# eSIM for travellers from the UAE: where you go and what it costs

> UAE travellers go to Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Oman most (WTTC, 2020). A 5 GB, 30-day eSIM costs $21.99 for Saudi Arabia, $10.99 for the United Kingdom and $21.99 for Oman, in US dollars. Delivered by email in seconds.

Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Oman lead the list of destinations for travellers from the UAE, according to the UAE Government portal, which cites WTTC data from 2020. A travel eSIM lets you add a data plan to your phone before you fly, with no physical SIM to swap at the airport.

- Shop: eSIMology (esimology.com), travel eSIM data plans
- Delivery: instant, by email and on the order page, with a QR code, a one-tap install link for iPhone (iOS 17.4+) and manual codes
- Checkout: guest checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cards; prices in GBP, EUR or USD including any taxes
- Refunds: an eSIM never installed can be cancelled within 30 days for a full refund to the card
- Plans are data only (no phone number); most start when the eSIM first connects at the destination
- URL: https://esimology.com/guides/esim-for-travellers-from-uae

## Where UAE travellers go

| Rank | Destination | Plan | Price | eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Arabia | 5 GB, 30 days | $21.99 | https://esimology.com/esim/saudi-arabia |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 5 GB, 30 days | $10.99 | https://esimology.com/esim/united-kingdom |
| 3 | Oman | 5 GB, 30 days | $21.99 | https://esimology.com/esim/oman |
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 5 GB, 30 days | $23.99 | https://esimology.com/esim/azerbaijan |
| 5 | France | 5 GB, 30 days | $8.99 | https://esimology.com/esim/france |

Ranking: UAE Government portal (u.ae), citing WTTC data on UAE outbound departures by destination, 2020 (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/passports-and-traveling/statistics-and-most-visited-destinations). Only a five-country ranked list is public. Shares of outbound departures: Saudi Arabia 30%, United Kingdom 17%, Oman 14%, Azerbaijan 6%, France 5%, rest of world 28%. The data is from 2020 (the Covid year). No newer official ranked list found. VisitBritain (2025) also names Saudi Arabia as the most visited destination for UAE travellers; GlobalData (2024) names Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Thailand and Austria as popular, unranked.

## Roaming from the UAE

| Carrier | Zone | Price | What it gives | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| du | GCC (Saudi Arabia on Mobily, STC, Zain) | AED 99 for 3 days | 10 GB data, valid 3 days from first use (Umrah and GCC data bundle) | https://www.du.ae/personal/mobile/roaming/detail |
| du | GCC (Saudi Arabia on Mobily, STC, Zain), unlimited | AED 199 for 10 days | Unlimited data, valid 10 days from first use (GCC data bundle) | https://www.du.ae/personal/mobile/roaming/detail |
| e& | Worldwide preferred partner networks (250+ operators in 130+ countries) | AED 100 for 7 days | Weekly roaming data pack, in-flight coverage included; validity starts on first eligible use | https://www.eand.ae/en/c/mobile/add-ons/roaming-weekly-data-pack.html |
| e& | Roaming data add-on | AED 35 a day | Daily roaming data add-on, charged only on days you use data | https://www.eand.ae/roaming.html |

Read 7 November 2026.

## Good to know

- e& blocks roaming data by default until you buy a pack, to protect you from high charges; packs can be bought free via *177# or the My Etisalat UAE app. (https://www.eand.ae/en/c/mobile/add-ons/roaming-weekly-data-pack.html)
- e& roaming packs are charged on purchase but the validity starts on first eligible use, and data is blocked on non-preferred roaming partners. (https://www.eand.ae/en/c/mobile/add-ons/roaming-weekly-data-pack.html)
- du's GCC bundles work only on the listed partner networks (for Saudi Arabia: Mobily, STC, Zain); calls on other operators are charged at standard rates. (https://www.du.ae/personal/mobile/roaming/detail)

## Which eSIM do I need for trips from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, the UK or Oman?

Heavy data users should compare eSIMology's daily allowances with its larger fixed plans, and each destination below has 5G where the network offers it.

