How to buy a SIM Card at Hurghada International Airport 2024: Best Plans + Updated Price

Claudia Anderson

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Published: July 2024

Buying a SIM card at Hurghada International Airport is something many tourists are interested in when coming here. They wonder what procedures are needed, whether it is easy to carry out, and what the quality and cost are. In this article, we will show you how to buy a SIM card at Hurghada International Airport along with some related useful information about SIM card alternatives.

Buying a SIM card at Hurghada International Airport is something many tourists are interested in when coming here. They wonder what procedures are needed, whether it is easy to carry out, and what the quality and cost are. In this article, we will show you how to buy a SIM card at Hurghada International Airport along with some related useful information about SIM card alternatives.

I. Can I Buy a SIM Card at Hurghada Airports?

Yes, of course. You can choose to buy a SIM card at Hurghada Airport because this is a traditional method chosen by many tourists. However, you can consider further after viewing the following content:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hurghada Airport SIM cards

Buying a SIM card directly at the airport has many benefits, but it also comes with a few disadvantages for tourists that you should consider.

► Conclusion: In our opinion, if you urgently need a SIM card to use and have good finances for this category, you can choose to buy it directly at the airport. On the contrary, you can wait to buy from suppliers in the city.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Hurghada International Airport?

1. Buy online before departure and pickup at the airport

• This is a convenient and proactive way to buy before a trip for tourists. However, not all suppliers have this service and will usually sell directly in Egypt.
• Để tới điểm đón tại sân bay Hurghada, bạn có thể liên hệ trước nhà mạng cung cấp SIM cho mình và yêu cầu được đón tại điểm hẹn ở cửa hoa ra sân bay. Bạn có thể phải trả thêm một khoản phí chờ và đón nhưng sẽ tiện lợi và an toàn hơn khi bạn nhập cảnh. Hướng dẫn này sẽ dẫn bạn đến kiosk và giao dịch SIM đã mua trước đó cùng hướng dẫn kích hoạt và sử dụng.

What to prepare: You need to prepare your passport and personal documents before picking up at the airport counter. In addition, you need to prepare a letter or text message confirming your successful online purchase along with your order code that the supplier previously provided. A little extra cash may be needed for other service fees involved.

Cost: May be cheaper than buying directly. Buying online will have some promotions or discounts for visitors. You also have plenty of time to compare and consider many different providers and packages to choose the best package.

2. Buy at the airport upon arrival

To get a SIM card at Hurghada Airports, you can follow the most basic steps below:

• Landing: After landing at Hurghada airport, proceed with immigration procedures, pick up your full luggage and move to the main lobby or entrance.
• Look for telecom providers: In public areas of the airport, most have carriers scattered in small kiosks along the lobby and exits. You can easily see it.
• Choose a provider and package: Go straight to the provider’s counter or kiosk and ask the staff about your wishes. Each different provider will have different preferential packages, however there are 3 carriers in Egypt that we recommend: Vodafone, Etisalat, Orange.
• Prepare documents: Documents here include Passport ID or some accompanying documents for identity verification to register and complete the SIM card opening procedure. Most carriers require this.
• Buy and activate SIM card: After making payment, the counter staff will assist you in quickly activating it. In other cases, the SIM card may already be activated, just waiting to enter the code and use it.
• Install SIM: Insert the newly purchased SIM card into the available SIM slot in the device and activate it, wait for broadcast. If there is a problem, you can ask the staff for direct support.
• Top up and use: You can top up at the counter or top up using the online website, the network’s own payment application… and experience, make calls, and internet services after completing.

However, this method also has a drawback that you should keep in mind: if you land at night, the kiosks may be closed and it will not be possible to buy a SIM here.

III. How Much Does a SIM Card at Hurghada International Airport Cost?

You have 3 choices for providers which are Vodafone, Orange or Etisalat who all have a kiosk. Prices start from 8$ (for a very basic package and increase the more data and talk minutes you require). 

