SIM Cards & Internet
Mobile data in Egypt is cheap and fast in cities. There are four networks: Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE.
๐ถ Which Network?
- Vodafone Egypt โ best coverage, most popular with tourists
- Orange โ strong competitor, similar pricing
- Etisalat / e& โ good in major cities and the Red Sea
- WE โ government-owned, reliable in Upper Egypt and rural areas
For Cairo, the Pyramids, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea, all four work fine. Vodafone is the safe default.
๐ฌ Where to Buy
- Cairo Airport โ kiosks in arrivals, open 24/7 (slightly higher prices but very convenient)
- Carrier shops in town โ cheaper, but bring your passport
- Hurghada / Sharm airports โ kiosks available
You need your passport to register the SIM (anti-terrorism law).
๐ต Tourist Plans (approximate)
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Starter | 10โ15 GB | 28 days | ~$10โ15 USD |
| Tourist Plus | 30โ40 GB | 28 days | ~$15โ25 USD |
| Tourist Pro (with calls) | 50 GB + minutes | 28 days | ~$25โ35 USD |
Prices fluctuate โ ask for the "tourist line" at the kiosk.
๐ฒ eSIM (no airport queue)
If your phone supports eSIM, buy one before you fly:
- Airalo โ Egypt plans from $5
- Holafly โ unlimited data plans
- Nomad โ competitive pricing
- Saily โ newer option
eSIMs activate instantly when you land. The downside: you don't get a local Egyptian phone number, which some apps (Uber, banking OTPs) require.
๐ถ Speeds & Coverage
- Cairo / Alexandria / Hurghada / Sharm: 4G/5G, fast
- Luxor / Aswan: 4G, fine
- Western Desert / Sinai interior: patchy
- Nile cruises: usually 3G/4G most of the route
๐ Wi-Fi
- Hotels and cafรฉs have decent Wi-Fi
- Many tourist sites do not โ keep mobile data on
- VPNs work but some sites (e.g. WhatsApp video calls) can be throttled โ using a VPN often helps
Heads up: WhatsApp voice/video calls are officially blocked or throttled. Most travelers use a VPN to fix this.