6 Best SIM Cards for Egypt in 2024

Before setting out to view the renowned Pyramids of Giza, it may be prudent to procure a SIM card for use in Egypt so you can potentially stay connected through sending messages or checking emails. While disconnecting when exploring new places is often preferable, sometimes maintaining contact can prove useful. In those situations, forethought of acquiring a SIM card for travel may prove beneficial.

When accessing the internet in Egypt, you will find several possibilities but my personal recommendation is obtaining an Egyptian SIM card. I advise doing the same to utilize mapping apps, book last-minute lodging, and search online. Additionally, unfortunately data theft is a common issue in Egypt, so having your own SIM will help avoid public Wi-Fi networks and better protect your information.

In this guide, I’ll share the 6 best Egyptian SIM cards, including their advantages and limitations, so you can pick the one that suits your trip. That said, my top suggestion is the Holafly eSIM, which we use on all our travels abroad. We’ve never had any issues with it, but you can obtain our full Holafly review in our article.

Of course, a digital SIM card may not be suitable for your needs, or possibly you prefer a physical card that can be inserted into your device. In that scenario, SimOptions possesses the best mobile SIM cards for Egypt. I will provide more information about Holafly, SimOptions, and a few other local Egyptian SIM cards below, so keep reading!

How do SIM cards in Egypt work?

An Egyptian SIM card functions similarly to the one used locally. You can utilize your prepaid Egypt SIM card to browse the internet and, in some instances, place calls and send messages without additional expenses.

If an eSIM for Egypt, like the one from Holafly, is used, all that needs to be done is to scan the QR code to activate the card. However, if opting for a physical SIM, it’ll need to be inserted into the mobile device.

Regardless of which type of card you obtain, it’s important to check your phone’s compatibility since not all devices work with all cards. You can verify here to see if your phone is compatible with Holafly’s eSIM. If it’s not, and you choose to get a local SIM card in Egypt, you’ll have to double-check your device’s compatibility at the store.

Egyptian SIM card price comparison

I will examine the various Egyptian SIM cards in this guide, but briefly, here is a chart contrasting each card`s price, duration, and gigabytes of data.

After looking at the different prepaid SIM cards for Egypt, you’ll see that the Holafly eSIM card and the SimOptions SIM card are not the most affordable options, but they allow you to have them ready before your trip and are simple to install, which gives you more time to spend exploring Egypt. Both Holafly and SimOptions offer customer support in English, which is another huge benefit.

Another point I’d wish to bring up involves how an Egypt eSIM is convenient if you lack a dual-slot device. You can simply scan the QR code to gain access to the Internet, rather than removing your original SIM and replacing it with the Egyptian one. You can even purchase the digital SIM card in Egypt since it arrives via email.

I’m okay with spending a bit more for the benefit and increased tranquility that Holafly provides. However, I realize that some individuals favor a physical SIM card, or they might have an incompatible device. Most local SIM cards in Egypt commonly offer weekly and monthly plans, so you should have the ability to find one whether you’re taking a brief trip or staying in the country for a longer duration.

What is the best SIM card for Egypt?

The reaction to this issue truly relies upon what you’re searching for. If you don’t want to squander your vacation time browsing for local SIM cards in Egypt, then contemplate obtaining the Holafly eSIM. You’ll be paying a little more, but you’ll have high-speed internet and customer assistance in English, also you can purchase the international eSIM at home or in Egypt.

Travel cards can help you save a lot of money. Foreign transaction fees may seem modest, but they really add up in the long run, so a card with no charges for foreign transactions is essentially necessary for a frequent traveler.

Finally, if you don’t mind purchasing a SIM card in Egypt, you can always go shopping for one at a local store. To help you out, I’ll propose a few different options below.

1. Holafly eSIM, the best SIM card for Egypt

Firstly, the Holafly Egypt eSIM is tremendously convenient since activation can be completed promptly. After ordering on the website, an email containing a QR code will be received. Printing it or sending to travel companions facilitates Internet access upon scanning.

To assist your planning, here is a map of Central Park locating all the prime things to experience in Central Park previously mentioned, as well as nearby hotels and dining establishments.

If your device lacks the capability for dual SIM cards, then an electronic SIM is ideal as you won`t need to remove your original SIM. I also appreciate being able to order my Holafly eSIM even when abroad.

You can find out more details about this company in our assessment of Holafly, and if you click our connection, you’ll get a reduction on your Holafly eSIM. That being said, you should first check your phone`s compatibility here!

2. SimOptions SIM card, the best physical SIM card for Egypt

When I need a physical SIM card for travel, I get it through SimOptions. For those who like to plan in advance, SimOptions is a great choice because you can buy the Egyptian SIM card before your trip and have it delivered to your home. Just be sure to give yourself enough time since it takes up to three business days to receive your order. This is especially important because SimOptions doesn’t currently deliver to Africa.

If your device has twin SIM card slots, you can simply insert the Egyptian SIM card and gain access to the Internet. Otherwise, you’ll need to remove your original SIM and replace it with the Egyptian one. As you`ll still be at home, you can securely keep your original SIM so it does not become damaged or lost abroad.

Finally, SimOptions provides live chat and email support in English, so any issues can be addressed, ideally before your trip.

• Sicily: €50

3. Vodafone SIM, a popular SIM card in Egypt

When exploring local SIM cards in Egypt, there are a few available choices. One of the most well-known is the Vodafone SIM card for travelers in Egypt. Vodafone is a major telecommunications corporation, so it has a solid reputation as well as fairly good 4G coverage.

