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• Visit Dubai

How to get a mobile SIM card for tourists in Dubai

Essential Information

Wed, April 19, 2023

Find out how to stay connected while on holiday in the city, quickly and easily.

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Best Dubai SIM Card for Tourists

Dubai Tourist SIMs and eSIMs for the UAE explained

Are you planning on visiting Dubai? If yes, then you’ll probably need a Dubai tourist SIM card!

As well as being a rather insta-famous city, it’s simply put a necessity to have internet when travelling these days; from retrieving travel booking details to ordering taxis and meals while you’re on the go – trust us, there’s an app for everything in Dubai !

Although you’ll get access to a Wi-Fi network in most places in Dubai, what if you’re on the go? That’s when you’ll need a travel SIM in Dubai to make calls, use social media, or use Maps to navigate around the city or call a driver.

For your ease and convenience, we have put together everything you need to know about getting a SIM card in Dubai for tourists, as well as eSIM options you can arrange before your arrival.

You will find detailed information in this article, from the mobile network operators in Dubai to the best SIM card and even how to pre-order a Dubai SIM, so you’re ready to go.

1. Du SIM Card in Dubai for Tourists

2. etisalat dubai tourist sim, 3. virgin mobile travel sim in dubai, airalo esim, kitmytrip – via getyourguide, frequently asked questions (faqs) on dubai tourist sims, mobile operators in the uae.

Getting a Dubai tourist SIM is a pretty straightforward process. However, there are multiple mobile operators in the UAE, so it gets rather confusing for tourists to decide which mobile network SIM they should go for based on the packages offered.

However, there’s no need to worry, as we have simplified everything for you! Below you will find a list of mobile operators in the UAE with information about purchasing their SIM and which operator is the most suitable for you.

Du is a mobile operator in UAE, launched in 2007. If you want to get a Du SIM card, you can get one on arrival at the airport or from the Du store.

The upside of getting a Du tourist SIM from the immigration counters at the Dubai airport is that you get it for free with 1GB of local data as a welcome bonus. As for the activation, you don’t need to go through extensive steps as the SIM is already activated using your passport information.

To start using the du SIM, you simply have to insert it into your mobile and verify your date of birth via a verification text. Once the verification is complete, you will get 1GB of local data for free, valid for 24 hours .

You can also purchase a Du SIM card from its franchise store across the city. If you just buy the SIM without any package, it will cost around AED 10; however, if you activate a bundle package (starting from AED 49), you’ll get the SIM for free. You’ll just need your passport to get started.

Etisalat is the 18th largest mobile operator in the world and operates in more than 16 countries. Therefore, we can say that it is one of the best SIM cards for Dubai.

You can get an Etisalat SIM from the Dubai airport when you land. And while it does not offer free data, it has plenty of packages.

For instance, it has 3 Visitor Line packages, where you can get a 28-day package including a SIM card, 4GB of data, and 30 Flexi minutes for AED 79.

Similarly, you can get a premium 28-day package for AED 125, which includes a SIM card, 8GB of data, 120 Flexi minutes, and 5 Wi-Fi hours.

And if you’re looking for an unlimited data package, get it for AED 319, including a SIM card, 10 days of unlimited data, and 100 Flexi hours.

Visitor Line packages are valid until your visa; therefore, if you plan on staying in Dubai for good, you can switch to Etisalat’s other pre-paid and post-paid packages.

Virgin Mobile is a newer mobile operator in UAE by the Virgin Mobile brand (though it is a fully owned subsidiary of Du and uses the same network). It offers special tourist SIM cards with different packages to people visiting Dubai for business or vacations.

You can get the SIM from the airport as soon as you land; however, the tourist SIM is for one-time use. This means you can use it for as long as your package lasts and won’t be able to renew it.

Virgin Mobile offers four packages for its Dubai tourist SIM:

• A 7-day package costs AED 150 with 21GB of data
• A 10-day package costs AED 200 with 40GB of data
• A 15-day package costs AED 300 with unlimited data
• A 30-day package costs AED 500 with unlimited data

SIMs Sold by Third-Party Companies

If you see online tour operators selling you a SIM card, it will be based on services provided by one of the above three networks.

All should have reliable coverage in metropolitan areas. Beyond that, in the mountains and the desert, it’s time to switch off and get yourself an offline map, as the network will be patchy or non-existent no matter whose network you use (they are all ultimately government-owned and share much of their infrastructure).

As international travellers, we’ve become big fans of using Airalo eSIMs whenever possible. The eSIM they sell for the UAE is marketed as “ Burj Mobile ” (digging beneath the cover, we believe it runs on the Etisalat network)

There are currently three different Burj Mobile packages

• 1GB valid for 7 Days for $8.50 USD (AED 32)
• 3GB valid for 30 days for $22.50 USD (AED 82.50)
• 5GB valid for 30 days for $35 USD (AED 128.50)

NB these are all for data only; if you think you’ll need to make phone calls too, you’re better waiting until arrival and getting a local Dubai SIM with a phone number attached!

Using Airalo is super easy. Once you purchase online, you’ll need to press activate and change any existing eSIMs on your phone to the new eSIM. The clock starts ticking as soon as you land and connect to the network in the UAE.

If you are travelling more widely around the Middle East and just popping in to Dubai briefly, you may also want to look at Airalo’s Middle East option, Menalink , with packages as follows:

• 1GB valid for 7 Days for $15 USD
• 2GB valid for 15 days for $28 USD
• 3GB valid for 30 days for $39 USD

Popular online tour provider Get Your Guide partners with KitMyTrip to deliver several great value tourist bundles to consider – they take all the guesswork of how to sign up for a network; you really have to decide how data-hungry you are!

You’ll need to find their kiosks in arrivals at DXB Terminals 1 and 3 to get your data set up (NB not for arrivals in DXB Terminal 2 or DWC airport).

• Their SIM card-only package lets you choose from 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 22.5GB and unlimited over 28 days – starting from $15 USD – check it out here
• Package your SIM and NOL Card – calls, data and a silver public transport pass known as “Nol” this is a popular tourist package – check it out here
• Pocket Wifi Rental – If you’ve got multiple devices, this one could be your solution, rent a mobile hotspot and return it after your trip – suitable for 4 to 10 days, or add extra days on – check it out here

Do read the fine print if pre-packaged SIM bundles will work for you, only 1 per passport and users must be over 18, so you can’t hand one out to each of the kids. In this instance, families should consider pocket wifi options.

The free tourist SIM is a free SIM card Du Telecommunications offers to people visiting Dubai. This SIM card can be picked up from the immigration counter at the Dubai airport and is activated using your passport details. It contains 1GB of free local data valid for 24 hours. Once the time is over, you can recharge your SIM with the various tourist packages offered by Du.

We recommend getting a SIM card on arrival in Dubai from the airport. The reason? It’s simple, it’s easy, and it’s fast. Plus, multiple SIM card sellers at the airport make buying it pretty straightforward. You have to provide your passport details, go through the various packages, and get the SIM. On the other hand, you can also pre-order your SIM card. You have to contact the mobile operator, select a package, and provide your home address in your country. The mobile operator will then mail the SIM card to your address. However, we won’t recommend this option, as it takes too long, plus you never know when you will receive the SIM via mail. Also, what if it gets lost on the way? And this method isn’t suitable if you make a sudden plan to visit Dubai. eSIM’s, on the other hand, where you don’t need a physical SIM card to be delivered, could be your easiest option these days. Simply activate it as soon as you land and you’re instantly connected, no need to queue at a counter when you get to DXB.

Based on the offers and packages by Du, Etisalat, and Virgin Mobile, the best SIM card for Dubai is Du. Because for starters, it offers a free tourist SIM to the visitors. You can quickly insert it into your mobile and get connected almost instantly. Etisalat is also a good option, but it is a bit expensive, and its Visitors Line’s validity depends on your visa expiration. However, it is a good option if you’re in Dubai for limited days. Those wanting convenience and with a compatible device should try the Airalo eSIM – it’s not the cheapest option but super easy for those who only need a little bit of data.

