Greece eSIM providers at a glance

ProviderDataDurationPriceHotspot
Airalo Top pick1 – 20 GB3 – 30 daysfrom $3.99YesDetails →
Yesim Unlimited10 GB – Unl.7 – 30 daysfrom $16.80YesDetails →
Saily1 – 20 GB7 – 30 daysfrom $4.00YesDetails →
DrimsimPay-as-you-goNo expiry~$10.80/GBYesDetails →

Starting prices shown. Plans and pricing change — verify on Airalo, Yesim, Saily, or Drimsim before purchasing.

Detailed provider reviews for Greece

Airalo

Recommended

Airalo connects to Cosmote (Greece's largest network) for reliable coverage across the mainland and islands. Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu all have good 4G. Also available via Airalo's Europe regional plan for multi-country trips.

1 GB
$4.00 · 7 days
3 GB
$8.00 · 15 days
5 GB
$12.00 · 30 days
10 GB
$18.00 · 30 days
20 GB
$25.00 · 30 days
Pros
  • Cosmote network — best island coverage
  • Works on all major tourist islands
  • Europe regional plan available
  • Reliable and well-tested
Cons
  • Not cheapest per GB
  • Small islands may have weaker signal
  • Unlimited plans have 3 GB/day speed cap
  • Support can be slow
Visit Airalo →

Yesim

Unlimited + VPN

Yesim offers Greece data with unlimited plans from $22.80/7 days and prepaid starting at 10 GB/$16.80. Useful for island-hopping trips where you'll burn through data on ferries and in remote villages.

Unlimited
$22.80 · 7 days
10 GB
$16.80 · 30 days
20 GB
$25.20 · 30 days
30 GB
$33.60 · 30 days
Pros
  • Unlimited daily plans available
  • Good for longer stays
  • Swiss privacy
  • Clean app
Cons
  • Less known brand
  • Fewer reviews
  • Network transparency
  • Possible throttling
Visit Yesim →

Saily

Privacy-focused

Saily offers Greece plans with NordVPN privacy features. Mid-range pricing, clean app.

1 GB
$3.99 · 7 days
3 GB
$12.99 · 30 days
5 GB
$18.99 · 30 days
20 GB
$23.99 · 30 days
Pros
  • Privacy features
  • Good pricing
  • Clean interface
  • Ad blocker
Cons
  • Newer provider
  • No unlimited
  • Activation window
  • Rural coverage varies
Visit Saily →

Drimsim

Pay-as-you-go

Drimsim charges ~$10.80/GB in Greece. Expensive compared to prepaid alternatives. Consider it only as a backup for emergencies or if you're combining Greece with other European countries on one trip.

Pay-as-you-go
~$10.80/GB in Greece
No expiry
Balance never expires
Pros
  • Flexible usage
  • 190 countries
  • No waste
  • No expiry
Cons
  • Higher per-GB
  • No bulk deals
  • Less intuitive
  • Not cheapest
Visit Drimsim →

How much data do you need in Greece?

Greece has good Wi-Fi in hotels and restaurants, especially on popular islands. But ferry rides, beach days, and exploring villages will rely on mobile data. Budget 3–5 GB for a week of island hopping.

Quick guide: Athens weekend → 1–3 GB. Island hopping week → 5–10 GB. Extended Greek summer → unlimited or 20+ GB.

Network coverage in Greece

Cosmote (OTE Group) is Greece's largest network with the best island coverage. Vodafone Greece is the second option. All major tourist islands have reliable 4G. Very small, remote islands may have 3G only.

Tips for using an eSIM in Greece

Install before you fly. Activate at Athens International or Heraklion airport. Immediate data for booking a taxi or finding your hotel.

Ferry navigation. Download offline maps for your island destinations. Ferries have patchy cellular and often no Wi-Fi.

Island coverage check. Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu — all have strong 4G. Smaller Cyclades islands like Folegandros or Amorgos may have weaker coverage in remote areas.

Practical tips for staying connected in Greece

Mainland Greece and the major islands (Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu) have solid 4G coverage. Smaller Cycladic islands, the Dodecanese, and remote parts of the Peloponnese may have weaker signal. Ferry routes between islands generally have coverage within sight of land but drop in open water.

Island-hopping tip: Download offline maps for all islands on your itinerary before leaving Athens. Greek island infrastructure varies — Santorini has strong coverage everywhere, while smaller islands like Folegandros or Amorgos can have dead zones in remote beaches and hiking trails.

How much data do you need in Greece?

For a typical 7-14 day Greek holiday (Athens + 2-3 islands), budget 3-5 GB. Island destinations rely heavily on Google Maps for finding beaches, tavernas, and hiking paths. If you're renting a car or ATV on the islands, navigation data usage adds up.

Hotels and restaurants in tourist areas usually offer free Wi-Fi. Ferries increasingly have onboard Wi-Fi (often slow, but functional for messaging). Your eSIM serves as the reliable backup when taverna Wi-Fi inevitably fails.

Greece as part of a European trip

If Greece is one stop on a broader European itinerary, consider a regional Europe plan from Airalo instead of a Greece-specific plan. Regional plans cover 30+ European countries on a single eSIM — useful if you're combining Greece with Italy, Turkey, or the Balkans. Yesim's Europe unlimited plans also cover Greece.

Not sure about eSIM? Read our eSIM vs physical SIM comparison to decide which option is better for your trip.

Island connectivity: what to expect on Greek islands

Greece's island geography creates unique connectivity patterns that affect your eSIM experience:

Major islands (excellent coverage): Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Zakynthos, and Kos all have reliable 4G from Cosmote and Vodafone Greece. You'll have full-speed data in towns, beaches, and tourist areas.

Mid-tier islands (good but patchy): Naxos, Paros, Milos, Ios, and Hydra have solid coverage in main towns but signal can drop in remote beaches and mountain villages. Download offline maps for these islands.

Small/remote islands (limited): Folegandros, Amorgos, Ikaria's remote areas, and tiny Cyclades islands may have 3G-only or spotty coverage. Ferry routes between islands often have no signal mid-crossing.

Ferry navigation tip: Download your route offline before boarding. Ferries rarely have reliable Wi-Fi, and cellular coverage drops 15–30 minutes out of port. Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways sometimes have onboard Wi-Fi, but it's slow and paid.

Local SIM alternative: Cosmote and Vodafone shops are common in Athens and on major islands. Tourist SIMs cost €10–20 for 10–30 GB. On smaller islands, finding a shop can be difficult — install your eSIM before island-hopping.

Frequently asked questions

For island-hopping itineraries, Airalo on Cosmote is the clear winner — Cosmote has the strongest coverage across smaller Cyclades and Dodecanese islands where other networks drop out. If you're staying on one island for a longer period, Yesim's unlimited plan avoids the stress of rationing data while uploading Santorini sunsets.
Yes. Major islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu) have strong 4G. Smaller islands may have weaker signal in remote areas.
5–10 GB for a week of island hopping. You'll use data for ferry schedules, maps, and uploading photos.
If you're only visiting Greece, a local plan is cheaper. If combining with Italy, Turkey, or other European countries, a regional Europe plan is more convenient.
Coverage is available near ports and along some routes but drops mid-sea. Download anything important before boarding.
Yes, from Cosmote or Vodafone shops in Athens and tourist areas. Costs €10–20 for 10+ GB. But eSIM avoids the store visit and passport process.
Airalo, Yesim, Saily, and Drimsim: all support full hotspot sharing.