Landing in Dubai and want to get a tourist SIM card sorted for your stay?
It’s simple to get a Dubai tourist SIM card, you can even pick one up at DXB airport.
The first thing you need to know is that there are only three telecom providers: du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile, all government-owned. So all you need to do is pick the company you’d like to go with and register for an instant tourist SIM card.
du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile locations are listed on their websites, plus several of the city’s hypermarkets also sell their SIM cards.
Not sure which to choose? We’ve summed up the benefits of each and how to get one below.
Dubai tourist SIM card: du
Where to get your SIM: When you go through immigration, you will see blue telecom stands with the name du written on them.
The telecom company offers tourists SIM cards. These are free to pick up for anyone over the age of 18 who has entered the country.
The du tourist SIM cards come with 1GB of free data that is valid for 24 hours after activating it. You will then be able to choose a limited-time package to upgrade your du tourist sim card to include more data and minutes.
Cheapest data plan: Dhs49 for 2GB data and 30 flexi minutes for 28 days.
Unlimited data plan (7 days): Dhs199 with 100 flexi minutes.
Unlimited data plan (14 days): Dhs299 with 200 flexi minutes.
du.ae.
Dubai tourist SIM card: Etisalat
Where to get your SIM: There are also Etisalat stands in the arrivals hall, look out for red and black branding.
Here you can also pick up a free Dubai tourist SIM card which has 1GB of complimentary data. If you want to upgrade it, there are several options to consider.
Those who wish to organise their SIM card before they land can do so by ordering one on the Etisalat website. The telecom provider delivers SIM cards around the clock, so you don’t need to worry about what time you’re landing.
With the Etisalat visitor plan you’ll also get discounted taxi rides in the city and deals on key attractions, buy one get one free deals with the Smiles app.
Cheapest plan: Dhs49 for 2GB data and 30 flexi minutes for 28 days.
Unlimited data plan (7 days): Dhs200 for unlimited data plus 100 flexi minutes
Unlimited data plan (14 days): Dhs319 for unlimited data plus 300 flexi minutes
etisalat.ae.
Dubai tourist SIM card: Virgin Mobile
Where to get your SIM: Virgin Mobile also have stands at Dubai International Airport but you can also purchase a tourist plan online.
The difference: Slightly different to du and Etisalat, Virgin Mobile tourist SIM cards have a large data package focus, with the smallest available being 21GB for seven days.
Cheapest plan: Dhs142.86 for 21GB capped at 3GB per day, 30 minutes/SMS local, 20 minutes/SMS international for seven days.
Unlimited data plan (7 days): Dhs190.48 with 30 min/SMS local and 20 minutes/ SMS international
Unlimited data plan (15 days): Dhs285.71 with 30 min/SMS local and 20 minutes/ SMS international.
Unlimited data plan (30 days): Dhs500 with 30 min/SMS local, 20 minutes/SMS international and free internet calling
virginmobile.ae
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