SAUDI ARABIA TRAVEL • DATA ROAMING
Saudi Arabia eSIM vs Your Home Carrier’s International Roaming
Travelling to Riyadh, Jeddah or AlUla? Compare an eTravelSim Saudi Arabia eSIM on Zain with what your own network charges for roaming in Saudi Arabia. Prices below are the live eTravelSim plan prices in US dollars.
| Factor | Home-carrier roaming | eTravelSim Saudi Arabia eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost for a 7-10 day trip | Home carriers usually bill roaming per day or per MB, and the rate depends on your carrier and plan | From $5.00 for 1 GB (30 days), $13.50 for 5 GB (30 days) or $29.00 for Unlimited (7 days) |
| Data allowance | Often capped or slowed once you pass your plan’s roaming data limit | 1 GB up to 50 GB (30 days), or Unlimited for 1, 3, 5, 7, 15 or 30 days |
| Plan prices (live) | Set by your carrier, by country and by pack | 1 GB $5.00 · 3 GB $10.00 · 5 GB $13.50 · 10 GB $20.50 · 20 GB $27.99 · 50 GB $84.99 (30 days) · Unlimited: 1 day $4.99, 3 days $10.99, 5 days $19.00, 7 days $29.00, 15 days $59.00, 30 days $109.00 |
| Network in Saudi Arabia | Depends on the local partner your carrier has an agreement with | The Zain network (4G / 5G / LTE) |
| Setup before you travel | Usually needs a roaming add-on enabled with your carrier in advance | eSIM delivered by email instantly after purchase; activates automatically once installed |
| Unlimited plan speed | Not applicable | Unlimited plans include 4 GB of high-speed data per day, then unlimited data at 1 Mbps; high-speed data resets every 24 hours |
| Hotspot / tethering | Often restricted or charged separately while roaming | Supported on limited-data plans only, not on Unlimited plans |
| Calls and a number | You keep your home number; roaming calls are often charged per minute | Data-only eSIM; it does not include a Saudi phone number |
| Paperwork | None – it is your existing plan | None – no documentation required to activate |
- ✓Keep your home SIM active for your number and use the eSIM for data in Saudi Arabia
- ✓Instant delivery by email - install before you fly or as soon as you land
- ✓Plans from 1 GB to Unlimited, including 1-day and 3-day Unlimited options
- ✓Fixed prepaid price, so no roaming bill when you get home
Saudi Arabia eSIM questions
Which network does the Saudi Arabia eSIM use?
It uses the Zain network in Saudi Arabia, with 4G, 5G and LTE data.
How much does a Saudi Arabia eSIM cost?
Plans start at $5.00 for 1 GB over 30 days. 5 GB is $13.50, 10 GB is $20.50, 20 GB is $27.99 and 50 GB is $84.99. Unlimited is $4.99 for 1 day, $29.00 for 7 days, $59.00 for 15 days and $109.00 for 30 days. The plan page always shows the current price.
Does the Saudi Arabia eSIM come with a phone number?
No. It is a data-only eSIM. You keep your home number on your physical SIM for calls and texts.
What happens after the 4 GB of daily high-speed data on an Unlimited plan?
Unlimited plans include 4 GB of high-speed data per day. After that, speed drops to 1 Mbps until the daily allowance resets 24 hours later.
Can I use hotspot with this eSIM?
Hotspot and tethering are supported on the limited-data plans only, not on Unlimited plans.
Do I need to submit documents to activate it?
No. The eSIM activates automatically once installed, with no documentation required.
Will my phone work with a Saudi Arabia eSIM?
It works on eSIM-enabled smartphones. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM before you buy.
How is a Saudi Arabia eSIM different from paying for my home carrier’s roaming?
Roaming charges are set by your home carrier and often come with a daily fee or a data cap. A Saudi Arabia eSIM is a single prepaid plan bought upfront, so the cost and the data allowance are known before you travel.