Quick answer: for most UK travellers doing Umrah, Airalo or Saily are the two to buy (both covered in detail below). Both run on STC, Saudi Arabia's strongest network, and either will comfortably cover a 10 to 14 night trip on WhatsApp, maps and the Nusuk app. The full comparison below covers all five providers on TravAir's Travel Essentials page, so you can match the plan to your trip.
You've booked your flights, confirmed your hotel and sorted your visa. But there's one thing that can quietly derail the whole trip: landing in Jeddah or Madinah with no mobile data and no way to contact your driver, find your hotel, or open the Nusuk app.
UK roaming charges in Saudi Arabia are steep, often £5 to £10 a day just to use your existing number. Buying a physical SIM at the airport takes time, needs your passport, and can leave you standing in the arrivals hall trying to sort a new number while your driver waits outside.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. You buy it before you leave the UK, install it in minutes, and you're connected the moment your plane lands. No queues, no physical SIM, no roaming bill.
Why You Need an eSIM for Saudi Arabia, Especially for Umrah
Staying connected during Umrah isn't a luxury, it's a practical necessity. Here's why:
- Nusuk app: Saudi Arabia's official Umrah permit app needs a working data connection to access permits, especially during busy periods like Ramadan. Without data, you can't enter the Mataf at peak times.
- Navigation: Makkah and Madinah are large, crowded cities. Maps are essential for getting around, especially for first-time pilgrims unfamiliar with the streets around the Haramain.
- WhatsApp: Your hotel, transfer driver and family back home are all on WhatsApp. You need data to stay in contact from the moment you land.
- Hotel check-in: Many Makkah and Madinah hotels now send digital keys or check-in confirmations by email or WhatsApp, so you need data to access these.
- Airport transfers: Your driver needs to reach you and you need to reach them. A working connection from the moment you arrive is essential.
For UK travellers, an eSIM for Saudi Arabia typically costs £8 to £25 for a full trip. Set against £5 to £10 per day in UK roaming charges, the saving is immediate.
What Is an eSIM, and Does Your Phone Support It?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical SIM, you scan a QR code or download a profile, and your phone connects to a local network wherever you're visiting. If you already understand the basics, see our guide to eSIM versus roaming for when a roaming package still makes sense instead.
Most modern smartphones support eSIM, including every iPhone from the XS onwards, Samsung Galaxy S series from 2019 onwards, Google Pixel 3 and above, and most flagship Android phones from 2020 onwards. For a broader overview of how the technology works, the GSMA's eSIM explainer is a good starting point.
To check if your phone supports eSIM, go to Settings > General > About on an iPhone, or Settings > Connections > SIM Manager on a Samsung. If you see an eSIM option, you're good to go.
Worth checking: some phones bought in certain markets are eSIM-locked. If you bought your phone outside the UK, or on a budget contract, check with your network provider before buying an eSIM.
The 5 Best eSIMs for Saudi Arabia, Compared for UK Umrah Travellers
All five providers below are available directly on TravAir's Travel Essentials page. Here's an honest comparison of each.
1. Airalo: Best Overall for Umrah Travellers
Airalo is the world's largest eSIM marketplace, with over 10 million users globally and a strong reputation for reliability and support. For Saudi Arabia specifically, it's consistently one of the top-rated options.
- Network: connects via STC and Mobily, Saudi Arabia's two strongest networks. STC has extensive 5G coverage across Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and the Haramain Rail corridor.
- Plans: 1GB to 25GB available. For a standard 10 to 14 night Umrah trip, the 5GB to 10GB plan is more than enough for most pilgrims.
- Price: from around £4 for 1GB up to £38 for 25GB, one of the most competitive price points available.
- Validity: 7 to 45 days depending on the plan, enough to cover even extended stays.
- Installation: download the Airalo app, buy your plan and scan the QR code. Takes under 5 minutes.
- Best for: most UK Umrah travellers. Reliable, well-priced, solid app support.
2. Saily: Best App Experience and Budget Option
Saily is a newer eSIM provider that's quickly built a strong reputation for its clean, easy-to-use app and competitive pricing on smaller plans. For UK pilgrims who want a straightforward experience with no technical fuss, it's an excellent option.
- Network: connects via STC in Saudi Arabia, one of the strongest and most reliable networks.
- Plans: 1GB from around £3.50, one of the cheapest entry points for Saudi Arabia data. Also offers 3GB, 5GB and 10GB plans.
- Price: very competitive on smaller plan sizes. Budget-conscious travellers will find Saily particularly attractive.
- Validity: 7 to 30 days.
- Installation: app-based with an extremely clean, simple interface. One of the easiest setups around.
- Best for: pilgrims on a budget, first-time eSIM users, and anyone who wants the simplest possible setup.
3. Yesim: Best for Multi-Country Trips
Yesim offers global and regional eSIM plans, useful if your Umrah trip includes stops in other countries, for example flying via Istanbul, Dubai or Doha and spending a few days there before continuing to Saudi Arabia.
- Network: connects via multiple carriers in Saudi Arabia, plus 130+ countries on regional and global plans.
- Plans: Saudi-specific plans plus regional Middle East and global options.
- Price: competitive on multi-country plans. Particularly good value if you need data in two or more countries on the same trip.
- Validity: 7 to 30 days depending on the plan.