Below are reference SIM prices of the 3 largest Egyptian carriers for you:

Below are a few network packages for your reference:

1. Vodafone:

2. Orange:

3. Etisalat:

Note: Information about prices and plan features may change over time.

► Recommendation: Note that the price will depend on the provider, package, and time of year of purchase. The best way is to check and compare prices between providers before buying.

IV. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Hurghada International Airport – Registration Process

• To prepare for getting a SIM card at Hurghada International Airport, you’ll typically need to follow these steps:
• To prepare for getting a SIM card at Hurghada International Airport, you’ll typically need to follow these steps:
• Bring Your Passport: It’s necessary. Make sure to have your passport with you when purchasing a SIM card.
• Choose a Mobile Network Operator: Decide which mobile network operator you want to use based on factors such as coverage, data plans, and pricing. You can research their offerings online before arriving at the airport.
• Go to Mobile Operator Kiosk:=the kiosks or stores of your chosen mobile operator in the arrival hall or near the baggage claim area. Go there after arival upon. 
• Select a SIM Card: At the kiosk, choose the type of SIM card and the plan that best suits your needs. Ask the staff if you need. 
• Provide Your Passport: Present your passport to the staff at the kiosk. They will need it for the SIM card registration process, which is a legal requirement in Egypt.
• Registration Process: The staff will guide you through the registration process.  This information is used to register the SIM card in your name and activate it on the network.
• Payment: Pay for the SIM card and any chosen plan or package. Payment can usually be made in cash or by card, depending on the available options at the kiosk.
• Insert the SIM Card: Once you’ve completed the registration process and made the payment, the staff will provide you with the activated SIM card. Insert the SIM card into your phone, and you should be ready to use it.
• Check Activation: Make sure that the SIM card is properly activated and that you can make calls, send messages, and access the internet as expected. 

V. Egypt eSIM for Hurghada – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Hurghada International Airport

GIGAGO is an international eSIM provider for tourists with good prices, reputable quality and dedicated service. After choosing the eSIM you like, you just need to contact to pay and wait about 10 minutes and an activation QR code will be sent via email. Then you just need to scan the code and activate.

eSIM GIGAGO has many benefits for you such as:

• Good cost, comes with many incentives
• Some carriers come with packages for voice calling, domestic texting, and high-speed internet access
• Staff is ready to support 24/7 as soon as there is a necessary problem.

Gigago eSIM plans for Egypt: For Egypt, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 3GB GB for 5-14 days with $7.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Egypt eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $7.00 – $278.50 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Egypt, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VI. Where to Buy a SIM card Outside Hurghada International Airport?

In addition to buying a SIM card at the airport upon arrival, you can buy a SIM card outside the city: you can buy it at official stores of operators, you can buy it at convenience stores, you can buy it at gas stations. Some large hotels or convenience stores also provide this SIM card for tourists.

What to prepare:

• Passport or personal documents
• Cash or bank transfer
• Find out information about network operators and packages in advance

Cost: Ranging from $8 depending on package and provider

Location: At Egyptian telecommunications providers, telecommunications retail counters, shopping malls, gas stations, airports, ports or some large hotels are also available.

► Our recommendation: You should buy a SIM card online if possible and choose to pick it up at the airport after landing. Although this method will cost more than buying directly, you will not have to wait, there will be a guide and pick you up at your door. Additionally, another alternative is to use an eSIM if your phone is compatible. You can buy eSIM online for more convenience.

VII. FAQs

VIII. Conclusion

To sum up, if you need to make calls or access the internet urgently after landing, choose to buy a SIM card at Hurghada International Airport (HRG). However, the cost at the airport is quite expensive and requires a lot of complicated paperwork, so we do not encourage you to choose this method. Instead, you can choose to buy an eSIM, proactively buy it online before the trip, get off the plane and be able to use it and access the internet conveniently.