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• Visit Dubai

How to get a mobile SIM card for tourists in Dubai

Essential Information

Wed, April 19, 2023

Find out how to stay connected while on holiday in the city, quickly and easily.

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Dubai Tourist SIMs and eSIMs for the UAE explained

Are you planning on visiting Dubai? If yes, then you’ll probably need a Dubai tourist SIM card!

As well as being a rather insta-famous city, it’s simply put a necessity to have internet when travelling these days; from retrieving travel booking details to ordering taxis and meals while you’re on the go – trust us, there’s an app for everything in Dubai !

Although you’ll get access to a Wi-Fi network in most places in Dubai, what if you’re on the go? That’s when you’ll need a travel SIM in Dubai to make calls, use social media, or use Maps to navigate around the city or call a driver.

For your ease and convenience, we have put together everything you need to know about getting a SIM card in Dubai for tourists, as well as eSIM options you can arrange before your arrival.

You will find detailed information in this article, from the mobile network operators in Dubai to the best SIM card and even how to pre-order a Dubai SIM, so you’re ready to go.

1. Du SIM Card in Dubai for Tourists

2. etisalat dubai tourist sim, 3. virgin mobile travel sim in dubai, airalo esim, kitmytrip – via getyourguide, frequently asked questions (faqs) on dubai tourist sims, mobile operators in the uae.

Getting a Dubai tourist SIM is a pretty straightforward process. However, there are multiple mobile operators in the UAE, so it gets rather confusing for tourists to decide which mobile network SIM they should go for based on the packages offered.

However, there’s no need to worry, as we have simplified everything for you! Below you will find a list of mobile operators in the UAE with information about purchasing their SIM and which operator is the most suitable for you.

Du is a mobile operator in UAE, launched in 2007. If you want to get a Du SIM card, you can get one on arrival at the airport or from the Du store.

The upside of getting a Du tourist SIM from the immigration counters at the Dubai airport is that you get it for free with 1GB of local data as a welcome bonus. As for the activation, you don’t need to go through extensive steps as the SIM is already activated using your passport information.

To start using the du SIM, you simply have to insert it into your mobile and verify your date of birth via a verification text. Once the verification is complete, you will get 1GB of local data for free, valid for 24 hours .

You can also purchase a Du SIM card from its franchise store across the city. If you just buy the SIM without any package, it will cost around AED 10; however, if you activate a bundle package (starting from AED 49), you’ll get the SIM for free. You’ll just need your passport to get started.

Etisalat is the 18th largest mobile operator in the world and operates in more than 16 countries. Therefore, we can say that it is one of the best SIM cards for Dubai.

You can get an Etisalat SIM from the Dubai airport when you land. And while it does not offer free data, it has plenty of packages.

For instance, it has 3 Visitor Line packages, where you can get a 28-day package including a SIM card, 4GB of data, and 30 Flexi minutes for AED 79.

Similarly, you can get a premium 28-day package for AED 125, which includes a SIM card, 8GB of data, 120 Flexi minutes, and 5 Wi-Fi hours.

And if you’re looking for an unlimited data package, get it for AED 319, including a SIM card, 10 days of unlimited data, and 100 Flexi hours.

Visitor Line packages are valid until your visa; therefore, if you plan on staying in Dubai for good, you can switch to Etisalat’s other pre-paid and post-paid packages.

Virgin Mobile is a newer mobile operator in UAE by the Virgin Mobile brand (though it is a fully owned subsidiary of Du and uses the same network). It offers special tourist SIM cards with different packages to people visiting Dubai for business or vacations.

You can get the SIM from the airport as soon as you land; however, the tourist SIM is for one-time use. This means you can use it for as long as your package lasts and won’t be able to renew it.

Virgin Mobile offers four packages for its Dubai tourist SIM:

• A 7-day package costs AED 150 with 21GB of data
• A 10-day package costs AED 200 with 40GB of data
• A 15-day package costs AED 300 with unlimited data
• A 30-day package costs AED 500 with unlimited data

SIMs Sold by Third-Party Companies

If you see online tour operators selling you a SIM card, it will be based on services provided by one of the above three networks.

All should have reliable coverage in metropolitan areas. Beyond that, in the mountains and the desert, it’s time to switch off and get yourself an offline map, as the network will be patchy or non-existent no matter whose network you use (they are all ultimately government-owned and share much of their infrastructure).

As international travellers, we’ve become big fans of using Airalo eSIMs whenever possible. The eSIM they sell for the UAE is marketed as “ Burj Mobile ” (digging beneath the cover, we believe it runs on the Etisalat network)

There are currently three different Burj Mobile packages

• 1GB valid for 7 Days for $8.50 USD (AED 32)
• 3GB valid for 30 days for $22.50 USD (AED 82.50)
• 5GB valid for 30 days for $35 USD (AED 128.50)

NB these are all for data only; if you think you’ll need to make phone calls too, you’re better waiting until arrival and getting a local Dubai SIM with a phone number attached!

Using Airalo is super easy. Once you purchase online, you’ll need to press activate and change any existing eSIMs on your phone to the new eSIM. The clock starts ticking as soon as you land and connect to the network in the UAE.

If you are travelling more widely around the Middle East and just popping in to Dubai briefly, you may also want to look at Airalo’s Middle East option, Menalink , with packages as follows:

• 1GB valid for 7 Days for $15 USD
• 2GB valid for 15 days for $28 USD
• 3GB valid for 30 days for $39 USD

Popular online tour provider Get Your Guide partners with KitMyTrip to deliver several great value tourist bundles to consider – they take all the guesswork of how to sign up for a network; you really have to decide how data-hungry you are!

You’ll need to find their kiosks in arrivals at DXB Terminals 1 and 3 to get your data set up (NB not for arrivals in DXB Terminal 2 or DWC airport).

• Their SIM card-only package lets you choose from 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 22.5GB and unlimited over 28 days – starting from $15 USD – check it out here
• Package your SIM and NOL Card – calls, data and a silver public transport pass known as “Nol” this is a popular tourist package – check it out here
• Pocket Wifi Rental – If you’ve got multiple devices, this one could be your solution, rent a mobile hotspot and return it after your trip – suitable for 4 to 10 days, or add extra days on – check it out here

Do read the fine print if pre-packaged SIM bundles will work for you, only 1 per passport and users must be over 18, so you can’t hand one out to each of the kids. In this instance, families should consider pocket wifi options.

The free tourist SIM is a free SIM card Du Telecommunications offers to people visiting Dubai. This SIM card can be picked up from the immigration counter at the Dubai airport and is activated using your passport details. It contains 1GB of free local data valid for 24 hours. Once the time is over, you can recharge your SIM with the various tourist packages offered by Du.

We recommend getting a SIM card on arrival in Dubai from the airport. The reason? It’s simple, it’s easy, and it’s fast. Plus, multiple SIM card sellers at the airport make buying it pretty straightforward. You have to provide your passport details, go through the various packages, and get the SIM. On the other hand, you can also pre-order your SIM card. You have to contact the mobile operator, select a package, and provide your home address in your country. The mobile operator will then mail the SIM card to your address. However, we won’t recommend this option, as it takes too long, plus you never know when you will receive the SIM via mail. Also, what if it gets lost on the way? And this method isn’t suitable if you make a sudden plan to visit Dubai. eSIM’s, on the other hand, where you don’t need a physical SIM card to be delivered, could be your easiest option these days. Simply activate it as soon as you land and you’re instantly connected, no need to queue at a counter when you get to DXB.

Based on the offers and packages by Du, Etisalat, and Virgin Mobile, the best SIM card for Dubai is Du. Because for starters, it offers a free tourist SIM to the visitors. You can quickly insert it into your mobile and get connected almost instantly. Etisalat is also a good option, but it is a bit expensive, and its Visitors Line’s validity depends on your visa expiration. However, it is a good option if you’re in Dubai for limited days. Those wanting convenience and with a compatible device should try the Airalo eSIM – it’s not the cheapest option but super easy for those who only need a little bit of data.

As mentioned earlier, getting a tourist SIM in Dubai is easy. You can either get it from the airport or the mobile network provider’s store. The representative will ask for your passport, take its copy, and register the SIM card in your name. Getting a Dubai tourist SIM card is not a big deal. It is pretty simple if you know how to go about the process.

Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai

• Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai , a handy guide on what to pack , and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
• Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai .
• Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
• Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance !!!
• Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai , or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:

Take me back to the Dubai Travel Planner Blog

Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links . Dubai Travel Planner

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Best E-Sim Cards for Traveling to Dubai in 2024

Are you planning a trip to Dubai and looking for the best tourist e-sim card for the UAE to stay connected? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an e-sim card for traveling to Dubai including a comparison of the best Dubai e-sim cards for 2024.

Don’t waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an e-sim card for the UAE on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find up to date prices as per June 2024 and all specifications per e-sim card.

This guide will show you where and when to order an e-sim card for Dubai, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards for Dubai and of course links to directly order your e-sim card for traveling to Dubai online.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

In October 2023 the UAE Telecom Regulator sent all online e-sim card providers a "Cease and Desist" letter demanding to stop all domestic sales of e-sim cards in the UAE. Therefore as of November 2023 you are unable to buy an e-sim card on the internet if you are already in Dubai.

Therefore Traveltomtom recommends you to buy your e-sim card for Dubai before you board your flight to the UAE.

In case you already arrived in Dubai and still want to buy an e-sim card then your IP Address from the UAE will prevent you from ordering an e-sim card on the internet.

There is a very easy way around this and that is by using a VPN.

Already since 2012 I am traveling the world full time and eventually turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger . That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected. 

In 2022 I visited 62 different countries and in 2023 I traveled to 34 countries so imagine how many different prepaid and e-sim cards I used the last two years.

In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use e-sim cards to stay connected when traveling to the UAE.

Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.

Of course Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Dubai including all info about buying a Dubai tourist sim card at the airport on arrival.

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Recently Traveltomtom also started writing specific and in-depth guides for buying e-sim cards: USA , Canada , Asia , China , Thailand , Indonesia , Hong Kong , Malaysia , Egypt , Turkey ,  Europe , Italy , France , Spain , Germany , Greece , international e-sim cards and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and e-sim card advice for your holiday destination.

In this Dubai e-sim card guide I will show you a comparison of all the e-sim card plans for tourists with up to date prices as per June 2024.

After I will explain how e-sim cards work, more about the network coverage and 4G/5G data speed, some FAQ about e-sim cards, the difference between e-sim cards and local prepaid sim cards in Dubai and everything else you need to know about using e-sim cards when traveling to Dubai.

Let me start with giving you my e-sim card recommendation for Dubai. These are my favorite e-sim cards for traveling to Dubai in 2024.

Some links in this article about the best e-sim cards for Dubai are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends the following two e-sim cards for traveling to Dubai in 2024: 

1. Airalo e-sim card for $21 USD

• 10 GB data-only e-sim
• Valid in UAE only
• Mandatory registration
• Valid for 30 days
• Only $2.10 USD per Gigabyte

2. Holiday World eSIM for $39.90 USD

• Valid in 112 countries
• Valid for 14 days
• $3.99 USD per Gigabyte

The best value tourist e-sim card for Dubai are clearly the Airalo e-sim cards for the UAE. Airalo has more e-sim card plans and they go down as much as $1.75 USD per Gigabyte on their 20 GB data plan for $35 USD.

A good second best is the Orange Holiday World eSIM offered by SimOptions. Their e-sim card for Dubai is more expensive though, but this e-sim card is valid in 112 countries around the world. 

Traveltomtom has in general always very good experiences with SimOptions. 

Both e-sim cards are data-only e-sim cards and incoming and outgoing calls or sms are not supported. 

Is Dubai one of your stops on a trip to Asia then you can also look into getting an e-sim card for traveling in Asia . There are more e-sim cards that cover multiple countries.

There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an e-sim card for Dubai or in general before using an e-sim card.

Unlocked phones only

Make sure your phone is unlocked. E-sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.

In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked.

If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or e-sim card to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone. 

E-sim compatible phones only

Second, and equally important: e-sim cards only work if your smartphone supports e-sim cards, also called e-sim compatible. All newer smartphones support e-sim cards. If you are not sure if your phone is e-sim compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is e-sim compatible. You will get the answer instantly.

If your phone is NOT e-sim compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an e-sim card for traveling to Dubai.

However, you can still order a sim card for Dubai on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom’s complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Dubai in 2024  or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024 .

Comparison of the best e-sim cards for Dubai

Buying an e-sim card on arrival in Dubai is now also possible, but only from Virgin Mobile, an MVNO. As per June 2024 the main mobile internet operators Du and Etisalat still only provide physical prepaid sim cards for tourists.

But luckily there are multiple e-sim providers on the internet that sell e-sim cards for Dubai and actually even give you much more value for money. 

Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for traveling in Dubai from one of the well-known e-sim card providers that have proven to be reliable operators. 

These are the multiple big e-sim card providers tested and reviewed multiple times by Traveltomtom:  SimOptions , Holafly,  Airalo ,  Nomad , etc.

Nowadays, you can buy an e-sim card for pretty much every country in the world. Order directly from one of the above e-sim card providers and instantly receive your e-sim card in your email. But before you buy an e-sim card first read all my tips below. 

SimOptions is the only e-sim provider that also offers international prepaid sim cards for Dubai . These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards and will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Dubai and it is plug and play when you arrive in the Dubai. 

Airalo, Holafly and Nomad only sell e-sim cards for Dubai. 

Airalo is a very reputable e-sim card provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your e-sim card for Dubai through Airalo is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest e-sim card deals. 

