Discover how to stay connected in Poland with Plus SIM and eSIM options. This guide covers everything tourists need to know, from purchasing and activating SIM cards to exploring coverage, speed, and costs. Enjoy reliable connectivity with Plus while traveling across Poland.
Table of Contents
1. Quick facts about Plus
- Plus is the 3rd largest mobile network in Poland with over 11 million subscribers
- It has excellent 4G/LTE coverage across the country
- Plus is owned by Polish telecom operator Cyfrowy Polsat
- It uses the following network bands: 2G (900/1800 MHz), 3G (900/2100 MHz), 4G/LTE (800/1800/2600 MHz)
- Plus offers prepaid SIM cards, postpaid plans, and eSIMs.
2. Poland Plus Coverage and Speed in Poland
Mobile internet access has grown rapidly in Poland in recent years, with Poland Plus Coverage and Speed in Poland expanding to meet consumers’ increasing data needs.
2.1. Plus coverage in Poland
Plus excels in 5G coverage but faces challenges in overall coverage and availability compared to other operators, according to the latest Opensignal report:
- 5G Coverage: Plus leads in 5G coverage with a score of 1.5 out of 10, winning the 5G Coverage Experience award.
- Overall Coverage: Orange leads in overall coverage with a score of 7.2 out of 10, while Plus is not highlighted as a leader in this category.
- Availability: T-Mobile wins the 5G Availability award with a score of 17.1%, slightly ahead of Plus and Orange, which are statistically tied for second place. Play wins the overall Availability award, indicating the highest proportion of time users spend connected to 3G, 4G, or 5G networks.
Plus remains competitive in 5G coverage but faces challenges in overall coverage and availability compared to other operators.
2.2. Plus speed
Plus has strong 5G coverage but has been overtaken in speed metrics by T-Mobile and Play, according to the latest Opensignal report.
- 5G Download Speed: Plus, which previously led in 5G download speeds, has been overtaken by T-Mobile. T-Mobile now holds the top spot with an average 5G download speed of 173.6 Mbps, thanks to the activation of the C-band spectrum.
- Overall Download Speed: Plus is no longer the leader in overall download speed. T-Mobile has taken the lead with an average download speed of 48.3 Mbps, followed by Orange and Play.
- Upload Speed: Plus did not secure a leading position in upload speeds. Play continues to dominate in this category, both overall and specifically for 5G.
In summary, while Plus has strong 5G coverage, it faces challenges in maintaining its leadership in speed metrics, with T-Mobile and Play making significant gains.
3. Plus connectivity options for travelers to Poland
Plus Poland offers three main connectivity options for tourists:
Connectivity Option | Description |
SIM Card | You can buy a SIM card from one of the Polish mobile operators: Orange, Play, T-Mobile, or Plus. SIM cards are typically available for purchase at convenience stores and mobile phone stores. |
Roaming | If you have a roaming agreement with your home mobile operator, you may be able to use your phone in Poland without having to buy a SIM card. However, roaming charges can be expensive, so it is important to check with your home mobile operator before traveling. |
Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot | A portable Wi-Fi hotspot is a small device that creates a Wi-Fi network that you can connect your phone or other devices to. Portable Wi-Fi hotspots are available for rent from many companies, including airports and hotels. |
Recommendation:
In case you intend to stay in Poland for more than a few days, buy a Plus SIM card. As such, this will afford you with cheapest and most reliable connectivity.
Using public Wi-Fi is also another cheap option if you are only staying in Poland for a few days and do not want to spend any money on connectivity. However, remember that public Wi-Fi might not be safe.
You can also hire a portable WIFI hotspot to be connected to the internet all the time. However, this is the most expensive but reliable way.
4. Best Plus SIM cards for tourists & cost
Plus does not have much more to offer for travelers. The physical SIM fee costs 5 PLN. Here is the recommended package for tourists:
SIM card | Data | Validity | Price |
Plus Prepaid SIM Card for Tourists | 10GB | 30 days | 5 PLN |
Plus Prepaid SIM Card for Tourists with Unlimited Data | Unlimited | 30 days | 10 PLN |
5. Does Plus Poland support eSIM?
Yes, Plus Poland does provide eSIM support for compatible iPhones and Android phones like Samsung, Google Pixel.
Plus eSIM are available for all mobile service offers – subscription, MIX, prepaid, also for numbers in online offers.
While Plus offers eSIM plans that can be purchased on their website or app, the interfaces are only in Polish with no English option. This makes it challenging for tourists who don’t speak Polish to digitally activate an eSIM QR code on their device.
6. Where can you buy a Plus SIM card and eSIM?
If you’re interested in getting service from Plus, there are a few options for acquiring a SIM card or eSIM.
6.1. Where to buy Plus SIM for Poland
Here are some options for buying a Plus SIM card for use in Poland:
- Direct from Plus stores – Plus has retail stores located across Poland where you can purchase a SIM card and top-up credit directly. You’ll need your passport to buy.
- Online from the Plus website – You can order a Plus SIM card to be delivered to a Polish address on their website plus.pl. Payments are in Polish zloty. The website is supported in Polish only. Not recommended.
- Convenience stores – Major Polish convenience store chains like Żabka, Carrefour, and ABC sell Plus SIM cards that you can activate with credit.
- Mobile carriers stores – Other carriers like Play, T-Mobile, and Orange may sell Plus SIM cards as well at their own retail locations.
- Airports – The major international airports in Warsaw, Krakow, etc. usually have SIM card kiosks or stores where you can pick one up upon arrival.