As mentioned earlier, getting a tourist SIM in Dubai is easy. You can either get it from the airport or the mobile network provider’s store. The representative will ask for your passport, take its copy, and register the SIM card in your name. Getting a Dubai tourist SIM card is not a big deal. It is pretty simple if you know how to go about the process.

Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai

• Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai , a handy guide on what to pack , and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
• Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai .
• Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
• Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance !!!
• Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai , or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:

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Du Tourist Sim: How to get Sim for tourist/visitors in Dubai, UAE? Plans, Cost, Data, documents required, Where to get, How to activate, top up?

Table of Contents

Du Tourist Sim Card: How to get Sim for tourist/visitors in Dubai, UAE? Plans, Cost, Data, documents required, Where to get, How to activate, top up?

What is tourist sim card.

The offers special tourist SIM cards with different packages to people visiting Dubai for business or vacations . You can get the SIM from the airport as soon as you land; however, the tourist SIM is for one-time use. This means you can use it for as long as your package lasts and won’t be able to renew it.

Du Tourist Sim Card Dubai

Now tourist can buy Du Network Sim in Dubai.

Du Tourist Sim Card Plan Details

Unlimited du data plans, other du data plans, how to recharge in du tourist sim, dubai.

• Visit https://myaccount.du.ae/ .
• Enter your mobile number.
• Choose your Payment Option. (Visa, Mastercard and American Express and also use international cards.)
• Select your Data Options and Flexi minutes.
• Click Select.
• Click Confirm.

Download Du App from Google Play Store, Android/Apple store, mac, ios/ Huawei App Gallery

*You can Get a Tourist Du Sim Card on the Airport itself

How can I get sim card in Dubai?

The SIM card can only be delivered and activated in-store.

• Obtain your SIM card from Etisalat outlets: Dubai Int’l Airport (T1, T2 & T3),
• Abu Dhabi Airport (Terminal 1),
• Sharjah Airport arrivals, or city locations.

What are documents required to get/obtain in Du Tourist SIM?

• A photocopy of your Emirates ID
• Residence visa

How can I activate the free Du Tourist SIM on arrival?

The SIM is already active and has information about your name and passport details. To start using the line, you will need to perform a verification following a few simple steps:

• Insert the SIM into your phone.
• You will receive a verification SMS from 1220 , requesting you to reply with your year of birth.
• Once the verification is successful, you can start enjoying the free 1 GB of data for 24 hours.
• You will receive an SMS with your mobile number.
• In case the verification is not successful because the year of birth you’ve entered is incorrect, please visit our store to get a new free SIM with your ID. You have 14 days to complete the verification. Otherwise, your line would be deactivated.

Du Tourist SIM Recharge Options

How long is the Dubai Du tourist SIM valid for?

• The du Tourist SIM is valid for up to 90 days .
• You can extend it for another 90 days by dialing *135# .

How to Pre-book your Tourist SIM in Dubai, UAE?: Procedure, Documents required, Where to Collect, Cost?

View the How to Pre-book your Tourist SIM through the above link.

Best Tourist SIM Card in Dubai, UAE

Dubai tourists to get free sim cards on arrival at airport.

View the Dubai Tourists to get Free SIM Cards on Arrival at Airport through the above link.

Du Customer Care Contacts

View the Du Customer Care Contacts through the above link.

Du Head office : Dubai Hills Business Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Customer care Number: 00 971 4 390 5555

In UAE: 800155

for Consumer or Business: 800188

Overseas: +971 55 5678155

Email: [email protected]

Du Official Website: du.ae

List of Du Stores in Dubai, UAE

View the List of Du Stores in Dubai, UAE address, phone number, email, through the above link.

Is there any problem / complaint with reaching the Du Tourist Sim Card Address or Phone number? Please report any issues using the below comment form.

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Best SIM for tourists in UAE

Exclusive pre-booking offers on food, tours & top attractions, easy airport collection, burj khalifa tickets & more, discounts on 3000+ restaurants, looking to buy an esim in dubai.

*Alike.io accepts bookings for UAE SIM cards on behalf of KMTH Trading LLC (a TDRA approved SIM distributor). All SIM activations are done in the UAE by KMTH Trading LLC.

What discounts are included?

Every SIM comes with discounts on top attractions, dining and travel essentials.

UAE Tourist Visa

Zomato Gold

Attractions

Burj Khalifa Observation Deck

Museum of the Future

Theme Parks

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Desert Safari

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

Dubai Metro & Bus NOL Card

Dhow Cruise Dinner - Marina

How can i get attraction discounts with my sim, pre-book sim, select attractions, receive tickets, pre-book to get all the benefits.

Pre-book the Tourist SIM for your Dubai trip. Enjoy huge discounts on food, tours and top attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Upon adding the SIM to your cart, you'll have the chance to choose your preferred collection point. Currently, we offer collection points at Dubai Airport T1 and Dubai Airport T3 ( map ). If you're arriving at a different airport, such as Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, feel free to explore some other  SIM options  available or simply drop us a  message  – we're here to assist you!

As soon as you successfully pre-book your SIM, your exclusive discounts will be ready for use. Whether you wish to immediately book your attractions or decide to do so later, the same discounts link will be sent to your email for easy access. Should you require additional tickets or have any queries, our dedicated customer service team is at your disposal.  Reach out  to them anytime with your order details, and they'll be delighted to assist you.

Yes, we cater to both, individuals and groups. Our travel advisors can help you with any inquiries related to group bookings.  Get in touch.

Although you can pre-book multiple SIMs, only one SIM will be activated for each Passport.

All pre-booked SIMs are valid as long as your Visa is valid, a maximum of 90 days or until you exit the country.

Authorised partner

KMTH Trading LLC is an authorised partner of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications PJSC (EITC), better known as du in Dubai, UAE since 2016.

Join Virgin Mobile

Buying a Prepaid Sim Card for Dubai in 2024

Traveling to Dubai soon? Make sure to stay connected and don't waste money on high roaming costs. Get yourself a prepaid sim card for Dubai or even easier, order an e-sim card. Like most other things in Dubai, sim cards for tourists are expensive, but still much cheaper than overseas data roaming plans.

In this complete guide I will tell you everything you need to know about Dubai prepaid sim cards for tourists: where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per March 2024, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, the best e-sim cards for Dubai, a vlog to show you my arrival and experiences buying a sim card at Dubai International Airport, info about international sim cards for the UAE and more.

Visiting Dubai but flying to Sharjah or Abu Dhabi first? Here is your specific guides for buying a sim card at  Sharjah Airport  or Abu Dhabi Airport .

Being a full time nomadic travel blogger on the road now for more than 10 years I am constantly figuring out the best ways to stay connected when getting to a new country. On my journey to  visit every country in the world  I traveled to 62 different countries in 2022 and 34 countries in 2023. So imagine how many prepaid and e-sim cards I used over the last two years.

I get to see countless airports, cities and countries and everywhere I go I try to get connected immediately on arrival if I don't have an e-sim card yet. Buying a local prepaid sim card is one of the best ways if you use a lot of data but I try to use as many e-sim cards as possible, just because it is so convenient to be connected instantly as the plane lands.

Therefore on Traveltomtom you can find already more than 200 sim card guides from all around the world: Pakistan , South Africa , Egypt , USA , Bali , Turkey , Bangkok   London , Paris , Rome , Amsterdam ,  Canada , Thailand , Indonesia , Hong Kong , Costa Rica , Shanghai ,  Europe , Asia  and many more.

Traveltomtom also wrote complete guide for the best e-sim cards for traveling to Dubai in 2024 .

So next time you are planning your upcoming adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

My recommendation

If you don't want to use an e-sim card then Traveltomtom recommends buying a sim card at Dubai Airport on arrival. It is easy and fast and you are straight away connected. Tourist sim card prices at the airport are the same as in phone stores in the city.

