Stay online in Saudi Arabia from the moment you land in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam. Install a data eSIM before you fly, keep your usual number for calls and texts, and use maps, ride-hailing and messaging from the arrivals hall onwards, whether you are here for business, Umrah or AlUla.
Saudi Arabia eSIM
Saudi Arabia eSIM plans
Every plan is data only, priced in US dollars, with no contract and nothing to return.
Our picks
Three plans we would buy ourselves, by the trip you are taking. Every plan we sell is listed below.
Short trip
10.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
7 days
A week or so away: maps, messages, rides and the odd video call.
$1.14 per GB
$11.99
Buy this planLong trip
22.5 GB
1.5 GB a day
15 days
Two weeks or more, with room for photos, streaming and work email.
$0.84 per GB
$18.99
Buy this planHeavy use
Unlimited data
7 days
You stream, work online or share your connection every day.
Full speed for the first 5 GB each day
$23.99
Buy this plan
Fixed data
One allowance for the whole trip, used at your own pace.
Daily data
A fresh allowance every day, slower above it until the next day.
Unlimited data
No cap on data, with a fair-use speed limit after heavy daily use.
Also covered by Global (170 countries)
One eSIM that also works in the other countries of the bundle, for a trip that crosses borders.
See every country in Global (170 countries)
No eSIM, no charge. If your payment goes through and we cannot issue your eSIM, we refund you in full. Refund policy
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Local networks. See which ones it uses in Saudi Arabia
Which Saudi Arabia plan fits your trip
Saudi Arabia has its own plans, and the global plans cover it too. The plan cards above show the days and data on sale:
- Daily data, 0.6 GB or 1.5 GB a day. Suits steady use: maps, ride-hailing, messaging and photos every day.
- Unlimited, 3 to 7 days. For heavy users and business trips with a laptop. A fair-use policy applies; the plan details say how.
- A one-day plan covers a stopover or a single day.
See fixed, daily or unlimited for how each type behaves.
Coverage across the Kingdom
Coverage is strong in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Khobar, in Makkah and Madinah, and along the main highways between the cities. It thins out in the open desert, in the mountains of the southwest and on long drives between towns. Download offline maps before a drive to AlUla, Hail or the Empty Quarter, and save hotel and permit confirmations to your phone.
Business trips and big events
Riyadh hosts large conferences and trade shows, and networks around the venues carry heavy traffic on show days. Install your eSIM before you fly, keep data spare for sharing a connection with a laptop if the venue Wi-Fi struggles, and carry a power bank.
Arriving at the airport
Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly. When you land at Riyadh King Khalid, Jeddah King Abdulaziz or Dammam King Fahd, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line only and keep it off on your usual SIM. You can then book a taxi or ride-hailing car, or message your hotel from the arrivals hall.
Crossing to the UAE, Bahrain or Qatar
A Saudi Arabia plan works in Saudi Arabia only. For a trip that continues to the UAE, Bahrain or Qatar, a global plan covers them all with one install; our eSIM for Dubai and the UAE guide covers the next leg.
How much data do you need?
A typical visitor using maps, ride-hailing, messaging and photos uses around 1 GB a day. Video calls, streaming and sharing your connection with a laptop use much more: an unlimited plan is the simpler choice for a business trip. Compare the cost with your own carrier in travel eSIM vs international roaming.
Networks in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has three main mobile networks: stc, Mobily and Zain. All three cover the cities and the main highways. A travel eSIM connects to one of them as a roaming partner, which is why data roaming must be on for the eSIM line. The partner network can differ from plan to plan, so check the plan details, or ask us at support@esimlounge.com before you buy.
How to install your eSIM
Install it at home before you fly, then switch it on when you land.
Check your phone
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. Most phones from the last few years do.
Scan the QR code
Scan the code from your email while you still have Wi-Fi at home. It takes about two minutes.
Switch on when you land
Turn on the eSIM line and data roaming for it. Keep your usual SIM for calls and texts if you like.
Saudi Arabia eSIM questions
Does the eSIM work in Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. Both cities are served by Saudi networks with good coverage. During Hajj and the busiest Umrah periods the networks carry very heavy traffic, so expect slower speeds at peak times.
Can I use it in the UAE or Bahrain?
A Saudi Arabia plan works in Saudi Arabia only. The global plans cover Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar with one install.
Do WhatsApp calls work in Saudi Arabia?
WhatsApp messaging works. The rules on voice and video calls over internet apps have changed over time, so check the current situation before you rely on app calls, and keep your usual SIM for an important call.
Will I keep my phone number?
Yes. Your usual SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts, and the eSIM carries your mobile data. Keep data roaming off on your usual SIM to avoid roaming fees.
When does the plan start counting days?
On most plans the days start when the eSIM first connects to a network in Saudi Arabia, not when you install it. The plan details say how yours works.
Saudi Arabia travel guides
Our guides for getting online there.
October 8, 2026 1 min read
Conference season guide: staying connected at the big events of October and November 2026
13 big events from Riyadh to Singapore in October and November 2026: verified dates and venues, and which eSIM coverage fits each one.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Riyadh in October and November 2026: FII10 and Cityscape Global eSIM guide
FII10 (Oct 26 to 29) and Cityscape Global (Nov 16 to 19) bring two big crowds to Riyadh. Venues, airport transfers, networks and staying online.
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