How Does SIM Card & Internet Work in Egypt?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
Buy a local SIM from Vodafone Egypt, Orange, or Etisalat at the airport for cheap data — bring your passport.
2What You Need to Know
Egypt has three main mobile operators: Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, and Etisalat (branded as e&). All three sell tourist SIM cards with data bundles at Cairo International Airport arrivals. A 30-day tourist data package with 20–30 GB of data typically costs 150–300 EGP. You must present your passport to register the SIM — registration is mandatory by law. 4G coverage is good in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and all major resort areas; connectivity drops in the deep desert. VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Skype) are sometimes throttled or blocked intermittently — a VPN resolves this.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Buy your SIM at the official operator kiosks in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport before leaving the terminal
- 2Ask specifically for a 'tourist package' (باقة سياحية) — these often include more data at a lower price than standard prepaid plans
- 3A VPN is useful not only for unblocking calls but also for accessing streaming services with home-country libraries
Important Warning
Unofficial SIM resellers at the airport often overcharge. Only buy from branded Vodafone, Orange, or e& kiosks and get a receipt.
How does this compare?
SIM Card & Internet rules in nearby and similar countries:
du and Etisalat (e&) are the two UAE carriers — both sell tourist SIMs at the airport with excellent 5G coverage, but VoIP calls are blocked.
Maroc Telecom offers the best nationwide coverage including desert and mountain areas; buy a tourist SIM at the airport with your passport.
STC, Mobily, and Zain all offer tourist SIM packages at airports; 5G coverage is excellent in major cities.
Traveling to Egypt?
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Airalo eSIM
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NordVPN
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Pocket WiFi Rental
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