Pilgrimage travel
eSIM for Umrah and Hajj
Stay connected in Makkah and Madinah with a Saudi Arabia plan for your whole stay.
Quick answer
For Umrah or Hajj, choose a Saudi Arabia plan that lasts your whole stay, with enough data for maps, messages and video calls home. If you transit through another Gulf country, pick a regional plan that covers both. Install the eSIM at home before you travel, and keep tickets, permits and hotel details saved offline, because networks around the holy sites are very busy at peak times.
Preparing your phone for the journey
During Umrah and Hajj you rely on your phone for directions between your hotel and the holy sites, staying in touch with your group, and video calls with family at home. A Saudi Arabia plan installed before you travel works as soon as you land, without searching for a SIM shop at the airport.
Many pilgrims travel through another Gulf country on the way. If you have a stopover, a regional plan that covers Saudi Arabia and your transit country keeps you connected on both legs. Networks around the holy sites are very busy at peak times, so save tickets, permits and hotel details offline before you go.
What to look for
Your whole stay
Pick a plan that lasts from arrival to departure.
Maps, messages and video calls
Video calls home use the most data.
Transit stops
A regional plan covers a Gulf stopover too.
Documents offline
Save tickets and permits before you travel.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia eSIM 1GB Data 7 Days
Saudi Arabia eSIM 2GB Data 15 Days
Saudi Arabia eSIM 3GB Data 15 Days
Saudi Arabia eSIM 3GB Data 30 Days
Saudi Arabia eSIM 5GB Data 30 Days
Saudi Arabia eSIM Unlimited Data 7 Days
Saudi Arabia eSIM 10GB Data 30 Days
Saudi Arabia eSIM Unlimited Data 10 Days
Saudi Arabia plus Gulf transit
Regional plans that include Saudi Arabia and at least one common transit country.
Asia eSIM 1GB Data 7 Days (5 Countries)
Asia eSIM 1GB Data 30 Days (20 Countries)
Asia eSIM 2GB Data 15 Days (10 Countries)
Asia eSIM 3GB Data 15 Days (5 Countries)
Asia eSIM 3GB Data 30 Days (5 Countries)
Asia eSIM 5GB Data 30 Days (5 Countries)
Saudi Arabia and transit countries
Choosing an Umrah SIM card the eSIM way
If you are searching for an Umrah SIM card, an eSIM is the digital version: no tiny card to swap, no airport queue after a long flight. You scan a QR code at home, and the plan is ready when you land in Jeddah, Madinah or Riyadh.
Your home SIM can stay in the phone for your usual number, while the eSIM carries your data. That way family can still reach you, and you can use call apps over data for everything else.
Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked before you buy. Then match the plan length to your itinerary, from the first hotel night to your flight home.
Planning data around the rituals and your group
Umrah days follow a rhythm: early prayers, long stretches of worship, rest at the hotel, and travel between Makkah and Madinah. Data use follows the same pattern, with short bursts for maps and messages and longer sessions for video calls in the evening.
- Group travel: each person needs their own eSIM on their own phone.
- Longer stays: if you extend your trip, a plan with more days saves you from running out mid-journey.
- Busy periods: networks near the holy sites get crowded, so download maps and save documents offline first.
You can also read our Saudi Arabia eSIM plans page for every option in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Which eSIM is best for Umrah?
The best choice is a Saudi Arabia plan that lasts your whole stay, from arrival to departure. Pick enough data for maps, messages and video calls home. If you stop in another Gulf country on the way, a regional plan covering both places is usually simpler than buying two.
Does it work in Makkah and Madinah?
Saudi Arabia plans connect to local Saudi networks, which serve both cities. Each plan page lists the networks it uses, so check there before you buy. Keep in mind that networks near the holy sites can be very busy at peak times, so speeds may vary.
How much data do I need for Umrah?
Maps and messages use little data, while video calls home use the most. If you plan a daily call with family, choose a larger plan. If you mostly message and navigate, a smaller one is often enough. You can also add a top-up if you run low.
Can I make calls?
Our catalogue plans are data only, so there is no regular phone number for voice calls. Use call apps such as WhatsApp over your data connection. Your home SIM can stay active in the phone, so people can still reach your usual number.
When should I install it?
Install it at home on reliable Wi-Fi a few days before you fly. Scan the QR code, follow the steps, and keep the eSIM switched off for data until you land. Then turn it on and your connection starts when you arrive, with no airport shop needed.
What if I transit through Dubai or Doha?
Choose a regional plan that covers Saudi Arabia and your transit country, such as the plans in the Gulf transit grid above. You can also check the Qatar or United Arab Emirates plan pages if you would rather buy a short separate plan for the stopover.
Check the phone first
The phone must support eSIM and be unlocked. It takes a minute to check.