Prepaid SIM Card in Dubai: Price and Where to buy it
We are going to talk about the best Prepaid SIM card in Dubai (UAE). Keeping in touch is essential in this day and age and our friends, family or even our partner always want to know if we are well, even when you are travelling or living in Dubai. So nowadays, having data access on our smartphones wherever we are is almost key.
In this article, we will show you more alternatives to the “typical” DU or Etisalat SIM cards mostly used by locals (seen on marhabae.com). Check it out!
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Where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Dubai – UAE?
Looking for the easiest and most convenient way to buy the best SIM card in Dubai? We recommend that you turn to the Holafly online shop. With this shop, you can buy your SIM card from the comfort of your home. Moreover, access various benefits such as keeping your WhatsApp number, free delivery and many more.
Apart from Holafly’s online shop, you can also buy UAE SIM card at airports and shopping malls across the country.
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Buying a SIM card in Advance
As we already mentioned, buying before you travel, and especially buying from Holafly’s online shop, gives you access to a wide range of data, which we will look at below:
Unlimited 2G data
If you buy the Holafly UAE data SIM card, you’ll get unlimited internet access. And that’s for the duration of your trip. This means you won’t lose your WhatsApp connection. This is a great advantage, as you can stay in touch with your family and friends at all times. This SIM card also includes 6GB of data at 4G speed. This allows you to upload your photos to social networks or use Google Maps.
Avoid Covid
Due to the current health situation, it is best not to enter closed places with people. This includes airports, or worse, airport shops. This is why such shopping can be not only unproductive but also quite dangerous. Shops often do not respect the appropriate distances between people.
Easy to use
In some cases, the options offered by the Internet in the UAE are somewhat complicated to understand, activate or purchase. For example, in some cases, the mobile operators’ roaming service requires activation. If you don’t check in advance, this will be a bit complicated to understand.
However, with the United Arab Emirates SIM card from Holafly, all you have to do is wait until you arrive at your destination, then insert your SIM card when you land and you’re set. You can surf unlimited.
Sharing data with others
Like other much more expensive options that offer you Internet in the UAE (Pocket Wifi), the Holafly SIM card allows you to share data. This is via a private network that you can easily create from your mobile phone.
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Holafly Online Shop
As mentioned earlier, shopping at the Holafly online shop offers you several advantages. One of them is the ease of purchase.
Indeed, to buy sim card dubai online you just have to go to the official Holafly website. Select the UAE SIM card you want. Fill in the purchase form and once you are done, your SIM card will be on its way.
What are the benefits of shopping at Holafly? You get a host of benefits. These range from free delivery to 24/7 customer service.
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Buy the SIM card on arrival
Couldn’t buy your SIM card in advance? If you didn’t manage to buy from home here are the benefits you can get by buying on the spot.
More choice of products
Once you land at one of the major airports in the UAE, you will notice that there is a wide variety of shops. Here you can find a range of SIM cards to suit your needs.
Getting a SIM card at Dubai Airport
When you go through immigration control, you’ll get a surprise when you get your stamped passport back: you’ll find a SIM card inside! It is a SIM card from the operator Du.
We have visited about 60 countries, so this is the first time that getting a SIM card has been so easy!
This SIM card comes with 1GB of data which unfortunately is only valid for 24 hours, you’ll have to pay for the rest.
All you have to do is cut the SIM card to the size you want and insert it into your phone.
Once the SIM card is in your phone, you will receive an SMS asking you to verify your identity. The process is very simple, just reply to this SMS indicating your year of birth.
From then on your SIM card is usable and you can use the internet.
You will receive another SMS with your phone number and a link to download the Du application which will allow you to track your usage and buy extra credit to continue using your SIM card after the 24 hours offered.
Once installed, you need to follow several steps to create an account on the application:
- Enter your phone number
- Enter the verification code you receive by SMS
- Enter an email and a password
And that’s it!
