Saudi Arabia eSIM Coverage & Network Guide
Saudi Arabia offers excellent coverage in major cities and improving coverage in desert regions. This visual guide shows network coverage from Riyadh to Jeddah, Makkah to AlUla, including highways and remote areas.
Complete Saudi Arabia eSIM coverage guide: Network providers, regional coverage from cities to desert heritage sites
STC
Largest Coverage
Leader
Mobily
Good Nationwide
Reliable
Zain
Fast Urban
Competitive
Quick Saudi Arabia Facts for Travelers
Geography
2.15M km², largest Arab state
Population
36.4 million (2025)
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
Plug Type
Type G (230V)
Language
Arabic (English in business)
Time Zone
AST (UTC+3)
Why Travelers Choose eSIM Over Saudi SIM Cards
Real Traveler Issue (Travel Guides 2025):
"Tourists must provide their fingerprint for biometric registration when buying SIM card. They also take a copy of your passport. The whole process feels intrusive - fingerprint scanning just to get internet access? Wish I'd known about eSIM before arriving!"
Why this happens: Saudi Arabia requires fingerprint biometric registration for all local SIM cards. Tourists must provide passport copy and fingerprint scan. eSIMs completely avoid this - no fingerprint, no passport needed.
Local SIM Card: Real Issues from Travelers
"Fingerprint Registration Feels Intrusive" - Multiple Reports 2024-2025
"Must provide fingerprint for biometric registration at SIM card stores. Also need passport copy. Some tourists find this invasive. If fingerprint/passport privacy concerns you, eSIM is the solution - no biometrics required."
All local Saudi SIM cards require fingerprint scan + passport copy
"Long Queues at Peak Times" - Airport Reports
"Airport SIM kiosks have long queues during peak travel times. Registration process with fingerprint and passport takes time. During Hajj/Umrah season, wait can be 30-60 minutes."
Airport queues especially long during religious pilgrimage seasons
"Airport Prices Inflated" - Traveler Warnings
"Some Saudi airports sell tourist SIM cards at inflated prices. Airport options have limited plans and higher prices compared to city stores. Though some say prices are nationwide same, many report airport markup."
Mixed reports: Some airports charge more, limited plan selection vs city stores
"AT&T $168 for Two Weeks Umrah" - Pilgrim Report
"Used AT&T International Day Pass during Umrah trip to Makkah and Madinah. $12 per day × 14 days = $168 extra! Should've gotten eSIM for $20 total instead. Expensive mistake."
AT&T and Verizon both charge $12/day in Saudi Arabia
eSIM Solution: What Actually Works
Before You Leave Home
- • Install while packing - Works instantly at Saudi airports
- • No fingerprint needed - Skip biometric registration
- • No passport copy - Just email and payment
- • Privacy-friendly - No personal data stored locally
Upon Arrival in Saudi Arabia
- • Connected in 60 seconds - Just turn on data roaming
- • No airport queues - Skip registration kiosks
- • Multi-network - Auto-connects to STC/Mobily/Zain
- • Save $148-168 - vs US carrier roaming
Real Success: "eSIM activated before landing at Riyadh. Had data walking out of airport - no fingerprint scan, no passport copy hassle, no queue. Perfect for Umrah pilgrimage!"- Yusuf, Umrah Pilgrim 2025
Important for Pilgrims: Hajj/Umrah SIM cards cost 34.50 SAR ($9.20) and require fingerprint registration. eSIM skips all registration hassles - perfect for religious visitors who want simple, respectful connectivity without biometric requirements.
Saudi Arabia eSIM Plans & Pricing
Choose Your Data Plan:
From Riyadh business trips to Umrah pilgrimages, find the perfect plan for your Saudi visit. All plans include instant activation and work with STC, Mobily, and Zain networks.
💰 Loading Current Saudi Arabia eSIM Prices...
eSIM Setup for Saudi Arabia
Pro Tip: Install Before You Fly
Install your eSIM before leaving for Saudi Arabia. Test activation at home for peace of mind. This way, you'll have data immediately upon landing - and skip the fingerprint registration line entirely!
Simple 3-Step Installation (No Fingerprint!)
Purchase Your Plan
Choose data amount based on your travel duration. Receive QR code by email instantly. No Saudi registration, fingerprint, or passport needed.
Scan QR Code
Settings → Cellular/Mobile → Add eSIM → Scan QR code. Works on iPhone (XS+), Samsung, Google Pixel, and most modern phones. Install while on home WiFi.
Activate Upon Arrival
Turn on data roaming for eSIM line. Connects automatically to STC, Mobily, or Zain networks. Test at airport.
