Visitor SIM Card Packages Saudi Arabia (2026) – Tourist, Hajj & Umrah

Getting a local SIM card is one of the first things to do after arriving in Saudi Arabia. Whether you’re a tourist exploring Riyadh and AlUla, a pilgrim performing Umrah or Hajj, or a business traveler in town for a few weeks, a visitor SIM gives you reliable mobile data and local calling at a fraction of the cost of international roaming.

Saudi Arabia’s main national operators are STC, Mobily, and Zain. Other providers and travel eSIMs may also be available, but this guide includes a price only when it can be verified on a current official operator page.

This guide covers every visitor SIM option available in Saudi Arabia in 2026: updated package prices, a head-to-head operator comparison, Hajj and Umrah-specific bundles, eSIM options, and a step-by-step guide to buying and activating your SIM.

The 4 Mobile Operators in Saudi Arabia: Who’s Who in 2026

STC (Saudi Telecom Company)

Saudi Arabia’s largest operator with over 20.9 million subscribers and the most extensive 5G coverage in the Kingdom, with more than 15,000 5G cell sites. STC’s 4G network covers 98% of the population and reaches remote areas, including desert highways, mountain routes, and rural villages where other operators have limited coverage. If you’re traveling to AlUla, the Empty Quarter, Aseer mountains, or any off-the-beaten-path destination, STC is the safest choice. Visitor packages are branded under the Sawa name.

Mobily (Etisalat KSA)

Saudi Arabia’s second-largest operator, with strong urban coverage in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province. Mobily consistently offers the best data value per SAR among visitor packages, and its 90-day validity option is unique in the market, ideal for longer stays. Also, the most popular choice for pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

Zain KSA

The third major operator, popular for its lowest entry-level price (SAR 40) and its Flex minutes system, which covers international calls to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, and 15+ other countries at no extra per-minute charge. Zain also runs dedicated Hajj and Umrah bundles optimized for short-stay pilgrims.

Salam Mobile (4th Operator — New in Market)

A Salam visitor plan was not verifiable on a current official page during this review, so it is not included in the live comparison.

Official-source check (September 22, 2026): Compare offers on the live STC, Mobily Visitors, and Zain Visitor pages. Prices, VAT treatment, allowances, eligible countries, registration methods, and eSIM support can change. Confirm the final offer before paying.

Mobily states that VAT is applied on recharge amounts rather than again on package subscription or renewal. For STC and Zain, use the live operator page because the accessible public listings do not expose every current allowance consistently.

STC Sawa Visitor Packages — Confirm Live

STC publishes Sawa Visitor offers through its official site and mystc channels. Because plan names, allowances, VAT presentation, and eligibility can change, use the current checkout screen rather than the archived table below.

New in 2026: The Sawa Visitor 165 (100 GB + 10 hours Flex, SAR 190) is a new high-data tier, and the Gamers 120 pack targets visitors who need gaming and streaming data. All STC Visitor SIMs are eSIM-compatible and activate via the mySTC app. The Visitor SIM is valid for 30 days from purchase.

Activate: Visit any STC store. SMS activation codes are available at the point of purchase.

Best for: Travelers going outside major cities; pilgrims wanting maximum coverage in the Haram area; anyone heading to remote destinations.

Mobily Visitor Packages — Official Live List

Mobily’s official visitor page currently lists Visitors 30, 50, 65, 90, 100, and 150. Use the verified summary above and the live Mobily page; do not rely on old “best value” rankings.

Official Mobily list: The table above reflects Mobily’s current visitor page checked September 22, 2026. Confirm the final checkout details before paying.

Recharge: Dial *1400*[recharge card number]# or via the Mobily app. VAT is pre-applied on recharge amounts.

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers; longer stays (14–30 days); pilgrims who primarily stay in Makkah and Madinah; anyone needing maximum data per riyal.

Zain Visitor Packages — Confirm Live

Zain’s visitor packages use the Flex minutes system, the same as Zain’s regular Flex prepaid plans, which cover international calls to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Kuwait, Egypt, and 15+ more countries. This makes Zain particularly popular among South and Southeast Asian pilgrims and expat family members visiting from abroad.

Note on pricing: Zain Visitor prices exclude 15% VAT, which is collected at recharge. Final prices are slightly higher. The Visitor 40 at SAR 40 (pre-VAT) is the lowest entry-level visitor plan among the three main operators in 2026. “Visitor-to-Visitor calls” means unlimited calls between Zain Visitor SIM holders, useful for tour groups or families all on Zain.

Activate: SMS the activation code to 959 or use the Zain app. Available at Zain stores and airport kiosks.

Best for: Pilgrims from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Egypt; Flex minutes cover home calls; South Asian expat family visitors; travelers seeking the lowest upfront cost.

Salam Visitor Plans — Not Included Without a Verifiable Live Offer

Saudi Scoop could not verify the plan names, prices, allowances, or registration terms below on a current official Salam visitor page. Compare STC, Mobily, and Zain first; use a Salam offer only after confirming every detail on Salam’s live checkout screen.

Salam availability, pricing, registration, and coverage must be checked directly on its live sales channel. No “cheapest visitor SIM” claim is made here.

