Egypt Tourist SIM Card: Which One to Choose and What to Pay
Four carriers, indicative prices for October 2026, rules for buying at Cairo airport and a comparison with a tourist eSIM.
Short answer: tourists can buy SIMs from four carriers in Egypt: Vodafone, Orange, e& (formerly Etisalat) and WE (Telecom Egypt). You need a passport, and the phone’s IMEI is registered along with the SIM. According to travel reviews, starter packs with 20–70 GB cost 200–600 Egyptian pounds. If you do not want to queue after a flight, you can install a tourist eSIM in advance.
Which mobile carriers operate in Egypt?
Four companies provide mobile service:
- Vodafone Egypt — the best-known operator; reviews more often praise its coverage outside big cities and in resort areas.
- Orange Egypt — strong positions in large cities; monthly tourist packs are popular.
- e& Egypt (Etisalat) — part of the e& group (UAE); it has a visitor line with several 30-day packs.
- WE (Telecom Egypt) — usually the most budget-friendly option, but reviews say its coverage outside cities is weaker.
If you are going to a Red Sea resort (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, El Gouna), check the chosen operator’s coverage map on its website: not every hotel has good signal, and much depends on the area.
How much does a tourist SIM card cost in Egypt?
Operators often change their official prices and third-party reviews disagree, so the figures below are ranges from traveller reviews, checked October 2026. Confirm the exact price with the seller before you pay.
| Operator | Pack (guide) | Price, Egyptian pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | 20–60 GB | roughly 250–600 |
| Orange | 20–70 GB | roughly 240–550 |
| e& (Etisalat) | 25–75 GB | roughly 250–600 |
| WE | 20–75 GB | roughly 210–525 |
Some reviews give significantly different figures, for example expensive Vodafone packs quoted in dollars, so treat the table as a rough guide. Validity is usually 28–30 days, but check the exact period on the spot.
How do you buy a SIM at Cairo airport, and what do you need?
- Passport. Sellers register the SIM to your passport and may copy your passport and entry visa.
- IMEI registration. Reviews note that the phone’s IMEI is registered along with the SIM. Sometimes a fingerprint is requested.
- Where the kiosks are. According to reviews, in Cairo they are in the baggage reclaim area, not the arrivals hall. If you have already left that area, you will have to go back through passport control.
- Queues. From October to April the kiosks can be busy.
- Airport prices. According to reviews, city and airport prices for official packs are close, but there is no point waiting for a “better price” in town if you need a connection straight away.
- Check the SIM before you leave. Make sure the internet works while you are still at the counter.
Buying takes between 15 minutes and an hour. In resorts (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh) SIMs are also sold at operators’ shops in town.
Is a local SIM or a tourist eSIM better for travellers?
A tourist eSIM is a digital profile installed with a QR code before the trip. Our Egypt plans use Orange, Etisalat and Vodafone, with 5G on Orange, Etisalat and Vodafone.
| Criterion | Local SIM | Tourist eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Where to buy | Airport or shop in Egypt | Online, before the trip |
| Documents | Passport, possibly a copy of the visa | Email only, for the QR code |
| Time to connect | 15–60 minutes after landing | Installed at home, connects after landing |
| Price | Guide of 200–600 pounds per pack (range, October 2026) | From $3.59 |
| Egyptian number | Yes, you can call in Egypt | No, internet only |
| IMEI registration | Yes, at purchase | Not required |
| Main SIM | Needs a second slot or a replacement | Stays in the phone |
A local SIM is useful if you need calls in Egypt: booking a taxi, tours, contacting a guide. If messengers and maps are enough, an eSIM is more practical.
Which eSIM plan should you choose for Egypt?
- A week at a resort: photos, maps, messengers, music; a medium pack should be enough.
- Two weeks or more: choose a bigger pack or daily packs.
- A trip with several phones: most plans allow hotspot sharing; check the terms on the plan card.
You can buy a plan in advance and activate it within 180 days. On most plans the eSIM is topped up on the same line. Current plans:
| Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $3.59 |
| 3 GB | 1 month | $8.49 |
| 5 GB | 1 month | $11.19 |
| 10 GB | 1 month | $19.39 |
| 20 GB | 1 month | $32.29 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 7 days | $16.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 15 days | $32.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 1 month | $64.90 |
All plans for the country are on the eSIM for Egypt page.
How do you install an eSIM for Egypt: step by step
- Buy a plan and wait for the email with the QR code (usually within a few minutes).
- Connect to Wi-Fi at home or in your hotel.
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Scan QR code.
- Name the line “Egypt” and turn on data roaming for it.
- After landing, switch mobile data to the eSIM.
Details: how to install eSIM. You can check your phone in the compatible devices list.
What else is useful to know about mobile service in Egypt?
- Coverage. In Cairo, Giza, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh all operators have signal. In the desert, in Sinai and near remote temples in Upper Egypt the signal can drop, so download offline maps in advance.
- Roaming. Russian SIMs in roaming in Egypt usually work at high cost and unreliably, so for internet most travellers use a local SIM or eSIM. Check your operator’s terms.
- Hotel Wi-Fi. At resorts it is free, but the speed varies; maps and taxis need mobile internet.
- Taxi apps. Uber and Careem work in big cities and need internet; an Egyptian number is not required.
- What to take. Passport, unlocked phone, offline maps and some cash in case a card payment fails.
Is it worth getting a SIM at the airport?
If you land at night or with children, a queue at the kiosk is irritating. The advantage of a local SIM is an Egyptian number for calls to the hotel, the driver and the guide. If these contacts can be handled through messengers, most tourists are fine with an eSIM: it is installed at home and switched on after landing, with zero time spent in queues.
How much data do you need on a trip to Egypt?
For maps, messengers and taxis, 1 GB a day is enough. If you shoot and post a lot of video or watch streams, plan for 2–3 GB a day. Divide the pack volume by the number of days: a 20 GB pack for 7 days comfortably covers active use, while for 14 days you will need to economise. Local packs of 20–70 GB are designed for a month, so on a short trip most of the volume goes unused.
FAQ
Can you buy a SIM in Egypt without a passport?
No. All operators register SIMs to a passport. A tourist eSIM does not need a passport.
How much does a SIM card cost in Egypt?
Guide figures from reviews: 200–600 Egyptian pounds for a pack of 20–75 GB (range, checked October 2026). Exact prices change at the operators, so check on the spot.
Which operator is best in Egypt?
Vodafone is praised more often for coverage outside cities, Orange for working in big cities and WE for low prices. There is no single best choice; check the coverage map on your route.
Do voice and video calls in messengers work in Egypt?
According to traveller reviews, voice and video calls in some messengers may be blocked in Egypt, while text messages go through. This cannot be checked in advance; it depends on the app and the operator.
Do I need to register my phone?
When you buy a local SIM, the phone’s IMEI is registered too. When you use a tourist eSIM, no separate registration is needed.
Can I install the eSIM in advance?
Yes. Install the profile at home on Wi-Fi, and the connection switches on after landing. The plan can be activated within 180 days of purchase.
What if the eSIM did not install?
Check that the phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. If the profile still has not been installed, a refund is possible within 180 days; if it is installed but not activated, within 30 days.