How to get mobile internet in the UAE: SIM cards and other options

United Arab Emirates, a country that combines modernity with a rich cultural history. It is an excellent destination for travelers, but it's essential to learn about communication options beforehand to stay updated on events and exchange information with family and friends.

We will tell you how to connect mobile Internet in the UAE at the most favorable tariffs and get the maximum traffic. You will learn where and under what conditions you can buy SIM cards in the UAE, whether eSIM technology works in the country, as well as details about roaming and pocket Wi-Fi. In addition, let's find out if there are free Wi-Fi spots in the UAE and how safe it is to use them.

Internet in the UAE: connection options for travelers

You can connect to mobile internet in the UAE using:

• physical SIM cards and eSIM technology;
• roaming;
• pocket Wi-Fi;
• free Wi-Fi.

Let's consider all the ways and offers of local mobile operators, international providers that are relevant for travelers.

SIM cards in UAE

You can buy a UAE SIM card for tourists in advance online or offline after you arrive in the country. If you plan your trip in advance, you can order your UAE mobile SIM card delivery on Amazon or eBay. Take into account delivery times, the possibility of overpayment and a limited selection of offers compared to offline stores of UAE mobile operators.

Tourists also have an opportunity to buy a SIM card at the airports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other major cities. The cost of starter packs in airports and in the city is about the same. Official stores of local operators can be found in the shopping centers of the cities, where a consultant will assist with the choice and activation of the starter pack.

There is a rule for tourist SIM cards in the UAE: only one start package is issued per passport. A tourist must be at least 16 years old. In addition to the passport it is necessary to present the original visa and make a photocopy of it.

There are four mobile operators in the country. All of them provide good quality of communication and coverage. They also offer premium segment packages as well as packages or travelers with a limited budget.

High-quality 4G connection is available not only in big cities, but also in small towns. It is important to remember that not all local SIM cards can connect to Wi-Fi in public places. It is better to clarify this issue with an operator in advance.

Physical UAE prepaid SIM cards for tourists have a limited validity period from 7 to 90 days. It is possible to extend the selected data plan. There are starter packages for voice, data, non-subscription tariffs and prepaid SIM cards.

There is also a more convenient option of mobile Internet connection — activation of a virtual eSIM card. You can do this in advance, while you are still in your country.

Let's see the current cost of mobile Internet in the UAE — what tariff packages for virtual eSIM card and physical SIM card are offered by operators to visitors and what is the best prepaid SIM card in UAE.

1. Yesim

The easiest way to use mobile internet in the UAE is to download the Yesim app. The main thing is to know for sure that your gadget has an eSIM card built in. We advise you to clarify this point on the official page of the service.

Offers of Yesim mobile provider for UAE:

• 1 GB for 7 days for 8 EUR;
• 3 GB for 5 days for 22.5 EUR;
• 5 GB for 7 days for 35 EUR;
• 10 GB for 10 days for 55 EUR;
• free VPN for iOS: 5 GB for 7 days for 35 EUR.

In addition to the Emirates, communication of the same quality and at roughly the same rates is available all over the world.

Tourists choose eSIM technology for several reasons at the same time:

• it is impossible to remove the virtual eSIM card from the smartphone, so in case of theft it is quite easy to track the location of the device;
• it is impossible to create a new eSIM account in a stolen phone without the password from the old account;
• is suitable for several operators;
• all processes of registration, making a choice and activation of tariffs are available online;
• smartphones with eSIM technology support have fewer holes, so dirt and dust get inside much less often.

Read also: eSIM vs SIM: What's the Difference

2. Etisalat by E&

This operator has three offers for tourists.

Wasel Flexi:

• free SIM card;
• 50% discount for 12 months;
• price from 8.71 EUR for 30 days;
• unlimited calls to one mobile number from your phone;
• other data is selected individually, according to the requirements and priorities of a subscriber.

Wasel:

• free SIM card;
• price from 7.46 EUR for 30 days;
• local and international calls traffic is billed per second.

