Which is better for tourists in the UAE — Etisalat (e&) or du?

Both cover the main tourist areas well. Etisalat (e&) has slightly broader rural and mountain coverage, which matters if you are hiking in RAK or driving to Liwa. Du tends to have more competitive tourist package pricing. For most visitors staying in cities and beach resorts, both are adequate.

Can I use an eSIM in the UAE?

Yes — the UAE supports eSIM on both Etisalat (e&) and du networks. International eSIM providers like Airalo also offer UAE data plans. An Airalo UAE eSIM can be purchased and activated before you travel, giving you data connectivity from the moment you land.

Is WhatsApp calling available in the UAE?

As of 2026, WhatsApp audio and video calls may work on local SIMs. This has historically been restricted in the UAE — check current status, as it changes. VoIP apps (Skype, FaceTime, Signal calls) remain restricted on some networks.

UAE SIM Card Guide | The UAE Guides

Getting a UAE SIM card or eSIM is one of the first practical things to sort on arrival. Mobile data is essential for navigation (Google Maps), Careem ride-hailing, translation, and communication. The UAE’s two main carriers are Etisalat (branded as e&) and du. Both have good coverage across the main tourist areas.

Option 1: Physical SIM Card (UAE Airport or Mall)

Where to buy: Both Etisalat (e&) and du have counters at Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 (arrivals level). You can also buy from their stores in most shopping malls.

What to bring: Your passport — required to register a UAE SIM.

Tourist packages — e& (Etisalat):

10 GB data, 100 local minutes — approximately AED 55 as of 2026
25 GB data, 250 local minutes — approximately AED 95
50 GB data — approximately AED 135

Tourist packages — du:

8 GB data — approximately AED 45
20 GB data — approximately AED 75
40 GB data — approximately AED 115

All tourist SIMs include unlimited calls within the UAE for the package duration (typically 14–30 days). Prices are approximate and packages change regularly — verify current offers at the airport or on the operator websites.

Option 2: eSIM (Pre-Arrival or Airport)

eSIMs can be set up before travel, giving you instant connectivity on landing. Your phone must support eSIM — most smartphones from 2019 onwards do.

Airalo UAE eSIM: Airalo offers UAE data eSIMs from approximately USD 5–15 for 1–5 GB, and USD 20–35 for 10–20 GB. Plans are data-only (no local call minutes). Activated from your phone before or immediately upon arrival. Works on compatible dual-SIM phones allowing you to keep your home SIM active for calls.

Local carrier eSIM: Both e& and du offer eSIM at their physical stores and increasingly online. If you want local call minutes alongside data, a local carrier eSIM may be preferable to an MVNO like Airalo.

VoIP Calls in the UAE

The UAE has historically restricted VoIP applications. As of 2026:

WhatsApp text and media: Fully functional
WhatsApp voice/video calls: Available on most networks with some restrictions
FaceTime: May work over local SIMs in some configurations
Skype and Discord voice calls: Generally restricted
Signal calls: Restricted

For keeping in touch with home, WhatsApp calling generally works on a local SIM. Confirm current status on arrival if this is critical to your trip.

Roaming (Home Country SIM)

Most EU countries now include roaming in standard mobile plans at no extra charge. UK operators (EE, O2, Vodafone) typically charge additional daily roaming fees for UAE use — approximately £2–5/day. Check your specific plan before relying on roaming.

For short visits with a roaming-capable home plan, roaming may be adequate. For a week or more, a local UAE SIM or eSIM will be more cost-effective and reliable.

Practical Tips

Airport SIM purchase desks are open 24 hours — buy on arrival
Tourist SIM data rolls over day-to-day within the package validity
If you need to top up, e& and du have apps that accept international cards
For multi-emirate travel, both networks cover all seven emirates reasonably well — Etisalat has marginally better coverage in remote areas

Setting Up eSIM Before Travel

For travellers using Airalo or another international eSIM provider, the setup process typically takes 5–10 minutes and should be done before leaving home:

Download the Airalo app and search for “United Arab Emirates”
Select a data plan (5 GB is adequate for a week’s navigation and calls; 10–15 GB for a fortnight)
Purchase and download the eSIM profile to your phone
Go to Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data → Add eSIM and scan the QR code provided
Set the Airalo eSIM as your Data SIM while keeping your home SIM for calls

The eSIM activates when your device connects to a UAE network on landing. No airport queue required.

Compatible devices: iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3 and later, and most 2021+ Android flagships. Check your specific model — not all handsets support dual-SIM + eSIM configurations.

Mobile Internet Speeds in the UAE

The UAE has excellent 5G coverage across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with 4G LTE across all seven emirates. Expected speeds:

5G (major cities): 200–800 Mbps download on a good signal
4G LTE: 30–100 Mbps typical — more than adequate for navigation, streaming, and video calls
3G fallback (remote areas, Hajar Mountains): 5–10 Mbps

Both e& and du operate 5G networks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Tourist SIM packages include 5G access at no additional charge where available.

Topping Up Data

If you run low on data mid-trip:

e& (Etisalat): Top up via the e& app (available iOS and Android), at any e& store, or via self-service kiosks in most malls. Accepts international Visa/Mastercard
du: du app or du stores — also available at most Virgin Megastore locations
Airalo eSIM: Top-up data bundles purchased directly in the Airalo app — no physical store visit needed

Getting a SIM Card or eSIM in the UAE