Are you planning a trip to Dubai and looking for the best tourist eSIM for the UAE to stay connected? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM for traveling to Dubai including a comparison of the best Dubai eSIMs for 2025.
Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM for the UAE on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find up to date prices as per January 2025 and all specifications per eSIM.
Find out how eSIMs work, where and when to order an eSIM for Dubai, FAQ about eSIMs and more about the network coverage and 4G/5G data speed.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Comparison of the best eSIMs for Dubai
- What is the cheapest eSIM for Dubai?
- Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Dubai
- Where to buy an eSIM for Dubai?
- When to order/activate an eSIM for Dubai?
- How to activate an eSIM
- Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Dubai
- Make sure your phone is unlocked
- Which smartphones support eSIMs?
- Can I trust these eSIM providers?
- Can I keep my phone number from home with a Dubai eSIM?
- Can I make phone calls with a Dubai tourist eSIM?
- Does a Dubai eSIM come with a phone number?
- Can I use 5G on a Dubai eSIM?
- Are there eSIMs for Dubai with unlimited data?
- Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai?
- eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Already since 2012 I am traveling the world full time and eventually turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.
In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling to the UAE.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Dubai including all info about Dubai tourist sim cards at the airport on arrival.
Some links in this article about the best eSIMs for Dubai are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Before giving you my Dubai eSIM recommendation read the following carefully:
Make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible. If not, an eSIM won't work on your phone!
1. Airhub eSIM for the UAE - $24 USD
- 15 GB data-only eSIM
- Valid in UAE only
- Valid for 30 days
- 4G/LTE
- Only $1.6 USD per Gigabyte
Click here to order an eSIM for Dubai via Airhub.
The best value tourist eSIMs for Dubai are from Airhub. They have many more UAE plans and some go down to a rate of only $1.3 USD per Gigabyte.
This eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls or sms are not supported.
Is Dubai one of your stops on a trip to Asia then you can also look into getting an eSIM for traveling in Asia. There are more eSIMs that cover multiple countries.
Comparison of the best eSIMs for Dubai
You can now also buy an eSIM on arrival in Dubai from Virgin Mobile, Du and from Etisalat in their phone stores. But luckily there are multiple eSIM providers on the internet that sell eSIMs for Dubai and actually even give you much more value for money.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling to Dubai from one of the well-known eSIM providers that have proven to be reliable operators: Saily, SimOptions, Sim Local, Holafly, Ubigi, GigSky, Airhub, Airalo, Nomad, Jetpac, Roamless, etc.
Nowadays, you can buy an eSIM for pretty much every country in the world. Order directly from one of the above eSIM providers and instantly receive your eSIM in your email. But before you buy an eSIM first read all my tips below.
Airhub
My number one recommendation for UAE eSIMs is Airhub. Simply because they have the best eSIM deals.
Can you trust Airhub eSIMs? Yes, the Traveltomtom Team extensively tested Airhub and wrote an independent and honest review about Airhub. We came to the conclusion it is a marketplace for eSIMs.
There are more eSIMs available at Airhub but here are the best ones:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $1.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 25 GB data for 30 days = $47 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Dubai via Airhub.
When clicking on the eSIM on the Airhub website you get much more detailed info. The Airhub eSIMs for the UAE are data-only and do not support incoming and outgoing calls. The Airhub UAE eSIMs operate on the Etisalat 4G/LTE network and are not 5G ready.
Disadvantage about Airhub is that you need to create an account before you can buy an eSIM.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reputed eSIM provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your eSIM for Dubai through Airalo is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM deals.
Airalo is in many countries one of my top recommendations and also for traveling to Dubai in 2025 Traveltomtom rates Airalo as one of the best eSIMs.
Here are Dubai eSIM plans from Airalo for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Dubai from Airalo.
The only downside from an Airalo eSIM for the UAE is that they require an ID verification. This means that as soon as you buy an Airalo eSIM for the UAE they will ask you to scan your passport or ID for verification before they release your eSIM details.
Traveltomtom has tested it and it works very fast, within less than 1 minute I got a confirmation email and I was all set.
The Airalo eSIMs for Dubai are from Burj Mobile and operate on the 4G/LTE network of Etisalat according to the Airalo website. However in reality these Burj Mobile are 5G ready as I was constantly connected to 5G when testing the Airalo eSIM in Dubai.
