Egypt SIM Cards for Tourists: Detailed Guide

Claudia Anderson

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Latest update: June 2024

Are you planning a trip for exploration and discovery in Egypt? Egypt is known for the Red Sea, the Nile River, and the mysterious Pharaohs.

In this article, we will provide you with some information such as the best type of Egypt SIM cards for tourists 2024, reliable places to purchase SIM cards, how to use SIM cards, eSIM, and some related frequently asked questions.

I. Where to Buy a Tourist SIM Card for Egypt?

There are four ways to buy a SIM card for Egypt travel: buy before departure, buy at airports, buy at stores and buy at hotels and tourists areas.

1. Buy prepaid Egypt eSIM card online before traveling

eSIM for travelers can be purchased online. You can buy online through official websites or through recommendations and guides. Among them, Gigago is a reputable online platform that provides reliable eSIMs for international travel that you can consider. Before purchasing, compare prices from various sources, and carefully verify after successful registration by scanning the QR code and conducting a trial run.

Pros: Buying an eSIM before your trip helps you be more proactive in your journey, have a network available for communication and look up internet access as soon as you land at your local destination. Also good cost savings.

Cons: Your phone must support eSIM. You cannot change packages while traveling.

2. Buy Egypt SIM card at Airports

You can buy an Egyptian SIM card at various airports in the country. Famous international airports such as Cairo International Airport, Hurghada International Airport and Sharm El Sheikh International Airport often have shops or counters offering SIM cards specifically for tourists. You can conveniently buy it here and activate it immediately.

Pros: 

• Convenient in terms of purchasing and finding providers. 
• Activation and immediate access are possible right after purchase, with guidance and support from the seller. 
• There are a variety of packages and SIM card brands for you to choose from.

Cons: 

• Spending time returning to the airport in case of SIM card issues is required by some carriers because they insist on resolving the matter at the counter. 
• Some carriers also require the presentation of personal documents, which can be time-consuming.

3. Buy Egypt SIM card at Local Telecommunication Stores

Numerous local telecommunication stores and outlets across cities and towns in Egypt sell tourist SIM cards. Look for reputable providers like Vodafone, Orange, or Etisalat.

Pros: Easily find local suppliers or genuine telecommunications stores. No need to travel far, convenient connection and support if there is a problem during use.

Cons: Limited English assistance outside big cities.Require identification documents when registering to buy a SIM card.

4. Buy Egypt SIM card at Hotels and Tourist Areas

Currently, to meet and expand service needs for tourists, surrounding hotels and restaurants have small counters providing SIM card services. You can ask the staff here for instructions on purchasing and registering to activate a SIM card during your trip.

Pros: You can buy and activate a SIM card right where you live, no need to travel far. Easily complain if there are problems and problems when using the SIM card.

Cons: Some hotels and accommodations are not available and do not provide SIM card services, especially motels or small hotels in suburban areas.

► Our recommendation: Here are some advice on choosing where to buy Egypt SIM for tourists:

• If needing immediate and convenient use: Purchase from airport shops, albeit at a higher price.If there’s preparation time: Opt for purchasing eSIM online before the journey for proactive readiness.
• For cost-saving and flexibility: Register for a local SIM card at stores upon arrival in Egypt.
• The most convenient option is to use eSIM for quick transactions and activation, as long as your device is compatible.

To sum up, some prominent benefits of a Egypt SIM card for tourists:

• Check and inquire thoroughly about the high-speed data commitment of the eSIM – some data packages only provide high-speed data up to a certain limit, after which it decreases, causing inconvenience when in use.
• Some eSIM packages may only offer internet access and may not support calling, texting, or vice versa.
• Ask the provider extensively and opt for a multifunctional package for convenient usage.

II. What Are The Best SIM Cards for Tourists?

1. Best Egypt VODAFONE SIM Card Plans and Price

Insight: 

Vodafone is a major telecommunications company known for its strong reputation and fairly extensive 4G coverage. Vodafone SIM cards not only support high-speed internet access but also offer both domestic and international calling at reasonable rates. This is its greatest advantage.

On the flip side, the downside of this SIM brand is the slightly cumbersome activation process. You might encounter several formalities when activating it. Seeking assistance from sales representatives can make the process smoother for you.

2. Best Egypt ORANGE SIM Card Plans and Price

Insight:

The Orange SIM card is a network with extensive coverage in Egypt. It is a local SIM card provider offering long-term packages at very favorable rates for travelers. Particularly suitable for extended trips of around 30 days, you may even receive some free calls and packages from this network.

► Our recommendation:

If you are on a long trip and looking to save costs, choosing ORANGE or VODAFONE is suitable.

III. Do I Need to Buy a SIM Card for Egypt Travel?

Yes, definitely, getting Egypt Sim cards is very convenient for your trip.

Buying a SIM card in Egypt is convenient for travel, providing seamless connectivity for calls, texts, and internet access. Local SIM cards are safer and more cost-effective than roaming or pocket WiFi. They can be purchased online before departure, at the airport, or from local stores.

Unlike free Wi-Fi, which may be unreliable and insecure, a local SIM card ensures consistent and secure access to the internet, making it the best option for staying connected.

