Best Tourist Sim Cards in Saudi Arabia in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Saudi Arabia across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you plan on visiting Saudi Arabia, having a sim card is essential for seamless connectivity. Access to the internet while traveling can greatly assist in navigating unfamiliar cities. With internet access, you can easily locate top-notch restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and even share photos with your family in real-time.
Although international roaming is an option, the charges can quickly accumulate, making it more cost-effective to opt for either an eSIM or a local sim card with local phone rates. Fortunately, obtaining an eSIM or local sim card in Saudi Arabia is a hassle-free process.
To help you make an informed decision, this comprehensive guide provides up-to-date pricing information and helps determine the best sim card option for your specific needs.
All of the main mobile network operators offer fairly competitive tourist sim cards in Egypt, however, I recommend purchasing a local sim card from either Virgin Mobile or STC.
Virgin Mobile offers the most data at the lowest prices and uses the STC network, which is the most comprehensive and reliable network in Saudi Arabia. For just 55 SAR you can get access to 13GB data which is an amazing deal!
If you prefer the convenience of an eSim (you should, they’re much better), then Airalo’s Egypt eSim is a pretty good deal that allows you to purchase just the amount of data you require. It operates on Zain’s network which is almost as extensive as STCs. For around 50 SAR (similar price to the Virgin Mobile sim above) you get 5GB of data which is plenty for most travellers.
A Tourist Sim Card in Saudi Arabia costs 55 SAR in March 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Saudi Arabia will cost between $5 USD and $26 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 Saudi Arabia which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15.50 USD.
The three main mobile networks in Saudi Arabia are Zain, STC and Mobily. All three networks offer reliable data with good coverage and speeds all around Saudi Arabia, however, STC is typically considered to be the best of the three.
Virgin Mobile is another sim card provider, specifically an MVNO, which sells sim cards that run on the STC network. These are often more affordable than STC and run on the same network. For this reason, I recommend going for a Virgin Mobile sim if it’s convenient for you, followed by an STC sim card if it’s not.
Zain and Mobily are also good picks and you won’t have any issues with them.
STC is the leading telecommunications company in Saudi Arabia and offers the best mobile network in the country. Tourists can expect fast speeds and good coverage in all major cities, as well as the best coverage of the three networks no matter where you end up.
Their sim cards are typically the most expensive of the three main networks so if you’re looking for the cheapest option then STC might not be for you. If it’s convenient, then I recommend going for STC – the little extra cost is usually worth it when you need the data.
The price of a STC tourist sim card in Saudi Arabia is 115 SAR.
The plan offered by STC stores includes 10GB data + 20GB social data + 300 minutes calls valid for 30 days.
Virgin Mobile is basically a reseller of STC’s mobile network. They offer sim cards specifically tailored for tourists visiting Saudi Arabia.
I’ve found the sim cards with Virgin Mobile to be the cheapest with generous data packages. As they run on the same network as STC you can expect similarly good connectivity and speeds.
I wouldn’t. however, go out of my way to find a Virgin sim card. If any of the other three are more convenient to pick up, I would go for them instead.
The price of a Virgin Mobile tourist sim card in Saudi Arabia is 55 SAR.
The plan offered by Virgin Mobile stores offers 13GB 4G data valid for 30 days.
Zain’s mobile network is widely considered to be almost as good as STC. Their plans are typically slightly cheaper and offer similarly large data caps.
If you find a Zain store when you arrive then I would recommend just picking your sim card up here. You’re unlikely to notice any real-world differences compared to STC.
It’s also worth noting that Zain’s network is also used by Airalo, so if you’re looking for a cheaper or more convenient option I would advise just getting an Airalo eSim instead.
The price of a Zain tourist sim card in Saudi Arabia is 80.5 SAR.
The plan offered by Zain stores includes 10GB data + 5GB social media data + 150 minutes valid for 4 weeks.
Identify the mobile providers in Saudi Arabia: STC, Virgin Mobile and Zain are your best options in Saudi Arabia.
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 Saudi Arabia. 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 Saudi Arabia to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, STC, Virgin Mobile or Zain 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 STC that includes 10GB data + 20GB social data + 300 minutes calls for 115 SAR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 55 SAR 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 Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Saudi Arabia 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 STC, Virgin Mobile and Zain. 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 Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia. The Airalo Saudi Arabia 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 $15.50 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 Saudi Arabia without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Saudi Arabia is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia eSim uses the Zain network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Zain networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Saudi Arabia.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Saudi Arabia eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $8 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $11 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15.50 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $26 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $15.50 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 Saudi Arabia eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Saudi Arabia eSim uses the Saudi Telecom Companynetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Saudi Arabia
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Saudi Arabia eSim:
3GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $34 USD
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $49 USD
The eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that comes already installed in a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike the traditional physical SIM cards, the eSIM does not require any physical insertion or removal process.
Instead, the eSIM is built right into the device’s hardware and can be activated and programmed remotely by a mobile network operator. This allows users to easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping out SIM cards.
The eSIM technology brings numerous benefits, including convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness, particularly for frequent travelers or those who frequently switch between different mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a provided QR code or manually input the activation details given by their mobile network operator. After activation, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and access voice calls, data services, and messaging features, 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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