Elisha
Staying connected while travelling is essential, especially in places with a language barrier. While Kyrgyzstan is a surprisingly easy place to travel, being able to use Google Translate, Maps, and other apps on the go makes things a lot easier.
I’ve always purchased local SIM cards in each country I visit, so that I can be sure to use my phone without any expensive roaming charges. However, for my trip to Kyrgyzstan, I used Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM, and I found it to be incredibly convenient, especially when travelling for a long time.
If you’re planning to travel to Kyrgyzstan, you might be wondering what is the best SIM for Kyrgyzstan? As someone who usually buys local SIMs on arrival, it’s been an interesting experiment to use an eSIM for the first time. In this post, I’m going to detail the best options for SIM cards, including the best eSIM in Kyrgyzstan and the pros and cons compared to local SIMs, so you can make the right choice for your trip.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received a free eSIM and financial compensation for my partnership with Holafly in Kyrgyzstan, but all information provided in this post is true and based on my own personal experience.
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Best Kyrgyzstan SIM Cards: Local SIMs vs eSIMs
There are three main network carriers in Kyrgyzstan: Beeline, Mega and O!. There’s little difference between the companies, except for some variance in coverage, and prices are relatively low compared to many countries.
There are also a few eSIM companies that offer Kyrgyzstan eSIMs, including Holafly, Airalo, and Saily. They generally work in partnership with local network providers and the coverage is very similar to getting a local SIM.
Here’s a comparison of local SIMs and eSIMs for Kyrgyzstan:
Best Network Coverage
There’s only slight variance in network between the main carriers in Kyrgyzstan. In cities and towns, coverage is pretty good and you’ll find 4G networks in all populated areas. I was surprised to even find good signal in villages like Jyrgalan and Aksay too.
I have been told that Mega has the best coverage in remote areas. My friend was using O! and she had good signal in all populated areas, even more so than Beeline. For example, Beeline only had 3G in Kyzart, but she had 4G with O!.
In general, none of the networks are very reliable once you get into the mountains or national parks, so be prepared to be offline on occasion in Kyrgyzstan. However, if you want the best coverage I would recommend O! or Mega.
eSIMs generally have a similar network coverage to local SIMs, because they work in partnership with a local carrier. For example, Holafly eSIM uses Beeline as their network partner. This has been pretty reliable for me in all cities and major towns, including in some regional areas and some smaller villages too. Although, Beeline has slightly less coverage in remote areas compared to O! and Mega,
Verdict: Much the same
Most Convenient and Ease of Use
Local SIMs in Kyrgyzstan are relatively easy to get at the airport when you arrive, although you’ll need to wait a few minutes for registration and activation (more details on how to buy a local SIM below).
Once you have a SIM, it should be pretty easy to connect almost instantly. However, most local SIMs come with a 28 day plan, so you may need to top up again at a local phone shop if you’re travelling longer than a month.
One of the biggest benefits of eSIMs is that they’re very convenient and ideal for those who don’t want any hassle on arrival. For example, Holafly’s eSIM can be arranged before you leave and activated as soon as you land, meaning that you can skip the queues at the phone kiosks in the airport.
eSIMs also provide more flexible plans, enabling you to purchase the exact amount of days that you need. Holafly offers unlimited data for however many days you choose. I’m planning to stay in Kyrgyzstan for two months, so this ensures I’ll be connected for my entire trip without needing to go to a shop to top up.
Verdict: eSIMs
How Much do SIM Cards Cost in Kyrgyzstan?
Local SIM cards are relatively cheap in Kyrgyzstan. For example, you can expect to pay around 500som (AU$9) for unlimited data for 28 days with O!.
On the other hand, eSIMs tend to be more expensive, but you get the added bonus of convenience, longer plan options, and instant activation the minute you get off the plane. You’ll find different offerings from eSIM companies, depending on the plan:
- Airalo: AU$59.50 for 10GB for 30 days
- Holafly: AU$117 for unlimited data for 30 days
Verdict: Local SIMs
How to Buy an eSIM for Kyrgyzstan
eSIMs are very easy to purchase and set up and you can complete the process within minutes. I recommend arranging your eSIM just before you leave and then activating it upon arrival, so you won’t have any disruptions to your data.
While there are several eSIM companies available, Holafly offers unlimited data for 200+ destinations, so it’s particularly good for digital nomads or those who want to have peace of mind with plenty of data for their trip.
I’ve been using a Holafly eSIM for my trip to Kyrgyzstan and it’s worked very well for me. I activated it at the Bishkek airport and have been using it for over a month, and it’s been very convenient to have unlimited data while I travel.
Holafly makes it really simple to buy an eSIM for Kyrgyzstan, all you need is a reliable internet or Wi-Fi network (I recommend doing it before you leave for your trip). You can either purchase directly through their website or download the Holafly app. Here’s how:
👉 Get 5% off any Holafly eSIM plan with my code: BEYONDWILD
Holafly eSIM Set Up Process
- Choose the destination or region that you’re travelling to and how many days you need
- Use my discount code: BEYONDWILD for 5% off (automatically applied when you click on this link)
- You’ll receive an email with the instructions to setup up your eSIM, this includes options for both a QR code or manual installation
- Open Settings on your device and go to SIM Card Manager to add an eSIM
- Scan the QR code in your email or follow the instructions for manual installation to complete the setup (it only takes 1 minute)
- After you arrive at your destination, activate the eSIM and turn on your data roaming; it should connect instantly
- Make sure the SIM swap feature on your phone is disabled, so you don’t accidentally get unwanted roaming charges from your home provider
- Holafly offer 24/7 help if you have any issues, but my eSIM has worked perfectly the entire time
How to Buy a Local SIM Card in Kyrgyzstan
The best way to buy a local SIM in Kyrgyzstan is at the airport in Bishkek when you arrive. You’ll see kiosks for each of the main telecom companies after immigration, where you can easily get a SIM card and pick your plan.
It’s a relatively painless process, but you’ll need your passport and wait for registration forms to be filled out. They’ll give you a local phone number and offer different data plans and durations. If you’re staying longer than a couple of weeks, the unlimited data for 28 day packages are very affordable.
If you need to top up your data again, you can find O!, Beeline, and Mega shops in most major towns. Even smaller phone shops may be able to help you in small towns, if you run out. However, be prepared to use Google Translate to ask for what you want, as most people do not speak much English in Kyrgyzstan. Another reason having data on your phone is important!
Final Thoughts on SIM Cards in Kyrgyzstan
Modern day travel means everyone wants to have data on their phone while travelling overseas, especially in places with a language barrier like Kyrgyzstan. While local SIM cards are generally easy to get and very affordable, it can be more convenient to purchase an eSIM if you’re travelling for a longer period of time and want a more streamlined experience when you arrive.
For the best eSIM for Kyrgyzstan, I recommend Holafly’s unlimited data eSIMs. These provide the most peace of mind no matter how long you’re travelling for, with instant activation upon arrival and no need to top up somewhere along the way.
While budget travellers may still lean towards local SIMs, for those of us working online and travelling long term, eSIMs are a great solution.
Exploring More of Kyrgyzstan?
- Train: How to Take the Bishkek to Balykchy (Issyk-Kul) Train
- Ala Kul Trek: Complete Guide to the Ala Kul Trek in Karakol
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