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How to buy a Dubai SIM card: A 2025 guide
Dubai-bound and need to stay connected? Here’s a guide to the best SIM card options — perfect for exploring the city, or staying in touch.
Buying a prepaid SIM in Dubai helps you avoid international roaming charges and offers a local phone number for texts and calls if you need one. Du and e& offer free SIM cards for Dubai, but they’re only valid for 24 hours.
How do you get your free SIM, and where can you get a prepaid SIM card with a longer validity in the UAE? Let’s take a closer look at the best local SIM cards in Dubai and Holafly, a top eSIM option with unlimited data plans.
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Where can I get a free SIM card at the Dubai International Airport?
You can pick up your UAE free SIM card at Du and e& stands at the Dubai International Airport or the Al Maktoum International Airport. In some cases, the immigration officers will also hand out free tourist SIM cards to travellers after checking their documents.
These SIM cards have a 24-hour validity period and a 10 GB data allowance. Once the validity period runs out, you can buy a mobile plan with a longer validity from the provider that issued your SIM card. These free SIMs act as a promotion, encouraging you to buy more after the free period runs out.
How to get a Dubai SIM card for more than 24 hours?
If you need a physical SIM with a longer validity or simply run out of the data allowance on your free SIM card, you can buy a prepaid data plan on the same SIM card you’ve received for free. Alternatively, you can get reliable data from a different UAE cell service provider or get an international eSIM for instant connectivity instead.
Top SIM card providers in the UAE
Now that you know where to look for SIM cards, the next question is: which one should you choose? It’s time to focus on the top three contenders: Etisalat, Du, and Virgin Mobile.
We’ll dive into what each provider offers, including data packages, call minutes, and user reviews, but before we do, let’s have a quick overview of each service:
| Provider | Price | Data allowance | Validity | Call minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e& | From AED 49 (~USD$13.50) to AED 319 (~$86.85) | From 4 GB to unlimited data | From 10 to 28 days | From 30 to 525 minutes |
| Du | From AED 49 (~$13.50) to AED 499 (~$136.00) | From 4 GB to unlimited data | From 7 to 28 days | From 30 to 400 minutes |
| Virgin Mobile UAE | From AED 103.95 (~$28.30) to AED 525 (~$142.95) | From 21 GB to unlimited data | From 3 to 30 days | Up to 30 minutes, with some plans being data-only |
1. e& (formerly Etisalat)
e&, formerly known as Etisalat, is one of the largest and most well-established telecom providers in the UAE. It offers extensive coverage across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and remote areas like Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and the Hatta region.
e& has a separate line of plans dedicated to travelers called Visitor Line. It offers a decent range of data allowance options and phone call minutes. Prices range from AED 49 (~$13.50) to AED 319 (~$86.85), with data usage allowances from 4 GB to unlimited data.
2. Du
Du is another major telecom provider in the UAE, launched in 2007 as a competitive alternative to e&. Du’s coverage extends outside of Dubai and across the UAE, including Fujairah and Hatta.
Just as e&, Du offers a free SIM card with 10 GB of data for 24 hours. Once the free validity period expires, you can get one of their travel plans online or in physical Du stores. Prices range from AED 49 (~$13.50) to AED 499 (~$136.00), with data limits from 4 GB to unlimited data. Validity periods range from 7 to 28 days, with all plans including a local number for calls.
3. Virgin Mobile UAE
Virgin Mobile UAE operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which means it uses Du’s infrastructure to provide its services. While both Virgin Mobile and Du share the same physical network, they are separate brands with unique SIM card options for tourists.
You can purchase these SIM cards at Virgin Mobile kiosks, Virgin Megastores, or through the online app with a valid passport. Prices range from AED 103.95 (~$28.30) to AED 525 (~$142.95) with data allowances from 21 GB to unlimited data. Validity ranges from 3 to 30 days, with most plans offering international calls and texts as well.
Enjoy seamless connectivity at 5G speeds with Holafly’s eSIM for Dubai
Holafly offers unlimited internet access and 24/7 customer support included in all Dubai eSIM plans. Simply get your eSIM for Dubai and forget about having to worry about how much data you have left on your plan. All unlocked, eSIM-compatible phones work with Holafly eSIMs, making it accessible for most users.
Whether you go with the eSIM for Dubai or Holafly’s eSIM for the UAE, you can choose any number of days from 1 to 20, with prices ranging from $3.09 to $6.90/day. That way, you can match your eSIM to your trip and avoid paying for any days you don’t need. Plus, you can use WhatsApp in Dubai without restrictions.
Planning to stay in Dubai for a while longer? Holafly offers an eSIM subscription option with Holafly Plans. The prices range from $49.90 to $64.90/month (~AED146 to AED238/month), depending on the data allowance. Use it to stay connected as long as you need and cancel anytime, no long-term commitments or cancellation fees needed.
On top of Dubai, Holafly Plans offers coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide, including multiple destinations in the Middle East. This allows you to travel across multiple countries and visit top attractions throughout the world without having to worry about mobile internet whenever you cross a border.
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Traveling to other countries in the Middle East? Check out our other SIM card articles for the region:
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
