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This blog post will help you guys find out how to check if your phone works, get connected to mobile networks, and explore options that make it super easy to use your cell phones in Oman while traveling.
Best Oman SIM Cards for Tourists: 2024 Detailed Guide [+Internet & WiFi]
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Oman SIM cards are essential for staying connected during your visit to the stunning sultanate.
This guide helps tourists going to Oman by giving easy-to-understand details on Oman SIM cards – covering the top picks, costs, and where to buy them. By the end, you’ll know exactly which SIM card is right for you, making sure you stay connected easily and enjoy your trip more.
In this article
I. Where to Buy a Tourist SIM Card for Oman?
There are 3 main ways to get tourist SIM cards for Oman, and 1 optimal and alternative way as well:
- Buy a SIM card online before departure
- Buy at Oman airport
- Buy in the city
- Buy an eSIM (optimal way)
1. Buying Online Before Departure:
- How to buy: Order from Omantel or Ooredoo websites or online SIM card retailers. SIM card is delivered to your address.
- Where to buy: Omantel website, Ooredoo website, online SIM card retailers, …
- Pros: Convenient, plan options can be reviewed in advance, SIM card is ready upon arrival.
- Cons: Delivery time, potential shipping costs, may require address verification.
2. Buy Physical SIM at Oman Airports:
- How to buy: Visit SIM counters at the arrival halls of Muscat International Airport or Salalah Airport.
- Where to buy: Omantel and Ooredoo counters at arrival halls
- Pros: Convenient upon arrival, readily available.
- Cons: Potential queues, limited time to compare plans, might be more expensive than online options.
3. Buy Physical Oman SIM in the Cities:
- How to buy: Visit SIM stores or authorized resellers in various cities.
- Where to buy: City stores, authorized resellers
- Pros: Wide availability, assistance from staff, various plan options.
- Cons: Requires time to find a store, might be less convenient than airport or online options.
4. Buying an eSIM:
- How to buy: Through eSIM providers (to avoid registration scheme) then install it on your compatible device.
- Where to buy: a reputable eSIM retailers like Gigago
- Pros: Convenient, instant delivery, no physical SIM card needed.
- Cons: Requires a compatible device and limited data plans compared to physical SIMs.
II. What Are The Best SIM Cards for Tourists?
Good to know: 1 OMR = 2.6 USD (April 2024)
1. Best Oman Omantel SIM card Plans + Price
| Plan | Data Allowance | Validity | Price (OMR) | Price (USD) |
| Hayyak Liberty | 2GB | 7 days | 1 OMR | $2.60 |
| Hayyak Liberty Plus | 5GB | 7 days | 2 OMR | $5.20 |
| Hayyak Data Only 10GB | 10GB | 30 days | 3 OMR | $7.80 |
| Hayyak Data Only 20GB | 20GB | 30 days | 6 OMR | $15.60 |
| Hayyak Data Only 40GB | 40GB | 30 days | 10 OMR | $26.00 |
| Hayyak Tourist Pack 1GB | 1GB | 7 days | 2 OMR | $5.20 |
| Hayyak Tourist Pack 3GB | 3GB | 7 days | 4 OMR | $10.40 |
| Hayyak Tourist Pack 5GB | 5GB | 7 days | 6 OMR | $15.60 |
| Hayyak Aman 1GB | 1GB | 30 days | 2 OMR | $5.20 |
| Hayyak Aman 3GB | 3GB | 30 days | 4 OMR | $10.40 |
| Hayyak Aman 5GB | 5GB | 30 days | 6 OMR | $15.60 |
Insight: Omantel’s Hayyak prepaid plans offer plans from short-term tourist packs to longer-term data-only plans. The plans cater to both light and heavy data users.
