Traveling to the UAE or just visiting Dubai and flying to Sharjah Airport and wondering if you can buy a tourist sim card at Sharjah Airport? Avoid high roaming charges and slow overseas data roaming plans.

This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card at Sharjah Airport in 2025.

Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per January 2025, my recommendation, a vlog about my arrival, info about eSIMs for the UAE and more.

In the past I used to buy a prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I always use eSIMs to stay connected.

Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Dubai and a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Dubai in 2025.

Table of Contents

Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Sharjah 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.

Why buying a sim card for the UAE

There is WiFi almost everywhere in the UAE and yes it is fast and reliable. But first of all keep in mind that browsing the internet on public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network, the use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.

Still though I recommend you to stay connected with a sim card when traveling to the UAE.

Foremost reason is that while you are out and about there is no WiFi. Ordering an Uber becomes impossible, as well as getting directions from Google Maps or finding nearby friends. Also think about emergencies, checking your banking apps, travel planning on the road, finding nearby restaurants, etc.

When buying a prepaid sim card for the UAE at Sharjah Airport or getting an eSIM on the internet it will make life much easier and visiting Dubai much more fun.

Being a full time nomad and world traveler since 2012 I aim to provide useful information and tips to make traveling cheaper for fellow world travelers. To help people planning their trips and staying connected I already wrote more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: USA, Europe, Asia, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong, Egypt, Pakistan, South Africa, Costa Rica, Turkey, London, Paris, Saudi Arabia and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends buying a DU prepaid sim card at Sharjah Airport for around $38 USD you get 10 GB data. Pretty expensive right?

eSIMs for the UAE already start from just $1 USD. An Airalo eSIM for Dubai with 10 GB is only $21 USD and an Airhub eSIM for the UAE gives you 15 GB for $24 USD.

Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Dubai in 2025.

However, based on your data consumption and the length of your stay there are a couple more options to consider. The cheapest sim card at Sharjah Airport is 49 AED ($13 USD) and you will get 2 GB data.

Another alternative is a so called world travel sim card with international coverage. There are some great sim card deals for travelers in 2025. Check the article in the link and find a comparison of the best international sim card in 2024. Pick the one that suit your trip to the Middle East.

Where to buy a sim card at Sharjah Airport

When going through customs you will get to the baggage hall where you will find the first opportunity to buy a prepaid sim card for the UAE. Sharjah Airport is very small and at luggage belt 4 you will see a small Etisalat kiosk.

Surprisingly there is another and much bigger Etisalat shop when you walk out through the sliding doors of the arrival hall on your right side. On your left hand side in the corner there is a small Virgin Mobile store.

Last but not least there is also a DU store at Sharjah Airport. To reach the DU store you will have to walk out of the arrival hall and then walk into the departure hall the door directly on your left when walking out.

As you can see there are multiple opportunities for buying a UAE sim card at Sharjah Airport. See the vlog below to make it even easier for you to find the right shop.

Here is my TikTok video of arriving at Sharjah Airport and it shows you exactly what it looks like.

@traveltomtom HEADS UP it is expensive to buy a prepaid sim card at Hsarjah Airport. Better go to my blog and find much cheaper sim cards for the UAE to stay connected. In this video you see what it looks like arriving at Sharjah Airport and where to buy a sim card for the UAE. #sharjah #airport #uaetiktok ♬ original sound - Traveltomtom

Prices UAE sim cards at Sharjah Airport

All info and prices are updated in January 2025 and prices are in AED (Arab Emirates Dirham): 10 AED = $2.7 USD and $1 USD = 2.67 AED.

As of 2025 eSIMs for tourists are available at Sharjah Airport.

Etisalat sim card Sharjah Airport

etisalat sim card sharjah airport

Both Etisalat shops sell the exact same prepaid sim card packages for tourist. The sim card is included in the following tourist deals:

  • 49 AED = 2 GB data + 30 minutes - valid for 28 days
  • 79 AED = 4 GB data + 30 minutes - valid for 28 days
  • 125 AED = 6 GB data + 120 minutes - valid for 28 days
  • 200 AED = 22.5 GB data + 525 minutes - valid for 28 days

All the sim cards come with a free gift of 100 AED Careem credit, which is the Uber from the Middle East, a very reliable taxi app.

As of 2025 Etisalat has eSIMs for tourists available.

