Staying connected

Mobile & SIM

Egyptian WiFi is unreliable even in good hotels. A local SIM card is cheap, fast, and the single best upgrade you can make to your trip. Here's how to get one without hassle.

The four providers

All four operators offer 4G and some 5G. For most travelers, e& (Etisalat) and Orange offer the best value; Vodafone wins if you're heading to remote areas; WE is the budget speed king.

e& (formerly Etisalat)

Strong urban 4G, excellent self-service app, and some of the best-value tourist bundles. Often the first recommendation from long-stay travelers.

Data	Extras	Price
7 GB	100 local mins, 5 intl calls	EGP 200 (~US$4.20)
12 GB	250 local mins, 10 intl calls	EGP 300 (~US$6.35)
25 GB	250 local mins, 20 intl calls	EGP 450 (~US$9.50)
40 GB	400 local mins, 30 intl calls	EGP 600 (~US$12.70)

Best for: Travelers who want a great app, free social-data bonuses, and easy top-ups in person.

Orange

One of Egypt's largest operators with solid 4G coverage in cities. Straightforward tourist plans.

Data	Extras	Price
20 GB	120 local mins	EGP 200 (~US$4.20)
47 GB	120 local mins	EGP 450 (~US$9.50)

Best for: City-focused trips (Cairo, Alexandria) where you want a simple, reliable plan at low cost.

Vodafone

The most extensive rural and 5G coverage. Pricier than competitors, but the safest bet if you're heading off the beaten track.

Data	Extras	Price
5 GB / 10 days	Data only	US$22.50
10 GB / 15 days	Data only	US$34
20 GB / 30 days	Data only	US$47
50 GB / 30 days	Data only	US$60

Best for: Travelers to remote areas, desert routes, or anyone who wants the widest network footprint.

Telecom Egypt (WE)

Often the fastest download speeds in the country. Very budget-friendly entry point.

Data	Extras	Price
5 GB	60 local mins, 20 intl mins	EGP 100 (~US$2.10)
20 GB	120 local mins, 60 intl mins	EGP 300 (~US$6.35)

Best for: Budget travelers who want fast data and don't mind slightly fewer retail locations.

What you'll actually pay

Budget entry

EGP 100

~US$2

WE: 5 GB + mins. Fine for messaging and maps.

Sweet spot

EGP 200–300

~US$4–6

Orange or e&: 7–20 GB. Enough for a week of normal use.

Heavy use

EGP 450–600

~US$9.50–12.70

e& or Orange: 25–47 GB. Video, uploads, tethering.

Rural / 5G

US$22–60

Vodafone

Best coverage, data-only bundles. Pay more for peace of mind.

Prices are approximate and change with the exchange rate. Top-ups are often cheaper than the initial SIM purchase — e& in particular runs "double up" promotions.

Where to buy

Airport (Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh)

Official booths for all four carriers right after baggage claim. Convenient but slightly more expensive. Expect to spend 30–45 minutes with passport registration.

Carrier stores in city malls

The best prices and English-speaking staff who can help with settings. Go here if you want the full choice of bundles and the easiest troubleshooting.

Convenience stores & kiosks

Fine for quick top-ups, but setup help is limited. Avoid random street vendors selling unregistered SIMs.

Hotel concierge

Some hotels sell SIMs at the front desk or can direct you to the nearest official store.

Before you buy — checklist

01Make sure your phone is carrier-unlocked before you fly. A locked phone won't accept an Egyptian SIM.
02Bring your passport. Registration is mandatory for tourists — they'll scan it in-store.
03Allocate 30–45 minutes for the first purchase. Activation involves paperwork, photo ID scanning, and sometimes a short wait for network confirmation.
04Top-ups may need to be done in person. Foreign credit cards often fail on carrier apps, though e&'s app works well for checking balance and claiming free social data.
05Save your new Egyptian number immediately. You'll need it to log into carrier apps and for any local bookings.

eSIM vs physical SIM

Physical SIM (recommended)

Much cheaper — EGP 100–600 for generous data
Fast local speeds, easy top-ups
Local number for bookings, apps, and calls
Requires passport and 30–45 mins in-store

eSIM (bridge only)

Instant activation before you land
No passport registration needed
Expensive for Egypt — often US$20+ for small data
No local number for calls or app verification

Our advice: buy a small eSIM (e.g. Airalo) to cover your first 24–48 hours, then pick up a local physical SIM at the airport or your first city stop. That way you're never offline, but you're not paying eSIM prices for your whole trip.

What to watch out for

Egyptian WiFi is notoriously unreliable, even in major hotels and cafes. Don't rely on it for maps, tickets, or ride-hailing.
Avoid buying SIMs from unofficial street sellers near tourist sites (Khan el-Khalili, Giza plateau). They may be unregistered, overpriced, or stop working after a few days.
eSIMs (Airalo, etc.) work in Egypt but are expensive compared to local physical SIMs. Only use them as a bridge for your first 24–48 hours if you need connectivity immediately on landing.
Upload speeds can be slow even on fast plans. If you need to upload large videos or files, plan around WiFi at your hotel or ask a colleague back home.