Orange Egypt SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists: How to Get and Activate

Claudia Anderson

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Latest update: August 2024

Orange is known as one of the largest telecommunications service providers in Egypt with extensive coverage. In this article, we will explore Orange SIM cards and eSIMs, including information on the network’s pros and cons, how to use their SIM cards and eSIMs, Orange’s best plans, and related frequently asked questions.

I. Quick Facts about Orange

Orange was the first mobile carrier in Egypt. Orange claims that its coverage extends to more than 99% of the Egyptian population. Orange currently has international roaming agreements with 348 operators in 135 countries. This makes it the first company in Egypt to establish roaming agreements with the United States and Canada, as well as South American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. Now, in Egypt, Orange is well-known for Orange SIM cards and eSIMs.

• Orange – formerly known as Mobinil, the oldest mobile network operator in Egypt
• Types of Services Provided: voice and data exchange services, as well as 4G, 3G, ADSL and broadband internet.
• Operational Areas: Only in Egypt
• Network of Stores, Agents, Sales Points: Airports, major towns, and some suburban areas in Egypt specifically.
• Customer Care Policy: Reputation for reliability, quality, highly rated.

II. Orange Coverage in Egypt

Orange in Egypt claimed to have an extensive network covering a significant portion of the country, including both urban and rural areas.

According to the statistical table from Opensignal below, it can be seen that Orange has the 3rd largest coverage in the top 4 largest telecommunications networks in Egypt, just behind Vodafone and We.

Also according to the above report, Orange is ranked just behind Vodafone and Etisalat in terms of available Wifi coverage speed, but surpasses Etisalat in terms of 4G network. This shows that Orange’s packet data coverage is rated quite well.

III. Orange Speed in Egypt

Among the many telecommunications networks in Egypt, Orange is recommended for tourists due to several advantages. One of these is the smooth speed of this network, which you may consider.

Comparing with other SIM card providers, we found a comparison table between the 3 largest Egyptian carriers as follows:

► Our recommendation:

Despite lagging behind Vodafone in terms of speed and coverage, Orange is still confident in claiming to cover up to 99% of the Egyptian territory. The cost for this service is also not excessively high, so you can definitely consider choosing it.

IV. Does Orange Have eSIM in Egypt?

Yes. Customers can purchase an eSIM directly from Orange Egypt by visiting a store or calling customer service. Alternatively, customers can also buy an eSIM from third-party providers online, such as Gigago.

V. Top Orange SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

Note: The denomination is converted based on the current exchange rate between EGP and USD, which is currently 1 EGP = 0.032$.

Please note that some of the mentioned packages are only suggestions based on the time of information gathering for this article. Actual information may change over time, and you may want to double-check on the Orange website for the most up-to-date details.

VI. Where to Buy an Orange SIM card?

There are five ways to purchase Orange SIM Card eSIM: Online purchase, Orange stores, Kiosk at Airports, Authorized retailers, Hotel & Tourists Areas.

► Our recommendation:

Currently, reputable online channels offer Orange SIM cards for travelers in many places. This is convenient for you before every trip. Additionally, if buying online is not convenient, try to inquire whether there are any nearby stores selling Orange SIM cards at your location. If not, you can purchase it directly at the airport.

VII. Where to Buy Orange eSIM for Egypt?

There are two main ways to purchase Orange eSIM: Buy online on a website or Orange mobile app, purchase directly at stores, authorized retailers in Egypt or kiosks at the airport.

► Our recommendation:

If you have time, please explore reputable online eSIM providers. We recommend the Gigago website, where you can find high-quality eSIMs at affordable prices. Because you won’t need to register as it is already supported by Gigago.  However, if you buy directly from others, you may need to go through more registration procedures.

VIII. How to Top-up Orange SIM/eSIM

To top up an Orange SIM or eSIM in Egypt, you can use various methods. Here are general steps for topping up your Orange mobile account:

• Visit the Orange top-up website: Go to the Orange top-up website at top-up.orange.com or transfertpays.orange.com.
• Choose the country: Select the country where the Orange SIM/eSIM is registered.
• Enter the beneficiary’s phone number: Provide the phone number of the beneficiary (the person who will receive the top-up) in the international format (+ country code + phone number).
• Select the top-up amount: Choose the desired top-up amount from the options provided on the website.
• Proceed to payment: Review the total cost of the top-up, including any applicable taxes or charges. Then, proceed to the payment section.
• Make the payment: Enter your payment details, which usually include credit card information or other specified payment methods.
• Confirm the purchase: Once you have entered the payment details, review the information and click on the “confirm the purchase of the refill” button to finalize the top-up process.
• Receive confirmation: After the payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation of the top-up via SMS to the beneficiary’s phone number.

► Our recommendation:

Please note that the steps for topping up your SIM card may change based on the latest network policies. To ensure you top up correctly, there are two options. One is to contact the network online and request guidance. The second is to inquire directly with sales staff when making a purchase at a store or kiosk and ask for more detailed assistance.

IX. FAQs

X. Conclusion

Orange has a coverage extending to 99% of the territory in Egypt, making it a network you should seriously consider when traveling here. Thanks to its comprehensive support for eSIM/SIM, reasonable costs, and straightforward activation procedures, Orange has many advantages in the eyes of users. If your device is compatible with eSIM, we highly recommend choosing this method.