Airalo is in general in many countries one of my top recommendations and also for traveling to Dubai in 2024 Traveltomtom rates Airalo as the best e-sim card.

Here are Dubai e-sim card plans from Airalo for 2024:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD

Click here to order an e-sim card for Dubai from Airalo .

The only downside from an Airalo e-sim card for the UAE is that they require a ID verification. This means that as soon as you buy an Airalo e-sim card for the UAE they will ask you to scan your passport or ID for verification before they release your e-sim details. I have tested it and it works very fast, within less than 1 minute I got a confirmation email and I was all set.

The Airalo e-sim cards for Dubai are from Burj Mobile and operate on the 4G/LTE network of Etisalat according to the Airalo website. However in reality these Burj Mobile are 5G ready as I was constantly connected to 5G when in Dubai on this e-sim card from Airalo.

In pretty much all the amazing places to visit in Dubai and everywhere else in the UAE you will find an excellent 5G signal and the data speed is very good. 

For more info about the best 4G/5G network in Dubai check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for tourists in Dubai in 2024 , including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.

All the Airalo e-sim cards are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo e-sim card has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website . 

SimOptions is a very reliable e-sim card provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering an e-sim card.

Why using SimOptions? When it comes to Dubai e-sim cards SimOptions has much better e-sim card plans than Airalo and is therefore also recommended as one of the best e-sim cards for tourists traveling to Dubai.

Here are the SimOptions data-only e-sim card plans for Dubai for 2024: 

• 1 GB data for 30 days = $8.90 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $21.90 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 14 days = $39.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $59.90 USD

Click here to order a SimOptions e-sim card for Dubai .

Apart from the Orange Holiday World eSIM the SimOptions e-sim cards for the UAE are from their own brand. Unfortunately SimOptions doesn’t specify which mobile network operator they use  in Dubai they use but none of these international e-sim cards for the UAE are 5G ready, so the max data speed on these Dubai e-sim cards from SimOptions is 4G/LTE.

The Orange Holiday World eSIM is different from the other SimOptions e-sims. This international e-sim card is valid in 124 countries, including the UAE.

All the e-sim cards for Dubai  that you can order via SimOptions do NOT come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms services. The validity of these e-sim cards is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the e-sim card, even if you are not in Dubai. For more info check the SimOptions website .

Last but not least there is Nomad and they also have amazing Dubai e-sim card plans for tourists. On my last trip to Dubai I also used a Nomad e-sim card to test it out and was surprised that they were even 5G ready. Nomad has definitely one of the best e-sim card deals for Dubai. But since Airalo is $1 USD cheaper for the same plan, I normally use Airalo over Nomad.

Here are the Nomad e-sim card plans for Dubai: 

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $8 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD 

Click here to order an e-sim card for Dubai from Nomad .

The Nomad e-sim cards for Dubai are from eSIM Go. These data-only e-sim cards from eSIM Go are 5G ready in the UAE and they use the mobile data network of Etisalat. Incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported.

As I mentioned, Nomad has one of the best value e-sim cards for Dubai and they go as low as $2.2 USD per Gigabyte. Which is even much better compared to local prepaid sim cards for Dubai, because you will pay around $4 USD per Gigabyte.

Another reason why Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card over buying a sim card in Dubai on arrival.

Traveltomtom tested the Nomad e-sim card on my very recent trip to Dubai and it did not disappoint. Here is the outcome of a data speed test.

It clearly shows that the Nomad e-sim card for Dubai is working on 5G with fast download speed. The upload speed could have been a bit faster, but this is just a moment in time. In general I was very satisfied with the Nomad e-sim card traveling in the UAE.

The Nomad Dubai e-sim cards have to be installed on your phone within 30 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Dubai. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website .

Holafly is another well-known e-sim provider but unlike other providers they work with e-sims with unlimited data. However, there is a catch and that is a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy). More about it later, but it could mean that you suddenly have a very slow data connection for a whole day until it resets.

Here are the Holafly e-sim plans for the UAE with unlimited data per day:

• 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
• 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
• 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
• 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
• 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
• 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
• 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
• 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
• 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
• 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
• 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
• 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
• 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
• 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD 

The Holafly e-sim cards for United Arab Emirates are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These e-sims do also not come with a phone number. The Holafly e-sims operate on the 4G/LTE network of Etisalat

You can use a hotspot on the Holafly e-sim cards for the UAE, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.

Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.

If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of e-sim cards with 'unlimited' data and therefore it is not my first recommendation when looking for an e-sim for Dubai.

Also, Traveltomtom tested Holafly in another country and was very disappointed with the overall performance. Holafly was using the weakest mobile data network in that country and people all around me constantly had connection but I was pretty much offline for a whole week. Even though we were in big cities, I constantly had to ask for the public WiFi of my hotels, restaurants and bars because my Holafly e-sim was super slow.

Virgin Mobile

On arrival at Dubai International Airport (DXB) you can now also get an e-sim card from Virgin Mobile as per new update in June 2024. These local prepaid sim card plans are available as e-sims as well as physical prepaid sim cards, but you can only buy them on arrival in Dubai, not on the internet.

Here are the prices for their e-sim plans for 2024 valid for 1 month:

• 14 GB data + 100 minutes + 50 international minutes = 239.4 AED - $65 USD
• 20 GB data + 200 minutes + 50 international minutes = 299.25 AED - $82 USD
• 28 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 international minutes = 357 AED - $97 USD
• 40 GB data + 200 minutes + 200 international minutes = 496.65 AED - $135 USD

Virgin Mobile UAE also has tourist sim cards with unlimited data.

• Unlimited data + 30 minutes + 20 international minutes for 7 days = 300 AED - $82 USD
• Unlimited data + 30 minutes + 20 international minutes for 30 days = 500 AED - $136 USD

As you can see these prices for local e-sim cards at Dubai Airport are through the roof and therefore Traveltomtom once more recommends ordering an e-sim card for the UAE on the internet and does NOT recommend buying an e-sim card on arrival at Dubai International Airport.

Why did Traveltomtom already used more than 100s of e-sim cards? I told you before that I travel full time and I am on the road constantly. Pretty much every week I need another sim card to stay connected, on average I use about 40 to 50 prepaid and e-sim cards per year.

In fact Traveltomtom is based in Dubai, well, the company, not myself! Therefore I visit Dubai about 3-4 times per year. My last trip to Dubai was in November 2023.

What is the cheapest e-sim card for Dubai?

The cheapest e-sim card for Dubai is an  Airalo  e-sim for just $4.5 USD. It gives you 1 GB data for 7 days. This e-sim is only valid in the UAE and does not support calling and texting.

Why ordering an e-sim card for traveling in Dubai

E-sim cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai in 2024 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.

The most important reason to get an e-sim card is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Dubai without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.

One of the best things about arriving in Dubai with an activated e-sim card is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your e-sim card later.

There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Dubai, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Dubai so much more convenient and fun!

At the same time we don’t want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2024. 

E-sim cards are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!

Overseas data roaming plans

So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you at pretty  much every amazing tourist destinations in Dubai there is already 5G available. 

Uncountable times (mostly American) travel friends have asked me: “can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!” Trust me, get yourself an e-sim card or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Dubai. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.

Where to buy an e-sim card for Dubai?

You can only buy an e-sim card for Dubai on the internet through an e-sim card provider. There are multiple e-sim card providers for Dubai. Traveltomtom compared 6 e-sim card providers and concluded that the above mentioned ones ( SimOptions , Holafly,  Airalo and Nomad ) are the best e-sim card providers for traveling to Dubai in 2024.

When buying an e-sim card for Dubai through one of the above recommended e-sim providers you only need your email address and the e-sim card is instantly ready to use after installation. Only the Airalo e-sim cards now require an ID check, Nomad and SimOptions do not require an ID verification.

On arrival in Dubai

There are 2 main mobile internet provider in Dubai: Du and Etisalat. On top of these operators there is also Virgin Mobile, a so-called MVNO.

As per June 2024 Du and Etisalat still do not provide e-sims for tourists, only physical prepaid sim cards. However, as seen in my comparison above Virgin Mobile does now offer e-sim cards for tourists. But as you have seen, at ridiculous prices compared to the Airalo or Nomad e-sims for UAE.

For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Dubai in 2024  click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Dubai, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.

Flying into the UAE and landing in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai international airport then you can buy a tourist sim card for Dubai on arrival at the airport. Only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists are provided at DU and Etisalat shops and at Virgin Mobile stores you can as well get an e-sim card for tourists. 

The easy thing is that tourist sim card prices are the same in every store around Dubai, no special tourist prices at the airport.

When to order/activate an e-sim card for Dubai?

You can order an e-sim card for Dubai pretty much any time you want. Most e-sim cards have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.

More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the e-sim card. The validity of some e-sims start straight after the installation, other e-sim cards only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.

Traveltomtom advices to instal your e-sim card on the day of departure to Dubai or before. When in Dubai you will need an internet connection to instal your e-sim card. Pretty much every international airport in the UAE has free WiFi so you could use that to install your e-sim card. Just make sure it is a stable internet connection and therefore Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your e-sim card in your home country. 

So my personal advice is to instal your e-sim card for Dubai before you get into the plane and as soon as the plane lands you will already be connected without any problems.

How do I know all this? Officially Traveltomtom is based and registered in Dubai and obviously I have to travel through Dubai multiple times a year. And guess what, I always use an e-sim card to stay connected, simply because it is cheaper.

For more info about my experiences buying a sim card at Dubai International Airport check out my vlog on YouTube .

Or for more detailed info about the best prepaid sim cards for Dubai , check out my complete guide in the link.

How to activate an e-sim card

Installing and activating an e-sim card is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an e-sim card and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code.

When you order an e-sim card plan for Dubai you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed. 

You will see a summary of your e-sim card order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Dubai e-sim card.

But installing an activating an e-sim card is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the e-sim card on. The QR contains all the information about your Dubai e-sim card.

Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your e-sim card is successfully installed.

Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your e-sim card otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.

Tip: if you order an e-sim card with the same phone where you want to instal the e-sim card on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.

Things to know before ordering an e-sim card for Dubai

Here are some general tips for using e-sim cards when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Dubai e-sim cards, but are things you have to know before buying an e-sim card in general.

Make sure your phone is unlocked

To make sure you didn’t miss this, let me say this again: e-sim cards only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any e-sim card without any problems. 

If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Dubai. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone. 

If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Dubai or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Dubai and use it as a portable WiFi device. 

Which smartphones support e-sim cards?

Another very important thing you have to check before buying an e-sim card is if your smartphone supports e-sim cards. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support e-sim cards. 

The fastest way to find out if your phone is e-sim compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) e-sim compatible? Simple as that! 

Can I trust these e-sim card providers?

All the e-sim card providers for Dubai recommended above ( SimOptions , Airalo , Holafly and  Nomad ) are reputable e-sim card providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Dubai.

Traveltomtom has successfully partnered for several consecutive years with SimOptions and Airalo. Nomad is a fairly new partner of Traveltomtom, but has so far proven to be a reliable e-sim card provider as well. All e-sim card providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund. 

Traveltomtom does NOT sell Dubai e-sim cards, only RECOMMENDS you to use e-sim cards for traveling to the United Arab Emirates. 

Can I keep my phone number from home with a Dubai e-sim card?

Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an e-sim card to stay connected when traveling to Dubai. An e-sim card can be used next to your physical or e-sim card from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an e-sim card. 

So you can have multiple e-sim cards installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all! 

For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Dubai e-sim card you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.

This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.

Switching between physical and e-sim cards is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming. 

Can I make phone calls with a Dubai tourist e-sim card?

No, unfortunately there are no Dubai e-sim cards for tourists available on the internet that include calling and texting. All the e-sim cards from Holafly,  SimOptions , Airalo  and  Nomad  are data-only e-sim cards and any incoming/outgoing calls/sms are not supported. 

Does a Dubai e-sim card come with a phone number?

No, none of the Dubai e-sim cards that you can buy on the internet come with a phone number which also means you can not receive any phone calls or sms.

In the above Dubai e-sim card comparison you can find all the specifications per e-sim card.

Can I use 5G on a Dubai e-sim card?

Yes, the eSIM Go e-sim cards from Nomad are 5G ready and I lately tested it on my trip to Dubai and I enjoyed a 5G signal pretty much everywhere and data speed was above 100 Mbps most of the time. The same counts for the Airalo e-sims, although the Airalo website says 4G/LTE only, I had 5G all the time on my Airalo e-sim when visiting Dubai.

Are there e-sim cards for Dubai with unlimited data?

Yes, the Holafly e-sim cards for UAE come with unlimited data per day. But there is a catch...

E-sim cards for Dubai with unlimited data are not truly unlimited! Make sure the unlimited data is on max data speed. Mostly the data speed is capped after you used X amount of Gigabytes. 

Holafly is an e-sim card provider that sells e-sim cards with unlimited data for the UAE, but does NOT specify what is the exact so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP).

Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Dubai e-sim cards with unlimited data plans. There are always restrictions. And on Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal. 

Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading! 

Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend e-sim cards for Dubai with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then this might be your favorite e-sim card.

The  Airalo e-sim cards for Dubai with 20 GB data for $35 USD for 30 days provide sufficient data in general for a trip to Dubai and there is no real need for an e-sim card with unlimited data unless you want to upload your whole camera roll to Google Drive or iCloud via 4G/5G instead of WiFi.

There are a lot of different specifications per e-sim card. Another reason why I advice you to take a close at my comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to UAE in 2024 before choosing your favorite. 