You just have to click on “Top-up” to choose the plan you want, here they are (4AED = 1€)
| Tariff | Internet | Telephone | Duration of Validity |
| 49 AED | 2 GB | 30 minutes (local only) | 28 days |
| 99 AED | 6 GB | 30 Minutes (International + Local) | 28 Days |
| 139 AED | 10 GB | 30 Minutes (International + Local) | 28 Days |
| 189 AED | 20 GB | 30 Minutes (International + Local) | 28 Days |
| 299 AED | Unlimited | / | 10 Days |
You pay by credit card, using the application is easy and the credit is activated instantly. However, the display of the remaining credit on the application does not seem to work: I can use the internet, I received a confirmation SMS but the balance on the application remains at 0. The alternative to check the remaining balance is to use a special code (see below).
If you prefer, you can top up your SIM card from an ATM at the Du booths in the malls (here at Dubai Mall).
The speed is good even if it could be better in upload.
USSD codes to know with Du
USSD codes are simple combinations of keys to be entered to perform an action or obtain information.
You enter them and click on “call” just as if you wanted to call someone. A window will open with the answer or you will receive an SMS.
- Know your phone number : *116#
- Know your credit balance : * 135# then 1 (you will receive an SMS after about one minute)
- Buy packs (data, phone, …) : * 055# (you need to buy credit first)
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Etisalat shops in the UAE
Etisalat is the country’s largest telecommunications service provider. This makes it one of the best options if you want a stable internet connection while in the UAE. Etisalat shops are mainly located in shopping malls in the country’s major cities, such as Dubai.
You can also find this provider in airport shops. It should also be noted that Holafly cards will connect to this network. This will give you good coverage.
eSIM card for the UAE, the New Alternative
Couldn’t buy your SIM card in advance? Don’t want to spend so much money on services like roaming? Then use the new alternative to roaming, eSIM. To buy your eSIM, all you have to do is go to the Holafly eSIM page. Select the eSIM that suits you. Once you have selected it, you need to fill in the purchase form. Your eSIM will be emailed to you within seconds.
Advantages of eSIM for UAE and disadvantages of eSIM for the UAE
You don’t know the advantages of eSIM for your trip to the UAE? Don’t worry! Here are the pros and cons of eSIM UAE.
Benefits of eSIM for the UAE
Following are the some benefits of eSIM for UAE.
Don’t worry if you are in France or already in the UAE. The eSIM will be sent immediately to your email address, wherever you are. As it is a fully virtual service, your eSIM will arrive in your email in seconds.
The UAE eSIM allows you to keep your WhatsApp number. Your contacts will be able to send you messages and call you while you are travelling without any problem. All this without having to register another contact to do so.
With a private wifi network, your eSIM will allow you to share data with your friends. Just like a Pocket WiFi. But, the difference is that to share data with them, the only thing you’ll need to take with you is your mobile phone.
Disadvantages of eSIM for the UAE
Following are the some disadvantages of eSIM for the UAE.
Although eSIM has several advantages, the main drawback is its limited compatibility. Not all mobile phones are compatible with eSIM. It is mainly mid-range and low-end mobiles that are not eSIM compatible.
If you want to know more about this, please read Holafly’s list of compatible phones before you buy.
How much does eSIM cost in the UAE?
At the moment, Holafly only offers one tariff for your trip to the UAE. If you want to know more, please read the following table:
| Days | Amount of Data | Price |
| 15 | 6 GB | $61,08 |
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Frequently asked questions about the prepaid SIM card in Dubai
Check out some of the questions frequently asked about the Prepaid SIM card in Dubai.
What other Internet options are available in the UAE?
Roaming, Pocket Wifi and free WiFi are the most common options. However, they are not recommended. They are expensive and offer little security.
How much does roaming cost in the UAE?
The price of roaming depends on the operator you use. But it is usually between 6 and 12 euros per MB.
What do I need to know to choose the best UAE SIM card?
The main things to consider are how many days you will be in the UAE and how much data you need.
What do I do if my SIM card doesn’t work in the UAE?
If you have a Holafly SIM card, customer services will assist you at any time of the day. If your SIM card is of another brand, we recommend that you contact the company.
