Best SIM card and its alternatives for Egypt in 2024

When packing your things to travel to Egypt, you’ll want to pick the best SIM card for Egypt in 2024 to make sure you have an internet connection for the journey. 

The right SIM card will help you stay connected, whether you’re exploring the Pyramids of Giza or sitting by the beach in Sharm El-Sheikh. You can browse the internet, check your map for directions, and (in some cases) send calls or texts, all without paying expensive data roaming fees. 

Choosing the best Egypt SIM card requires some research. The optimal choice for your situation will depend on your priorities. Some prefer affordable calling rates to keep in touch with friends and family. Others want a SIM card with high-speed data to surf the web.

The good news is that there’s a SIM card option to suit every tourist. You could choose to buy a local SIM card directly in Egypt when you arrive. Vodafone, Orange, WE Telecom and Etisalat all offer this service. Alternatively, you can purchase international SIM cards that work in multiple countries around the world.

Additionally, many travellers are considering alternatives like eSIM. You can set up eSIM cards entirely online, meaning you won’t need to visit a phone shop in Egypt or pay for international shipping. These cards are slightly more expensive and are only available for newer phones, but they rank among the fastest, most secure options for travellers.

We have tested every SIM option available for Egypt. We’ll talk through each in this guide and give our recommendations. But first, why buy a SIM card for Egypt at all?

Why buy a SIM card for Egypt in 2024? 

As you travel through Egypt, you’ll want to stay connected so you can update your friends and family, look for nearby restaurants, or use Google Translate to brush up on your Arabic phrases. 

The problem? Egypt’s Wi-Fi coverage is intermittent, and you’re unlikely to find a hotspot while exploring the country’s historic landmarks. You could rely on roaming instead, but this is very expensive. 

Digital identity theft is also a significant concern when connecting to public Wi-Fi in Egypt. When you join a Wi-Fi network, determined hackers can snoop on you to find out personal details and even create targeted cyberattacks to steal your data. 

Buying a SIM card for Egypt achieves two things. First, it makes sure you have high-speed data to stay connected without incurring expensive roaming charges. Second, it gives you peace of mind that your browsing is safe and secure. 

Of course, a SIM card isn’t for everyone. The inconvenience of purchasing, difficulty upgrading plans, and the potential for physical damage to the SIM mean some travellers prefer alternatives like the eSIM. 

But the traditional SIM providers like Vodafone, Orange and WE Telecom still have something to offer. So, with that in mind, let’s move on to our rankings, starting with the best local SIM card providers in Egypt. Following on from that, we’ll also discuss alternatives like eSIM and international SIMs. 

What are the best SIM card providers for Egyptian SIM cards in 2024?

There are four local SIM card providers for Egypt in 2024: Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, and WE Telecom. 

Roami tested each package by examining its user experience, coverage, data allowance, and features to discover which are the best value for money. Read more about our testing criteria here. 

1. Vodafone Egypt Tourist SIM card

Vodafone has a prepaid local SIM card exclusively for tourists in Egypt. Each package lasts 28 days. Vodafone also has the best coverage of all providers. Expect 4G and 4G+ coverage across Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, and several other major tourist destinations. 

Vodafone coverage in Egypt. Source: nPerf

Vodafone is the largest and most reputable provider in Egypt, so they provide a convenient service that is, for the most part, very reliable. One of the primary perks of the tourist SIM card bundle is that you can make calls locally and internationally without any extra costs. As Vodafone is an international company, its customer service team also speaks English.

