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 Airalo’s Jordan eSim. This sim card uses the best network in Jordan, Zain, but allows you to purchase a month’s worth of data for a lot less than it would cost walking into a Zain store yourself.
If you require a physical sim card then you should look into the weekly Zain visitor pass which costs 7.87 JOD per week. This is quite expensive but okay for stays under 1 or 2 weeks, or for people who require high amounts of data.
Alternatively, Orange has some great prepaid plans here that cost around 15 JOD per month with large amounts of data. Their network is also very good. I’ve used this option alongside an Airalo eSim and was very happy with it. I consider this to be the best value pick sim card in Jordan.
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.
Personally, I prefer the convenience of an eSim so I always opt for Airalo’s Jordan eSim when I am visiting the country. It is quite expensive, but so are visitor sim cards, so I usually go for one of the more affordable Airalo packages and stick to wifi most of the time.
A Tourist Sim Card in Jordan costs 7 JOD ($10 USD) in December 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.
There are three sim card providers in Jordan: Zain, Orange and Umniah. Zain and Orange are good options for tourists, whilst Umniah is only really suitable for people who don’t intend to leave Amman at all as their network is quite poor outside the capital.
Zain is the best but tends to cost a lot more whilst Orange is a bit weaker but much more affordable – especially for stays longer than a week.
Zain is the best mobile network operator in Jordan and the most popular telco in the country. If you are looking for the best sim card irrespective of price then you should walk into a Zain store.
Alternatively, if you purchase an Airalo eSim you will get access to the same network for a lower price – albeit with less data.
I highly recommend Zain but if you are on any sort of budget and intend to stay for longer than 1 week, then I recommend Orange or Airalo. If you are staying for less than 1 week then Zain is the best option.
The price of a Zain tourist sim card in Jordan is 7JOD.
The plan offered by Zain stores includes 12GB data valid for 1 week.
Orange is another leading telecommunications company in Jordan and offers by far the best value tourist sim card.
If you are staying for over 1 week then you should opt for either the 10 day, 30 day or 90 day visitor line prepaid sim card by Orange. Their network is still good across Jordan and second only to Zain. I believe the price difference is substantial enough to outweigh the better network for most travellers.
This is the best value option but is slightly more effort than purchasing an eSim online.
The price of a Orange tourist sim card in Jordan is 15 JOD.
The plan offered by Orange stores offers 20GB data valid for 30 days.
Umniah has the weakest mobile network in Jordan and has been reported to be particularly slow or disconnected in regions outside of the main cities. If you only visit Amman then Umniah should be perfectly fine, but if you intend to visit any ruins, the Dead Sea or Petra then you should definitely give Umniah a miss in favour of Zain or Orange.
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 the mobile providers in Jordan: 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 be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Jordan. 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 Jordan to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Zain, Orange or Umniah 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 Zain that includes 12GB data for 7JOD.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 7 JOD ($10 USD) 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 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.
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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