Cyprus has a well-developed cellular communication system, and to save on roaming costs, it is more profitable to call using universal international tourist SIM cards or cards from local cellular operators.
If you don’t want to waste time looking for a SIM card from a local telecom operator during a short vacation, it will be easier to order and buy an International DreamSim card at home, costing 10 euros. This will be beneficial if you do not require a large amount of Internet traffic or if you planned to spend part of your vacation in Northern Cyprus, where you will have to pay for roaming with a SIM card from a “southern” operator.
The card is not tied to one operator; when moving to a new country, you can use it without restrictions or problems, only the tariffs will change.
In Cyprus, with a DrimSim card, 1 MB of Internet will cost 2 euro cents, for 1 GB you will have to pay about 20.48 euros. A 1 minute call to Russia will cost 7 euro cents for a mobile phone and 0.04 euros for landline phones. The operator will charge 15 cents for one SMS message. In Cyprus, outgoing calls to a mobile phone within the country are 13 euro cents/minute, to a landline call – 8 cents. Calls and SMS from Drimsim to another Drimsim are free.
You can order a card directly on the operator’s website. Delivery in Moscow and St. Petersburg - 1-2 days, to the regions - from 7 days. Delivery times to other countries and tariffs can be found in a special application, with which you can also monitor expenses and balance. There is no need to configure roaming; the card connects to the network itself immediately after turning off airplane mode. You can replenish the card in the usual way for any amount from a regular bank account, there is even auto-replenishment. You can order a virtual eSIM card from anywhere in the world at any time.
If you have time and a desire to save money, it makes sense to buy a local SIM card. Cyprus mobile operators have developed special prepaid tariffs for tourists that do not require signing a contract or presenting a passport.
In Larnaca, immediately upon arrival at the airport, in the baggage claim area, at the Duty Free kiosk at the checkout, you can buy a SIM card from any Cypriot mobile operator and top up your balance using a scratch (top up) card or a special code. In the airport building itself, on the first and second levels, there are Xpress kiosks, which also sell tourist prepaid cards from local mobile operators and scratch cards with a nominal value of 5 euros. There is a free WiFi network throughout the entire airport, and if problems arise with the new phone or mobile Internet settings, you can always go to the official website of the cellular operator and find out all the necessary connection parameters and the cheapest tariffs.
Xpress Kiosk, Larnaca Airport
In Paphos, you can buy a SIM card at the Xpress kiosk at the airport exit.
In Cyprus (Limassol, Protaras, Ayia Napa), prepaid SIM cards and ready-made mobile communication packages are sold not only in the offices of local mobile operators, but also in almost all retail outlets: kiosks, supermarkets and shops. After purchasing the starter package, the SIM card of the Cypriot telecom operator must be activated. To activate a SIM card, as a rule, you need to perform some paid action: call or send an SMS message. The starter package comes with detailed connection instructions; there is almost always a copy in English and sometimes in Russian. Among the features of the Cyprus sim card, one can highlight its rather slow activation.
If the SIM card for the Internet does not work and is not activated, first of all you need to restart the phone, and then check the mobile Internet settings. The APN (access point) settings for each Cyprus mobile operator are shown in the table at the end of this article.
Mobile operators in the Republic of Cyprus
There are currently 3 main mobile operators operating in the Republic of Cyprus: Cyta, EPIC (formerly MTN) and Primetel.
| CyTa | Epic | PrimeTel |
All three mobile operators have Russian-language pages and booklets on their websites describing mobile communication services. PrimeTel even has its own VKontakte group (vk.com/primetelcyprus).
The largest mobile operator with the largest coverage area is CYTA (CYprus Telecommunications Authority). Second place goes to Epic, but PrimeTel has the most diverse and competitive internet plans with high data speeds.
The cost of a minute of talk and SMS from mobile operators in Cyprus is approximately the same for all three.
CYTA Vodafone
CYTA Vodafone is the most sought after and popular mobile operator in Cyprus. It has the widest coverage area, covering almost all hard-to-reach spots on the island, including remote villages in the Troodos Mountains.
Currently, CyTA provides 3G communication services to 99.5% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, and 4G to 79%. In May 2021, the company launched services in the 4.5G category with a maximum speed of 525 megabits per second, and then increased the maximum speed to 700 Mbit/s. According to the results of tests by the international company Ookla, the Cytamobile-Vodafone provider has the highest average Internet speed on the island - 34.12 Mbit/s.
Especially for tourists, the mobile operator CyTA has developed a convenient line of prepaid tariffs, Soeasy. The tariff is designed for smartphones and includes voice communications, as well as data and text messages.