However, keep in mind that local prepaid sim cards are more expensive than e-sim cards. An Airalo e-sim card for Dubai already starts from $8.5 USD and a Nomad e-sim card for Dubai with 10 GB costs only $22 USD . An Etisalat or Du prepaid sim cards with 10 GB data costs around $34 USD.

It is difficult to determine the best prepaid sim card in Dubai. There are only 2 mobile internet providers (Du and Etisalat) and their 4G/5G network coverage is pretty much the same as well as their prices for tourist sim cards.

Local prepaid sim cards for tourists are expensive in Dubai! It doesn't matter if you buy a sim card from Etisalat Du or Virgin Mobile expect to pay around $4 USD per Gigabyte.

Therefore Traveltomtom recommends staying connected in Dubai with an e-sim card. It is cheaper and you arrange it already online before your trip to the UAE.

Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide for buying an e-sim card for Dubai  including a comparison of the best e-sim cards in 2024.

A great alternative is an international prepaid sim card. Check out Traveltomtom's review and comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024 . These are physical prepaid sim cards for those who don't have an e-sim compatible phone. These pre-activated physical sim cards will be delivered to your home address before your trip.

Make sure that your phone is unlocked as foreign sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure about this contact your provider in your home country before your trip to Dubai. In general phones bought in Europe, Asia and Australia are unlocked, phones from the USA are often locked.

Best e-sim cards for Dubai

The best sim card for traveling to the UAE in 2024 is an e-sim card and not a local prepaid sim card.

E-sim cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai as you can simply order an e-sim card for Dubai on the internet. No more swapping a physical sim cards and no need to visit a sim card store. You will receive a so called e-sim card through a QR code in your email. Simple, fast and easy!

You order an e-sim card for Dubai on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a UAE e-sim card installed on your phone.

Upon arrival it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands in Dubai.

Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Dubai.

For a complete guide about using e-sim cards when traveling to the UAE click on the link and read all my tips and tricks and FAQ about e-sim cards.

There are 3 main e-sim card providers for, all tested and reviewed by Traveltomtom.

Airalo is a trusted e-sim provider that Traveltomtom has used in more than 50 countries around the world. These are the Dubai e-sim card deals from Airalo for 2024:

• 1 GB for 7 days = $8.5 USD
• 3 GB for 30 days = $22.5 USD
• 5 GB for 30 days = $35 USD

Click here to directly order a Dubai e-sim card via Airalo .

The above data-only e-sim cards from Airalo are from Burj Mobile. Burj Mobile e-sim cards are only valid in the UAE. They are not 5G ready and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of Etisalat. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.

SimOptions is a trusted e-sim card provider that offers normal e-sims as well as international e-sim cards. The Orange Holiday World eSIM is valid in 124 countries:

• 1 GB data for 30 days = $8.90 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $21.90 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 14 days = $39.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $59.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order a SimOptions e-sim card for Dubai .

The SimOptions e-sim cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.

Nomad is a game-changer when it comes to Dubai e-sim cards. They are the first e-sim provider that offer e-sim cards for Dubai that are 5G ready.

Local prepaid sim cards in Dubai charge around $4 USD per Gigabyte. Nomad has an e-sim card for Dubai that charges only  around $2.2 USD per Gigabyte.

Here are the Nomad e-sim card plans for Dubai in 2024

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $8 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD 

Click here to order an e-sim card for Dubai from Nomad .

Be aware that you can only use e-sim cards if your phone is unlocked and even more important make sure your phone is e-sim compatible. Great thing is that with an e-sim card you keep your own phone number!

You can not buy an e-sim card for Dubai on the internet when already in Dubai. The UAE Telecom Regulator has blocked this since October 2023. If you arrived already in the UAE then you have to use a VPN to order an e-sim card.

For a much more detailed guide about using an e-sim card for Dubai click on the link and check out my comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to Dubai , including everything else you need to know. 

Why buying a sim card for Dubai

If there is one place in the world where tourists could go without a local sim card it would be Dubai. There is WiFi literally EVERYWHERE and it is FAST and RELIABLE. The Dubai Mall is actually claiming to have the FASTEST PUBLIC WIFI IN THE WORLD. However, things get a little more complicated if you want to order a taxi on the streets or if you go on a road trip exploring the UAE. Having an internet connection on your phone simply makes life easier.

And what if you are laying on the beach and the hotel WiFi does not reach your beach chair? Simply don't rely on other people and get yourself a local prepaid sim card for Dubai. It is fast and easy... unfortunately it is not super cheap though.

Local sim cards are cheaper than overseas data plans or international travel sim cards. However, some of these  international sim cards with global coverage  are great deals for when traveling to Dubai. Interested in buying a sim card for Dubai online before your trip and get one shipped to your home address then check out the Dubai sim card deals in the link above.

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Looking for cool things to do in Dubai? Don't miss the observation deck on worlds tallest building: At The Top, Burj Khalifa ! See Dubai from above from floor 148! The Dubai Mall Aquarium is pretty cool to check out and a cool thrilling thing to do in Dubai is the Dinner in the Sky ! Check out my reviews in the links above.

Mobile internet providers in the UAE

Unfortunately there are only 2 mobile internet operators in Dubai: Du and Etisalat. That means no competition and high prices. The UAE is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to prepaid sim cards. There is also Virgin Mobile, a so called MVNO that operates on the Du network.

So far I have done research about local sim cards for tourists in almost 100 countries. Even expensive countries like Switzerland , Norway , Finland are much cheaper than Dubai data sim cards! A Dubai sim card gives you little value for money unfortunately and expect to pay around $4 per GB.

Good to know is that voice and video calls are blocked in the UAE with every mobile internet provider. Which means you can not use Facetime, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp for calling. Sending text messages is no problem!

Where to buy a Dubai sim card

Du, virgin mobile or etisalat store.

You can buy Dubai prepaid sim cards for visitors in almost every mall around the Dubai at every Etisalat, Du and Virgin Mobile store. It is very easy and everyone in the UAE speaks fluent English.

Dubai International Airport

However, Traveltomtom recommends you to buy your prepaid sim card for Dubai on arrival at Dubai Airport. Prices for tourist sim cards are the same all over the UAE. There is no price difference between stores in malls and the ones at Dubai International Airport.

If you are flying to Abu Dhabi then check my detailed guide for buying a sim card at Abu Dhabi Airport in 2024 . For more details about buying a prepaid sim card for Dubai at Dubai International Airport check below.

When buying a prepaid sim card in Dubai you will need to bring your passport. A copy of your passport will be taken in the phone store and your new Dubai sim card will be registered on your passport number.

As mentioned before it is very easy to buy a sim card for Dubai on the internet. In fact, an e-sim card for Dubai is the cheapest way to stay connected. Check out my guide for the best e-sim cards for traveling to Dubai for more detailed info.

There are also international sim cards cover multiple countries, see more below.

Buying a sim card at Dubai Airport DXB

In the beginning of the article I already said buying your UAE sim card at Dubai Airport DXB is very convenient. At every terminal you will find multiple Dubai sim card sellers which makes buying a sim card at Dubai Airport a simple process.

There is free WiFi at Dubai Airport and it works very good. Here is the outcome of a speed test.

For my research finding the best prepaid sim card for tourists at Dubai Airport I checked out all the selling points. Luckily the prices for Dubai sim cards are THE EAXCT SAME at every terminal as well as in the shops in the malls across Dubai. So no matter which terminal you arrive at DXB Airport, you will find the same Dubai tourist sim card prices.

Below you can also find my vlog about buying a sim card in Dubai with more details where to go when arriving at Dubai Airport.

Dubai Airport Terminals 1,2 and 3

There are 3 terminals at Dubai Airport. Terminal 3 is used for all Emirates and Qantas flights and is within walking distance to Terminal 1, which handles most other intercontinental flights. There is also a 5-minute shuttle bus between Terminal 1 and 3.

Terminal 2 is pretty far away and not attached nor connected to Terminal 1 and 3. You will need to take a taxi to get to Terminal 2. All FlyDubai and other low-cost airliners are handled in Terminal 2 at DXB Airport.

