Saudi Arabia eSIM: Plan Prices Compared, Networks and the stc Visitor SIM
What Yesim, Airalo and Saily charge for Saudi data this month, which network they ride, and when a local stc line is the better deal.
- Level 3 U.S. advisory since Oct 12, 2026
- $4.49 cheapest plan found (Saily, 1 GB)
- $1.98/GB on Yesim’s 20 GB plan
- 51 GB for 100 SAR on stc’s Visitor 86
A travel eSIM is the fastest way to get data in Saudi Arabia: you buy and install it at home, and it connects when you land, no store visit needed. A local stc SIM costs less per gigabyte on long stays but has to be activated in person.
We compared the providers’ Saudi plan pages, stc’s visitor packages and announcements from the Saudi telecom regulator (CST) on October 23, 2026.
Travel advisory: the State Department has rated Saudi Arabia Level 3, “Reconsider travel,” since October 12, 2026, citing drone and missile threats in the region. Read the full advisory and enroll in STEP before you book.
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- Best eSIM for Saudi Arabia
- Unlimited data options
- Coverage and networks
- stc Sawa Visitor SIM
- How to set it up
- FAQ
- Sources
What is the best eSIM for Saudi Arabia?
It depends on how much data you need. For a month-long trip, Yesim had the lowest price per gigabyte on October 23, 2026; for a few GB on a short trip, Saily’s entry plan was the cheapest. All plans below are data only.
| Plan | Yesim | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $5.64 (30 days) | $4.49 (7 days) |
| 10 GB, 30 days | $26.40 | $26.99 |
| 20 GB, 30 days | $39.60 | $42.99 |
Yesim also sells 3, 5 and 30 GB plans (30 GB for $55.44), asks for no ID verification, and gives you 180 days to activate after purchase; the 30-day clock starts when the eSIM first connects. See Yesim’s Saudi Arabia plans.
Saily lists hotspot use with no restrictions and activates automatically on arrival; an unused plan switches on by itself after 30 days. It also offers an optional U.S. phone number with call and text packs. See Saily’s Saudi Arabia plans.
Unlimited data: Airalo on the stc network
Airalo’s Saudi Arabia page names stc as the primary network and sells unlimited plans: $12.50 for 3 days, $27 for 7 days and $97 for 30 days. That suits a short, data-heavy trip, such as a business visit with lots of video calls. Yesim’s unlimited option starts at $6 a day.
Coverage: stc, Mobily and Zain
Travel eSIMs roam on Saudi Arabia’s three big operators, stc, Mobily and Zain. Yesim lists Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Dammam, Taif, Buraydah, Tabuk and Al-Hofuf among covered cities. Between cities, coverage is whatever the host network provides, so download offline maps before a desert drive.
The stc Sawa Visitor SIM: prices and activation
stc’s prepaid Sawa Visitor line bundles data with local and international minutes. You can reserve a number online for 30 days, but stc says you must visit one of its branches on arrival to activate it.
| Package | Data and validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor 26 | 6 GB, 2 weeks | 31 SAR |
| Visitor 47 | 21 GB, 2 weeks | 55 SAR |
| Visitor 86 | 51 GB, 4 weeks | 100 SAR |
On a long stay, those large bundles beat any travel eSIM per gigabyte, and you get a Saudi number. The trade-off is a store visit and a carrier-unlocked phone.
Going for Hajj or Umrah? For Hajj 2025, the CST and the Ministry of Interior let international pilgrims order a local eSIM in the operators’ apps, verified biometrically through the Absher app, with no branch visit. Ask the operators whether the service runs for your dates.
How to set up an eSIM for Saudi Arabia
- Check that your phone is carrier-unlocked and eSIM-capable: dialing *#06# shows an EID on compatible models.
- Install the eSIM at home on WiFi a few days before departure.
- On landing, turn the eSIM line on, select it for cellular data and enable data roaming on that line.
- Keep your U.S. line on for calls and texts if you like, but turn off its data roaming to avoid charges.
For the rest of the trip, see our Saudi Arabia travel guide and our Riyadh guide. Given the advisory, favor refundable rates when you compare Riyadh hotels and cancellation terms.
Saudi Arabia eSIM FAQ
Do I need a passport to get an eSIM for Saudi Arabia?
Not for a travel eSIM bought online; Yesim states that no ID verification is required. A local stc line has to be activated at a branch.
Which eSIM uses the stc network?
Airalo lists stc as the primary network for its Saudi Arabia plans. Yesim and Saily do not name a single operator.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for Saudi Arabia?
Yes. On October 23, 2026, Airalo charged $12.50 for 3 days and $97 for 30 days of unlimited data, and Yesim’s unlimited plans started at $6 a day.
Will my U.S. phone work in Saudi Arabia?
If it is carrier-unlocked and eSIM-capable, it can run a travel eSIM alongside your U.S. line. Your carrier’s international roaming may also work; check its Saudi Arabia rates before you leave.
Sources
Pages checked on October 23, 2026, unless noted. eSIM prices come from the providers’ Saudi Arabia pages on the same day.
- U.S. Department of State, Saudi Arabia Travel Advisory (Level 3, October 12, 2026; checked October 22, 2026).
- stc, Sawa Visitor packages.
- Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), eSIMs for international pilgrims through operators’ apps (May 21, 2025).
Maintained by The Advised Traveler Team. Plan prices and visitor offers change often; we recheck them at every update. Spot an error? Let us know.