Are e-sim cards the best way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai?

E-sim cards are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Dubai, but what is the best way? 

There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Dubai: 

Local prepaid sim cards

International prepaid sim cards, e-sim cards.

Let’s compare e-sim cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.

Normally if you use a lot of data local prepaid sim cards are a cheaper way to stay connected, but not in the UAE. Data is ridiculously expensive in Dubai and there is pretty much no competition. Du and Etisalat are the main mobile internet operators and they offer the exact same prices for data packages. On top of that there is Virgin Mobile as an MVNO, but they are also very expensive.

Local prepaid sim cards for tourists can only be purchased on arrival in Dubai in a phone store or at the airport and NOT on the internet.

More info about the  best Dubai sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a tourist sim card in Dubai in 2024. 

If your smartphone is not e-sim compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Dubai. Some of them are great for Dubai as well as in all other countries in for example Europe, Americas and Asia and you can easily order them online. 

A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play! 

Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Dubai directly online .

If after visiting Dubai you are traveling onwards in Asia then check Traveltomtom’s list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2024  or the best Asia tourist sim cards in 2024 .

As explained throughout the article there are two different e-sim cards:

• E-sim cards that you buy on the internet through a third party
• E-sim cards that you buy in Dubai in a mobile internet provider store

However, as of 2024 Du and Etisalat do still not provide tourist e-sims for tourists. Only people with an Emirates ID are able to get an e-sim card. Traveltomtom personally shopped around in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to find out if e-sim cards were available for tourists and the answer is: NO!

However, as of June 2024 Virgin Mobile announced that they now offer e-sim cards for tourists as well. You can buy a Virgin Mobile e-sim card for Dubai in a Virgin Mobile store or at Virgin Mobile shops at Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi Airport.

Read all about it in my detailed guide about buying a sim card at Abu Dhabi Airport or Sharjah Airport or if you are interested in watching a vlog about my arrival and buying a sim card at Abu Dhabi Airport then check out my YouTube video .

There is also a vlog about my arrival and buying a sim card at Dubai Airport on my YouTube Channel. 

E-sim cards vs. local prepaid sim cards

Getting an e-sim card is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Dubai. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in Dubai. As soon as the plane lands, you are online.

But what is cheaper? An e-sim card or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?

When we compare the best Dubai e-sim cards for tourists with local prepaid sim cards for Dubai, it is an easy conclusion that the Nomad e-sim cards are even cheaper than local prepaid sim cards. 

The Burj Mobile e-sims from Airalo go down as much as $1.75 USD per Gigabyte. The physical prepaid sim card plans for tourists from Du and Etisalat will charge you more than $4 USD per Gigabyte. The Virgin Mobile e-sims are not much better either.

Dubai has so called tourist sim cards specially designed for non-residents. Prices for prepaid sim cards start from 49 AED which is around $13 USD, but you only get 2 GB data. If you want a prepaid sim card with 8 GB data that will cost you around $34 USD. 

For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards for tourists in Dubai in 2024 . 

After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. With e-sim cards you buy on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands. For this convenience Traveltomtom definitely recommends to order one of the listed best e-sim cards for Dubai in the comparison above.

Many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an e-sim card for Dubai. Faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper depending on how much data you need.

Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an e-sim card is that e-sim cards are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO’s operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.

This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that e-sim cards through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an e-sim cards is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.

Bottomline: the data speed of e-sim cards can be less compared to a local prepaid Dubai sim card.

I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best e-sim card for your trip to Dubai were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your e-sim card for Dubai right away. 

If you still have any questions about e-sim cards then please leave me a comment below. I promise I will try to reply instantly and I am more than happy to help you out finding the best way for you to stay connected.

Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my 650K Instagram account or 1.3 Million TikTok account both called @traveltomtom. Follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.

Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world . As of June 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.

Enjoy your trip to Dubai!

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Dubai SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Apr 24, 2024 | Middle-East , SIM Cards , Travel Tips

Visiting Dubai soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Dubai SIM card .

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Dubai in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Dubai. If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Arabic – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Dubai.

Best SIM Cards In Dubai

If you’re traveling in Dubai, we recommend using a SIM card from Du, Etisalat, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to the United Arab Emirates, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Middle Eastern countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Dubai

You can either buy a Dubai prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a Middle Eastern prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Du and Etisalat.

Du SIM Cards

Du offers several different types of tourist plans:

• 2 GB, valid for 28 days for AED 49 ($13.34)
• 6 GB, valid for 28 days for AED 99 ($26.95)
• 10 GB, valid for 28 days for AED 139 ($37.84)
• 20 GB, valid for 28 days for AED 189 ($51.46)
• Unlimited GB, valid for 28 days for AED 299 ($81.40)

Etisalat SIM Cards

Etisalat also offers a prepaid SIM plan:

• 3 GB, valid for 7 days for AED 50 ($13.61)

Overall, we think Du is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Dubai Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Dubai is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid Middle East SIM card on SimOptions .

They currently offer one package that covers Dubai:

• 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90

Browse your options on SimOptions

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Dubai or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for the Middle East.

How To Buy An eSIM Card For Dubai

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Dubai.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers .

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. And I first tried it when visiting my family in Canada. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo .

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Dubai.

Airalo Dubai

If you want to buy an eSIM for Dubai, you could purchase one on Airalo . This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide. I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.

Here are the options available :

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $7
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $9.50
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $21
• 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $35

Go to Airalo

Holafly Dubai

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly . You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of the plan for Dubai:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $19
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $27
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $34
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $47
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $54

Go to Holafly

Nomad Dubai

Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.

Here’s an overview of the plans available for Dubai:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $20
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $48
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $54

Nomad also has Global , an eSIM plan for 111 countries worldwide. This plan offers coverage in Dubai.

Here’s an overview:

• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $38

Go to Nomad

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Dubai

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Dubai or even an eSIM for your travels in Dubai is pretty straightforward. You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in the Middle East without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a global plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Dubai if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card. Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Dubai or Abu Dhabi
• United Arab Emirates SIM cards
• Best places to live in South Africa
• Oman SIM cards

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Grab a tourist plan

Pack what you need into your plan

Travelling to the UAE soon?

Stay connected with our Tourist SIM card. We’ve packed them with Local and International Minutes and all the data you need to keep you going on your trip.

Why you’ll love our Tourist SIM

• Affordable & convenient
• Pick it up when you arrive at the airport or retail store
• Free internet calling when you choose a Tourist Plan worth AED 275 or more

Pick a plan that suits you

• 30 mins/SMS Local
• 20 mins/SMS Intl.

Unlimited Data

• Free Internet Calling

Things to know

• The Tourist SIM needs to be collected when you arrive in UAE from the airport store or retail store (cannot be delivered)
• Customers will have the option to purchase voice boosters while on active Tourist plans. The validity of the booster will be that of the Tourist plan
• The Tourist Plans are valid for 7, 10, 15 and 30 days
• The Tourist SIM is valid for the duration of the plan
• Once the validity of the bundles expire, customers can subscribe to recurring national bundles or stay on 'Pay As You Go'
• When the customer moves to recurring national bundles or 'Pay As You Go', voice and data boosters will still be accessible to the user
• For 7 and 10-day plans, the daily data counter will be reset at midnight and all unused data allowance for the day will be forfeited, does not apply to unlimited data plans
• All Tourist plans come with 30 local minutes/SMS and 20 international minutes
• These plans will only be applicable on Passport/GCC ID. Emirates ID users cannot avail this offer
• The Tourist plans are one-time; customer will not be able to renew the same Tourist plan
• Minutes can be utilized for local and international calling
• AED 275 and AED 525 Tourist plans also include a free VoIP subscription for the duration of your plan. This will end if you cancel your plan. Data used from your VoIP subscription will be deducted from your plan data
• None of the promotions will be applicable for the Tourist plans

Want Unlimited Data?

For a limited time only, you can boost your data for only AED 100 when you purchase a Tourist plan of AED 200 or AED 300, and we will boost your data to unlimited GBs!

How to get Unlimited Data Booster:

• Choose a plan of AED 200 or AED 300
• Download our app to manage your plan
• In the Home Screen, scroll down to plan details, click on “Boost” under data
• Select AED 100 booster

We will boost your data to unlimited GBs.

How do I collect my Tourist SIM in UAE ?

You can get one when you visit the Arrivals section of the Dubai International Airport in Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to get a Dubai tourist sim card. You can also visit the Arrivals sections of the Sharjah and Abu Dhabi international airports.

Here’s how to find us:

• At Dubai Airport Terminal 1, we are located on the left at the start of the walkway in the passengers meet and greet area just after immigration
• At Dubai Airport Terminal 2, we're at the end of the walkway in the passengers' meet and greet area before you leave
• At Dubai Airport Terminal 3, we're in the telecoms section of the terminal. Walk pass Starbucks which is on your right and we're located in front of you on the left before the passengers meet and greet area
• At Abu Dhabi Airport, we have 2 locations in the arrivals terminal. Our shop is located on the right-hand side of the terminal next to Big ticket and our kiosk is located on the left hand side of the terminal after the Travelex kiosk
• At Sharjah Airport, we are present right after the passport control doors to the immediate left before leaving the airport

Our team will review the passport you submitted once you’ve collected your Travel SIM Card; which might take a few hours. Once your passport is approved, your tourist sim card will be activated, and you’ll be ready to start using your data and minutes..

Got questions?

Where can i find international calling rates, how can i pay for my plan, how can i check my usage, how can i get a sim from the airport.

• At Dubai Airport Terminal 3, we're in the telecoms section of the terminal. Walk past Starbucks which is on your right and we're located in front of you on the left before the passengers meet and greet area
• At Abu Dhabi Airport, we have 2 locations in the arrivals terminal. Our shop is located on the right-hand side of the terminal next to Big Ticket and our kiosk is located on the left-hand side of the terminal after the Travelex kiosk

Visit our FAQs page and message us

What free benefits do I get with the AED 300 tourist plan?​

When you get a Virgin Mobile tourist plan worth AED 300 from an Airport, Kiosk or a Virgin Megastore, we're giving you: - Free VOIP subscription (BOTIM) - Free access to a top tourist destination. You can pick from:

• Dubai Ice Rink
• The Green Planet
• Top of Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Aquarium
• Cinema ticket/ Reel cinemas
• Dubai Frame
• Board Walk Dubai Fountain
• DreamWorks: free Head & Shoulder massage
• Aquaventure
• Tips & Toes: free manicure

When you buy the SIM, you'll get a voucher that you can redeem through our dedicated online portal . It'll be valid for 30 days to visit an attraction you like.

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Best SIM for tourists in UAE

Exclusive pre-booking offers on food, tours & top attractions, easy airport collection, burj khalifa tickets & more, discounts on 3000+ restaurants, looking to buy an esim in dubai.

*Alike.io accepts bookings for UAE SIM cards on behalf of KMTH Trading LLC (a TDRA approved SIM distributor). All SIM activations are done in the UAE by KMTH Trading LLC.

What discounts are included?

Every SIM comes with discounts on top attractions, dining and travel essentials.

UAE Tourist Visa

Zomato Gold

Attractions

Burj Khalifa Observation Deck

Museum of the Future

Theme Parks

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Desert Safari

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

Dubai Metro & Bus NOL Card

Dhow Cruise Dinner - Marina

How can i get attraction discounts with my sim, pre-book sim, select attractions, receive tickets, pre-book to get all the benefits.

Pre-book the Tourist SIM for your Dubai trip. Enjoy huge discounts on food, tours and top attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Upon adding the SIM to your cart, you'll have the chance to choose your preferred collection point. Currently, we offer collection points at Dubai Airport T1 and Dubai Airport T3 ( map ). If you're arriving at a different airport, such as Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, feel free to explore some other  SIM options  available or simply drop us a  message  – we're here to assist you!

As soon as you successfully pre-book your SIM, your exclusive discounts will be ready for use. Whether you wish to immediately book your attractions or decide to do so later, the same discounts link will be sent to your email for easy access. Should you require additional tickets or have any queries, our dedicated customer service team is at your disposal.  Reach out  to them anytime with your order details, and they'll be delighted to assist you.

Yes, we cater to both, individuals and groups. Our travel advisors can help you with any inquiries related to group bookings.  Get in touch.

Although you can pre-book multiple SIMs, only one SIM will be activated for each Passport.

All pre-booked SIMs are valid as long as your Visa is valid, a maximum of 90 days or until you exit the country.

Authorised partner

KMTH Trading LLC is an authorised partner of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications PJSC (EITC), better known as du in Dubai, UAE since 2016.

• Dubai information

Dubai Tourist Attractions

• Visit the Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Frame
• View at the Palm

Sky Views Dubai

• Bluewaters Island
• Museums in Dubai
• Buildings in Dubai
• All the tourist attractions in Dubai

Things to do in the region

• Sheikh Zayed mosque
• Yas Marina circuit
• Tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi
• Things to do in the area of Dubai

Dubai shopping

• Shopping in Dubai
• Shopping malls in Dubai
• Souks in Dubai
• Restaurants in Dubai
• Nightlife in Dubai
• Alcohol in Dubai
• Dubai Dining experiences

Things to do

• Amusement parks & attractions
• Water parks in Dubai
• Dubai Desert Safari
• Skydive Dubai
• Events in Dubai
• Beaches in Dubai

Public transport

• Public transport Dubai

Dubai Metro

• Taxi in Dubai
• Abra (watertaxi)
• Palm Jumeirah Monorail
• Dubai hop on bus
• From Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Airports Dubai

• Dubai airports
• Dubai International Airport

Other transport

• Airport transfers
• Driving in Dubai
• Car rental in Dubai

Tickets attractions

• Tickets Burj Khalifa
• Tickets Inside Burj Al Arab
• Tickets Sky Views Dubai
• Tickets View at the Palm
• Check out al the tickets

Dubai desert safaris

• Desert safari in Dubai
• Driving a buggy in the desert
• Quad driving in the desert
• Hot air bollon flight over the desert
• Overnight desert safari

Tours and boat trips

• Dubai hop-on hop-off bus
• Helicopter flight Duba i
• Walking tours in Dubai
• Check out all the Dubai boat trips
• Check out all the tours in Dubai

Other excursions

• High tea in de Burj Al Arab
• Dubai dining experiences
• Swimming with dolphins
• Abu Dhabi excursions

Tourist 4G / 5G SIM card Dubai – internet on your mobile in Dubai

• Holiday in Dubai
• Travel information Dubai

Where can I get a tourist SIM card for Dubai?