The Soeasy Pay As You Go Connection Pack can be purchased at all Cytashop stores, as well as in shopping centers and kiosks. The starter package costs 7.5 euros, of which 5 euros and 100 SMS to local numbers will be credited to the initial balance. The SIM card is valid for 90 days. The SIM card comes with detailed instructions on how to activate the card and how to top up the balance. After activating the starter package, the classic tariff is activated, which can be immediately changed to any other, more profitable and convenient one.
In the second starter package worth 2 euros, 1 euro is credited to the account
The cost of services of the Cypriot cellular operator CYTA according to the classic soeasy tariff:
- Local SMS – 2.07 euro cents
- Calls within the island – 8.40 euro cents per minute;
- Calls to Russia to landlines are 10 cents, to mobile phones 35 eurocents per minute. Thus, 5 euros of the starter package is enough for approximately 35 minutes of calls to Russian landlines and 15 minutes of calls to mobile phones.
- Internet at this rate will cost about 1 euro per MB
For those who need internet, it will be more profitable to immediately switch to the soeasy Plus tariff by topping up the balance with 35 euros. You can activate the plan by sending an SMS message soeasy [Plan] to number 8000. By paying 35 euros, you get 600 minutes of local calls, 600 local SMS, 2 GB of internet and 3 euros for any other operator services for 30 days.
EPIC (ex MTN)
In 2021, Cyprus' second largest telecommunications company, MTN, was sold to Monaco Telecom and, following a rebrand, continued to operate under the name EPIC. Epic's line of prepaid plans is called Pay As You Go. Starter packages with a validity period of 15 and 30 days have been developed for tourists. The first package is called Pay As You Go Connection Pack, it costs 2 euros (of which 1 euro is on your balance).
When calling using a Pay As You Go prepaid SIM card, the following tariffs apply:
- Local SMS - about 2 euro cents
- SMS abroad - about 4 cents
- Calls to Epic phones cost about 7 euro cents per minute;
- Calls to landlines and other Cypriot mobile operators - about 8 cents per minute
After connecting the SIM card, if you plan to use the Internet, it is better to immediately activate PayAsYouSurf Internet connection packages (4G network) for a period of a day/week or a month. Otherwise, you will have to pay more than 1 euro per megabyte for the Internet “out of the box”.
To activate the Internet service, you need to send a message to the short number 6040. For example, if you need to connect to the Internet for one week (cost 4 euros, 300 MB of traffic), send the message 'data on week' to number 6040. If you require a validity period of 1 month, then The message 'data on month' is sent to the short number (10 euros, 1000MB of traffic). SMS 'data on month 2000' activates 2 GB of internet worth 15 euros and valid for one month. There is a fee of 4 euros for each activation.
After the card expires, the Mobile Broadband Pay As You Go service is disabled, but the balance remains active. If the account is replenished within 180 days, the service will be activated again. This tariff provides only Internet communication, no voice communication. The package is convenient if you plan to use a modem with Internet distribution to several devices. Internet settings are shown in the table at the end of the page.
The second tariff is called Holiday Internet, costs 20 euros and includes 4 GB of traffic, no voice communication. The SIM card is activated by dialing any Cypriot phone number. The package is valid for 15 days, the account is active for 30 days.
You can top up the balance of the Cypriot mobile operator Epic using top up cards with a nominal value of 5 to 50 euros at the checkout at any kiosk or at a terminal in a supermarket. When paying, a 14-digit code is entered; general account information can be obtained via USSD by dialing *115*5#.
PrimeTel
PrimeTel is the most successful private cellular operator, operating its own fiber optic network throughout the island. For tourists in Cyprus, Primetel has developed prepaid tariffs - Pay as you go. The balance can be topped up using payment cards (Top-Up cards). Cards in denominations of 5€, 10€ and 20€ can be purchased at all PrimeTel Mobile sales centers, and cards of 10€, 20€, 35€ and the most expensive card of 50€ can be purchased online.
Each card denomination provides a bonus in the form of free talk time. A 10-euro card will give a bonus worth 50 euro cents, a 20-euro card for 2 euros, a 35 for 4 euros, a 50 for 7 euros.
As a starter package, if you don’t have time to understand the tariffs, a 4GB package worth 15 euros is good. The package contains a SIM card of three formats: mini, micro and nano and 4 GB of 4G Internet. Without topping up the balance, the SIM card is valid for 30 days; after topping up the account, the card can be used for another 90 days.
The minimum amount to top up a new SIM card is 5 euros. The cashier will issue a receipt with a printed 16-digit code, which will need to be entered to credit the money to your balance. After activating the card, you can change the menu language to Russian by dialing the USSD command *135*3#.
