When planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, one of the essential considerations for many tourists is keeping connected. Whether you’re navigating new cities, sharing your experiences on social media, or staying in touch with loved ones back home, a local SIM card can make your journey much easier. With a variety of mobile network providers offering competitive services, you’re sure to find a SIM card that suits your needs. Here’s our comprehensive guide to the top SIM cards for tourists in Saudi Arabia.

Top Choices

1. STC (Saudi Telecom Company)

As one of the largest and most popular telecom providers in Saudi Arabia, STC offers extensive coverage across the country. Their range of “Sawa” prepaid SIM cards come with a variety of data and call packages to suit different needs. Notably, STC also offers a “Visitor SIM,” specifically designed for tourists. This SIM comes with 2GB of data, 100 local minutes, and is valid for 28 days.

2. Mobily

Mobily is another major telecom provider in Saudi Arabia that boasts a variety of prepaid plans and data packages. Their “Visitor Package” is particularly appealing to tourists, offering a whopping 100GB of data, unlimited calls to all networks, and a one-month validity period.

3. Zain

Zain, another well-known telecom provider, offers broad network coverage and a variety of data and call packages. Zain’s “Visitor Package” includes 5GB of data, 500 local minutes, and 20 international minutes, and is valid for two weeks.

Other Noteworthy Options

4. Virgin Mobile

Internationally renowned Virgin Mobile operates in Saudi Arabia, offering a variety of flexible prepaid plans. Their plans comprise a mix of data, local, and international call minutes, and they also provide a user-friendly app for easy account management.

5. Lebara

Popular among expats and tourists, Lebara offers affordable international calling rates. Their “Lebara One” prepaid plans include local and international minutes, SMS, and data. You can choose from different packages depending on your expected usage and budget.

6. Salam

Salam, previously known as Etihad Etisalat, offers various prepaid plans with generous data and call allowances. Notably, their plans also include unlimited social media usage, making them a great option for heavy social media users.

7. Jawwy from STC

Jawwy is a digital mobile service provided by STC. It’s designed to be flexible and user-friendly, with an app that allows you to customize your plan to include your choice of data, call minutes, and SMS.

8. Yaqoot

Yaqoot, a prepaid service by Mobily, offers a variety of plans with data and voice services. Their packages are competitive, particularly in terms of the data allowances they provide.

When choosing a SIM card in Saudi Arabia, consider your specific needs, such as the duration of your stay, your data usage, and your budget. Remember to bring your passport when purchasing a SIM card, as it’s required for registration. It’s also advisable to check the official websites or local stores of these providers upon arrival for the most updated information, as offers and packages may change. With this guide, finding the right SIM card for your trip to Saudi Arabia should be a breeze. Enjoy your stay and stay connected!