Now, onto the packages. In terms of tourist-specific bundles, Vodafone Egypt offers a couple to consider:

• 10GB data, 200 local minutes, 20 international minutes: 255 EGP (Just over 5 USD)
• 30GB data, 200 local minutes, 30 international minutes: 505 EGP (Just over 10 USD)

If you’re only interested in data, you can also buy a Vodafone Egypt data SIM. Prices include:

• 1,100 Megabytes = 30 EGP
• 2,500 Megabytes = 40 EGP
• 6,000 Megabytes = 80 EGP
• 20,000 Megabytes = 250 EGP

Data plans are very affordable for all tourists, but from our testing, the biggest downside of a Vodafone Egypt SIM card for tourists is that it can be tricky to set up. It also isn’t always easy to know what you’re buying because of the vast number of packages and add-ons available. And, lastly, it’s tough to recharge Vodafone Egypt online. You’ll usually need to do it by text.

You can browse through said packages on the Vodafone Egypt website and order your SIM to be shipped to you before you travel. But know that you will need to wait for international shipping, which can take anywhere from a week to a month. Alternatively, you can buy at the airport when you arrive or find a local store.

2. Orange Egypt Tourist SIM Card

Orange Egypt currently offers several local prepaid SIM packages for tourists in Egypt. Each data package lasts either one or 30 days and includes 4G+ and 4G in most major cities. Coverage is strong, though 4G+ isn’t as prevalent as with Vodafone. 

Orange coverage in Egypt. Source: nPerf

Orange’s main perk is its affordable data plans. We also appreciate how easy it is to renew your existing card if you’re staying longer than 30 days—there’s no need to buy a new SIM. Though they don’t advertise it online, each card also comes with a set number of local and international minutes.

You’ll need to pay 84 EGP to register and activate your card on top of the data plan. Onto the packages, highlights on the Orange Egypt Website include:

• 1,750 Megabytes = 25 EGP
• 3,250 Megabytes = 40 EGP
• 5,500 Megabytes = 60 EGP
• 11,500 Megabytes = 120 EGP
• 20,000 Megabytes = 200 EGP
• 49,000 Megabytes = 400 EGP

Orange is slightly cheaper than Vodafone for the same amount of data, though there isn’t a lot in it, and tourists might prefer the more reliable coverage Vodafone offers. 

You can order Orange Egypt SIMs for international shipping online, though the same problems with delivery times apply. Alternatively, you can also buy one at Cairo Airport, but expect to pay a higher price. 

3. Etisalat Egypt Local SIM Card

Etisalat is a small operator compared to Vodafone and Orange, but the company offers several 30-day prepaid local SIM cards for tourists in Egypt. Coverage is pretty good, though not as widespread as Vodafone’s. Still, you’ll get 4G in most major cities.

Etisalat coverage in Egypt. Source: nPerf

SIMs cost only 30 EGP to register and activate. On top of that, you’ll need to add a data package. The Etisalat Egypt website lists several options:

• 1,250MB + 60 minutes = 30 EGP
• 3,250MB + 60 minutes = 55 EGP
• 8,750MB + 60 minutes = 110 EGP
• 20,000MB + 60 minutes = 230 EGP
• 50,000MB + 60 minutes = 400 EGP

Sadly, Etisalat isn’t much cheaper than Orange or Vodafone despite the worse coverage. In addition, the provider’s website is particularly confusing to navigate. Ordering online is complex, and you’ll need to send texts to perform tasks. 

If you want to use Etisalat to check data balance in Egypt, for example, you’d have to text ‘555’ or dial *130#. For this reason, we recommend sticking with Vodafone or Orange if you’re set on a local SIM.

4. WE SIM Card Egypt

WE Telecom Egypt is the final and smallest Local SIM Card provider in Egypt. Packages last 28 days and are priced on the WE Egypt website as follows:

• 1,718 Megabytes = 10 EGP
• 4,062 Megabytes = 40 EGP
• 7,812 Megabytes = 70 EGP
• 12,500 Megabytes = 100 EGP
• 29,375 Megabytes = 200 EGP
• 62,500 Megabytes = 450 EGP

While this makes WE Telecom the cheapest in Egypt, we do not recommend this Local SIM provider because their coverage is weak compared with every other provider. 4G+ is sparse, and you are unlikely to stay connected outside of the biggest cities and roads.

