Last updated: 16 October 2026. STC and Mobily prices below were checked on the operators’ own websites on that date; Zain’s site didn’t list clear visitor prices, so its figures are reported prices (see the Zain section).
Your phone is essential during Umrah: the Nusuk app for your Umrah and Rawdah permits, maps between the hotel and the Haram, Uber and Careem, and staying in touch with family. This guide compares Saudi visitor SIM prices from STC, Mobily and Zain, explains what you need to buy one at the airport, and covers eSIMs you can buy before you fly.
Quick answer: for a 10–14 day Umrah, buy a visitor SIM with about 20 GB — STC Visitor 47 (SAR 55, 21 GB, 2 weeks) or Mobily Visitors 50 (SAR 57.50, 20 GB, 14 days) — at the airport arrivals hall. Bring your passport and visa. If you’d rather land already connected, buy an eSIM before you fly; Airalo’s Saudi plans start at $12.50 for 3 days. On any Saudi SIM, the Nusuk app works without using your data.
Jump to: Prices · Which package · Pilgrim SIM · At the airport · eSIM · Data needed · Roaming · FAQ
Saudi SIM Card Prices for Umrah (October 2026)
STC Visitor SIM Prices
| Package | Price (incl. VAT) | Data | Calls | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor 26 | SAR 31 | 6 GB | 1 hour | 2 weeks |
| Visitor 47 | SAR 55 | 21 GB | 2 hours | 2 weeks |
| Visitor 65 | SAR 75 | 33 GB | 3 hours | 3 weeks |
| Visitor 86 | SAR 100 | 51 GB | 5 hours | 4 weeks |
| Visitor 130 | SAR 150 | 72 GB | 6 hours | 4 weeks |
| Visitor 165 | SAR 190 | 100 GB | 10 hours | 4 weeks |
You can buy an STC visitor SIM through the mystc app or at any STC branch. STC says the number is activated at a branch on arrival.
Mobily Visitor SIM Prices
| Package | Price (incl. VAT) | Data | Calls (local + intl) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitors 30 | SAR 34.50 | 5 GB | 60 min | 14 days |
| Visitors 50 | SAR 57.50 | 20 GB | 120 min | 14 days |
| Visitors 65 | SAR 74.75 | 30 GB | 200 min | 21 days |
| Visitors 90 | SAR 103.50 | 55 GB | 300 min | 30 days |
| Visitors 100 | SAR 115 | 25 GB + unlimited social | 400 min | 14 days |
| Visitors 150 | SAR 172.50 | 40 GB + unlimited social | 600 min | 30 days |
Zain Visitor SIM Prices
Zain has a visitor SIM page aimed at Hajj and Umrah travellers, but when we checked it didn’t list clear prices for its visitor packages. Traveltomtom reported these Zain prices at Jeddah airport in September 2026: SAR 120 for 30 GB + 30 GB social media + 1,000 minutes (28 days), SAR 150 for 30 GB + unlimited social media, and SAR 180 for 70 GB + unlimited social media. Compare with the STC and Mobily packages above before you buy.
Which Package Fits Your Trip?
| Trip length | Good fit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 7 days | STC Visitor 26 (6 GB) or Mobily Visitors 30 (5 GB) | SAR 31–34.50 |
| 10–14 days | STC Visitor 47 (21 GB) or Mobily Visitors 50 (20 GB) | SAR 55–57.50 |
| 15–21 days | STC Visitor 65 (33 GB) or Mobily Visitors 65 (30 GB) | SAR 74.75–75 |
| Up to 4 weeks | STC Visitor 86 (51 GB) or Mobily Visitors 90 (55 GB) | SAR 100–103.50 |
Even on a one-week trip, the 20 GB packages cost only about SAR 24 more and remove any worry about running out.
Is There a Special Pilgrim SIM for Umrah or Hajj?
Not a separate free one that we could find. Saudi operators sell the same visitor packages to tourists and pilgrims: Zain markets its visitor SIM to Hajj and Umrah travellers, and STC describes its visitor SIM as for tourism, business, Hajj or Umrah. A Saudi SIM isn’t mandatory for Umrah either — what you must have is your Nusuk permit.
Two pilgrim-specific changes do help:
- Nusuk without using your data. Since August 2025, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with STC, Mobily and Zain, lets anyone on a Saudi SIM — including visitors — use the Nusuk app without using their data package. That covers permits (including Rawdah), Haramain train tickets and Nusuk maps. The announcement doesn’t say whether it works on a foreign SIM while roaming. Saudi Press Agency.
- eSIM activation on arrival. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission, with the Ministry of Interior, launched digital eSIM activation for international pilgrims: you request an eSIM in a Saudi operator’s app and verify your identity through Absher with a biometric check. It was announced for pilgrims arriving for Hajj and doesn’t say whether Umrah visitors are covered, so plan on an airport counter or a foreign eSIM. Saudi Gazette.
Buying a Saudi SIM at Jeddah or Madinah Airport
STC, Mobily and Zain have counters in the arrivals halls of both Jeddah and Madinah airports. At Jeddah, Traveltomtom places them in the main arrivals hall, behind the large aquarium and next to the exit toward the train station. At Madinah, look for the branded counters after customs.
- Bring: your passport and visa (printed or on your phone). You don’t need an iqama.