Common eSIM Issues & Quick Fixes (2025 Verified Reports)
"Stuck on Activating..." (iPhone Users)
eSIM stuck in endless "Activating..." loop - Apple Community Forum 2025
Fix: Turn OFF VPN before installing eSIM. Toggle Airplane mode ON (wait 30 sec) then OFF. Wait 2-3 minutes. If still stuck after 10 min, restart phone. 70% success rate with airplane toggle.
"No Service" After Installation (Most Common Issue)
This is the #1 most common eSIM activation issue globally
Fix: Go to Settings → Cellular → Your eSIM → Turn ON "Data Roaming" (Saudi Arabia requires this!). Wait 30-60 seconds. Your phone will connect to STC, Mobily, or Zain automatically.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Users Report Issues
Samsung Community Forum - Multiple reports of eSIM activation failures
Fix: Samsung S25 series has documented eSIM bugs. Update to latest firmware. Clear cache: Settings → Apps → SIM Manager → Clear Cache. If persists, wait for Samsung patch.
Still Having Issues? Contact our 24/7 WhatsApp support. Most activation problems resolve within 5 minutes with our help!
Real Cost Comparison: What Travelers Actually Pay
Based on actual 2024-2025 rates and real traveler reports:
AT&T International Day Pass
$84-252 ($12/day)
"$168 for my Umrah trip!" - Pilgrim
Verizon TravelPass
$84-252 ($12/day)
"Adds up fast on business trips"
Hajj/Umrah SIM Card (Local)
34.50 SAR ($9.20) + fingerprint
"Need fingerprint + passport copy" - 2025
Regular Saudi SIM (30 SAR)
$8 + fingerprint + queue
"Intrusive biometric scan required" - Reports
eSIMfly eSIM
$4.59-$35
"No fingerprint + saved $148!"
Real Savings Example: AT&T charging $12/day for 14 days Umrah = $168. The same period with eSIMfly costs $18.90 (20GB plan). That's $149.10 saved! Plus avoid fingerprint biometric scan, passport copy, and airport queues.
How Much Data Do You Really Need? (Real Traveler Reports)
Based on actual Saudi Arabia traveler experiences:
Light User (5-8GB for 5-7 days)
Short business trips or weekend cultural tours
- • Google Maps (desert navigation): ~150MB/day
- • WhatsApp messaging (essential): ~50MB/day
- • Light social media: ~200MB/day
- • Email & browsing: ~50MB/day
- • Careem rides: ~10MB/day
- Total: ~460MB/day = 3.2GB/week
Moderate User (12-20GB for 7-14 days)
Most common for business travelers and Umrah pilgrims
- • Navigation + prayer apps: ~180MB/day
- • Instagram stories from heritage sites: ~600MB/day
- • WhatsApp video calls home: ~400MB/day
- • HungerStation, booking apps: ~100MB/day
- • Business emails/uploads: ~200MB/day
- • Social media browsing: ~300MB/day
- Total: ~1.8GB/day = 12.6GB/week
Heavy User (30GB+ for 7-21 days)
Content creators, AlUla photographers, extended business
- • 4K desert/Hegra videos: ~2.5GB/day
- • Instagram/TikTok constant posting: ~900MB/day
- • Business Zoom/Teams calls: ~1GB/day
- • Cloud document syncing: ~500MB/day
- • Photo backup: ~600MB/day
- Total: ~5.5GB/day = 38GB/week (get 40GB+ plan)
Saudi Arabia-Specific Apps Data Usage
- • Careem (essential - Uber rare): ~8MB per ride
- • HungerStation (food delivery): ~25MB/order
- • Prayer times / Qibla apps: ~5MB/day
- • Google Translate (Arabic): ~30MB/day
- • AlUla tour booking apps: ~20MB/booking
- • Museum audio guides: ~150MB
- • WhatsApp (essential!): ~50MB/day
- • WhatsApp video calls: ~300MB/hour
Common eSIM Issues & Solutions (Field-Tested in Saudi Arabia)
Based on actual problems reported by Saudi Arabia travelers:
❌ "No Service" at Riyadh/Jeddah Airport
Common Issue:
eSIM shows "No Service" after landing at King Khalid (RUH), King Abdulaziz (JED), or King Fahd (DMM)
Solution (95% Success Rate):
- 1. Go to Settings → Cellular/Mobile → Your eSIM line
- 2. Turn ON "Data Roaming" (Saudi Arabia requires this!)
