اقرأ هذه الصفحة بالعربية

Last updated: 23 October 2026. stc visitor prices, eSIM details and numbering information were checked on this date; Mobily and Zain prices could not be confirmed and are marked. Check our Saudi Arabia travel status page for airport closures and government travel advice before you book.

Saudi Arabia has three mobile network operators, 5G in its main cities, and a growing choice of international eSIM providers. Whether you are arriving at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, transiting through Jeddah for Hajj or Umrah, or planning a road trip through the Empty Quarter, staying connected is straightforward once you know your options. This guide covers every way to get online in the Kingdom: physical SIM cards from stc, Mobily, and Zain, eSIMs from Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad, airport WiFi, VoIP restrictions, and the registration process for tourists.

Quick Facts

Saudi Arabia’s Three Mobile Operators

Three companies operate mobile networks in Saudi Arabia, and together they serve the great majority of users; smaller brands (MVNOs) use their networks. Each targets a slightly different segment, and the differences in coverage, pricing, and visitor packages are material enough to affect your experience.

stc (formerly Saudi Telecom Company) is the largest operator and is often recommended for coverage outside the cities, including rural communities, highway corridors and desert areas. For travellers heading to remote destinations such as AlUla, the Red Sea coast, the Empty Quarter for a desert safari, or the hiking trails of the Tuwaiq Escarpment, stc is the safest choice.

Mobily (the brand of Etihad Etisalat) is the second-largest operator. It offers competitive pricing and strong coverage in urban areas, particularly Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province. Mobily’s visitor packages are among the most generous in data allocation, and the company has a reputation for catering to international visitors, particularly those from South and Southeast Asia travelling for Hajj and Umrah.

Zain is the third operator and typically offers the lowest prices. Its coverage is solid in cities and along major highways but drops off in more remote areas. Zain’s website on 23 October 2026 referred to visitor packages named 35, 60, 75, 110 and 150; check the current prices in store or in the Zain app.

What Is the Best SIM Card for Tourists in Saudi Arabia?

The best SIM card depends on how long you are staying, where you are going, and how much data you need. For most tourists spending one to two weeks in Riyadh and Jeddah, any of the three operators will serve you well. The differences become significant only when you leave the cities.

If you are taking a road trip through rural Saudi Arabia, driving between Riyadh and AlUla, or exploring the desert around NEOM, choose stc. Opensignal’s 2023 Mobile Network Experience Report for Saudi Arabia rated stc strongly on availability; check Opensignal’s latest report for current results.

If you want a lot of data for a longer stay, compare stc’s Visitor 86 (51 GB and 5 hours of calls for SAR 100 over four weeks, stc website, 23 October 2026) with Mobily’s Visitors 90, which was listed in April 2026 at SAR 103.50 for 55 GB and 300 minutes over 30 days.

If you are on a short trip and want something quick and cheap, stc’s Visitor 26 gives you 6 GB and one hour of calls for SAR 31 including VAT over two weeks (stc website, 23 October 2026). Zain and Mobily may have cheaper entry packages; check at the counter.

If you do not want to deal with queues or physical SIM cards at all, get an eSIM before you fly. Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad all sell Saudi Arabia plans that you can install before you travel.

stc Visitor Plans and Prices

stc brands its tourist offerings under the Sawa Visitor line. These are prepaid packages designed for short-term visitors, including tourists, business travellers and Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, available at stc branches. You can also book a visitor number on stc’s website before you travel; stc says the booking is held for 30 days and that you must visit a branch on arrival to activate the number. Each package has its own activation code, and the packages can be managed in the mystc app.

stc says these prices include 15 percent VAT and that the offers expire on 27 December 2026. The call minutes can be used for local calls and for international calls to a list of countries that varies by package.

stc also sells regular Sawa prepaid plans aimed at residents; for most tourists, a visitor package is the simpler choice.

Mobily Visitor Plans and Prices

In April 2026 Mobily’s visitor line offered five tiers, ranging from a basic two-week package to a monthly plan with unlimited social media data. We could not load Mobily’s website on 23 October 2026, so the table below is the April 2026 listing; check current prices and activation steps at a Mobily counter. Mobily’s customer service number is 1100.

On the April 2026 listing, the Visitors 90 plan gave 55 GB and 300 minutes for SAR 103.50, which compared well with other visitor packages for stays of two weeks or more. You can also recharge using prepaid recharge cards sold in shops across the Kingdom.

Zain Visitor Plans and Prices

Zain sells a range of visitor packages. The plans this guide listed in April 2026 (Visitor 40 to Visitor 160) were promotions valid from January to April 2026 and have expired. When we checked Zain’s website on 23 October 2026, its general information referred to “Visitor packages (35, 60, 75, 110, 150)” and said a closed user group calling feature is available on Visitor 75, 110 and 150, but the page did not show prices or data allowances in a form we could read.

