Hi everyone, welcome back to another Dubai (United Arab Emirates) blog! In this blog, I’ll share everything you need to know about getting a SIM card in Dubai as a tourist — how to get one, the best options available, and my personal experience using it during my trip in July 2025.
These days, internet access is almost as essential as your passport when traveling. From booking cabs and checking maps to staying connected with friends and uploading your trip photos — you can’t go far without it. So, the first thing I do as soon as I land in a foreign country is get a SIM card.
Now, there are a few ways to get internet access in Dubai:
- Buy a local tourist SIM (new SIM in the destination country)
- Activate an international roaming plan with your home operator
- Get an eSIM online before your trip
Let’s break these down.
Get a SIM Card at the Airport
This is the easiest and most convenient option. As soon as you land and complete immigration, you’ll see telecom counters at the airport where you can buy a tourist SIM card. All you need to provide is your passport — they’ll take a photo and handle the activation process for you.
I personally landed at Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3 (which is where all Emirates flights arrive) and got a free DU SIM card right from the immigration officer! It came with 10GB of data valid for 24 hours — perfect for my first day.
The activation process was super simple. As soon as I inserted the SIM into my phone, I received an SMS from DU. To activate it, all I had to do was reply to that message with my year of birth (for example, typing “1990”). That completed the verification instantly, and the SIM got activated within seconds.
Interestingly, one of my friends’ SIMs took around 15–20 minutes to activate, but mine worked right away. It only included data at first — no calls — but that was fine for me initially since I mainly needed internet access right after landing.
Recharging the SIM Card
The next day, I decided to recharge the same DU SIM online instead of getting a new one. I did this through DU’s official website:
I chose the AED 99 plan, which included:
- 10GB of data
- 60 minutes of local and international calls
- Validity of 28 days
It was a bit expensive compared to city shops, but it saved me time and effort since I could do it all online from my hotel. Plus, the plan easily lasted me the entire trip.
The SIM started offering call time only after I recharged it. After that, I was able to make local and international calls without any issues.
Buying a SIM in the City
You can also buy SIM cards from telecom shops in the city, which are usually cheaper than airport prices. However, I personally don’t recommend this option because:
- You won’t have internet right after landing (which makes it harder to book cabs or contact your hotel).
- It’s not as safe — there have been reports of scams or misuse of IDs.
So for me, paying a little extra at the airport is worth the convenience and peace of mind.
Getting an eSIM Online
If you prefer to set everything up before traveling, consider getting an eSIM. Platforms like Klook offer Dubai eSIMs that you can purchase before you even land. Once you arrive, you just need to activate it and you’re good to go.
Just make sure your phone supports eSIMs before buying. One of my friends used an Etisalat eSIM via Klook and was very happy with the connectivity throughout the trip.
Du vs Etisalat – Which Is Better?
There are two major telecom providers in the UAE — DU and Etisalat.
I personally used DU throughout my trip, while my friend used Etisalat. Both offer solid coverage and speed, but if I had to pick, I’d choose DU again.
Even when I went for a desert safari in Dubai and traveled to Abu Dhabi, the connection stayed stable and fast. No connectivity issues at all, which was impressive.
Tips and Recommendations
- I recommend getting your SIM card at the airport — it’s quick, reliable, and safe. Think of the extra cost as a convenience fee.
- If you absolutely need to keep your local number active (for business calls or OTPs), go for an international roaming plan from your home operator — though it’s usually pricey.
- For tech-savvy travelers, an eSIM from a trusted platform like Klook is also a great choice.
- Always carry a SIM ejector pin, as you’ll likely need it.
- Take a photo of your SIM card package — it includes your phone number, plan details, and customer care info.
- Avoid buying SIMs from random local shops — they may be cheaper but can be risky and unsafe.
My Experience (Summary)
- Trip: July 2025
- Airport: Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3
- SIM: Free DU SIM from immigration officer (10GB for 1 day)
- Activation: Insert SIM → Receive SMS → Reply with birth year → Activated instantly
- Recharge: AED 99 plan via DU website (10GB + 60 mins, valid 28 days)
- Performance: Excellent connectivity in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Verdict: Super convenient and reliable — highly recommend DU for tourists
If you’re planning a trip to Dubai soon, I’d say get your SIM as soon as you land, stay connected, and enjoy exploring the UAE without worrying about internet access.
FlybyJournal 