Best Tourist Sim Cards in Oman in 2025
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 January 2025, 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.
The main players in the sim card space in Oman are Ooredoo, Omantel and Vodafone.
All three have extremely good networks across the entire country and are suitable for tourists. They have roughly comparable sim card packages for tourists that include generous amounts of data for reasonable prices.
Ooredoo in Oman is a telecommunications company that offers reliable tourist sim cards for tourists. Their network is very extensive and ensures you will have coverage almost anywhere you go in the country.
Ooredoo’s tourist sim plans are pretty much the same as Omantel’s, offering plenty of data for a reasonable price.
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 the largest telecommunications company in Oman and is 51% owned by the Oman government. As a result of this, their network is extremely extensive and possibly the best in Oman. Realistically, though, you will find all three networks to be basically as good as eachother.
Omantel has competitively priced sim card packages for tourists with plenty of data included. I recommend picking up either Omantel or Ooredoo sim cards when you arrive in Muscat.
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 is also one of the market leading sim card providers in Oman. Their network is essentially on par with Ooredoo and Omantel with great coverage all across Oman.
You won’t go wrong if you choose a Vodafone tourist sim in Oman, however, you will end up paying slightly more which is why I recommend the previous two operators.
The price of a Vodafone Oman tourist sim card in Oman is 12 OMR.
The plan offered by Vodafone Oman stores includes 15GB data + 10GB social data +500min calling valid for 4 weeks.
Identify the mobile providers in Oman: 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 be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Oman. 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 Oman to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Ooredoo, Omantel or Vodafone Oman 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 Ooredoo that includes 15GB data for 10 OMR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 10 OMR 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 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.
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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