5g tourist sim card including dubai metro & bus nol card.

Do you want to quickly share your holiday photos in Dubai with your friends and family via social media or WhatsApp? Then you often run into high roaming costs from your telephone provider outside Europe. But luckily there is a solution!

Avoid high roaming costs from your telephone company during your holiday in Dubai. Choose for a tourist SIM card with 4G/5G . With this SIM card you can use the internet on your phone anywhere in Dubai.

You can pick up your ordered tourist SIM card immediately upon arrival in Dubai in Terminal 1, 2 or 3 of Dubai Airport. Here you can present your redemption ticket and redeem your booking. Outside the airport, only a few shops sell SIM cards to tourists, so it is recommended to pick it up at the airport immediately upon arrival in Dubai.

You can choose from various types of SIM cards. We have listed them for you below.

Tourist SIM card with 2 GB + 30 minutes calling Price: 13.34 US Dollar Click here to book this card online >

Tourist SIM card with 4 GB + 30 minutes calling Price: 21,51 US Dollar Click here to book this card online >

Tourist SIM card with 8 GB + 2 hours calling Price: 34,03 US Dollar Click here to book this card online >

Tourist SIM card with 22.5 GB + 525 minutes of calling (8.5 hours) Price: 54,45 US Dollar Click here to book this card online >

Tourist SIM card with unlimited GB + 100 minutes of calling (1.5 hours) Price: 86,85 US Dollar Click here to book this card online >

Click here to book your Dubai SIM card

Dubai 4G Pocket WiFi Rental

Do you want to be able to use the internet with your tablet or laptop anywhere in Dubai next to your phone? Then the Dubai 4G pocket WiFi combi is for you. With the special WiFi hotspot you can connect up to 10 devices and use the 4G / LTE data connection.

You can pick up the WiFi hotspot immediately upon arrival at Dubai International Airport at the pickup point in terminal 1, 2 or 3. Here you can present your redemption ticket and redeem your booking.

There are several WiFi hotspots for rent, we have listed them for you below.

WiFi hotspot with 2 GB data with 4 days of rent Price: 20,42 US Dollar Click here to book this WiFi router online >

WiFi hotspot with 4 GB data with 4 days of rent Price: 32,67 US Dollar Click here to book this WiFi router online >

WiFi hotspot with 8 GB data with 10 days rental Price: 53,09 US Dollar Click here to book this WiFi router online >

WiFi hotspot with 20 GB data with 10 days of rent Price: 81,67 US Dollar Click here to book this WiFi router online >

WiFi hotspot with unlimited GBs with 10 days rental Price: 116,80 US Dollar Click here to book this WiFi router online >

Click here to book your Dubai WiFi hotspot router

Do you want to pick up your NOL card directly at the airport and do you also want to be able to use the internet and call favorable in Dubai? Then the Dubai metro & bus NOL Card with 5G tourist SIM card ideal for you!

You can pick up the SIM card for visitors to Dubai, including the NOL Card, at the pickup point immediately upon arrival at Dubai airport., You can immediately use the SIM card and use the internet in Dubai at a low cost without being bothered by the high costs from your provider.

The NOL card comes with AED 19 AED (converted about 5 US Dollar) balance that is good for a trip of one day. You can then easily charge the NOL card in all Dubai metro stations and at certain bus stops. You can choose from two types of SIM cards, both include the NOL card for public transport:

2GB SIM card for visitors (+ 30 min call) + silver NOL card Price: 17,70 US Dollar Click here to book this card online >

4GB SIM card for visitors (+ 30 min call) + silver NOL card Price: 24,23 US Dollar Click here to book this card online >

Click here to buy your Dubai SIM / NOL card

Going on a trip to Dubai? Check out our tips!

Book your dubai excursions and tickets online, popular posts.

Weather in Dubai & best time to visit Dubai

The View at the Palm – observation deck at Palm Jumeirah

Looking for a hotel in Dubai?

You may also find this interesting, more dubai tips and things to do.

Dubai City Walk

Downtown Dubai

The Dubai police and their remarkable car collection

Police in Dubai & Emergency numbers in Dubai

Atlantis The Palm hotel

Motiongate Dubai – a Hollywood-style amusement park

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DubaiTravelGuide is a travel guide about Dubai with useful Dubai information for a visit to Dubai, tips for a Dubai holiday, things to do in Dubai and the best sights & attractions in Dubai & Abu Dhabi.

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Popular excursions

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Aquaventure Waterpark tickets

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UAE Visitor SIM Cards: Which is the Best SIM Card for Dubai?

Over the last decade the popularity of Dubai as a tourist destination has surged, but thankfully the mobile phone networks in this desert city remain simple and relatively uncomplicated. But which is the best SIM Card for Dubai?

There are only two networks in the United Arab Emirates:

Both of these providers offer SIM cards designed for visitors to the country. Etisalat is the largest provider, and has more network coverage, whereas Du caters more to tourists, and has a better service reputation.

 Where to Buy?

Both of the main operators have kiosks at the arrivals. You can buy a SIM card here, or purchase one from vendors in commercial centres.

You will need to show your passport or national ID, and visa or stamp.

 Wifi Availability

Although not all hotels with have Wifi free of charge. Free wifi is available in many of the usual public places in Dubai, including public transport and malls. Wifi hotspots are also offered by Du and Etisalad.

 Coverage

Both operators give good coverage, but Etisalat has more extensive 3G and 4G coverage. However, Du have recently invested in improving this.

 Restrictions

Be aware that use of the internet in the United Arab Emirates is controlled by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. Censorship restrictions are in place that prevent access to certain websites and service.This means pornography, politically sensitive material, and anything that is perceived to be against the moral values of the UAE is filtered, including parts of wikipedia and some social networking sites.

Censorship restrictions also mean that VOIP services like Skype are banned- making dialling international numbers to keep in touch back home potentially quite expensive. Skype, facetime, facebook messenger calling, whatsapp voice etc, are all blocked, as are certain other apps like snapchat.

VPN services are offered by numerous companies to bypass the restrictions, but be aware that it remains an offence to use VPN to commit a crime, or to try to prevent its discovery. This is illegal under the cybercrime law and can be punishable by fines and temporary imprisonment.

Although you might only be using the VPN for a legitimate reason, as the data is encrypted, this might be difficult to prove.

‘Our top pick for most visitors’

The Etisalad Visitor Line is a versatile offering which allows you to choose from a variety of different voice, data, and text bundles, and also lets you take advantage of the largest 4G and 3G network coverage in the UAE.

The Sim is valid for 90 days, and bundles are valid for 14 days.

• The talk, text & surf bundle gives you 40 Local & International minutes + 40 Local & International SMS + 700MB mobile data
• The talk & text bundle gives you 60 Local & International minutes + 60 Local & International SMS
• The surf bundle gives you 1GB mobile data + 5 hours over Etisalat Wi-Fi

 Topping Up

The easiest way is probably to use the Etisalat UAE App, which also provides live support. Alternatively, you can top up at any Etisalat outlets. Simply buy a recharge card and follow the instructions.

 Benefits

• Free one Careem ride in the UAE to the value of AED 100.

 Customer Service

• Call: 00 971 400 4 44101

 Useful USSD Codes

• Check your phone number #132#
• Check your balance #134#

 Rates

When the bundle runs out, rates are as follows:

The Du Seven day tourist SIM provides you with 200MB, 20 flexible minutes, and 20 flexible SMS for an AED 55 activation fee (15 USD).

Flexible in this case meaning to national and 100 international destinations.(premium rate numbers excluded)

To to up you need to buy an e-voucher or recharge card, available at any of the shops or partner stores in UAE. (Axiom, Eros, Jumbo, Fono or One Mobile).

This offer also comes with vouchers for local r transportation, dining, entertainment and leisure. This includes Uber, The Entertainer and Dollar Rent-a-Car, which claims to be worth over AED 1,500 value in total.

• Call: 155 or 800 155 Overseas: +971 55 5678 155
• Check your balance *135#

If you run out of data,  you can buy an additional data bundle, and the SIM is valid for a maximum of  90 days. If your initial bundle of calls or SMS runs out, you will pay these rates.

United Arab Emirates Phone Numbers

Mobile phone numbers in the United Arab Emirates are ten digits long and start with 7. 

The country code for the UAE is +971

To call your mobile in the United Arab Emirates from abroad, callers will need to dial 00971 and then your number. 00 (International Access Code) 971 (UAE Country Code).

Useful Contacts

Emergency + Police: 999 Police non emergency: 901 Ambulance: 998/999 Fire: 997 Coastguard: 996

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Dubai SIM Card for Tourists: Info, Reviews & Discounts (2022)

When you arrive in Dubai, the first nuisance that you will have to face concerns the possibility of using your smartphone. Surfing the internet with your national SIM card you risk spending a lot of money in a few minutes . The same can be said for calls: international roaming costs in the UAE are very high!

The best thing to do is to use a local SIM Card , in this way you can use your smartphone, maps, call home and even make calls in the UAE (to reserve restaurants, tours or just in case of emergencies, especially if you plan to rent a car) without spending a fortune: with a fixed and affordable price you can use the internet (and social networks) and call without risk and without problems.

When you arrive at the airport you can choose between different types of Dubai SIM Card for Tourists , in this guide I will help you find your way among the best SIM Cards and choose the most reliable and cheapest one.

Dubai SIM Card for Tourists: All You Need to Know

Dubai and the UAE have an excellent telecommunications network, although tariff plans for smartphones are generally quite expensive. Furthermore, many foreign SIM cards do not work here, or the costs of calls and the internet can be exorbitant.

For this reason, most tourists arriving in Dubai choose to buy a UAE SIM Card, which allows significant savings , even over 90% compared to international roaming rates .

At the airport there are desks that sell Dubai SIM Cards for Tourists, they are specifically designed for travelers who stay for a maximum of 30 days (which can be easily extended) and want to use the internet and call without worries.

Dubai SIM Card: Which mobile operator to choose?

In the UAE there are only two mobile internet operators: Du and Etisalat . It’s practically a monopoly, so the rates are pretty high. However, the coverage is quite good, both operators offer excellent coverage of all major cities and roads.

The quality of the internet connection is very good: 4G high-speed connection is available in most of the UAE, 5G is also available in some areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Etisalat offers better coverage in the most remote areas of the country, Du is more popular with tourists, due to better rates and a better service reputation.

At Dubai International Airport you will also find another mobile operator: Virgin Mobile , which operates on the Du network, but which I have not yet had the opportunity to try. However, their prices did not seem so advantageous to me.

The difference between Etisalat and Du is mainly the price and how many GB and minutes they offer. So, let’s see what is the most advantageous offer at the moment for a Dubai SIM Card for Tourists.

Dubai SIM Card Prices for Tourists

The SIM Cards for Tourists that you can buy at Dubai Airport (and which work in all UAE) usually offer enough GB and minutes at a much more affordable price than that of a regular SIM Card.

The two companies, Du and Etisalat , have similar prices and reliable service, because they are both partially owned by the government.

ETISALAT Dubai SIM Card Prices for Tourists

Etisalat offers a mobile plan dedicated to tourists called Visitor Line , which has two options: Visitor Line and Visitor Line Plus .

The Etisalat SIM Card for Tourists is free, you only pay to activate the Visitor Line mobile plan which is valid for 14 days and allows you to call in the UAE and to over 100 countries in the world.

DU Dubai SIM Card Prices for Tourists

Du offers a free SIM Card and allows you to choose between three different mobile plans that include national and international calls and internet data.

The DU SIM Card for Tourists is designed for all those tourists who do not need a large quota of minutes for calls. Flexi Minutes means that you can freely call both UAE national numbers and international numbers from over 100 countries worldwide.

PRO TIP: Buy it online to get more data and calls and a better price

The smart choice is to buy it online in advance: in this way you can choose from tariff plans available exclusively online, which allows you to get more by paying less.

These mobile plans are currently the most convenient, especially the Mega Pack and the Pro Pack allow you to fill up on internet data and calls, at the best price you can find in the UAE.

Furthermore, by purchasing the SIM Card for Tourists online, its validity is 30 days and can be extended very easily, with an SMS or a visit to one of the DU stores in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

After purchasing your SIM card for tourists online, you can easily and quickly collect it directly at Dubai International Airport , in the Bookmywifi shop, which you will easily find in the arrivals area of terminals 1 and 3, without having to queue.

Best UAE SIM Card for Tourists

The best solution for tourists arriving at Dubai International Airport is the SIM Card offered by Du .

The pack that can be purchased online includes enough minutes and internet data to meet the most common needs of tourists and the price is definitely the cheapest.