- Expect a fingerprint scan. Staff register the SIM to your passport and usually take a fingerprint as part of Saudi SIM registration.
- Unlock your phone first. A phone locked to your home network won’t accept a Saudi SIM.
- Ask for the package by name — for example “STC Visitor 47” or “Mobily Visitors 50”. Price boards aren’t always displayed, and kiosk staff sometimes offer a bigger bundle first.
- Allow 10–20 minutes for registration and setup.
Option 2: Buy an eSIM Before You Fly
An eSIM is a digital SIM you buy and install before you travel — no physical card, no airport queue, and you’re online the moment you land. It also lets you keep your home number active on the same phone.
Airalo’s Saudi Arabia eSIMs run on the Zain network, and when we checked all of them were unlimited-data plans: 3 days $12.50, 5 days $18.50, 7 days $27, 10 days $34.50, 15 days $54, 30 days $97. Airalo also sells Middle East regional plans from $6.50. Airalo Saudi Arabia eSIM. Holafly and Nomad sell Saudi eSIMs too.
Cost check: for a two-week trip, a local visitor SIM (about SAR 55, roughly $15, for 20 GB) is much cheaper than a 15-day unlimited eSIM ($54). The eSIM wins on convenience. You can also combine them: a short eSIM to get you through arrival and transport, then a local SIM once you’re settled.
Check your phone supports eSIM first: look in your phone’s mobile or cellular settings for an “Add eSIM” option. Most recent iPhones and flagship Android phones support it; many budget Android phones don’t.
How Much Data Do You Need for Umrah?
| Activity | Typical data use |
|---|---|
| Nusuk app (permits, daily use) | ~50–100 MB in total — free on a Saudi SIM |
| Google Maps / navigation | ~200–400 MB per day |
| WhatsApp messages and voice calls | ~100–200 MB per day |
| Uber / Careem | ~20–50 MB per day |
| Browsing and general use | ~200–400 MB per day |
| Total per day | ~600 MB–1 GB |
| Total for 10–14 days | ~6–14 GB |
Our recommendation: buy around 20 GB for a 10–14 day trip. The price gap between the small and 20 GB packages is small, and video calls home use more data than anything else on this list. Use your hotel Wi-Fi for long video calls.
Using the Nusuk App on Saudi Data
On a Saudi SIM, the Nusuk app works without using your data package (see above). It can still be slow inside the Haram buildings at busy times, when huge numbers of phones share the network.
Our strongest tip: screenshot your Nusuk permit QR codes and keep them in your photo gallery. Don’t rely on loading the app live at the Rawdah or Haram entrance.
Staying in Touch With Family Back Home
WhatsApp voice and video calls work normally on Saudi data. Save long video calls for hotel Wi-Fi. Your home SIM can stay in the phone (or stay active alongside an eSIM) so you still receive bank OTP text messages — useful when paying by card.
Can You Use Your Home SIM With Roaming Instead?
- USA: AT&T’s International Day Pass and Verizon’s TravelPass both cost $12 a day in 210+ destinations — about $168 for 14 days. T-Mobile’s Experience More / Go5G Plus plans include 5 GB of high-speed data abroad (15 GB on Experience Beyond) in 215+ destinations, then slow 256 kbps. Check that Saudi Arabia is on your carrier’s list; for a two-week trip a local SIM is usually far cheaper.
- India: Jio, Airtel and Vi sell international roaming packs that cover Saudi Arabia. Without a pack, pay-as-you-go data abroad is very expensive. Compare the pack price with about SAR 55 for 20 GB on a local SIM.
- UK: Saudi Arabia isn’t covered by the European roaming allowances UK networks include, so roaming there is charged separately. An eSIM or local SIM is usually cheaper.
Saudi SIM for Umrah: FAQ
How much is a Saudi SIM card for Umrah?
STC’s visitor SIM starts at SAR 31 (6 GB, 2 weeks) and Mobily’s at SAR 34.50 (5 GB, 14 days). About 20 GB for two weeks costs SAR 55 (STC) or SAR 57.50 (Mobily), including VAT.
Which is best for Umrah — STC, Mobily or Zain?
All three cover Makkah and Madinah well, according to Traveltomtom’s 2026 Saudi SIM guide. STC and Mobily publish clear visitor prices, so they’re easier to compare; choose the package that matches your trip length.
Do I need a fingerprint to buy a SIM in Saudi Arabia?
For a physical SIM, usually yes — counters register it to your passport and take a fingerprint. An eSIM bought abroad before you travel (such as Airalo) doesn’t need this.
Can a visitor buy a Saudi SIM without an iqama?
Yes. Visitors buy SIMs with a passport and visa; an iqama is only for residents.
Do I need a Saudi SIM to use the Nusuk app?
No. Nusuk works on any internet connection, including roaming and foreign eSIMs. The data-free access applies to Saudi SIMs.
Is there a free SIM for Umrah pilgrims?
We couldn’t find one. Operators sell regular visitor packages to pilgrims, and the official pilgrim eSIM service was announced for Hajj.
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- Complete Umrah Packing List 2026 — What to Actually Bring
- Nusuk App Complete Guide 2026
- How I Self-Booked Umrah for My Family — Complete Guide
- Haramain train vs taxi — Makkah to Madinah compared
- Best areas to stay in Makkah
- Artal Taiba Hotel Madinah — budget stay review
- How to get an Umrah visa (India & US passports)
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