Short answer
Buy a Saudi Arabia eSIM before you travel, install it at home on Wi-Fi, and switch your phone's mobile data to it when you land in Jeddah or Madinah. For a 1–2 week Umrah, 1 GB per day is enough for maps, messaging and short calls; choose an unlimited day pass if you make daily video calls to family.
Live prices for Saudi Arabia
These plans and prices come straight from our catalog and update automatically.
3 GB
15 days
- Speed: 3G/4G/5G
- Hotspot supported
- Top-up available
$6.99
$2.33/GB
10 GB
30 days
- Speed: 3G/4G/5G
- Hotspot supported
- Top-up available
$18.99
$1.90/GB
1 GB
7 days
- Speed: 3G/4G/5G
- Hotspot supported
- Top-up available
$3.99
$3.99/GB
500 MB/day
Choose days
- Unlimited: 512 Kbps after daily data
- Speed: 3G/4G/5G
- Hotspot supported
$2.99 for 1 day
Lower price per day on longer trips
Why you need mobile data during Umrah
- The Nusuk app: Umrah permits and Rawdah visit bookings are managed in the official app, which needs a connection.
- Getting around: maps between your hotel and the Haram, ride-hailing apps such as Careem and Uber, and Haramain high-speed train tickets.
- Staying in touch: video calls with family at home and sharing your location with your group in crowded areas.
- Payments and banking: many banks send one-time codes by SMS to your home number, which stays active alongside the eSIM.
How much data do you need?
| Your usage | Per day | 1-week trip | 2-week trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messaging, maps, Nusuk | 0.3–0.5 GB | 3 GB | 5 GB |
| Plus social media and photos | 0.7–1 GB | 5–7 GB | 10–15 GB |
| Daily video calls with family | 1.5–2+ GB | Unlimited day pass | Unlimited day pass |
Sharing your connection with family members (hotspot) adds their usage to yours, so pick the next size up or a day pass.
Coverage in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah
Saudi Arabia has three national networks: STC, Mobily and Zain. All three cover Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and the main highways with 4G and 5G.
During Ramadan, the last ten nights and the Hajj days, millions of people use the same cells around the Haram and in Mina and Arafat. Operators add temporary capacity, but expect slower speeds at peak times. Send photos and videos when you are back at the hotel or outside prayer times.
How to set it up
- 1Choose a Saudi Arabia plan or an unlimited day pass and pay with PayPal or card.
- 2You receive the QR code by email within minutes. Install it at home, connected to Wi-Fi (on iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later you can install with one tap from the order page).
- 3Keep the eSIM switched off until you land. The plan validity starts when it first connects in Saudi Arabia.
- 4When you arrive, set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for it. Keep your home SIM for calls and SMS codes.
Tips from experienced pilgrims
- Install and test the eSIM before leaving home, not at the airport.
- Download offline maps of Makkah and Madinah in case the network is congested.
- Agree on a meeting point with your group; crowded areas can delay messages.
- Carry a power bank: navigation and video calls drain the battery quickly in the heat.
- If you travel as a family, one larger plan with hotspot can be cheaper than several small ones.
Frequently asked questions
Does the eSIM work in both Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. Saudi plans use the national networks, which cover both holy cities, Jeddah and the roads between them.
Will WhatsApp keep my usual number?
Yes. WhatsApp is tied to your number, not to the data line. Your home SIM stays active, and WhatsApp works over the eSIM's data.
Can I share the internet with my family?
Yes, hotspot (tethering) is allowed. Remember that everyone's usage counts against your plan.
Do I need to register anything at the airport?
No. You don't need to visit a store or show your passport: install the QR code and the plan connects when you arrive.
Which plan is best for Hajj?
For the Hajj days, an unlimited day pass removes the worry of running out, although speeds can be slower in Mina and Arafat because of the crowds.