Purchase a SIM Card at Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Most tourists and business travelers buy a UAE Sim Card as soon as they arrive in Dubai, because it is the most convenient and easy solution. However Du , Etisalat and Virgin Mobile also have stores in the major shopping centers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but sometimes some offers are not available there.

Shops of the mobile operators Du and Etisalat are located in the arrivals areas of all the terminals of Dubai International Airport. Often, especially in Terminal 1, the queues to activate a SIM Card are quite long. Prices are exactly the same in all terminals.

Some Duty Free Shops also sell SIM Cards, however I recommend you buy it online (from authorized stores) or directly in the official shops.

To activate a UAE SIM Card for Tourists you must bring your passport with you (a valid visa is also required). According to local law, only one SIM card can be registered per person and you must be at least 18 years old.

Free SIM Card Dubai Airport

From 2019 tourists arriving at Dubai Airport, who have a valid visa and are at least 18 years old, can receive a free Sim Card offered by the mobile operator Du. But don’t get too excited!

This free SIM Card only comes with just 20 MB of internet data and 3 minutes of calls . So you need to top this Dubai SIM Card with credit (at the same prices we just saw) otherwise you won’t get anywhere.

Dubai SIM Card Discount Prices and Offers

You can save up to 30% with the bundles that allow you to easily visit Dubai and its major attractions, such as the Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa, you can also book a private transfer with pick up or drop off at Dubai Airport at the cheapest price. The SIM card for tourists is always included in the price!

Explore Dubai by Hop On Hop Off Bus with Free Attractions, SIM Card and WiFi Pocket included!

This is truly a big deal! By booking this bundle online you can explore Dubai in 24, 48 or 72 hours by taking advantage of an unlimited pass for the Hop On Hop Off double decker buses that allow you to easily move between the major attractions of Dubai (including audio guide in your favorite language).

You also have free entry to several Dubai attractions and get a SIM Card with data and international calls included . You can also take advantage of the free rental of a portable 4G Pocket WiFi that allows you to share the connection with 10 devices (laptops, tablets or smartphones) at a time.

All of this comes for a price that starts at just $ 60!

Private Return Transfer from Dubai Airport with Data SIM Card

Enjoy the convenience of finding your driver waiting for you in the arrivals hall, and then reach your hotel in total comfort and without hassle.

This private transfer service is perfect for families, couples and business travelers. You will have the transfer from Dubai Airport to your hotel on the day of your arrival, and your driver will return to pick you up at the hotel and drop you off at the airport on the day of your departure.

You can also enjoy a Data SIM Card to be used freely during your stay in Dubai (up to 3GB), which will be given to you directly by the driver and which you will return to him on the day of your departure.

Are you planning your trip? These tips may come in handy: THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN DUBAI USEFUL TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO DUBAI USEFUL ADVICE ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR DUBAI

Stay Connected in Dubai: Your Ultimate Guide to Tourist SIM Cards

Whether you are planning on spending three days in Dubai or one month, when you come to Dubai, you certainly need a local Dubai sim card in order to enjoy your trip hassle-free. If you are going to be in Dubai for a short period of time, it will be imperative that you have a reliable way of communicating during your stay. Even though Wife is available at most popular tourist attractions in Dubai, you will still feel the need to bring a local SIM card with them at some point in their travels. The city is one of the best places to visit in the world and offers many things to do for free.

Table of Contents

Why Local Sim Card?

It is understandable that you might be wondering why you should get a Dubai SIM card when you can book excursions online and keep using the free WiFi available. That is a good question, but as a tourist, you will find that there are two logical reasons why you should get a Dubai SIM card.

As a visitor to Dubai, it is worthwhile to remember that during your stay, you are likely to consume a large amount of data on your phone. If you activate international roaming of your home country, you will pay quite high prices. In contrast, if you decide to purchase a local Dubai SIM card in Dubai, you will be able to accomplish this task for a lot less money.

Since you are a new visitor to the city, you aren’t familiar with the city as a whole. You are only relying on information found online, and you are probably using Google maps to find your way around. Is that right? While you can access the internet by using Wifi in hotels, you will need a mobile data connection to access the internet outside of hotels.

Additionally, without a local Dubai SIM card, you would be unable to communicate with your tour operator. I used to be a travel consultant several years ago, and I still remember how our guests had problems meeting our driver on several occasions. In most cases, guests come to the hotel lobby right at the time of pick up, which is a good thing, but for some tours during peak season, it may be difficult to locate guests in the hotel lobby because of crowds. When you have a UAE number, anyone will be able to reach you quickly and easily, so take a UAE SIM card with you when you visit Dubai for a comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable stay.

Related Post:  Dubai Desert Safari Review

Free Dubai Sim Cards for Tourists : Where to Get?

A collaborative partnership between DU telecom and the tourism department has led to the release of a FREE tourist SIM card for individuals over 18 years old. When you arrive at the immigration desk, inquire about the free SIM card. Tourists who are interested in this free Dubai SIM card can pick it up from either of Dubai’s airports, and it comes with 1 GB of free data, and it’s valid for 24 hours, so they can connect with their family members and friends as soon as they get to the airport. It is also easy to top it up once the 1 GB has been consumed.

Required documents:   Valid passport and UAE visa.

Others Dubai Tourists Sim Card Options

In the past few years, tourists intending to purchase a Dubai SIM card had only two options available to them: Du and Etisalat. There is a new option for tourists seeking Dubai SIM cards in the UAE now that Virgin Mobile has announced its services in Dubai as a new option for tourists in need of Dubai SIM cards.

So it is also possible to purchase SIM cards at airports from other mobile networks such as Etisalat and Virgin Mobile. Buying a prepaid SIM card for Dubai at the airport is the easiest and most convenient method. If you do not want to purchase one at the airport, you can buy it from the local vendors in your area or at a good shopping mall like Dubai mall etc where all the operators have their office

Etisalat Tourist Sim Card Details

Since Etisalat has been working locally and internationally for many years now, it has become a popular name in global telecommunications. The company provides a range of money-saving plans and instant activation plans for travellers who choose Etisalat Tourist sim cards.

You may opt for the Etisalat visitor line if you do not plan to use much data or if you are on a short trip to Dubai. The Etisalat visitor line costs AED 79 (USD 21) and includes 4 GB, 30 Flexi minutes, and a SIM card for 28 days.

This Visitor Line Premium subscription costs AED 125 (USD 34) per month, and it includes 8 GB of data, 120 Flexi minutes, and 5 WiFi hours, which is quite a reasonable price considering the amount of data you will get.  All visitors over 18 years of age, with a valid passport, and a UAE visa are eligible for Etisalat’s visitor line.

Also, this SIM card supports both 4 G and 5 G. You don’t need to visit to any shop to get it.If you arrive at Dubai International Airport, you can reach Etisalat outlit in the arrival area or in the duty-free area. Etisalat tourism card also offers AED 100 Careem credits for booking Careem taxis.

Required documents:   Valid passport and UAE visit visa.

DU Tourist Sim Card Details

Another mobile operator in the UAE is Du. It offers an extensive choice of tourist SIMs, which you can buy for AED 49 + 5% VAT. The tourist SIM comes with 30 flexible minutes (national or international) and 2 GB of data. In comparison with Etisalat’s basic plan, I have concluded that both Etisalat and Du offer the same amount of Flexi minutes and the same amount of data, and both plans are valid for 28 days.

One very positive thing about the DU tourist card is that you can renew your SIM card after 90 days without presenting your Emirates ID. To renew it, you need your passport and an updated valid UAE visa. It’s an excellent option for business travelers visiting Dubai. In addition, Du cars come with free vouchers worth AED 1500, which can be used to book a car with Dollar Rent a Car.

Best e-sim cards for Dubai

Besides getting a local SIM card in Dubai or setting up international roaming on your home country’s phone number, there are a few different ways to stay connected when visiting Dubai in 2023 besides getting a local Dubai SIM card. With an E-SIM card, it is also possible to quickly and easily organize everything online, which eliminates the need for physical SIM cards shops and the need to change the cards physically by switching to an E-SIM card instead. Once you have received a QR code in the mail, you simply need to follow the instructions that come with it.

The following are the top six eSIM cards for United Arab Emirates that you can buy right now:

The Airalo United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM is available in three different capacities, ranging from 1 GB to 5 GB (top pick).

The Airalo Menalink eSIM is available in three sizes ranging from 1 GB to 3 GB

With Holafly e-SIM United Arab Emirates for 5 to 20 days, you will be able to use unlimited data

Nomad United Arab Emirates eSIM has four options between 1GB and 10GB to meet your needs

Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) has 12 choices of 1GB and 20GB eSIM (extensive global coverage (130+ countries) at attractive prices) plus the ability to make and receive calls, as well as send and receive SMS (a new feature).

With SimOptions, you are able to purchase the AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM with 5G NR access in United Arab Emirates with a 6 GB option (the eSIM with the most countries supported by 5G NR (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity period).

There is also a Nomad International eSIM option for you which is available with three choices, between 1 and 5 GB.

Is Dubai 5G?

With its modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, Dubai is considered one of the world’s most technologically advanced cities, offering a host of state-of-the-art facilities and modern infrastructure. It is a positive thing to know that major telecom companies have already enabled 5G in the city, so you can now experience faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections.

If you’ve any question in mind feel free and ask me in comments. I will try to respond to you in 3 days.

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More currencies, 5g/4g tourist sim card for uae - airport pick-up (dxb/auh/shj).

Stay effortlessly connected with your loved ones while enjoying your vacation, and bid adieu to exorbitant roaming charges by utilizing the convenience of a 5G/4G tourist SIM card at UAE.

Regular pack: 2 GB + 30 Minutes

Mega pack: 4 GB + 30 Minutes (optional)

Pro pack: 8 GB + 120 Minutes (optional)

Ultra pack: Unlimited GB + 100 Minutes (optional)

Elite pack: Unlimited GB + 300 minutes (optional)

5G/4G SIM Card for UAE

Get an easy way to stay connected with friends and family back home when you are in Dubai while avoiding large roaming costs. Enjoy the services of a local 5G/4G UAE SIM card, available for pick up as soon as you arrive at the Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi International Airport. Get rid of the hassle of hunting for WiFi every time you want to check the maps for nearby cafes, book limousine rides, and more.

Different 5G/4G SIM Card Plans

Regular pack (2 gb + 30 minutes).

2 GB mobile data

30 flexi minutes

28 days validity

Mega Pack (4 GB + 30 Minutes)

4 GB mobile data

Pro Pack (8 GB + 120 Minutes)

8 GB mobile data

120 flexi minutes

Ultra Pack (Unlimited Data + 100 Minutes)

Unlimited mobile data

100 flexi minutes

7 days validity

Elite Pack (Unlimited Data + 300 minutes)

300 flexi minutes

14 days validity

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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Know Before You Go

Important information.

Abiding by local regulations, both eSIMs and physical SIMs necessitate obligatory in-person KYC verification.

The customer must present their original passport and UAE Visa copy. SIM card can only be issued to a person 18 years of age and above.

Only 1 SIM card can be activated using 1 passport.

Enjoy UAE-wide 5G/4G network coverage on your vacation. The service is provided using local UAE eSIM cards, with local customer support.

UAE laws do not permit VoIP services – so only WhatsApp, Facebook, etc. chat is available –video & voice calling facilities from the apps are currently not allowed.

Choice of eSIM/physical SIM can be made at the time of collection.

How to Get Your SIM Card?

The SIM card can only be delivered and activated in-store.

Obtain your SIM card from Etisalat outlets: Dubai Int'l Airport (T1, T2 & T3), Abu Dhabi Airport (Terminal 1), Sharjah Airport arrivals, or city locations.

The sim card can be collected from kitmytrip store on T3.

During SIM activation, present the original Passport and UAE Visa copy.

Activation requires the presence of passport holder.

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Your Worry-Free Trip to United Arab Emirates Starts With a TravelSim Prepaid SIM Card

Talk, text, data with international prepaid sim for uae.

The International Prepaid SIM Card for UAE is the most convenient and economical solution for staying in touch.

Chat to your friends and family back home by easily connecting to a local DU network. Your SIM can also be used in over 135+  countries  across  340 networks . Make a call as if you were back home, saving you up to 85% on roaming charges. Free incoming calls.

Bypass Internet Sensorship and Filtering. TravelSim enables you to bypass any Internet Sensorship in UAE and use internet freely.

TravelSim provides a physical sim card and an eSIM for United Arab Emirates, choose which one suits better for you. You can select the physical sim card below and click here to buy an eSIM.

The one-size-fits-all Prepaid SIM Card is suitable for use in any unlocked cell phone or wifi device. Simply add prepaid credit anytime online. We’ve got you covered across United Arab Emirates + more.

Configure Your TravelSim

Universal SIM size — Mini, Macro & Nano Size

Choose credit for calls & texts

Unlimited USA calls voice package includes unlimited calls from USA to USA and European Union numbers. It does not include calls to voicemail and other TravelSim numbers. You can make unlimited calls from USA to following countries: USA, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech.Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Barthelemy / St. Martin Island, Sweden, United Kingdom.

• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo Democratic Republic
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Philippines
• Russian Federation
• South Korea
• Cook Islands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Antigua and Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Netherlands Antilles
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• St Kitts and Nevis
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Faroe Islands
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City
• Afghanistan
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United States
• United States Virgin Islands
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands
• French Guiana

Add the best data plan to SIM card

Find your zone, add extra number.

Your SIM card phone number starts with +372 by default. In addition to that, you can choose to purchase a UK phone number (+44) or a US phone number (+1).