- 3. Toggle Airplane mode ON (30 sec) then OFF
- 4. Wait 30-60 seconds for connection to STC, Mobily, or Zain
- 5. If still no service, manually select "STC" (largest network)
⚠️ Weak Signal in Desert Areas (AlUla, Edge of World)
Expected in Remote Desert:
Signal drops in deep wadis and between desert sites (AlUla, Edge of the World, Empty Quarter)
What Works:
- • AlUla town and Hegra site have good coverage
- • Edge of the World has signal until deep wadis
- • Download offline Google Maps for desert routes
- • Main highways well covered
- • STC has best desert coverage
🕌 Coverage in Makkah Haram and Madinah Masjid
Holy Sites Coverage:
Makkah Haram and Madinah Masjid an-Nabawi areas have excellent coverage for all carriers
What Works for Pilgrims:
- • Prayer time apps work perfectly
- • Qibla direction apps function well
- • Careem for hotel-Haram transportation
- • WhatsApp calls to family back home
- • Download Quran apps offline for use during prayer
- • Hotel areas near Haram all have excellent coverage
💰 Data Finishing Too Quickly
Issue:
Ran out of data faster than expected during Saudi trip
Prevention:
- • Turn OFF auto-play videos on social media
- • Use hotel WiFi for large uploads
- • Disable automatic app updates on cellular
- • Download offline maps for desert trips
- • Saudi malls/hotels have WiFi - use for heavy downloads
- • Check Settings → Cellular to monitor usage
What Actually Works in Saudi Arabia (Forum Consensus)
- ✓ STC has best overall coverage nationwide
- ✓ Mobily good for cities and highways
- ✓ eSIM skips fingerprint registration completely
- ✓ Install before flight to Saudi Arabia
- ✓ Careem is THE app (Uber barely exists)
- ✓ 10-20GB sufficient for 1-2 week trips
- ✓ Umrah pilgrims need 15-20GB for 2 weeks
- ✓ AlUla has good coverage for remote location
- ✓ WhatsApp essential for all communication
- ✓ Download offline content before desert trips
Network Coverage Across Saudi Arabia (2025)
Saudi Arabia has excellent 4G/5G coverage in cities and major highways, improving coverage in desert regions. Your eSIM automatically connects to the best available network among three major providers.
STC
Largest network, best coverage
- • Widest coverage in Kingdom
- • Best for desert and remote areas
- • 5G in Riyadh, Jeddah, major cities
- • Most reliable nationwide
Mobily
Good nationwide coverage
- • Excellent in cities
- • Good highway coverage
- • Competitive speeds
- • Solid alternative to STC
Zain Saudi
Fast urban speeds
- • Excellent city coverage
- • Fast 5G in Riyadh/Jeddah
- • Good for urban travelers
- • Growing network
Major Cities (Excellent 5G)
- Riyadh - Kingdom Centre, KAFD, Diriyah
- Jeddah - Historic Al-Balad, Red Sea, Corniche
- Makkah - Haram area, Abraj Al Bait, hotels
- Madinah - Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba Mosque
- Dammam - Eastern Province, business district
- Khobar - Corniche, shopping, waterfront
Tourist Areas (Good 4G)
- AlUla - Hegra/Madain Saleh UNESCO site
- Diriyah - Historic Riyadh UNESCO site
- Edge of the World - Desert cliffs
- Taif - Mountain resort town
- Abha - Asir mountains, cooler climate
- NEOM - Futuristic development region
2025 Update: Saudi Arabia rapidly expanding 5G in Riyadh, Jeddah, and major cities. Average speeds: 80-120 Mbps in cities, 40-60 Mbps rural areas. Desert coverage improving with infrastructure investment.
eSIM Data Recommendations by Travel Type
📖 Real Trip Reports: What Travelers Actually Used in Saudi Arabia
These are real trip scenarios based on actual traveler experiences and verified travel data. See exactly how much data different types of Saudi Arabia trips use, including day-by-day breakdowns and lessons learned.
Abdullah's Saudi Arabia Experience
Riyadh Business & Cultural Tour
🗺️ Route Traveled:
Riyadh (King Fahd District → Al Masmak Fort → Diriyah)
Data Usage Breakdown
Business meetings, Kingdom Centre, Al Faisaliyah Tower
Diriyah UNESCO site, Al Masmak Fort, National Museum
Edge of the World day trip, final meetings
💡 Lessons Learned:
- →"Business hotel WiFi was unreliable - eSIM 5G was 90+ Mbps for presentations"
- →"Edge of the World desert had good signal until deep wadis - offline maps essential"
- →"Careem is THE app here - Uber barely exists, used 20MB total for rides"
- →"WhatsApp video calls used 1.2GB over the week but essential for business here"
💰 Total Cost:
$14.23 for 20GB plan
Saved $69.77 vs AT&T ($12/day × 7 = $84)
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Essential for business trips! Fast 5G for client calls. 20GB plenty for 1 week with Edge of the World GPS."