At every terminal you will find the following shops that sell Dubai prepaid sim cards for tourists:

• Virgin Mobile

When buying a sim card at Dubai Airport at Terminal 1 expect long lines! Terminal 2 and 3 aren't that busy usually.

Prices prepaid UAE sim cards

As I mentioned before there are only 2 mobile internet operators in the UAE. However, there is also Virgin Mobile, a so-called MVNO and they operate on the DU network. Prices for prepaid tourist sim cards constantly change. Traveltomtom does its utmost best to keep all the information as up to date as possible.

These are the latest sim card plans as per March 2024. Prices are in Dirham: 1 AED = $0.27 USD and $1 USD = 3.67 AED.

Du prepaid sim cards

Du Dubai offers a couple different prepaid sim card deals for tourists, all valid for 28 days:

• 49 AED = 2 GB data + 30 flexi minutes - $13 USD
• 99 AED = 6 GB data + 30 flexi minutes - $27 USD
• 139 AED = 10 GB data + 30 flexi minutes - $38 USD
• 189 AED = 20 GB data + 20 flexi minutes - $51 USD

Flexi minutes means that you can use them for either local calls or international calls. Du offers its costumers unlimited voice and video calls through the following apps: BOTIM, HiU, C'ME, Voico UAE. Keep in mind that video calls are blocked in the UAE, so no Whatsapp, Messenger and Facetime calls.

Du now also offers an unlimited data sim card for Dubai for 299 AED ($81 USD) valid for 10 days. For the latest Du prepaid offers check their website .

Etisalat prepaid sim cards

Etisalat also offers several Dubai prepaid sim card deals valid for 4 weeks:

• 79 AED = 4 GB data + 30 flexi minutes - $22 USD
• 125 AED = 10 GB data + 120 flexi minutes - $34 USD
• 200 AED = 20 GB data + 525 flexi minutes - $54 USD
• 319 AED = Unlimited data + 100 flexi minutes - $87 USD

Etisalat offers its costumers also several discounts through an app called Smiles. For the latest Etisalat prepaid offers check their website. The most eye catching discount is the 100 AED Careem credit.

However, in reality it means 20% off with a maximum of 25 AED per ride and only for new costumers. I tried it and it was completely useless, it didn't work at all for me! Sales trick! Careem is like Uber in Dubai. I was pretty disappointed with this whole discount thing from Etisalat. In the end I wasn't able to use anything because there were restrictions on everything. So my review about this Smiles app from Etisalat and its discount is: USELESS, a complete WASTE of time, energy and effort.

Virgin Mobile Dubai

Virgin Mobile is a so-called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) which means they operate on the DU network. Virgin Mobile sim cards are a great choice for heavy data users. 

• 21 GB data (3 GB/day) + 30 minutes + 20 int. minutes valid for 7 days = 150 AED - $41 USD
• 40 GB data (4 GB/day) + 30 minutes + 20 int. minutes - valid for 10 days = 200 AED - $54 USD
• Unlimited data + 30 minutes + 20 int. minutes - valid for 10 days = 305 AED - $83 USD 
• Unlimited data + 30 minutes + 20 int. minutes - valid for 15 days = 405 AED - $110 USD

On top of these short term sim card deals they also have the following prepaid sim card packages available for 4 weeks:

• 14 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 189 AED - $51 USD
• 30 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 299 AED - $81 USD
• 44 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 357 AED - $97 USD
• 56 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 420 AED - $114 USD
• 100 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 656 AED - $179 USD

The last option for buying a prepaid sim card in Dubai is Kitmytrip. You will find this store at Dubai Airport and they are an official reseller of DU prepaid sim cards. They offer the exact same sim card deals as the official DU store.

Above you can see the Kitmytrip Du sim card deals and below you see the Etisalat sim card deals.

Kitmytrip offers a wide range of discounts coupons for some of the best things to do in Dubai: Dubai Mall Aquarium, Burj Khalifa Observation Deck, The Dubai Ain - Worlds Highest Observation Wheel, etc. If these Dubai activities are on your itinerary, it is definitely worth checking out Kitmytrip and buying a Dubai sim card from their store. 

Free sim card Dubai Airport

Yes, that is true! You get a free sim card at Dubai Airport. At passport control the Customs Officer will hand you back your passport including a package with a free Du Dubai sim card for tourists, which is activated and can be used instantly. Just plug and play. Put it in your phone and enjoy 1 GB free data for 24 hours.

After 24 hours you will have to top up with one of the above mentioned prepaid sim card packages to use the sim card and you will also have to register yourself with your passport. It is fairly easy though, just follow the steps which are on the sim card package that you got from the immigration officer.

If you go through one of the automated passport scanners at customs, you won’t be handed a free sim card! You will have to go to a booth with an officer to get your free sim card for Dubai.

Be aware that the free sim card you get at Dubai Airport is automatically connected to your passport number. So when putting it in your phone you verify your passport number and only if it matches you are able to use the 1 GB free data for 24 hours.

Best 4G/5G network in UAE

Great thing about traveling in the UAE and Dubai is that there is 5G almost everywhere. Super fast mobile internet is waiting for you! To find the best mobile network in the UAE I compared the UAE network coverage maps .

Du 4G/5G coverage map 

Etisalat 4G/5G coverage map

From the above network coverage maps for the UAE we can conclude that there is pretty much a 5G signal in every tourist destination in the UAE. Du has slightly better network coverage when you travel off the beaten path in the UAE.

That said for most tourists who stay in and around Dubai there is no difference between both networks.

Best prepaid sim card in Dubai for tourists in 2024

All in all after comparing the 4G/5G networks in the UAE, the international sim cards, the e-sim cards for the Dubai and the Dubai prepaid sim cards that you buy on arrival in Dubai Traveltomtom come to the conclusion that the cheapest and best value sim card for Dubai is an e-sim card from Nomad .

This e-sim card gives you 10 GB data for just $22 USD, cheaper than a local prepaid sim card from Du or Etisalat. This e-sim card also supports 5G, but is a data-only e-sim card.

Traveltomtom used this Nomad e-sim card for Dubai on his very recent trip and ran a speed test. The outcome is very promising and a confirmation that this is the best tourist sim card for traveling to Dubai.

However, not all phones are e-sim compatible. Therefore Traveltomtom also concludes that Virgin Mobile has great Dubai prepaid sim card plans for travelers that need a lot of data. For 150 AED ($41 USD) you get 3 GB data per day for 7 days, that is a total of 21 GB data.

But if you are staying longer than 7 days OR if you are looking for just a little bit of data to order Uber or browse on the internet on the beach then either DU or Etisalat will also do the job and they have prepaid sim card deals for tourists with 2 GB data for 49 AED which is $13 USD.

Which one is better a DU or an Etisalat sim card? It is a though decision to determine the best prepaid sim card for Dubai. Even after my comparison I simply found out that there is very little difference. Prices for prepaid sim card plans and 4G/5G network coverage are basically the same for DU and Etisalat.

Because they are simply cheaper than local prepaid sim cards Traveltomtom recommends buying an e-sim card for Dubai.

Also for travelers that just need 1 or 2 GB data to stay connected. E-sim cards for Dubai already start from $8.5 USD, but for $21 USD you get 20 GB data for 30 days. I told you the cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai is an e-sim card.

Check out my complete guide with everything you need to know about Dubai e-sim cards and a comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling in Dubai in 2024 .

Buy a prepaid sim card for Dubai online

Is your phone not e-sim compatible then check out the following option.

Arrive prepared in Dubai with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Dubai, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.

Through SimOptions you can now also order a physical prepaid sim card for Dubai:

• 10 GB data in the UAE for 14 days = $49.90 USD

Click here for more info or order this international prepaid sim card for Dubai directly online via SimOptions .

This international sim card for the UAE will be delivered to your home address and is automatically activated from its first use. That means as soon as the plane touches the ground, you put the sim card in your phone and it starts working.

