How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Saudi Arabia?

Going to Saudi Arabia soon? As you take care of the final details, it's important to think about how you'll stay connected and get around during your travels.

To fully enjoy your vacation and avoid high roaming charges, think about replacing your UK SIM with a local Saudi Arabia SIM card. This way, you'll have the freedom to use essential travel apps wherever you are, without depending on Wi-Fi.

Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card. It can help you get ready for your stay in Saudi Arabia and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to Saudi Arabia from the UK?

A local Saudi Arabia SIM card can be a great way to save money, as your UK plan likely doesn’t cover international data or calls. Whatever plan you choose, it will likely be cheaper than paying the extra charges from your provider for using your phone abroad.

A Saudi Arabia SIM card keeps you connected, so you can easily share travel updates with friends and family. You won’t need to plan Wi-Fi breaks, and you'll have internet access all day. Plus, having apps like maps and translation tools available will make your trip smoother.

If you're still not convinced you need a Saudi Arabia SIM card, you could rely on international roaming instead. Networks such as VOXI or Virgin Mobile offer global roaming packages that include Saudi Arabia. Others, like Tesco Mobile, Sky or Three, charge roaming fees as you go.

How much does a SIM card cost in Saudi Arabia?

One of the most affordable Saudi Arabia SIM cards is the 40 SAR visitor package from Zain. For a larger plan, STC offers 70 GB of data and six hours of calls for 150 SAR.

When it comes to eSIMs, Airalo's £4.50 weekly plan is the most budget-friendly option. They also offer a £30 unlimited data plan that covers you for 10 days.

How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Saudi Arabia?

You can buy a Saudi Arabia SIM card at official provider stores in the cities and at the airport. Also, some operators and authorised resellers give you the option to order a SIM card in advance for delivery. This helps you avoid queues, but the selection may be limited.¹

Most providers don’t require a passport to buy a SIM, but since this isn’t always the case, it’s best to check with them directly. If you’re buying a Saudi Arabia SIM card in-store, the staff will activate it for you, so you can start using it right away. Some stores may only accept cash, so be sure to confirm beforehand if credit cards or debit cards are accepted.¹

Where can you buy a SIM card for Saudi Arabia in the UK?

Another possible solution is buying a Saudi Arabia SIM card before leaving the UK. However, you might not have as many options as when you’re buying in a Saudi Arabian store.

TravSIM has a prepaid SIM you could use for two weeks in Saudi Arabia. For £35, you get 10 GB of data you can use during your trip.²

Can you buy a Saudi Arabia SIM card at the airport?

Yes, you can buy a Saudi Arabia SIM card at multiple airports, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Carriers have kiosks or stores available for those flying into the country.¹

However, you might need to wait in line to purchase a SIM. Additionally, airport stores have limited inventory, so buying a SIM in the city could be a better option.

Best prepaid SIM cards for Saudi Arabia

Here are some of the best SIM card options for your vacation in Saudi Arabia.

STC

The biggest mobile operator in the country offers a variety of tourist SIMs called Sawa Visitor packages. They all include both data and call minutes and their validity ranges from two to four weeks.

The Sawa Visitor 35 is the most affordable plan, offering 5 GB of data and 60 minutes for 40.25 SAR. If you need more and plan to stay longer, the Sawa Visitor 130 is the largest plan they have. It costs 150 SAR and includes 70 GB of data and six hours of calls.

You can also book a Sawa Visitor SIM online, but you’ll have to activate it in one of their branches.³

Mobily

Mobily’s Saudi Arabia SIM card plans include Visitors 30, Visitors 50, Visitors 90, Visitors 100 and Visitors 150. The Visitors 50 plan is one of the more affordable options, priced at 57.50 SAR. This 14-day SIM offers 15 GB of data and 120 local and international minutes.⁴

The Visitors 150 monthly plan costs 173 SAR and includes unlimited social media data. On top of this, it offers another 40 GB of internet and 600 minutes for use during your trip.⁴

Zain

Zain offers two types of prepaid plans: Shabab and Flex. The Shabab packages have unlimited social media use and extra local minutes, while Flex plans have international minutes and additional data.

The Shabab 119 package is a mid-range plan offering 45 GB of data, 125 GB for social media and 600 local minutes. As the name suggests, it’s priced at 119 SAR and is valid for one month. The cheapest option is the Shabab 79 plan, which includes 15 GB of data, 25 GB for social media and 400 local minutes.⁵

Among the Flex packages, the Flex 59 is the most affordable. For 67.85 SAR, you get 300 international minutes and 6 GB of data for social media, plus 6 GB for general use.⁶

Zain offers Visitor packages as well, starting at 40 SAR. This two-week plan includes 6 GB of data and 60 minutes.⁷

Best e-SIM cards for Saudi Arabia

eSIMs are an even more convenient option than physical SIMs for avoiding roaming charges. You can buy one before you leave the UK and activate it upon arrival.

If your phone supports eSIM, here are some of the best options for Saudi Arabia.

Airalo

Airalo offers eight eSIM options for Saudi Arabia, starting at £4.50 for a 7-day plan with 1 GB of data. Prices go up to £41.50 for a 45-day plan with 25 GB of data. If you're looking for unlimited internet, their 10-day eSIM is available for £30, which is a pretty good deal.⁸

Zain

Zain also has eSIM versions of their prepaid packages. For instance, you could get their eSIM with 50 GB of social media internet and 30 GB of data for general use. This plan costs 113.85 SAR and it can be used for 30 days.⁹

Holafly

Holafly offers only unlimited eSIM plans. The longer the plan duration, the cheaper the daily rate becomes.

Their 1-day Saudi Arabia eSIM costs £7, but if you get a weekly plan, you’ll pay £24 in total. A two-week plan is an even better deal, costing £41.¹⁰

Each Holafly eSIM allows you to share up to 500 MB of your data a day via hotspot. If you’re travelling in a group, this can save you some money, since you won’t have to buy multiple eSIMs.¹⁰

Spend like a local in Saudi Arabia with Wise

While you’re choosing a Saudi Arabia SIM card for your trip, you might also want to check out options for holiday spending.

The Wise international debit card can be a convenient choice. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend and withdraw like a local in Saudi Arabia and 150+ more countries. You can also send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation or the like while still in the UK.

With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 23-Jan-2025