WE coverage in Egypt. Source: nPerf

If you decide that coverage is not an issue, you can, as always, buy from the WE Telecom website, at Cairo Airport, or at a local store in Egypt. 

Where to buy prepaid local SIM cards in Egypt?

There are three ways to buy a prepaid local SIM card for travel in Egypt: at the airport, at a local store, or online.

Buying at the airport

Vodafone, Orange, WE Telecom and Etisalat all have booths that sell prepaid SIM cards at Cairo Airport. They’re easy to spot, and set up usually only takes 10-15 minutes. 

That said, this means you’ll need to travel to your location without a SIM card, so you won’t have any connection until you find the kiosk. Airport prices can also be slightly inflated and it can be tricky to understand exactly what you’re buying. If you want to take this approach, our advice is to do some research before you arrive. 

Buying at a local store

Alternatively, all of the providers mentioned above have stores located throughout Egypt. Head to any of these shops and you can set up your prepaid SIM as you would at the airport. These stores are usually cheaper than paying airport prices. Here are the lists of stores for each provider. 

• Vodafone store locations in Egypt
• Orange store locator Egypt
• Telecom store locator Egypt
• Etisalat store locator Egypt

There are a couple of problems with this approach. First, you may need to travel out of your way to find one of the stores in person, made even harder because you won’t have data to use your maps. Then, once you arrive, you’re relying on the store to speak English. We don’t recommend this approach. If you don’t already have your SIM on arrival, get it at the airport. 

Buying online

If you have the time, the best option for getting a prepaid Egyptian SIM card is to buy from a local provider online. While this isn’t as easy as ordering an international SIM or eSIM, it’s still preferable to waiting til you land in Egypt. 

Buying online is usually cheaper than paying airport prices. As long as you’re willing to wait for international shipping, you’ll rest easier knowing your SIM is sorted before you fly. 

Prices for prepaid SIM cards in Egypt

For your reference, here is a basic price comparison table for the four main providers in Egypt. As the different providers offer varying data packages, prices are a close approximation but not 100% accurate. 

Despite it being one of the more expensive, we recommend Vodafone as the best local SIM card for Egypt in 2024 as it has the best coverage and service of any provider. 

That said, in our opinion, local SIMs still aren’t the best choice in Egypt. Instead, we advise using an alternative like eSIM or an international SIM. 

eSIM for Egypt in 2024

As buying a local SIM card for Egypt can be difficult, it’s becoming increasingly common for travellers to opt for eSIMs as the ideal alternative. These cards work entirely digitally. The ‘e’ stands for ’embedded’ because eSIMs are already built into newer phones. 

Crucially, eSIMs are rewritable, meaning you can change your network and data plan without having to visit a shop, wait for shipping, or install a physical SIM. All you need to do is place an order with a provider for your travel destination. You’ll then receive a QR code that you can scan with your phone to activate your eSIM whenever you want.

In our opinion, eSIM in Egypt is the best option out of the gate because it avoids the challenges of securing a local SIM. Getting set up with a local provider can be unnecessarily complicated. Either you need to navigate a website with confusing terms not built for an English audience or brave airport prices to find a local SIM kiosk.

By contrast, eSIMs from providers like Holafly, Airolo and SimOptions are easy to order and take minutes to set up. With some providers like Holafly, you also get unlimited data, so you don’t need to worry about running dry when you’re in the middle of the city. And once you get back home, you can instantly switch profiles to your regular plan, so you don’t need to carry multiple physical SIMs.

The only downside with eSIMs is that they aren’t compatible with every phone. Google’s new Pixel phones all have eSIMs, as do Apple’s iPhones after 2018. Samsung has also added eSIMs to its devices since 2020. Still, you must remember to check whether your make and model has an eSIM, just in case. 

