Traveling to Dubai soon? Make sure to stay connected and don't waste money on high roaming charges. Get yourself a prepaid sim card for Dubai or even easier... order an eSIM. Like most other things in Dubai, sim cards for tourists are expensive, but still much cheaper than overseas data roaming plans.
In this guide you find everything you need to know about Dubai prepaid sim cards for tourists: where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per February 2025, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, the best eSIMs for Dubai, info about buying a sim card at Dubai International Airport and more.
Visiting Dubai but flying to Sharjah or Abu Dhabi? Here is your specific guides for buying a sim card at Sharjah Airport or at Abu Dhabi Airport.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Dubai
- Mobile internet providers in the UAE
- Where to buy a sim card in Dubai
- Buying a sim card at Dubai Airport - DXB
- Prices prepaid sim cards for tourists
- Free sim card Dubai Airport
- Best 4G/5G network in UAE
- Best prepaid sim card in Dubai for tourists in 2025
- Best eSIMs for Dubai
- Buy a prepaid sim card for Dubai online
- Vlog about buying a sim card at Dubai Airport
- How to get from Dubai DXB Airport to the city
Buying a local prepaid sim card used to be the best way to stay connected but nowadays eSIMs are easier and even cheaper!
Traveltomtom also wrote complete guide for the best eSIMs for traveling to Dubai in 2025.
My recommendation
If you decide to buy a prepaid sim card in Dubai then Traveltomtom recommends getting your sim card at Dubai Airport on arrival. It is easy and fast and you are straight away connected. Prices for tourist sim cards at the airport are the same as in any phone stores in the city.
Local prepaid sim cards for tourists are expensive in Dubai and it doesn't matter if you buy a sim card from Etisalat, Du or Virgin Mobile. Prices are the same and Du and Etislat have similar 4G/5G network strength.
Expect to pay around $4 USD per Gigabyte. So for 5 GB data you will pay around $20 USD.
But... have a look at the following!
Buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Dubai is more expensive than ordering an eSIM for the UAE on the internet.
For example an Airalo eSIM for Dubai already starts from just $4.5 USD and an Airhub eSIM for the UAE gives you 15 GB for $24 USD.
Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide for buying an eSIM for Dubai including a comparison of the best eSIMs in 2025.
Another great alternative is an international prepaid sim card. Check out Traveltomtom's review and comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2025. These are physical prepaid sim cards for those who don't have an eSIM compatible phone. These pre-activated physical sim cards will be delivered to your home address before your trip.
Make sure that your phone is unlocked. Foreign sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure about this contact your provider in your home country before your trip to Dubai.
Why buying a sim card for Dubai
If there is one place in the world where tourists could go without a local sim card it would be Dubai. There is WiFi literally EVERYWHERE and it is FAST and RELIABLE. The Dubai Mall is actually claiming to have the FASTEST PUBLIC WIFI IN THE WORLD. However, things get a little more complicated if you want to order a taxi on the streets or if you go on a road trip exploring the UAE. Having an internet connection on your phone simply makes life easier.
And what if you are laying on the beach and the hotel WiFi does not reach your beach chair? Simply don't rely on other people and get yourself a local prepaid sim card for Dubai. It is fast and easy... unfortunately it is not super cheap though.
Local sim cards are cheaper than overseas data plans or international travel sim cards. However, some of these international sim cards with global coverage are great deals for when traveling to Dubai. Interested in buying a sim card for Dubai online before your trip and get one shipped to your home address then check out the Dubai sim card deals in the link above.
Being a full time nomadic travel blogger on the road now for more than 10 years I am constantly figuring out the best ways to stay connected when getting to a new country. On my journey to visit every country in the world I use about 30 different sim cards per year.
Therefore on Traveltomtom you can find already more than 200 sim card guides from all around the world: Pakistan, South Africa, Egypt, USA, Bali, Turkey, Bangkok London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Canada, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Shanghai, Europe, Asia and many more.
So next time you are planning your upcoming adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!
Looking for cool things to do in Dubai? Don't miss the observation deck on worlds tallest building: At The Top, Burj Khalifa! See Dubai from above from floor 148! The Dubai Mall Aquarium is pretty cool to check out and a cool thrilling thing to do in Dubai is the Dinner in the Sky! Check out my reviews in the links above.
