{ "lastUpdated": "2026-05-06", "egpToUsdRate": 0.01865, "currencyNote": "USD prices are approximate. Always verify current rate.", "marketContext": { "operatorsLicensed": 4, "fourGStatus": "4G/4G+ nationwide on all operators", "fiveG": { "launchedInEgypt": "2026-03", "licenseRound": "2024-10", "licenseValueUsdMillions": 675, "licenseDurationYears": 15, "rolloutPhase": "Early phase; concentrated in high-traffic urban areas, expanding rapidly" }, "simRegistration": "Passport required by Egyptian law", "paymentNotes": "EGP cash, USD, EUR, Visa, Mastercard usually accepted; AmEx often NOT accepted" }, "operators": [ { "id": "vodafone", "name": "Vodafone Egypt", "slug": "vodafone-egypt", "monogram": "V", "brandColor": "#E60000", "position": "Market leader", "tagline": "Best nationwide coverage", "website": "https://web.vodafone.com.eg", "lastVerified": "2026-05-06", "fiveG": { "launched": "2026-03", "description": "Extensive 5G coverage across major cities and growing" }, "coverageStrength": "Best on Cairo–Luxor route, Nile Valley, Red Sea coast", "brandAmbassador": "Mohamed Salah (Vodafone 5G ambassador since 2017)", "bestFor": "Travelers going beyond major cities, heavy data users", "supportLanguages": ["Arabic", "English"], "tariffFamily": "Vodafone Tourist Line / Holiday Line", "plans": [ { "name": "Tourist Line 200", "data_gb": 8, "local_mins": 200, "intl_mins": 20, "validity_days": 28, "price_egp": 200, "approximate": false }, { "name": "Tourist Line 495", "data_gb": 20, "local_mins": 120, "intl_mins": 60, "validity_days": 28, "price_egp": 495, "approximate": true }, { "name": "Tourist Line 505", "data_gb": 30, "local_mins": 200, "intl_mins": 30, "validity_days": 28, "price_egp": 505, "approximate": true } ], "pendingVerification": [] }, { "id": "orange", "name": "Orange Egypt", "slug": "orange-egypt", "monogram": "O", "brandColor": "#FF7900", "position": "Market #2 (~33% share)", "tagline": "Best value, strong city coverage", "website": "https://www.orange.eg", "lastVerified": "2026-05-06", "history": "Originally Mobinil; rebranded Orange in 2016", "fiveG": { "launched": "2026-03", "description": "Launched March 2026 alongside Vodafone; financed via $80M+ EBRD/Banque Misr loan" }, "coverageStrength": "Strong city coverage; relies on partner roaming in remote areas", "bestFor": "Budget-conscious travelers staying mostly in cities", "supportLanguages": ["Arabic", "English"], "tariffFamily": "Orange Holidays", "plans": [ { "name": "Orange Holidays", "data_gb": 20, "local_mins": 120, "validity_days": 28, "price_egp": 200, "approximate": false }, { "name": "Orange Holidays Super", "data_gb": 47, "local_mins": 120, "validity_days": 28, "price_egp": 450, "approximate": false } ], "pendingVerification": [] }, { "id": "etisalat", "name": "e& Egypt", "altName": "Etisalat Misr", "slug": "etisalat-egypt", "monogram": "e&", "brandColor": "#76D4D5", "position": "Subsidiary of UAE-based e& Group (entered Egypt 2007)", "tagline": "Decent in cities, weaker outside", "website": "https://www.etisalat.eg", "lastVerified": "2026-05-06", "history": "Entered Egypt 2007 as Etisalat Misr; rebranded under the e& Group identity", "fiveG": { "licensed": "2024-10", "description": "Licensed October 2024 (same round as Vodafone/Orange); rollout in progress 2026" }, "coverageStrength": "Decent in cities, weaker in rural areas and Red Sea coast", "bestFor": "Short city stays where the cheapest tier is enough", "supportLanguages": ["Arabic", "English"], "tariffFamily": "Traveler Line", "plans": [ { "name": "Traveler 200", "data_gb": 7, "local_mins": 100, "intl_calls": 5, "validity_days": 30, "price_egp": 