For current Zain visitor prices, check sa.zain.com, the Zain app, or a Zain counter at the airport or in a mall. Zain’s customer service number is 959 from a Zain line, or 0590000959 from other networks.

Should You Get an eSIM for Saudi Arabia?

An eSIM is a digital SIM embedded in your phone that you activate by scanning a QR code or downloading a profile. There is no physical card and no queue at the airport. Travel eSIM sellers say you can install their Saudi plans before or during your trip, so you can have data as soon as you land in Riyadh or Jeddah.

eSIMs are the right choice if your phone supports them (most phones released since 2020 do, including iPhone XR and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3a and later), you want data only (most travel eSIMs do not include a local phone number or SMS), and you prefer the convenience of pre-arrival setup over the potentially better value of a physical SIM from a local operator.

eSIMs are not the right choice if you need a Saudi phone number for local calls, your phone does not support eSIM technology, or you want the absolute cheapest option (local SIMs from Mobily and Zain can undercut eSIM providers on per-gigabyte cost).

Travel eSIM sellers market their Saudi plans as bought and installed online, without the in-store passport check that physical SIM cards require. We found no official Saudi statement on how the SIM registration rules apply to foreign travel eSIMs, so keep your passport with you and read the seller’s terms.

eSIM Provider Comparison

Several international eSIM providers sell dedicated Saudi Arabia plans. Each has a different pricing model and network partner, so the right choice depends on whether you prioritise price, unlimited data, or flexibility.

Airalo is one of the best-known travel eSIM brands. When we checked on 23 October 2026, its Saudi Arabia page listed stc as the network and offered both fixed-data and unlimited-data packages, with unlimited options from 3 to 30 days. Prices are displayed in the currency of the country you browse from, so compare them at the time you buy.

Holafly sells unlimited-data plans. On 23 October 2026 its Saudi Arabia price table ran from USD 13.50 for 3 days to USD 108.90 for 30 days, on the Mobily network. It says you can share up to 1 GB of data a day as a hotspot with other devices. If you stream video, upload content, or use data-heavy apps, an unlimited plan removes the worry of running out of data.

Nomad and Ubigi also sell Saudi Arabia eSIMs with fixed data allowances. We did not re-check their prices or networks for this update, so compare them on their own websites before you buy.

Where to Buy a SIM Card in Saudi Arabia

The easiest place to buy a physical SIM card has been the airport, where all three operators have had counters at the major international airports. Airport operations have been disrupted by attacks in 2026, so be ready to buy in a city branch instead.

• King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Riyadh — stc, Mobily, and Zain kiosks in the arrivals hall
• King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Jeddah — all three operators represented, including dedicated counters for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims during peak seasons
• King Fahd International Airport (DMM), Dammam — stc, Mobily, and Zain available
• Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED), Medina — all three operators, with additional staffing during Hajj and Umrah seasons

If you miss the airport kiosks or arrive late at night when they may be closed, you can buy a SIM at any official operator store. stc, Mobily, and Zain have branded stores in every major mall and commercial district in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, and Medina. You will also find authorised resellers in smaller towns. Avoid purchasing SIM cards from unofficial vendors, particularly around holy sites during Hajj and Umrah: SIM cards must be registered to your own identity, and a line registered to someone else can cause complications.

Smaller brands such as Virgin Mobile, Lebara, Salam Mobile and Jawwy also sell prepaid SIMs, though their airport presence is more limited. Jawwy is an app-based service, which can be convenient for travellers who prefer digital self-service.

How to Register and Activate a Saudi SIM Card

Saudi Arabia requires identity verification for SIM card activations. This applies to residents and tourists alike, and the operator’s staff handle it at the point of sale.

Here is what to expect when buying a tourist SIM card:

1. Hand over your passport at the operator’s counter. The staff will scan or photograph it.
2. Your border number (assigned at immigration when you entered Saudi Arabia) will be used to verify your identity. This number is typically printed on your visa sticker or entry stamp, or the staff can retrieve it using your passport details.
3. A fingerprint scan may be requested, though this is not always required for tourists.
4. The SIM card is usually activated on the spot.
5. Test your data connection and make a test call before leaving the counter.

The process is usually quick during quiet periods but can take much longer at peak arrival times, particularly at Jeddah airport during Hajj season. If you are arriving for Hajj 2026, factor in potential queues and consider getting an eSIM before departure as a backup. Our airport guide covers terminal layouts and kiosk locations at every major Saudi airport.