- Online retailers – Polish e-commerce sites like allegro.pl often sell Plus SIM cards that can be delivered. Make sure to get one with an already activated package included.
- Mobile/electronics stores – Larger electronic and mobile phone shops around major cities usually stock SIM cards from all Polish networks.
Buying directly from Plus or a major convenience store chain for reliability and ease of getting started with the network. You’ll need your passport for registration.
6.2. Where to buy Plus Poland eSIM
Here are some options for buying an eSIM for Plus Poland:
- Direct from Plus – You can order an eSIM online or purchase one in-store at a Plus retail location. You’ll need a compatible eSIM device.
- Travel eSIM providers – Services like polandesim.com sell eSIM profiles tailored for travel with data-only or call/text plans on Plus. Order online before your trip.
Stay connected while traveling in Poland with an eSIM data plan from polandesim.com. Get affordable nationwide 4G/5G data starting at just $3 for quick and easy installation on your compatible device. Buy now at polandesim.com.
7. How to activate Plus Poland SIM/eSIM
If you have recently purchased a Plus Poland SIM card or Plus eSIM, here are the simple steps to activate it for use on your mobile device.
7.1. How to use Plus Poland SIM card
Activating a new Plus SIM card is simple:
- Insert SIM into the phone and power it on.
- It will auto-configure network settings.
- You may need to restart the phone to register on the network.
- Enter PIN when prompted if required. The default PIN is 0000.
- Check for the Plus logo on the phone to confirm activation.
- Enable mobile data/cellular data to start browsing.
After inserting the new SIM, it usually takes a few minutes to activate. If issues, manually select Plus network from settings. You are all set to use mobile data!
7.2. How to activate Plus Poland eSIM
Getting started with a Plus eSIM for Poland is quite easy as follows:
- Install the eSIM
- Activate the eSIM
- Set up the eSIM
- Start using the eSIM: Once the eSIM is activated and set up, you can start using its services.
Please check your detailed instructions below:
8. Plus Poland Call & SMS rates
Plus prepaid SIMs come with unlimited domestic calling and texts to Polish mobile and landline numbers (while on the Plus network).
Call type | Rate (USD) |
Calls to Plus numbers | $0.07 |
Calls to other networks | $0.09 |
SMS messages | $0.05 |
Please note that these rates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date rates, please visit the Plus Poland website.
So it’s quite affordable to call and text back home while traveling in Poland. Incoming calls and texts are free on the Plus network. Do note roaming charges will apply if using the SIM in other EU countries.
9. Useful USSD codes for Plus Poland SIM/eSIM
Here are some useful USSD codes that can be used with Plus Poland SIM/eSIM:
Tariffs | ||
Service | Code | Description |
Check your tariff | *147# | Check tariff by pressing call button |
Account status, validity and top-ups | ||
Service | Code | Description |
Checking the status and validity of the account | *100# | Check status by pressing call button |
Recharge your account | 123TELECODE# | Top up own account with TELECODE by pressing call button |
Top up another person's account | 123TELECODE*TEL_NO# | Top up another number TEL_NO with TELECODE by pressing call button |
Validity and status of packages | *121# | Check package status by pressing call button |
Validity and status of the promotion | *136# | Check promotion status by pressing call button |
Account setup | ||
Service | Code | Description |
Account management | *110# | Manage account by pressing call button |
Messages in Polish | 10510# | Receive messages in Polish by pressing call button |
Messages in English | 10520# | Receive messages in English by pressing call button |
10. How to top-up Plus Poland SIM/eSIM
When your prepaid account balance runs low, you can easily recharge your Plus SIM/eSIM using the following options:
- Online – Recharge directly through the Plus Smart eSIM app or website using a credit/debit card
- Vouchers – Purchase top-up vouchers from Plus stores, kiosks and supermarkets. Denominations of 20/30/50 PLN. Enter the code to recharge.
- Plus Cash terminals – Located across Poland to recharge with cash. Provides receipt with activation code.
Major credit cards, PayPal, Blik, and other payment methods are accepted for online recharges. Auto-recharge can also be enabled.
Data bundles, unlimited packs, and SIM card extensions can be added along with recharges. Keep your Plus SIM active and avoid interruptions.
11. FAQs about Plus in Poland
Q: Does Plus Poland work with unlocked phones?
A: Yes, Plus SIMs and eSIMs work with unlocked phones. iPhones and Android smartphones can be used.
Q: Can you use Plus SIM in other European countries?
A: Yes, Plus SIMs and eSIMs allow roaming in all EU/EEA countries. But roaming charges apply outside Poland.
Q: Does Plus SIM work for data in Poland?
A: Yes, purchasing a Plus data SIM in Poland gives you access to the 4G/LTE network for the internet. Speeds are fast for browsing, maps, and more.
Q: How to refill the Plus prepaid SIM card?
A: You can easily top-up your Plus account using vouchers, the Plus app/website, or at ATMs and terminals across Poland.
Q: Does Plus Poland offer 5G service?
A: Currently Plus has limited 5G coverage in a few cities like Warsaw. 5G roll-out is still ongoing in Poland. 4G speeds are still excellent.
12. Final words
Getting a Plus SIM card or eSIM is a great option for hassle-free connectivity while visiting Poland. With wide coverage, fast 4G speeds, and affordable prepaid plans, Plus has you covered across cities and rural areas. If you found this guide useful, do share it with friends visiting Poland! Have a great trip connected with Plus.