Egypt is a hugely popular destination where tourist SIMs are sold right at Cairo and Hurghada airports, and travel eSIMs offer a convenient pre-arrival alternative. Networks are mostly 4G, with 5G only beginning to roll out in a few cities.
Networks & coverage
Four operators cover the country: Vodafone Egypt (the largest), Orange Egypt, Etisalat Egypt (e&) and WE (Telecom Egypt). Coverage is strong across Cairo, Alexandria, the Red Sea resorts and the Nile valley, thinning out in the Western Desert and remote Sinai. The network is predominantly 4G/LTE; 5G is in early deployment in select urban areas, so plan for 4G speeds. Travel eSIMs typically roam on Vodafone or Orange.
eSIM or physical SIM?
Tourist SIMs are easy to buy on arrival — dedicated counters at Cairo and Hurghada airports sell data bundles with your passport. A travel eSIM avoids the kiosk entirely and is active the moment you land, which is handy if you are heading straight to a resort transfer. For longer stays or if you want a local Egyptian number, the physical tourist SIM is good value.
Data, calls & messaging
WhatsApp, messaging and social apps work across all networks; Egypt does not broadly block VoIP, so WhatsApp and FaceTime calls generally function, though quality can vary on busy 4G cells. A roaming travel eSIM is a reliable fallback if a local network throttles app calling. Data is fine for maps, social media and light streaming.
How much data do you need?
For a resort holiday with messaging and photo sharing, 3–5 GB is plenty. A week of touring with maps, ride-hailing and some streaming suits 5–10 GB. Heavy hotspot users or long stays should look at a 10 GB+ bundle or an unlimited eSIM, keeping in mind speeds top out at 4G.
Available plans
19 plans available
Prices here are listed in more than one currency — the range is compared against each group in its own currency, values are not converted.
Data last verified: Jul 3, 2026
SIM and eSIM plans in Egypt — operator, plan, data, validity, network, type and price.
Plans shown are indicative samples for reference. Confirm current pricing, data allowances, and coverage with each provider before purchasing.
Compare with other countries
How we compile this data
Plan data is compiled from the public pricing pages of mobile operators, MVNOs, and eSIM providers serving each destination.
Listings are reviewed by the DROAM telecom desk and kept neutral — we surface a representative sample of options rather than promote any single provider.
Operators change allowances and pricing frequently, so we update entries as plans change and always link out to the provider for the current offer.
Networks & coverage
10 operators appear in the plans listed for Egypt:
Airalo
Saily
Holafly
Vodafone Egypt
Orange Egypt
WE (Telecom Egypt)
MyDataSim
Xipo Flex
Symda
Weconnect
Network technology available across these plans: 4G.
Good to know
The lowest-cost option listed is Xipo Flex at €5.37 for 1 GB over 7 days.
eSIM plans activate instantly by scanning a QR code — no SIM swap or local store visit needed.
A physical SIM can be the better choice for older phones that do not support eSIM.
Check that your phone is carrier-unlocked before buying, and match the data allowance to your trip length.