If you are travelling for Hajj or Umrah, ask your operator or travel agent whether any remote activation option is available for pilgrims; check the operator’s own website rather than relying on third-party sellers.

Which Network Has the Best Coverage in Saudi Arabia?

stc has the best overall coverage in Saudi Arabia, and the gap between stc and its competitors is most pronounced outside major cities. In Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, and Medina, all three operators deliver reliable 4G and increasingly 5G service. The differences become material when you travel between cities or venture into rural areas.

Independent testers such as Opensignal publish regular comparisons of the three networks; check their latest Saudi Arabia report for current results on speed and availability. In general, stc is the operator most often recommended for travel outside the cities, while all three perform well in urban areas.

For practical purposes, here is where each operator excels:

• Driving long intercity routes such as Riyadh to AlUla: stc is the usual recommendation, but expect gaps in remote stretches on any network. Holafly’s own page warns that coverage may be weaker or unavailable on routes around AlUla, in the Asir mountains and in parts of the Rub’ al Khali.
• Exploring the northwest coast: check coverage with your operator before you go.
• In Mecca and Medina during Hajj: all three operators add capacity, but expect congestion on every network.
• In Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam: any operator will work. Choose based on price and plan features.

Saudi Arabia’s 5G rollout is among the most advanced in the Middle East, and 5G is available in the main cities. If your phone supports 5G, you will likely connect to it automatically there.

Do WhatsApp Calls Work in Saudi Arabia?

This is one of the most common questions travellers ask about connectivity in Saudi Arabia. The short answer is: it is complicated, and the situation is evolving.

For years, Saudi Arabia restricted VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls, including WhatsApp voice and video calls, FaceTime and Facebook Messenger calls.

Some users in Saudi Arabia have reported that WhatsApp voice and video calls work on some networks at some times. We found no official announcement from the Saudi government or the CST of a policy change, and reports differ between networks and devices.

The safest assumptions for travellers in 2026:

• WhatsApp text messaging, photo sharing, and voice notes work without restriction on all networks.
• WhatsApp voice and video calls may or may not work, depending on your operator and timing. Do not rely on them as your only way to make calls.
• FaceTime is generally blocked on all Saudi networks.
• Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams work reliably for video conferencing, as these are considered business tools.
• Consumer Skype is no longer available: when we checked on 23 October 2026, skype.com redirected to Microsoft Teams.

Many travellers use a VPN. None of the UK, US or Canadian travel advice pages we checked on 23 October 2026 mentions VPNs, but using a VPN to access content that is itself illegal in the Kingdom can carry penalties, and VPN reliability varies.

If staying in touch by voice and video calls is important to you, buy a local SIM with a generous minutes allocation and use WhatsApp for text communication. This guarantees you can always reach people regardless of VoIP policy changes.

Hajj and Umrah Connectivity Tips

Mecca and Medina during pilgrimage seasons present a unique connectivity challenge. Millions of people converge on a relatively small geographic area, creating extreme network congestion around the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) and the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi).

All three operators deploy temporary cell towers and enhanced network capacity during Hajj, and the Saudi government coordinates with operators to ensure adequate coverage. Despite these efforts, speeds during peak prayer times and at Arafat can drop significantly, and calls may fail to connect.

Practical tips for staying connected during Hajj and Umrah:

• Buy your SIM card before reaching Mecca. Airport kiosks in Jeddah and Medina are less crowded than shops near the Haram.
• Consider carrying SIMs from two different operators (e.g., stc and Mobily) for redundancy. If one network is congested, the other may have capacity.
• Download offline maps of Mecca and Medina before the pilgrimage. Google Maps allows offline area downloads that work without a data connection.
• Set up your accommodation’s WiFi as a backup. Most hotels near the Haram offer WiFi, though quality varies.
• Avoid data-heavy activities (video calls, streaming) during peak prayer times. Text messages and voice notes use minimal bandwidth and are more likely to go through.
• Charge your phone fully before heading to the Haram. Network searching in congested areas drains batteries faster.
• Consider an eSIM as a backup data source if your primary SIM’s network becomes unusable.

stc says its visitor packages are designed for tourists, business travellers and Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Operators have also sold seasonal pilgrimage packages; ask at the counter what is on offer when you arrive.

Airport and Hotel WiFi

Saudi Arabia’s major airports have offered free WiFi, though the quality and ease of access vary. The details below were reported by travellers in early 2026 and have not been re-checked.

The catch at Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport is that the WiFi registration requires a Saudi mobile number to receive an OTP (one-time password). If you have not yet bought a SIM card, you will not be able to register. This is a strong argument for either getting an eSIM before you fly or heading straight to a SIM kiosk before trying to use WiFi.

