eSIM for Saudi Arabia
With a ScarabPay eSIM for Saudi Arabia you connect to STC, the kingdom's largest operator, with 5G in supported areas. It suits pilgrims, business travellers and tourists alike: install it by QR code before departure, keep your own SIM for calls and texts, and have data ready for maps, transport and booking apps on arrival.
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Data plans for Saudi Arabia
Regional plans that include Saudi Arabia
These plans also work in other countries of the region — handy if your trip crosses borders.
Private and hassle-free in Saudi Arabia
📋 Local SIM rules
In many countries a local prepaid SIM asks for your ID, address or a local account. A ScarabPay eSIM skips all of that, so you can get connected in Saudi Arabia in minutes.
🔒 How ScarabPay protects you
No registration, no email required to connect, and no personal data sold. You pay from your wallet or with crypto and your eSIM details appear instantly on screen.
Privacy advantages in Saudi Arabia
- No permanent account or sign-up to connect
- No local ID verification required
- 100% of your eSIM details shown instantly after payment
- Pay privately with your wallet or crypto
Coverage in Saudi Arabia
Your Saudi Arabia eSIM connects automatically to the strongest available network. Here are the operators you can reach:
Why multiple network options?
- Automatic connection to the strongest available signal
- Seamless switching between networks for uninterrupted service
- Access to 4G LTE and 5G wherever available
- Better coverage across both cities and rural areas
How it works
Pick your plan
Choose the amount of data and the number of days that match your trip to Saudi Arabia.
Pay in seconds
Check out from your ScarabPay wallet balance or with crypto, all inside your account.
Scan and connect
Your QR code arrives instantly. Scan it and your Saudi Arabia eSIM is ready to use.
Traveling to more than one country?
Why buy your eSIM with ScarabPay
- Local data in Saudi Arabia without a physical SIM or a trip to a store.
- Pay from your ScarabPay wallet balance or with crypto.
- Instant QR delivery, ready before you land in Saudi Arabia.
- Clear, upfront pricing in 16 languages, with no roaming surprises.
Staying connected in Saudi Arabia: what visitors need to know
STC runs the most extensive mobile network in Saudi Arabia, and this eSIM uses it, with 5G in parts of Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam and other large cities. Distances between cities are long, and while the main highways are mostly covered, stretches of open desert, mountain roads in the south-west and remote sites around AlUla can have weak or no signal. During peak pilgrimage periods, the crowds in Makkah and Madinah may slow data at the busiest times.
A local Saudi SIM is sold only against a passport or national ID, and the line is registered to that document, often with a fingerprint check at the counter. Unlike some neighbouring Gulf states, Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on internet voice and video calls, so WhatsApp and FaceTime calls generally work over mobile data. Free Wi-Fi is available in airports, malls and many hotels, and visitors rely heavily on ride-hailing, maps and booking apps, including Nusuk for Umrah arrangements.
Install the eSIM over Wi-Fi at home, and switch it on once you land in Riyadh, Jeddah or Madinah. Keep your home SIM active for verification codes but leave its roaming off, turning roaming on only for the eSIM line. Pilgrims staying two weeks or more for Umrah use maps, video calls and messaging every day, so they need a larger plan than a business traveller on a short trip. If your data runs low, top up instead of buying a new plan.
Quick tips for Saudi Arabia
- Download offline maps before driving between cities; desert highways can have long stretches with weak signal.
- In Makkah and Madinah, agree a fixed meeting point with your group in case data slows in the crowds.
- WhatsApp and FaceTime calls generally work over mobile data here, so you can call family without extra apps.
- Keep screenshots of Umrah permits and hotel bookings so you can show them even without a signal.
- Use hotel Wi-Fi for video uploads and keep the eSIM data for navigation and ride-hailing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia with this eSIM?
Yes, in general. Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on internet voice and video calls, so WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar apps normally work over mobile data. Call quality depends on the signal, and in very crowded places, such as the areas around the two holy mosques at peak times, calls may be less stable.
Is the eSIM suitable for Umrah or Hajj in Makkah and Madinah?
Yes. STC covers both holy cities, with 5G in parts of them, and the eSIM lets you arrive with data ready. Very large crowds can slow the network at peak hours, so download maps, permits and your group's contact details in advance and keep your phone charged throughout the day.
Will I have signal on long drives between Saudi cities?
On the main highways you will usually have coverage, but long stretches of open desert and some mountain routes in the south-west can have weak or no signal. Download offline maps, share your route with someone you trust and save the address of your next stop before setting out.
How do I activate my Saudi Arabia eSIM?
After you pay, open the QR code in your ScarabPay account and scan it in your phone settings. The Saudi Arabia data plan installs in a minute or two, and you can turn it on when you arrive.
When should I install the eSIM?
You can install it before your trip and switch it on once you reach Saudi Arabia. The validity period starts when the plan first connects to a network, not when you install it.
Can I keep my own number in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The Saudi Arabia eSIM handles mobile data while your regular SIM stays active for your usual number, so you can still receive calls and texts.
What if I run out of data in Saudi Arabia?
Simply buy another Saudi Arabia plan from your ScarabPay account. You can top up as many times as you need, paying from your wallet or with crypto each time.
Do I need a ScarabPay account?
Yes. You buy and manage your Saudi Arabia eSIM from your ScarabPay account, which also gives you one place for your wallet, cards and payments. Creating an account takes only a few minutes.
Ready for your next trip?
Get online in Saudi Arabia the moment you arrive. Choose a data plan, pay from your ScarabPay wallet or with crypto, and receive your QR code instantly, no physical SIM and no roaming bills.
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