🇦🇪 Best SIM cards for United Arab Emirates
Comparing 25 plans from 4 providers
| Provider | Type | Data | Validity | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider Nomad★ Recommended | TypeeSIM | Data1.00 GB | Validity7 days | Price $4.00Best price | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly★ Recommended Holafly 1-day eSIM. Activate before boarding, works from the moment you land. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity1 days | Price $5.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad★ Recommended | TypeeSIM | Data3.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $8.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data1.00 GB | Validity7 days | Price $8.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data3.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $9.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data5.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $11.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data5.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $11.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity3 days | Price $12.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity3 days | Price $12.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity5 days | Price $18.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data10.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $18.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data10.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $19.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity5 days | Price $20.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $27.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $27.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | Data20.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $29.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Airalo Unlimited on Etisalat UAE. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah fully covered. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $29.67 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly Unlimited in Dubai and UAE. Covers all 7 emirates. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity7 days | Price $29.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | Data20.00 GB | Validity30 days | Price $33.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Nomad | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity10 days | Price $34.00 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity10 days | Price $36.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Saily | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity5 days | Price $48.99 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly★ Recommended | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity15 days | Price $50.50 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Holafly Full month unlimited UAE. Best value for extended Dubai or expat stays. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity30 days | Price $64.90 | Get this SIM |
| Provider Airalo Full month unlimited UAE on Etisalat. | TypeeSIM | DataUnlimited data | Validity30 days | Price $72.80 | Get this SIM |
Our recommendations for United Arab Emirates
For your exact trip length
Tell us how many days you're traveling and we'll find the best match.
Budget way
Activate a cheap eSIM the night before your flight. Use it on day 1 to order an Uber from the airport to your hotel. Next day, pop into a local operator store and buy a local SIM.
Day 1 eSIM (arrival)
Holafly · 1 day
Local SIM (from day 2)
Etisalat (e&) or du at Dubai DXB / Abu Dhabi AUH airport. Passport required. Tourist SIM at arrivals.
Best option if you stay more than 10 days — local SIMs are often 3–5× cheaper.
Hassle-free way
Order your eSIM before departure — nothing to buy on arrival. Works from the moment you land.
1 week(Nomad)
$4.002 weeks(Holafly)
$50.501 month(Nomad)
$8.50Best option for short trips or if you don't want to deal with local operator stores.
About these providers
Airalo★ 4.60
Lowest price & widest choiceStrengths
- +Largest selection — 200+ countries, multiple local operators per country
- +Very competitive data-capped plans (cheapest overall for data)
- +Instant QR code activation — works within seconds
- +Excellent iOS & Android app with real-time data tracking
- +Physical SIM available for some destinations
Weaknesses
- −Data-only — no calls or SMS on most plans
- −Too many options can be overwhelming
- −Prices displayed in AUD (confusing for non-Australians)
- −Customer support can be slow
Holafly★ 4.40
Unlimited data, zero stressStrengths
- +Unlimited data on ALL plans — no data stress ever
- +1-day plans from $5.90 — perfect for arrival day
- +Simple pricing — few options, no confusion
- +Live chat customer support
- +Social media (WhatsApp, Instagram) always free on top
Weaknesses
- −More expensive than Airalo for stays over 10 days
- −Data-only — no calls or SMS
- −No physical SIM option
Nomad★ 4.30
Multi-country & long tripsStrengths
- +Best multi-country regional plans in the market
- +Global plans up to 180 days or 1 year — ideal for long trips
- +Simple, clean interface — easy to choose
- +Competitive pricing for multi-destination trips
Weaknesses
- −Fewer individual country options than Airalo
- −Data-only — no calls or SMS
- −Less name recognition than Airalo/Holafly
Saily★ 4.40
Cheapest data-capped eSIMStrengths
- +Made by Nord Security — the NordVPN creators (trusted brand)
- +Often cheaper than Airalo for data-capped plans
- +150+ countries covered
- +Clean app with real-time data usage tracker
- +Flexible packages: 1 GB to 20 GB
Weaknesses
- −Data-capped only — no unlimited plans
- −Newer provider (launched 2023) — fewer user reviews
- −No physical SIM
Local SIM prices in United Arab Emirates
Typical cost if you buy a physical SIM card on arrival (for comparison only).
| Data | Validity | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| 5.00 GB | 7 days | $12.00–$20.00 |
| Unlimited | 30 days | $25.00–$40.00 |
Prices are estimates based on tourist SIM cards available locally. Actual prices vary by operator and date.