My partner and I are leaving for the Seychelles in a week. We want to get two SIM cards for the trip. I did some research and found that C&W and Airtel seem similar in speed and coverage on Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. I’m not sure if I’m missing something. The problem is that we’ll be staying for 29 days. Both providers focus on 21-day plans. I need at least 7–10GB of data. The EBS system at check-in only has 21-day options. There’s a photo of the options online, but I can’t see it here. The C&W website has the same information about 21-day plans. I can’t find any details about tourist plans with Airtel online. Both companies offer data boosters, but they’re expensive for a few extra days. I’m trying to find the best deal that works for 30 days. Are there better plans that aren’t listed on the websites or EBS? I’ve heard that Airtel has a feature called “Internet Me2U,” which lets users share data between Airtel accounts. That could help us save money if we only buy one plan and share it. Does this work for tourist plans? I want to know what’s the best option for 30 days as a tourist.
Understanding the Options
Looking at the plans available, most SIM cards for tourists in the Seychelles are designed for short stays. The 21-day limit is common. This means that if you stay longer, you might need to buy multiple SIMs or find a way to extend your plan. Both C&W and Airtel offer this, but their options can be a bit limited. I’ve read that the 21-day plans might not be the best for longer visits. You might end up paying more per day if you need to top up or buy a new SIM.
Other options for data include data boosters. These are extra packages you can buy to add more data to your account. The problem is that they can be expensive and offer less data than the base plan. I’ve seen some examples, but they don’t seem practical for 30 days. You might end up paying more for less. That’s why I’m looking for other possibilities.
What’s Available at the Airport
At the airport, you might find some options that aren’t listed on the websites. I’ve heard that some staff members know about better deals. But I don’t know how common that is. I tried looking for information online, but I couldn’t find much about specific tourist plans at the airport. The EBS check-in system only has 21-day options, which could be confusing if you’re traveling for longer. You may have to ask someone in person for help.
Some people say that Airtel has a better pricing structure for data. I’ve also heard that their coverage on Mahe is good. But I don’t know if there are any special deals for long stays. I’ve seen the “Internet Me2U” feature, which allows data sharing. That could be useful if we have two devices but only need one plan. But I’m not sure if this feature works on tourist plans. I think it might only be available on regular, non-tourist plans.
What Are the Alternatives?
If the options are limited, what else can we do? Some travelers suggest using a local provider and upgrading their plan. But I don’t know how easy that is. I’ve also heard of people purchasing a SIM card from a local store at the airport. Their website or the EBS system might not list all the available plans. You might have to go in person to see what’s available. But I’m not sure if that’s a reliable method.
Another idea is to buy a local SIM card and then top it up as needed. This gives more flexibility, but it could get complicated. You have to keep track of how much you use and how much you have left. Also, the rates might be higher if you’re buying in small increments. This could add up quickly, especially if you need a lot of data.
Some people also suggest using a travel data package from your home carrier. That way, you don’t have to worry about local SIM cards. But the cost of international roaming can be high. It depends on how much data you need and how often you use it. If you’re only browsing the web, it might be cheaper. But if you’re streaming videos or sending large files, it could be more expensive.
What’s the Best Plan for 30 Days?
After looking at many options, I think Airtel might be a better choice. Their data packages seem to offer more value in some cases. Plus, the “Internet Me2U” feature could help us save money. But I’m not sure if it’s available for tourist plans. I need to check that. If it’s available, we could get one plan and share the data between devices. This would be a big help for 30 days.
C&W also has good coverage and reasonable pricing. Their 21-day plan might be cheaper, but if we stay longer, we might need to purchase another one. That would mean two SIMs or multiple top-ups, which could get expensive. There might be a way to get a longer plan through a different provider, but I haven’t found that yet.
I think the best way to find out is to go to the airport and ask someone in person. They might know about special deals or options that aren’t listed online. I’ve heard that some airlines or travel agencies might offer SIM card deals as part of their services. That could be worth checking out too.
FAQ
Are there 30-day plans for tourists in the Seychelles?
Most providers offer 21-day plans for tourists. Some plans can be extended, but they usually come with higher costs. It’s worth asking at the airport or checking with local providers for better options.
Can I buy a SIM card that works for 30 days?
Some providers offer 30-day plans, but they might not be listed on official websites. It’s possible to find these at the airport or through local stores. You might need to ask in person for the best deal.
Does Airtel’s Me2U feature work with tourist plans?
It’s unclear if “Internet Me2U” works on tourist plans. The feature may only be available on regular, non-tourist data plans. You might need to ask a representative for details before purchasing.
Is there a better option than Airtel or C&W?
Other providers might exist, but they are less common. Most travelers use C&W or Airtel. If you want better rates, consider buying a SIM card from the airport and asking about alternative plans there.
Looking for the best data plan for a 30-day stay in the Seychelles takes time. The options are limited, but there might be ways to get better deals. Airtel could be a good choice if the Me2U feature works with tourist plans. Otherwise, you might have to look for alternatives at the airport or through other providers. I think the best approach is to ask in person and look for hidden deals. You might find a plan that suits your needs better than what’s listed online.
