The Best Ways to Stay Connected in the Emirates: eSIMs and More

The United Arab Emirates is synonymous with luxury, attracting travelers who seek world-class experiences, unparalleled service, and cutting-edge innovation. From private desert safaris to personalized shopping extravaganzas, tourism in the Emirates offers the ultimate exclusivity.

However, many travelers face the hurdle of staying connected on their smartphone and other devices. Without cell phone coverage or a reliable internet connection, it becomes much more difficult to contact family and friends, conduct business, or make plans.

Fortunately, there are several solutions to keep you online and the calls coming through.

Can you rely on your existing cell phone carrier?

While many cell phone carriers can provide coverage and data in the Emirates, it’s not a good idea to rely on your existing plan.

Your home carrier will charge additional fees for using your phone internationally. These fees can be quite high, especially for data usage, so it’s essential to check before you travel to understand their roaming policies and charges.

5 Best Ways to Stay Connected in the UAE

Let’s take a closer look at the most reliable and affordable options:

1. eSIMs (embedded SIM cards)

Our current go-to when traveling anywhere, but especially in the Emirates, is an eSIM. 

Unlike traditional, physical SIM cards, eSIMs do not need to be physically inserted or removed. Instead, they can be activated and managed electronically,

A UAE eSIM ensures uninterrupted connectivity, allowing you to navigate effortlessly, book experiences on the go, and stay in touch with personal assistants or concierge services. 

Many eSIM providers allow you to choose from various data plans and validity periods, making it easy to select a plan that fits your travel needs and budget.

The main benefits of using an eSIM in the UAE include:

Affordability: eSIM providers offer competitive pricing for international data plans. These are cheaper than paying for roaming fees or international plans with your home carrier. Part of the cost savings come from the fact that no physical SIM card is required.

Convenience: You can purchase a plan online before you travel, activate it upon arrival, and avoid the need to visit a physical store in the UAE. There is also no switching of physical SIMs, since it is all dealt with digitally.

Renewable: Because you can manage your eSIM online, it is easy to upgrade or extend the plan.

Security: eSIMs can be programmed to resist cloning, making them more secure than traditional SIM cards. 

2. International Plans

Before setting off, it’s worth contacting your existing carrier to check if they have any international plans or add-ons for the Emirates. 

These allow you to use your phone at a more reasonable rate than relying on international roaming. 

You can typically choose a set amount of data, texts, and minutes for a set fee, which can help you control your costs while traveling.

A key benefit is that you keep your existing number, provider, and SIM. The downside is this will usually still cost more than your home plan.

3. Prepaid SIM Card

Before eSIMs, a good option was a prepaid SIM card. In some cases, you might still go this route.

This involves purchasing a local prepaid SIM card upon arrival in the UAE from providers like Etisalat or Du.

They are quite easy to find as the airport will have an outlet, and they are available at various retail locations throughout the country. Your hotel or accommodation will also be able to advise you.

Like eSIMs, prepaid SIMs offer numerous plans to suit your needs and are designed for temporary use to cover you during the trip.

4. Local Plan

In rarer cases, you might consider a rolling contract with one of the local carriers. This is useful if you are staying for an extended period of time or make many trips throughout the year.

You must consider the cost benefit, as pricing is comparatively cheaper per month but only if you stay long enough.

5. Wi-Fi Hotspots

The final option is to rely on free or paid Wi-Fi hotspots. Wi-Fi is widely available at hotels, malls, restaurants, and other public places in the Emirates.

If you are traveling on a budget or do not require constant connectivity, it’s a reasonable solution.

One of the key benefits is that it doesn’t matter what type of device you are using. For example, it’s much easier to connect a laptop to public Wi-Fi than via a mobile hotspot.

Keep in mind, though, that these networks may not be as secure, so it is a good idea to use a VPN.

How do I connect my Windows laptop or computer in the UAE?

So, your phone is connected but what about your Windows laptop or computer? The good news is there are several methods to do this too.

Of course, public Wi-Fi is one option, but for a more stable connection you can use these methods:

eSIM Compatible Laptops: While eSIMs are more commonly associated with smartphones, some laptops also support eSIM technology. This allows you to use the data from your UAE eSIM on the laptop. Popular eSIM compatible laptops include the Microsoft Surface Pro X, Lenovo Yoga C630, and Dell Latitude 9510.

SIM Compatibility: Similarly, many laptops also have a physical SIM card slot to make use of the data on your international, prepaid, or local SIM plans.

Mobile Hotspot: A mobile hotspot is a way to use your phone’s connectivity on your laptop or computer. All modern smartphones have a hotspot or tethering setting. Simply turn this on and connect to it like Wi-Fi. What’s great about this is you can often use your phone’s eSIM for the hotspot.

Conclusion

Although staying connected in the United Arab Emirates first seems like a hurdle, it’s easy once you know how.

The best method is to purchase a UAE eSIM online. It’s convenient and affordable and can even work as your mobile hotspot for computers and laptops.

You might also consider an international plan with your existing carrier, prepaid or local plans, or public Wi-Fi?

Do you travel to the Emirates? Let us know how you stay connected in the comments below!