Travel to Dubai

A Traveller’s guide to get Tourists SIM card in Dubai!

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Although Dubai is one of the few countries that provide free Wi-Fi in hotels and public places, it is recommended to get yourself a Tourist SIM card in Dubai for your travels, making sure you get to post your travelogues on time. Here is how you can stay connected with an unlimited network even while visiting Dubai for the first time.

This is the complete guide of how you can get Tourists SIM, where to get one and how to activate an existing tourist SIM and some best recommendations for when you are planning your next trip to Dubai.

How and where to get a Tourist Sim card in Dubai?

Tourists visiting to Dubai have easy access to acquiring a tourist’s SIM as visitors above the age of 18 will get a complimentary Tourism SIM once they cross immigration and step out of Dubai International Airport.

The Dubai International Airport along with many other wonderful aspects also has several telecom stores like Du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile that are of service. These kiosks are specialized to provide prepaid packages and services for people with tourists and visitors for specific services like talk time, internet service and text bundle.

Who is eligible for acquiring the Tourist SIM?

With endless tourist attractions and great shopping experience, Dubai is a hub of tourists. The tourists visiting Dubai over the age of 18 can avail the complimentary Tourist SIM from any of the telecom service providers in the airport. This service can only be availed with passport or ID card along with your valid UAE tourist visa.

The service also extends to people with Transit visa, Visitors visa or a Visa and GCC citizens on arrival can make use of a free 1GB pack for 24 hours.

How long is the Tourist SIM valid?

All the tourist SIMs are valid till the Visa period while the packages provided or opted by the visitor will have varying validity.

  • Du provides SIM cards that are valid for 90 days.
  • Etisalat gives a maximum of 28 days valid period.
  • Virgin Mobile cards are valid for the package period of 30 days.

The plans can be re-purchased based on the service provider and the type of package as voice and data bundles, pay-as-you-go plans, or prepaid recharge cards, depending on your stay in Dubai.

Recommended & Popular Visitor Line services

Du

 Tourist SIM card in Dubai
Image Source: DU

Du is one of the top two popular recommendations for tourist SIM in Dubai with multiple packages for the visitors to take advantage of on their first time in Dubai.

  • This also includes AL SAADA benefits in retail, hotels, dining and many more.

Step by Step Guide | Al SAADA for Tourists

  1. Download the AL SAADA app from Google Play or Apple Store
  2. Entre date of arrival and the number of the passport to receive AL SAADA Card.
  3. Login using your passport number as the username and password.
Image Source: AL SAADA

Packages provided by Du

Du provides services starting from 7 days to 28 days as packages with talk time, internet calls and AL SAADA discounts.

  • The price range for a Du Tourist SIM package from AED 99 to AED 499 which may vary depending on your native currency value. It is always recommended to check the equivalent currency from AED to USD, Euro, Rupees and so on.
  • Pre- booking of a tourist SIM in Du for 7 days to 28 days is also available for the price ranging from AED 47 to AED 299.
Plan 1Plan 2Plan 3Plan 4Plan 5Plan 6Plan 7
AED 499AED 299AED 199AED 189AED 139AED 99AED 49
28 Days14 Days7 Days28 Days28 Days28 Days28 Days
400 Flexi Mins200 Flexi Mins100 Flexi Mins30 Flexi Mins30 Flexi Mins30 Flexi Mins30 Flexi Mins

Etisalat

 Tourist SIM card in Dubai
Image Source: Etisalat

Etisalat is a top contender of Tourist SIM providers in Dubai with great packages and plans that are of great use to the visitor. This also includes packages for talk time, unlimited data and voice minutes apart from the AL SAADA benefits.

  • The Prepaid packages for Tourist SIM start from AED 49 to AED 319 for the time period of 7 days to 28 days with varying package benefits like talking minutes, offers on rides and many.
  • The Prepaid Tourist SIM can also be availed as a physical SIM or eSIM and can be recharged upon the end of the validity.
Plan 1Plan 2Plan 3Plan 4Plan 5Plan 6Plan 7
AED 0.00AED 49AED 79AED 125AED 200AED 200AED 319
24 Hours28 Days28 Days28 Days7 Days28 Days14 Days
10 GB Data2 GB Data4 GB8 GBUnlimited Data22.5 GB DataUnlimited Data

Virgin Mobile

Image Source: Virgin Mobile FB

One of the top local telecom service providers is Virgin Mobile with services from activation of SIM to great packages for prepaid services. Virgin Mobile prepaid plans start from AED 142 to AED 500 for the validity of 7 days to 30 days.

Plan 1Plan 2Plan 3Plan 4Plan 5
AED 143AED 190AED 190AED 260AED 500
7 Days10 Days7 Days15 Days30 Days
21GB Data40 GB DataUnlimited DataUnlimited DataUnlimited Data

Virgin Mobile, while providing minimal package options has some important non-serviceable options such as any Virgin Mobile Tourist SIM is not delivered but to be picked at their stores from Dubai International Airport and at Sharjah Airport.

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