eSIM for Saudi Arabia: mobile data for Umrah, Hajj and travel
Staying in touch with family during Umrah or Hajj, and online across Saudi Arabia — networks in Makkah and Madinah, how much data a pilgrimage takes, and setting the eSIM up before you fly.
In short
- A travel eSIM for Saudi Arabia connects to a main Saudi network, with 4G and 5G in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Riyadh.
- Install it at home — after a long flight there is no need to look for a SIM shop.
- During peak days in Makkah and Madinah networks get crowded; messages work best, video calls may be slower.
- For a two-week Umrah with daily messages, photos and a few video calls, 5–10 GB is a good fit.
- Keep your own SIM in the phone — family can still reach your number, and your bank's SMS codes keep arriving.
Contents
For most visitors to Saudi Arabia the trip is Umrah or Hajj — and the most important thing is staying in touch with family at home: a message on arrival, photos from the Haram, a video call in the evening. A travel eSIM is set up before you leave, so you are online from the moment you land in Jeddah or Madinah.
Coverage in Makkah, Madinah and beyond
A travel eSIM for Saudi Arabia uses one of the main Saudi networks. Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Riyadh have fast 4G and wide 5G coverage, including around the two Holy Mosques, and the main highways between the cities are covered too.
Crowded days. In Ramadan and during Hajj millions of people use the network in the same small area. At those times every network gets busy: messages and voice notes go through, while video calls and uploads may be slow. Send big videos from the hotel Wi-Fi.
The network each package uses is listed on the Saudi Arabia page.
How much data for Umrah?
| Trip | Typical use | Package |
|---|---|---|
| Umrah, 7–10 days | Messages, voice notes, maps, some photos | 3 GB |
| Umrah, 2 weeks | Plus daily video calls with family | 5–10 GB |
| Hajj, about a month | Messages, photos, calls, group updates | 10–20 GB |
| Business or tourism | Maps, ride apps, email, social media | 5–10 GB |
Your own number stays with you
The eSIM is added as a second line; your own SIM stays in the phone. That matters on a pilgrimage:
- family can still call your number and send SMS (as your operator's roaming allows);
- your bank's confirmation codes keep arriving.
Choose the eSIM for mobile data and switch data roaming off on your own line, so your operator does not charge you for data.
Setting it up
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Buy a package on the Saudi Arabia page; the QR code comes to your email and account.
- Install it at home over Wi-Fi before the trip — the install guide shows each step.
- When you land, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line and choose it for mobile data. Keep data roaming off on your own line.
If you are helping older relatives, install the eSIM on their phones at home and test that it is listed in the settings — then they only need to switch it on after landing.
Questions and answers
Can I buy an eSIM for my parents and install it on their phones?
Yes. Buy one package per phone; each comes with its own QR code that you scan on that phone.
Will it work in Mina and Arafat during Hajj?
The main networks cover the Hajj sites, but on the busiest days everything gets slow. Plan to send messages and voice notes rather than video.
When do the package's days start?
When the eSIM first connects to a network in Saudi Arabia, not when you buy or install it.
See the packages for Saudi Arabia — the price is shown upfront, with nothing added later.
Ready for your trip?
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