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How to get internet in Dubai | eSIM and local carriers
Currently having mobile internet from the first moment upon arriving in Dubai is almost essential to not have any problemsWhether it's a short layover to explore the city or a longer stay, having internet on your mobile phone lets you manage hotel reservations, order an Uber, use a translator, and book buses.car Things like GPS or finding good restaurants. That's why I'm going to tell you how to have internet in dubai in a very simple way.
Keep in mind that the city is part of the United Arab Emirates, so you must subscribe to internet for that entire country. We'll compare local prepaid SIM card options with eSIM cards, which are more convenient and affordable for the UAE. You won't waste time searching for a store, and they work right out of the box.
HOW TO HAVE INTERNET IN DUBAI: OUR RECOMMENDATION
Later I will compare the more specific details of all the options currently available and What are the prices and advantages of each one?. But to offer a lighter reading and give you a fast answer.
Short stopover of a few hours
In case you only have a few hours in Dubai or neighboring Abu Dhabi and want to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the city a little and visit places like the Burj Khalifa I recommend you hire a cheap eSIM card For a day trip. Having internet access will be very useful for getting around the city with GPS, buses, etc.car Find information on Google, read restaurant recommendations, order an Uber, or check your flight status.
I recommend the company HolaflyWith it you will always have coverage, unlimited internet and you can choose the duration of the eSIM for just 1 day.
👀 You may be interested in… What to see in Dubai in 1 day o where to stay in Dubai.
Stay of more than 2 days
In this case I would also choose to buy an eSIM card. with unlimited internet like Holafly. You can activate it as soon as you arrive at the airport or even before taking off and you will have access to the Internet from the first moment. The activation process is simple, they send you a QR that you must scan (connected to the Internet) to install the eSIM on your phone. The best option to have unlimited internet is Holafly.
If you are wondering why I recommend eSIM cards over a local card to have internet in Dubai, the answer is clear: eSIM rates are noticeably cheaperI know this sounds strange, but the United Arab Emirates is one of the few countries in the world where the rates offered with physical SIM cards are more... carthem.
➤ Hire Holafly With discount
BEST CARD MY PARTNER TO HAVE INTERNET IN DUBAI
Buy one eSIM is the cheapest choice to have internet in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is also the most practical option since the purchase and installation process is very quick and easy.
The choice of your ideal eSIM card It will depend on the duration of your stay in Dubai and the type of needs you have. If you regularly use an internet connection and consume a lot of data, I recommend opting for unlimited internet rates such as HolaflyIt's not much more of a company. carBecause the rest have 5G connectivity and you'll never run out of internet.
Other advantages of eSIM cards are:
- The operation is simple: When you buy the data package they send you a QR and when you scan it the phone configuration begins. Activate the eSIM when you land and you will have an internet connection instantly.
- You keep your WhatsApp number. You can call and message your WhatsApp contacts as usual.
- You keep your SIM card from your usual operator. By activating the eSIM you will have «double SIM» with your usual card, in case you need it. This is important because you can continue receiving confirmation calls or SMS when making online operations such as purchases or account verifications.
eSim Holafly
El purchasing process of Holafly It's simple: on the website, you choose the destination you're traveling to. You can choose Dubai because it's also recognized. Once you've chosen your destination, you'll have to decide the duration and the number of cards you want to buy in case you're traveling with someone. You'll also get an additional 5% discount for reading this article if you apply the code. «VIAJEROSLOWCOSTEROS«.
once purchased You receive an email with a QR code that is used to activate the eSIM. You will need internet to activate it so I recommend doing it just before taking off to avoid problems with the airport WiFi upon arrival.
With our link you have a exclusive discount on your eSIM card for Dubai or any other destination.
➤ Hire Holafly With discount
How to activate an eSIM card in Dubai
Installing and activating your eSIM is easy for most companies. Anyone can do it and step-by-step instructions are included in the email you receive when purchasing. Although there are different ways The quickest and easiest is using the attached QR code. Take a photo of this QR with a friend's phone or print the email so you can scan the QR code directly with your mobile camera.
Once your phone is scanned, the installation and activation process will begin in which the eSIM will be ready in less than 1 minute. Don't forget that in order to install the eSIM you need an internet connection.
Once you arrive at the destination country you have to remember deactivate the mobile data option of your usual operator and leave only the local operator active, in this case it is Etisalat. Check that the option allow roaming is activated, otherwise the eSIM will not start working.
If you're still unsure which eSIM to choose, here are two comparisons we've written between the most important eSIM companies on the market: Holafly vs Airalo and also the comparison of Holafly vs Saily.
WHERE TO BUY ONE LOCAL PREPAID CARD
Buying a prepaid card is almost always the cheap option to have internet, but this is not the case in the United Arab Emirates. In Dubai buying a SIM card is more caror to get an eSIMThe rates are very carand the amount of data offered is too low. The best rates, comparing all operators, range from around €12 for just 2GB of internet to €80 for unlimited internet. However, Buying a physical prepaid SIM to have internet in Abu Dhabi is easy since most companies have stores in international airports and will help you install it on your phone. You can also get them in shopping centers and in some small businesses in the city center.
Buy a SIM card at Dubai Airport
The three main companies in Dubai are Etisalat, Du and Virgin. You will find stands of all of them inside the airport and the only thing you will need is to choose the rate and show your passport so they can associate your new card number with you.
Dubai airport has three terminals but don't worry because In all of them you will find the 3 operators so you can choose the one that best suits you. Although I insist that if your mobile phone is compatible with eSIM cards it will be cheaper to contract internet with Holafly.
BEST PREPAID SIM CARD IN DUBAI
If your mobile phone cannot install an eSIM you will have to buy a prepaid SIM card. Depending on the type of user you are, one company or another may suit you. For example, if you need to have many data I recommend you buy a Virgin card as they have rates with lots of GB for a lower price than the competition. A great option available offers 21GB for 7 days for around €38.
In return if you need little internet I would opt for Etisalat since it has the best prices on low data rates, for example 2GB for €12 or 4GB for €20.
I hope this article helps you choose the best option to have internet in Dubai and prepare your stopover or trip well.