In pretty much all the amazing places to visit in Dubai and everywhere else in the UAE you will find an excellent 5G signal and the data speed is very good.
For more info about the best 4G/5G network in Dubai check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for tourists in Dubai in 2025, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.
All the Airalo eSIMs are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.
Saily
Another very reliable eSIM provider is Saily. They are part of the NordVPN family and the Traveltomtom Team tested their service and was very happy about the outcome. Read more about it in our honest Saily Review.
Saily eSIM plans for the UAE are very similar to Airalo, but then a couple dollars cheaper:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $3.99 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $7.99 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $10.99 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $17.99 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $30.99 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Saily eSIM for the UAE.
The Saily eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Unfortunately Saily does not specify on which mobile network they operate and neither of the eSIMs are 5G ready or not.
Saily is very straight forward, nothing very special, nothing bad! A solid eSIM provider.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a very reliable eSIM provider. Why using SimOptions? Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced a major issue. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering an eSIM for traveling abroad.
SimOptions has similar eSIM plans than Airalo, but Airalo is slightly cheaper for UAE eSIMs.
Here are the SimOptions data-only eSIM plans for Dubai for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 15 days = $9.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 15 days = $13.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $49.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $75.90 USD
Click here to order a SimOptions eSIM for Dubai.
SimOptions doesn't specify which mobile network operator they use in Dubai but all the eSIMs are 5G ready.
The SimOptions eSIMs for Dubai do not come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms services. The validity of these eSIMs is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM, even if you are not in Dubai. For more info check the SimOptions website.
Nomad
Nomad also some decent Dubai eSIMs for tourists. On a recent trip to Dubai I tested a Nomad eSIM and was happy with its performance and date speed. However, most eSIM providers are cheaper than Nomad and in general Traveltomtom prefers Airalo, Jetpac, Saily, Airhub and SimOptions over Nomad.
Here are the Nomad eSIM plans for Dubai:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 50 GB data for 30 days = $69 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Dubai from Nomad.
The Nomad eSIMs for Dubai are from eSIM Go. These data-only eSIMs from eSIM Go are 5G ready in the UAE and they use the mobile data network of Du. Incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported.
Nomad has some decent valued eSIMs for Dubai. Their best rate is as low as $1.38 USD per Gigabyte on their 50 GB data plan, but it is a whooping $69 USD.
The Nomad Dubai eSIMs have to be installed on your phone within 30 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Dubai. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Holafly
Holafly is another well-known eSIM provider but unlike other providers they work with eSIMs with unlimited data. However, there is a catch and that is a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy). More about it later, but it could mean that you suddenly have a very slow data connection for a whole day until it resets.
Here are the Holafly eSIM plans for the UAE with unlimited data per day:
- 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
- 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
- 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
- 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
- 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
- 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
- 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
- 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD
The Holafly eSIMs for United Arab Emirates are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do also not come with a phone number. The Holafly eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE network of Etisalat
You can use a hotspot on the Holafly eSIMs for the UAE, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.
Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.
If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data and therefore it is not my first recommendation when looking for an eSIM for Dubai.
Also, Traveltomtom tested Holafly in another country and was very disappointed with the overall performance. Holafly was using the weakest mobile data network in that country and people all around me constantly had connection but I was pretty much offline for a whole week. Even though we were in big cities, I constantly had to ask for the public WiFi of my hotels, restaurants and bars because my Holafly eSIM was super slow.
Jetpac
Traveltomtom is a fan of Jetpac eSIMs because of its competitive prices for eSIM plans and excellent service. The Traveltomtom Team has tested Jetpac eSIMs in numerous countries and always with positive feedback.
Read more about it in our independent Jetpac review.
Jetpac has for example excellent eSIMs for Asia/Pacific, but the Jetpac eSIMs for the United Arab Emirates are not worth considering.
Check out the Jetpac eSIM plans for UAE in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $14 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for the United Arab Emirates.
The Jetpac eSIM with 1 GB data for $1 USD makes Jetpac actually the cheapest eSIM for the UAE. However, it is only valid for 4 days. Their 3 and 5 GB data plan are pretty expensive.
