Egypt Airport SIM Card & eSIM Guide: Prices, Coverage and Tourist Tips

This guide explains each option in depth, including updated 2025 airport prices, coverage information, and how Egypt’s operators (Vodafone, Orange and Etisalat) perform across the country. It also shows where a travel eSIM such as Roafly Egypt eSIM fits in, helping you choose the best setup for your itinerary.

Why Internet Access Matters So Much in Egypt

Egypt is one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, and most areas you will visit rely heavily on mobile data for everyday tasks:

• Ordering Uber or Careem rides

• Using Google Maps or navigating long distances

• Booking tickets for the Pyramids or museums

• Staying in touch via WhatsApp

• Uploading content from the Red Sea or Nile Valley

• Remote work and hotspot usage

Because Wi-Fi quality is inconsistent, having a reliable mobile data connection is crucial. This is especially true when landing at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh or Luxor, where getting to your accommodation may require ride-hailing apps.

Airport SIM Cards in Egypt: What You Can Expect

Egypt’s airports typically have kiosks from the main operators: Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, and Etisalat. These kiosks are located inside the arrivals area, after baggage claim.

Typical Airport Tourist SIM Pricing

Although prices may vary slightly by terminal, season or promotion, the most common airport packages are:

• Vodafone Tourist SIM 30 GB: ~500–550 EGP

• Orange Tourist SIM 30–40 GB: ~450–550 EGP

• Etisalat Tourist SIM 20–30 GB: ~350–450 EGP

Airport SIM cards are more expensive than buying from a city store, but they have one major advantage: you get data immediately, without needing to leave the airport or find an official shop.

Prepaid SIM Card Prices in the City (Cheaper Than the Airport)

If you prefer better value, you can buy a prepaid SIM from an official operator store within Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor or Sharm. These packages usually offer more data for the same price or lower.

Typical in-city prepaid pricing:

• Small data (5–10 GB): 50–150 EGP

• Medium data (20–30 GB): 150–300 EGP

• Large data (40–50 GB+): 200–400 EGP

These packages are cheaper than airport bundles, but you must visit a store, show your passport, and complete registration. Activation in stores can take between 5–20 minutes depending on crowd levels.

eSIM for Egypt: The Easiest Option for Many Travellers

Many visitors now prefer a travel eSIM instead of buying a physical card. Egypt’s mobile operators do not widely offer tourist eSIMs yet, so the most convenient method is using a global eSIM provider such as Roafly.

Roafly’s Egypt eSIM works on supported networks including Orange and Etisalat and does not require any registration or physical visit. You can install the eSIM before departure or immediately on arrival.

Roafly Egypt eSIM Pricing (Data-Only)

• 1 GB / 7 Days — $4.90

• 2 GB / 15 Days — $8.90

• 3 GB / 30 Days — $9.90

• 5 GB / 30 Days — $14.90

• 10 GB / 30 Days — $19.90

• 20 GB / 30 Days — $39.90

Plan Type: Data-only
Mobile Hotspot: Available
eKYC (ID Verification): Not Required
Activation: Data begins when the eSIM connects to a local network
Networks: Orange / Etisalat

This gives you the flexibility to land connected, without facing airport queues or SIM card registration.

Coverage in Egypt: Which Operator Is Best?

source: nperf.com

Network performance in Egypt varies significantly by region. Here is the general pattern travellers experience:

Vodafone Egypt — The Most Reliable Overall

Vodafone typically offers the strongest overall 4G/LTE coverage in:

• Cairo

• Giza / Pyramids area

• Luxor

• Aswan

• Alexandria

• Most Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam)

Orange Egypt — Good Alternative with Competitive Pricing

Orange has excellent speeds in major cities and good coverage in:

• Cairo and Giza

• Alexandria

• Coastal resorts

• Upper Egypt urban areas

Etisalat — Cheapest, But Weaker in Rural or Desert Areas

Etisalat can work perfectly well in:

• Cairo

• Hurghada

• Sharm El Sheikh

Coverage becomes patchy once you head outside major cities, particularly in:

• Desert highways

• Remote temples

• Oasis towns

• Nile Valley segments between Luxor and Aswan

WE Egypt — Least Recommended

As the smallest network, WE often has inconsistent speeds for tourists. Unless you have extremely budget-driven needs, WE is not ideal for visitors.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Choose an Airport SIM if:

• You need to be online immediately after landing.

• You prefer a physical SIM card.

• You don’t mind paying slightly more for convenience.

Choose a City Prepaid SIM if:

• You will stay in Egypt for 2–4+ weeks.

• You want the cheapest price per GB.

• You’re comfortable visiting an operator shop and showing your passport.

Choose an eSIM (Roafly) if:

• Your phone supports eSIM.

• You want connectivity upon landing without queueing.

• You prefer avoiding passport registration.

• You want reliable data for maps, messaging and hotspot.

• You want a simple, predictable setup that works across Egypt.

Tourist Tips for Buying SIM and eSIM in Egypt

1. Bring an Unlocked Phone

A locked phone will not accept Egyptian SIM cards. Ensure your device is unlocked before travel.

2. Keep Your Passport Handy at the Airport

Airport SIM kiosks require passport registration. Without your passport, you cannot buy a tourist SIM.

3. Expect Airport Prices to Be Higher

Airport SIM cards are convenient but usually come with a tourist surcharge.

4. Beware of “Unofficial” SIM Sellers

If someone tries to sell you a SIM card outside the official kiosks, decline politely and head to operator counters only.

5. eSIM Avoids All of These Issues

If you want to skip registration, queues and paperwork entirely, use Roafly Egypt eSIM before departure.

Example Scenarios

A. Short Trip (3–5 days)

Best choice: Roafly eSIM
Reason: Simple, low-cost, no registration, instant data for navigation and messaging.

B. One-Week Red Sea Resort Holiday (Hurghada / Sharm)

Best choice: Airport SIM or Roafly eSIM
Reason: Both offer good performance; Orange and Vodafone work well in resort areas.

C. Nile Cruise (Luxor → Aswan)

Best choice: Vodafone (city SIM or airport SIM)
Reason: Strongest coverage along Nile Valley.

D. Long Stay (3–4 weeks)

Best choice: City prepaid SIM
Reason: Cheapest refills and large data allowances.

How to Activate a Roafly eSIM for Egypt

1. Buy your preferred data package from Roafly

2. Choose installation method: direct install (iOS), QR code or manual entry

3. Turn on the eSIM and enable data roaming

4. Connect to a supported network: Orange or Etisalat

5. Start using data instantly

Activation starts only when the eSIM attaches to a local network, so you can install it days before departure.

Final Recommendation

For most travellers, the best balance of convenience, cost and reliability comes from using an eSIM — especially if your phone supports it. Airport SIM cards remain a solid backup for travellers who need physical SIMs or who prefer buying everything on arrival, while city prepaid SIM cards deliver the lowest cost for long stays.

If you want stress-free connectivity from the moment you land, checking Egypt eSIM packages from Roafly is the easiest and most efficient option for your trip.