200, "approximate": false } ], "pendingVerification": [ "Traveler 300 — current data/minute allowances and price", "Traveler 450 — current data/minute allowances and price (renewable up to 3 times)", "Traveler 600 — current data/minute allowances and price (renewable up to 3 times)" ] }, { "id": "we", "name": "WE", "altName": "Telecom Egypt", "slug": "we-telecom-egypt", "monogram": "WE", "brandColor": "#7B2D8E", "position": "Newest operator (launched September 2017)", "tagline": "Cheapest data, weakest coverage", "website": "https://www.we.eg", "lastVerified": "2026-05-06", "fiveG": { "licensed": "2024", "description": "Telecom Egypt was first to receive a 5G license (early 2024); commercial rollout 2026" }, "coverageStrength": "Weakest of the four — generally NOT recommended for tourists traveling around Egypt", "bestFor": "Budget short-stay city users only", "supportLanguages": ["Arabic", "English"], "tariffFamily": "Nitro mobile internet bundles", "plans": [ { "name": "Nitro 10", "data_gb": 0.625, "validity_days": 30, "price_egp": 10, "approximate": false }, { "name": "Nitro 20", "data_gb": 1.375, "validity_days": 30, "price_egp": 20, "approximate": false }, { "name": "Nitro 40", "data_gb": 3.25, "validity_days": 30, "price_egp": 40, "approximate": false }, { "name": "Nitro 70", "data_gb": 6.25, "validity_days": 30, "price_egp": 70, "approximate": false }, { "name": "Nitro 100", "data_gb": 10, "validity_days": 30, "price_egp": 100, "approximate": false }, { "name": "Nitro 450", "data_gb": 50, "validity_days": 90, "price_egp": 450, "approximate": false, "bonus": "Up to 50 GB extra on social apps" } ], "pendingVerification": [] } ], "esimProviders": [ { "id": "airalo", "name": "Airalo", "note": "Popular flexible plans, app-based", "url": "https://www.airalo.com" }, { "id": "holafly", "name": "Holafly", "note": "Known for unlimited-data plans", "url": "https://esim.holafly.com" }, { "id": "nomad", "name": "Nomad", "note": "Connects to Vodafone + Orange networks", "url": "https://www.getnomad.app" }, { "id": "saily", "name": "Saily", "note": "Newer entrant, competitive pricing", "url": "https://saily.com" }, { "id": "simoptions", "name": "SimOptions", "note": "Physical + eSIM, hotspot/data sharing on some plans", "url": "https://www.simoptions.com" } ], "airports": [ { "iata": "CAI", "name": "Cairo International", "kioskLocations": "Terminals 1 & 2, after baggage claim", "operators": ["vodafone", "orange", "etisalat", "we"], "hours": "24/7", "verified": true }, { "iata": "HRG", "name": "Hurghada International", "kioskLocations": "Terminals 1 & 2", "operators": ["vodafone", "orange", "etisalat", "we"], "hours": "24/7", "verified": true }, { "iata": "SSH", "name": "Sharm El Sheikh International", "kioskLocations": "Terminal 1, after passport control", "operators": ["vodafone"], "verifyOthers": "Confirm Orange / e& / WE kiosk presence", "verified": false }, { "iata": "RMF", "name": "Marsa Alam International", "kioskLocations": "Luggage area", "operators": ["vodafone", "orange", "etisalat"], "verified": true }, { "iata": "LXR", "name": "Luxor International", "kioskLocations": "VERIFY", "operators": [], "verifyOperators": "Confirm which operators currently have kiosks at LXR", "verified": false } ], "tipsForTourists": [ "Bring your passport — SIM registration is required by Egyptian law.", "Use official kiosks or operator stores, not street vendors.", "Check the 'real' data allowance vs any 'social media bonus' data when comparing plans.", "Cash (EGP, USD, EUR) and Visa/Mastercard are usually accepted. AmEx often is not.", "If you'll travel beyond major cities, prioritise coverage over price." ] }