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Planning a trip to Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Sorting out your mobile data in advance with an eSIM is a very smart move. Roaming charges for British travellers can be extremely high, often starting at around £7 per day from UK providers like Three, Vodafone, O2 and EE. With travel eSIM plans for the UAE starting from as little as £0.50, preparing in advance is the best way to avoid these steep fees and stay connected the moment you land.
There's one catch worth knowing before you fly: due to local regulations, your options for buying certain eSIMs (including my top pick) are restricted once you are already in the country. I strongly recommend buying your eSIM before you travel.
In this guide you'll find my top picks after testing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, plus everything you need to know about WhatsApp call restrictions, the free airport SIM, and the local networks.
Short on time? My top pick is Airalo. It clocked the fastest speeds I recorded (1000+ Mbps), and crucially it lets you make WhatsApp video calls, which are blocked on standard local SIMs. Use code FYESIM15 for 15% off, and remember to buy it before you fly.
United Arab Emirates eSIM for UK Travellers
Whether you need a travel eSIM comes down to what your UK plan charges for roaming in the UAE. The Emirates sits well outside any inclusive roaming arrangement, so most UK networks charge daily fees that start around £7 per day and quickly add up over a week's holiday.
There's a second reason a travel eSIM matters here that has nothing to do with price. In the UAE, VoIP services like WhatsApp audio and video calls are blocked on standard local SIMs. A travel eSIM whose data is routed via Europe isn't subject to that block, so you can keep calling home just as you would from anywhere else.
Three reasons to get a travel eSIM for Dubai and Abu Dhabi:
- You'll usually save money. UK roaming from around £7 per day soon overtakes a full eSIM bundle, and travel eSIMs for the UAE start from about £0.50.
- You can keep using WhatsApp calls. A travel eSIM routed via Europe bypasses the local VoIP block that stops WhatsApp calls working on local SIMs.
- You're online the moment you land. Install it before you fly and skip the ID registration, kiosk queues and top-up hassle of a local SIM.
You keep your UK number reachable for calls and texts, and use the eSIM only for data (most modern phones run both at once).
Browse 40+ providers in our United Arab Emirates eSIM comparison, or read on for my personal review.
How to Choose the Right eSIM for Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
For a normal city trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, the choice of network barely matters. Both UAE networks (Etisalat and Du) deliver excellent 4G and 5G across the cities and tourist areas. What matters far more is whether the eSIM unlocks WhatsApp calls and how transparent it is about any "unlimited" fair use limits.
I tested several providers and these stood out:
- Airalo for the best all-round experience, with the fastest speeds in my test and WhatsApp calls unlocked via European routing
- Eskimo for layovers and frequent visitors, with two-year data validity and the ability to share data with friends
- Supera Link if you genuinely need unlimited data, with a clear and generous daily high-speed allowance
How much data do you actually need? It pays to think about this beforehand. Use our data calculator to estimate what you'll really use. Want to compare prices? Browse all 40+ providers via our United Arab Emirates eSIM comparison tool. Or read on for my personal review.
Airalo: Best tested
My personal favourite provider for Dubai and Abu Dhabi is Airalo, and I think it's the best choice for most travellers. You can get their Burj Mobile eSIM with 15% off using code FYESIM15 via Find Your eSIM.
Note: due to local regulations, Airalo only sells this eSIM to customers who are not yet physically in the UAE. You must purchase it before you travel.
I used Airalo in the UAE back in 2022 and again this year, and the service has improved significantly. The old mandatory KYC (ID check) is gone, and the performance is on another level.
The performance I tested was blazing fast, over 1000 Mbps. Let's be honest, you don't need that on a mobile (and it burns through data quickly), but it clearly shows this is a high-quality, no-compromise eSIM.
Most importantly, this eSIM bypasses the local restrictions on free VoIP services. Because the data is routed via Europe (Netherlands or France when I tested), it isn't subject to the local blocks. That means you can make WhatsApp video calls without any issues, a feature blocked on standard local SIMs. Despite the international routing, I found the latency still low enough for video calls to work flawlessly.
Finally, it's often significantly cheaper than the local tourist SIM packages sold at the airport. Combined with Airalo's clean, simple app, it's an easy choice for any traveller, especially first-time eSIM users.
