EE no longer offers inclusive roaming to all of its pay-monthly or pay-as-you-go plans. Newer customers, in particular, will be stung by charges re-introduced since the UK left the EU.
However, if you sign up for either EE’s All-Rounder or Full Works plan, you’ll get the option to add on a Roam Abroad Pass, which gives you access to your calls, texts and data when travelling abroad.
Turkey is a popular holiday destination for many UK travellers. With its beautiful coastline, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities like Istanbul, it’s easy to see why. When planning a trip, one of the key considerations is staying connected so you can share photos, access maps, and contact home. For EE customers, it’s important to understand the costs of using your EE phone in Turkey.
EE’s Roaming Policy in Turkey
Whether you can use your EE plan in Turkey at no extra cost depends on when you took out your contract.
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If your plan started before 7th July 2021, you can use your allowances for calls, texts and data while roaming in Turkey.
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However, for plans started after this date, extra roaming charges will apply.
The situation is slightly different for Pay As You Go customers:
- Pay As You Go customers will be charged extra to use data or make calls/texts, unless they purchase a roaming add-on.
What are the Roaming Charges in Turkey?
For EE customers who joined after July 2021 here are the current roaming costs to be aware of when in Turkey
- Daily Roaming Charge: £2.47 per day to access your standard allowances
- Calls: £2.34 per minute
- Texts: 76p per text
- Data: You’ll need to purchase a data add-on
Ouch! As you can see, these charges can quickly add up.
Luckily there are ways to reduce or avoid roaming fees, which we’ll cover next.
Tips to Avoid High Roaming Charges
Here are 5 handy tips to keep your roaming costs down on an EE plan when visiting Turkey:
1. Buy a Roam Abroad Pass
For €25 per month, EE’s Roam Abroad Pass lets you use your standard allowances abroad. As long as you’ll be travelling for 11 days or more, it works out cheaper than paying daily roaming fees.
2. Use WiFi Whenever Possible
Connect to free WiFi networks in your hotel, restaurants and cafes to avoid racking up data roaming charges. Turn off ‘mobile data’ and enable ‘WiFi calling’ in your settings.
3. Consider a Local SIM Card
You can purchase a Turkish SIM card with discounted data, calls and texts. Just remember to disable roaming on your EE SIM while using the local SIM.
4. Download Content in Advance
Pre-download maps, playlists, films, ebooks, etc before you leave home. That way you’ll use less mobile data abroad.
5. Switch on Airplane Mode
When you don’t need internet access, switch on Airplane mode. This will prevent any accidental roaming charges.
Roaming Options for Pay As You Go Customers
As mentioned earlier, Pay As You Go customers will incur roaming fees in Turkey. However, EE does offer these add-ons to reduce charges:
- Roam Like Home for 24 Hours – £2.50 per day
- Roam Like Home for 7 Days – £10 for 7 days
If you don’t purchase one of these add-ons, you’ll pay EE’s standard roaming rates, which are very expensive.
Using Your Phone Safely in Turkey
Turkey is generally safe, but it’s wise exercise caution when using your phone:
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Be careful when accessing public WiFi hotspots – use a VPN if possible for better security.
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Keep your phone out of sight when not in use, to avoid attracting thieves.
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Back up your photos and videos regularly to cloud storage or your laptop.
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Use a passcode, fingerprint or face unlock to secure your handset.
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Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers your device, just in case.
Things to Do and See in Turkey
To finish up, here are some top attractions and activities in Turkey you won’t want to miss!
Istanbul
Turkey’s largest city offers:
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The Blue Mosque with its grand domes and interior tilework.
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Topkapi Palace – once home to Ottoman sultans.
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The bustling Grand Bazaar with over 3000 shops.
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A scenic ferry ride along the Bosphorus Straits.
Ephesus
This incredible Roman city ruin includes:
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The giant Library of Celsus with its iconic facade.
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Well preserved marble streets, fountains and temples.
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The Great Theatre, which could hold 25,000 spectators.
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
Drift serenely over the fantasy-like landscapes of Cappadocia, with its cone-shaped rock formations and underground cities. An unforgettable early morning experience!
Beach Time in Antalya
With beautiful mediterranean beaches and coves, Antalya is great for swimming, boating and relaxing. Don’t miss the picturesque old town too.
Pamukkale Thermal Pools
See the stunning white travertine terraces and relax in the warm mineral waters amid ancient roman ruins. An iconic Turkey experience.
Roaming charges outside the EU
EE no longer offers its Roam Further pass, which used to give customers access to their calls, texts and data allowance in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
That means that you’ll be charged per text and per minute for calls, and you’ll need to purchase a data add-on when you arrive.
Travel eSIM cheaper than EE roaming
If youre happy with EE and dont want to switch networks but want more affordable roaming while travelling, a good option could be to get a travel eSIM. You can purchase an eSIM data package to use in any destination around the world which saves you from having to worry about high roaming rates when you get home.
Best eSIM In Turkey – How To Buy eSIM In Turkey (2024)
FAQ
Is Turkey included in ee roaming?
Is data roaming free in Turkey?
What countries are free roaming on ee?
Can I use my mobile phone in Turkey?
Is roaming free in Turkey?
Roaming in Turkey is only free on some of Vodafone Xtra Plans, whereas other UK carriers will charge you around £1 for every call, text and MB used. If you want to avoid extra charges on your phone bill, an Holalfy eSIM card may come in handy thanks to its fixed price data plans. What information does this post include? Is roaming in Turkey free?
How much does roaming cost in Turkey?
To demonstrate, a UK SIM card user visiting Turkey will pay £6 for 25 MB of data consumption and £6 for every 25 MB after that. The 100 MB daily data limit costs £24 roaming. A week’s data consumption (1 GB) will cost £168 in roaming. This sample price may vary by carrier and plan. III. Is the Roaming Rate in Turkey Expensive?
Does my phone have to be on roaming in Turkey?
Yes, your phone has to be on roaming in Turkey if you want to send text messages, make or receive phone calls or use data. Keep in mind that if you turn off roaming while in Turkey you will not be able to use your phone at all.
Does EE offer a roaming pass?
EE offers a Roam Abroad Pass, which allows you to use your data, calls and texts in the EU as well as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand for an additional £10 a month. At one point, Three was one of the best networks for roaming, offering inclusive data and calls to farther afield locations, most notably the US.