- **Saudi Arabia:** eSIMology's [Saudi Arabia plans](/esim/saudi-arabia) run on STC. Saudi Arabia sits in both the GCC Countries and Middle East bundles, so a trip that also covers other GCC Countries is one option.
- **United Kingdom:** eSIMology's [UK plans](/esim/united-kingdom) run on 3 and EE. The UK & Ireland bundle and the Australia, UK & US bundle both include the UK, which suits trips that also cover Ireland or the US.
- **Oman:** eSIMology's Oman plans run on Omantel, and Oman is also in the GCC Countries and Middle East bundles, which suits a trip that takes in more than one country.
- **Azerbaijan:** eSIMology's Azerbaijan plans run on Azercell and Bakcell. Azerbaijan is in both the Middle East and Global bundles.

## What do du and e& charge to roam from the UAE?

Your home carrier charges extra for roaming, and what you pay depends on the pass you choose. Prices read on 7 November 2026.

du sells a 10 GB pass for 99 AED, valid 3 days from first use, as an Umrah and GCC data bundle. Its unlimited pass costs 199 AED and is valid 10 days from first use. Both work only on partner networks in the GCC zone, which for Saudi Arabia are Mobily, STC and Zain. Calls on other operators are charged at standard rates.

e& offers a weekly roaming data pack for 100 AED, valid 7 days from first eligible use, with in-flight coverage included, on preferred partner networks worldwide. Its daily roaming data add-on costs 35 AED per day and is charged only on days you use data. e& blocks roaming data until you buy a pack, which you can do by dialling *177# or in the My Etisalat UAE app.

Where home roaming costs extra, a travel eSIM gives you data for one price, and your home number stays on for calls and texts. If you use a lot of data, eSIMology's daily allowances and bigger fixed plans suit you. Heading to [Saudi Arabia](/esim/saudi-arabia)? See its plans first.

## Questions

### Where do UAE travellers go most?

Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Oman, Azerbaijan and France, in that order, according to UAE Government portal (u.ae), citing WTTC data on UAE outbound departures by destination.

### How much does roaming cost from the UAE?

du AED 99 for 3 days (GCC (Saudi Arabia on Mobily); e& AED 100 for 7 days (Worldwide preferred partner networks (250+ operators in 130+ countries)), from each carrier's own page, read 7 November 2026. A 5 GB, 30-day Saudi Arabia eSIM costs $21.99 for the whole trip.

### Can I keep my UAE number with a travel eSIM?

Yes. A travel eSIM from eSIMology is data only: keep your home SIM switched on for calls and texts (your carrier's own rates apply to those), and use WhatsApp, FaceTime or any calling app over the eSIM's data.

### Which currency do I pay in?

Pounds, euros or US dollars: pick yours at the top of any page. This guide shows US dollars. Cards from the UAE pay in US dollars and convert to AED at the card's own rate.

### Do I need an eSIM for a trip from the UAE to Saudi Arabia?

You don't need one, but a travel eSIM gives you local data without buying a roaming pack from home. eSIMology's Saudi Arabia plans run on STC, with 5G where the network offers it.

### Is roaming included on du in Saudi Arabia?

No, du sells roaming for Saudi Arabia as paid GCC passes, not as an included extra. The passes work only on partner networks there: Mobily, STC and Zain. Calls on other operators are charged at standard rates.

### Why is my e& roaming data blocked when I travel?

e& blocks roaming data by default until you buy a pack, to protect you from high charges. You can buy a pack by dialling *177# or in the My Etisalat UAE app. The pack is charged when you buy it, but its validity starts on first eligible use.

### Is there an unlimited data option for Saudi Arabia from the UAE?

Yes, du sells an unlimited GCC pass that covers Saudi Arabia on Mobily, STC and Zain. It is valid 10 days from first use. For heavy data use over a longer stay, eSIMology's daily allowances and bigger fixed plans may suit you better.