Airalo: Pros
- Exceptional 1000+ Mbps speeds in my test
- Unlocks WhatsApp calls via European routing
- Often cheaper than local airport tourist SIMs
- Clean, user-friendly app ideal for first-timers
Airalo: Cons
- Must be purchased before you arrive in the UAE (local rules)
- Very high speeds burn through data quickly
Featured Airalo plans for United Arab Emirates
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Airalo Burj MobileUnited Arab Emirates only5GData10 GBValidity7 days£14.50£12.33£1.23/GB£14.50£1.45/GB−15% with code - Airalo Burj MobileUnited Arab Emirates only5GData20 GBValidity15 days£25.50£21.68£1.08/GB£25.50£1.28/GB−15% with code
Eskimo: Best for layovers
I recently partnered with Eskimo, a Singapore-based eSIM provider with some unique advantages that make it my top recommendation for UAE layovers.
New customers can claim a free 1 GB global data plan (valid for two years) using code FYESIM.
Here's why Eskimo is a great option for the UAE:
- Free 1 GB plan. Perfect for trying the service or keeping as a reliable backup if you only need minimal data.
- Data valid for two years. Unlike most plans that expire quickly, Eskimo's data is valid for a minimum of two years, ideal if you visit the UAE often for layovers or short trips.
- Unique data sharing. You can share data with friends at any time. You just need their phone number to send them your leftover data.
This flexibility makes Eskimo the perfect eSIM for anyone who often travels with Emirates or Etihad and has regular stopovers in the UAE.
A small trade-off: paid data plans are slightly higher than average, but that's offset by the long validity and the other benefits. Data is routed via Singapore, where Eskimo partners with the top-tier Singtel network.
Eskimo: Pros
- Free 1 GB plan valid for two years
- Data valid for a minimum of two years
- Share leftover data with friends via their phone number
- Runs on the top-tier Singtel network
Eskimo: Cons
- Paid data plans slightly higher than average
- Data routed via Singapore, so higher latency than Europe-routed eSIMs
Featured Eskimo plans for United Arab Emirates
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Eskimo United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates only5GData5 GBValidity2 years£13.00£6.50£1.30/GB£13.00£2.60/GB1 GB Free Trial + Up to 50% Off - Eskimo United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates only5GData10 GBValidity2 years£24.50£13.00£1.30/GB£24.50£2.45/GB1 GB Free Trial + Up to 50% Off
Superalink: Transparent unlimited data
If you genuinely need a lot of data, Superalink is a solid, affordable unlimited option. I tested it this year in Abu Dhabi and it held up well. You can get 18% off using code FYESIM.
Here's what I found in my test:
- Fair Use Policy: a clear and generous 5 GB of high-speed data per day (at the time of writing).
- Hotspot / tethering: supported, but limited to 2 GB per day.
- Performance: data is routed via Singapore, so latency was higher and performance wasn't quite on par with premium options like Airalo, but the price reflects that. The connection was perfectly fine for streaming and even video calling.
- Value: given the price, it offers excellent value if you need a large daily data allowance.
Unlike the vague "unlimited" plans I'd steer you away from, Supera Link is upfront about its daily high-speed limit, which is exactly what you want from an unlimited eSIM.
Superalink: Pros
- Clear, generous 5 GB high-speed data per day
- Fine for streaming and video calls
- Excellent value for a large daily allowance
- Hotspot and tethering supported
Superalink: Cons
- Hotspot limited to 2 GB per day
- Data routed via Singapore, so higher latency than premium options
Featured Superalink plans for United Arab Emirates
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Superalink United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates onlyUnited Arab Emirates onlyUp to 5 GB per day
Fair-use policy based on information we automatically receive from the provider every 24 hours.
What's this?
Unlimited plans almost always apply a fair-use or data policy: speeds may be reduced after a high-speed allowance. Sometimes providers also throttle the speed from the start. Check the provider's terms before buying. We recommend caution if a provider doesn't clearly communicate its policy during checkout.
DataUnlimitedValidity7 days£17.76£14.56£17.76−18% with code - Superalink United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates onlyUnited Arab Emirates only
Up to 5 GB per day
Fair-use policy based on information we automatically receive from the provider every 24 hours.
What's this?
Unlimited plans almost always apply a fair-use or data policy: speeds may be reduced after a high-speed allowance. Sometimes providers also throttle the speed from the start. Check the provider's terms before buying. We recommend caution if a provider doesn't clearly communicate its policy during checkout.
