How to Get the Best Tourist SIM Card in Dubai in 2024
If you’re planning a visit, you’ll definitely want to know how to get your Dubai SIM card set up as quickly as possible. Luckily, the UAE welcomes visitors with open arms, and there are quite a few no-hassle options for getting your tourist SIM card in Dubai set up at the airport, at a store, or before you even land!
Having internet on your phone during your trip is going to make everything easier, especially if you also download these must-have Dubai apps. You’ll be able to order affordable taxis and have groceries or food from restaurants delivered right to your door with the Careem app, have access to Google Maps to help you navigate the city, and even make calls and send text messages.
Plus, getting a local Dubai SIM card is going to be way cheaper than paying extra for an international travel plan or dealing with roaming fees from your regular provider!
This guide is all about Dubai SIM cards for tourists. If you’re planning on a lengthy stay or are moving to Dubai, check out my guide on how to set up a long-term mobile phone plan.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (which I’m so thankful for!) at no extra cost to you.
A Guide to Getting Your Tourist SIM Card in Dubai
The main providers of local SIM cards
Just so you have an idea, there are three major mobile phone providers here in Dubai: du, e& (Etisalat), and Virgin Mobile. I’ll go over the pros and cons of their tourist SIMs below.
You’ll get a free Dubai SIM card at the airport
In the past, when visitors landed at Dubai International Airport, they’d receive a free du tourist SIM card with 1GB of mobile data at passport control, which was valid for 24 hours. However, as of September 2024, you’ll now get a free 10GB eSIM courtesy of e&. It’s a major upgrade for tourists!
The “Free Visitor Line eSIM” is super easy to activate. All you have to do is scan a QR code once you pass through immigration and connect using face recognition technology. It’s a handy little freebie, allowing you to get connected immediately. But it’s important to note that these eSIMs are still only valid for 24 hours.
However, they’re super easy to set up and then top up with the amount of data and extra features that you’ll need during your visit – no matter how long you plan to stay. It’s up to you whether you want to use the free eSIM, but if you do, topping up with an e& data package will be super simple.
Alternately, you can explore all of your options right at the airport. Head to the arrivals hall and you’ll find a e&, du, and Virgin Mobile store where you can get your Dubia SIM card set up within minutes.
e& (Etisalat)
When it comes to Dubai SIM cards for tourists, e& is probably the easiest and most affordable option. Again, this is the provider that offers those free tourist eSIMs upon arrival at the airport.
If you’re tired from traveling and don’t feel like figuring out how to set up your phone plan right away, you can easily just activate your eSIM at the airport and buy your data package at one of their many branches around town (you’ll find them at most malls), on their app, or on their website.
If you’ve got the energy, you’ll find their shop in the arrivals hall, where you can peruse their tourist SIM card options. You can also find their tourist SIM options under the “Visitor Line” section on their website. Whether you set it up at the airport, through the app, or at a store, the price will be the same.
For the cheapest plan, you can get 2GB of data and 30 flexi minutes for AED 49 (valid for 28 days). Or for something more substantial, you have the option of getting unlimited data, 300 flexi minutes, as well as access to discounts and offers around town for AED 319 (valid for 14 days).
You can check out all of their tourist SIM plans here.
du
When it comes to Dubai SIM cards for tourists, du is a super popular option, as du’s rates are fairly comparable to e&.
For the most barebones plan, you can get 2GB of data and 30 international or local minutes for AED 49 (valid for 28 days), or if you’d like unlimited data and 100+ flexi minutes, these plans will range from AED 199-499, depending on your length of stay and how many minutes you’d like.
You can see all of du’s different Dubai SIM cards for tourists by clicking here.
Virgin Mobile
You’ll also find a Virgin Mobile store at the airport. Plans with Virgin cater to travelers who are looking for more suped-up plans, with the cheapest option being 21GB of data and 30 minutes/SMS for AED 143 (valid for 7 days). They also offer unlimited data plans for 7, 15, or 30 days for AED 190, AED 262, and AED 500, respectively.
This definitely isn’t the best option if you’re on a budget. But you can view all of their plans here.
Airalo
If you want to arrange your Dubai SIM card ahead of time, I recommend using Airalo, which has a bunch of options for Dubai SIM cards for tourists.
One thing that’s nice is that Airalo only offers eSIM options so there’s no fumbling with a physical SIM card or worrying about losing your local SIM. Basically, you’ll choose your plan and they’ll give you detailed instructions about how to install the eSIM and activate it the second you land in Dubai.
There are many Airalo options for Dubai eSIMs. The cheapest plan gives you 1GB for AED 17 (valid for 7 days), while the most expensive option gives you 20GB for AED 129 (valid for 30 days).
Tips for choosing a tourist SIM card in Dubai
- Fast and free Wi-Fi is widely offered in public spaces, attractions, hotels, and cafes across the city. So you don’t necessarily need a package with lots of data.
- While most hotels have complimentary Wi-Fi, some will charge for use of higher bandwidth. So if you plan on streaming movies or going on video calls, this is something to keep in mind when choosing your data package.
- All of these providers offer physical SIMs and eSIMs.
