Saudi Arabia SIM cards are essential for tourists visiting the Kingdom, as they provide access to local cellular networks and data connectivity.
This article is written for tourists planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, aiming to help them choose the best Saudi Arabia SIM cards for their needs. It will cover the different types of SIM cards available, the top packages and prices, and where to purchase them, as well as alternatives like eSIM and recommendations on the best mobile networks for visitors.
In this article
YES, getting a SIM card in Saudi Arabia is highly recommended for travelers visiting the country.
Some advantages of getting a SIM card in Saudi Arabia can be named like:
When compared to other connectivity options:
► Our Recommendations:
There are two types of Saudi Arabia SIM Cards for tourists: prepaid physical SIM cards and prepaid tourist Saudi Arabia eSIM.
To help you understand about each type and make an informed decision on which to choose, we make a table comparing the pros and cons of each type for tourists in Saudi Arabia:
| Criteria | Prepaid Physical SIM Card | Prepaid Tourist Saudi Arabia eSIM |
| Convenience | Requires visiting a physical store to purchase and activate | Entirely digital process, can be purchased and activated online before your trip |
| Setup Time | Immediate activation upon purchase | Can be set up in advance, ready to use upon arrival |
| Device Compatibility | Works with any unlocked, compatible device | Requires an eSIM-enabled device, often with the latest phones |
| Plan Flexibility | A wider range of plan options and customization | Limited to pre-defined data-only or bundled plans |
| Cost | May be slightly more affordable for longer stays | Can be more cost-effective for shorter trips |
| Physical Presence | Necessary to visit a store to acquire the SIM card | No need to visit a physical location |
► Our Recommendations:
Good to know: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (Mar 2024)
Best Saudi Arabia SIM card plans for tourists are provided by major cellular network operators in this country, which are STC, Mobily, and Zain.
| Plan | Data | Minutes | Price |
| Sawa Captain | 15GB | Unlimited WhatsApp/Google Maps, 500 to all local | 97.75 SAR (~$26) |
| Sawa Hero | Unlimited | Unlimited local calls/SMS | 414 SAR (~$110) |
| Sawa Star Plus | 100GB | Unlimited local calls | 276 SAR (~$73) |
| Sawa Post Plus | 75GB | Unlimited within STC + 500 to other local | 195.5 SAR (~$52) |
| Sawa Share Plus | 30GB | Unlimited within STC + 500 to other local | 132.25 SAR (~$35) |
| Sawa Like Plus | 10GB | 500 to all local | 86.25 SAR (~$23) |
| Sawa Basic | 1GB | 100 to all local | 34.5 SAR (~$9) |
Insight: STC’s prepaid plans are a good choice for both short-term visitors and longer-term residents in Saudi Arabia.
| Plan | Data | Minutes | Social Media | Price |
| Prepaid 30 | 1GB | 100 | 1GB | 30 SAR (~$8) |
| Prepaid 75 (Special Offer) | 5GB + 3GB bonus | 500 | 5+3GB | 75 SAR (~$20) |
| Prepaid 110 (Special Offer) | 10GB + 15GB bonus | 1500 | 15+15GB | 110 SAR (~$29) |
| Prepaid 150 (Special Offer) | 20GB + 35GB bonus | 3000 | Unlimited | 150 SAR (~$40) |
| Prepaid 180 (Special Offer) | 50GB + 30GB bonus | Unlimited | Unlimited | 180 SAR (~$48) |
| Prepaid 220 | 100GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 220 SAR (~$59) |
| Prepaid 360 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 360 SAR (~$96) |
| Prepaid Weekly | 2GB | 100 | 2GB | 25 SAR (~$7) per week |
| Prepaid Daily | Unlimited | 50 | Unlimited | 20 SAR (~$5.33) per day |
Insight: Ideal for short-term tourists or visitors to Saudi Arabia. Offers diverse data, minute, and social media allowances to suit various needs. Special plans offer great value.
