Description
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are popular for winter sun, shopping, family holidays, business trips and stopovers on the way to Asia and Australia. A UAE travel eSIM gives you mobile data from arrival, which helps with taxis, hotel transfers and finding your way around malls and districts that are spread far apart.
It sits beside your UK SIM, so your usual number stays in the phone for calls and bank texts. The eSIM provides data for maps, ride apps, metro times and messages to friends and family. Choose a plan for your trip and switch it on once you land.
Choose your United Arab Emirates data plan
There are 17 plans for United Arab Emirates. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.72 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £1.83 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £2.04 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £4.78 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £5.25 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £6.75 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £9.00 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £10.04 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £14.53 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £15.00 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £20.62 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £25.50 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £26.25 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £44.75 |
| 50GB – 30 days | £58.75 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £75.24 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £146.72 |
- Stopover: 1GB for 1 day for a single day out of the airport, or 1GB for 7 days for a stop of a few nights.
- Week of winter sun in Dubai: 3GB for 15 days or 5GB for 30 days.
- Business trip with heavy use: Unlimited for 5 days or unlimited for 7 days for video calls and email.
- Longer stays: 50GB for 30 days or 50GB for 90 days.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in United Arab Emirates.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in the UAE
Most UK flights arrive at Dubai International or at Zayed International in Abu Dhabi, with some using Sharjah. With data on, you can book a taxi or ride app, check Dubai Metro times and follow directions to your hotel.
Distances between areas are bigger than they look, and summer heat makes long walks hard, so most visitors rely on maps and ride apps. Data is also handy for booking desert trips and attraction tickets. In the desert, on dune drives and in the Hajar Mountains, signal can be limited, so share your plans with someone before you go.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in United Arab Emirates and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- UAE only: trips into Oman, including the Musandam peninsula, are not covered by this plan.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply to unlimited plans.
Questions
Can I make WhatsApp calls in the UAE?
Voice and video calls through some internet apps have been restricted in the UAE. Messaging generally works, but check the current position before relying on app calls.
Do I need a plan for a few hours in transit at Dubai airport?
If you stay airside, the airport Wi-Fi may be enough. If you leave the airport on a stopover, 1GB for 1 day or 1GB for 7 days keeps you connected.
When should I buy my United Arab Emirates eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
