Ukraine SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting Ukraine soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Ukraine SIM card.

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Ukraine in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Ukraine.

If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Ukrainian – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Ukraine.

Note that currently, we don’t recommend visiting Ukraine because of the war.

Best Ukraine SIM Cards

If you’re traveling in Ukraine, we recommend using a SIM card from Vodafone, Kyivstar, Lifecell, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Europe, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other European countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Ukraine

You can either buy a Ukraine prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a European prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Vodafone, Kyivstar, and Lifecell.

Vodafone SIM Cards

Vodafone offers three different types of tourist plans:

• 15 GB, valid for 30 days for UAH 180 ($4.89)
• 25 GB, valid for 30 days for UAH 230 ($6.25)
• 40 GB, valid for 30 days for UAH 300 ($8.15)

Kviystar SIM Cards

Kviystar has three different prepaid plans available:

• 15 GB, valid for 30 days for UAH 150 ($4.08)
• 20 GB, valid for 30 days for UAH 175 ($4.76)
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for UAH 250 ($6.79)

Lifecell SIM Cards

Lifecell offers several main SIM-only plans for tourists:

• 8 GB, valid for 30 days for UAH 90 ($2.45)
• 25 GB, valid for 30 days for UAH 120 ($3.26)
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for UAH 180 ($4.89)

Overall, we think Vodafone is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.

That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Ukraine Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Ukraine is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid tourist SIM card on SimCorner.

They currently offer a package that covers Ukraine.

Browse your options on SimCorner

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Ukraine or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Europe.

How To Buy A Ukraine ESIM Card

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.

If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Ukraine.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, a reliable eSIM provider.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Ukraine.

Airalo Ukraine

If you want to buy an eSIM for Ukraine, you could purchase one on Airalo.

This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Europe and Ukraine.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Learn more by reading our Airalo review.

Here are the options available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $9
• 5 GB, valid for 20 days for $12.50
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $20

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries, Eurolink offers coverage in 39 countries, including Ukraine.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Eurolink:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $20
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $37
• 50 GB, valid for 90 days for $100
• 100 GB, valid for 180 days for $185

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.

In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly Ukraine

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.

You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of the plan for Ukraine:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $19
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $27
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $34
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $47
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $54
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $64
• Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $84
• Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $99

Go to Holafly

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Ukraine

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Ukraine or even an eSIM for your travels in Ukraine is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Europe without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a European or global plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Ukraine if you wish to have data upon your arrival.

This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

You need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Kazakhstan SIM card
• Lithuania SIM card
• Bosnia SIM card