| Plan | Data | Minutes | Social Media | Price |
| Shabab Prepaid | 2GB | 100 | 2GB | 20 SAR (~$5.33) |
| 5GB | 500 | 5GB | 50 SAR (~$13.33) | |
| 10GB | 1000 | 10GB | 100 SAR (~$26.67) | |
| 20GB | 2000 | Unlimited | 150 SAR (~$40) | |
| 50GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 250 SAR (~$66.67) | |
| Zain Flex Prepaid | 3GB | 100 | – | 30 SAR (~$8) |
| 10GB | 500 | – | 75 SAR (~$20) | |
| 20GB | 1000 | – | 150 SAR (~$40) | |
| 50GB | Unlimited | – | 250 SAR (~$66.67) | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | – | 350 SAR (~$93.33) |
Insight: Zain’s Shabab and Zain Flex prepaid plans offer a nice balance of data, minutes, and affordability, making them a solid option for most tourists and short-term visitors to Saudi Arabia.
► Our Recommendation: Mobily seems to offer top SIM card plans for tourists in Saudi Arabia. Their prepaid packages provide great value with ample data, minutes, and social media allowances at competitive prices.
The Daily and Weekly options are convenient for short-term travelers. Moreover, Mobily’s eSIM service is ideal for setting up connectivity before arrival.
Tourists visiting Saudi Arabia have several places to buy a local SIM card to stay connected during their trip. The choice often depends on individual preferences and the timing of the purchase. Below are four ways for guys.
► Recommendation: For tourists in Saudi Arabia, it’s best to get an eSIM before your trip. You can start using the eSIM right away, avoiding the hassle of finding a physical SIM, which can take time, especially at airports. eSIM is the top choice for tourists in Saudi Arabia – convenient, affordable, and ready for immediate use.
Now, we will share some insights on choosing the right data volume for a prepaid tourist SIM card in Saudi Arabia. First, let’s talk about how much you can do with 1GB of data:
Now, let’s look at the different types of users and the data volumes they may need:
Tips:
Traveling to Saudi Arabia, get rid of the hassle of physical SIM cards and go for a convenient prepaid eSIM instead. Gigago’s eSIM for Saudi Arabia offers an easy way to stay connected during your trip.
Compared to other options like roaming, pocket WiFi, or free public WiFi, a Saudi Arabia eSIM has some cool benefits:
For Saudi Arabia, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 5 days with $5.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Saudi Arabia eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $5.00 – $54.50 .
Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Saudi Arabia, there is always an option for you with Gigago.
Choosing the right mobile network is crucial for tourists visiting Saudi Arabia. To help you make an informed decision, let’s explore the top Saudi Arabian mobile operators and their offerings.
► Recommendation: While Mobily and Zain are good choices with their strengths, STC stands out as the top pick for tourists in Saudi Arabia. Its network coverage, speeds, and industry reputation make it the go-to option. So, we’d say go with STC for your mobile service during your trip to Saudi Arabia – you’ll get reliable, high-performance service that’s well-known.
Let’s check out how to use prepaid SIM cards and eSIM for easy mobile connection in the Kingdom.
Getting a prepaid SIM card is a popular choice for travelers to Saudi Arabia. Here’s how to use one:
For a hassle-free option, try a prepaid Saudi Arabia eSIM. Here’s how to set it up:
Most Saudi Arabia SIM card providers do not require a passport to purchase a prepaid SIM card. However, some may ask for identification, so it’s best to check with the specific retailer.
You can top up your Saudi Arabia SIM cards by purchasing physical top-up vouchers from authorized retailers or by using an online recharge service provided by the telecom operator.
Yes, most Saudi Arabia SIM cards have an expiry date, usually ranging from 30 to 90 days. It’s important to check the expiry date and top up your SIM card before it expires to maintain active service.
Yes, you can use Saudi Arabia SIM cards for mobile hotspots or tethering, but the availability and data allowance may vary depending on your plan and network provider.
To sum up, Saudi Arabia SIM cards are a handy and budget-friendly way for travelers to stay in touch while visiting the Kingdom. Whether you go for a prepaid SIM card or an eSIM option, you’ll get reliable mobile connectivity, good data plans, and the freedom to use your phone without worrying about crazy roaming fees.
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