An eSpeedz UAE eSIM starts at $15.99 for prepaid, data-only service across all seven emirates, with plans from 3GB to 20GB, including a 60-day option. You receive a QR code by email, install it before you fly, and it starts when your phone connects in the UAE.
From the Dubai Metro to a desert safari pickup, almost everything in the UAE is booked and paid on your phone. Touch down with data that already works.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are built around apps. You'll book rides on Careem or Uber, check Metro times on the RTA Dubai app, reserve restaurant tables and show tickets for attractions on your screen. Malls and hotels almost always have free wifi, and you'll spend a lot of time in both, especially in the hotter months. The gaps are everything in between: taxi queues, beach clubs, the desert and the walk from the Metro to your hotel in 40-degree heat.
One thing catches many visitors out. WhatsApp voice and video calls, and most other internet calling apps, are blocked on UAE mobile networks and on most wifi. Messaging, photos and voice notes still work normally. Some travel eSIMs route data outside the country and avoid the block, but we can't promise that for these plans, so download Botim, a licensed calling app in the UAE, as a backup if calls home matter to you.
US carrier roaming works in the UAE, but daily passes add up quickly on a long stay or a stopover that turns into a week. Local tourist SIMs need a passport and a counter visit after you land. An eSIM you've already installed means you can skip both and book your ride from the baggage hall.
Plans connect to leading local 4G/5G networks in the United Arab Emirates. Data-only, prepaid, no contract. Prices in USD.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates 3GB | 3GB | 15 days | $15.99 |
| United Arab Emirates 3GB | 3GB | 30 days | $16.99 |
| United Arab Emirates 5GB | 5GB | 30 days | $26.99 |
| United Arab Emirates 10GB | 10GB | 30 days | $47.99 |
| United Arab Emirates 10GB | 10GB | 60 days | $49.99 |
| United Arab Emirates 20GB | 20GB | 30 days | $86.99 |
Prices checked October 1, 2026. All prices in USD, one-time payment.
| Network | Leading local 4G/5G networks in the United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
| Phone number | Not included. Data only, your regular number keeps working for calls and texts |
| Validity starts | When the eSIM first connects in the United Arab Emirates, not when you buy or install it |
| Delivery | QR code by email, usually in about 3 minutes |
| Top-ups | Available |
| Phone needed | eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked |
Plans connect to leading local 4G/5G networks in the United Arab Emirates. Popular stops for travelers:
With wifi in nearly every mall, hotel and restaurant, the UAE is easy on data. A week of rides, maps and messaging usually fits in 3GB to 5GB. For two weeks, or if you post a lot of video from the desert and the skyline, 10GB is more relaxed. Staying longer for work? The 10GB 60-day plan gives you room without needing to top up mid-trip.
November to March is the time to go, with warm sunny days and pleasant evenings for the beach, desert camps and outdoor dining. From June to September temperatures regularly pass 40°C and life moves indoors, though hotel prices drop too. During Ramadan, which falls in February and March in 2027, restaurants and attractions keep different hours, so check before you plan.
Sources: travel.state.gov · esim-now.com · simology.io · verizon.com. Information checked October 2026. Entry rules and fees change, so confirm with official sources before you travel.