How to get from Dubai DXB Airport to the city

The cheapest way to get into Dubai from DXB Airport is by Metro. The Metro operates directly from Dubai Airport and gets you to most places in the city. The Metro operates between 5.00 am and 1.30 am and on Friday and Saturday even till 2.30 am. There is a metro station at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

Dubai Airport Terminal 2 is unfortunately not connect to the Dubai Metro network. The nearest Metro station from Terminal 2 is Abu Hail, which is about 5 minutes away by taxi. There are several bus stops just outside Terminal 2.

Taxis in Dubai all operate by meter and are very reliable, but you can also use taxi apps like Careem or Uber. Using a taxi from Dubai Airport to the city is my preferred mode of getting to and from DXB Airport, but in peak times these taxi apps can be expensive and it is better to use a metered taxi. There is also an airport taxi stand outside the terminal with good prices. If you are with more people it is definitely worth taking a taxi.

Im sure the above tips for getting connected in the United Arabic Emirates on your trip to Dubai were helpful. If there is anything you are still unsure about please reach out to me and I happily answer your questions. Also if you are just looking for Dubai travel tips.

Looking for travel inspiration? Check my Instagram account @traveltomtom ! Be careful this could create some serious wanderlust as I am attempting to travel to every country in the world  and as of March 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so many more to go.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Traveler & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to Dubai!

• united arabic emirates

Mobile Phones and Traveller SIM Cards Guide

3 Best Tourist SIM Cards in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Are you looking for the best tourist SIM card in the United Arab Emirates , UAE, or Dubai? If yes, you come to the right place. You will get a list of all networks in the United Arab Emirates, call, internet, and international packages and offers. This will allow you to choose a good card for yourself so that you will keep connected with your friends and family after reaching the UAE.

The United Arab Emirates is a famous country where millions of people from all over the world come on the trip. Before going to Dubai or UAE you must have good knowledge about UAE tourist SIM Cards and prices. You can compare, and check the prices of all SIMs in UAE and also can see the latest deals and offers of prepaid and postpaid cards easily on PriceYOO .

List of the Best Tourist SIM Cards in the United Arab Emirates

There are three major mobile operators in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which are:

These three networks are mostly famous in this country. When you will go to UAE airports, all SIM card services, and operators will be available there. Most visitors landed at Dubai City airport were Virgin, Etisalat, and DU all companies retailers, and shops are always available. Etisalat is the most used and trusted network in the UAE than other networks. DU is the second largest network which is providing 5G services, prepaid and postpaid services for calling and texting.

All the operators have different types of plans, prices, and resources like different internet volumes and calling minutes. After reaching the UAE, you have to inform your relatives and friends so, you will need a type of SIM card that will provide you with international calling minutes and text. So, by carefully checking the plans and prices of each network, you can easily get the best tourist SIM card in the UAE.

It is a time of social networking, you can also contact your friends and family through Facebook, WhatsApp, and IMO. You must need to know that WhatsApp is banned in the United Arab Emirates so, you should prepare for this before landing in the country. You can use the alternative of WhatsApp in UAE to call your friends and family.

As you know I travel and always visit new countries in some months and always stay there for 2 weeks to 1 month. If you visit the United Arab Emirates and other countries and want to get a helpful guide you can save us a bookmark. We already provide many prepaid SIM card details like the Best SIM card in Saudi Arabia .

Etisalat is the major mobile phone network in the United Arab Emirates and it covers more than 70% population by providing calling and internet services. This network provides an eSIM facility to its customers who have smartphones and watches. To get the eSIM, customers have to go to the Etisalat shop and franchise where they will get an eSIM and use it in their smartwatches without any physical SIM.

To get the prepaid, postpaid, or Etisalat visitor line, you must have a valid passport, 3D-secured credit or debit card, or cash in AED. A visitor can only buy 2 visitors line SIM cards on one passport or ID. Once you have purchased any SIM card, you will never get any refund from the company. So, buy any SIM card carefully and don’t waste your money and time. Now, we will talk about the Etisalat visitor line and other prepaid packages and offers.

PRICES AND PACKAGES:

Etisalat provides Visitor line, Visitor Line +, Visitor Line Premium, and unlimited local data. These SIM cards and package prices are starting from 79.00 AED to 319.00 AED. All the packages are valid for 28 days or by visa validity. If your relatives and friends live in Qatar then you can get unlimited calling from UAE to Qatar by using these plans.

Excluding of Visitor Line + package, customers will get free data for the Gochat app which will be used for video and audio calling and messaging. Here are the prices and plans of all Etisalat UAE tourist SIM cards.

Prepaid Visitor Line – AED 49/month

• 30 Flexi Minutes for calling
• 2GB Local data
• 28 Days Validity

Prepaid Visitor Line + – AED 79/28 Days

• 30 Flexi Minutes for calling (UAE Networks)
• 4GB Local Data
• FREE SIM Card

Prepaid Visitor Line Premium – AED 125/month

• 120 Flexi Minutes for calling
• 8GB Local data + 500MB Gochat Data+ 5 hours WIFI

Prepaid Visitor Line Premium + – AED 200/month

• 525 Flexi Minutes for calling
• 22.5GB Local data + 500MB Gochat Data
• 30 hours WIFI

Prepaid Visitor Line Unlimited – AED 319/month

• 100 Flexi Minutes for calling
• Unlimited Local data + Unlimited Gochat Data
• FREE  SIM

Etisalat is providing prepaid SIM cards in UAE which will give you a free SIM card worth 55 AED. You can easily activate any kind of package by recharging this SIM card. By recharging the balance, you can easily make calls to any network, activate the internet package, and activate the international calls package. This SIM Card will be available with a recharge of 20 AED which will help you to make calls and send SMS.

I will suggest you buy this SIM card if the company will allow you to buy this card from the airport. Because you will be new in this country, per second billing charge method will be the best for you. When you will need internet you have to recharge the required balance and activate the internet package. This SIM card works as pay as you go system.

Prepaid SIM Cards

Prepaid SIM cards are the best for those who visit the UAE for a short time. If you are not making too many calls nationally and internationally, then this can be the best choice. This is a very simple and easy-to-use card for your tour or trip. Prepaid SIM packages are too many to activate easily when you need them. Just dial *101# to activate the packages when you need any Etisalat prepaid SIM card. When you dial this code, you will see the menu for your account and package activation. Choose the data packages, call packages, and SMS packages that you want to activate. Here are some shortcodes which will help you to use a prepaid SIM card.

• Dial *101# to activate the packages and offers on the prepaid SIM card
• To get the deal of the day dial *050#
• Use the Etisalat app to activate and deactivate the packages
• Dial *101*30*1# to get gifts like free minutes and internet

DU Tourist SIM Card

Du is the second largest mobile network in the United Arab Emirates which is mostly famous due to its cheapest tourist plans and offers. Most visitors buy DU tourist SIM cards because this offers free calling national at a very low cost.

You can buy this SIM card at any shop and airport retailer. You can book DU prepaid and traveller SIM cards online while in your home country. After booking a SIM card online you can get this card from any airport in UAE. New customers have a great opportunity because they will get a FREE SIM card from the airport. You have to pay only its package fee which will be 49 AED including VAT.

What the new customers will get? New customers will get free 2GB of internet data and 30 Flexi minutes for calling in supported countries and networks. From these minutes you can talk with your friends and family by paying 0.38 AED national calling.

If you need more data and calls, you have to recharge the amount of AED 99, customers will get 6GB of data, 30 Flexi minutes, and free internet calling-only supported apps. Botim and Voico apps are free if you will activate the 99 AED plan on your SIM. I will suggest you activate the second plan if you have a good budget otherwise 49 AED plan is enough for calling and internet usage. Here are some great deals for you that you can activate yourself through online recharge and shops.

DU Tourist SIM Cards Offers & Deals

• Internet data speed depends on the user device, signal strength, or coverage area
• Flexi minutes are usable on all national networks and supported countries only
• Free video calling is usable on BOTIM and VOICO apps
• After the expiry of the plan, customers can reactivate these offers by recharging the required balance.

