Verified coverageUnited Arab Emirates network
Access to top-tier carriers for a stable and fast connection
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Not sure which plan to pick? Try our data calculator.
Is your device eSIM-ready?
A quick check to see if your phone supports eSIM.
100% secure payment
Multiple payment methods accepted
eSIM Dubai
Our United Arab Emirates eSIM works in Dubai: the same plans at the same prices as on the United Arab Emirates page. Data from the moment you land, and your usual number stays on.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates eSIM plans and prices
4% in SimCoins- Networks
- etisalat
- Mobile network
- 5G
- Hotspot / tethering
- Yes
- Top-up
- Yes
- Validity
- 30 days
Unlimited Dubai, United Arab Emirates eSIM plans: high-speed data every day
- 14-day refund if not activated
- Support within 24 h
- Install before you leave
Need help choosing?
Not sure which plan to pick? Try our data calculator.
100% secure payment
Multiple payment methods accepted
Getting online in Dubai
Dubai is covered by our UAE eSIM, the same plans as the rest of the country, Abu Dhabi included. du gives visitors a free eSIM with 10 GB for 24 hours. Ours is installed before you fly and runs for your whole stay, with no passport scan and no counter to find.
DXBDubai International Airport
Dubai
Your eSIM connects
As soon as your phone finds a local network. Set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it.
Free airport Wi‑Fi
Free Wi‑Fi throughout the airport for 60 minutes: connect, then enter your name, phone number and email on the page that pops up. Source, Feb 2025
Local SIM cards
- du Free Tourist eSIM
- Free
- 10 GB of data for 24 hours; you scan a QR code, then your passport to verify your identity Source, Oct 2026
- du Tourist plan, 7 days
- AED 199
- Unlimited data and 100 local and international minutes Source, Oct 2026
- e& Visitor Line
- AED 49
- 2 GB of data and 30 minutes for 28 days; the SIM can be picked up at the airport Source, Oct 2026
To get a local SIM, visitors need their passport and UAE visa. Source, Aug 2026
With Simsima, no passport and nothing to pick up: the eSIM is already in your phone.
Your networks on the ground
The plans on this page connect to these networks in the United Arab Emirates.
etisalat5G
du5G
Along the way
The same plan follows you everywhere in the United Arab Emirates, day trips included.
- Downtown Dubai and Burj KhalifaObservation deck tickets, Dubai Mall and the fountain
- Deira and the souksOld Dubai, the creek and the gold and spice souks
- Dubai MarinaTowers, waterfront promenade and water sports
- Palm JumeirahBeaches, hotels and restaurants on the island
- Desert safariA 5 to 7 hour outing, leaving early morning or mid-afternoon
- Abu DhabiDay trip in the same country, on the same plan
Apps worth installing before you go
- S'hailMetro, tram, bus and taxis
- The RTA's official app: journey planning across the metro, tram and buses, taxi booking and your nol account. Source, Oct 2026
- nol PayTransit fares
- Holds a digital nol card for the metro, tram and buses; a physical card is sold at every metro station. Source, Sep 2026
- CareemTaxis and rides
- The RTA names it, with S'hail, as the way to book a Dubai taxi. Source, Oct 2026
- UberChauffeured rides
- One of the RTA's partner apps for chauffeured cars, along with Careem, Bolt and Yango. Source, Oct 2026
- WhatsAppMessages, not calls
- Messages, photos and voice notes run over the eSIM's data. Voice and video calls are restricted in the UAE: only apps approved by the TDRA are allowed, and WhatsApp isn't on the list. Source, Oct 2026
Internet in Dubai: eSIM, SIM card or pocket WiFi?
Four ways to get online when you land, and what changes for you.
For a trip in Dubai, an eSIM is the simplest
Installed at home, online as soon as you land, and your number stays active. No counter, no device to return.
| Simsima.Travel eSIM | Local SIM card | Pocket WiFi | Your carrier's roaming | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to get it | Online, before you fly | On arrival, at an airport counter or store | Rental: a device to pick up, then return | Already in your usual plan |
| When you're online | As soon as you land, installed at home | After buying it locally | After picking up the device | As soon as you land |
| Your number | Stays active on your usual line | Replaced by a local number, your SIM comes out | Stays on your phone | Stays active |
| ID required | None | Passport required to buy source | Depends on the rental company | None |
| Devices | Your phone, hotspot allowed | One unlocked phone | Several devices, battery to charge | Your phone |
| Price | From $1.50 | ≈ $54.19 for unlimited, 7 days (du) source | Daily rental | Depends on your carrier |
Prices checked on 2026-10-10 on carrier and rental websites, converted at the day's rate. They may have changed since.
How to install your Dubai eSIM
Install it before you leave: it takes two minutes. These are the real screens of your phone, step by step.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 11
- Open Settings, then Cellular.
- Tap “Add eSIM”.
- Tap “Scan QR Code” and scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account).
- “Activate eSIM” opens: tap Continue.
- Choose Abroad, then tap Continue.
- Choose Data Only, then tap Continue. The eSIM is for data; your usual number keeps calls and texts.
- Tap Done. Your iPhone will remind you to turn on the eSIM once you're abroad.
- When you land, your iPhone may show “Turn On Travel eSIM”: tap the notification.
- Choose “Travel eSIM and Current eSIM”, then Continue. You keep your number for calls and texts (bank codes included); your carrier may charge for calls you receive.
- Low Data Mode saves your plan: tap “Turn On Low Data Mode”, or “Not Now”.
- You're set: Cellular Data shows the new eSIM.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 8
- Open Settings, then Connections.
- Tap “SIM manager”.
- Tap “Add eSIM”.
- Choose “Scan QR code”.
- Scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account), then tap Add.
- When you land, turn on your new eSIM in SIM manager. It shows the name of a local or partner carrier.
- Choose the new eSIM for mobile data.
- In Connections, Mobile networks, turn on data roaming.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 7
- Open Settings, then Network & internet.
- Tap “SIMs” (Add a network).
- Tap “Set up an eSIM”.
- Scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account), then confirm.
- When you land, open your new eSIM (it shows the name of a local or partner carrier) and turn on “Use this SIM”.
- Turn on mobile data for the new eSIM.
- Turn on roaming. If nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection and pick the network manually.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 8
- Open Settings, then Mobile networks or Network & internet.
- Tap “Mobile network”.
- Tap “Add SIM”.
- Tap “Set up an eSIM”.
- Scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account), then confirm.
- When you land, open your new eSIM (it shows the name of a local or partner carrier) and turn on “Use SIM”.
- Turn on mobile data for the new eSIM.
- Turn on roaming. If nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection and pick the network manually.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone. On Xiaomi, Oppo or OnePlus the menus have other names: search for “eSIM” in Settings.
Frequently asked questions
What travelers ask before a trip to Dubai.
