Etisalat Sim Card for Tourists and Price List (2026)

Etisalat is considered to be the most used telecom company in the United Arab Emirates, as it is an ancient brand here. This offers a variety of services, including mobile telephone packages, home internet, television, data packages, and international calls or roaming. Etisalat SIM Card for Tourists is a special type of SIM card available in a variety of price ranges. Tourist SIM cards are also free and can be purchased with plans and packages.

Among Etisalat’s most used services in the UAE are prepaid and mobile phones, which are used by millions of people. Tourist SIM cards can only be purchased by expatriates who do not have an Emirates ID and are not valid for residents of the UAE. This SIM card comes with a variety of packages that include free internet and free local and flexi calls. In this post, we will provide you with information about the Etisalat Tourist SIM card and its data, calls, and add-on packages.

Where to Buy an Etisalat Tourist SIM Card

Etisalat Tourist SIM is usually for a limited period, and you can buy the SIM at the Etisalat counter at any UAE international airport.

These SIMs come in different plans that suit your needs. You can activate these plans while purchasing the SIM card, which may also offer a free SIM as per current promotions. There are a few things you need to buy with this SIM.

You can choose the SIM card of your choice at popular airports in the United Arab Emirates:

1. Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Terminals 1, 2, and 3
2. Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
3. Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
4. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT)

Steps to Buy the SIM Card According to Your Needs

Select the Etisalat tourist sim card plan, which is available from AED 49.00 to AED 200. If you buy the given plans, Etisalat will offer you a Free SIM card, which will save up to AED 10. A free SIM card is also available with 1GB of free high-speed data for 24 hours’ validity. According to Etisalat, this SIM card is rechargeable, and you can activate packages and add-ons later after buying this SIM.

Here are all Etisalat Tourist SIM packages and plans available with prices and calling + data.

Flexi Calls	Data	Price AED	Price USD	Validity
30 Minutes	2GB	AED 49	Appr. $14	28 Days
30 Minutes	4GB	AED 79	Appr. $22	28 Days
100 Minutes	Unlimited	AED 200	Appr. $735	7 Days
120 Minutes	8GB 1	AED 125	Appr. $460	28 Days
525 Minutes	22.5 GB 2	AED 200	Appr. $735	28 Days
300 Minutes	Unlimited	AED 319	Appr. $87	14 Days
–	1GB	AED 0.00	$0.00	24 Hours

1. If you buy the 120 Minutes plan with 8GB of data, you will get free unlimited Wi-Fi for at least 5 hours in all UAE. ↩︎
2. When you buy the Tourist plan 525 minutes, you will also get 30 WIFI Hours that you can use in all the UAE where Etisalat Hotspots are available ↩︎

What are “Flexi Minutes“? This is a killer feature. These minutes aren’t just for local UAE calls. You can use them to call over 100 countries, including the US, UK, India, the Philippines, and many more. No need for a separate international calling card

These are packages that you can activate on any tourist SIM card, even if you have not purchased a free tourist SIM card. If you are on a budget or don’t want to make calls, you can opt for a free SIM plan.

This will give you free 1GB of internet, which can be used for the next 24 hours. You can activate calls or data plans by recharging this SIM when needed. I will recommend that you install the My Etisalat app on your phone, as it will help you activate and deactivate packages and know the active services.

What You’ll Need to Buy One (Requirements)

• You need a Valid Passport
• You must be 18 years old or older to buy a SIM Card
• Etisalat allows only 2 SIM card registrations on one Passport

When you enter the United Arab Emirates, you must present a passport and a visa. Without it, you will not be able to enter the country, nor will you be able to purchase a SIM card.

How to Activate Etisalat Tourist SIM?

Activating the Etisalat Tourist SIM card is a quick and easy process that you can do in a few minutes. If your SIM card is not activated, follow the instructions:

• Insert the SIM: Insert the SIM into your mobile phone or scan the QR code if you have an Etisalat eSIM card
• Restart Phone: Restart or Power ON your phone
• Open the dialer app: Dial this code *123*123#
• Enter Your Details: You will be prompted to enter your SIM information, your arrival date, your Passport number, or your date of birth. Follow any on-screen instructions.
• Confirmation: Once done, you’ll get a welcome SMS confirming your number and that the SIM is active.

That’s it! You’re online.

Don’t Forget the My Etisalat UAE App

Honestly, download this app from the App Store or Google Play. It’s a game-changer for managing your tourist SIM.

• Manage subscriptions, packages, and offers in one place
• Can recharge the SIM card with a debit/credit card
• Check balance and data usage in real-time
• First-time users often get a bonus 1GB of data just for installing it!

To know how to install the Etisalat app, follow the instructions below:

1. Get App: Download and install from the Google Play Store and the App Store
2. Register: Register your account by entering your mobile number
3. Enter PIN: Verify your account by adding the PIN code you received
4. Claim 1GB Gift: After completing all the steps, Etisalat can also provide you with 1GB of data the first time you use the app.
5. Now you can get and update all facilities, packages, and SIM information from the app.

Handy USSD Codes for Daily Use

Sometimes an app is too much. These quick dial codes are lifesavers:

• Check Main Balance: Dial *121#
• Check Data Balance: Dial *170#
• Check Active Packages: Dial *124*#
• Recharge with a Voucher: Dial *100*VoucherNumber#

When a new SIM card is issued to you, all the information, like SIM number, activation method, helpline, etc., will be given on its packaging. Try to save your number in your phone so you don’t miss it later.

Flexi Minutes Supported Countries:

Etisalat Network Speed & Coverage: What to Expect

You’re not buying a slow connection. Etisalat is a leader in speed.

• 5G Speeds: You can expect blistering download speeds, often over 330 Mbps. Perfect for 4K video streaming and instant uploads. This is available in all famous cities like Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and more…
• 4G/LTE Speeds: Even on 4G, speeds are very respectable, averaging around 46 Mbps, which is more than enough for HD video calls and navigation.

Coverage is excellent in all emirates and along major highways. You can know more about the Etisalat SIM card that is a good fit according to your needs or not by reading the guide, Etisalat vs du which is batter.

The Bottom Line: Is the Etisalat Tourist SIM Right for You?

If you are a tourist or on a short business trip, the answer is yes. It can be a great choice as it offers SIM purchase at the airport, 5G and faster internet, and all kinds of plans.

A Dh125 plan with 120 flexi minutes and 8GB data is best for most week-long holidays. If you’re on a tight budget, a free 1GB SIM is a great way to get the hang of things on your first day online.

Have a question about using your Etisalat SIM in the UAE? Put it in the comments below – we’re happy to help.