IV. What to Prepare to Buy Prepaid SIM cards in Egypt?

To buy a prepaid SIM card in Egypt, you’ll need your passport for registration. The store will copy your passport and register the SIM card to your name and passport number. This process takes about 5 minutes, which is why it’s recommended to purchase from an official retail store rather than random shops.

You’ll receive the SIM card with a new Egyptian phone number. Insert it immediately to ensure the data plan and voice packages work before leaving the store, and ask how to check your balance and data.

If you prefer not to register your SIM card, consider ordering a physical prepaid SIM card or an eSIM for Egypt online, which only requires an email address for verification.

V. Types of Egypt SIM Cards for Tourists – Which One is the Best?

There are 02 common types of Egypt SIM cards for travelers, based on the form.

• Prepaid physical SIM card for Egypt, and
• Prepaid virtual SIM card for Egypt

Here is the details of each type:

1. Prepaid physical SIM card in Egypt

Where to buy: In Egypt, you can easily purchase physical prepaid SIM cards from various mobile network providers. These are available at airports, convenience stores, vending machines, or official stores of local telecommunication companies.

What to prepare: To acquire a physical prepaid SIM card, you’ll need to present your passport for identification purposes. Make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the network frequencies used in Egypt. Afterwards, you can activate the SIM following the instructions provided by the provider and use it as usual.

These prepaid SIM cards typically offer various internet data, services, call, and messaging packages based on your preferences and choices when needed. To select the most cost-effective data package, you can compare between different available packages.

2. Prepaid Tourist Egypt eSIM

What is an eSIM: An eSIM is a digital SIM card embedded in your device rather than a separate physical card. It enables you to activate a mobile plan without requiring a physical SIM card. eSIMs can be provided and installed directly onto your mobile device by some local telecommunications providers specifically catering to travelers.

Where to buy: To obtain an eSIM in Egypt, you can check and search for providers on local websites and inquire if they offer services for tourists. Importantly, ensure that your phone is capable of activating and receiving an eSIM before attempting to register.

For accurate information on whether this service is available in your specific location in Egypt, try asking local residents or guides. If it’s not convenient, it’s advisable to use a local SIM card as they are easier to find and more widely available.

3. Comparing physical prepaid SIM cards and eSIM:

Both options provide optimal communication services for travelers in Egypt. Each type will have its own advantages and disadvantages. In our view, you can choose between the two methods based solely on whether your phone supports eSIM connectivity or not.

VI. Egypt eSIM – Best Alternative to Physical SIM Cards to Get Internet in the Egypt

Besides some popular methods like portable Wi-Fi, roaming, and physical SIM cards, eSIM has emerged as a perfect alternative to the inconveniences of these options, thanks to advancements in science and technology.

eSIM offers several superior benefits worth considering:

• Convenient Installation: With eSIM, you only need a QR code to activate it. There’s no need to disassemble your phone, eliminating the risk of losing your main SIM.
• Easier Network Switching: You can switch networks quickly without inserting a new SIM card, as one eSIM can store up to five virtual SIM cards. This also means you won’t need a SIM ejector tool to remove the old SIM.
• Multiple SIMs: eSIMs provide the same benefits as dual-SIM phones, allowing you to have two phone numbers on one device.

For the Egypt, GIGAGO offers multiple plan options with different dates, starting from 3GB/5 days for $7.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Egypt eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diverse, varying between $7.00 – $278.50 . Moreover, it does not matter how Internet user you are and how long your trip is in the Egypt, there will always be a suitable option for you in Gigago.

VII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in the Egypt?

The duration of a tourist SIM card in Egypt depends on the provider and the specific plan chosen. Typically, options include 7-day plans for short stays, 14-day plans for medium-length trips, and 30-day plans for longer visits. These plans generally offer varying amounts of data, calls, and texts to suit different needs.

It’s essential to check with providers such as Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, or Etisalat for details on validity, data limits, and other terms. Many providers also offer options to recharge or extend the validity of the SIM card, allowing you to adjust your plan if you need more time or data during your stay.

VIII. How to Use Egypt Prepaid SIM Cards and eSIM

1. Using prepaid Egypt tourist SIM Cards

After purchasing a SIM card in Egypt, activate and use it following these steps:

• Turn off your phone and remove the current SIM card, then insert the purchased SIM card.
• Place the Egypt SIM card into the correct SIM slot.
• Power on your phone and wait for it to establish a network signal connection.
• Complete the registration process and use the SIM normally. Contact the network provider if you encounter any issues.

2. Setting up and activating Egypt eSIM 

To use an eSIM in Egypt, follow these steps:

• Activate SIM: Access the eSIM settings on your phone, download the QR code, and scan the provided code. Follow the steps outlined to activate the SIM.
• Using the SIM: Once successfully activated, switch between different eSIM profiles and experience them on your device.

VII. FAQs

VIII. Conclusion

In summary, purchasing a SIM card in Egypt is highly recommended for travelers. This saves you from incurring charges for international roaming and costly fees for paid Wi-Fi packages. Some of the reputable SIM card providers we mentioned earlier will offer suitable options. You can buy them online, at the airport, or from local telecom stores. Being proactive ensures a smooth trip and easy connectivity.