If you purchase a US number, it will become your primary phone number for outgoing calls. Your default +372 number will still work for incoming calls. Data usage is not affected by phone numbers. Incoming call 0.20$ or 0.15€/min. Incoming SMS is free. US numbers can only receive calls, no SMS service available for US numbers. Incoming call 0.20$ or 0.15€/min

Here are all the countries you can travel to when you select this data plan:

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• Bosnia and Herzegovina
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• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of Congo
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• St. Pierre and Miquelon
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• United Arab Emirates

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Best eSIM for Dubai: Which one to buy?

This article will tell you everything you need to know about this Dubai eSIM. Advantages, features, prices, and so much more

January 18, 2023

In this article

Holafly saves you +30% compared to other roaming fees

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Do you want to know which is the best eSIM to travel to Dubai ? Do you need to know how and where you can get one? Is it something that you must take on your trip to this modern Asian destination? If you always want to be connected, you must have an eSIM for Dubai. Avoid paying high costs for roaming services or for renting a pocket wifi .

Of course, you need to know everything about the eSIMs. A new device that is revolutionizing the cellular connectivity industry. That is why this article will tell you how to get an eSIM for Dubai, the prices, advantages, and much more. Read on to find out more about the alternative that will allow you to stay connected to the internet while getting to know the wonderful city of Dubai!

Where can I buy an eSIM for Dubai?

Nowadays, you have three different ways to get this card :

• Get it on international online stores, like Holafly.
• Look for physical stores when you land and make sure they have virtual SIM cards in stock.
• Or, if your cellphone is not eSIM compatible, you can always get a physical SIM card for your stay in Dubai .

eSIM for Dubai

Buy an eSIM for Dubai with a 5% OFF. Code: MYESIMNOW5

What is an eSIM?

The eSIM is a device that, eventually, will replace physical cards. It is a little device that is implanted in the cell phone’s hardware, it can host many telephone operator lines, and it uses QR codes to activate the data plan . You can get it on the Holafly eSIM store.

Advantages of an eSIM for Dubai.

These are some of the many advantages the Holafly eSIM has :

• Holafly’s eSIM works with many of the latest generation phones, so make sure your phone is compatible: here is a list of compatible cell phones .
• You do not need to sign any minimum term clauses or contracts , which makes the purchase process easier.
• You can share data with family, friends, or whoever you’re traveling with. 
• You can keep your WhatsApp in your language , so you can still use the app.
• Furthermore, you’ll have 24-hour chat support, and you can also receive help over the phone.
• You can still use your physical card if you need both devices at the same time.

The eSIM has a great advantage over other alternatives since this is an online service. So, you will not have to wait for a delivery to use it, since your eSIM will arrive in your email in a matter of minutes after the purchase.

How do I activate my eSIM card for Dubai?

Here you have a simple guide to activate your eSIM .

• First, you have to enter the Holafly store, pick your eSIM, and finish the purchase.
• Once you do that, you will receive an email with the QR code that will install the data plan.
• Scan the QR code (you must be connected to the internet), to configure the eSIM in your device. NOTE: The cell phone with which you scan the QR must be the one that is going to carry the data plan.
• Rename the eSIM , so you can differentiate it from your SIM card.
• Once you arrive at your destination, activate the data roaming of your Android or IOS.
• And… That’s it! Now you can access the internet!

How much does a Holafly eSIM card for Dubai cost?

Currently, this virtual card has only one plan available, and it’s the following one:

If you want to visit more Asian countries, we recommend you get the Asia eSIM , so you can keep traveling through Asia with the best internet!

Advantages of the eSIM vs the SIM card for Dubai

• Number portability: fast to carry out, compared to the traditional SIM because you don’t have to wait days or weeks to receive it.
• Easy purchasing: getting the Holafly eSIM is simple and easy.
• It doesn’t need physical installation: an eSIM is a device that is implanted on high-end cell phones, so there’s no plastic chip to insert.
• It does not pollution: being a virtual device, it does not require a physical installation, making it an eco-friendly product.

Etisalat eSIM card for Dubai

When you arrive in Dubai you will find a physical LG U+ operator store , the second most popular in the country. The virtual SIM card of this company has the following characteristics:

• Internet packages to share with other devices.
• Chat service and support on the operator’s web.
• Unlimited calls and messages inside this country.
• A variety of GB browsing packages.

In case you need to use your physical SIM card and the eSIM at the same time, you can use both!

Du eSIM for Dubai

The Du online stores offer an eSIM, and it has the following characteristics:

• 5G networks connection.
• Family plans to share cellular data.
• No contract term clause for prepaid SIMs.

Which is the best eSIM for Dubai?

After reading all of this, there is no doubt: the Holafly eSIM for Dubai is the ideal option! It has multiple advantages, and it has 24/7 customer support. On the other hand, if your smartphone is incompatible, then we recommend you the Holafly physical SIM card for Dubai.

Frequent questions about the best eSIM for Dubai

Here you have a list of the eSIM compatible cell phones: Apple iPhone SE (2020), XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro and Pro 11, Pro Max 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 Mini, Samsung S20, Galaxy Z Flip, Note 20 Ultra, Fold LTE, Huawei P40, P40 Pro, Google Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a and Motorola Razr 2019. It is also compatible with some iPads:  iPad (iPad Pro 11 and 12.9 inches 3rd generation, iPad Air 3rd generation, iPad 7th generation, and iPad Mini 5th generation).

Once you land and activate the data roaming, from that moment you can start using your data plan. That’s why you should not activate the data before you get to your destination.

The Holafly eSIM for Dubai offers coverage in 4G LTE speed. However, in some places with low coverage, your cellphone might connect to 3G speed.

Yes, you can. That’s not a problem, it is possible to use both cards. But you should know that your domestic operator will charge you for the international roaming.

Recommendations to choose the best eSIM for Dubai

• Don’t get your eSIM at the airport, it is better if you buy it before you travel .
• Download apps, games, and videos before traveling. Don’t waste your data!
• Make sure your cell phone has unlocked bands, so it can connect to other telephone networks.

We’ve reached the end of this article! Hopefully, this information will help you make the best decision. If you pick Holafly, you will have the best internet in Dubai, and you will fully enjoy your trip! You won’t regret it!

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Home » Gear » Travel Sim's » best international sim cards

9 BEST International SIM Cards for Travel (Buyer’s Guide • 2024)

SIM cards are a royal pain in the butt when travelling. Every time you land somewhere new, you have to perform the same song and dance of going out of your way to get a new sim pretty much as soon as possible.

Usually what happens is that you land in the airport and then you either get ripped off buying a SIM card there or navigate to town without any connectivity. Once you’re in town, you have to navigate a foreign city sifting through local SIM providers, various plans, and also probably getting lost along the way. It’s not the ideal way to start a vacation and I cannot even count the hours I’ve lost shopping for sims in new countries.

That’s why buying one of the best international SIM cards is THE way to go.

An International SIM card is one which will work all over the world meaning that you never have to change it again – no more messing around at the O2 Kiosk in strange airports!

Now, to set the record straight, while there are cheaper travel SIM cards in existence, they still aren’t exactly cheap. Nine times out of ten, a local SIM card is always going to be the cheaper option for budget backpackers.

Maybe you’re a digital nomad who always needs to be connected, maybe you’re a high-flying businessperson with fancy business attire who makes busy business calls while on holiday or maybe (like me) you are just sick of having to change sims.

Either way, this is the list of the best international SIM cards on the market! I’ve done all the leg-work and the research to deliver an international SIM cards review in full. So let’s get ourselves connected.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Compare The Best International SIM Cards

What is an international sim card, the best sim cards for international travellers, international data sim cards for digital nomads, social media addicts, and tinder aficionados, a quick review of each sim card, frequently asked questions about travel sim cards, should you buy an international sim card.

This isn’t the whole roundup but it is my personal pick of the best international SIM cards worth looking into, each one serving a different niche.

• > e-Sim and Traditional Sims available
• > Wide and reliable coverage
• > Low SIM-purchasing fees
• > $9.95 – $39.95

• > Virtual sim – no plastic needed!
• > Excellent range of packages
• > Download before you leave home

• > Excellent value – starts at $1
• > Range of packages available
• > Great coverage
• > $1 – $80

KeepGo Lifetime World SIM Card

• > Reliable connection
• > Prone to cutting rates
• > Coverage could be better

• > Simple rates – no bundle packs
• > Huge coverage
• > Requires a PRO account for maximum coverage
• > $10 – $100

Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card

• > Extremely reliable in Europe
• > Easily sufficient for a two-week holiday
• > Excludes a number of countries in Europe

International SIMs, roaming SIMs, travel SIM Cards whatever: a rose by any name can still order you a pizza when you don’t want to leave the guesthouse after all right? That’s what an international SIM card is, a SIM card that will have you hooked up from “anywhere” .

Why did you put ‘anywhere’ in quotes?

Because it’s a highly variable anywhere. “Anywhere” really means from the countries that the international SIM covers. That said, some of these travel SIM providers cover over 200 countries.

That also said, there are only 195 countries in the world so I’m not sure how they mathed those numbers out. Still unsure, have a look at our guide to local vs international SIM cards .

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So, how does an international SIM card work?

Without getting too technical, an international SIM card isn’t programmed to one specific network. It’s programmed to operate on a number of networks in a number of different geographical locations – specifically, networks using the GSM (Global Systems of Management Communications) framework.

That’s why to use your cell phone internationally with a travel SIM card it needs to be:

• GSM-compatible (many phones are).
• Unlocked, i.e. not tied to a provider.

Do be sure about that unlocked phone bit before you go ahead and buy a new one.

Basically, global SIM cards will plug into a local network from the country you’re travelling to… Consensually, of course.

That’s why coverage so strongly varies among the many international SIMs. Some SIM cards are for worldwide use and programmed accordingly. Some SIM cards are for international roaming in certain regions like Asia, the USA, or Europe (usually, omitting a third of Europe in their coverage).

For example, you’ll need a different sim card for Canada and the USA in most cases, but in Europe you’ll more than likely be able to use the same one.

Who benefits from buying an international SIM card?

Well, like I said, not so much the longterm backpacker types . A local SIM card is pretty much always cheaper and much more practical (and reliable) for long stays in any country. Unfortunately, actual cheap international sim cards don’t exist yet.

Country-hoppers , on the other hand, may want to consider buying some sort of prepaid international SIM card. Buying local sim cards in Europe for only 1-2 weeks of use eight times in a trip is nobody’s idea of fun, especially if you care about data usage and double especially if you care about plastic ending up in the ocean.

People living the digital nomad lifestyle may also benefit from a travel SIM. Though a local SIM is much more equipped for longterm stays in a country, sometimes the options or service is crap and sometimes you’ll spend long stretches in transit which is a perfect time to crunch out a few hours. Besides, there is no rule that says you can’t have two SIMs. A prepaid international sim card might be the best option here (more about that later).

Lastly, business people or people that take frequent short trips will benefit from a SIM card for international travel. I might be stereotyping here but I kinda feel that these folk are less concerned with the costs associated. Plus, most SIM cards for overseas use tend to have 1-year validity for purchased credit, so it’s totally viable to park your SIM after a trip and then pop it back in for the next one.

Beginning the list are the top international SIM cards for travelling that do everything a SIM card should do: call, texts, and mobile data . These SIMs have some pretty major coverage globally and for most travellers in the world, are more than sufficient.

Of course, there has to be a best-of-the-best in this international sim card comparison. So first up–the best travel SIM card!

#1 The Best International Physical SIM Card – OneSim

Ok, so what makes OneSim the best travel SIM card? It’s a fine difference between the first few candidates but OneSim edges out on top for a combination of versatility, pricing, and reliability.

First up, they offer multiple different SIM cards each catering to different travelling needs INCLUDING (but not limited to) 2 awesome e-Sim options :

• OneSimCard e-Sim World (From $9.95) – Coverage of 150 countries with free incoming calls on EU numbers.
• OneSimCard e-Sim Asiana (From $9.95) – Specially designed for Asia and Oceania. Data packages available.

If your phone is not yet e-Sim ready, then worry not because OneSim also offer some excellent deals on plastic sims:

• OneSimCard Universal ($29.95) – Coverage of over 200 countries but with a more limited data service (50+) countries.
• OneSimCard Expedition ($34.95) – Offers much the same coverage as the OneSim Universal travel SIM but with way more data coverage. It’s the choice for the explorers.

How OneSim Works

You’ll get a $10 bonus credit with any OneSIM roaming SIM card purchase, but once that’s gone, you’ll have to continue buying data plans. Rates vary wildly by both the choice of travel SIM card you are using and the country you’re in so you’ll need to check these rates to see if they suit you.

You’ll receive two numbers: a European (Estonian) number and a choice of one from the USA, UK, Australia, or Canada. Incoming calls on the primary European number is free in a large coverage of countries or starting from $0.25/min otherwise. Outgoing calls also start from $0.25/min (dependent on locations) and receiving texts are free.

Casual data rates start at rather hefty $0.20/MB . However, what makes this such a good prepaid international SIM card is that there is a lot of choices to lower your costs. You can buy data bundles ranging from one/two weeks to a month divided by zone or region. There are also discount plans and bundles available for call rates. This makes the OneSIM one of the best international SIM cards for data as well.

So, is it worth it?

Although not strictly the cheapest international SIM card on the market, the wealth of choices means that you can tailor your SIM card to your world travel needs and minimize costs. The added bonus is that OneSim has been kicking around for a while so they know the market well.

