Best Tourist Sim Cards in Jordan in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Jordan across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a visit to Jordan, having a sim card is essential. Access to the internet while traveling allows for easy navigation in new cities, finding the best dining spots, getting directions to your accommodation, booking taxis, and sharing photos with loved ones on the go.
While roaming is an option, the charges can quickly become expensive when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card to take advantage of local phone rates.
Luckily, obtaining either option in Jordan is effortless, but it’s useful to know which one suits your needs best! This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need about purchasing a sim card in Jordan, including updated pricing and the most suitable sim card for your requirements.
The best sim card in Jordan is the Orange 7+ new prepaid sim card. This card comes with a generous 12GB data and unlimited calls and texts for just 7 JOD ($10 USD) which I recommend for most travellers visiting Jordan. For 10.49 JOD you can get 17GB fata, or for 13.11 JOD you can get 25GB data.
All three mobile network operators have extensive coverage throughout Jordan (of course, don’t expect coverage in the desert), however, Umniah has the weakest. Orange offers the best combination of affordability and network coverage.
If, like me, you prefer the convenience of an eSim you can check out Airalo’s Jordan eSim. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend Airalo in Jordan as the prices are not competitive compared to the local sim cards at $18 USD for 3GB. If you value the convenience of an eSim over the additional cost then this could be a good option for you.
A Tourist Sim Card in Jordan costs 7 JOD ($10 USD) in September 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Jordan will cost between $6.50 USD and $18 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 Jordan which includes 3GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $18 USD.
In Jordan, the main SIM card providers are Zain, Orange, and Umniah. Zain, with its vibrant brand image, offers diverse prepaid and postpaid plans, along with high-speed internet services. It has a wide network coverage across the country, making it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike. Orange, another renowned provider, focuses on innovative services and tailor-made offers to meet customers’ needs. With its 4G coverage, Orange ensures reliable connectivity and convenient data packages. Umniah, a leading provider in Jordan, offers competitive rates, flexible plans, and excellent customer service. Known for its perks and special promotions, Umniah caters to various customer segments, including youth and corporate clients. All three providers play a crucial role in keeping Jordanians connected and empowered with their impressive services and offers.
Zain, a leading telecommunication company in Jordan, offers exceptional tourist sim cards perfect for travelers exploring the country. With wide coverage and high-speed data, these sim cards ensure seamless connectivity throughout Jordan’s stunning landscapes, historical sites, and lively cities. Zain’s tourist sim cards also come with affordable packages, including unlimited local calls, international minutes, and generous data allowances. Stay connected and share your Jordanian adventures easily with Zain’s reliable and convenient tourist sim cards.
The price of a Zain tourist sim card in Jordan is 13.11 JOD.
The plan offered by Zain stores includes 25GB data + 2000 minutes + 3000 SMS valid for 1 month.
Orange is a leading telecommunications company, offering convenient tourist SIM cards in Jordan. With their affordable packages, travelers can stay connected throughout their visit. Orange provides impressive network coverage in valuable tourist destinations, ensuring a reliable connection for local and international calls, along with high-speed data for browsing and social media. Their reliable service and competitive rates make Orange a top choice for tourists seeking seamless connectivity while exploring the beautiful country of Jordan.
The price of a Orange tourist sim card in Jordan is 7 JOD.
The plan offered by Orange stores offers 12GB data + unlimited minutes & SMS valid for 30 days.
Umniah is a prominent telecommunications company in Jordan known for its excellent services. They offer special tourist SIM cards for travelers visiting Jordan. These SIM cards provide extensive coverage across the country and include generous data plans for seamless connectivity. With Umniah’s tourist SIM cards, visitors can stay connected, access maps, communicate easily, and share their travel experiences. Umniah’s reliable service and dedicated customer support make it an ideal choice for tourists exploring Jordan.
The price of a Umniah tourist sim card in Jordan is 5.6 JOD.
The plan offered by Umniah stores includes 35GB data + unlimited minutes + 3000 SMS valid for 1 month.
Identify mobile providers: Zain, Orange and Umniah are your best options in Jordan.
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 Jordan 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 Jordan then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Jordan 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 Zain, Orange and Umniah. 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 Jordan 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 Jordan 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 Jordan. The Airalo Jordan 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 $18 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 Jordan without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Jordan is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Jordan 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 Jordan eSim uses the Umniah network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Umniah networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Jordan.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Jordan eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $6.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $18 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 3GB data plan for $18 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 Jordan eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Jordan eSim uses the Umniah Mobile Companynetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Jordan
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Jordan eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
The eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional SIM cards, it doesn’t need to be physically inserted or removed.
Instead, the eSIM is already a part of the device’s hardware and can be activated and programmed remotely by a mobile network operator. This means users can easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it much simpler to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
Activating an eSIM typically involves scanning a QR code provided by the mobile network operator or manually entering the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and enjoy voice, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
Using an eSIM can be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it offers convenience as you don’t have to physically insert or remove a SIM card when switching networks or plans. This is especially useful for frequent travelers who need to switch networks in different countries. Secondly, eSIM allows for dual SIM functionality, meaning you can have two active mobile numbers on one device. This is great for separating personal and work numbers or managing multiple phone lines. Additionally, eSIMs are embedded within the device, saving space by eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot. This allows manufacturers to make smaller devices or use the extra space for other components. Another advantage of eSIMs is remote provisioning, where activation and management of mobile plans can be done over the air. This eliminates the need for a physical SIM card or visiting a store, offering flexibility and convenience. Lastly, eSIM technology ensures future-proofing as more 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. In summary, 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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