Excited to travel to Saudi Arabia? Wether you are a tourist or coming for Hajj or Umrah make sure you to stay connected and don't waste money on high roaming charges.
If you are flying to Riyadh and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card on arrival at Riyadh Airport this is your ultimate guide.
Find out everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card at Riyadh Airport. Where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per February 2024, my recommendation, the best e-sim cards for Saudi Arabia, the best 4G/5G network, information about international sim cards and even a vlog to show you what it looks like arriving at Riyadh Airport.
When planning my next trip abroad the first thing I do is figuring out what is the best way to stay connected. In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival but nowadays I mostly order an e-sim card on the internet.
Traveltomtom is on a journey to visit every country in the world and since I also love to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Singapore, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Europe, London, Hong Kong, Panama, Dubai, Pakistan, USA, New York, Brazil, Turkey, Germany, Abu Dhabi, Sydney, Bangkok, Shanghai, Philippines and many more.
Traveltomtom also wrote an extensive guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Saudi Arabia in 2024 as well as specific sim card guides for Jeddah Airport and Medina Airport.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Why buying a Saudi Arabia sim card?
Trust me your trip to Saudi Arabia is much more fun with a data connection on your phone, it simply makes traveling easier. Think about using Google Maps for directions, ordering a taxi on the streets through a taxi app or simply to stay in touch with friends, find info while traveling, etc.
Most hotels in Riyadh offer free WiFi, however that is no guarantee there is a strong connection and fast reliable internet available. On top of that here is another reminder that surfing the internet on public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
Buying a prepaid sim card on arrival at Riyadh Airport is easy, ordering an e-sim card on the internet even easier. It is up to you what you prefer. It only takes a couple minutes to get connected but it will make traveling to Saudi so much easier.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying an STC prepaid sim card for visiting Riyadh. At Riyadh Airport you can buy a prepaid sim card for around $23 USD with 20 GB data on the fastest 5G network in Saudi Arabia.
That said, you can already order an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia starting from $5 USD and you arrange everything within just 2 minutes.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia via Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to Saudi Arabia in 2024, including an answer to all FAQ about using e-sim cards when traveling abroad.
Another great alternative to get data on your phone is a travel sim card. Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024 and pick the one that suits your trip. These travel sim cards are pre-activated and either delivered to your home address as a pre-activated physical prepaid sim card or as an e-sim in your email.
Best e-sim cards for Saudi Arabia
The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Riyadh in 2024 is an e-sim card. You order online and arrange everything in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards.
You order an e-sim card for Riyadh on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Saudi Arabia e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Riyadh it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable e-sim provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. Here are the Airalo e-sim card plans for Saudi Arabia for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $44 USD
Click here for more info or to order an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia via Airalo.
The above e-sim cards from Red Sand are data-only and valid in Saudi only. They operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Zain. Yes, these e-sim cards for Saudi Arabia support 5G.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable e-sim provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions also in multiple countries around the world.
The SimOptions e-sim cards are more expensive than Airalo, but these are international e-sim cards, valid in up to 141 countries around the world. Here are the SimOptions international e-sim cards for Saudi Arabia in 2024:
- 6 GB data for 15 days = $39.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $39.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international e-sim card for Saudi Arabia via SimOptions.
Nomad
A relatively new e-sim provider is Nomad and they sometimes have great e-sim card deals. Here are the plans for Saudi Arabia in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $9 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $32 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Nomad e-sim card for Saudi Arabia.
The Nomad e-sims for Saudi Arabia operate on the Zain and Mobily 4G/LTE and 5G network.
Make sure your phone is e-sim card ready before ordering an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia. It is a very simple and an easy way to stay connected for your trip to Riyadh. How to find out if your smartphone is e-sim card compatible? Simply ask Google and you will get the answer instantly.
Where to buy a sim card at Riyadh Airport
When arriving at Riyadh Airport you will see that it is very easy to buy a prepaid sim card for visiting Saudi Arabia. Most international flights arrive in Terminal 2 and as soon as you walk into the Arrival Hall you will see the Saudi Arabia mobile internet provider shops.
To make it very easy for you I recorded a vlog when I arrived in Riyadh on an international flight. Keep reading.
When arriving at Terminal 1, you will have to walk to Terminal 2 to buy a sim card. It is only about 3 minutes walk.
If you are tired and want to go to your hotel straight away then there is always the opportunity to buy a local prepaid sim card for Saudi Arabia at one of the many shopping malls.
Check out my article about the best tourist sim card for Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Flying to Riyadh on a domestic flight? Don’t worry, the domestic terminal of Riyadh Airport also has an STC, Zain and Mobily shop. I also landed once in Riyadh on a domestic flight from Medina. When you walk into the Arrival Hall the mobile phone shops are on your left.