They provide a reliable service, as well as a bunch of neat extras, to keep their clients happy chappies. If you’re looking for the best sim card for international travel, OneSIM is definitely one you should consider getting.

#2 Best Global eSim Provider – GigSky

If you have a modern phone (iPhone 11 , Samsung Galaxy S21, etc or above) it will probably be eSim compatible. This means that you don’t actually need a plastic SIM card but can simply download an eSim via GigSky the same way you would download an app.

When I first heard of eSim about one year ago, it was something of a niche product simply because most travellers were using phones and devices that were not eSim compatible. However that is changing fast and by 2024, an estimated 80% of travellers will use eSim. The eSim marketplace is a very exciting one and the providers are contently innovating to come up with some new, better, cheaper packages – according to our research, GigSk are currently leading the pack.

How GigSky Works

I had the pleasure of reviewing Gigsky and It’s really very simple. You either download the GigSky App (which we do recommend) or else go to their website and check out their “Global Plans”. You buy the package you want (in the 5GB World Plan) and download it not your phone BEFORE you fly, using either a link or a QR code.

The joy of eSim is that you can install it before you leave and then activate as soon as the plane touches down meaning you are rocking and rolling all over the world before you even get your luggage.

GigSky offer 1 Global Package only – 5GB over 30 days for $69.99. I can be topped up (if you somehow burn through all 5GB) but it cannot be extended past the 30 days.

So, Is It Worth It?

Well, $69.99 is a lot for a 30 day package but International Sim Packages do not come cheap. GigSky also have a wide range of global carrier partners meaning their offer better connectively than most platers in this space.

Overall though, in terms of sheer convenience yes GigSky is worth it – you you can browse for and install an eSim from the comfort your device and get it ready to use before you even leave home which saves a whole lotta hassle. However, the package does NOT include an actual phone number which is a bit of a bummer.

#3 Great Global eSim Package – Sim Local

Sim Local is recognized as a global leader in the travel SIM card and eSIM retail market. The company specializes in serving global travellers, enabling them to stay connected while avoiding expensive roaming charges. During my review of Sim Local , I was impressed to see they provide local SIM cards and eSIM profiles directly to customers through a variety of channels, including retail stores, kiosks, vending machines, a mobile app, and an eShop.

Their services are aimed at offering significant savings on data, calls, and texts compared to traditional roaming options, and they also offer a range of mobile handsets and accessories tailored to the needs of travellers.

How Sim Local Works

First up, note that Sim Local are an eSim-only provider so if you’re phone is not eSim ready…go elsewhere. Providing it is, you simply hop over to their site or get the app and check out their global packages. At the time of writing the site offers their own brand one for just $10 for 3 days, or an Orange one that costs $28.00 for 14 days.

I’ll be frank, eSims are still often more expensive than buying physical sims but they are a lot easier to install and to operate and best of all, you can install them before you even leave home. In my view, $28.00 for 10GB of data over 14 days is good value for an international sim but bear in mind it don’t come with a local numero.

#4 A Worldwide SIM Card – WorldSIM

WorldSIM gets a mention on this list because it’s another puller in the market with some comparatively awesome rates. It’s also got some really weirdly expensive outlying rates. As such, we certainly don’t feel like it’s a fit for the best SIM card for international roaming.

How WorldSim Works

The WorldSIM international SIM card has no purchasing fee- woo! Now, before you get too excited, it does require a top-up of credit at purchase.

That means that you’re paying a minimum of $33.75 plus shipping . For $67.50 of credit, shipping is free.

The casual rates for outgoing calls, texts, and data usage are the cheapest I’ve found so far with data coverage extending to countries missed out on by OneSim. Except, a lot of the rates in various countries for incoming calls are shockingly high.

As for the data bundles? No idea. Their website isn’t working for that page and is just stuck in an infinitely loading loop.

Our gut says no. But, you do you. You shouldn’t base your decisions on buying an international SIM card on the gut instincts of a stranger online. All the same though, our gut says no.

Between the mildly bait-and-switch-y “$0” SIM purchasing fee, the janky and unwieldy website, and the weird incoming call rates that could potentially trap an unwitting consumer, WorldSIM in review doesn’t feel like an international SIM card worth purchasing, especially in comparison to other choices on the market.

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Now, for just $30, get a lifetime membership that entitles you to 10% OFF on most items, access to their trade-in scheme and discount rentals .

Are you turn-of-the-century generational that eschews actually phoning people online for commenting how much you miss them on their latest Insta post? What a coincidence – me too! Rather than risking being ripped off when buying a local SIM card, get your hands on an international data card instead.

These are the best international  data SIM cards for those of us that scoot by without the extras.

#1 Best Data Only eSIM Card for International Travel – Jetpac

Jetpac is a Singapore based eSIM company who offer packages, designed primarily for travellers and Digital Nomads. They offer various data plans that can be used across many countries, and the service includes features like free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed.

Jetpac eSIMs are compatible with a range of devices, including many models from Apple, Samsung, and Google. To activate a Jetpac eSIM, users need to sign up on the Jetpac website or app, choose a plan that fits their travel needs, and then scan a QR code to install the eSIM on their device.

We love Jetpac for its ease of setup and reliable connectivity. JetPac makes it a handy tool for international travel, ensuring continuous access to mobile data across multiple destinations. While they don’t offer local numbers, we love that most of their packs last for 30 days by default so you can just concentrate on how much data you need.

Wanna know more: Check out our detailed Jetpac eSim card review here.

How it Works

The Jetpac worldwide eSIM card comes in a variety of different data packages. Data can be topped up with a number of plans ranging from 100 MB up to a slammin’ 25 GB ! The prices of data top-ups are:

• 1 GB – $1
• 3 GB – $10
• 5 GB – $25
• 10 GB – $30
• 25 GB – $38

Absolutely. I mean, come on it starts at one-freaking-dollar and works all over the world. All in all we’d consider this one of the best pre paid international data only sim cards on the market.

#2 A Simple Data SIM Card for Worldwide Travel – Surfroam

Yay! No prepaid data packages, no contractual mumbo-jumbo, no running out of data right when you settle in for a long Netflix and poop session: Surfroam keeps it Pura Vida!

It’s data-only with coverage of 200+ countries – even Afghanistan and Yemen are covered! So, what’s the go?

Essentially, you pay €45 for the physical SIM card (which includes €25 credit) and then top-up as you go with pack options starting at €25 . You’re charged a pay-as-you-go rate per megabyte starting as low as €0.01/MB . So that’s way cheaper than the KeepGo data roaming sim card, right? Not quite…

Rates vary substantially by country so while this going to be a cheaper option across, say, Europe, it may not necessarily pan out that way in other places. That said, prices are still pretty cheap for most places and tend to beat out KeepGo.

As a final note, there is an eSIM (€30) available with the same data rates.

Ok, so ‘simple’ might be stretching it upon reflection, however, once you’re away, its streams ablaze! If you’re jet-setting and changing countries a lot, you will need to stay keyed in as to the rates .

Otherwise, the coverage significantly beats out KeepGo, and in many cases, Surfroam will end up being the cheapest international data SIM card you can purchase. It’s the simplest choice for staying connected pretty much anywhere in the world.

#3 The Best International SIM Card for Europe – Orange Holiday Europe

Are you just doing a little banger holiday in Europe and need a physical SIM card for your travels? Orange has got you covered. Specifically:

• Orange Holiday Europe SIM Card
• Orange Holiday Zen SIM Card

The Orange Holiday Zen is for light usage or a short trip. It’s a straight prepaid SIM card for travellers in Europe and it couldn’t be simpler.

For $27.29 , you get 8 GB of data, 30 minutes of calls worldwide, 200 texts, all lasting for 14 days before it expires. The Holiday Zen covers 30 countries in Europe including all the heavy-hitters, if you need a sim in Italy , Greece or Spain it’s perfect but it certainly doesn’t cover all of Europe (my boy Serbia – forever underrepresented). Still, this makes it one of the best European SIM Cards for travellers.

The Orange Holiday Europe takes all of that and just upgrades it: 20 GB in data, 120 minutes, and 1000 texts for $44 . The same coverage of countries applies and it’s a 14-day expiry again.

Orange also partners with a bunch of networks around the world- even offering an Israeli sim card called partner. If you take a look around their website, you can find more far-flung networks than you expected!

Both cards are able to be topped up online for more credit.

Yeah, so I wouldn’t call ‘30 countries in Europe’ an internationally roaming SIM card, but it is a super simple choice for anyone just travelling to Europe for a holiday. It’ll keep you safe in an emergency thanks to that fact that it’s not a data only service. Plus: you’ll have a SIM ready from the moment you land!

Orange is a pretty major sim provider in France so you’ll have a consistent connection. There’s no constant checking of rates calculators either. It’s just a perfectly simple prepaid SIM card for any travellers heading to Europe.

Y’all want more? Another option to look at is getting an Airalo eSim instead.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Woo – a table for a final sexy summary!

Some commonly asked questions about the world’s best travel SIM cards…

How do I activate my international SIM card?

Each international SIM comes with detailed instructions on how to set up and load your SIM. It’s always a good idea to get things set up before you leave home to avoid any mishaps.

What does international SIM mean?

An international SIM is a type of SIM card that will allow you to use your phone internationally by connecting to global carriers. Some of these SIMs will allow you to make calls as you normally would, while others only offer data plans.

What is the best SIM card for international travel?

Some of the best SIMs for international travel include OneSim , Nomad , KeepGo , and TravelSim .

Do international SIM cards expire?

Most of the SIMs on this list require you to recharge at least once a year, but in doing so all your data will remain usable.

That depends on how you travel. If you’re adept at buying prepaid SIM cards locally when you hit the ground, then I wouldn’t worry.

However, for the people that an international SIM card suits the travelling style and needs of, then yes, definitely. I think if you’re that person, then you probably already know that you’re that person.

People looking for the all-round ol’ reliable, OneSim is the go-to choice of travel SIM cards. For those who want the best data SIM card they can use overseas, that choice is KeepGo .

Skip the lines and skip the painful errand days in a foreign city. Buy one of the best international SIM cards you can and have yourself connected before you even touchdown on the landing.

Want another kind of sim card? Check out the revolutionary new Nomad e-sim , an app-based sim card covering over 100 countries that can be organised before you leave home! If that’s not enough, there’s another new service from HolaFly which offers similar coverage and deals so check them both out and see which fits your needs best.

Ziggy Samuels

Share or save this post

I think eSIMS are the future gamechanger here. You can download a digital SIM to your phone which has eSIM support.

I use a second phone to provide data to my main phone via bluetooth internet sharing. Wifi sharing can be used as well but bluetooth uses less power. On my main phone I leave the mobile data turned off and use the paired second phone for data. This allows me to use my main phone for Whatsapp, iMessage, email, etc.

10/10 review – exactly the type of info I was after. Plus, I liked your no BS style of writing. Thanks.

Thanks! Very useful! My main concern is regarding how long do the sim cards remain active if you are not buying credit regularly. I usually travel at least once or twice to congresses per year, but I wonder if some of these cards would stop working after a long time inactive. Is that information available for the cards discussed here? Cheers!

Heya, absolutely you can find that info! It’ll be in the terms and conditions/fine print for individual cards/plans. I’d like to say most last at least a year (which always seemed standard for SIM cards in general), but defs check that before you go buying any SIMs. Good question though!

You guys should definitely include DENT, a block chain based international E-Sim card, that offers flexibel data exchange. You can sell your unused data and always find the cheapest offer worldwide and cross boarder operational. Can’t be missed from this list!

Dude – hectic! I’m defs not about to go and update this article, but I looked and DENT seems pretty legit and totally worth the investigation. Anyone reading these comments, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not scoping them out at least! 😀

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Always Avoid These 10 Mistakes Tourists Make in Dubai

By: Author Ruben Arribas

Posted on June 4, 2024

Categories Uncategorized

Dubai, a city of architectural marvels and bustling markets, offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. As a traveler, I’ve experienced the city’s dazzling skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife firsthand. In this guide, I want to help you with top tips on how to avoid the top 10 mistakes tourists make in Dubai.

Dubai demands respect for its cultural norms and rules, which can be quite different from those in Western countries. This guide aims to shed light on the common mistakes tourists make when visiting Dubai, helping you navigate the city’s customs with ease and enjoy its many wonders without any hiccups.

From understanding the local laws to navigating the climate and cultural expectations, this article will prepare you for a seamless and respectful visit to one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Let’s dive into the details to ensure your trip to Dubai is as enjoyable and trouble-free as possible.

📌 Additional Reads: – 5 Tourist Traps to Avoid in Dubai And How to Avoid Them – Dubai Breakfast – Top Breakfast in Dubai to Try When Visiting – What to do in Dubai – 7 Checklist to Mark In Your Luxury Trip – Getting a Dubai SIM Card in 2024: Prepaid SIM Card in Dubai – Travel Insurance You Need To Get When You’re in Dubai

Table of Contents

Mistake 1: Ignoring Dress Codes in Public Spaces | Mistakes Tourists Make in Dubai

Commonality and Risks:

Dubai maintains a conservative dress code compared to many Western countries. Tourists sometimes forget or ignore these norms, especially in malls, restaurants, and public streets, which can lead to uncomfortable situations or even official warnings from local authorities.

How to Avoid It:

• Research Before You Go: Before arriving in Dubai, familiarize yourself with the local dress code. Generally, clothing that covers shoulders and knees should be worn in public spaces.

• Pack Appropriately: Include a mix of modest clothing in your travel wardrobe. For women, this might mean packing long skirts or pants and tops that cover the shoulders. Men should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts in non-beach areas.

