Best Tourist Sim Cards in Egypt in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Egypt across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, having a sim card is essential to stay connected. Access to the internet while traveling makes navigating new cities effortless. With just a few taps on your device, you can discover the finest restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and even share photos with your loved ones on the go.
While roaming can be an option, the exorbitant fees associated with international travel make it prudent to consider either an eSim or a local sim card to enjoy local phone rates. Luckily, acquiring either option in Egypt is incredibly simple.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Egypt, including the latest pricing and the ideal sim card for your needs.
The best sim card in Egypt is the data-only Vodafone Extreme bundle. This prepaid sim card offers you between 150MB and 40GB of data and you can pretty much choose exactly how much you require. I recommend the 8GB bundle for 100 EGP which should be more than enough for most travellers.
Vodafone has the best coverage and reliability in Egypt, followed closely by Orange whilst Etisalat is renowned for signal issues even in major centers.
You can easily pick up your Egypt tourist sim card from an official Vodafone (or Orange) store either in the airport or near your hotel. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing from an unofficial store.
Airalo offers an eSim card in Egypt, however, it isn’t priced even remotely competitively against the local prepaid sim cards. If you really can’t be bothered with the hassle of picking up a sim card in person, then you can order an Airalo eSim for Egypt here for around 1,000 EGP (or 10x the local price).
A Tourist Sim Card in Egypt costs 100 EGP in October 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Egypt will cost between $9.50 USD and $25.50 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Egypt which includes 3GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $25.50 USD.
In Egypt, the main sim card providers are Vodafone, Etisalat, and Orange. Vodafone Egypt is a subsidiary of the global telecommunications company Vodafone Group. It has a strong presence in the country, offering a wide range of mobile services and coverage. Etisalat Misr is another major player, operating as a subsidiary of Emirates Telecommunications Corporation. It provides mobile and internet services, catering to a large customer base across Egypt. Orange, formerly known as Mobinil, is a leading telecommunications company with extensive network coverage. It offers various services, including mobile, internet, and digital solutions, ensuring connectivity for millions of Egyptians. These three providers compete fiercely in the Egyptian market, striving to offer competitive packages and excellent customer service.
Vodafone offers tourist sim cards in Egypt, providing convenient mobile connectivity for travelers. With affordable plans and reliable coverage, tourists can stay connected during their visit. These sim cards offer high-speed data, local and international calling, and text messaging options. Vodafone’s user-friendly interface and excellent customer support make it easy for tourists to activate and manage their sim cards while exploring Egypt’s captivating destinations.
The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Egypt is 100 EGP.
The plan offered by Vodafone stores includes 8GB data valid for 30 days.
Etisalat is a renowned telecommunication company in Egypt. With its reliable network coverage, they offer tourist SIM cards tailored for travelers visiting the country. These cards provide affordable data plans, making it easier for tourists to stay connected and access the internet while exploring Egypt’s fascinating destinations. Etisalat’s tourist sim cards provide seamless communication options for tourists, enabling them to make calls, send texts, and share their travel experiences conveniently.
The price of a Etisalat tourist sim card in Egypt is 200 EGP.
The plan offered by Etisalat stores offers 12GB data + 250 local minutes + 10 international minutes valid for 30 days.
Orange is a reputed telecommunications company offering tourist sim cards in Egypt. With excellent coverage and competitive rates, their sim cards ensure seamless connectivity for travelers. Whether it’s making calls, sending texts, or accessing the internet, Orange sim cards provide high-speed data and unlimited international calls, making it convenient for tourists to stay connected with their loved ones. With Orange’s reliable services, tourists can explore Egypt with ease while staying connected throughout their journey.
The price of a Orange tourist sim card in Egypt is 120 EGP.
The plan offered by Orange stores includes 20GB Super Data (1GB social media apps = 1GB Super Data, 1GB other websites = 2GB Super Data) valid for 30 days.
Identify mobile providers: Vodafone, Etisalat and Orange are your best options in Egypt.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can usually be found in major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. If possible, I always recommend to to avoid airports and head in to an official store in the city.
Bring the necessary documents: It is always a good idea to carry your passport or identification documents for sim card registration purposes. We’ve found most providers will need to confirm your identity to provide a sim card and it can be a major hassle to head to a store only to have to come back again later with your passport.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are a good starting point, but the staff will usually be able to suggest the best option.
Pay and activate your card: Pay for the SIM card and plan, and the staff will activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always search for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Egypt at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Egypt then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Egypt have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Vodafone, Etisalat and Orange. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Egypt are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Egypt with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Egypt. The Airalo Egypt eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $25.50 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Egypt without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Egypt is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Egypt and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Egypt eSim uses the Orange network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Orange networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Egypt.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Egypt eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $9.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $18 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $25.50 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 3GB data plan for $25.50 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Egypt eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Egypt eSim uses the Etisalat Misrnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Egypt
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Egypt eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $34 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is directly integrated into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike physical SIM cards, there is no need to physically insert or remove it from the device.
The eSIM is incorporated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. With this technology, users can switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of changing physical SIM cards.
eSIM offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, particularly for travelers or people who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the requirement of purchasing and inserting physical SIM cards, making it easier to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can scan a given QR code or manually enter the activation details provided by their mobile network operator. After activation, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and enjoy voice, data, and messaging services as if using a traditional SIM card.
There are several reasons why using an eSIM can be beneficial. Firstly, it offers convenience as you don’t need to physically insert or remove a SIM card when switching between mobile networks or plans. This is particularly useful for frequent travelers who may need to switch networks or use local SIM cards in different countries.
Secondly, eSIM allows for dual SIM functionality on your device, meaning you can have two active mobile numbers on the same device. This can be useful for separating personal and work numbers or managing multiple phone lines.
Additionally, eSIMs are space-saving as they are embedded within the device, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot. This frees up space for manufacturers to make devices smaller or use it for other components.
Moreover, with eSIMs, activation and management of mobile plans can be done remotely over the air. This means you can activate or switch to a new mobile plan without needing a physical SIM card or visiting a store, offering greater flexibility and convenience.
Lastly, eSIM technology ensures future-proofing as more mobile networks and service providers are offering support for eSIMs. By using an eSIM-compatible device, you can take advantage of new services and offerings as they become available.
Overall, eSIM technology provides flexibility, convenience, and future-proofing for mobile connectivity, making it a compelling choice for many users.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Using an eSim is new for many travellers, however, the good news is it’s surprisingly easy to get set up – even for the technologically challenged!
Here’s a general guide on how to use an eSIM:
Check eSIM Compatibility: Ensure that your device supports eSIM functionality. Many newer smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other devices are eSIM compatible including all iPhones produced since 2018.
Obtain an eSIM: There are multiple ways to acquire an eSIM. You can purchase an eSIM online from a provider like Airalo (which we recommend) or directly from a mobile network operator. Some devices also allow you to scan a QR code provided by your carrier to download the eSIM profile.
Activate the eSIM: Your eSim provider will send you instructions to activate the sim. This will usually involve scanning a QR code, entering an activation code, or downloading the eSIM profile directly onto your device.
Set up the eSIM: Once activated, your device will guide you through the eSIM setup process. This typically involves selecting the eSIM as your preferred mobile plan, configuring settings like data roaming, and entering any necessary authentication details.
Enjoy the Connection: Once the eSIM is set up, you can use it as you would with a physical SIM card. Make calls, send messages, browse the internet, and use data services as needed. You can also switch between eSIM profiles if you have multiple eSIMs installed on your device.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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