Visiting Egypt soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing an Egypt SIM card.
In this guide, weâll explain where to buy a SIM card in Egypt in person and online.
Weâll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Egypt.
If you donât mind not having Internet, youâll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Arabic â you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Egypt.
Best Egypt SIM Cards
If youâre traveling in Egypt, we recommend using an Egyptian SIM card from Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, or Airalo. (Iâll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)
That said, if youâre planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Africa, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other African countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In Egypt
You can either buy an Egypt prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we donât recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you wonât necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so itâs essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, Iâd recommend buying an Egyptian SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you wonât get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Africa prepaid SIM card online.
Now, letâs take a look at the data plans offered by Vodafone, Orange, and Etisalat.
Vodafone SIM Card
Vodafone offers five different types of data plans in Egypt:
- 2 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 15 ($0.65)
- 3.5 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 25 ($1.08)
- 6 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 35 ($1.51)
- 8 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 45 ($1.94)
- 12 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 65 ($2.81)
Orange SIM Card
Orange has two different tourist plans available in Egypt:
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 200 ($8.63)
- 40 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 500 ($21.58)
Etisalat SIM Card
Etisalat offers several prepaid plans for tourists in Egypt:
- 3.5 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 30 ($1.29)
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 45 ($1.94)
- 7 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 60 ($2.59)
- 16 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 100 ($4.32)
- 28 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 150 ($6.47)
- 50 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 250 ($10.79)
- 90 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 400 ($17.26)
- 145 GB, valid for 30 days for EGP 600 ($25.89)
Overall, we think Etisalat is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.
That said, any would do if you canât find their store!
How To Buy A Egypt Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
Youâll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Egypt is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.
Another option is to purchase a prepaid Middle East SIM card on SimOptions.
They currently offer one package that covers Egypt:
- 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Egypt.
How To Buy An Egypt eSIM Card
eSIM is a new concept allowing you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.
If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards â itâs definitely one of the best options to get data in Egypt.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo.
Keep reading to learn more about the best Egypt eSIMs.
Airalo Egypt eSIM
If you want an Egypt eSIM, you could purchase one on Airalo. Iâve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.
To learn more, read our Airalo eSIM review.
Here are the options available:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $7
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $12.50
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $17.50
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $26.50
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $44
Holafly Egypt eSIM
Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.
Hereâs an overview of their plan for Egypt:
- Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $27
- Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $34
- Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
- Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $47
- Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $54
BNESIM Egypt eSIM
BNESIM is another provider, but their plans are more expensive. You can read our complete BNESIM review to learn more.
Hereâs an overview of their plans for Egypt:
- 1GB, no expiration for $18.25
- 3GB, no expiration for $53.12
- 5GB, no expiration for $85.75
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards For Egypt
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Egypt or even an eSIM for your travels in Egypt is pretty straightforward.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Egypt if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you wonât need to go to a store to buy a SIM card in Egypt.
Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