DataUnlimitedValidity15 days£29.71£24.36£29.71−18% with code
Unlimited data eSIM for Dubai and Abu Dhabi
You'll find several "unlimited" eSIM options for the UAE in our comparison tool. It's important to separate these travel eSIMs from the official local unlimited plans, which offer superior performance but are enormously expensive (a Du unlimited plan runs to roughly £42 for a week).
Travel eSIMs are the budget-friendly alternative, but be extra cautious. They all come with a Fair Use Policy. Before buying, always check the exact daily high-speed data limit and what happens once you pass it (throttling or a hard cut-off). I'd strongly advise avoiding providers who are vague about these terms, because your data could unexpectedly stop.
If you want a transparent unlimited option, Superalink is the one I tested and recommend. See my full review above for the daily allowance and test results.
Local networks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
These are the major mobile networks in the UAE:
- Etisalat (e&)
- Du
The two main network operators are Etisalat (now branded as e&) and Du. Generally e& (Etisalat) is regarded as the better network, a view also supported by Opensignal. However, as a tourist staying mainly in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, from my own experience it really doesn't make a difference. Both networks are exceptionally good in these urban areas, with excellent 4G and 5G coverage.
You'll also see Virgin Mobile widely advertised. It's worth knowing that Virgin Mobile is a service provider (an MVNO), not a network owner. It runs on the Du network but offers its own plans and an app-based experience.
If you're planning to explore more remote parts of the Emirates, such as deep into the desert outside the main cities, it's worth checking coverage maps in advance. Main road coverage is good, but the signal can become less consistent across these vast areas.
Buying a local SIM card
Arranging a local SIM card (or a local eSIM) on arrival is very straightforward, especially if you enter via Dubai Airport (DXB). At passport control in Dubai you're often handed a free Du tourist SIM card, which conveniently takes care of the mandatory ID registration at the same time. It includes 1 GB of free data, valid for one day (counted from your arrival, not from activation). Arriving at Abu Dhabi or Sharjah instead? You can still get the free SIM by registering online or at a kiosk, with ID required.
However, relying on this free Du SIM card has three significant drawbacks:
- Expensive top-ups. Adding more data is very expensive, often far more so than buying a travel eSIM in advance.
- Deactivates on exit. The SIM is automatically switched off when you leave the UAE. Return for another layover soon after and you'll need a new SIM, losing any previous credit.
- Service restrictions. Due to local regulations some services are blocked. Most notably for travellers, VoIP services like WhatsApp audio and video calls do not work (text messaging is fine, and FaceTime worked last time I checked).
You can also buy a tourist SIM from Etisalat (e&) or the service provider Virgin Mobile. I've used both Du and Etisalat in recent years with no clear preference. My main takeaway is that while the quality and speed are excellent, the local tourist plans are generally very pricey compared to travel eSIMs. As a rough guide, Du fixed-data tourist plans run from about £10 for 4 GB to £40 for 20 GB (28 days), and unlimited plans from around £42 for 7 days up to £105 for 28 days. Etisalat's visitor lines are similar, starting with a free 10 GB line valid for 24 hours. Prices last checked November 2025, so double-check the latest rates on the official Du or Etisalat websites.
Important to know: buying a local SIM requires ID. You'll need to show your passport, and the seller registers your details. This is required by law and applies to all UAE operators.
Final thoughts
Choosing mobile data for Dubai or Abu Dhabi isn't just about price, it's about features. A local SIM card (like the free Du SIM) offers fast, low-latency performance but comes with major drawbacks: WhatsApp calls are blocked, and top-ups are very expensive.
For most travellers, a travel eSIM is the clear winner. It's convenient, it bypasses the local VoIP restrictions so you can stay in touch freely, and it's often cheaper than the local tourist plans. Just remember that the best-performing eSIMs (like my top pick, Airalo) must be purchased before you fly due to local rules.
In short, these are my top picks for the UAE:
- Airalo (best tested, 1000+ Mbps, unlocks WhatsApp)
- Eskimo (best for layovers, two-year validity)
- Superalink (transparent unlimited data)
Or compare 40+ providers yourself via our United Arab Emirates eSIM comparison. Sort it out before you fly and you're online, and able to use WhatsApp calls, the moment you land.
Founder of Find Your eSIM. An avid traveller with roots in telecom, he works fully remote and has been hands-on testing travel eSIMs since 2023. He only recommends providers he'd use himself.
