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Vodafone AU roaming in Dubai: Plans, charges, and activation
Learn about Vodafone roaming in Dubai, including the $5 daily roaming plan for postpaid customers, standard pay-as-you-go rates for prepaid customers.
If you are a Vodafone AU customer in Australia travelling to Dubai, UAE, you can keep your existing SIM card in the destination. Vodafone roaming works in Dubai, so you won’t need to look for an alternative way to use your phone.
This guide explains all you need to know about Vodafone roaming in Dubai, including the eligible plans to use the $5 daily roaming, international roaming packs, and standard pay-as-you-go charges in case you don’t have an active plan.
In the end, if you are looking for an alternative to Vodafone, you can consider Holafly Dubai eSIM, offering unlimited data, flexible plan durations, reliable coverage in 200+ destinations, and 24/7 customer support.
Does Vodafone AU roaming work in Dubai?
Yes, since Dubai is included in Vodafone Australia’s eligible countries for the Vodafone international roaming service, you won’t need to purchase a Dubai SIM card or an eSIM to keep using your phone.
If you have an eligible plan to use Vodafone $5 roaming, you only need to activate it and turn on your phone in Dubai. Vodafone will automatically connect to the du network for roaming services.
Note: Only postpaid customers can use Vodafone roaming in Dubai. The UAE is not on the list of 80 destinations where prepaid customers can purchase an international roaming add-on. So, roaming usage for prepaid customers will be charged at standard rates, which may not be the best option for most travellers.
Vodafone $5 Roaming for Dubai
Customers on an eligible Vodafone Infinite, Plus Plan, or Vodafone Infinite Data Plan can use Vodafone $5 roaming.
It is a daily roaming plan that allows Vodafone customers to use their standard domestic inclusions, like data, calls, or SMS, in Dubai. You only need to pay $5 for each day you use roaming in Dubai, which will be added to your monthly bill.
For example, if you’re an eligible customer using Vodafone roaming in Dubai for 10 days, you will be charged $50 on your monthly bill.
The Vodafone $5 roaming is only charged on days you use roaming, such as sending a text, making a call, or using the internet while in Dubai. If you don’t use it on one day, it won’t be charged. So, if you want to avoid roaming charges in Dubai, you should turn off your data roaming on days you don’t want to use roaming.
Includes the info:
- Price: $5 per day.
- Includes: Use of your standard domestic data allowance, standard calls, and SMS according to your plan.
- Duration: Up to 90 days per calendar year.
Important note: Each Vodafone plan has a specific data allowance and other inclusions. If you run out of data on your plan, an extra 1 GB block might be added automatically for $5 per block.
Vodafone pay-as-you-go roaming rates for Dubai
If you are not an eligible postpaid customer to use $5 roaming or are a prepaid customer who can’t purchase a roaming pack for Dubai, the standard PAYG international roaming rates will apply, including the prices for each:
- Data: $1 per MB.
- Calls: $1 per minute.
- SMS/ MMS: $0.75 per message.
Warning: Using 100 MB of data in a single day is surprisingly easy, especially if you frequently use data-heavy apps, like Instagram and Facebook. It could cost $100 per day at that rate. Purchasing an eSIM is a more budget-friendly option for those who want to avoid roaming charges and high PAYG rates.
Note: If you are not sure about the data needs while traveling, our data usage calculator can help you estimate your daily data consumption.
How to activate Vodafone international roaming for Dubai
The $5 daily roaming plan usually automatically activates when you start using roaming in Dubai. But it’s still recommended to check the My Vodafone app to ensure it’s active.
Postpaid users
Follow these steps to activate Vodafone roaming for Dubai:
- Log in to the My Vodafone app.
- Check your plan to see if it supports $5 Roaming.
- Enable International Roaming on the app.
- Enable data roaming in your phone settings while in Dubai.
Note: if your plan doesn’t support the $5 roaming, you can only enable the data roaming on your phone and still use your SIM card in Dubai at PAYG rates. It works well if you don’t frequently make calls or use mobile internet in Dubai. Otherwise, consider purchasing an eSIM or a local SIM card.
Prepaid users
As a prepaid customer, you don’t have any other choice but to use Vodafone roaming in Dubai at PAYG rates. Follow these steps:
- Open the My Vodafone app.
- Ensure you have sufficient balance or purchase more data, as the rates are high and you may drain your credits very quickly.
- Enable data roaming in phone settings.
Note: If you run out of credits, you can only connect to the internet via Wi-Fi. So, check your balance occasionally to make sure you still have enough credits.
Stay connected in Dubai with Holafly
Although Vodafone works in Dubai, you still have restrictions, especially if you are a prepaid user. You have to pay the standard PAYG rates, which are very high for trips that are more than one or two days. If you need an alternative to Vodafone roaming in Dubai, Holafly eSIM can be the perfect alternative. It offers unlimited data, reliable coverage, flexible plan durations, and 24/7 customer support.
Holafly Dubai eSIM offers you plans from 1 day to 20 days, ranging from AUD$10 to $4.80 per day. The daily prices are reduced on longer plans, so you won’t have any concerns about roaming prices in Dubai.
If you are a frequent traveller or a digital nomad who would like to travel to another location after Dubai, Holafly’s Plans is the ideal option. It has coverage in 170+ destinations. So, if you have an eSIM-compatible phone, you won’t need to purchase any local SIM card on your trips.
Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of April 29, 2026, and is subject to change.
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Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.
