Russia eSIM
Networks in Russia
Wide coverage along the railway, and nine time zones between the ends of it
Russia is in no European roaming agreement, so it is full rate for every foreign visitor — and one of the more expensive destinations to roam into from Europe.
Coverage is better than the size of the country suggests, but it is arranged along lines rather than across area: cities, trunk roads and railways. The Trans-Siberian has a signal for most of its route, with gaps that can run to an hour between stations.
Moscow and Saint Petersburg have dense networks including the metro. Outside the cities, in Siberia and the Far East, coverage follows settlements — and between settlements there can be hundreds of kilometres of nothing.
Practically: download maps and tickets before any long rail journey, because the train is exactly where you will need them most and have them least.
Russia eSIM: questions
When does the plan start counting?
From the first connection to a network in Russia, not from the moment you buy it. Install at home, activate after you land.
Do I get a phone number in Russia?
No. Plans here are data only: use messaging and calling apps over data.
Can I use it as a hotspot?
Yes. Hotspot is included, so a laptop or a second phone can share the data.
What if I run out of data?
Top up the same eSIM with another data plan, any time.
Before you go