• Carry a Cover-up: It’s a good idea to carry a lightweight scarf or shawl. It comes in handy not just for a sudden need to cover up more thoroughly but also for entering places of worship or other sites requiring more conservative dress.

By respecting the local dress code, you not only avoid potential discomfort but also show respect for the cultural norms of Dubai, enhancing your overall experience.

Mistake 2: Misunderstanding Dress Codes at Beaches and Hotel Pools

Dubai’s dress code becomes more liberal at beaches and hotel pools, yet some tourists go to extremes by wearing overly revealing swimwear or behaving inappropriately, forgetting that Dubai is still a conservative city at its core. This can lead to discomfort among other guests or even reprimands from staff.

• Understand the Boundaries: While swimwear is acceptable at the beach and hotel pools, it’s important to cover up when you’re walking through the hotel or public areas. Beach cover-ups are not just fashionable but also in line with local customs.

• Choose Appropriate Swimwear: Opt for swimwear that is respectful of the local culture. For example, avoid thong bikinis or excessively skimpy swimsuits. Men should wear swim trunks instead of brief-style swimwear.

• Behavior Matters: Be mindful of your behavior while at the beach or pool. Public displays of affection, which are normal in many Western countries, can be frowned upon here.

By understanding the nuances of what is acceptable at beaches and in resort areas, you can enjoy Dubai’s beautiful watersides worry-free, respecting the local culture while having fun.

Mistake 3: Not Scheduling Around the Midday Heat

Dubai’s climate can reach extreme temperatures, especially during the summer months, when the midday heat can be particularly oppressive. Tourists often underestimate the heat, planning outdoor activities during peak heat hours, which can lead to heat exhaustion or more severe heat-related illnesses.

• Plan Outdoor Activities Wisely: Schedule sightseeing, shopping in outdoor markets, or walks along the marina during the early morning or later in the afternoon. Avoid outdoor activities between 11 AM and 3 PM, when the sun is most intense.

• Stay Hydrated: Carry a water bottle with you at all times, and drink more water than you think you need. Staying hydrated is key to avoiding heat stroke.

• Use Sun Protection: Wear a hat, sunglasses, and apply high SPF sunscreen regularly. Seeking shade wherever possible also helps reduce the risk of sunburn and heat stroke.

By adjusting your schedule to avoid the hottest part of the day, you ensure a more comfortable and safe experience as you explore all that Dubai has to offer.

Mistake 4: Overlooking the Importance of Travel Insurance | Mistakes Tourists Make in Dubai

Many travelers to Dubai might skip purchasing travel insurance, considering it an unnecessary expense. However, unexpected medical emergencies, cancellations, or lost luggage can significantly affect your travel plans and budget.

• Secure Comprehensive Coverage: Opt for travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and loss of personal belongings. This is particularly crucial in Dubai, where medical costs can be high.

• Read the Fine Print: Ensure you understand what your insurance covers. Some policies may not cover certain activities considered high risk, such as desert safaris or scuba diving.

• Consider the Cost of Not Having It: Weigh the small upfront cost of insurance against potential large expenses in emergencies. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Mistake 5: Relying Solely on Public Transportation

Dubai’s public transport system is efficient but doesn’t cover all areas extensively, especially more secluded tourist spots or some residential areas. Tourists often assume it’s comprehensive, which can lead to delays and inconvenience.

• Use a Mix of Transport Options: Combine public transport with taxis or rideshare services to cover areas not easily accessible by metro or bus.

• Plan Your Routes in Advance: Check the public transportation routes and schedules to ensure they align with your itinerary, especially if you plan to visit outlying areas.

• Consider Renting a Car: If you’re comfortable driving in a foreign country, renting a car can give you the flexibility to explore Dubai at your own pace, including less accessible sites like the desert or distant resorts.

Mixing different modes of transportation can lead to a smoother and more flexible travel experience in Dubai, helping you make the most of your visit without the stress of limited mobility.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Local Customs and Etiquette

Dubai has a rich cultural heritage that is closely intertwined with Islamic traditions. Tourists sometimes overlook local customs, which can lead to uncomfortable situations or even fines.

• Research Local Traditions: Before your trip, take some time to learn about Dubai’s cultural norms, especially those related to dress codes, public behavior, and etiquette.

• Dress Modestly: When outside of tourist resorts and beaches, dress conservatively to respect the local culture. This is particularly important in religious sites and older parts of the city.

• Observe Public Decorum: Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and behaviors like loud arguments or public drunkenness can lead to penalties.

By showing respect for local customs and etiquette, you enhance your interactions with locals and ensure a more welcoming experience throughout your stay in Dubai.

Mistake 7: Misunderstanding the Costs of Traveling in Dubai

Dubai is known for its luxury and opulence, but tourists often underestimate the cost of services and activities here, leading to budget overruns.

• Plan Your Budget: Before traveling, research the costs of accommodations, meals, transportation, and attractions in Dubai. This helps set realistic expectations and manage your finances better.

• Look for Discounts and Deals: Dubai offers various tourist passes and discounts, especially during off-peak seasons. Check for deals on dining, entertainment, and tours.

• Use Public Transport: While taxis are convenient, they can be expensive for longer distances. Dubai’s metro and buses are affordable and cover major attractions, helping save money.

Understanding and managing your travel expenses wisely ensures that you enjoy Dubai’s attractions without financial stress.

Mistake 8: Ignoring Local Customs and Etiquette

Dubai has a rich cultural heritage, and not respecting local customs can lead to uncomfortable situations or even fines.

• Learn About Local Etiquette: Educate yourself on the basic customs, such as greetings, dressing modestly, and rules about public behavior.

• Follow Dress Codes: Dress conservatively, especially in religious sites and older parts of the city. In more modern areas like shopping malls, while the dress code is more relaxed, it is still advised to avoid overly revealing attire.

• Be Mindful of Public Displays of Affection: Public displays of affection are frowned upon and can attract legal attention. It’s best to be conservative in public spaces.

Being aware of and respectful towards local customs not only enriches your travel experience but also helps maintain harmony and respect in interactions with locals.

Mistake 9: Disregarding Photography Regulations | Mistakes Tourists Make in Dubai

Tourists often get carried away by Dubai’s stunning architecture and vibrant street scenes, forgetting that not all places welcome photography, especially when it involves people or government buildings.

• Respect Privacy Laws: Always ask for permission before photographing people, particularly local women. Avoid taking pictures of government buildings, military sites, and other restricted areas.

• Use Discretion: In many attractions, photography is allowed, but it’s courteous to be discreet and respectful, ensuring you’re not disrupting others or capturing sensitive content.

• Check for Signs: Look for ‘No Photography’ signs in public areas or at tourist sites, and adhere to these regulations strictly.

Understanding and respecting photography rules will help you avoid legal issues and demonstrate respect for the local culture and privacy.

Mistake 10: Assuming Everyone Speaks English

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with a large expatriate community, and while English is widely spoken, assuming it in every interaction can come across as insensitive. It overlooks the cultural diversity and the presence of many languages spoken by the local population and expats alike.

• Learn Basic Arabic Phrases: Gaining familiarity with common Arabic greetings and phrases shows respect for the local culture and can enhance your interactions.

• Use Simple English: When English is your only option, speak slowly and clearly using simple terms, especially with taxi drivers, small shop owners, and older locals who might be less fluent.

• Language Apps and Tools: Keep handy a translation app or a phrasebook that can help you navigate basic conversations, particularly in less touristy areas or when dealing with complex situations like medical emergencies or legal matters.

Adapting to the linguistic landscape of Dubai not only facilitates smoother communication but also enriches your travel experience by deepening your engagement with the local culture.

Wrapping up and Making Sure You Don’t Make these 10 Mistakes Tourists Make in Dubai

Reflecting on your trip to Dubai and the potential pitfalls you’ve navigated (or might encounter) underscores the unique blend of modern luxury and rich tradition that the city embodies. Remember, the key to a fulfilling visit to Dubai doesn’t just lie in exploring its opulent landscapes and architectural marvels; it also hinges on respecting its cultural norms and engaging with the local customs thoughtfully. Whether it’s dressing modestly, managing your photography etiquette, or haggling in the souks, each action contributes to a more respectful and enjoyable travel experience. Dubai offers an extraordinary adventure to those who are prepared—so take these tips to heart, and you’re set for an unforgettable journey in the heart of the UAE.

With these insights, your next visit to Dubai can be not only magnificent but also seamless, ensuring that you enjoy the best of what this dazzling city has to offer without any common tourist faux pas.

About the Author : Ruben , co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.

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I traveled with an eSIM to the UK and Japan — staying connected on a trip has never been easier

Tell me if this sounds familiar: You land in a foreign country after nearly a day of flights and layovers. Before you can kick off your trip, you jostle past swarms of travelers, large suitcases in tow, to locate and wait in line at a tiny SIM card booth. Even though you know you’re being ripped off, you pay an obscene amount for a paltry data pack because let’s face it, the thought of getting lost overseas scares us all to death.

I’ve been in that position way too many times and it always seems like a nightmare that wakes you up in a cold sweat rather than an ideal way to start a trip. Over the last couple of tours across Europe and Asia, however, I’ve been able to skip that hassle altogether, while still latching onto a 5G connection as soon as my plane touches down. The solution? eSIM marketplaces.

What exactly is eSIM?

For those unfamiliar with this technology, an eSIM is the virtual equivalent of the physical SIM cards we’ve had for decades. It pre-programs the circuity of the thumbnail-size chip directly inside a phone so that the network provider can remotely manage and communicate with it to enable a connection. This means no more swapping a SIM in and out of your phone to switch networks — all you have to do is toggle a software setting. Most models now support eSIMs and some like the iPhone have phased out the physical SIM entirely in select regions.

Getting started on my eSIM travels

I’ve lost the little SIM card numerous times....it eliminates the need to carefully stash away my main SIM until I return home.

When I visited England a few months back, instead of acquiring a SIM card upon landing, I decided to try Airalo . You can think of Airalo as an app store for eSIM connections. You can browse SIM plans from over 200 countries and depending on how much data, calling, and SMS texts you want, you can select a plan, pay online, and install the connection on your phone like you would download an app — no SIM ejector tools or trays needed.

On Airalo, you’ll find a vast catalog of packages to pick from. You can buy a local one based on where you’re traveling to or grab a global eSIM, which will work out of the box in over 100 countries. Before I jetted off, I chose the latter as I had a lengthy layover in Dubai. Setting it up took no more than a few minutes either. Once you’ve bought a service, Airalo sends you a QR code that you can scan on your phone, and within seconds, it will be live.

I’ve lost the little SIM card numerous times, so on vacations, especially, it eliminates the need to carefully stash away my main SIM until I return home. It can just safely remain in my phone and I can disable it from the settings.

eSIM performance and pricing

Registering for an eSIM takes less time than signing up for a social network.

Airalo’s connectivity was reliable and fast throughout my two-week-long trip. Once I landed in Dubai and switched on the Airalo eSIM, it instantly connected to a top UAE provider. In London, it let me pick from some of the largest U.K. network operators, such as O2 and Three, and comfortably reported close to 100Mbps download speeds. I had a similar experience in Japan last year, where I pre-purchased a travel eSIM from another marketplace called Mobal , compared to the last time I was there in 2019 when I waited an hour in line at the airport for a SIM card.

Another upside of platforms like Airalo is because they’re not mobile carriers themselves and instead rent bandwidth from other, established networks, you don’t have to fill out any tediously long forms. Registering for an eSIM takes less time than signing up for a social network.

Prices are on par with or more affordable than the competition. I paid a premium for a global eSIM, which cost me $35 for 5GB of data in the UK. However, if I had picked a regular data-only pack, that amount would have granted me a 20GB allowance. There are no restrictions on running a mobile hotspot either as opposed to most other options for tourists, who often end up paying extra if they need to connect a laptop or other device.

In addition, I’m fond of the user-friendly interfaces eSIM marketplaces offer. You can easily manage your SIM cards, understand each plan’s benefits with easy-to-navigate menus, check how much data you’ve left, and buy add-ons. Some platforms such as Airalo also run a loyalty program, where you earn cashback on each purchase.

eSIM is great, but it's not without some concerns

While eSIMs are a superior solution in many ways, particularly for travel, there are a few downsides worth noting. One is that eSIMs are tied exclusively to a single phone. You can’t simply take them out and drop them into a new phone like a physical SIM card. Another related problem is that while you don’t have a physical card to worry about, you also have less control over the situation when something goes wrong, which Laptop Mag ’s managing editor got to experience firsthand .

Finally, there is a security concern as eSIM allows for remote provisioning, meaning your eSIM can be changed without someone having physical possession of your phone. This is a concern that Airalo acknowledges and addresses . Malware, phishing attacks, and social engineering attempts are the biggest concerns as these are used to carry out a SIM swap. Hackers use SIM swaps to try to reassociate your number with an eSIM they possess to gain access to other accounts in your possession using two-factor authentication . This isn’t a security flaw in the eSIM technology, but it is a reminder to practice safe digital habits by not clicking on any links from unknown sources or providing private information that could allow hackers to gain access to your account via social engineering.

Bottom line

While the security concerns are worth considering, for international trips, an eSIM is still a no-brainer, and now, thanks to several up-and-coming marketplaces, it’s even simpler to set one up. In hindsight, it’s the last piece of the e-travel puzzle, where while historically complex parts of a vacation like booking flights and accommodations had become far more accessible, SIM cards had felt stuck in the past. No more, fortunately, as I now head straight to the taxi stand from the baggage carrousels.

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