Best Tourist Sim Cards in Oman in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Oman across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Oman, having a reliable means of communication is a must. Whether it’s finding your way around the cities, locating the finest dining spots, booking transportation, or sharing your adventures with loved ones, having internet access is essential.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly add up, especially when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend acquiring either an eSIM or a local SIM card to enjoy affordable local rates. Thankfully, obtaining either option in Oman is incredibly convenient, but it helps to know which is the better choice for you.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the necessary information about purchasing a SIM card in Oman, including the most current pricing and the ultimate SIM card to suit your needs.
The best sim card in Oman is either the Ooreedoo or Omantal prepaid sim card plans. Both mobile internet operators in Oman are market leaders with the most extensive and reliable networks in the country.
They also each have identical prepaid plans that offer you data for various periods allowing you to tailor the perfect amount for you. For most travellers, I recommend either the 6GB of data for 5 OMR plan or the 15GB of data for 10 OMR plan, both are valid for 4 weeks and which one you choose depends on your budget and how much data you tend to use.
I recommend the Airalo Oman eSim over the local sim cards due to the simple fact that they cost about the same price. For 10 OMR you will get 10GB of data, or for 5.75 OMR you will get 5GB of data. This is slightly more expensive than the local sim cards, however, the convenience of buying an eSim more than makes up for this.
You can buy your eSim online before you leave and it will automatically activate and begin the validity period when you arrive.
A Tourist Sim Card in Oman costs 10 OMR in October 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Oman will cost between $4.50 USD and $40 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 Oman which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15 USD.
Oman, a vibrant Middle Eastern country, is known for its thriving telecommunications industry. When it comes to sim card providers in Oman, three major players dominate the market – Ooredoo, Omantel, and Vodafone Oman.
Ooredoo, a Qatari-based telecommunications company, offers a wide range of affordable prepaid and postpaid sim card options. Their services are known for their reliability and excellent network coverage across the country.
Omantel, the oldest and largest telecommunications company in Oman, provides various sim card packages tailored to meet the needs of both locals and expatriates. They offer competitive pricing, high-speed internet services, and comprehensive network coverage.
Vodafone Oman, a subsidiary of the British telecommunications giant Vodafone Group, entered the Omani market relatively recently. Their sim card offerings focus on high-speed internet and cost-effective international calling options.
Overall, these main sim card providers in Oman ensure that customers have a range of choices to meet their communication needs, both locally and internationally.
Ooredoo is a telecommunications company in Oman that offers tourist sim cards to cater to the needs of travelers. These sim cards provide easy and convenient access to reliable internet services and affordable call rates, allowing tourists to stay connected throughout their visit. With extensive coverage across the country, Ooredoo ensures seamless connectivity, enabling tourists to navigate, communicate, and share their experiences hassle-free during their stay in Oman.
The price of a Ooredoo tourist sim card in Oman is 10 OMR.
The plan offered by Ooredoo stores includes 15GB data valid for 4 weeks.
Omantel is a leading telecommunications company in Oman that offers a range of services to residents and tourists. Their tourist sim cards provide convenient and affordable mobile connectivity to visitors exploring Oman. With Omantel sim cards, tourists can enjoy seamless communication, internet access, and even international calling options. These sim cards are widely available and can be easily purchased at various locations including airports, tourist centers, and Omantel stores across the country.
The price of a Omantel tourist sim card in Oman is 10 OMR.
The plan offered by Omantel stores offers 15GB data valid for 4 weeks.
Vodafone Oman offers tourist sim cards catering to the needs of travelers visiting Oman. These sim cards provide seamless connectivity with reliable network coverage across the country. With affordable data plans, tourists can easily access the internet and stay connected with their loved ones. Vodafone Oman’s tourist sim cards are designed to enhance the travel experience, allowing visitors to explore Oman without any communication barriers.
The price of a Vodafone Oman tourist sim card in Oman is 12OMR.
The plan offered by Vodafone Oman stores includes 15GB data + 10GB social data +500min calling valid for 4 weeks.
Identify mobile providers: Ooredoo, Omantel and Vodafone Oman are your best options in Oman.
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 Oman 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 Oman then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Oman 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 Ooredoo, Omantel and Vodafone Oman. 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 Oman 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 Oman 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 Oman. The Airalo Oman 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 $15 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 Oman without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Oman is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Oman 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 Oman eSim uses the Omantel network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Omantel networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Oman.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Oman eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $8 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $10.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $25 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $40 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $15 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 Oman eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Oman eSim uses the Omani Qatari Telecommunication Company SAOGnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Oman
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Oman eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is already installed in a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional SIM cards, it does not require physical insertion or removal.
Instead, the eSIM is built into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to effortlessly switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically changing SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, particularly for frequent travelers or people who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and access voice, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
There are several reasons why using an eSIM can be beneficial. Firstly, it offers convenience as there is no need to insert or remove a physical SIM card when switching networks or plans. This is particularly useful for frequent travelers who often switch between different countries.
Secondly, eSIM enables dual SIM functionality, allowing you to have two active mobile numbers on the same device. This is handy for separating personal and work numbers or managing multiple phone lines.
Additionally, eSIMs save space as they are embedded within the device, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot. This allows manufacturers to make devices smaller or allocate the extra space for other components.
Another advantage is remote provisioning, which enables the activation and management of mobile plans over the air. This eliminates the need for a physical SIM card or visiting a store, providing greater flexibility and convenience in managing mobile connectivity.
Lastly, eSIM technology is future-proof as more mobile networks and service providers are offering support for it. By using an eSIM-compatible device, you can take advantage of new services and offerings as they become available.
In summary, eSIM technology offers 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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