{"id":3364,"date":"2023-11-09T03:43:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T03:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/?page_id=3364"},"modified":"2024-05-03T09:34:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T09:34:09","slug":"telstra","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/operators\/telstra\/","title":{"rendered":"Telstra SIM Card and eSIM for Tourists &#8211; All You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Telstra is Australia&#8217;s largest and most popular mobile network operator. As a tourist visiting Australia, getting a <strong>Telstra SIM card or eSIM<\/strong> can ensure you have reliable connectivity across the country. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about using Telstra when traveling in Australia, including coverage, speed, connectivity options, where to buy a SIM card or eSIM, plans, call and data rates, how to activate and recharge, useful codes, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra.jpg\" alt=\"Telstra SIM Card and eSIM\" class=\"wp-image-3438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><div><div><a href=\"#i-quick-facts-about-telstra\">I. Quick facts about Telstra<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#ii-telstra-coverage-and-speed-in-australia\">II. Telstra Coverage and Speed in Australia<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#iii-telstra-connectivity-options-for-travelers-to-australia\">III. Telstra Connectivity Options for Travelers to Australia<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#iv-best-telstra-sim-card-for-tourists-cost\">IV. Best Telstra SIM Card for Tourists &amp; Cost<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#v-does-telstra-support-e-sim\">V. Does Telstra support eSIM?<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#vi-where-can-you-buy-a-telstra-sim-card-and-e-sim\">VI. Where Can you Buy a Telstra SIM Card and eSIM?<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#vii-how-to-activate-telstra-sim-e-sim\">VII. How to Activate Telstra SIM\/eSIM<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#viii-telstra-call-sms-rates\">VIII. Telstra Call &amp; SMS Rates<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#ix-how-to-recharge-my-telstra-sim\">IX. How To Recharge My Telstra SIM<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#x-telstra-and-optus-which-is-a-better-choice\">X. Telstra and Optus &#8211; Which Is A Better Choice?<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#xi-fa-qs-about-telstra-in-australia\">XI. FAQs about Telstra in Australia<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#xii-final-words\">XII.\u00a0Final Words<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"i-quick-facts-about-telstra\">I. Quick facts about Telstra<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Top-Mobile-Operators-in-Australia.jpg\" alt=\"Telstra - Top Mobile Operators in Australia\" class=\"wp-image-3373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Top-Mobile-Operators-in-Australia.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Top-Mobile-Operators-in-Australia-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Top-Mobile-Operators-in-Australia-768x421.jpg 768w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Top-Mobile-Operators-in-Australia-600x329.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Telstra<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Here are some quick facts about this brand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Founded<\/strong>: 1901 as Australian Telecom, privatized in 1997 and became Telstra Corporation Limited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Full company name<\/strong>: Telstra Corporation Limited<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Services provided<\/strong>: Telstra provides comprehensive telecommunications services including mobile, internet, landline phone, pay TV, cyber security, cloud solutions etc. It is the largest telecommunications company in Australia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Number of subscribers<\/strong>: As of 2022, Telstra has <strong>over 16 million<\/strong> mobile customers which is the largest in Australia with over 50% market share. It also has millions of broadband and pay TV subscribers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Customer support<\/strong>: Telstra offers 24\/7 phone support in English and some other languages through dedicated numbers. Customers can also chat online, book a call-back or lodge support requests via the Telstra 24&#215;7 automated service channels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ii-telstra-coverage-and-speed-in-australia\">II. Telstra Coverage and Speed in Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"telstra-coverage-in-australia\">1. Telstra coverage in Australia<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"486\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Coverage-map-1024x486.jpg\" alt=\"Telstra Coverage map\" class=\"wp-image-3439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Coverage-map-1024x486.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Coverage-map-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Coverage-map-768x364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Coverage-map-600x285.jpg 600w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Telstra-Coverage-map.jpg 1197w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Telstra Coverage map. Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nperf.com\/en\/map\/AU\/-\/2445.Telstra\/signal\/?ll=-35.88905007936092&amp;lg=-147.74414062499997&amp;zoom=2\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nperf.com\/en\/map\/AU\/-\/2445.Telstra\/signal\/?ll=-35.88905007936092&amp;lg=-147.74414062499997&amp;zoom=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nperf<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When it comes to coverage, Telstra has the most extensive network compared to its competitors. It operates over 17,000 mobile site towers across the nation, <strong>reaching over 99.5%<\/strong> of the Australian population. This expansive coverage allows Telstra to provide service to major cities as well as remote rural areas that competitors may not cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Australians traveling in the bush, Telstra is often the only feasible option to stay connected. Their prevalence makes Telstra a popular choice even for customers who primarily use wireless services within cities, due to the peace of mind the expansive coverage provides when venturing beyond city limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"telstra-speed\">2. Telstra speed<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-SIM-Card-Speed-1024x250.png\" alt=\"Telstra SIM Card - Speed\" class=\"wp-image-3862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-SIM-Card-Speed-1024x250.png 1024w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-SIM-Card-Speed-300x73.png 300w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-SIM-Card-Speed-768x188.png 768w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-SIM-Card-Speed-600x147.png 600w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-SIM-Card-Speed.png 1027w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Telstra SIM Card &#8211; Speed. Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opensignal.com\/reports\/2024\/04\/australia\/mobile-network-experience\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.opensignal.com\/reports\/2024\/04\/australia\/mobile-network-experience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Opensignal<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Telstra provides some of the fastest internet speeds in Australia, regularly ranking at the top for network performance and speed tests. According to the latest figures, Telstra&#8217;s median download speed for fixed broadband connections is <strong>around 180.1 Mbps<\/strong>. This lightning fast speed allows customers to take full advantage of high-bandwidth applications and experiences. You can download full HD movies in just minutes, stream and game online without the worry of buffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Telstra and Optus are two of the major mobile network providers in Australia. Based on recent speed test results, Optus recorded slightly faster average download speeds at 208.7 Mbps compared to Telstra&#8217;s 180.1 Mbps.<strong> For tourists visiting Australia who want fast, reliable internet access to fully explore and discover every part of the vast country, Optus&#8217;s network could be a better choice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"iii-telstra-connectivity-options-for-travelers-to-australia\">III. Telstra Connectivity Options for Travelers to Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Given its stellar network strength, Telstra is the go-to option for reliable connectivity across Australia. Here are the Telstra mobile connectivity choices available for travelers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Connectivity Option<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Telstra SIM Card<\/strong><\/td><td>Easy setup and use<\/td><td>Works with your own device<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>Works with your own device<\/td><td>Coverage limited to cellular network<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>Works with your own device<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Telstra Pocket Wifi<\/strong><\/td><td>Works with any device via hotspot<\/td><td>Slightly more expensive than SIM<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>No need to swap SIM cards between devices<\/td><td>Extra device to carry\/charge<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Roaming<\/strong><\/td><td>Keep using your phone number<\/td><td>Often most expensive option<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td>No need to purchase additional options<\/td><td>Coverage limited to cellular network<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, a Telstra SIM card offers tremendous flexibility, affordability and compatibility, making it by far the best choice for travelers seeking reliable connectivity throughout their Australian adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"iv-best-telstra-sim-card-for-tourists-cost\">IV. Best Telstra SIM Card for Tourists &amp; Cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s look at the best Telstra prepaid SIM options for tourists along with indicative pricing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th>Plan<\/th><th>Recharge Amount<\/th><th>Data Allowance<\/th><th>Expiry Period<\/th><th>Additional Inclusions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>$12 SIM Kit<\/td><td>$12<\/td><td>3GB<\/td><td>7 days<\/td><td>Unlimited calls and texts to Australian numbers, 100 texts to any country, carbon neutral<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Save with Pre-Paid<\/td><td>$17 (usually $35)<\/td><td>35GB<\/td><td>28 days<\/td><td>Unlimited calls and texts to Australian numbers, international calls and texts, carbon neutral, continuous data rollover<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>$45 SIM Kit<\/td><td>$45<\/td><td>50GB<\/td><td>28 days<\/td><td>Unlimited calls and texts to Australian numbers, international calls and texts, carbon neutral, continuous data rollover<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pre-Paid Savings<\/td><td>$130 (usually $160)<\/td><td>110GB<\/td><td>6 months<\/td><td>Unlimited calls and texts to Australian numbers, international calls and texts, carbon neutral, continuous data rollover<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>$320 SIM Kit<\/td><td>$320<\/td><td>230GB<\/td><td>12 months<\/td><td>Unlimited calls and texts to Australian numbers, international calls and texts, carbon neutral, continuous data rollover<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Telstra Pre-Paid plan provides the best balance of flexibility, wide coverage, long validity and value for tourists planning an extensive trip around Australia. The extra customization makes it worth considering over the other options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"v-does-telstra-support-e-sim\">V. Does Telstra support eSIM?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-eSIM-1024x690.png\" alt=\"Telstra eSIM\" class=\"wp-image-3804\" srcset=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-eSIM-1024x690.png 1024w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-eSIM-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-eSIM-768x518.png 768w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-eSIM-600x405.png 600w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-eSIM.png 1151w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Does Telstra offer eSIM?