- Home
- Destinations
- Middle East eSIM
Middle East eSIM
A 5 GB Middle East eSIM costs £41.99 for 30 days across 11 countries with 5G. Plans start at £11.99 for 1 GB. Delivered by email in seconds.
From Istanbul to Dubai, or Yerevan to Manama, one eSIM covers the whole route, from Turkey and Armenia through to the UAE and Bahrain. All eleven countries sit in one bundle, so you can move between them without swapping SIMs along the way.
- 5G and 4G
- 11 countries on one eSIM
- Top up anytime
- Instant email delivery
Your Middle East eSIM in two questions
Which Middle East eSIM plan fits my route?
Match your trip length and how much data you'll use, and the right plan is easy to pick.
- Istanbul and Dubai in three days: Fly from Istanbul (IST) to Dubai (DXB) with light use for maps, messages and rides. Your plan is 1 GB for 7 days.
- Yerevan and Baku in a week: Start at Zvartnots (EVN) in Yerevan and finish in Baku, with light use. Your plan is 3 GB for 30 days.
- Antalya to Abu Dhabi in a week: Start in Antalya and land at Abu Dhabi Zayed International (AUH), with standard use for social media, music and some video. Your plan is 5 GB for 30 days.
- Two weeks in Turkey and the UAE: Visit Cappadocia and Dubai with light use. Your plan is 5 GB for 30 days.
Turkey, the UAE, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Jordan and Oman are only in this bundle, while Iraq is only in the five-country Middle East bundle.
All 3 Middle East eSIM plans
Prices include any taxes. Price per GB shown so you can compare at a glance.
11 countries on one eSIM
Cross borders without changing anything: your eSIM switches to the local network in each country by itself.
| Country | Networks | Speed |
|---|---|---|
 UAE | Etisalat | 5G |
 Armenia | Beeline, MTS | 4G |
 Azerbaijan | Bakcell | 5G |
 Bahrain | STC, Zain | 5G |
 Israel | Hot Mobile, Partner, Pelephone, PHI Networks | 5G |
 Jordan | Umniah, Zain | 5G |
 Kuwait | Ooredoo, Zain | 5G |
 Oman | Omantel | 5G |
 Qatar | ooredoo, Vodafone | 5G |
 Saudi Arabia | Mobily, Zain | 5G |
 Turkey | Turkcell | 5G |
Good to know
- Data only: your own number keeps working for calls and texts
- Hotspot works where your phone and the network allow it
- Plans start when you first connect; install within 180 days
- Your data routes through United Kingdom or Norway, so some sites may show that country
- Top up the same eSIM any time, no new QR code
Which Middle East countries and networks does this eSIM cover?
One eSIM covers 11 countries, and 10 of them have 5G. Your phone switches to the local network by itself at each border, so you don't need to change anything.
The networks you'll meet in the places many travellers head to:
- UAE: Etisalat
- Turkey: Turkcell
- Israel: Hot Mobile, Partner, Pelephone and PHI Networks
- Saudi Arabia: Mobily and Zain
Your data reaches the internet through the United Kingdom or Norway, a normal setup for travel eSIMs. See the IP address help page for more.
How much data do you need in the Middle East?
Light: maps, messages, email (about 0.25 GB a day). Standard: plus social, music, some video (about 0.7 GB a day). Heavy: plus streaming, video calls, hotspot (about 1.8 GB a day).
3 days
- Light · about 800 MB1 GB · 7 days · £11.99 / €13.99 / $14.99
- Standard · about 2 GB3 GB · 30 days · £28.99 / €34.99 / $37.99
- Heavy · about 5 GBPick unlimited or top up
7 days
- Light · about 2 GB3 GB · 30 days · £28.99 / €34.99 / $37.99
- Standard · about 5 GB5 GB · 30 days · £41.99 / €49.99 / $54.99
- Heavy · about 13 GBPick unlimited or top up
14 days
- Light · about 4 GB5 GB · 30 days · £41.99 / €49.99 / $54.99
- Standard · about 10 GBPick unlimited or top up
- Heavy · about 25 GBPick unlimited or top up
30 days
- Light · about 8 GBPick unlimited or top up
- Standard · about 21 GBPick unlimited or top up
- Heavy · about 54 GBPick unlimited or top up
How to set up your Middle East eSIM
Install at home
On Wi-Fi, tap Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+), scan the QR code, or type the two codes from your email.
