Kuwait SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting Kuwait soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Kuwait SIM card.

Fortunately, the Middle East is one of the places where you can buy a SIM card easily.

You should be able to find an affordable SIM card pretty much anywhere in the Middle East. In fact, most data packages are relatively cheap, which makes the whole thing easier!

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card for Kuwait in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid travel 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 Kuwait.

If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll 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 – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Kuwait.

Best Kuwait SIM Cards

If you’re traveling in Kuwait, we recommend using a SIM card from Zain, Ooredoo, STC, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to the Middle East, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Kuwait

You can either buy a Kuwait 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 don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a Middle East prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Zain, Ooredoo, and STC.

Zain SIM Cards

Zain offers several different types of tourist plans:

• 30 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 5 ($16.32)
• 60 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 7 ($22.84)
• 90 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 9 ($29.37)

Ooredoo SIM Cards

Ooredoo has two different prepaid plans available:

• 200 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 5 ($16.32)
• 400 GB, valid for 90 days for KWD 13 ($42.43)

STC SIM Cards

STC offers several main SIM-only plans for tourists:

• 30 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 5 ($16.32)
• 60 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 6 ($19.58)
• 100 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 9 ($29.37)
• 200 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 15 ($48.95)
• 500 GB, valid for 30 days for KWD 19 ($62.01)

Overall, we think Ooredoo is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.

That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Kuwait 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.

You’ll find different SIM cards for Kuwait on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Kuwait 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.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid Middle East SIM card on SimOptions.

They currently offer one mobile data package that covers Kuwait:

• 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90

Browse your options on SimOptions

Finally, the last option is to buy a Kuwait eSIM card or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, a global eSIM plan.

How To Buy A Kuwait eSIM Card

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.

If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Kuwait.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, a reliable eSIM provider.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Kuwait.

Airalo Kuwait

If you want a Kuwait eSIM, you could purchase one on Airalo.

This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and plans for Kuwait.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Learn more by reading our Airalo review.

Here are the options available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $8
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $10.50
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $15
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $25
• 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $40

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries, Discover Global offers coverage in 124 countries, including Kuwait.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
• 3 GB, valid for 15 days for $24
• 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
• 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.

In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly Kuwait

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.

You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of the plans for Kuwait:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $19
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $27
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $34
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $47
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $54

Go to Holafly

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Kuwait

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card or even an eSIM for your travels in Kuwait is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in the Middle East without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a global plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Kuwait if you wish to have data upon your arrival.

This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

However, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling to Kuwait soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Dubai SIM card
• Qatar SIM card
• Bahrain SIM card