Best Tourist Sim Cards in Egypt in 2025
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.
I can tell you right now that buying a sim card in Egypt is going to be a pain. My experience at various stores included being ignored, requiring cash (no card payments), requiring a physical passport (a photo was sufficient at some but not all stores) and being charged various prices depending on how much the staff felt like pocketing. And no matter where you go, the process will take a long time.
For this reason, I recommend purchasing an Airalo eSim for Egypt here instead. I really didn’t want to recommend this option as it comes out more expensive, but the hassle just isn’t worth it for all but the most budget-conscious travellers.
If you still wish to purchase a physical sim card, then look for a Vodafone store as they have the best coverage and reliability in Egypt, followed closely by Orange. Etisalat has a reputation for major signal issues even in large cities, however, the truth is that all three mobile networks are pretty bad so no matter who you go for you’ll have some pretty patchy data.
A Tourist Sim Card in Egypt costs 100 EGP in January 2025, 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.
The three main sim card providers are Vodafone, Etisalat and Orange. In my experience travelling around Egypt, all three networks have pretty poor coverage. When travelling just outside the cities or between cities you can expect extremely slow and patchy mobile internet.
Vodafone is typically considered the best, followed closely by Orange whilst it is usually recommended to avoid Etisalat.
All three providers will get the job done, but allow a bit of time to get set up. If you don’t have the time, then opt for an Airalo eSim instead.
Vodafone has the best mobile network in Egypt – that’s not really saying much as the bar is pretty low. Regardless, this makes it the best option for tourists.
The prices are usually pretty reasonable (if you get an honest salesperson) and the data caps are very generous. You will also most likely have to purchase a tourist package instead of the local sim.
Make sure to bring your physical passport, cash and have up to an hour free.
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 another telecommunications company in Egypt. Overall, their network is quite reasonable, however, they have earned a reputation for being the weakest of the three in Egypt. In my experience with Vodafone and Orange, I wouldn’t wish to try travelling around Egypt with even worse coverage.
Aside from this, their packages can be a bit cheaper for similarly generous data caps.
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 great alternative to Vodafone for anyone looking to buy a physical sim card in Egypt. Their network is roughly on the same level as Vodafone and all their prices and packages are also similar.
I recommend picking either Orange or Vodafone based on which one is more conveniently located.
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 the mobile providers in Egypt: 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 be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Egypt. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Egypt to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Vodafone, Etisalat or Orange staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
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 likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Vodafone that includes 8GB data for 100 EGP.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 100 EGP to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and 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 try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
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.
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.
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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