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Yes<\/strong>, Telstra offers eSIM profiles for both prepaid and postpaid mobile plans on devices like the iPhone, Pixel and Samsung devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Telstra prepaid plans provide a contract-free mobile service alternative for both local residents and international visitors traveling in Australia. This allows customers the flexibility to purchase a plan tailored to their expected data, call and text needs over the duration of their stay. Rather than being tied to long-term postpaid contracts, prepaid options from Telstra enable pay-as-you-go mobile connectivity. Plans start from <strong>as low as $8 for 3GB of data valid for 7 days<\/strong>, all the way up to 220GB for $205 with a 12 month validity period, although this highest value plan is exclusively available online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vi-where-can-you-buy-a-telstra-sim-card-and-e-sim\">VI. Where Can you Buy a Telstra SIM Card and eSIM?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily purchase a Telstra SIM card or eSIM both before arrival and once in Australia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"where-to-buy-telstra-sim-for-australia\">Where to buy Telstra SIM for Australia:<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Getting-Telstra-SIM-Card-at-Airport.jpg\" alt=\"Getting Telstra SIM Card at Airport\" class=\"wp-image-3436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Getting-Telstra-SIM-Card-at-Airport.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Getting-Telstra-SIM-Card-at-Airport-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Getting-Telstra-SIM-Card-at-Airport-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Getting-Telstra-SIM-Card-at-Airport-600x450.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Getting Telstra SIM Card at Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Airport shops<\/strong> &#8211; Major international airports like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns will have Telstra kiosks or resellers inside the terminals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Telstra stores<\/strong> &#8211; You can purchase SIM cards at Telstra branded retail stores located in most major cities and towns across Australia. Stores will have a range of prepaid options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supermarkets<\/strong> &#8211; Woolworths, Coles often have Telstra SIM cards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronics shops<\/strong> &#8211; JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and other chains also often stock Telstra SIM cards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If already in Australia, visiting any Telstra shop or authorized reseller is easiest. Ordering online for delivery also works well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"where-to-buy-telstra-e-sim\">Where to buy Telstra eSIM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can purchase and activate Telstra eSIM through these channels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Telstra website<\/strong> &#8211; Visit <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telstra.com.au\/coverage-networks\/mobile-technology\/esim#activate\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.telstra.com.au\/coverage-networks\/mobile-technology\/esim#activate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">telstra.com.au<\/a><\/em>. Create account, choose prepaid eSIM plan and download profile.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Telstra app<\/strong> &#8211; iOS\/Android app lets you buy and manage Telstra eSIM.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Telstra stores<\/strong> &#8211; Staff can assist with new eSIM activation in-store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For tourists, the self-service Telstra website or mobile apps offer the quickest eSIM activation. Visit a store if you need staff assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vii-how-to-activate-telstra-sim-e-sim\">VII. How to Activate Telstra SIM\/eSIM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Activating a new Telstra SIM card or eSIM profile is quick and convenient:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-use-telstra-sim-card\">How to use Telstra SIM card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\">\n<li>Insert regular or Micro\/Nano Telstra SIM in unlocked phone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Power on phone and enable mobile data. SIM will auto-configure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dial *100# to check SIM number and balance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recharge SIM via voucher, credit\/debit card to activate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Once recharged, the prepaid SIM will be active for 365 days. Top-up as required during your travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-activate-telstra-e-sim\">How to activate Telstra eSIM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\">\n<li>Purchase Telstra eSIM plan online and download eSIM profile.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On eSIM phone, scan QR code or tap link to install new Telstra eSIM.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accept mobile data activation request on phone when prompted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Telstra eSIM will instantly activate on phone dual SIM setup.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Both regular SIM and eSIM activation involve 3 simple steps of install, enable data, and recharge. Then you&#8217;re all set to use Telstra service during your Australia visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"viii-telstra-call-sms-rates\">VIII. Telstra Call &amp; SMS Rates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the standard prepaid call and text rates when using Telstra SIM cards in Australia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th>Call\/SMS Type<\/th><th>Rate<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Standard national call (per minute)<\/td><td>$1.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Calls to standard Australian mobiles (per minute)<\/td><td>$1.