Traveltomtom highly recommends Jetpac eSIMs for Europe, USA and Asia, but not for the UAE. Simply too expensive.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM before your trip to UAE, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in UAE. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
The Jetpac UAE eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Data is valid in UAE only and the Jetpac eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Etisalat.
An extra advantage of Jetpac UAE eSIMs is that they provide a free VPN subscription as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.
Virgin Mobile
On arrival at Dubai International Airport (DXB) you can now also get an eSIM from Etisalat and Virgin Mobile as per new update in January 2025. These local prepaid sim card plans are available as eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards.
Here are the prices for their eSIM plans for 2025 valid for 1 month:
- 14 GB data + 100 minutes + 50 international minutes = 239.4 AED - $65 USD
- 20 GB data + 200 minutes + 50 international minutes = 299.25 AED - $82 USD
- 28 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 international minutes = 357 AED - $97 USD
- 40 GB data + 200 minutes + 200 international minutes = 496.65 AED - $135 USD
Virgin Mobile UAE also has tourist sim cards with unlimited data.
- Unlimited data + 30 minutes + 20 international minutes for 7 days = 275 AED - $75 USD
- Unlimited data + 30 minutes + 20 international minutes for 30 days = 525 AED - $143 USD
Etisalat
Etisalat is one of the main internet operators in the UAE and they also offer eSIMs for tourists.
- 2 GB data + 30 flexi minutes = 49 AED - $13 USD
- 4 GB data + 30 flexi minutes = 79 AED - $22 USD
- 10 GB data + 120 flexi minutes = 125 AED - $34 USD
- 20 GB data + 525 flexi minutes = 200 AED - $54 USD
- Unlimited data + 100 flexi minutes = 319 AED - $87 USD
Du
Du offers the following eSIMs in the DU stores in the UAE:
- 2 GB data + 30 flexi minutes = 49 AED - $13 USD
- 6 GB data + 30 flexi minutes = 99 AED - $27 USD
- 10 GB data + 30 flexi minutes = 139 AED - $38 USD
- 20 GB data + 20 flexi minutes = 189 AED - $51 USD
As you can see these prices for local eSIMs in Dubai are through the roof and therefore Traveltomtom once more recommends ordering an eSIM for the UAE on the internet and does NOT recommend buying an eSIM on arrival in Dubai!
Why did Traveltomtom already used more than 100s of eSIMs? I told you before that I travel full time and I am on the road constantly. Pretty much every week I need another sim card to stay connected, on average I use about 40 to 50 prepaid and eSIMs per year.
In fact Traveltomtom is based in Dubai, well, the company, not myself! Therefore I visit Dubai about 3-4 times per year. Here is more about my story why I moved to Dubai and set up my company in the UAE.
What is the cheapest eSIM for Dubai?
Truly the cheapest eSIM for the UAE is from Jetpac for just $1 USD. It will give you 1 GB data for 4 days. Airhub has a similar eSIM for just $1.5 USD. Another cheap eSIM for Dubai is an Airalo eSIM for $4.5 USD. It gives you 1 GB data for 7 days.
These eSIMs are only valid in the UAE and do not support calling and texting.
Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Dubai
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai in 2025 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Dubai without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in Dubai with an activated eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Dubai, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Dubai so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2025.
eSIMs are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
On Traveltomtom you can find more specific and in-depth eSIM guides for: USA, Canada, Asia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Egypt, Turkey, Europe, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, international eSIMs and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Overseas data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you at pretty much every amazing tourist destinations in Dubai there is already 5G available.
Uncountable times (mostly American) travel friends have asked me: “can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!” Trust me, get yourself an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Dubai. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.
Where to buy an eSIM for Dubai?
Online
You can only buy an eSIM for Dubai on the internet through an eSIM provider. There are multiple eSIM providers for Dubai. Traveltomtom compared many providers and concluded that the ones mentioned in this guide are the best eSIM providers for traveling to Dubai in 2025.
When buying an eSIM for Dubai through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM is instantly ready to use after installation. Only the Airalo eSIMs now require an ID check, Nomad and SimOptions do not require an ID verification.
On arrival in Dubai
There are 2 main mobile internet provider in Dubai: Du and Etisalat. On top of these operators there is also Virgin Mobile, a so-called MVNO.