Emirati Wasel:

• special offer for Emirates costs from 18.66 EUR for 30 days;
• prepaid line for tourists for 7 days costs 49.75 EUR, the package includes:
• new SIM card, free activation, unlimited tariff within the country and 25% discount for the first two Hala taxi trips ;
• prepaid travel line for 14 days costs 79.36 EUR, the package includes:

new SIM card, free activation, unlimited traffic within the country and 25% discount for the first two Hala taxi trips;

• premium line for one month costs 49.75 EUR, the package includes:

new SIM card, free activation, 22.5 GB of local data, 30 hours of Wi-Fi, 25% discount for the first two Hala taxi trips.

3. du

Prepaid offers start at 6.22 EUR. In addition, there are Flexi plans with a discount when you buy a 12-month service. Such offers include a free SIM card and express delivery.

A Pay As You Go plan is also available for 13.68 EUR with no contractual obligations.

Postpaid packages cost from 31.10 EUR to 248.77 EUR, all prices are without VAT. Depending on the plan you choose, you can get the below additional benefits: free SIM card delivery in the UAE for online shopping;

• free activation;
• unlimited calls;
• a certain amount of free Wi-Fi in the UAE;
• roaming traffic;
• Disney+ subscription;
• Amazon Prime membership;
• OSN streaming and more.

4. Virgin Mobile

The price of the data plans varies from 9.14 to 13.06 EUR. The offer includes:

• free SIM card with free delivery;
• unlimited traffic.

There is a VIP Gold plan for 12 months for 1755.29 EUR with unlimited traffic to all domestic destinations and monthly cashback with Virgin Mobile Rewards. The service of creating individual data plans based on personal needs and priorities is also available to customers of this mobile operator .

Roaming in the UAE

The most expensive mobile internet in the UAE is roaming. This option is suitable if you come to the country for a short time and do not want to get into the specifics of connecting local SIM cards.

You can connect in advance in your country after consulting your mobile operator. You can also refill your account in advance, for example, right before your trip. In case of problems, assistance will remain in the language of your country.

The only significant disadvantage is the high tariffs. In order not to count every megabyte, choose another way of connection, for example, with the help of eSIM technology.

The most favorable mobile Internet in the UAE for tourists is provided by eSIM technology. Install the Yesim application, and stable internet at good speed will always be with you almost anywhere in the country.

Mobile Internet in the UAE: Pocket Wi-Fi

A portable pocket router works offline for 13 hours. So if you need to access the internet for a short period of time but always stay connected, a pocket router can be a good solution.

You can order a portable router directly at the airport or order delivery to your hotel. You can return the equipment in one of the rental shops, in the post office, or leave it in the mailbox. All this should be done by prior arrangement.

Read also: 8 Common Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them

Free Wi-Fi

Most of the places with free internet are in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and several other major cities. Quality coverage is available in central areas, in airports, as well as in shopping centers, hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Connect to the free network using a local SIM card. To do this, an access code should be sent to it prior to connection. But please note that this is the most insecure way to get the internet on your smartphone, this is how scammers steal tourists' personal data.

Internet in Dubai and other major cities

All tourists over 18 years of age have a right to receive a SIM card from du operator upon passing through immigration control at Dubai airport. The offer applies to all GCC residents, as well as anyone who is processing a visa on arrival, has a visitor or transit visa. The card will come with 1 GB of internet. The validity period is 24 hours.

Starter packs are also sold at duty free stores, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and other places of the kind.

Free Wi-Fi is available at hotels, popular public places and near tourist attractions. To stay connected at all times, it is better to buy a card from a local operator or activate eSIM technology.

Mobile Internet in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah operates on the same principle, except for the free card, which is still issued only in Dubai.

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Frequently asked questions on how to connect the Internet in the UAE

How much does a SIM card in Dubai airport cost?

There is no need to look for a paid option. At passport control you can and should ask for a free card with 1 GB of free mobile traffic valid for 24 hours.

How much does mobile unlimited internet cost in UAE?

Mobile operators offer unlimited internet in the UAE for about 76 EUR for 10 days.

What are the different internet connection options available in the UAE?

The UAE provides diverse internet connection choices, including mobile internet (3G, 4G, and 5G), fixed internet (DSL, Fiber Optic), and public Wi-Fi networks.

Is registration necessary for accessing the internet in the UAE?

To subscribe to a fixed internet service in the UAE, you will be required to complete a registration process and share certain personal details, such as your address, passport information, and more. In the case of mobile internet, you might need to register when acquiring a local SIM card.