Virgin Tourist SIM Card

Virgin is the third largest network in UAE and is a virtual network of DU. You can get this SIM card easily from any airport at T1, and T2 points. There are different types of packages with different types of validity. You can choose any SIM card by data volume, calling plans, and prices of prepaid and postpaid SIM cards. 7 Days, 10 Days, and 15 days trips people can use this SIM card instead of heavy billing and plans SIM card for calling and internet services. Here is the chart of Virgin UAE tourist SIM card prices and offers.

• Prices include 5% VAT
• International calling minutes are for selected countries only
• Internet data will be reset at midnight daily
• 300 AED per month tourist plan includes VoIP 2 months subscription.

Virgin 7 Days Tourist Plan:

If you are coming to UAE for 7 days then you can choose the 7-day plan which includes a SIM card, 21GB data, 30 local minutes and SMS, and 20 international minutes and SMS. This SIM card or package price is 150 VAT including 5% VAT for 7 days. Once you have bought this SIM card, you will be able to reactivate the same package again on your SIM card.

Virgin 10 Days Tourist Plan:

Virgin UAE 10 days tourist plan is offering 40GB data (4GB per Day), 30 local minutes and SMS, and 20 international calling minutes and SMS. While buying a SIM card you can choose any of them to offer as your visa validity. The price of this package is 200 AED Including 5% VAT per 10 days.

Virgin 15 Days Tourist Plan:

This package is also called a half-monthly Virgin tourist SIM card. Virgin is also offering a 75GB unlimited data offer in which customers can use daily 5GB data including 30 local calling minutes and SMS and 20 international calling minutes and SMS. If you are coming to UAE for 30 days, you can reactivate this package again after 15 days. the price of 15 days tourist SIM card is 300 AED per 15 days including 5% VAT.

Virgin SIM card is some costly than other SIM cards. Because this network provides an international call plan including free data and local calls so, it costs the same price as other networks if you also get international call packages. If the customers need unlimited internet data, they can activate the booster data plan whose price is 100 AED. This booster will give you unlimited GBs to download and watch TV channels and videos, and stream gaming. You can also visit the Virgin UAE website to read the terms and conditions.

Comparison of Etisalat, DU, and Virgin SIM Card

Prices, internet data, and calling minutes are the most important things to buying a prepaid and tourist SIM card. Here is the comparison chart of all UAE SIM cards which will help you to choose the best tourist SIM card in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

If we compare Etisalat vs DU tourist SIM cards then both networks are equal in prices and calling minutes. It is difficult to know which Etisalat and DU which is the best network. If you buy the full plan of Etisalat then this will allow you to use free 30 hours of WIFI calling. It is like a bonus from Etisalat which DU is not offering.

If we compare DU vs Virgin and Etisalat vs Virgin then Virgin can be a good network. Because Virgin is offering international call plans including all free minutes and SMS which DU and Etisalat are offering. Now, depending on user needs, users have to decide which is the best SIM card for tourists or trips in Dubai, UAE.

Free SIM card in UAE:

Free SIM cards in the United Arab Emirates are only offered by Du and Etisalat which also offer 1GB of data for 24 hours. You can buy this SIM card at any airport in the United Arab Emirates and you can also ask for a free SIM from any DU & Etisalat retailer or point of sale.

After purchasing the SIM card, if you want to use it for calls, you can recharge it. Both Etisalat and DU have offered their customers 1GB of data for 24 hours, which you can use for web browsing watching videos and social networking. These sims are completely free, you don’t have to pay any kind of fee. Both companies reserve the right to terminate this offer at any time.

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Sanny Baloch

I am an expert in analyzing and reviewing the latest technology trends, from smartphones, sim cards and mobile devices to broadband and Wi-Fi solutions. I provide valuable insights to readers on priceyoo.com which help them to selecting a best plan according to their needs.

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Best SIM Cards for the United Arab Emirates (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)

If you’re travelling to the United Arab Emirates, you can save a lot of money by using the right SIM card. Compare the best SIM cards for using your phone in Dubai & Abu Dhabi.

Having access to your mobile phone in the United Arab Emirates makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family whilst you’re there. It’s also helpful for finding your way around (e.g. with directions on Google Maps) and for calling a taxi, your hotel, or a local restaurant for a reservation.

Nowadays, it’s really easy to use your mobile phone in the United Arab Emirates. There are roaming packages available from just £1.67 per day when you use a UK SIM card. Alternative, you can buy a local SIM card on arrival from 49 AED (about £10.60), or there are data-only eSIMs available from ~£3.60 for 7 days usage .

In this article, we’ll review the best SIM cards for using your mobile phone in the United Arab Emirates (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi). We’ll compare the three different ways of using your mobile phone in the UAE (roaming on a UK SIM card, getting a local SIM card upon arrival, or buying an eSIM plan). We’ll also discuss the network compatibility with your UK phone.

• 1 Using Your Mobile Phone In The United Arab Emirates
• 2 Roaming On Your UK SIM Card
• 3 Buying A UAE SIM Card On Arrival
• 4 eSIMs For The United Arab Emirates
• 5 Handset & Network Compatibility
• 6 More Information

Using Your Mobile Phone In The United Arab Emirates

• You can roam on a UK-based SIM card. This is the easiest way to use your mobile phone in the UAE. However, it can be an expensive option if you’re on the wrong mobile network. You’ll have a UK-based phone number (+44) and you’ll pay your UK mobile network for usage.
• You can buy a local SIM card upon arrival in the UAE. This will give you a local phone number (+971). However, you’ll need to undergo SIM card registration. Censorship will also be in place on the SIM card. This can be an expensive option if you need more than 2GB data.
• You can buy a data-only eSIM for the UAE. If you’re using an eSIM-compatible phone, you can get a data-only eSIM from Burj Mobile (via Airalo). This can save you some time and hassle compared to getting a SIM card on arrival. However, you won’t be able to call or text on it.

The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of these three options:

If you need the ability to call and text on your trip, consider getting a SIM card from Lebara Mobile or Sky.

On Lebara, there’s a £15 roaming add-on that gives you 200 minutes, 100 texts and 500MB data in the UAE. You’ll be able to call both UK and UAE numbers, making it perfect for staying in touch. The add-on is valid for 8 days and you can get it on any of Lebara’s Pay As You Go plans (which are available with no contract and no credit check).

If you’re a heavy data user, Sky Mobile is also worth considering as you’ll be able to use your UK plan allowances for an extra £2 per day. For instance, they currently offer a 25GB data plan for £16 per month in the UK.

If you’re only concerned about the ability to use data on your trip (without calls or texts), consider getting a Burj Mobile eSIM with 1GB data (valid for 7 days). You’ll just need to account for the cost of calls and texts on your regular SIM card (which can be upwards of £2/minute). It’s also possible to get a local SIM card on arrival from Etisalat or Du , but this will cost you more money and be more time-consuming to set up.

Roaming On Your UK SIM Card

If you’re using a UK-based SIM card, you’ll be able to set everything up before you depart. The SIM card will allow you to call and text other UK-based phone numbers. This includes your friends & family who are back home in the UK, as well as other people who are travelling abroad together with you.

Best Roaming Deals For The United Arab Emirates

Lebara Mobile

The biggest advantage of Lebara’s roaming add-ons is the fact you’ll get inclusive minutes, allowing you to call other UK phone numbers as well as locally in the UAE. You’ll also get some texts and data included, and there’s no contract and no credit check on their plans.

If you’re new to Lebara, you’ll need to order a SIM card from them before you’re able to get a roaming add-on. You can use the KEN3 promo code at checkout to get 3 months half price, allowing you to get a UK plan from just £2.50 per month for 3 months.

Get Lebara SIM card (from £2.50) →

Sky’s Roaming Passport Plus allows you to call and text other UK-based phone numbers (starting with +44). This includes friends and family members who are travelling abroad with you. However, unlike on the roaming add-ons from Lebara, you’ll pay extra for calling UAE-based phone numbers (starting with +971). At the time of writing, these are charged at an extra £1.75/minute.