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Calls to Telstra mobiles (per minute)<\/td><td>$0.90<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Standard national SMS (each)<\/td><td>$0.25<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>SMS to Telstra mobiles (each)<\/td><td>$0.15<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>International calls*<\/td><td>Rates for international calls are quoted on request depending on calling plan and destination<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>International SMS*<\/td><td>$0.80<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Video call rates<\/td><td>Standard voice call rates apply<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Excess data rates<\/td><td>$10 per 1GB<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Zones for international calls are based on distance from Australia. Full rate list can be found on Telstra site. These per minute or per message rates apply after using any free included units in your recharge pack. Call rates drop after the first 10 minutes. Overall, Telstra prepaid rates for calls and texts are reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ix-how-to-recharge-my-telstra-sim\">IX. How To Recharge My Telstra SIM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily top up an existing Telstra prepaid SIM card balance online, via app or in-store. Here are the steps to top up a Telstra prepaid SIM card:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Sign in to <strong>My Telstra<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have multiple pre-paid services, choose the one you want to recharge from the dropdown on the top left of the page<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click on&nbsp;<strong>Recharge<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select your preferred recharge amount<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select your preferred payment method<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow the prompts to complete your Pre-Paid recharge.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-ggg-custom-block-ZU5oKA wp-block-lazyblock-ggg-custom-block\"><div class=\"ggg-custom-shortcode gigago-block-yellow\">\n    <div class=\"ggg-shortcode-content\">\n        <p><strong>Good to know<\/strong>: You can set up automatic top ups for when your credit falls below a certain amount (e.g. $10). Go to telstra.com\/autopay to enable.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"x-telstra-and-optus-which-is-a-better-choice\">X. Telstra and Optus &#8211; Which Is A Better Choice?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-or-Optus-Which-is-better-1024x533.png\" alt=\"Telstra or Optus - Which is better?\" class=\"wp-image-3805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-or-Optus-Which-is-better-1024x533.png 1024w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-or-Optus-Which-is-better-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-or-Optus-Which-is-better-768x400.png 768w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-or-Optus-Which-is-better-600x312.png 600w, https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Telstra-or-Optus-Which-is-better.png 1049w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Telstra or Optus &#8211; Which is better?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>While Telstra has the broader network coverage across Australia given its larger scale, Optus has emerged as a better overall option for tourists visiting the country: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th>Criteria<\/th><th>Telstra<\/th><th>Optus<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Network Coverage<\/strong><\/td><td>Broader coverage reaching more remote areas. Covers 98% of population.<\/td><td>Strong coverage in major cities and tourist areas. Covers 93% of population.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Plan Options<\/strong><\/td><td>More targeted towards local residents with postpaid plans. Prepaid options more expensive.<\/td><td>Competitive range of affordable prepaid plans ideal for tourists.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Activation Process<\/strong><\/td><td>Can be more complex with documentation required.<\/td><td>Straightforward online activation of prepaid plans.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Speed<\/strong><\/td><td>Around 180.2 Mbps<\/td><td>Wins the 5G Download Speed with a score of 208.7 Mbps<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Price<\/strong><\/td><td>Higher pricing overall.<\/td><td>More affordable options for occasional users.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Customer Experience<\/strong><\/td><td>Focus on local consumer base.<\/td><td>Plans tailored to occasional\/international visitors.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Recommendation for Tourists<\/strong><\/td><td>Not the best value or most suitable given postpaid focus.<\/td><td>Superior choice with better balance of coverage, price and flexibility.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Given that most travelers concentrate activities in populated areas, Optus&#8217; network suffices while offering a better balance of value, flexibility and customer experience. For these reasons, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/operators\/optus\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"3332\">Optus<\/a> <\/strong>prepaid mobile plans conclude as the <strong>recommended choice for international tourists<\/strong> exploring Australia over options from incumbent provider Telstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Discover a new affordable option for staying connected in Australia &#8211; <strong>australia-esim.com<\/strong>.<strong> Powered by Optus<\/strong>, australia-esim.com provides pre-paid eSIM plans exclusively for international travelers and tourists. Their versatile plans starting from just $6 for 3 days of service allow you to enjoy Optus&#8217;s high-speed 4GX network without the hassle of procuring a physical SIM card.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-cta01-highlight-29VhtJ wp-block-lazyblock-cta01-highlight\">\n<div class=\"cta01-highlight mb-6\">\n    <div class=\"cta01-content\">\n        <div data-page-id=\"AEbGd8Fedo34ogxo3qJlpSgZgyh\" data-docx-has-block-data=\"false\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Australia-esim.com<\/strong>: With coverage all across Australia, you'll stay connected from Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n<\/div>    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"cta01-button\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/\">\n            Buy Now        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"xi-fa-qs-about-telstra-in-australia\">XI. FAQs about Telstra in Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1699431829751\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is Telstra good for tourists in Australia?