DU sim card Sharjah Airport

du sim card sharjah airport

The DU sim cards are also free at Sharjah Airport when buying one of their prepaid sim card deals for tourists:

  • 49 AED = 2 GB data + 30 minutes worldwide - valid for 28 days
  • 139 AED = 10 GB data + 30 minutes worldwide - valid for 28 days
  • 299 AED = Unlimited data for 10 days

The DU starter package is the exact same price as the Etisalat tourist package. The bigger data deals give you more value for money though.

As of 2025 DU has eSIMs for tourists available.

Virgin Mobile sim card Sharjah Airport

virgin mobile tourist sim card sharjah airport

At Virgin Mobile they offer a bunch of data packages for tourists, many more than DU and Etisalat however, their starting price is much higher. A Virgin Mobile sim card is also free when buying one of the following packages:

  • 150 AED = 21 GB data + 30 minutes UAE + 20 minutes international - valid for 7 days
  • 200 AED = 40 GB data + 30 minutes UAE + 20 minutes international - valid for 10 days
  • 300 AED = 75 GB data + 30 minutes UAE + 20 minutes international - valid for 15 days

The above sim cards give you a certain amount of GB's per day, see the photo above.

virgin mobile prepaid sim card for tourists dubai 2023

On top that they even have another wide range of sim cards with data available and they are all monthly packages, valid for 28 days:

  • 14 GB data + 50 minutes UAE + 50 minutes international = 189 AED - $51.5 USD
  • 30 GB data + 50 minutes UAE + 50 minutes international = 299 AED - $81.4 USD
  • 44 GB data + 50 minutes UAE + 50 minutes international = 357 AED - $97.2 USD
  • 56 GB data + 50 minutes UAE + 50 minutes international = 420 AED - $114.4 USD
  • 100 GB data + 50 minutes UAE + 50 minutes international = 656 AED - $178.6 USD

Virgin Mobile has many packages, so depending on your use and length of stay it is worth checking out.

As of 2025 Virgin Mobile has eSIMs for tourists available.

Best sim card at Sharjah Airport

The cheapest tourist sim card at Sharjah Airport is from either DU or Etisalat. They will both give you 2 GB for 49 AED = $13 USD.

Virgin Mobile has much bigger data plans but also high prices. A 14 GB data sim from Virgin Mobile starts from $51 USD.

Remember that eSIMs for the UAE already start from just $1 USD. An Airalo eSIM for Dubai with 10 GB is only $21 USD and an Airhub eSIM for the UAE gives you 15 GB for $24 USD.

Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Dubai in 2025.

Etisalat and DU give you pretty much the same value for money and have the same data plans available for tourists. There is not much competition. Prices for prepaid sim cards with data are high in Dubai.

When you plan to use a lot of data and you only stay short term then head to the Virgin Mobile shop and get yourself 21 GB for 150 AED = $41. This package however is only valid for 7 days.

All network providers have excellent 5G network coverage in the UAE, see my article about the best prepaid sim card in Dubai for more about the best mobile data network in the UAE.

Best eSIMs for UAE

The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to the UAE in 2025 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online within just a couple minutes. No more swapping physically sim cards or visiting a sim card store.

An eSIM is literally just a QR code that you instal on your phone. Scan the code, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a UAE eSIM installed on your phone. Simple, fast and easy!

Upon arrival in Sharjah it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

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.

airalo esims for dubai

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.

airhub esims for the uae

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.

Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for the UAE.

With an eSIM you keep your own phone number, but make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible otherwise an eSIM won't work in your phone.

Buying a sim card for UAE online

If your phone is not eSIM compatible then you can order an international prepaid sim card for the United Arab Emirates. You order online and a pre-activated prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address.

  • 10 GB data in UAE for 14 days = $49.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order this international prepaid sim card for the UAE directly online.

This sim card is automatically activated from its first use and will be send to your home address before your trip. It is plug and play. That means as soon as the plane touches the ground in Sharjah, you put the sim card in your phone and it starts working.

Also a last reminder that you can order an eSIM for Dubai directly online and keep your own phone number. No swapping physical sim cards.

Vlog about buying a sim card at Sharjah Airport

Curious what it looks like arriving at Sharjah Airport and buying a sim card for the UAE then check out my YouTube video above.

Follow my adventure to visit every country in the world, click on the link to see my progress or check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom for more tips on the best places to visit and things to do in Dubai. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.

If you have any more questions please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media.

Enjoy your trip to the UAE!