The best place to check for cheap voice and mobile plans is on the Primetel official website.
For Internet communications and voice communication during a week-long vacation, the most profitable and easiest way is to buy a starter package for 2 euros, and then install the operator’s mobile application and receive 1 euro to your account and 1 additional GB of traffic as a bonus. A good option might be to use the Super Bundle bonus tariff with a validity period of 10 days. For 8 euros, the Cypriot operator provides 1.5 GB of traffic, 1000 minutes of voice communication and 1000 SMS messages within the network to all PrimeTel numbers. To activate the PrimeTel Super Bundle tariff, after activating the SIM card, you need to send an SMS “ON8” to 8133.
The cost of PrimeTel mobile communication services is average in the market. A minute of conversation when calling a landline telephone in Russia will cost the caller 12 eurocents, to a mobile phone 28 cents, and one international SMS message will cost 6 eurocents. Calls within the island are cheaper: 7.2 eurocents per minute of conversation, sending an SMS message will cost 1-2 eurocents.
In June 2021, PrimeTel offered two eSIM plans with a validity of 30 days: the first eSIM 10GB Bundle for €16.99 and the second eSIM 5GB Bundle costing €11.99. The provider itself recommends these tariffs for business people, when a digital SIM card can be used as a backup number. The card only works in Cyprus; in other countries you will have to spend money on roaming.
Refill
You need to go to any kiosk again and ask for a Top-Up card for So Easy. You can top up your account with 5, 10, 20 or 35 euros. We will immediately warn those who like shopping with bank cards (we are like that ourselves) - replenishment is only for cash.
It is advisable to remember your number or write it down. Then the cashier at the kiosk will be able to “put” the money directly into the balance of your number. If you don’t remember the numbers (this happens), you will simply be given a “freshly printed” receipt, on which 16 digits and instructions for their use will be visible. Now call from your mobile number 1882 . In response, you will hear (in English) an invitation to dial one of the numbers to proceed to further actions. There is no need to listen to the whole thing, because... the first words in the Russian translation will be: “if you want to top up your account, then dial 1.” Just press 1 on your phone. This will be followed by an invitation to dial 16 digits from this card and press the # . Take your time, calmly dial these 16 numbers and press #. If you did everything correctly, you will hear in response that “your account has been replenished with xx euros.” If it doesn’t work right away, then repeat again.
Mobile operators in Northern Cyprus
Kuzey Kibris Turkcell (KKTCELL)
There are only two mobile operators operating in Northern Cyprus: Turkcell Kuzey Kibris and Telsim (Vodafone).
| Turkcell Kuzey Kibris | Telsim (Vodafone). |
In the northern part of Cyprus, SIM cards from the main mobile operators of the Republic of Cyprus do not work. Only PrimeTel SIM cards can be connected to the Turkcell and Telsim networks at very expensive roaming rates (SMS “T ON” to number 8133). Accordingly, cards from mobile operators in Northern Cyprus do not work on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
The leading cellular operator in Northern Cyprus, Kuzey Kibris Turkcell, is a subsidiary of the Turkish operator Turkcell. A prepaid starter package can be purchased at one of the many mobile operator offices or in regular supermarkets, for example, Lemar. In the northern part of the island, KKTCELL has more than 1000 points of sale. The balance and crediting of funds is made in conventional units. 1 conventional unit corresponds to approximately 0.06 Turkish lira. Prepaid tariffs and Pay As You Go internet packages can be found on the official website of Turkcell Kuzey Kibris. When choosing a tariff, you should pay attention to whether this tariff applies to the territory of Northern Cyprus.
For tourists, the Tourist Surfer Pack may be the most profitable and cheapest option. 2 GB of Internet, 50 minutes of calls and 500 SMS will cost 39 Turkish lira/week. To activate the package after installing the SIM card, you need to send the text message SURFER to number 2966. The package is valid for 7 days.
A prepaid tourist SIM card does not require registration. Simply insert the card into your phone, top up your balance according to the included instructions, and your phone is ready to use. You can top up your account at the checkout in any supermarket, grocery store or kiosk.
For tourists who come to Northern Cyprus for a month, the cheap mobile communication package Tourist Flex 2 is suitable. For 50 Turkish lira, the mobile operator Tutkcell offers 100 minutes of voice communication and 1 GB of Internet. The card is valid for 1 month. The package is activated automatically during the first action with the card. The remaining traffic and the validity period of the package can be checked using the USSD command *123*136#YES.
