Summary
The cheapest way to stay online in Egypt is a local tourist SIM. Vodafone, Orange, e& (formerly Etisalat) and WE all sell them at airport counters and in their shops; you need your passport. At the time of writing, a monthly tourist package with about 30 GB cost around 500 pounds (about $10). If you would rather not swap SIM cards, an international eSIM bought online before you fly is the easiest option, and roaming on your home SIM is the most expensive.
Plans and prices checked in October 2026; operators change them often.
Your Three Options
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Local tourist SIM | Lowest price, plenty of data, a local number for calls and WhatsApp | Needs a passport and a few minutes at a counter |
| International eSIM | Online on landing, keep your own SIM for texts from your bank | Your phone must support eSIM; costs more per GB |
| Roaming | Short stays, no setup | Usually the most expensive; check your provider’s Egypt rates |
Mobile Operators in Egypt
Egypt has four networks: Vodafone, Orange, e& (formerly Etisalat) and WE (Telecom Egypt). All four cover the cities, the Nile Valley and the Red Sea resorts well. Vodafone is often said to have the most consistent coverage in remote areas. Between towns, in the desert and on parts of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, any network can drop to a weak signal.
How to Buy a Tourist SIM
- Go to an operator’s official counter at the airport (Cairo, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh have them in arrivals) or to an official shop in town. Avoid people selling SIMs outside the terminal.
- Show your passport: every SIM is registered to the buyer.
- Choose a tourist package, pay, and ask the staff to install and test it before you leave the counter.
- Keep your home SIM somewhere safe, or keep it in the phone if your phone takes two SIMs or an eSIM.
Your phone must be unlocked to use another operator’s SIM. Check with your provider before you travel.
The 2026 Phone Rules for Visitors
Since 21 January 2026, phones brought into Egypt from abroad no longer have an automatic customs exemption when they are used with an Egyptian SIM. Visitors are still covered:
- If you use your phone with your foreign SIM or an international eSIM, nothing changes and nothing is payable.
- If you buy a tourist SIM with your passport, your phone is exempt for 90 days on each visit.
- Residents and long stays follow different rules and may need to pay through the official “Telephony” app.
For a normal holiday, there is nothing to do except buy the tourist SIM with your passport.
eSIM in Egypt
International eSIM apps sell Egypt data packages that you can install before you fly and switch on when you land, which is ideal if you arrive late at night. Egypt’s own operators have also started offering eSIMs. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. eSIM data packages usually do not include a local phone number, but WhatsApp calls and messages work as normal.
8-Day Cairo, Siwa and White & Black Desert Adventure
Planning the trip itself? Start here.
View This TripWi-Fi in Hotels, on Cruises and in Cafés
- Hotels: almost all have free Wi-Fi; speed varies, and it can be slow in rooms far from the lobby.
- Nile cruise ships: Wi-Fi is often limited to the lobby or sun deck and slow in the middle of the river. A local SIM is the better connection on board.
- Cafés and restaurants: many offer Wi-Fi; ask for the password.
- Desert camps: expect little or no signal. Download maps and entertainment in advance.
Useful Apps for Egypt
- Uber and Careem: fixed-price rides in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities.
- WhatsApp: how hotels, guides and our team will message you.
- Google Maps: download offline maps of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.
- Google Translate: download Arabic for offline use, and use the camera mode to read signs and menus.
- Your bank’s app, to watch card payments and fees.
Staying Connected Checklist
- Check your phone is unlocked and whether it supports eSIM.
- Decide on SIM, eSIM or roaming before you fly.
- Carry your passport to buy a SIM.
- Save your hotel’s and our team’s WhatsApp numbers.
- Also read money, cards and tipping in Egypt, our Egypt visa guide and Is Egypt safe?.
Egypt SIM Card FAQ
Which is the best SIM card for tourists in Egypt?
Vodafone, Orange, e& and WE all sell tourist SIMs with similar packages. Vodafone often has the most consistent coverage in remote areas; in the cities and resorts all four work well.
How much is a tourist SIM card in Egypt?
At the time of writing, a monthly package with about 30 GB of data cost around 500 Egyptian pounds (about $10). Prices change often.
Do I need to register my phone in Egypt as a tourist?
No. With a tourist SIM bought with your passport, your phone is exempt for 90 days per visit, and a foreign SIM or international eSIM needs nothing at all.
Can I buy a SIM card at Cairo airport?
Yes. Vodafone, Orange and e& have counters in the arrival halls. Bring your passport, and buy only at an official counter.
Does WhatsApp work in Egypt?
Yes. WhatsApp messages work normally and are the usual way to contact hotels, guides and drivers.
Plan Your Egypt Trip
- Before you go: the complete guide
- Best time to visit Egypt
- Egypt visa: e-Visa, visa on arrival & cost
- Is Egypt safe? Travel advice & tips
- Travel insurance for Egypt
- How much a trip to Egypt costs
- Money, cards & tipping
- What to wear in Egypt
- Packing list for women
- Summer packing list
- Winter packing list
- What to pack for a Nile cruise






























