Best eSIM for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's climate swings from a mild 13.1°C in January to a scorching 34.7°C in July, making timing essential for a comfortable trip. The ideal travel window runs from November through March, when temperatures in Riyadh hover between 14°C and 20°C and light rainfall of 0.2 to 0.5 mm per month keeps conditions pleasant. This cooler period is perfect for exploring AlUla's desert landscapes or strolling Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district without the oppressive heat.

Avoid visiting between June and September, when average temperatures exceed 31°C and rainfall drops to 0 mm across all four months. This relentless dry heat limits outdoor sightseeing, particularly in desert regions covering much of the country's 2,149,690 km².

The November-to-March high season draws the heaviest visitor numbers, and mobile networks in popular areas like Riyadh's Boulevard or Diriyah can experience noticeable congestion. To avoid connectivity headaches, set up your eSIM before departure so you're online the moment you land at King Khalid International Airport. If you're planning a broader itinerary, browsing eSIM plans for Asia ahead of time ensures you compare options without the pressure of peak-season crowds.

Set up your eSIM in dual SIM mode before landing in Riyadh so your home number stays active for banking verification codes and two-factor authentication. Assign your eSIM as the primary line for mobile data and keep your original SIM reserved for incoming SMS only — this avoids roaming charges while ensuring you never miss a security alert from your bank.

Saudi Arabia runs on UTC+03:00, which means no time difference with Moscow, but a 7-hour gap ahead of New York and a 2-hour lead over Paris. Schedule video calls home accordingly, especially during Riyadh's evening hours. The country code is +966, and most messaging apps like WhatsApp work seamlessly on your data connection for free voice and video calls.

Arabic is the sole official language, so download Google Translate's offline Arabic pack before departure — it includes camera translation for road signs and restaurant menus. Since Saudi Arabia drives on the right, navigation feels familiar for most Western visitors. Download offline maps covering the 2,149,690 km² territory in Google Maps or Waze, particularly for desert routes between Jeddah and NEOM where signal can thin out. If your next destination is Baghdad, check our eSIM guide for Iraq to prepare ahead.

Buying a physical SIM card at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh or King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is straightforward, with kiosks from STC, Mobily, and Zain located in arrival halls. However, Saudi regulations require passport verification and biometric fingerprint registration for every SIM activation, a process that can take 20 to 40 minutes during peak flight arrivals. Staff at airport counters generally speak English, but smaller operator shops in cities may conduct transactions primarily in Arabic.

Free Wi-Fi is available in major hotels, shopping malls like Riyadh Boulevard, and most branded coffee chains. Yet public networks are often filtered and deliver inconsistent speeds, making them unreliable for video calls or navigation across the Kingdom's vast distances. Pocket Wi-Fi rental remains uncommon in Saudi Arabia, unlike destinations in East Asia, and few agencies offer this service at Saudi airports.

International roaming from your home carrier typically costs several riyals per megabyte, adding up fast during a multi-city trip covering Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla. An eSIM eliminates biometric registration, airport queues, and language barriers entirely — you activate your plan before boarding. Travelers continuing to neighboring countries can also pick up an eSIM for Kuwait just as easily, staying connected across the Gulf without switching physical cards.