Mobile internet providers in the UAE
There are only 2 mobile internet operators in Dubai: Du and Etisalat. That means no competition and high prices. The UAE is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to prepaid sim cards for tourists.
There is also Virgin Mobile, a so called MVNO that operates on the Du network.
So far I have done research about local sim cards for tourists in more than 130 countries. Even expensive countries like Switzerland, Norway, Finland are much cheaper than Dubai data sim cards. A Dubai sim card gives you little value for money and expect to pay around $4 USD per GB.
Voice and video calls are blocked in the UAE with a local sim card. If you order an eSIM for the UAE on the internet then you go around that problem and you can use voice and video calls via for example Facetime, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Where to buy a sim card in Dubai
When buying a prepaid sim card in Dubai you will need to bring your passport. A copy of your passport will be taken in the phone store and your new Dubai sim card will be registered on your passport number.
Du, Virgin Mobile or Etisalat Store
You can buy Dubai prepaid sim cards for visitors in almost every mall around the Dubai at every Etisalat, Du and Virgin Mobile store. It is very easy and everyone in the UAE speaks fluent English.
Dubai International Airport
Traveltomtom recommends you to buy your prepaid sim card for Dubai on arrival at Dubai Airport. Prices for tourist sim cards are the same all over the UAE. There is no price difference between stores in malls and the ones at Dubai International Airport.
If you are flying to Abu Dhabi then check my detailed guide for buying a sim card at Abu Dhabi Airport in 2025. For more details about buying a prepaid sim card for Dubai at Dubai International Airport check below.
Online
As mentioned before it is very easy to buy a sim card for Dubai on the internet. In fact, an eSIM for Dubai is the cheapest way to stay connected. Check out my guide for the best eSIMs for traveling to Dubai for more detailed info.
There are also international sim cards cover multiple countries, see below for more info.
Buying a sim card at Dubai Airport - DXB
Buying your UAE sim card at Dubai Airport (DXB) is very convenient. In every terminal you will find multiple Dubai sim card shops which makes buying a sim card at Dubai Airport a simple process. However, it can be busy at times.
There is free WiFi at Dubai Airport and it works very good. Here is the outcome of a speed test.
For my research finding the best prepaid sim card for tourists at Dubai Airport I checked out all the sim card shops. Luckily the prices for Dubai sim cards are THE EAXCT SAME at every terminal as well as in the shops in the malls across Dubai.
So no matter which terminal you arrive at DXB Airport, you will find the same Dubai tourist sim card prices.
Dubai Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3
There are 3 terminals at Dubai Airport. Terminal 3 is used for all Emirates, Fly Dubai and Qantas flights and is within walking distance to Terminal 1, which handles most other intercontinental flights. There is also a 3-minute shuttle bus between Terminal 1 and 3.
Terminal 2 is pretty far away and not attached nor connected to Terminal 1 and 3. You will need to take a taxi to get to Terminal 2. Most low-cost airliners are handled in Terminal 2 at DXB Airport.
At every terminal you will find the following shops that sell Dubai prepaid sim cards for tourists:
- Du
- Etisalat
- Virgin Mobile
- Kitmytrip
When buying a sim card at Dubai Airport at Terminal 1 expect long lines! Terminal 2 and 3 aren't that busy usually.
Prices prepaid sim cards for tourists
These are the latest tourist sim card plans as per February 2025. Prices are in Dirham: 1 AED = $0.27 USD and $1 USD = 3.67 AED.
Du prepaid sim cards
Du Dubai offers a couple different prepaid sim card deals for tourists, all valid for 28 days:
- 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
Flexi minutes means that you can use them for either local calls or international calls. Du offers its costumers unlimited voice and video calls through the following apps: BOTIM, HiU, C'ME, Voico UAE.
Keep in mind that video calls are blocked in the UAE, so no WhatsApp, Messenger and Facetime calls. You need a VPN for these services.
- Unlimited data + 100 flexi minutes for 7 days = 199 AED - $54 USD
- Unlimited data + 200 flexi minutes for 14 days = 299 AED - $81 USD
- Unlimited data + 400 flexi minutes for 28 days = 499 AED - $136 USD
Du now also offers an unlimited data sim card for Dubai for 299 AED ($81 USD) valid for 10 days. Du offers prepaid eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards for tourists at all their stores. For more info check the DU website.
