Best SIM Card To Buy For Your Umrah Trip

Which Sim Card Should I Buy For My Umrah Trip in 2024?

If you’re looking for some guidance on the best SIM card provider in Saudi Arabia, you’ve come to the right place.

Whilst there are a variety of network providers to choose from, the truth is, some are better than others.

You can get an e-Sim with platforms such as Airalo, but in many cases, a local SIM card can be handy to make local calls and also if you’re looking to save money. If you do want an e-Sim, you can use my referral link by clicking here to get £2.50 off your first purchase. Use the PROMO code JUBER3168.

If you do decide to get a physical sim card, I recommend going for the STC SIM card at Jeddah Airport. You can also get this deal in Madinah Airport. STC has some of the best deals and is super reliable when it comes to boasting the best 5G network coverage in Saudi Arabia.

As for the cost, for 86.25 SAR ($23 USD/£18.00) you can get 20 GB of data and 500 minutes.

If you don’t require that much data and simply need to check Whatsapp or surf the internet casually, we recommend getting an e-Sim from Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo. It will cost you $5 (£3.95) for 1GB of data.

Why Should You Buy a Sim Card in Saudi Arabia?

There are many reasons to stay connected when visiting the blessed cities of Makkah and Madinah.

With WiFi being unreliable and many of us using Whatsapp nowadays, having a local sim or an e-Sim can help you keep in touch with others you may be travelling with. What’s more, nowadays there are several taxi apps such as Uber and Careem which you’ll only be able to use if you have data. We also recommend having data as its useful to be able to use the Nusuk app, Google Maps and several other app when in Makkah and Madinah.

Where Can I Buy a Sim in Jeddah Airport or Madinah Airport?

Once you have collected your luggage, make your way to the arrival hall where you will find sim card stalls such as Zain, STC and Mobily.

In Jeddah Airport, you will find the STC stall near the exit towards the train station. In Madinah Airport, you will find it as soon as you walk out of arrivals.

A Full Breakdown of What STC Offers At Jeddah and Madinah Airport

• 1 GB data + 1 GB Social Media + 60 minutes = 40.25 SAR (£8.50 – $10.74)
• 4 GB data + 4 GB Social Media + 120 minutes = 74.75 SAR (£15.75 – $19.9)
• 10 GB data + 10 GB Social Media + 500 minutes = 86.25 SAR (£18 – $23)
• 10 GB data + 15 GB Social Media + 300 minutes = 115 SAR (£24 – $30)
• 25 GB data + 25 GB Social Media + 500 minutes = 132.25 SAR (£28 – $35.2)
• 70 GB data + ULTD Social Media + 800 minutes = 195.5 SAR (£41 – $52)
• 100 GB data + ULTD Social Media + ULTD calls = 276 SAR (£58 – $74)