You can get the following SIM-only deal from £10 per month on Sky Mobile:

As a Sky Mobile customer, you’ll be able to roll over your unused data for up to three years . In addition, there’s the guarantee of no mid-contract price rises. You’ll also get unlimited data for streaming Sky TV when you’re inside the UK.

There’s a 12-month contract on the Sky Mobile SIM-only plans, but you have the flexibility to change your plan whenever you like (e.g. moving to a cheaper plan, or upgrading to another plan with more data).

Get Sky Mobile SIM Card (from £10) →

Standard Roaming Rates

On the other UK networks, you should expect to pay substantially more to use your phone in the UAE. The following table shows the standard roaming rates you can expect to pay:

Comparison of roaming charges when using your UK-based SIM card in the United Arab Emirates. The costs shown are for calling the UK and sending a text message to the UK. It’s always free to receive a text message wherever you are in the world. 1 If you’re an O2 Pay Monthly customer, the £6 per day O2 Travel bolt-on will give you unlimited minutes, texts and data in the United Arab Emirates. 2 If you’re a Three Pay Monthly customer, you can buy the £5 per day Data Passport add-on for unlimited data in the United Arab Emirates.

If you’re paying the standard rates for roaming in the UAE, the costs can add up very quickly. This is because the average UK smartphone user consumes more than 100MB of data per day. At a rate of 10p/MB, this would cost you an extra £10 per day.

Buying A UAE SIM Card On Arrival

Prices start from 49 AED (approximately £11.80) for a basic tourist SIM card with 2GB data included. You’ll also get 30 ‘flexi minutes’ on your plan, which can be used for calling locally and internationally.

There are two main things worth being aware of before you get a local UAE SIM card:

• You’ll need to register the SIM card with the government authorities. Before you’re able to use a local SIM card in the United Arab Emirates, you’ll need to register it with the government authorities. This involves registering the SIM card with a copy of your passport and visa. Your fingerprints will also be taken for biometric registration of the SIM card.
• Censorship is in place on local UAE SIM cards. It isn’t possible to use voice-over-IP calling services such as Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. You can, however, continue to send text messages through these apps. The United Arab Emirates also places a block on websites that are “inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political or moral values of the UAE”. This means, for instance, LGBTQ content is blocked on local UAE SIMs.

There are two mobile networks that you’re able to choose from in the UAE: Etisalat and Du . As both of them are partly state-owned, there’s limited competition and they offer very similar products at a similar price point. You can get a SIM card in the airport arrivals hall (including at Dubai Airport and Abu Dhabi Airport), though you should be prepared for a bit of a wait at times. You can also get a local SIM card in major shopping malls (including the Dubai Mall).

The following table shows Etisalat’s prepaid tourist SIM cards:

As an Etisalat customer, you’ll benefit from discounted taxi rides whilst you’re in the UAE. To get this, you’ll need to download the Careem app (their local equivalent of Uber). There’s a 25% discount available on 2 Hala taxi rides (up to a maximum of 15AED per ride) and a 15% discount on 5 Careem taxi rides (up to a maximum of 20AED per ride).

You can find a Etisalat store to get your Visitor Line SIM card.

You can get the following prepaid tourist SIM cards from Du in the UAE:

If you’re arriving at Dubai Airport, you can get a free SIM card at the airport immigration counter. This will include 1GB of data (valid for up to 24 hours). After the first 24 hours, you can recharge it with one of the plans listed above. It’s also possible to get a Du SIM card from other stores across the UAE .

You can also get a tourist SIM card from Virgin Mobile UAE (powered by Du). However, the tourist plans on Virgin Mobile are much more expensive and start from 142 AED (approx £31) for 7 days of usage. For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend getting a SIM card from Virgin Mobile in the United Arab Emirates.

eSIMs For The United Arab Emirates

The biggest benefit of getting an eSIM is the fact it’s available straight away as an over-the-air download (there’s no waiting around to get a SIM card at the airport). It’s also cheaper than getting a local SIM card.

The biggest disadvantage is the fact you’re getting a data-only service. This means you’ll need to use your normal SIM card for calling and texting, with all of the usual roaming fees that will apply for that.

At present, you can choose from the following eSIM plans on Burj Mobile (Airalo):

See all UAE eSIM deals →

If you’re using a Burj Mobile eSIM from Airalo, you’ll get access to 4G coverage on the Etisalat network in the UAE. Once activated, the eSIM plan is valid for either a 7-day, 15-day or 30-day period. You’re only able to use the eSIM in the UAE – it will not work in any other country (e.g. if you’re transiting in another country).

As a special offer for April 2024, you can get a 10% discount on your Burj Mobile eSIM. If you’re new to Airalo, enter the KEN10 voucher code at checkout to get 10% off. Alternatively, if you’re an existing Airalo customer, there’s a 5% discount available with the KEN5 voucher code.

For more information, see our Airalo review .

Handset & Network Compatibility

If you’re using a SIM card or an eSIM from a different mobile network, you’ll just need to make sure your handset is unlocked .

The following table shows the bands and frequencies used in the United Arab Emirates:

For more information, you can check the coverage available on the Etisalat and Du websites.

More Information

For more information, see our guide to using your mobile phone abroad .

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Designed for active on-the-go productivity starting from AED 29/only!

Experience Uninterrupted Efficiency With Data Only Plans!

Data Only plans are designed to give your devices online access anywhere, whether from home or on-the-go, to ensure your productivity remains uninterrupted. Offering your business high-value, supersonic data coverage with a suite of plans ranging from 500MB to 100GB, to cater to your precise connectivity needs. Browse, check your emails, work on online-hosted apps and more with reliable on-the-go connectivity.

Simply insert the SIM into your preferred device whether it is a smartphone, tablet, router or laptop, and you're ready to go! Subscribe today to experience plans that are agile in nature and rich in business benefits!

Discover plans that are agile in nature and rich in business benefits

Ensure your productivity remains uninterrupted by getting a 12-month plan that offers you 500MB to 100GB, to cater to your precise connectivity needs, whether you're looking to browse, check your emails, work on apps or anything else.

choose your monthly data limit

• My 500MB Business Data 29 5% VAT excluded 500MB Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• My 1GB Business Data 69 5% VAT excluded 1GB Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• My 3GB Business Data 99 5% VAT excluded 3GB Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
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• 500MB My 500MB Business Data 29 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 1GB My 1GB Business Data 69 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 3GB My 3GB Business Data 99 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 5GB My 5GB Business Data 119 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 7GB My 7GB Business Data 149 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 10GB My 10GB Business Data 179 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 20GB My 20GB Business Data 249 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 50GB My 50GB Business Data 379 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services
• 100GB My 100GB Business Data 749 5% VAT excluded Local Data Data SIM No Voice Services

500MB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 500 MB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 29/Month

Billing Frequency: Monthly

• Contract Period: 12 Months

All prices shown are excluding of 5% VAT charge.

• Local & Roaming Voice Services will not be available with this plan however customers have the option to purchase Roaming Data Add-ons if they are traveling outside U.A.E.
• The data allowance in your plan will be valid throughout the month. Should you run out of allowances, you may purchase additional data add-ons to top up. 
• The following add-ons will be applicable with your plan:
• 1 GB Local Data for AED 60
• 5 GB Local Data for AED 149
• 12 GB Local Data for AED 219

Add-ons would need to be purchased by your Company Admin.

• Data Only Application Form. No Activation Charges applicable.
• Penalty Free Service: Customers can exit the service contract within a maximum period of 5 days from activation without penalty charges (i.e. exit charges) if the service contract was missold or the provided service did not comply with the service terms and conditions.
• Contract duration is as per agreed original contract period between the client and Etisalat.
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 29 would apply.

1GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 1GB MB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 69/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 69 would apply.

3GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 3 GB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 99/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 99 would apply.

5GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 5GB MB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 119/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 119 would apply.

7GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 7 GB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 149/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 149 would apply.

10GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 10GB MB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 179/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 179 would apply.

20GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 20 GB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 249/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 249 would apply.

50GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 50 GB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 379/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 379 would apply.