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, Telstra has the best overall coverage, speeds and reliability for trouble-free connectivity across Australia.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1699431835430\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Does Telstra have prepaid plans?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, Telstra offers a wide range of prepaid SIM and eSIM options that are perfect for tourists on short trips.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1699431846746\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can I get Telstra SIM at Australian airports?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, Telstra has stores at all major airports providing Visitor SIM cards designed for short stays.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1699431859800\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How long is Telstra prepaid valid for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Telstra prepaid SIM and eSIM validity is 365 days. As long as you top up, it will remain active.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1699431895055\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong> Is Telstra eSIM secure?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, eSIM uses secure digital profiles just like regular SIM cards. Telstra eSIM is safe to use.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"xii-final-words\">XII.&nbsp;Final Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In summary, Telstra is the top mobile network in Australia offering unrivaled coverage, fast speeds and reliable service. Telstra provides a variety of prepaid SIM card options that are very suitable for tourists visiting Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, an alternative worth considering is an <strong>Australia eSIM<\/strong> from GIGAGO, which offers flexibility of digital delivery and activation, avoiding the hassle of finding a physical SIM on arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-cta-show-product-Z1Kkcv3 wp-block-lazyblock-cta-show-product\"><div class=\"cta-show-products mb-6\">\n    <div class=\"row vnb-esim-rows\" data-elementor-columns=\"2\" data-elementor-columns-tablet=\"2\" data-elementor-columns-mobile=\"1\">\n                                                <div class=\"column-item\">\n                    <div class=\"vnb-cta-show-product-item\">\n                        <div class=\"product-info\">\n                            <div class=\"product-transition\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/vnb-data\/media\/flag\/au.png';\" alt=\"Australia eSIM 7 Days\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"product-caption\">\n                                <div class=\"country\">Australia eSIM 7 Days<\/div>\n                                <div class=\"from-price\">\n                                    <span class=\"title-price\" style=\"text-transform: capitalize;\">\n                                        From                                    <\/span>\n                                    <span class=\"text-price\">\n                                        &#36;10.90                                    <\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"icon\">\n                            <svg width=\"40\" height=\"40\" viewBox=\"0 0 40 40\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                <path d=\"M31.25 21.25L6.25 21.25C5.91848 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20.3628 30.3634L30.7303 19.9984Z\" fill=\"black\" \/>\n                            <\/svg>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/esim\/australia-7-days\/\"><\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"column-item\">\n                    <div class=\"vnb-cta-show-product-item\">\n                        <div class=\"product-info\">\n                            <div class=\"product-transition\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/vnb-data\/media\/flag\/au.png';\" alt=\"Australia eSIM 15 Days\">\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"product-caption\">\n                                <div class=\"country\">Australia eSIM 15 Days<\/div>\n                                <div class=\"from-price\">\n                                    <span class=\"title-price\" style=\"text-transform: capitalize;\">\n                                        From                                    <\/span>\n                                    <span class=\"text-price\">\n                                        &#36;11.50                                    <\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"icon\">\n                            <svg width=\"40\" height=\"40\" viewBox=\"0 0 40 40\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                                <path d=\"M31.25 21.25L6.25 21.25C5.91848 21.25 5.60054 21.1183 5.36612 20.8839C5.1317 20.6495 5 20.3315 5 20C5 19.6685 5.1317 19.3505 5.36612 19.1161C5.60054 18.8817 5.91848 18.75 6.25 18.75L31.25 18.75C31.5815 18.75 31.8995 18.8817 32.1339 19.1161C32.3683 19.3505 32.5 19.6685 32.5 20C32.5 20.3315 32.3683 20.6495 32.1339 20.8839C31.8995 21.1183 31.5815 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<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Telstra is Australia&#8217;s largest and most popular mobile network operator. As a tourist visiting Australia, getting a Telstra SIM card or eSIM can ensure you have reliable connectivity across the country. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about using Telstra when traveling in Australia, including coverage, speed, connectivity options, where [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3438,"parent":3341,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-right-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3364"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3364"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3364\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3341"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/australia-esim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}