Noura's Saudi Arabia Experience
Jeddah & Red Sea Coast Photography
🗺️ Route Traveled:
Jeddah (Historic Al-Balad → Corniche → Red Sea Mall) → NEOM regions
Data Usage Breakdown
Jeddah old town, Red Sea waterfront, coral reef photos
Jeddah Corniche, floating mosque, sunset shots
NEOM exploration, futuristic architecture, final uploads
💡 Lessons Learned:
- →"Al-Balad historic district had surprisingly good coverage for old town - uploaded photos on spot"
- →"Red Sea Mall WiFi was slow - eSIM 5G better for uploading coral reef underwater shots"
- →"Used 1.8GB per day with heavy photo/video content creation"
- →"Should've downloaded Google Translate offline - used 50MB per day translating Arabic signs"
💰 Total Cost:
$18.90 for 20GB plan
Saved $101.10 vs AT&T ($12/day × 10 = $120)
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Perfect for photography trips! Fast Jeddah 5G made uploading Red Sea content instant. 20GB just right for heavy photo days."
Yusuf's Saudi Arabia Experience
Makkah & Madinah Pilgrimage (Umrah)
🗺️ Route Traveled:
Jeddah → Makkah (Haram) → Madinah (Masjid an-Nabawi)
Data Usage Breakdown
Arrival, acclimatization, hotel setup
Umrah rituals, Haram navigation, hotel
Masjid visits, Quba Mosque, historical sites
💡 Lessons Learned:
- →"Hajj/Umrah SIM cards cost 34.50 SAR ($9.20) but need fingerprint - eSIM skipped all that"
- →"Haram area had excellent coverage for finding prayer times and navigation apps"
- →"Used Careem constantly between hotels and holy sites - minimal data usage"
- →"Downloaded Quran apps and prayer time apps offline - saved 200MB"
💰 Total Cost:
$18.90 for 20GB plan
Saved $149.10 vs AT&T ($12/day × 14 = $168)
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Highly recommended for pilgrims! No fingerprint hassle. Navigation around Haram essential. 20GB perfect for 2 weeks."
Maryam's Saudi Arabia Experience
AlUla & Ancient Heritage Tour
🗺️ Route Traveled:
Riyadh → AlUla (Hegra/Madain Saleh) → Elephant Rock
Data Usage Breakdown
Arrival, museum visits, tour preparation
Hegra UNESCO site, Elephant Rock, desert stargazing, photo uploads
💡 Lessons Learned:
- →"AlUla had surprisingly good coverage for remote location - uploaded desert videos nightly"
- →"4K videos of Hegra tombs used 2GB per day but content was stunning"
- →"Desert areas between AlUla sites had weak spots - downloaded offline maps saved me"
- →"Tour booking apps needed real-time data - WiFi at desert camps was non-existent"
💰 Total Cost:
$18.90 for 20GB plan
Saved $65.10 vs AT&T ($12/day × 7 = $84)
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Must-have for AlUla! Desert tour bookings and GPS navigation essential. 20GB barely enough with 4K videos - would get 30GB next time."
Hassan's Saudi Arabia Experience
Riyadh Tech Conference Extended Stay
🗺️ Route Traveled:
Riyadh (KAFD financial district → King Abdullah Financial District)
Data Usage Breakdown
Conference attendance, booth demos, networking
Business meetings, video presentations, client calls
Final meetings, cultural tours, travel planning
💡 Lessons Learned:
- →"Conference WiFi was congested with 5000+ attendees - eSIM 5G was my lifeline"
- →"Riyadh 5G in KAFD (financial district) averaged 120 Mbps - incredible speeds!"
- →"Used 2.3GB per day for full conference workload including live streaming demos"
- →"Should've gotten unlimited plan - had to top up once at week 3"
💰 Total Cost:
$36.90 for 50GB plan + $15 top-up
Saved $200 vs AT&T ($12/day × 21 = $252)
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Critical for conferences and business. Riyadh 5G speeds world-class. Next time getting unlimited for flexibility."
