenient alternative to physical SIM cards.
Exploring Airport Access: Can I Just Walk In?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Buying a SIM card at the airport is more expensive
Johannesburg Airport has several stores that sell SIM cards, including MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, and Econet. However, buying a SIM card at the airport is more expensive than purchasing one from a cellphone shop or any other shop outside the airport. For instance, a Vodacom SIM card at Johannesburg Airport costs 100 ZAR ($5 USD) just for registration, and you have to buy data and minutes separately. In contrast, you can get a Vodacom SIM card from Woolworths for R2.00.
While MTN SIM cards are also available at Johannesburg Airport, they are not as easy to buy as Vodacom cards. An MTN card costs 63.50 ZAR ($3.45 USD) and comes with 60 ZAR airtime. This essentially makes the MTN SIM card free at Johannesburg Airport.
If you're looking for a short-term solution, Vodacom and MTN offer the best deals. However, for longer stays, Cell C may be a better option through its partner Hello Mobile.
ESIMs are another alternative, which can be purchased online and used as soon as your plane lands. They are also cheaper than Vodacom SIM cards at Johannesburg Airport.
Singapore Arrival Card: Get It at Airport?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Identification is required to purchase a SIM card
Johannesburg Airport has several mobile phone stores, including MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C, which are all adjacent to each other in the arrival hall. These stores sell prepaid SIM cards to tourists.
It is possible to organise a pre-RICA SIM card and collect it in the arrivals hall at Johannesburg Airport. RICA, the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act, requires proof of a local South African address to purchase a SIM card. While this option is convenient, it may be more expensive.
Some travellers prefer to be online as soon as their plane lands and are happy to pay a little extra for this convenience. eSIMs are available for South Africa, and while they may be cheaper than physical SIM cards, they do not provide a local phone number.
Traveling with Devices: Sealed or Unsealed?
You may want to see also
Virgin Mobile offers free SIM cards with R10 loaded
Johannesburg Airport is a very easy-to-navigate airport with several mobile phone stores located right next to each other. You can purchase a SIM card from one of the three South African mobile phone providers with shops at the airport: Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C. These stores are located to the right after exiting the customs area.
While you can buy SIM cards at Johannesburg Airport, this may not be the best option for you. Local SIM cards are generally cheaper than eSIMs, but with an eSIM, you can get online as soon as your plane lands. You can order an eSIM for South Africa online, which is cheaper than buying a SIM card at the airport.
If you are looking for a free SIM card, Virgin Mobile offers free SIM cards with 300 free texts when you top up £10. You can also get unlimited texts and 1GB of internet access when you top up £15 or more. Virgin Mobile has good customer service and offers lots of 'free goodies' when you join. However, note that Virgin Mobile has been bought by O2 and GiffGaff, so you may want to consider a GiffGaff SIM card instead.
Film Photography: Airport Security Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You can buy a SIM card at Johannesburg Airport from one of the three South African mobile phone providers with shops at the airport: MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C. These shops are located to the right after exiting the customs area.
Local prepaid SIM cards are generally cheaper than eSIMs. However, with an eSIM, you are online as soon as the plane lands and you don't need to find a phone store on arrival in Johannesburg. Traveltomtom recommends an MTN prepaid SIM card for South Africa as they have affordable tourist SIM cards and good 4G/5G mobile data network coverage.
You will need some form of identification, such as a passport, and proof of address, such as confirmation of your first accommodation booking.
A Vodacom SIM card at Johannesburg Airport costs 100 ZAR = $5 USD for registration. Then you can buy minutes and data separately. An MTN prepaid SIM card costs 63.50 ZAR = $3.45 USD and comes with 60 ZAR airtime.