Travellers have reported that Dammam’s King Fahd Airport WiFi does not require registration. Jeddah’s airport WiFi has received mixed reviews from travellers on forums, with some reporting connectivity difficulties.

Hotel WiFi across Saudi Arabia is generally adequate in four- and five-star properties, which is what most international visitors book. Budget and mid-range hotels may have slower or less reliable connections. If you are staying in an Airbnb or serviced apartment, check the WiFi speed in advance. Having a local SIM with data is a reliable backup regardless of accommodation quality.

Free public WiFi is available in some shopping malls and coffee chains (including specialty coffee shops in Riyadh), but coverage is inconsistent and speeds are rarely sufficient for anything beyond basic browsing.

Saudi Arabia Country Code and Calling Tips

Saudi Arabia’s country code is +966. All Saudi phone numbers are nine digits after the country code, consisting of a two-digit prefix (identifying the city or mobile carrier) followed by a seven-digit subscriber number.

When dialling internationally to Saudi Arabia, drop the leading zero from the local number. A Riyadh landline that is 011 456 7890 locally becomes +966 11 456 7890 from abroad. The same applies to mobile numbers: 055 123 4567 becomes +966 55 123 4567.

Key area codes: 11 for Riyadh, 12 for Mecca and Jeddah (Western Region), 13 for the Eastern Province (Dammam, Dhahran, Al Khobar), 14 for Medina, 16 for Qassim, and 17 for the Southern Region (Abha, Jizan).

Mobile prefixes by operator: 05X numbers are mobile. According to published numbering lists, stc uses 050, 053 and 055, Mobily 054 and 056, Zain 058 and 059, and smaller brands such as Virgin Mobile, Lebara and Salam Mobile use other 05X ranges. A number can stay the same if its owner changes operator, so the prefix is only a guide.

If you have a tourist SIM, incoming calls from abroad are free. Outgoing international calls are charged at rates that vary by operator and plan. If you plan to make many international calls, use a VoIP app over data (where available) or purchase an international calling add-on from your operator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my home SIM card and roam in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, but roaming is usually far more expensive than buying a local SIM or eSIM, especially without a bundle. stc’s cheapest visitor package on 23 October 2026 gave 6 GB for SAR 31 over two weeks, which is more data than many roaming day passes include. Check with your home operator before travelling, but in almost all cases, a local SIM or eSIM is cheaper.

Do I need to unlock my phone before travelling to Saudi Arabia?

Yes. If your phone is locked to a specific carrier (common with contract phones in the US and UK), it will not accept a Saudi SIM card. Contact your home operator to unlock your phone before travelling. eSIMs also require an unlocked phone. Most phones purchased outright or through manufacturers directly are already unlocked.

How much data do I need for a week in Saudi Arabia?

Usage varies a lot. Navigation, social media, messaging and light browsing use much less than video. If you plan to stream video, upload photos and videos, or use your phone as a hotspot for a laptop, choose a larger package. For a one-week trip, stc’s Visitor 47 (21 GB for SAR 55 over two weeks, 23 October 2026) is a mid-sized option; compare Mobily and Zain packages at the counter.

Can I top up my Saudi SIM card online?

Yes. All three operators support online top-ups through their apps (mySTC, Mobily app, Zain app) and websites. You can also top up using prepaid recharge cards sold in shops across the Kingdom.

Will my phone work on 5G in Saudi Arabia?

If your phone supports 5G and you are in a covered area (the main cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Mecca), it should connect to 5G. Check with the operator that your package includes 5G, and check your phone’s settings to ensure 5G is enabled.

Is there a SIM card limit for tourists in Saudi Arabia?

Each SIM must be registered to an identity, and operators may limit how many lines a visitor can register. If you need connectivity on multiple devices (phone, tablet, portable hotspot), consider an eSIM for one device and a physical SIM for another, or use your phone’s hotspot feature to share a single connection.

What happens if I run out of data on my Saudi SIM?

Your data connection will stop or be throttled to very low speeds. You can purchase additional data add-ons through the operator’s app, by SMS, or by buying and applying a recharge card. Operators sell data add-ons for prepaid lines.

Should I buy a SIM card at the airport or wait until I reach my hotel?

Buying at the airport is usually easiest, if the operator counters are open. The passport registration is handled on the spot, and you leave the airport with a working connection. Waiting until you reach your hotel means relying on taxi WiFi (unlikely) or being offline during your transfer. If you arrive very late at night when counters may be closed, or if airport services are disrupted, an eSIM installed before departure is the better option.

Latest news on this topic

• Saudi Civil Defense Issues 4th Riyadh Alert in October After Missile Intercept
• Riyadh Sends First Air Raid Alert to Eight Million Phones