Prices Saudi Arabia sim cards at Riyadh Airport
There are 3 mobile internet providers in Saudi Arabia and all of them have mobile phone stores at Riyadh Airport. All stores are open 24 hours and all sim card shops accept major international credit cards.
Prices for prepaid sim cards in Saudi Arabia are nationwide the same in retail stores, shopping malls as well as international airports, etc.
All prices and info below are updated as per February 2024 and prices are in Saudi Riyal: $1 USD = 3.75 SAR and 1 SAR = $0.27 USD.
Zain
- 3 GB data + 1 GB Snapchat, WhatsApp & Facebook + 50 minutes valid for 2 weeks = 34.5 SAR
- 15 GB data valid for 2 weeks = 57.5 SAR
- 10 GB data + 5 GB Snapchat, WhatsApp & Facebook + 150 minutes valid for 4 weeks = 80.5 SAR - 21.45 USD
- 25 GB data + unlimited Snapchat, WhatsApp & Facebook + 350 minutes valid for 4 weeks = 149.5 SAR
Zain store at Riyadh Airport offers e-sim cards for its prepaid costumers as well as physical prepaid sim cards for tourists. You choose.
Mobily
All the Mobily prepaid sim card deals below are valid for 4 weeks
- 5 GB data + 5 GB social media + 600 minutes = 75 SAR - $20 USD
- 10 GB data + 15 GB Social Media + 1,500 minutes = 110 SAR
- 20 GB data + unlimited Social Media + 3,000 minutes = 150 SAR
- 50 GB data + unlimited Social Media + calls = 180 SAR - $48 USD
- 100 GB data + unlimited Social Media + calls = 220 SAR
- Unlimited data + calls = 360 SAR
Mobily also offers a daily unlimited data plan + 50 minutes for 20 SAR - $5.3 USD per day.
The Mobily store at Riyadh Airport has e-sim cards as well as physical prepaid sim cards available.
STC
- 1 GB data + 1 GB Social Media + 60 minutes = 40.25 SAR
- 4 GB data + 4 GB Social Media + 120 minutes = 74.75 SAR - $19.9 USD
- 10 GB data + 10 GB Social Media + 500 minutes = 86.25 SAR
- 10 GB data + 15 GB Social Media + 300 minutes = 115 SAR
- 25 GB data + 25 GB Social Media + 500 minutes = 132.25 SAR - $35.2 USD
- 70 GB data + unlimited Social Media + 800 minutes = 195.5 SAR
- 100 GB data + unlimited Social Media + unlimited calls = 276 SAR
The STC store at Riyadh Airport offers e-sim cards for its prepaid costumers as well as physical prepaid sim cards for tourists
Best sim card at Riyadh Airport
When we only look at the prices of the offered prepaid sim cards for tourists at Riyadh Airport then Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that those travelers that want a lot of data an STC prepaid sim card is the best-buy.
On top of that STC has the most extensive 4G/5G network in the country and the fastest data speed. Therefore it is an easy conclusion to say that STC is the best prepaid sim card at Riyadh Airport.
The cheapest prepaid sim card for tourist at Riyadh Airport is from Zain. They offer a tourist sim card for Saudi Arabia for 34.5 SAR ($9.2 USD) with 3 GB data.
That said, ordering an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia starts from just $5 USD and you are all set in just 2 minutes and as soon as the plane lands you are online.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia via Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
For much more details and info about using e-sim cards check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for the best e-sim cards for traveling to Saudi Arabia in 2024.
For more information about the best 4G/5G network in Saudi Arabia check out my article about the best prepaid sim card for Saudi Arabia in 2024 and find a comparison of the 4G/5G network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.
Check out Traveltomtom's YouTube video above what it looks like arriving at Riyadh Airport. In my vlog I show you my experiences buying a prepaid sim card for Saudi Arabia at Riyadh Airport.
Order a prepaid sim card for Saudi Arabia online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible and buying a prepaid sim card on arrival in Riyadh sounds like too much hassle then I have a solution for you.
Arrive prepared in Saudi Arabia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Riyadh, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Saudi Arabia:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for Saudi Arabia via SimOptions.
A last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible then you can arrange everything directly on the internet by ordering an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia. You can already find Saudi Arabia e-sim cards starting from $5 USD.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Saudi Arabia via Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
For much more details and info about using e-sim cards check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for the best e-sim cards for traveling to Saudi Arabia in 2024.
I hope all the above tips for buying a sim card at Riyadh International Airport were helpful for your upcoming trips. Please, when you still have questions leave me a comment below and I will try to help you out.
Take a look at my YouTube channel for some vlogs about traveling in Saudi Arabia and more sim card advice. Remember for your next trip to always check out Traveltomtom for the latest advice on buying a sim card for your next travel destination.
If you have any questions please leave me a comment below and I will try to find an answer for you.
Check out my Instagram @traveltomtom for some Saudi Arabia travel inspiration with cool places to visit. As of February 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to Riyadh!
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Riyadh Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you.