Note that there is no Etisalat, WE Telecom, Orange or Vodafone Egypt eSIM. They only offer SIM cards, so if you want an eSIM, you’ll need to order one online before you fly out. 

The best eSIM for Egypt in 2024

Through our testing of price, plans, ease-of-use, support, and performance, we found that the best eSIM for Egypt in 2024 comes from Holafly. 

Holafly’s Egypt eSIM card is a popular choice with travellers, and for good reason. The service is as convenient as you’d expect—simply head to the Holafly Egypt page, choose your days and number of eSIMs, then pay. Once you do that, you’ll get your eSIM in an email and can start using it whenever you need to. 

But that’s a standard feature for all eSIMs. What sets Holafly apart is exceptional coverage, fast speeds, and unlimited data. You can also specify exactly how many days you need the eSIM for, so you aren’t paying for a 30-day SIM for a one-week holiday. 

eSIM with unlimited data in Egypt. Source: Holafly

As a bonus, if you’re travelling with friends or family, Holafly now offers you 500mb of data each day to use as a hotspot, meaning other people can benefit from your plan. Customer support is also in English. You can contact them via email or 24/7 live chat.

As you can see, Holafly is more expensive than buying a local SIM. A 7-day holiday in Egypt, for example, costs $37 per eSIM. But that price gives you unlimited data, better coverage and lets you avoid the stress of sorting international shipping for a local SIM card. So, for the sake of convenience, we believe this is worth the money. 

Other Alternatives for SIM Cards in Egypt

Aside from local SIMs and eSIMs, we tested a few other notable alternatives.

First, there’s the option of an international SIM card from a site like SimOptions or OneSimCard. These are physical prepaid SIMs that offer coverage in multiple countries. You can order for delivery and your SIM card will be shipped locally.

The main benefit of international SIM cards is that they’re convenient compared to local SIM cards. However, international SIMs are typically far more expensive than eSIMs. A 10GB Orange Prepaid SIM on SimOptions, for instance, will set you back almost $50. As such, this option is our preference only if your phone isn’t compatible with eSIMs.

We also tested international roaming in Egypt offered by companies like Vodafone, Telstra, A&T USA and T-Mobile. These plans give you roaming data at a fixed price rather than paying by the megabyte. However, they usually sit at around $7-10 per day, which still comes out as considerably more expensive for a 7-day holiday than an eSIM. 

Pocket Wi-Fi is another possible alternative. These devices will let you connect to local networks through a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, eliminating the need for a SIM card altogether. That said, this introduces new logistical problems. You’ll need to make sure your mobile hotspot is charged, and you’ll need to carry the pocket Wi-Fi around with you. Pocket Wi-Fi is also usually more expensive than eSIMs.

Lastly, as we mentioned, public Wi-Fi isn’t ideal in Egypt. It’s slow and often intermittent, with limited coverage. There are also many cases of locals falling victim to digital identity fraud, so it’s best to avoid it where possible.

Prices for eSIM in Egypt

We’ve created this table to offer a comprehensive overview of the different Local SIM and eSIM providers available to you as a tourist in Egypt. We’ll reference price, validity period, and data allowance, as well as any special features.

Local SIMs are clearly the cheaper option, but they’re difficult to get, tough to set up, and the burden of having to swap our physical SIMs means they simply aren’t convenient. Onto the eSIMs, Holafly stands out as the best because of its affordable unlimited data plan, customisable plan duration, and 500mb hotspot. 

For these reasons, we recommend Holafly as the best value SIM card for tourists travelling to Egypt in 2024. 

FAQs about internet and SIM cards for Egypt

Browse our most frequently asked questions on SIM Cards for Egypt.

Cintia Soto Tomeu

Adventurer, passionate traveler, and tech enthusiast. On Roami, I aim at sharing the best solutions to help you navigate the complexities of staying connected abroad, ensuring a hassle-free experience. I enjoy playing chess, reading Brian Greene, and exploring different cultures!