The memories of such an incredible trip should not only stay in your memory but also be recorded on your cell phone. To keep those memories on your phone and share your travel experiences on social media at a low cost without roaming or purchasing pocket wifi in Dubai, we recommend you buy Dubai prepaid SIM card to stay connected abroad.
Using SIM cards is an excellent option for tourists all over the world. They are very accessible and easy to buy even before your trip! Here we will tell you about the best SIM cards for Dubai, where to find them, and how much they cost, and you will also get to know their new virtual version of the eSIM card.
Contents
Where to buy a SIM card for Dubai?
Dubai is an emirate city that is part of the United Arab Emirates, a region located in the Persian Gulf. With the oil boom in the region, this city resurfaced to become a desirable and luxurious tourist destination in the Middle East. For the same reason, the ways for tourists to be connected have multiplied. But don’t expect it to be cheap; in Dubai, most of the services are expensive.
If you decide to buy your SIM card directly in Dubai, you can purchase it at any of Dubai’s international airports, such as Dubai International Airport, Sharjah International Airport, or Dubai-Al Maktoum International Airport. There are only two local operators with mobile internet for tourists called Du and Etisalat. So you will have to locate one of their physical stores to make the purchase.
If you want to stay at home, you can purchase it through online stores. Before traveling, you can buy it at the Holafly store and receive it immediately at home. If you have a compatible phone, Holafly’s eSIM for Dubai is one of the best options. Otherwise, you can look for other remote providers with international shipping.
Easy to buy
Dubai is not a city to worry about. You can have your communications sorted out before your trip to this luxurious place. Shopping through online stores has become increasingly common among us, and getting a prepaid SIM card is no exception. There are many alternatives on the web that, thanks to partnerships with local operators, work in many parts of the world. If you can do the whole process from home, don’t wait to get to Dubai to look for local options.
There are all kinds of users, and even with this, some travelers decide to buy a local SIM card for Dubai once they arrive. The local process is a bit slower, you must find a physical store, and after buying one, you must register it. They may also ask for information about your phone, such as the IMEI and installing and configuring the SIM card for local use. If you are visiting the city for the first time without an internet connection, it can be problematic.
Buy before you travel.
When we talk about Dubai, we refer to a city that can easily reach its visitors. Having internet from the moment you arrive can be the most convenient way to get to know the city excellently as a tourist. This is when buying a Dubai SIM card online before your trip becomes essential. You will be able to get off the plane, and from the first moment, you will be connected without looking for a physical store.
Many online stores sell SIM cards for Dubai. Remember to confirm that these are available for delivery in your country as they are physical chips. You can also count on the eSIM for Dubai, which is virtual and can be delivered to your email immediately. Taking the option of a physical SIM or a virtual SIM card will give you a significant advantage while you are traveling in the city. Buying a solution locally can be more complicated and uphill than buying from an online store.
Buy upon arrival
A more rudimentary option is to buy a local SIM card once you have arrived in Dubai. Unfortunately, there are only two 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 regarding prepaid sim cards.
Considering this, we must add that when you buy a SIM card, you must also register it locally. For this, you may be asked to provide information about your phone and confirm compatibility with local networks. Of course, you must present valid identity documents to proceed, and in some cases, you may need to have local currency to pay.
Du, and Etisalat stores in Dubai
The two main operators in the country are Du and Etisalat. Together, they have almost the entire telephone coverage network in the territory. Also, in Dubai, one of the most important cities, they have excellent service and several physical stores along its borders. You can find options in international airports such as Sharjah International Airport, which has branches of both operators in their terminals.
You can also leave your bags at the hotel and visit Dubai Mall, a huge 4-story shopping mall with more than 100 luxury stores, where you can appreciate its impressive aquarium, included in the Guinness Book of Records for its size. It also has an Olympic size skating rink where you will also see several options for physical stores of Du and Etisalat.
How much does a SIM card cost to travel to Dubai?
As we mentioned at the beginning, Dubai is a city of luxury, so many of its services are expensive compared to other services. With only two operators available, there is no competition between them, so prices are high. A prepaid SIM card with either of the two can go from $15 for a 2GB plan to use in a month to $90 for packages with more data also to use in a month.
