Internet
Yes
Calls
No
SMS
No
4G
Yes
Works only on unlocked eSIM-supported devices — check your phone compatibility before purchase
Most packages do not include calls or SMS
Choose one of three methods:
Scan QR code
Install via 'Quick Install' button
Manual setup through phone settings
Use the package within 3 months from purchase
Local (one country), Regional (multiple countries), Global (many countries)
Not available for Sicily
The UAE is made up of seven emirates, but most travelers spend their time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where coverage is dense and going without data is not really an option: taxis, metro, tickets, maps, translation. An eSIM lets you get local mobile data before you board and skip the hunt for a SIM card at the airport. Below is a practical reference: where connectivity matters most, which apps help, what to know about the country and how to set up your eSIM.
This page is the quickest way to buy a travel eSIM for the UAE from 4 900 ₸. Pick a plan, pay online and install the digital SIM card at home before the flight — no passport and no queue at an airport kiosk.
The eSIM connects to local mobile networks, so you have data wherever they have coverage — Abu Dhabi and Dubai and the rest of the country.
Compared with roaming in the UAE, an eSIM is usually much cheaper for mobile data: the price of the package is fixed and known in advance. Your home number stays active on the main SIM for calls and SMS.
If your phone does not support eSIM, you can buy a regular physical SIM card with data for the UAE at a Funsim point of sale: at Almaty and Shymkent airports, or at our offices in Almaty — 130/1 Abay St and 1 Pozharsky St. Handy if you remember about the internet right before departure.
In the Emirates you need data at nearly every step: taxis are ordered through apps, tickets to attractions are bought online, restaurant tables are often booked ahead, and the metro and tram are easiest to follow in a navigation app. It is better to sort out connectivity before you arrive than in the arrivals hall after a long flight.
A Funsim eSIM works as an additional line: your Kazakh SIM stays in the phone for calls and bank SMS, while mobile data runs through the eSIM. Roaming is usually noticeably more expensive, and buying a local SIM takes time and most often requires you to be there in person with documents. See the current UAE plans in the list above.
| Criterion | eSIM Funsim | Roaming | Local SIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| When you get data | At home, before departure | Right when you switch on | After landing, at a shop or kiosk |
| Documents | No passport needed to buy | None needed | Passport usually needed for registration |
| Cost | Fixed, visible before purchase | Usually much more expensive | Depends on operator and package |
| Calls and SMS | Usually data only, calls via messengers | Available, at roaming rates | Depends on the package |
| Home number | Stays in the phone | Stays | Needs a second slot or a SIM swap |
| Hotspot | Supported on most plans | Depends on the tariff | Depends on the package |
Mobile coverage in the Emirates is good in cities and on the highways between them, but what a traveler needs data for differs from place to place.
This is where the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the old quarters along the creek are concentrated. Data is used for the metro, abra water taxis, online tickets to observation decks and checking the fountain schedule. In dense crowds on the waterfront mall Wi-Fi is not always convenient, while the mobile network holds up steadily. Before leaving the hotel, save tickets and bookings on your phone so you do not have to look for them in the queue at the entrance.
An area of skyscrapers, promenades and beach clubs. Mobile data helps with the tram and monorail to reach the Palm, ordering food to the beach and paying by phone. Many people come here for the whole day, so it is worth checking in advance whether your plan includes hotspot. If you spend a whole day at the beach, close unnecessary apps: maps and photos running in the background drain the battery quickly.
Abu Dhabi is calmer and more spread out than Dubai, and distances between sights are longer. Data here mostly goes on taxis and navigation between the Grand Mosque, the Corniche, Saadiyat Island and the theme parks on Yas. It is also handy for checking opening hours and mosque visiting rules. It also helps on the day you visit the mosque, where an online booking and an e-ticket may be required.
The neighboring emirates are often chosen for their calmer atmosphere and Sharjah's museums. The trip from Dubai can take a while in traffic, so mobile data helps you follow the route and travel time. In museums and markets it is useful for translating signs and paying. In the evening you can check in advance where to catch a taxi back, so you do not wait in the heat without a map.
An oasis city near the border with Oman, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. People come for a day from Abu Dhabi or Dubai for the oasis, the fort and the zoo. The road passes through empty desert stretches, so save your route and tickets on the phone before leaving and use the map on site. Download entry tickets and excursion confirmations before setting off, since coverage on the road can be uneven.
A northern emirate with beaches, mountains and a resort zone on Al Marjan Island. Travelers here book excursions, order taxis and pay for activities online. If you plan the mountain part, download an offline map beforehand and check the weather forecast before setting off. Plan the day with a time margin: traffic jams happen on the roads, and the navigator shows the current travel time.
The Gulf of Oman coast looks nothing like Dubai: mountains, old forts and beaches for snorkelling. The drive over the Hajar range takes time, and visitors often look for stops, cafes and beaches along the way. Data is useful for navigation and for contact with the excursion organiser. For long trips around the country keep the phone on a charger in the car and save the contacts you need in memory.
The international airports DXB and AUH serve as large transfer hubs. On a short layover data lets you check the boards, get a boarding pass and order a transfer. Turn on the eSIM right after landing so you do not lose time searching for Wi-Fi in the terminal. If your route continues beyond the UAE, check before flying on whether your plan has regional coverage.
These services are widely used in the Emirates. Download them and register at home while you still have home Wi-Fi.
A local ride-hailing service, very popular across the country. You can pick a car class, see the price before the ride and follow the route on the map. You can pay with a linked card, and the driver usually writes in the app where they are waiting.
The international app also works in the larger UAE cities. If you have used it before, your account and payment method will work. It is worth comparing both apps for a specific route. Install it in advance and check that a payment method is linked and accepted.
Good for walking routes, public transport and finding places. Download offline maps of Dubai and Abu Dhabi for trips out of town, where the signal can be weaker. Save your hotel, metro stations and places you want to visit on the map so you can find them quickly during the day.
The official apps of Dubai's transport authority help plan trips by metro, tram and bus. Fares are paid with a Nol card, which can be topped up online. The app shows top-ups and the balance on the card, which is handy for trips around the city.
One of the most widespread food and grocery delivery services in the region. Handy if you stay in an apartment and do not want to look for a restaurant every evening. The app shows restaurant ratings, delivery time and order status.
Another restaurant delivery service operating in the larger cities of the Emirates. Convenient when you want food brought to the beach or the hotel. Before ordering, compare delivery times across apps if you are hungry.
A local online marketplace with delivery across the country. Useful when you urgently need a charger, an adapter or some small item without trekking around malls. For purchases, it is better to enter the hotel or apartment address before you start checkout.
English is understood almost everywhere in the Emirates, but signs and documents may be in Arabic. Download the languages in advance so camera translation works. It also works without a network if the languages are already downloaded to the phone.
Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. Do this at home, before buying.
Choose a UAE plan on the page above, or a regional plan if you continue to other countries after the Emirates, and pay online by card. No passport is needed.
Install the eSIM at home by QR code or with the Quick install button. If neither works, you can enter the details manually.
Before departure make sure the eSIM profile appears in settings, but do not switch mobile data to it yet: use your home SIM and Wi-Fi.
After landing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it. Keep your home SIM for calls and bank SMS.
Install the eSIM the day before departure while you have stable Wi-Fi, and take a screenshot of the QR code in case you need it again.