KKTC Telsim (Telsim Vodafone)
The second largest mobile operator in Northern Cyprus is Telsim Vodafone (KKTC Telsim). Starter packages can be purchased at operator offices and stores. There you should also ask to activate and configure the card.
The Telsim operator's starter package for tourists is called Turist Paketi (Tourist Package). At the beginning of summer 2021, the KKTC official website offers tourists a Tourist Pack worth 60 liras, which includes 10 GB of Internet and 50 minutes of voice communication.
Description
When traveling to other countries, the cost of calls and messages in roaming increases significantly, and the payment for using the Internet changes similarly. To reduce such costs, MTS customers are encouraged to connect additional services to their active tariff plan, which will reduce the costs of using certain services.
Each offered option has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as different terms of provision, which will be discussed below. Before using any services, clients must enable international roaming service on their phone. As a rule, it is activated automatically, but sometimes you may need to connect manually; to do this, you need to enter the request *111*2192# on your phone. After this, you can connect any service for roaming abroad.
Tariffs of MTS, Megafon, Tele2 and Beeline in roaming in Cyprus
It is best to find accurate information about special tariffs and offers from Megafon, MTS, Beeline and Tele2 in Cyprus on the official websites of these companies.
Approximate tariffs of Russian mobile operators for roaming in Cyprus (without additional options, discounts and special tariffs):
- Megafon: On the “Like Home” tariff, the cost of calls both in Cyprus and in the northern part of the island is 349 rubles/day. Within 24 hours, 1 GB of Internet and 60 minutes of incoming and outgoing calls are available at the price of a home tariff. With the usual per-minute payment for calls from Cyprus to Russia, you will have to pay from 99 rubles per minute.
- Beeline: With per-minute pricing for subscribers with a prepaid billing system, outgoing and incoming calls will cost 30 rubles/minute. For subscribers with a postpaid payment system, a package of 20 minutes per day will cost 205 rubles. Beeline operates both in Northern Cyprus and in the south of the island.
- MTS in Cyprus: incoming and outgoing (Russia, Cyprus) at the “Zabugorische” tariff - from 350/390 rubles per day. Regular rates start from 60 rubles/minute for outgoing messages, the cost of SMS from Cyprus is 21 rubles. To check the roaming connection, send 0 to the number: 8111. If roaming is not connected automatically, you need to contact MTS support service or dial from your mobile: *111*2192#. Roaming can also be activated in your personal account.
- Tele2 in Cyprus: In Cyprus, services are provided by the operators Cyta (Vodafone) and Epic. Network designation on the phone display: CY-GSM; CY CYTAGSM; CYTAGSM; CytaVoda (Cyta (Vodafone), 280 10, CY 10, Areeba, Epic. If there is no particular need for a large amount of traffic, it makes sense to pay attention to the “Premium” tariff with a subscription fee (1100/1500 rubles), which includes 200 MB of Internet per 24 hours, incoming calls for 5 rubles/minute and outgoing calls for 15 rubles/minute.
Thus, it turns out that among the Russian cellular operators, the cheapest mobile communication in roaming in Cyprus is provided by Tele2.
Internet
The question of the availability and capabilities of mobile Internet in Cyprus is of interest to tourists from Russia and other CIS countries. Such a communication service exists, but with certain reservations. Sometimes it's easier to use Wi-Fi. It is not always free, as is customary in public places in Moscow or St. Petersburg, and costs about 30 euros.
Broadband Internet
Citycell and Redwifi provide vacationers with network access services at a price of 15 (for 3 days) and 150 (30 days) euros, respectively. Communication can be connected by purchasing an access card.
Both companies have a developed system of traffic distribution points, as well as places for selling packages. Those who have tested the offers “live” claim that sometimes the speed is low. But it is still higher (and the cost of service is lower) than mobile Internet or roaming from Russian companies.
Mobile Internet
Its cost is such that using such a connection is not economically profitable: 50 euros for a 3G modem plus about 12 coins for 2 Gigabytes of downloaded content. You shouldn't use roaming anyway. It is much easier to buy a card from a local operator.
3G mobile network coverage
The republic has 3G communications at a frequency of 2100 MHz. The next generation of cellular communications is being systematically introduced. Thus, you can connect from your phone to a high-speed network where it “catch” the signal. Services are provided by CYTA, MTN, PrimeTel (south) and KKTC Turkcell, Telsim in the north.
4G mobile network coverage (LTE)
CYTA and others continue to roll out 4G/LTE, gradually increasing coverage across the island. The officially recognized part (southern) is a full member of the EU, therefore EU citizens receive the right to roaming, Internet “like at home”, at the rates of their operators. Unfortunately, this rule does not yet apply to Russian citizens.