Etisalat prepaid sim cards
Etisalat also offers several Dubai prepaid sim card deals valid for 4 weeks:
- 2 GB data + 30 flexi minutes = 49 AED - $13 USD
- 4 GB data + 30 flexi minutes = 79 AED - $22 USD
- 8 GB data + 120 flexi minutes = 125 AED - $34 USD
- 22.5 GB data + 525 flexi minutes = 200 AED - $54 USD
- Unlimited data + 100 flexi minutes for 7 days = 200 AED - $54 USD
- Unlimited data + 300 flexi minutes for 14 days = 319 AED - $87 USD
Etisalat offers prepaid eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards for tourists at all their stores.
Etisalat offers its costumers also several discounts through an app called Smiles. Traveltomtom tested it and it was a very complicated and in the end too much work to get a bit of discount.
The most eye catching discount is the 100 AED Careem credit. However, in reality it means 20% off with a maximum of 25 AED per ride and only for new costumers.
I tried out this Etisalat service and it was completely useless, it didn't work at all for me!
Careem is like Uber in Dubai. I was pretty disappointed with this whole discount thing from Etisalat. In the end I wasn't able to use anything because there were restrictions on everything.
Traveltomtom's review about this Smiles app from Etisalat and its discount is: USELESS, a complete WASTE of time, energy and effort. For more info check the Etisalat website.
Virgin Mobile Dubai
Virgin Mobile is a so-called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) which means they operate on the DU network. Virgin Mobile sim cards are a great choice for heavy data users.
Virgin Mobile offers the following tourist sim cards valid for 4 weeks:
- 14 GB data + 100 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 239 AED - $65 USD
- 30 GB data + 200 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 299 AED - $81 USD
- 44 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 int. minutes = 357 AED - $97 USD
- 56 GB data + 200 minutes + 200 int. minutes = 497 AED - $135USD
- 100 GB data + 300 minutes + 200 int. minutes = 747AED - $203 USD
They also offer sim cards with unlimited data:
- unlimited data + 30 local minutes + 20 international minutes for 7 days = 275 AED - $75 USD
- unlimited data + 30 local minutes + 20 international minutes for 30 days = 525 AED - $143 USD
Virgin Mobile sim card stores at Dubai Airport offers eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards.
Kitmytrip
The last option for buying a prepaid sim card in Dubai is Kitmytrip. You will find this store at Dubai Airport and they are an official reseller of DU and Etisalat prepaid sim cards. They offer the exact same sim card deals as the official DU and Etisalat stores.
Kitmytrip offers a wide range of discounts coupons for some of the best things to do in Dubai: Dubai Mall Aquarium, Burj Khalifa Observation Deck, The Dubai Ain - Worlds Highest Observation Wheel, etc. If these Dubai activities are on your itinerary, it is definitely worth checking out Kitmytrip and buying a Dubai sim card from their store.
Kitmytrip offers eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards.
Free sim card Dubai Airport
Yes, that is true! You get a free sim card at Dubai Airport. At passport control the Customs Officer will hand you back your passport including a package with a free Du Dubai sim card for tourists, which is activated and can be used instantly. Just plug and play. Put it in your phone and enjoy 1 GB free data for 24 hours.
After 24 hours you will have to top up with one of the above mentioned prepaid sim card packages and you will also have to register yourself with your passport. It is fairly easy though, just follow the steps which are on the sim card package that you got from the immigration officer.
If you go through one of the automated passport scanners at customs, you won't be handed a free sim card! You will have to go to a immigration booth with an officer to get your free sim card for Dubai.
Be aware that the free sim card you get at Dubai Airport is automatically connected to your passport number. So when putting it in your phone you verify your passport number and only if it matches you are able to use the 1 GB free data for 24 hours.
Best 4G/5G network in UAE
Great thing about traveling in the UAE and Dubai is that there is 5G almost everywhere. Super fast mobile internet is waiting for you! To find the best mobile network in the UAE I compared the UAE network coverage maps.