Don’t forget that the availability of these SIM cards may depend on the physical store you visit and even your arrival time in the country. So you will not have mobile internet until you buy one, register it, and install it on your phone.
eSIM card for Dubai, the new alternative
Phone companies and telecoms are moving towards virtual SIM cards. These are versions of SIM cards that are already installed in the latest generation of phones. They do not require physical installation. You just need to scan a QR code to activate them. This makes them much more versatile than their physical analogs. They are an excellent solution for travelers worldwide for the ease and speed of obtaining them.
One of the most used online stores to buy them is Holafly, where you can find alternatives for another 150 destinations worldwide. With this company, you can also access regional SIM cards with coverage in multiple destinations. In the case of the eSIM for Dubai, you can share data with nearby devices if needed.
With an eSIM for Dubai from Holafly, you won’t take time out of your trip to look for a physical store. There are just a few things to keep in mind before buying one.
- Virtual SIM cards must have a compatible phone in order to work. Holafly has an up-to-date list of compatible phones.
- eSIM cards can be purchased and activated in minutes, but you must have a valid email address to which you have access. To that email, you will receive the QR code to activate the eSIM after you purchase it.
- When you install a digital SIM card, you must be connected to the internet. So we recommend doing it before arriving in Dubai, or if you are already in the city, look for a public wifi network for a few minutes to buy it and install it.
Holafly’s online store
Among the best remote eSIM for Dubai providers is the Holafly online store. One of the best advantages is that you can use their web portal in more than ten languages to facilitate shopping for tourists from all over the world. In addition, you can count on 24/7 multilingual customer service whenever you need help.
Locally the virtual SIM card for Dubai is supported by Etisalat, one of the best regional networks. With Holafly’s data plan for this destination, you can not only surf the web but also share data with other nearby devices. The store has eSIM options for over 150 destinations worldwide.
It is challenging to find virtual SIM cards on the web that allow you to top up without installing a new card. With Holafly, when you have used 90% of your service, you can buy a data plan extension for the same destination. This way, you will never be without internet abroad, all at the reach of a few clicks.
Finally, with these eSIMs, you can simultaneously use your local SIM card, so when you return home, you won’t have to install it again. The installation process of the digital SIM card is very simple. Along with the purchase, you will receive a quick setup guide in your email. You will be keeping the internet abroad without changing your WhatsApp number!
Disadvantages of Holafly’s eSIM card
Unfortunately, Holafly does not currently have an unlimited data plan for Dubai. However, you will be able to purchase an extension whenever you need it with no limitations on how many times you can renew it.
How can I shop at Holafly?
Shopping with Holafly starts by visiting their official website and changing the language and currency to see the prices at your convenience. You can search for the destination where you will travel, and then you will see all the available plans. Choose one of the packages, then go to the checkout. Once there, you only need to enter your contact information along with a valid email address to proceed to pay. When you pay for the service, you will see different methods such as credit and debit cards, PayPal, G Pay, and Apple Pay. Finally, you will receive an email with the QR code to install the eSIM on your phone.
How much does an eSIM cost to travel to Dubai?
Holafly has a single data plan for Dubai that you can renew as often as necessary while on your adventure.
| Days of use | Amount of mobile data | Precio (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 6 GB | $49.00 |
Frequently asked questions about the Dubai SIM card
We can tell you that to use the Dubai SIM cards. You need an unlocked cell phone. Most cell phones are compatible with the networks in Dubai.
To keep your number in WhatsApp, you don’t need to configure anything. With Holafly’s eSIM for Dubai, you will be able to write to your contacts in the same way you do at home without any problems.
Some SIM cards will allow you to make calls; this is more common with local solutions. However, with Holafly’s eSIMs you can use other applications, such as Whatsapp or Skype, for international calls in Dubai.
The Emirates virtual SIM cards are from Etisalat. Most of the cell phones sold are compatible. Of course, if you have doubts about yours, you can ask through chat.
This international SIM card has the same coverage as the UAE SIM card. This means that you can also use it in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Fujairah, among other cities and rural areas. If you plan to make several trips, a virtual SIM card for Saudi Arabia could also be useful.
