Buying a SIM card in Russia
Oct 2, 2015, 9:09 am
#76
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 11
Buying a SIM card in Russia
I flew into DME last week and the process of buying the SIM couldn't have been easier. The main MTS kiosk in the ticketing area is gone, but there were vendors, who appeared to be authorized agents of MTS, selling SIM cards from portable tables throughout the terminal. They were selling cards with the MTS Smart Mini plan for 500 rubles (face value). The card came with 300 rubles of value which provided plenty of calls, texts and data for a 4 day visit. The seller even installed the card and insured it was operational.
Oct 10, 2015, 12:46 pm
#77
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
What are the opportunities of getting a SIM card at LED (Pulkovo Airport)? It's been a few years since I was there and last time I bought a Beeline SIM from a kiosk in the terminal building. I doubt it's still active as it hasn't been used for a long time.
I'll be taking an old spare phone with me that needs a full-sized SIM card. I need to call other mobile phone numbers and landlines in St Petersburg. The hotel will have WiFi so don't really need much data.
I'll be taking an old spare phone with me that needs a full-sized SIM card. I need to call other mobile phone numbers and landlines in St Petersburg. The hotel will have WiFi so don't really need much data.
Oct 20, 2016, 2:29 pm
#78
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Programs: UA 1K (MM), MR Plat Prem, Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,164
I'm off to DME on Saturday so thought I'd check in on any updates to the mobile situation in Russia (my first visit). I have an unlocked iPhone, so it seems like Megafon might be the best option, since I'm unlikely to return frequently. Any other recommendations? Grab a SIM at the airport, or wait until I'm in the city (I'm staying at the Courtyard, and there's a report in this thread that there was a Megafon store right next to it).
Thanks!
Thanks!
Oct 26, 2016, 5:33 am
#80
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: STR and TBS
Posts: 273
I would seriously advise anyone against Megafon. I bought one of their SIMs (at the airport, so no dodgy vendors) for a trip last year and it installed all kinds of malware on my phone. Worst of all, it hijacked my main browser (Opera Mini) - added all kinds of unwanted speed dial buttons and changed the default search to Yandex. Totally useless search engine for anything not in Russian, and it seems the only way to get rid of it is to uninstall the entire browser including all bookmarks. I have since heard from Russian friends that Megafon's reputation has deteriorated significantly.
Oct 31, 2016, 12:03 am
#81
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ZRH/LUX/LON
Programs: BA GGL/ VS Gold. Former: UA 1K (10 years+) , EY partners Plat, SQ PPS Club, SU Gold, LH SEN/HON
Posts: 770
Megafon is fine
Just get the sim and swap it. No apps to install. Careful what you click.
I've been using Megafon cards for years.
Personally the best sim card for traveling is inside the RF is YOTA ( which is a little tricky to buy).You'll need to speak Russian.
I personally like it, because its the only one that has no roaming all over RU ( as I understand it)
Ironically Yota is now a Megafon subsidiary company.
I've been using Megafon cards for years.
Personally the best sim card for traveling is inside the RF is YOTA ( which is a little tricky to buy).You'll need to speak Russian.
I personally like it, because its the only one that has no roaming all over RU ( as I understand it)
Ironically Yota is now a Megafon subsidiary company.
Dec 27, 2016, 4:00 am
#82
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Moscow, Russia
Programs: AR, LA, A3, UT, 6R, U6, PS, SU, and many more
Posts: 136
Roaming inside Russia is incredible expensive. You are charged 9,95rub a min for a call to any other region, or when you receive a call being outside your region. But you pay 300rub a month, and get 3gb of internet, 300sms and 300mins. And 200rub a day for intl roaming, just up to 40mb. So I'd definitely need a better provider than Beeline, though I've been with them for 4 years...
Dec 28, 2016, 12:41 pm
#83
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,621
I'm planning to go to Russia in April and ride the trains across the country for a month. I read that the best SIM card to get is the "smart" plan from MTS. Is that true?
http://russia-travel-guide.com/tips/...-local-sim.php
http://russia-travel-guide.com/tips/...-local-sim.php