How to get a SIM card in India at Mumbai Airport in 2024
Are you looking for how to get a SIM card upon your arrival at Mumbai Airport? Read on!
Getting a SIM card in India for foreigners is not quite as easy as it is in other Asian countries, but it’s getting easier. Purchasing a physical prepaid SIM card at the airport is the quickest and easiest way for travelers to connect their phones to a local network in India. You can now purchase a 28 day plan with Airtel at Mumbai Airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport).
How to get a SIM card at Mumbai Airport
After landing at Mumbai Airport, you will head to baggage claim then exit through customs to an arrival hall. The arrival hall has currency exchange, a gift shop, and prepaid taxi stands. Next to Exit B there is an Airtel booth.
Currently at Mumbai Airport Airtel is the only carrier offering SIM cards. India has two other popular carriers, JIO and Vodafone, but they are not available at the airport.
Airtel offers prepaid physical SIM cards (no eSIMs). The reps working the booth will get you setup with the SIM card in your phone. You’ll need to show your passport, visa, and have cash on hand. If you don’t have INR at the ready, there are also ATMs in the arrival hall at the airport.
The best plan offered is a 28 day plan for ₹600, which has unlimited local calls and 1.5GB of data per day. This means the data refreshes daily. At about $7.50 USD this is a good deal compared to the roaming charges you’d need to pay a US network to use your phone in India.
Note: When I was there in September 2023, they only charged ₹299 for the same plan that they are now charging ₹600 for (I was there again in January 2024). Also, according to their website, Airtel does offer this plan for only ₹299 if you recharge your plan via their app or website. So you may be able to find this plan for cheaper outside the airport, if you’re up for hunting down the best deal.
India SIM Card FAQs
Looking for some more information on SIM cards in India? Check out the questions and answers below.
Do I need an unlocked phone to use a SIM card in India?
Yes, you will need to ensure your phone is unlocked (meaning your phone isn’t tied to a specific carrier via a restricted contract) to use a local SIM card in any foreign country, including India.
Check to make sure your phone has a SIM card slot and your phone is unlocked before you travel.
What phone carrier should I get a SIM card from in India?
There are three major phone carriers in India: Airtel, JIO, and Vodafone.
Airtel is currently the only carrier offering SIM cards at Mumbai Airport so if that’s where you land, then use Airtel.
Depending on where you plan to travel in the country, coverage may be better with a certain network. If you are traveling to cities only on your itinerary, then Airtel will work just fine. It is currently the #1 mobile network provider with the most coverage in the country.
I have used Airtel throughout Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Udaipur), in Kerala (Munnar, Cochin, Alleppey), Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and more without any issue.
How much does a SIM card in India cost?
The cost of the plans offered will vary depending on the carrier. Generally, packages will be offered for 28 days, 60 days, 82 days and 90 days.
For Airtel at Mumbai Airport, it costs ₹600 (about $7.50 USD) for 28 days (with 1.5GB of data per day). You can find the same plan for ₹299 on their website if you are simply recharging a SIM card.
How can I reload/recharge my India SIM card?
If you are staying in the country for more than 28 days, reloading/recharging your prepaid SIM card is easy. You can use the carrier’s app or PayTM.
Where can I get a SIM card at Mumbai Airport?
In Terminal 2 there is an Airtel booth, located next to Exit B in the Arrivals hall, where you can purchase a prepaid SIM card for your travels in India.
Where can I get a prepaid India SIM card?
Your best bet is buying a prepaid SIM card at the airport in India. When you land in Mumbai or Delhi you should go to the Airtel booth first thing after customs. The reps working there can get you setup with a local SIM card.
Buying a SIM card outside of the airport in India can be more challenging as the process isn’t setup for tourists. They may require more information, like a residential address, which you won’t have as a tourist.
TL;DR: How to get an India SIM card at Mumbai Airport
The rates for data in India are much cheaper than paying roaming charges so I’d highly recommend purchasing a prepaid SIM card for use in your cellphone while traveling in India. The good news is that purchasing a physical prepaid SIM card at Mumbai Airport is fairly easy. Look out for the Airtel booth and the reps there will get you sorted with a plan that best fits your needs. Be sure you have an unlocked phone, your passport and visa, and some cash on hand.
If you’re in town on a quick trip, check out the best hotels near Mumbai Airport.
If you have a couple days in the city, check out the best things to do in Mumbai.