As per 2025 Du, Virgin Mobile and Etisalat now offer eSIMs for tourists as well. But as you have seen, at ridiculous prices compared to the Airalo eSIMs for UAE.
For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Dubai in 2025 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Dubai, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.
Flying into the UAE and landing in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai international airport then you can buy a tourist sim card for Dubai on arrival at the airport in every terminal.
The easy thing is that tourist sim card prices are the same in every store around Dubai, no special tourist prices at the airport.
When to order/activate an eSIM for Dubai?
You can order an eSIM for Dubai pretty much any time you want. Most eSIMs have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIMs only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM on the day of departure to Dubai or before. When in Dubai you will need an internet connection to instal your eSIM. Pretty much every international airport in the UAE has free WiFi so you could use that to install your eSIM. Just make sure it is a stable internet connection and therefore Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your eSIM in your home country.
So my personal advice is to instal your eSIM for Dubai before you get into the plane and as soon as the plane lands you will already be connected without any problems.
How do I know all this? Officially Traveltomtom is based and registered in Dubai and obviously I have to travel through Dubai multiple times a year. And guess what, I always use an eSIM to stay connected, simply because it is cheaper.
For more info about my experiences buying a sim card at Dubai International Airport check out my vlog on YouTube.
Or for more detailed info about the best prepaid sim cards for Dubai, check out my complete guide in the link.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
In October 2023 the UAE Telecom Regulator sent all online eSIM providers a "Cease and Desist" letter demanding to stop all domestic sales of eSIMs in the UAE. Therefore as of November 2023 you are unable to buy an eSIM on the internet if you are already in Dubai.
Therefore Traveltomtom recommends you to buy your eSIM for Dubai before you board your flight to the UAE.
In case you already arrived in Dubai and still want to buy an eSIM then your IP Address from the UAE will prevent you from ordering an eSIM on the internet.
There is a very easy way around this and that is by using a VPN.
How to activate an eSIM
Installing and activating an eSIM is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code.
When you order an eSIM plan for Dubai you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Dubai eSIM.
But installing an activating an eSIM is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM on. The QR contains all the information about your Dubai eSIM.
Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM is successfully installed.
Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Dubai
Here are some general tips for using eSIMs when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Dubai eSIMs, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM in general.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIMs only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Dubai. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Dubai or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Dubai and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIMs?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM is if your smartphone supports eSIMs. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIMs.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM for traveling to Dubai.
However, you can still order a sim card for Dubai on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Dubai in 2025 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2025.
Can I trust these eSIM providers?
All the eSIM providers for the UAE recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in the UAE.
Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards now for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.
Check out the pros and cons of SimOptions in our article: Honest Review of SimOptions.
Recently the Traveltomtom Team also reviewed Airhub and the results were positive and therefore we included Airhub in this UAE eSIM comparison. Same as Saily.
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider and the Traveltomtom Team only received positive feedback. That is why we went to test it ourselves and came to the conclusion that Jetpac is an excellent choice. Read more about it in our extensive review about Jetpac eSIMs.
Sim Local has more than 100 sim card shops and kiosks in international airports around the world and has been selling sim cards for tourists for more than 5 years. Read Traveltomtom's honest review about Sim Local eSIM provider.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.
Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.
On top of that there is now also Firsty and Roamless. Roamless is an eSIM provider with no data expiration and Firsty gives out free data for watching ads in return. Truly two game changers!
Traveltomtom does NOT sell UAE eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIMs for traveling to UAE.
All eSIM providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.
Can I keep my phone number from home with a Dubai eSIM?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM to stay connected when traveling to Dubai. An eSIM can be used next to your physical or eSIM from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM.
So you can have multiple eSIMs installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Dubai eSIM you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.
Switching between physical and eSIMs is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.
Can I make phone calls with a Dubai tourist eSIM?
No, unfortunately there are no Dubai eSIMs for tourists available on the internet that include calling and texting. None of the eSIMs in this guide offer calling/texting services.
If you want to also call with your eSIM you can try Roamless as they offer calling service through their app when buying a Roamless eSIM.
Does a Dubai eSIM come with a phone number?
No, none of the Dubai eSIMs that you can buy on the internet come with a phone number which also means you can not receive any phone calls or sms.
