Product info
Dubai eSIM plans
| 3GB prepaid eSIM · 14 days | $8.49$2.83 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| Ohayu recommends5GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $11.49$2.30 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 10GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $18.49$1.85 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 15GB prepaid eSIM · 60 days | $24.99$1.67 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 20GB prepaid eSIM · 90 days | $31.79$1.59 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 50GB prepaid eSIM · 90 days | $67.49$1.35 / GB | Buy eSIM |
You can install your eSIM before the trip and activate it when you arrive in United Arab Emirates. Validity starts after eSIM activation.
Plan details
How much mobile data you need
What's the best eSIM for Dubai?
Dubai weekend – 3 GB
Maps, Instagram, and a backup to hotel Wi-Fi over 3-4 days.
A week away – 10 GB
Maps, social media, video calls with family back home.
Dubai + Abu Dhabi – 20 GB
Two cities in a week. One eSIM covers all of the UAE.
Remote work – 50 GB
Hotspot for your laptop, video calls from DIFC or the Marina.
Coverage and network
Honest about coverage
United Arab Emirates mobile networks
The UAE is ranked 1st globally for mobile download speed at 673 Mbps - 3.4× the speed of the US (197 Mbps) and 9× the speed of the UK (76 Mbps). Dubai is 539 Mbps download (rank 4 among cities worldwide). At those speeds a 10 GB plan drains faster than at home in most countries. (Speedtest by Ookla, June 2026)
Speedtest Global Index · Mobile · Dubai · June 2026
Download
539.18 Mbps
Upload
32.96 Mbps
Latency
17 ms
Global rank
#4 of 98
Real Dubai conditions
- Outdoors & malls: Coverage is generally available throughout the city, shopping malls, and tourist areas, though signal quality varies by location.
- Dubai Metro: Coverage is available in most stations and along the elevated tracks. Signal may vary in underground sections.
- Desert excursions: signal weakens 30+ km outside the city, but you'll have LTE for most tourist sites including Hatta.
How to install eSIM
Connected in 3 steps
- 01
Buy before you fly
Choose your data plan before your trip.
- 02
Download & install
Log in to your account, tap your eSIM, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 03
Land & activate
Activate when you arrive in United Arab Emirates. Turn on roaming for the eSIM and it connects to a local network.
Before you buy, make sure your phone supports eSIM — see Ohayu compatible devices list or dial *#06#. It's a free request to your phone's settings. If you see the EID number — your phone is eSIM-compatible.
Arriving in Dubai
Free Wi-Fi in Dubai
Left it until you landed? DXB has free Wi-Fi across all terminals - connect and set it up before you leave.
Side by side
Dubai eSIM Comparison
Indicative comparison based on publicly listed UAE plans as of May 6th, 2026. Competitor pricing and policies change - check their sites for current terms.
Frequently asked questions
Where to buy a SIM card in Dubai?
du and e& (Etisalat) both have kiosks at all three DXB terminals and at Al Maktoum (DWC), open 24/7. At T3, they're right ahead of you past customs. You'll need your passport. e& also runs a free 10 GB/24h eSIM via QR code on airport signage right after immigration - scan it, do facial recognition, and you're online in under 2 minutes. du hands out a free 1 GB/24h physical SIM at the kiosk or from immigration officers. If you'd rather skip the airport process entirely, a travel eSIM like Ohayu can connect you to supported networks like du or e& after you land.
Do I need to show ID to buy a SIM card in Dubai?
Yes. TDRA (the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority) is the UAE regulator with strict rules for all phone-number SIM cards. Decree No. 3 of 2003 requires tourists to register with a passport and a copy of the UAE tourist visa. Residents must use an Emirates ID. Tourists are limited to 2 SIM cards per operator, and tourist mobile lines are tied to the visa duration - with e&, the maximum tourist plan validity is 90 days to match the visa.
Travel eSIMs for the UAE, like Ohayu, are not subject to these regulations because they are data-only and no local phone number is assigned. Travelers can buy them online before the trip without showing any ID or visa copy.
Does the eSIM cover the whole UAE or just Dubai?
It covers the entire UAE - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and more. There's no Dubai-only plan; the page highlights the Dubai experience but the eSIM is UAE-wide.
Will it work at the Dubai Mall and indoor venues?
Yes - major malls, the Burj Khalifa, Expo City, and indoor attractions all have strong coverage. The UAE has some of the best indoor coverage in the world.
Does it work on the Dubai Metro?
Yes. The Dubai Metro has cellular coverage throughout stations and along the elevated tracks. It's one of the best-connected metro systems in the world.
Are VoIP calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime) allowed in Dubai?
VoIP regulations in the UAE can change. As of 2026 WhatsApp and FaceTime audio are available on licensed plans, but check current UAE TRA guidelines for the latest status.
Why isn't my eSIM working in Dubai?
Out in the desert on a dune trip, gaps are normal. Otherwise the usual cause is the phone still preferring your home line: pick Ohayu for mobile data, switch roaming on, then cycle Airplane mode. Failing that, chat and support@ohayu.com are open 24/7.