100GB Data Plan

• Special Benefits: 100 GB Local Data
• Rental Fee AED 749/Month
• In the case of an early contract termination/service cancellation before 12 months, a one-time charge of AED 749 would apply.

Important to Know

About data sim.

Required Documents to Apply for Data Only Plans:

• Valid Copy Of Trade License
• Passport Copy With Valid UAE Visa Of Individual, As Authorised By Company
• Emirates ID Copy Of Individual, As Authorised By Company
• Letter Of Authority
• Establishment Card

Contract durations is as per agreed original contract period between the client and Etisalat with one option being available: 12-Month Contract.

Local & Roaming Voice Services will not be available with this plan however customers have the option to purchase  Roaming Data Add-ons   if they are traveling outside U.A.E. 

The data allowance in your plan will be valid throughout the month. Should you run out of allowances, you may purchase additional data add-ons to top up. The following add-ons will be applicable with your plan:

Data packages can be purchased independently or with a device in contract based on business requirements.

Looking to make an outgoing roaming call for AED 3/minute?

Use the code below and activate Roaming Callback , today! After you have activated this function, simply select a contact and make a call normally. A pop-up will notify you about receiving a call from Etisalat, displaying your number. Accept the call and get connected!

DIAL *145*00(CountryCode)(Number)#

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• International

April 11, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war

By Heather Chen , Antoinette Radford, Tori B. Powell , Aditi Sangal and Elise Hammond , CNN

Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved  here .

UN committee fails to reach consensus on full Palestinian membership, Security Council president says

From CNN’s Richard Roth and Michael Rios

A specialized UN committee failed to reach a consensus Thursday on Palestinian membership in the United Nations, according to the president of the UN Security Council.

Two-thirds of the committee members were in favor of moving on with membership, with many countries arguing that “Palestine fulfills all the criteria that are required” to be granted full state member status, Malta's Ambassador and Security Council President Vanessa Frazier said. 

She added that no one explicitly objected to the membership qualifications.

Frazier also said she would circulate a draft report on the deliberations as soon as Friday. If the committee doesn’t agree on the report, it could hold another meeting to iron out any differences.

Asked whether the process of deliberating Palestinian membership in the committee is now over, Frazier said, “Unless the next step of agreeing (to) the report of the committee warrants another meeting to iron out the differences, it’s not foreseen that there would be any further committee action.”

But she noted that any UN Security Council member can still table a resolution to vote on Palestinian membership at any time, regardless of the committee's report.

The US and Middle East brace for a possible Iran attack that could escalate the conflict. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Concerns about a possible Iranian attack against Israel has prompted many diplomatic conversations around the globe.

Here are some developments on diplomacy around the threat of an attack:

• Iran's statement: The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.
• US and UK diplomacy: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night and Thursday morning to tell them that countries should be urging Iran not to escalate the conflict in the Middle East after  threats made by Tehran against Israel,  according to a State Department spokesperson. The top US general for the Middle East is also in Israel . Additionally, Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict .
• Israel receives US support: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The US officials expressed the country's support for Israel against Iranian threats. Gallant warned that such an attack could lead to a regional escalation.
• Travel restrictions: The US State Department restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran. “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted. US officials  are on high alert  for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Meanwhile, here's some other updates:

• Hamas on hostages: A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations. "Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza, Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose."
• Updates on aid to Gaza: It is clear that Israel is working to ramp up humanitarian aid to Gaza, but it has not yet implemented all of the measures it has announced, a top United Nations humanitarian official said. Aid coming in trucks from Israel has to be "segregated from water, from food, from medical items" before it goes into Gaza, said Jamie McGoldrick, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Jerusalem. “Getting 400 trucks from Kerem Shalom doesn't mean 400 trucks go into Gaza,” he said, adding that the logistical complications are numerous, and take time to resolve. He also said Israel’s restrictions on movement inside the strip complicate matters.

Anera charity resumes work in Gaza after pausing when Israeli strike killed 7 World Central Kitchen staff

From CNN's Tala Alrajjal and Mohammed Tawfeeq

American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) has resumed Gaza operations "after a temporary pause" following an airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers on April 1.

"As you know, the decision to temporarily pause our operations was not an easy one. We followed the direction of our staff in Gaza, who've faced death, loss, and destruction since the start of the war," Sean Carroll, the president and CEO of Anera, said in a statement on Thursday. "After the killing of Anera staff member Mousa Shawwa , followed by the attack that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, we made the difficult but necessary decision to pause aid operations on April 2," Carroll added in the statement.

Carroll said Israeli authorities informed him during a meeting Thursday that "certain measures would be taken to protect humanitarian aid workers in Gaza – including Anera's staff."

"With the full support of our Gaza team, we have determined that the circumstances have changed sufficiently to resume our vital humanitarian work in Gaza," Carroll said. 

Anera on Thursday resumed "full operations in Gaza to deliver meals, food parcels, hygiene kits, tents, medical treatments, and more to families in dire need," according to the statement.

Iran says its imperative to punish Israel could have been avoided had UN Security Council condemned attack

From CNN’s Natalie Barr and Adam Pourahmadi

The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.

“Had the UN Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated," the  mission said on X.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack on April 1, according to a statement from the UN spokesperson Stephan Dujarric. A Security Council discussion was held on April 2 to discuss the attack, but differences among members prevented any formal action or condemnation from taking place.

The United States is on high alert and actively preparing for a “significant” attack by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region  in response to the strike in Damascus  that killed top Iranian commanders.

UK foreign secretary warns Iran not to draw Middle East into wider conflict

From CNN's Natalie Barr

Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict following a series of escalating threats made by Iran toward Israel.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that the United Kingdom was "deeply concerned about the potential for miscalculation leading to further violence. Iran should instead work to de-escalate and prevent further attacks," according to a post on X .

Iran's state-aligned Tasnim news agency on Thursday reported that Amir-Abdollahian had told Cameron that the silence from the UK and the United States following Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week only served to encourage Israel to continue waging war in Gaza and expand its conflict in the region.

US and Israeli defense leaders discuss fears of Iranian attack

From CNN’s Michael Conte in Washington, DC, Tamar Michaelis in Jerusalem and Larry Register in Atlanta

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today to “reaffirm the US ironclad commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies,” according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

The call comes a day after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel " must be punished and it will be" following a strike on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria that killed seven Iranian officials.

Israel “will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory,” the statement read, adding that the two defense leaders also discussed detailed preparations “for an Iranian attack against the State of Israel.”

Gallant said an Iranian attack on Israel could lead to a regional escalation.

It is the second discussion held between Gallant and Austin over the past week, according to the statement. Gallant expressed his appreciation for Austin’s personal commitment to the security of the State of Israel and for the deepening cooperation between the defense establishments of both countries, as well as between the Israel Defense Forces and US CENTCOM.

State Department restricts personnel travel in Israel amid concerns over Iranian threats

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

The US State Department has restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran.

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,” a  security alert  posted by the US Embassy Thursday said. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.” “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said he would not “speak to the specific assessments that led to us to restrict our employees and family members’ personal travel, but clearly we are monitoring the threat environment in the Middle East and specifically in Israel.”

“We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days,” Miller said. “Israel is in a very tough neighborhood and we have been monitoring the security situation. You saw us slightly adjust for travel warnings at the beginning of this conflict and we conduct ongoing assessments all the time about the situation on the ground.”

US officials are on high alert for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Hamas says ceasefire with Israel is essential to collect data on hostages held in Gaza by different groups

From CNN's Abeer Salman and Mohammed Tawfeeq

A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations.

"Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose," he added.

Naim's statement was in response to questions from media outlets about whether Hamas has been rejecting the latest proposal, which was made in Cairo over the weekend, because it can not release 40 hostages in the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal.

According to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the discussions, Hamas indicated it is currently unable to identify and track down those 40 Israeli hostages, raising fears that more hostages may be dead than are publicly known. 

CNN's record of the conditions of the hostages also suggests there are fewer than 40 living hostages who meet the proposed criteria.

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