Best Tourist Sim Cards in United Arab Emirates in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in United Arab Emirates across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
If you’re planning a visit to the United Arab Emirates, having a sim card is essential for easy navigation and staying connected while traveling. With internet access, you can easily find the best restaurants, get directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share photos with your family on the go.
While roaming is an option, the international fees can quickly add up, so we always recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card to enjoy local phone rates. Luckily, obtaining either option in the United Arab Emirates is incredibly convenient, but it’s important to know which one is the best choice for you.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to purchase a sim card in the United Arab Emirates, including up-to-date pricing and the ultimate sim card recommendation.
The best sim card in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the Prepaid Visitor Line package offered by Etisalat. This is a set of 4 prepaid tourist sim packages and which one you pick depends on your trip.
For most people visiting UAE, the Etisalat Prepaid Visitor Line + for 79 AED is plenty. It comes with 4GB data and 30 minutes calling. If you’re just visiting Dubai or Abu Dhabi for a few days then 4GB of data is more than enough.
If you are visiting for longer then you may want to consider the larger packages. For 124 AED you will get 8GB data, or for 200 AED you will get 22.5GB data both valid for 30 days. Typically you will have no option other than to buy one of the mobile network operators’ official ‘tourist’ sim cards.
For short stopovers I always recommend travellers visiting UAE or Dubai to pick up an Airalo UAE eSim over a local sim card. It comes with small amounts of data but the convenience of not spending your time visiting a store makes it well worth it. Here are the prices:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $8.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $35 USD
The 3GB plan costs roughly the same as the 4GB package offered by Etisalat – personally I would go for the Airalo option as it’s way more convenient to purchase the eSim in advance rather than sorting out a physical sim when you arrive.
If you’re looking for the cheapest option then the 1GB Airalo eSim is my recommendation as there is plenty of wifi around the UAE. The tourist plans offered by Etisalat, Du and Virgin are extremely expensive and if you’re careful 1GB should be enough for short trips up to a week.
Etisalat has the fastest and most extensive network in the United Arab Emirates and conveniently it is the same network Airalo uses so either way you go you will be connected across the country.
A Tourist Sim Card in United Arab Emirates costs 79 AED in November 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in United Arab Emirates will cost between $8.50 USD and $35. 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 United Arab Emirates which includes 3GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $22.50 USD.
The three main sim card providers in the United Arab Emirates are Etisalat, Du and Virgin Mobile.
All three providers have extensive coverage and fast 4G and 5G download speeds across the UAE. They will all work excellently in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, however, Etisalat has the best network with the widest coverage and fastest download speeds.
All three providers offer only their tourist prepaid packages for foreigners. These packages are seriously overpriced but work well and offer plenty of data if you choose to pay for it.
The cheapest option is to buy a 1GB Airalo eSim and rely mainly on all the wifi that is available across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Etisalat is the largest mobile network operating in the UAE and it is largely state-owned. As a result of this, Etisalat has the most extensive mobile network in the country with the fastest download speeds.
This makes it a good option for anyone planning to visit more remote areas of the UAE, however, for tourists just hitting the main hot spots it is unlikely to make any difference.
Etisalat has a variety of prepaid plans tailored for tourists that are suitable. As with their competitors, all the plans are relatively expensive but you will be given the option to choose just the amount of data you require for your trip.
The price of a Etisalat tourist sim card in United Arab Emirates is 79 AED.
The plan offered by Etisalat stores includes 4GB data valid for 28 days.
Du is one of the leading telecommunications company in UAE. Their network is basically as good as Etisalat making it a great option for tourists.
The interesting thing about Du is they offer a completely free tourist sim card loaded with data and valid for 24 hours. The catch? Well you need to ask the immigration officer for it at passport control. They are unlikely to be particularly helpful in setting it up. And once it runs out in 24 hours you’ll need to work out how to buy a new plan yourself using the Du app. It’s actually quite a hassle. I recommend getting the right sim the first time when you arrive instead of mucking around with this.
So that said, you can also just purchase a Du sim card with one of the Du plans. Their cheapest plans cost a lot more than Etisalat’s so I recommend Etisalat instead, but Du will also work fine.
The price of a Du tourist sim card in United Arab Emirates is 99 AED.
The plan offered by Du stores offers 6GB data + unlimited calls valid for 28 days.
Virgin Mobile is the third sim card provider in the UAE. The are actually owned by the same parent company that owns Du and they use the Du mobile network. This means their network is not quite as good as Etisalat but it is realistically more than great for any travel needs, especially visiting Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Their plans are slightly more affordable than Du but much worse value than Etisalat. Ultimately, I still recommend Etisalat or Airalo, but Virgin is a good back up choice as well. It makes little real difference in the end.
The price of a Virgin Mobile tourist sim card in United Arab Emirates is 143 AED.
The plan offered by Virgin Mobile stores includes 21GB data (limited to 3GB per day) + 30 minutes calls valid for 7 days.
Identify the mobile providers in United Arab Emirates: Etisalat, Du and Virgin Mobile are your best options in United Arab Emirates.
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 easily buy sim cards in major airports in United Arab Emirates. 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 United Arab Emirates to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Etisalat, Du or Virgin Mobile 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 Etisalat that includes 4GB data for 79 AED.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 79 AED 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 United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates then you will be in luck. All major international airports in United Arab Emirates 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 Etisalat, Du and Virgin Mobile. 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 United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates. The Airalo United Arab Emirates 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 $22.50 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 United Arab Emirates without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in United Arab Emirates is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates eSim uses the Etisalat network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Etisalat networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in United Arab Emirates.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s United Arab Emirates eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $8.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $35 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 3GB data plan for $22.50 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 United Arab Emirates eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s United Arab Emirates eSim uses the Etisalat Mobilenetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in United Arab Emirates
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s United Arab Emirates eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital replacement for physical SIM cards found in devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Instead of needing to physically insert or remove a SIM card, the eSIM is built into the device’s hardware.
To use an eSIM, it can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
The advantages of eSIM technology include convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, especially for those who often change networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it more manageable to control multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users typically 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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