Can I use 5G on a Dubai eSIM?
Yes, pretty much all of the eSIMs for Dubai are 5G ready. Exceptions are the Airhub eSIMs. Amazing eSIM deals, but only 4G/LTE is supported.
Are there eSIMs for Dubai with unlimited data?
Yes, the Holafly eSIMs for UAE come with unlimited data per day. But there is a catch...
eSIMs for Dubai with unlimited data are not truly unlimited! Make sure the unlimited data is on max data speed. Mostly the data speed is capped after you used X amount of Gigabytes.
Holafly is an eSIM provider that sells eSIMs with unlimited data for the UAE, but does NOT specify what is the exact so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP).
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Dubai eSIMs with unlimited data plans. There are always restrictions. And on Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading!
Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIMs for Dubai with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then this might be your favorite eSIM.
The Airalo eSIMs for Dubai with 20 GB data for $35 USD for 30 days provide sufficient data in general for a trip to Dubai and there is no real need for an eSIM with unlimited data unless you want to upload your whole camera roll to Google Drive or iCloud via 4G/5G instead of WiFi.
Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai?
eSIMs are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Dubai, but what is the best way?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Dubai:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIMs
Let's compare eSIMs, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
Normally if you use a lot of data local prepaid sim cards are a cheaper way to stay connected, but not in the UAE. Data is ridiculously expensive in Dubai and there is pretty much no competition. Du and Etisalat are the main mobile internet operators and they offer the exact same prices for data packages. On top of that there is Virgin Mobile as an MVNO, but they are also very expensive.
Local prepaid sim cards for tourists can only be purchased on arrival in Dubai in a phone store or at the airport and NOT on the internet.
More info about the best Dubai sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a tourist sim card in Dubai in 2025.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Dubai. Some of them are great for Dubai as well as in all other countries in for example Europe, Americas and Asia and you can easily order them online.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Dubai directly online.
If after visiting Dubai you are traveling onwards in Asia then check Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2025 or the best Asia tourist sim cards in 2025.
eSIMs
There are two different eSIMs:
- eSIMs that you buy on the internet through a third party
- eSIMs that you buy in Dubai in a mobile internet provider store
As of 2025 Du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile do now also provide eSIMs for tourists. You can buy an eSIM for Dubai in their stores or at the airport of Sharjah, Dubai or Abu Dhabi Airport.
Read all about it in my detailed guide about buying a sim card at Abu Dhabi Airport or Sharjah Airport or if you are interested in watching a vlog about my arrival and buying a sim card at Abu Dhabi Airport then check out my YouTube video.
There is also a vlog about my arrival and buying a sim card at Dubai Airport on my YouTube Channel.
eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Getting an eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Dubai. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in Dubai. As soon as the plane lands, you are online.
But what is cheaper? An eSIM or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?
When we compare the best Dubai eSIMs for tourists with local prepaid sim cards for Dubai, it is an easy conclusion that the Airalo eSIMs are even cheaper than local prepaid sim cards.
The Burj Mobile eSIMs from Airalo go down as much as $1.75 USD per Gigabyte. The physical prepaid sim card plans for tourists from Du and Etisalat will charge you more than $4 USD per Gigabyte. The Virgin Mobile eSIMs are not much better either.
Dubai has so called tourist sim cards specially designed for non-residents. Prices for prepaid sim cards start from 49 AED which is around $13 USD, but you only get 2 GB data. If you want a prepaid sim card with 8 GB data that will cost you around $34 USD.
For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards for tourists in Dubai in 2025.
After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. With eSIMs you buy on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands. For this convenience Traveltomtom definitely recommends to order one of the listed best eSIMs for Dubai in the comparison above.
Many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM for Dubai. Faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper depending on how much data you need.
Data Speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM is that eSIMs are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO's operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIMs through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIMs can be less compared to a local prepaid Dubai sim card.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM for your trip to Dubai were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your eSIM for Dubai right away.
If you still have any questions about eSIMs then please leave me a comment below. I promise I will try to reply instantly and I am more than happy to help you out finding the best way for you to stay connected.
Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my 680K Instagram account or 1.4 Million TikTok account both called @traveltomtom. Follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.
Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Dubai!