2. Best Oman Ooredoo SIM card Plans + Prices
| Price (OMR) | Price (USD) | Open Data | Social | Call | Validity |
| 3 OMR | $ 7.8 | 3 GB | – | 50 Local Min | 1 Week |
| 4 OMR | $ 10.4 | 3 GB + Data Rollover | 2 GB | 100 Local Min | 4 Weeks |
| 5 OMR | $ 13 | 8 GB | – | 50 Local Min | 1 Week |
| 7 OMR | $ 18.2 | 7 GB + Data Rollover | 3 GB | 200 Local Min | 4 Weeks |
| 10 OMR | $ 26 | 12 GB + Data Rollover | 4 GB | 300 Local + GCC Min | 4 Weeks |
| 12 OMR | $ 31.2 | 18 GB + Data Rollover | 6 GB | 400 Local + GCC Min | 4 Weeks |
| 18 OMR | $ 46.8 | 30 GB + Data Rollover | 10 GB | Unlimited Local + GCC Min | 4 Weeks |
| 25 OMR | $ 65 | 60 GB + Data Rollover | 15 GB | Unlimited Local + GCC Min | 4 Weeks |
Insight: The Ooredoo Oman Hala+ Prepaid Plan offers various data options with validity ranging from 1 week to 4 weeks, including social media access and data rollover for unused data to the following month.
3. Best Oman Vodafone SIM card Plans + Prices
| Plan | Local Data | Social Pass | Entertainment Pass | Minutes & SMS | Validity | Price (OMR) | Price (USD) |
| Vodafone RED Elite | 20 GB | 10 GB | 5 GB | Unlimited | 4 weeks | 16 | 41.60 |
| Vodafone RED Pioneer | 40 GB | 20 GB | 20 GB | Unlimited | 4 weeks | 24 | 62.40 |
| Vodafone RED Explore | 15 GB | 10 GB | – | 500 | 4 weeks | 12 | 31.20 |
| Vodafone Start | 2 GB | – | – | 20 | 7 days | 2 | 5.20 |
| Vodafone RED Premium | 10 GB | 5 GB | – | 300 | 4 weeks | 8 | 20.80 |
| Vodafone RED Advance | 5 GB | – | – | 150 | 4 weeks | 4 | 10.40 |
Insight: The Vodafone RED Elite and Pioneer plans come with big data, social and entertainment access, and lots of international minutes, perfect for those who use a lot of data or often call other countries.
III. Do I Need to Buy a SIM Card for Oman Travel?
Yes, you should buy a SIM card for your Oman travel. Here’s why local SIM Cards are a good choice:
- Uninterrupted internet access
- Cheaper
- Saves money over time
- No need to search for Wi-Fi
- Smooth and easy experience
Continue reading to get more useful information about Oman SIM cards.
IV. What to Prepare to Buy Prepaid SIM cards in Oman?
When purchasing a prepaid SIM card in Oman, you will need to present your passport. The store will take a copy, and the SIM card will be registered to your name and passport number.
The registration process in Oman is quick and straightforward, typically taking only a few minutes. It operates on a plug-and-play basis, meaning you can insert the new SIM card into your phone and be online instantly, with no waiting period for activation.
If you prefer to avoid the registration process or do not wish to provide your passport for registration, consider purchasing a SIM card for Oman online. By opting for an international prepaid SIM card or an eSIM card for Oman, you can bypass the passport registration requirement and simply use an email address for activation.
V. What Types of Oman SIM Cards Are Available For Tourists?
There are two main types of SIM cards available for tourists in Oman: physical SIM cards and eSIMs. Both offer options for data only or data with voice and text capabilities. Let’s explore each type:
1. Prepaid Physical SIM Card in Oman
- Prepaid: You pay upfront for a set amount of data, voice minutes, and/or texts.
- Physical card: You need to insert the SIM card into your phone’s SIM slot.
- Options: Choose between data-only packages or packages that include data, voice calls, and text messages.
2. Prepaid Tourist Oman eSIM
- Prepaid: Similar to physical SIM cards, you pay in advance for your chosen plan.
- Digital: No physical card needed. You download and activate the eSIM directly to your compatible device.
- Options: Choose between data-only or data + voice and text packages.
- Compatibility: Only works with eSIM-compatible devices.
