Hungary: Buy the Best SIM Cards
Traveling to Hungary presents an opportunity to explore historic architecture, vibrant culture, and indulge in diverse culinary delights. For a hassle-free experience staying connected with friends, family, or work, securing a reliable SIM card is vital. Below is a succinct guide for travelers seeking the best SIM card options in Hungary.
- Magyar Telekom (Telekom)
- Coverage: As Hungary’s largest mobile operator, Telekom provides extensive coverage, ensuring consistent connectivity across urban and rural areas.
- Tourist Packages: Telekom offers ‘HelloData’ and ‘HelloMinutes’ packages tailored for tourists with data and call minutes.
- Where to Buy: SIM cards are available at official stores, partner outlets, and at Budapest Airport.
- Telenor Hungary
- Coverage: Telenor is known for its robust coverage in populated areas and along major transportation routes.
- Data Options: Offers ‘MyChat’ and ‘Net&Roll’ for data-heavy users looking for flexibility.
- Purchase Points: Available at Telenor shops, authorized retailers, and online for delivery.
- Vodafone Hungary
- Network Strength: Known for reliable service and good coverage in cities and towns.
- Tourist Friendly: ‘Vodafone Pass’ provides packages with unlimited social media or music streaming.
- Accessibility: SIM cards can be bought at Vodafone stores and many supermarkets.
- Yettel (formerly Telenor)
- Experience: Despite the rebrand, Yettel maintains a strong network infrastructure.
- Options for Travelers: Offers competitive prepaid packages that can be tailored to individual needs.
- Retail Locations: Can be found in Yettel shops, resellers, and some convenience stores.
- Lidl Connect
- Value for Money: Lidl, the supermarket chain, offers budget-friendly SIM cards under the Lidl Connect brand.
- Flexibility: Various “Smart” options make it easy to find a package that matches usage patterns.
- Availability: SIM cards are exclusively available at Lidl stores across Hungary.
- TESCO Mobile
- Affordability: Operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), providing cost-effective services.
- Variety of Plans: Tailored plans for calls, texts, and data are available.
- Convenience: Purchase from TESCO hypermarkets, which are widely available.
Points to Consider When Choosing a SIM Card:
- Compatibility: Ensure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the European GSM bands.
- Identification: Be prepared to show your passport as ID when purchasing a SIM card due to registration requirements in Hungary.
- Recharge Options: Check if the provider offers convenient recharge options like online top-ups.
- Customer Support: Accessibility to English-speaking customer service can be valuable.
Purchasing a SIM Card Upon Arrival:
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport has various shops where you can buy SIM cards immediately after landing. This is a convenient option if you wish to be connected right away.
Internet service providers in Hungary
There are three main companies providing internet services namely
- Magyar Telekom
- Telenor
- Vodafone
Magyar Telekom packages
- 24-hour packages
The company provides 200 MB DATA at a price of 255 HUF which can be activated by app or online
1GB data will cost it’s customers 524 HUF which can also be activated either by app or online.
- 30 days packages
The customers receive 200MB data at a price of 444HUF and can be activated easily by code +NET200MB
590 MB data at a price its89 HUF which needs a code of +NET500MB to be activated.
1GB data is being offered to the clients at 1420 HUF and requires an activation code of +NET1GB
4GB can be activated by customers by paying an amount of 3290 HUF and can be activated by entering the code +NET4GB
Telenor data packages
The company provides 1 day, 7 days, and 30 days package to its users.
- 1-day packages
Pay 200 HUF for a data of 200MB and an activation code 200MBNAPI
Pay 300HUF to get a data of 500MB and can be activated by activation code 500MBNAPI
1GB and 3GB data can be activated by paying 500HUF & 900HUF respectively and the activation codes needed are 1GBNAPI & 3GBNAPI
The customers can get 5Gb data at a price of 1509HUF and they can activate it easily by entering activation code 5GBNAPI
- 7 days packages
Use an activation code 200MBHETI to activate 200MB by paying an amount of 300HUF.
500HUF can be paid and 500MBHETI can be used to get 500MB data.
The customers can use the activation codes 1GBHETI & 3GBHETI to activate 1Gb & 3GB data by paying 900HUF & 1500HUF respectively.
2200HUF and activation code 5GBHETI is what it takes to get 5GB data.
- 30 days packages
For a period of 30 days, the Company provides 500MB data at a price of 750HUF and an activation code of 500MB
1GB data can be purchased at an amount if 1100HUF and activated by code 1GB
3Gb &5GB data for 30 days can be purchased at an amount of 2500HUF & 3500HUF respectively and activated by 3GB & 5GB codes.
Vodafone Data packages
The shortest period data package that the company provides is that of 7 days with 150MB data and can be purchased at recurring basis at 266 HUF and the activation code HETI150
For a once-off 300Mb data, the client needs to pay 667 HUF, and the activation code is HAVI300E and for the recurring pack, the amount that needs to be paid is 444HUF and activation code required is HAVI300. The client can purchase 1GB at 1601HUF and activation code HAVI1000E and the recurring lack can be purchased at 1245 HUF and HAVI1000 activation code. For a one time 5GB pack the customer needs to pay 5338HUF and activation code of HAVI5000Eand for the recurring lack, the amount that needs to be paid is 3559 HUF and HAVI5000 is the required activation code.
Magyar Telekom (Telekom, formerly T-Mobile/Westel) Data Packages
| Data | Validity | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 MB | 24 hours | 255 HUF | by appor online |
| 1 GB | 525 HUF | ||
| 200 MB | 30 days | 444 HUF | + NET200MB |
| 500 MB | 889 HUF | + NET500MB | |
| 1 GB | 1420 HUF | + NET1GB | |
| 4 GB | 3290 HUF | + NET4GB |
Telenor (formerly Pannon) Data Packages
| Data | Time | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 MB | 1 day | 200 HUF | 200MBNAPI |
| 500 MB | 300 HUF | 500MBNAPI | |
| 1 GB | 500 HUF | 1GBNAPI | |
| 3 GB | 900 HUF | 3GBNAPI | |
| 5 GB | 1500 HUF | 5GBNAPI | |
| 200 MB | 7 days | 300 HUF | 200MBHETI |
| 500 MB | 500 HUF | 500MBHETI | |
| 1 GB | 900 HUF | 1GBHETI | |
| 3 GB | 1500 HUF | 3GBHETI | |
| 5 GB | 2200 HUF | 5GBHETI | |
| 500 MB | 30 days | 750 HUF | 500MB |
| 1 GB | 1100 HUF | 1GB | |
| 3 GB | 2500 HUF | 3GB | |
| 5 GB | 3500 HUF | 5GB |
Vodafone Data Packages
| Data | Period | once-off | Activation | recurring | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 MB | 7 days | n./a. | n./a. | 266 HUF | HETI150 |
| 300 MB | 30 days | 667 HUF | HAVI300E | 444 HUF | HAVI300 |
| 1 GB | 1601 HUF | HAVI1000E | 1245 HUF | HAVI1000 | |
| 5 GB | 5338 HUF | HAVI5000E | 3559 HUF | HAVI5000 |
References:
https://abrokenbackpack.com/hungary-sim-cards/
https://etravelsim.com/products/hungary-esim