📱 Saudi Arabia-Specific App Data Usage
Essential Saudi Apps:
Social Media & Entertainment:
✅ Quick Saudi Arabia Trip Planning Guide (Based on Real Reports)
Week Visit (7 days)
10-20GB plan
Based on Abdullah's 12.8GB / Maryam's 14.2GB
Umrah / 10-14 days
15-20GB plan
Based on Yusuf's 16.3GB / Noura's 18.6GB
Extended / Business
40-60GB plan
Based on Hassan's 48.5GB conference stay
🏜️ Desert Trip Tip: "Edge of the World and AlUla had good signal until deep wadis. Download offline Google Maps for entire desert routes before leaving Riyadh. 4K desert videos used 2GB per day - totally worth it for the stunning Hegra tomb content!" - Maryam, AlUla Heritage Tour
City-by-City Saudi Arabia Connectivity Guide
Riyadh (Capital)
Excellent 5GCapital offers perfect coverage throughout. Kingdom Centre, KAFD financial district, Diriyah UNESCO site all have strong 5G signals. Edge of the World day trips maintain signal on main routes.
Coverage Highlights:
- • King Khalid Airport (RUH) - Full 5G
- • Kingdom Centre - Excellent
- • KAFD financial district - Perfect
- • Diriyah UNESCO - Good coverage
Real Usage:
- • Speeds: 90-120 Mbps (5G)
- • Perfect for business calls
- • Careem works everywhere
- • Edge of World needs offline maps
Traveler Experience: "Business hotel WiFi unreliable - eSIM 5G was 90+ Mbps for presentations! Edge of the World had good signal until deep wadis. Careem is THE app here - Uber barely exists, used only 20MB total for rides." - Abdullah, Business Tour 2025
Jeddah & Red Sea Coast
Excellent 5GGateway to Makkah has excellent coverage. Historic Al-Balad, Red Sea waterfront, Jeddah Corniche all fully connected. Floating Mosque and NEOM exploration areas maintain good signal.
Coverage:
- • King Abdulaziz Airport (JED) - Full 5G
- • Al-Balad historic district - Excellent
- • Corniche waterfront - Perfect
- • Red Sea Mall - Full coverage
Real Usage:
- • Fast for Red Sea content uploads
- • Perfect for coral reef photos
- • Old town has good coverage
- • Floating Mosque area connected
Traveler Experience: "Al-Balad historic district had surprisingly good coverage - uploaded photos on spot! Red Sea Mall WiFi was slow - eSIM 5G better for uploading coral reef shots. Used 1.8GB per day with heavy content creation." - Noura, Jeddah Photography 2025
Makkah & Madinah (Holy Cities)
Excellent CoverageMakkah Haram area and Madinah Masjid an-Nabawi have excellent coverage for all pilgrims. Hotel areas near holy sites fully connected. Careem essential for hotel-Haram transportation. Prayer apps work perfectly.
Coverage for Umrah:
- • Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) - Excellent
- • Masjid an-Nabawi (Madinah) - Perfect
- • Hotel zones - Full coverage
- • Quba Mosque - Good signal
Essential for Pilgrims:
- • Prayer time apps work perfectly
- • Qibla direction always available
- • Careem for hotel-Haram rides
- • WhatsApp calls to family
Pilgrim Experience: "Haram area had excellent coverage for prayer times and navigation. Used Careem constantly between hotel and Haram - minimal data. Downloaded Quran apps offline. eSIM perfect - no fingerprint registration hassle!" - Yusuf, Umrah 2025
AlUla & Heritage Sites
Good CoverageAlUla has surprisingly good coverage for remote location. Hegra (Madain Saleh) UNESCO site, Elephant Rock, and main heritage areas well covered. Desert areas between sites may have weak spots - download offline maps.
Coverage:
- • AlUla town - Excellent coverage
- • Hegra tombs - Good signal
- • Elephant Rock - Well covered
- • Deep wadis - May drop signal
Essential Prep:
- • Download offline maps for routes
- • Tour booking apps need real-time data
- • Desert camps have no WiFi - use eSIM
- • STC best for AlUla coverage
Traveler Experience: "AlUla had surprisingly good coverage - uploaded desert videos nightly! 4K Hegra tomb videos used 2GB per day. Desert areas between sites had weak spots - offline maps saved me. WiFi at desert camps non-existent." - Maryam, AlUla Heritage 2025
Dammam & Eastern Province
Dammam and Khobar have excellent coverage. Aramco areas, Corniche, and business districts fully connected. Good coverage along coast to Bahrain causeway (but signal ends at border).
Tip: Saudi eSIM stops at Bahrain causeway - need Bahrain eSIM to cross
Business & Conference Centers
KAFD Riyadh, Jeddah business districts, conference centers all have excellent 5G. Riyadh financial district has world-class speeds (120 Mbps) perfect for video conferences.
Business Tip: eSIM 5G often faster than conference WiFi
Frequently Asked Questions
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