To help you see it clearly, let’s look at each feature of it below:
| Feature | SIM Card | eSIM |
| Format | Physical card inserted into your phone. | Digital, downloaded, and activated on your phone. |
| Convenience | Easy to find and purchase at airports or local shops. | Requires a compatible device and internet access for activation. |
| Flexibility | Can be easily swapped between devices. | Can be challenging to transfer between devices. |
| Cost | Generally affordable, with various data packages available. | Prices may vary depending on the provider and data package. |
| Availability | Widely available. | May have limited availability depending on your location. |
► Recommendations:
- For phones compatible with eSIM, choosing an eSIM with data only is convenient for internet and app calls.
- If you prefer a tangible card or need traditional calls and texts, a prepaid SIM card is a wise choice.
VI. Oman eSIM – Alternative to Physical SIM Cards to Get Internet in Oman
Say goodbye to the trouble of physical SIM cards and roaming charges – with the Oman eSIM from Gigago, staying connected while traveling is easy and affordable.
Here’s why the Oman eSIM is a great choice:
- Get online as soon as you land, with no need to find a store or wait for a SIM.
- Choose from different data plans to fit your needs, starting from very cheap options.
- Forget about high roaming fees and enjoy local rates for internet access.
- Easily manage your eSIM right from your phone, no physical SIM card is needed.
For Oman, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 3 days with $16.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Oman eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $16.50 – $66.60 .
Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Oman, there is always an option for you with Gigago.
VII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Oman?
The duration of a tourist SIM card in Oman depends on the carrier and the specific plan you choose. Here are some typical options:
- Omantel: Omantel offers tourist SIM cards that are usually valid for 10 days or 30 days. These plans typically include a combination of data, local call minutes, and SMS.
- Ooredoo: Ooredoo provides tourist SIM cards with validity periods of 10 days, 15 days, or 30 days. These plans come with various amounts of data, call minutes, and texts.
- Vodafone: Vodafone Oman offers tourist SIM cards that are generally valid for 10 days or 30 days, with different data and call packages.
In summary, tourist SIM cards in Oman commonly have validity periods ranging from 10 to 30 days, depending on the carrier and the specific plan you select.
VIII. How to Use Oman Prepaid SIM Cards and eSIM?
We will show you how to activate Oman prepaid SIM cards/eSIM right away!
1. Using prepaid Oman tourist SIM Cards
- Buy an Oman prepaid SIM card at the airport, hotel, or a retailer.
- Check if your phone is unlocked for a physical SIM card.
- Insert the Oman SIM into your device and activate it as prompted.
- Recharge your balance through local vendors or online.
- Use mobile data, calls, and SMS reliably in Oman.
- Watch out for roaming fees outside Oman.
2. Setting up and activating Oman eSIM
- Before your trip, get an Oman eSIM package from a trusted provider.
- Upon arriving in Oman, scan the QR code or download the eSIM profile from your provider.
- Activate the eSIM on your device by following the on-screen steps.
- With activation, you’ll get mobile data, calls, and SMS in Oman.
- Use the provider’s app or website to manage your eSIM and top-up.
- Enjoy!
IX. FAQs about Oman SIM cards
Do I need to show a passport/VISA to get a SIM?
Yes, you need to show your passport and visa when you buy a SIM. Bring them with you.
Can I make international calls with an Oman SIM?
Yes, you can call other countries with an Oman SIM by using the prefix 00. But, it might cost more, so consider using online calling apps for frequent calls.
How long can I use an Oman tourist SIM card?
Oman tourist SIM cards usually last about 5-10 days after you start using them. Some can last up to a month.
If I stay longer, can I keep using my Oman SIM?
Yes, you can add more time and data by going to a store for a top-up. You don’t need to register again.
X. Conclusion
In short, if you’re visiting or live in the area and need good mobile service, Oman SIM cards are a great choice. They help you keep in touch with friends and family and give you internet access while you’re in Oman. Choosing a local SIM card makes it easy to communicate and use the internet, ensuring you have a smooth and fun time in Oman.
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