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Travel eSIMs
Etisalat and du 5G across Dubai and Abu Dhabi — instant Burj Khalifa upload.
Plans from US$1.99
7 days
15 days
30 days
60 days
Compare data and validity. Buy in a few taps — no account required.
After payment your QR code is shown here and emailed to you. One tap installs the eSIM.
When you arrive, your phone connects to the local network automatically.
6 min read
The UAE blocks WhatsApp and FaceTime voice/video on local networks — but a travel eSIM still gives you fast du 5G data from about US$2. Here is what works, what does not, and which eSIM to buy before you land in Dubai.
Read guide →7 min read
WhatsApp text works in the UAE on any travel eSIM; WhatsApp voice, FaceTime and Skype are blocked at the network level by Etisalat and du — even on roaming. Here's what actually connects, the licensed alternatives (BOTIM, Google Meet), and how UAE compares to China.
Read guide →5 min read
A 10GB UAE eSIM at a few dollars costs less than two days of typical carrier roaming, and runs on du 5G across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Side-by-side cost breakdown for 2026 travelers, with WhatsApp-calling notes.
QWhich network do travel eSIMs use in the UAE?
AYonoSIM routes through du; Airalo publishes Etisalat (e&). Saily, Holafly, and Nomad do not publish their Emirati carrier at all. Both du and e& blanket Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, so for a city trip the practical difference is small — compare on price, validity, and refund policy instead.
Explore our regional and global eSIMs — packages start from the shown price and include coverage for the selected location.
QDo WhatsApp calls work in Dubai on an eSIM in 2026?
AWhatsApp and FaceTime voice/video calls are blocked on UAE networks — e& and du are required to block unlicensed VoIP, so a normal data eSIM cannot make those calls either. Text, photos, and voice notes work fine. For voice/video, use a UAE-licensed app like BOTIM, or connect over a VPN at your own discretion.
QWhich UAE carrier has the best coverage for tourists?
AThe UAE has two operators: e& (formerly Etisalat) with the widest 5G deployment, and du with excellent coverage across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and beyond. Both blanket the tourist areas. A YonoSIM eSIM rides du, which gives fast, reliable 5G data across every area a visitor is likely to spend time in.
QHow much data do I need for a Dubai trip?
AFor a 5–7 day Dubai visit, 10 GB covers Google Maps, Careem, social, and messaging comfortably; lighter users do fine on 5 GB. A 10 GB plan runs about US$28 and 5 GB about US$15 — still well below carrier roaming.
QCan I buy a travel eSIM after I arrive in the UAE?
AYou should buy and install it before you land. UAE regulations restrict the sale of travel eSIMs within the country, so purchase online and provision the profile at home — it activates on the first UAE tower handshake when you arrive.
4.8 average from 65 reviews
Data excellent. SMS would have been good :)Easy to install. Great signal great service, great price. Fabulous!!Good as isEverything worked very well. Even we have some restrictions about Esim registration in Turkiye, I could able to use it as soon as I landed in Denmark. And I got all the questions answered in a few minutes. I’ll be using it again and again for sure!설치가 간편하고 빠른 속도와 안정된 접속으로 여행 기간 동안 잘 사용 했어요.Worked well, stable fast. recommendationThe UAE's two operators, e& and du, both blanket Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and our eSIM rides du, whose gap to e& only shows well outside the cities. Buy and install before you land, since the UAE restricts selling travel eSIMs in-country; 10 GB covers a 5–7 day Dubai visit, and WhatsApp and FaceTime calls stay blocked on any UAE network, so use BOTIM for voice.
Our United Arab Emirates plans run on Du with 5G where the network has it; traffic exits through Europe. 20 plans, hotspot allowed on every one, activation within 180 days of purchase.
Full comparison with networks, prices by trip length and the brands we tested: Best eSIM for Dubai & the UAE in 2026 — Plus the WhatsApp-Call Fix
Regular prices, live from our catalogue; every plan below is one you can buy today. Plans ride Du (5G).
| Data | Price | Per GB | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | US$3.99 | US$3.99/GB | 7 days |
| 3 GB | US$8.99 | US$3/GB | 30 days |
| 5 GB | US$14.99 | US$3/GB | 30 days |
| 10 GB | US$27.99 | US$2.80/GB | 30 days |
| 20 GB | US$50.99 | US$2.55/GB | 30 days |
Compare against Airalo, Nomad and Saily — prices checked October 2026 →