Du 4G/5G coverage map
Etisalat 4G/5G coverage map
From the above network coverage maps for the UAE we can conclude that there is pretty much a 5G signal in every tourist destination in the UAE. Du has slightly better network coverage when you travel off the beaten path in the UAE.
That said for most tourists who stay in and around Dubai there is no difference between both operators.
Best prepaid sim card in Dubai for tourists in 2025
All in all after comparing the 4G/5G networks in the UAE, the international sim cards, the eSIMs for the Dubai and the prepaid sim cards that you buy on arrival in Dubai, Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that the cheapest and best value sim card for Dubai is an Airhub eSIM for the UAE
This eSIM gives you 10 GB data for just $13 USD, much cheaper than buying a prepaid sim card from Du, Virigin Mobile or Etisalat in Dubai.
As a comparison... the cheapest sim card you can buy in Dubai is 49 AED ($13 USD) and you get 2 GB data. Offered by boht providers Du and Etisalat.
Check out my complete guide with everything you need to know about Dubai eSIMs and a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling in Dubai in 2025.
Not all phones are eSIM compatible and if you want to buy a prepaid sim card in Dubai then Traveltomtom recommends either Etisalat or Du. It really does not matter which sim card you buy.
Best eSIMs for Dubai
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Dubai as you can simply order an eSIM for Dubai on the internet. No more swapping a physical sim cards and no need to visit a sim card store. You will receive a so called eSIM through a QR code in your email. Simple, fast and easy!
You order an eSIM for Dubai on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a UAE eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands in Dubai.
For a complete guide about using eSIMs when traveling to the UAE click on the link and read all my tips and tricks and FAQ about eSIMs.
Here are some recommendations.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world.
These are the Dubai eSIM deals 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 a Dubai eSIM via Airalo.
The above data-only eSIMs from Airalo are from Burj Mobile. Burj Mobile eSIMs are only valid in the UAE. They operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Etisalat. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.
Airhub
My number one recommendation for UAE eSIMs is Airhub, simply because they have amazing eSIM plans for the UAE. Pretty unknown eSIM provider, but trusted and approved. Read here our complete Airhub review.
Check out the Airhub UAE plans for 2025:
- 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.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Dubai.
There are many more eSIM providers like Nomad, Roamless, Jetpac, Sim Local, eSIMple, etc.
For a much more detailed guide about using an eSIM for Dubai click on the link and check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Dubai.
Buy a prepaid sim card for Dubai online
Is your phone not eSIM compatible then check out the following option.
Arrive prepared in Dubai 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 Dubai, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
Through SimOptions you can now also order a physical prepaid sim card for Dubai:
- 10 GB data in the UAE for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or order this international prepaid sim card for Dubai directly online via SimOptions.
This international sim card for the UAE will be delivered to your home address and is automatically activated from its first use. That means as soon as the plane touches the ground, you put the sim card in your phone and it starts working.
Vlog about buying a sim card at Dubai Airport
If you rather watch a vlog, then check the YouTube video above my arrival at Dubai Airport and buying a prepaid sim card for tourists.
How to get from Dubai DXB Airport to the city
The cheapest way to get into Dubai from DXB Airport is by Metro. The Metro operates directly from Dubai Airport and gets you to most places in the city. The Metro operates between 5.00 am and 1.30 am and on Friday and Saturday even till 2.30 am. There is a metro station at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
Dubai Airport Terminal 2 is unfortunately not connect to the Dubai Metro network. The nearest Metro station from Terminal 2 is Abu Hail, which is about 5 minutes away by taxi. There are several bus stops just outside Terminal 2.
Taxis in Dubai all operate by meter and are very reliable, but you can also use taxi apps like Careem or Uber. Using a taxi from Dubai Airport to the city is my preferred way of getting to and from DXB Airport, but in peak times these taxi apps can be expensive and it is better to use a metered taxi.
Im sure the above tips for getting connected in the United Arab Emirates on your trip to Dubai were helpful. If there is anything you are still unsure about please reach out to me and I happily answer your questions. Also if you are just looking for Dubai travel tips.
Looking for travel inspiration? Check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom. Be careful this could create some serious wanderlust as I am attempting to travel to every country in the world and as of February 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so many more to go.
Enjoy your trip to Dubai!