Planning
SIM cards, eSIMs and internet
Staying connected: local SIMs, eSIMs, Wi-Fi and where you will be offline.
Local SIM cards
In Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, local SIM cards are cheap and data is generous. You need your passport to register a SIM; buy one at an official operator shop rather than a street kiosk. Your guide can help on the first day.
eSIMs
International eSIM plans cover Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and are convenient for short trips, though usually more expensive than a local SIM.
Wi-Fi
Hotels in cities generally have Wi-Fi; guesthouses in small towns vary; yurt camps and mountain homestays usually have none.
Where you will be offline
Song-Kul, the Pamirs, the high valleys of Kyrgyzstan and parts of the deserts have little or no signal. Download offline maps and tell family you may be out of contact.
Turkmenistan
Internet in Turkmenistan is slow and heavily restricted, and many foreign websites and apps are blocked. Expect to be largely offline.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