Zain Hajj & Umrah Bundles 2026

Zain offers dedicated bundles specifically designed for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, with short-term validity and bonus data on next recharge:

These packages are designed for the week-long Hajj period or short Umrah stays. The unlimited Zain-to-Zain calls for 7 days help pilgrim groups stay coordinated. Mobily also offers seasonal pilgrimage packages. Check mobily.com.sa during the Hajj and Ramadan seasons for current offers.

Archived Cross-Operator Comparison — Verify Every Value Live

eSIM Options for Saudi Arabia in 2026 — Physical SIM vs eSIM

Voice and video app availability can change by service, network, and policy. Test the app after arrival and keep a fallback communication method; Saudi Scoop does not guarantee WhatsApp calling.

Local Operator eSIMs (Physical Activation Required)

All three main operators, STC, Mobily, and Zain, offer eSIM. However, local operator eSIMs still require in-store registration with a passport and a biometric fingerprint, even if you set it up digitally. You can initiate the process via the mySTC app or stc.com.sa, but final activation requires a visit to an STC branch.

In 2026, Absher expanded its support for digital SIM and eSIM activation for international pilgrims, cutting some of the paperwork at the counter. Check if your nationality is supported via the Absher app before arrival.

International eSIM Providers (No Passport Registration Needed)

These eSIMs run on local networks (typically Zain’s 5G) but are activated via QR code before departure, no queues, no biometric registration:

Key limitation: International eSIMs are generally data-only, with no local Saudi phone number, SMS, or Saudi call minutes. For Hajj and Umrah pilgrims who need to receive SMS updates on Nusuk permits or call hotel reception, a local physical SIM is still recommended.

How to Buy a Visitor SIM in Saudi Arabia 2026

⚠️ Avoid street vendors. Unofficial SIMs may already be registered in someone else’s name, creating legal liability and potentially resulting in service termination without notice. Only buy from official operator stores, airport kiosks, or licensed retailers.

Visitor SIM for Hajj & Umrah Pilgrims — Special Considerations

Connectivity in Makkah and Madinah during Hajj is among the most challenging mobile environments worldwide. Millions of simultaneous users compress local cell capacity, especially on the plains of Arafat, at Jamarat in Mina, and inside the Masjid al-Haram during peak prayer times.

Recommendations for pilgrims in 2026:

• Buy your SIM before arriving at the Makkah airport kiosks in Jeddah (JED) or Madinah (MED) are less congested than Makkah city stores
• STC has the best coverage inside the Haram. The operator has invested heavily in indoor coverage infrastructure at both mosques
• Zain’s Hajj bundles are specifically designed for pilgrim usage patterns. 7-day unlimited Zain-to-Zain calls help group coordination
• Download Nusuk permits offline before entering high-congestion zones. The app works with cached data for permit display
• Consider activating a travel eSIM as backup alongside your physical SIM. If one network is congested, the other may have capacity
• Top up before Hajj days, shops near the Haram may be crowded or closed during core Hajj rituals (8–10 Dhul Hijjah)

Hajj 2026 dates: Day of Arafat Tuesday, May 26 | Eid al-Adha Wednesday, May 27. If you are arriving for Hajj or Umrah, the new 1448 AH Umrah season opens on June 1, 2026. See our Umrah Season 1448 AH Calendar guide for full dates.

Archived Per-GB Examples — Recalculate from Live Offers

Understanding the cost per GB helps identify real value across plans:

The larger the plan, the lower the per-GB cost. Mobily’s Visitors 90 and STC’s Sawa Visitor 165 offer the best SAR/GB value in 2026. If you use significant data (navigation, streaming, Nusuk app, video calls), buying a larger plan upfront is more economical than topping up a smaller one.

Where to Buy a SIM — By City

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Which Visitor SIM Should You Choose in 2026?

The right choice depends entirely on your trip profile:

• Short stay (up to 2 weeks), wide travel: STC Sawa Visitor 73 (25 GB, 3 hours Flex, 3 weeks, SAR 85) best coverage anywhere in the Kingdom
• Budget, city-only, under 2 weeks: Zain Visitor 40 (7 GB, 60 min, SAR 40), the cheapest full-feature plan
• Best data value, 2–4 week stay: Mobily Visitors 90 (55 GB, 300 min, 30 days, SAR 103.50) unbeatable per-GB cost
• Calling Pakistan / India / Bangladesh / Egypt: Zain Visitor 85 or 120 Flex minutes covers these countries
• Hajj or Umrah pilgrim: STC Sawa Visitor 100 or Zain Hajj Hard 70 coverage + pilgrim-specific features
• No registration hassle, data only: Airalo or Holafly eSIM activate at home, no passport queue

For extended stays beyond your visitor SIM’s validity, consider the Zain KSA Prepaid & Postpaid Packages 2026 guide or our How to Buy a SIM Card in Saudi Arabia 2026 step-by-step walkthrough. For extended stays, consider the STC Quicknet Postpaid Plans to enjoy monthly data packages with auto-renewal.

DISCLAIMER: Package details, prices, and availability are subject to change by operators. All prices include 15% VAT unless stated otherwise. Saudi Scoop is not affiliated with STC, Mobily, Zain, or Salam Mobile. Always verify current packages at the operator’s official website before purchasing.

Rosa

Rosa Gardens is a writer at Saudi Scoop, dedicated to delivering insightful and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Rosa covers various topics that inform and inspire readers.