Furthermore, you can opt for different monthly plans depending on your data usage, though they all last 30 days.

A key advantage of the Vodafone SIM for Egypt is the ability to make both local and international calls. Additionally, customer support is provided in English, eliminating a major communication barrier.

The downside is activating this card requires going through a series of steps via text message or through the app, which can be inconvenient. It is advisable to request help from the store`s sales representative to ensure everything is working correctly

4. The Orange SIM card, another Egyptian SIM card for tourists

The Orange Network is another prepaid SIM card available in Egypt with many official retailers across the country. It offers very good coverage, so it is a decent alternative if an reliable internet connection is needed, either for remote work or staying in contact with family and friends.

Orange also provides customized plans for high data usage, as well as monthly subscriptions. I think this local Egyptian SIM card is a suitable option as long as you’re planning to travel for a month or more since there aren`t any programs shorter than 30 days. If you stay longer than that, you can renew your card without needing to purchase a new one, and Orange offers some free minutes of local and international calls.

5. Etisalat SIM, an alternative data SIM card for Egypt

Another well-recognized mobile SIM card in Egypt is the Etisalat SIM. Personally, this agency isn’t my initial choice since it’s a smaller operator with less country-wide coverage. In addition, you need to trigger the SIM card through text messages, so it can be a bit of a nuisance to get started.

Etisalat provides data packages specifically aimed at social media usage, though you also receive some complimentary local and international call time. Some of the cards can be renewed, while others expire after 30 days, so you`ll need to examine all the alternatives and select the one most appropriate to your needs.

Overall, this provider is popular. However, it requires extra steps just to access the internet. As a result, I suggest obtaining SimOptions or another local SIM card for Egypt.

6. WE SIM, a cheap SIM card for Egyptian Internet

The last Egypt SIM card that I want to recommend is the WE SIM. WE is a relatively new company that originated from Telecom Egypt, so it doesn’t have as many official stores, nor does it have coverage everywhere in Egypt.

One factor contributing to WE`s affordability in Egypt is that it provides some of the lowest-priced SIM cards. However, coverage and reliability may be less than other options, so this trade-off should be considered.

While this company offers low rates for one-month plans, you’ll obtain more value for your money with the 90-day plan, which comes with 50 GB of data. So, if taking an extended trip and cost is the most significant factor for you, it represents a decent option.

Where to buy a SIM card for Egypt

You have the option to independently explore the lava tube, or schedule this guided excursion, which also includes visits to Timanfaya, the Mirador del Río scenic overlook, and the Jameos del Agua destination, about which I will provide details next.

Buy an Egyptian SIM card before your trip

I strongly advise picking up an Egypt SIM card before leaving since any issues can be addressed ahead of the trip. Again, the Holafly eSIM is my top choice as it arrives directly in my inbox. I don’t have to swap out my phone’s original SIM card either since simply scanning the QR code activates the eSIM.

If you want or need a physical card, your best option is the Egyptian SIM card from SimOptions. Just remember that you must order your card before your trip, with sufficient time for delivery (1-3 business days).

Buy a SIM card in Egypt

The alternative is to obtain a SIM card in Egypt, either at the airport or at one of the endorsed retailers. There are unauthorized dealers throughout the country as well, but I do not advise utilizing those locations. Reports indicate those establishments sometimes prematurely deactivate service and fail to provide all the data amounts paid for.

If you were in that situation, I would suggest buying the international SIM cardat the airport since you’d already be there. That way, you wouldn’t need to waste time during your trip navigating stores around town looking for a provider. Of course, if you arrived when the airport shops were closed, the better choice may be ordering your card in advance from home to avoid any hassles.

When buying a prepaid SIM card in Egypt, you’ll need to present your passport to the associate. They will insert the card into your device, and then you should be ready to use it. Before departing, be sure to request that they switch the language of the notifications from Arabic to English.

I suggest taking a closer look at your available data using the codes on your phone that can connect to your provider. You may want to have the associate help with checking this, even though they may claim they are unable to. Sadly, some retailers will try to provide less GB of data than advertised, so if this happens, it`s best to cancel and go elsewhere instead.

How to activate an Egyptian SIM card

With an eSIM for Egypt, all one needs to do is scan the QR code to activate the SIM card. For a physical SIM card, it must be inserted into the SIM card slot of your device. You’ll have to remove your original SIM card first if you don’t have two SIM card slots.

Once you insert your physical SIM card, you’ll likely get a text telling you to configure it to your device. The salesperson can help with this process, so be sure you have internet access before leaving the shop.

Requirements for using a SIM card for Egypt

Purchasing a SIM card for Egypt isn’t too complex since it involves presenting your passport and selecting a data plan. The only thing to remember is that your phone must be unlocked and compatible with the network frequency in Egypt.

To check compatibility for local SIM cards, you`ll need to verify with the store. This is another reason why I strongly recommend Holafly in our review. To get the Holafly eSIM for Egypt, you can confirm that your device is compatible through this link. Be sure to use our code to save money on your Holafly purchase!

I hope this guide has alleviated any confusion you faced regarding obtaining Internet access in Egypt. I`m certain one of these Egyptian SIM cards will suit your trip, but if you have any inquiries or remarks, please share them below. I`d appreciate hearing from you!

Have an extraordinary time in the Land of the Pyramids!