Visiting Qatar soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Qatar SIM card.
In this guide, weâll explain where to buy a SIM card in Qatar 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 Qatar. 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 Qatar.
Best SIM Cards In Qatar
If youâre traveling in Qatar, we recommend using a SIM card from Vodafone, Ooredoo, 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 The Middle East, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Middle Eastern countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In Qatar
You can either buy a Qatar 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 a 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 a Middle Eastern prepaid SIM card online.
Now, letâs take a look at the data plans offered by Vodafone, and Ooredoo.
Vodafone SIM Cards
Vodafone offers several prepaid data-focused plans. Here are the most relevant available to tourists:
- 16 GB, valid for 28 days for QR 150 ($41.20)
- 22 GB, valid for 42 days for QR 200 ($54.94)
- Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for QR 150 ($41.20)
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for QR 250 ($68.67)
Ooredoo SIM Cards
Ooredoo has several different prepaid plans available. They also offer same-day delivery within Qatar when you order online:
- 16 GB data, valid for 28 days for QR 150 ($41.20)
- 22 GB data, valid for 42 days for QR 200 ($54.94)
- Unlimited data, valid for 2 days for QR 25 ($6.87)
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for QR 250 ($68.67)
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 canât find their store!
How To Buy A Qatar 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. Qatar 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 Eastern SIM card on SimOptions.
They currently offer one package that covers Qatar:
- 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Qatar or, if youâre traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for The Middle East.
How To Buy An eSIM Card For Qatar
eSIM is a new concept that allows 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 Qatar.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. And I first tried it when visiting my family in Canada. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo. Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Qatar.
Airalo Qatar
If you want to buy an eSIM for Qatar, you could purchase one on Airalo. This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for The Middle East and Qatar. Iâve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.
Here are the options available:
- Pearl Mobile: 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- Pearl Mobile: 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $9
- Pearl Mobile: 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $12
- Pearl Mobile: 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $17.50
- Pearl Mobile: 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $30
- Pearl Mobile: 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $49
Hereâs an overview of the options available for The Middle East:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $15
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $28
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $39
The options mentioned above are part of The Menalink and offer coverage in 15 countries, including Qatar.
Alternatively, if youâre traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 85 countries, including Qatar.
Hereâs an overview of the options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
- 3 GB, valid for 15 days for $24
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $35
- 10 GB, valid for 60 days for $59
- 20 GB, valid for 180 days for $89
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that youâll 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 youâre connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, youâll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Holafly Qatar
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 plans for Qatar:
- 3 GB, valid for 7 days for $34
- 6 GB, valid for 15 days for $44
- 8 GB, valid for 30 days for $47
Nomad Qatar
Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider. Hereâs an overview of the plans available for Qatar:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $13
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $19
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Qatar
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Qatar or even an eSIM for your travels in Qatar is pretty straightforward.
Youâll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in The Middle East without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a Middle Eastern plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Qatar if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you wonât need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling to Qatar soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