Switch on when you land
Turn on your eSIM line, choose it for mobile data and switch Data Roaming on for that line.
You're online
Your phone joins Zain and your plan starts. Check data left on your eSIM page.
Using one eSIM across the Middle East: tips
Eleven countries, one eSIM, and a few things to know before you cross.
- Set up before you fly: Install your eSIM at home, then keep data roaming switched on for the eSIM line at every border. Turn on data roaming shows you how.
- Apps to know: Turkey has Uber and BiTaksi, the UAE has Uber and Careem, and Bahrain has Careem. In Armenia, try Yandex Go or GG, and in Azerbaijan, Bolt or Yandex Go. WhatsApp is the messaging app in Turkey, the UAE, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Bahrain, with Telegram and Viber also in Armenia.
- Blocked services: In the UAE, WhatsApp and FaceTime voice and video calls are blocked, as are many other internet calling apps. In Turkey, social media can be slowed or restricted during major events.
- Keep your home number: Use your home number for calls and texts, and see how to keep WhatsApp alongside it.
- Top up on the go: Every plan can be topped up, so you can add data mid-trip if you need it.
Middle East eSIM questions
How much is an eSIM for the Middle East?
Middle East eSIMs start at £11.99 for 1 GB over 7 days. A 5 GB plan for 30 days costs £41.99. Prices include any taxes and show in pounds, euros or dollars.
Which countries does the Middle East eSIM cover?
One eSIM works in all 11 countries: UAE, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The full list with the network in each country is on this page.
When does my Middle East eSIM start?
Most plans start the moment your eSIM first connects to a network in the Middle East, so you can buy and install it at home before you fly. Install it within 180 days of buying.
Can I top up my Middle East eSIM?
Yes. Most Middle East plans can be topped up from your eSIM page in two taps, with no new QR code. The plan table on this page shows which ones.
Does it come with a phone number?
Every eSIMology plan is data only. Keep your own SIM switched on for calls and texts, and use WhatsApp, FaceTime or any calling app over your eSIM's data.
What if my plans change?
Cancel an eSIM you haven't installed within 30 days for a full refund to your card, in two taps from your eSIM page.
Does the Middle East eSIM work in Turkey?
Yes, Turkey is one of the 11 countries here, with Turkcell as its network. Social media can be slowed or restricted during major events there, so keep a backup way to reach people.
Can I use one Middle East eSIM for Turkey and the UAE?
Yes, both countries are in this bundle, so one eSIM covers both stops. Uber is a ride app in each, with BiTaksi in Turkey and Careem in the UAE. Dubai (DXB) and Istanbul (IST) are the big airports on the route.
Is Iraq included in the Middle East eSIM?
No, Iraq is not in this bundle. It is in the Middle East (5 countries) eSIM, a separate bundle with its own plans, so pick that one if Iraq is on your route.
Does the Middle East eSIM work in Israel?
Yes, Israel is one of the 11 countries in this bundle. Its networks include Hot Mobile, Partner, Pelephone and PHI Networks, so you can see which one your phone joins once you land.
Does the Middle East eSIM work in Armenia?
Yes, Armenia is one of the 11 countries here, with Beeline and MTS as its networks. In Armenia, Yandex Go and GG are the ride apps, and Telegram, Viber and WhatsApp are the messaging apps there.
Is there 5G on the Middle East eSIM?
Yes, in 10 of the 11 countries in this bundle. Check the phones page to confirm your handset supports 5G before you fly, as older models may not.
Can I make WhatsApp calls in the UAE on the Middle East eSIM?
No, WhatsApp and FaceTime voice and video calls are blocked in the UAE, along with many other internet calling apps. Botim is a locally licensed app for voice and video calls, so it is worth knowing about before you land.
Ready for the Middle East?
Buy now, install today, and your plan waits until you land. Full refund if not installed.