- Installation: QR code based, with clear step-by-step instructions.
- Best for: travellers making stopovers before or after Umrah, and those who visit the region often.
4. GigSky: Best Premium Option
GigSky positions itself as a premium travel eSIM provider, favoured by frequent business travellers and anyone who prioritises reliable support over price. For Umrah pilgrims who want a guaranteed, hassle-free experience, GigSky delivers.
- Network: premium connections in Saudi Arabia with strong priority data access.
- Plans: fewer options than Airalo or Saily, but consistently reliable speeds.
- Price: slightly higher than budget competitors, but the premium is justified by reliability and support quality.
- Validity: flexible plans available.
- Installation: app-based, with strong customer support if anything goes wrong.
- Best for: business travellers, frequent visitors to Saudi Arabia, and anyone who wants premium customer service.
5. Drimsim: Best for Extended Stays
Drimsim operates on a unique model: one SIM that works across 197 countries with a single balance. Instead of buying a country-specific plan, you top up a universal balance and use it wherever you travel. For pilgrims who travel internationally several times a year, it removes the need to buy a new eSIM for every trip.
- Network: wide coverage across Saudi Arabia via multiple carriers.
- Plans: no fixed plans, pay as you go from a universal balance. Data rates vary by country.
- Price: best value for frequent international travellers. Less efficient for a single trip.
- Validity: balance doesn't expire as long as the account stays active.
- Installation: app-based setup, straightforward for tech-comfortable users.
- Best for: frequent international travellers, and pilgrims who make Umrah more than once a year.
Quick Comparison: Which eSIM Should You Choose?
| Provider | Best for | Entry price | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Best overall | From ~£4 (1GB) | STC and Mobily |
| Saily | Best budget option | From ~£3.50 (1GB) | STC |
| Yesim | Multi-country trips | Varies by region | Multiple carriers |
| GigSky | Premium support | Higher than budget options | Premium priority access |
| Drimsim | Frequent travellers | Pay as you go | Multiple carriers |
For most UK pilgrims on a standard 10 to 14 night Umrah trip, Airalo or Saily will be the best choice. Both connect via STC, Saudi Arabia's strongest network, and offer more than enough data for navigation, WhatsApp and the Nusuk app.
How Much Data Do You Actually Need for Umrah?
How much you need depends on how you actually use your phone during the trip:
- Light use (WhatsApp, maps, Nusuk app only): 3GB to 5GB is more than enough for a 10 to 14 night trip.
- Moderate use (the above plus email, social media and occasional video calls): 5GB to 10GB.
- Heavy use (streaming, hotspot sharing, frequent video calls): 10GB to 20GB, or an unlimited plan.
During Ramadan and peak Hajj season, network congestion around the Haram can slow speeds regardless of your plan. That's a network infrastructure issue in Saudi Arabia, not something specific to any eSIM provider, so it's worth erring on the side of buying more data than you think you'll need during busy periods.
How to Set Up Your eSIM Before Travelling
Setting up an eSIM takes under 10 minutes:
- Visit TravAir's Travel Essentials page and choose your preferred provider.
- Select your Saudi Arabia data plan based on trip length and usage.
- Complete the purchase and receive your QR code by email.
- On your phone, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM (Android).
- Scan the QR code. Your eSIM is installed.
- Set your eSIM as the data SIM but keep your UK SIM active for calls and SMS, so you have data through the eSIM and can still receive calls and texts on your UK number.
- When your plane lands in Saudi Arabia, turn on data roaming for your eSIM. You'll be connected within seconds.
Install your eSIM before you travel, since you need WiFi to download the profile. Once installed, it works offline and activates automatically when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an eSIM in Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. eSIMs work throughout both holy cities, including inside and around Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi. STC and Mobily have dense network coverage in both. During peak prayer times and Hajj season, expect some congestion, which affects all networks, not just eSIMs.
Can I keep my UK number active while using an eSIM?
Yes, this is one of the biggest advantages of an eSIM. Your UK physical SIM stays in your phone for calls and texts on your UK number, while the eSIM handles your data. You can run both at once with no technical setup required.
Is an eSIM cheaper than UK roaming in Saudi Arabia?
Significantly. UK roaming charges in Saudi Arabia can run £5 to £10 a day. An eSIM with 10GB of data for a 14-day trip typically costs £10 to £20 in total, a saving of £50 to £120 compared to roaming.
Do I need a Saudi phone number for the Nusuk app?
No. The Nusuk app works with an international number registered outside Saudi Arabia. You only need a working internet connection, which your eSIM provides.
What if my eSIM runs out of data during my trip?
All five providers on the Travel Essentials page let you top up or buy an additional data plan from the app. You don't need a new eSIM, just add more data from your existing account.
Get Your eSIM Before You Travel
Don't leave for Saudi Arabia without sorting your data. The difference between arriving connected and arriving with no working phone is significant, especially for Umrah, when you need navigation, the Nusuk app and WhatsApp from the moment you land.
All five providers covered here are available directly on TravAir's Travel Essentials page. Compare plans, check pricing and buy your eSIM before you fly, it takes under 10 minutes and could save you over £100 in roaming charges.
Already sorted your data and thinking about the rest of the trip? Browse our Umrah packages or hotels near the Haramain, or get a custom quote if you'd rather just tell us what you need.
Planning a trip? We'd love to help.