Independent guide · Updated May 2026

Stay connected in Egypt without the guesswork.

Compare verified 2026 tourist SIM plans, prices and 5G coverage from Vodafone, Orange, e& (Etisalat) and WE — picked by a small team based in Zamalek, Cairo. No affiliate fees, no hype.

Find Your Best SIM Compare Operators

All four operators · 5G live since March 2026 · Passport required to register a SIM

Independent guide
Not affiliated with any operator
No affiliate cuts
No commissioned recommendations
Verified May 6, 2026
Re-checked quarterly
Office in Zamalek
13 Mohammed Thakeb, Cairo

The operators

Egypt's four mobile networks at a glance

Tap any card for the full review — pricing, 5G coverage, airport kiosks and our take on who it's right for.

USD prices are approximate. Always verify the current rate.

Recommendation tool

Find your best SIM in 30 seconds

Answer four quick questions and we'll pick a plan from the four operators based on coverage, calls, data needs and cost — no sign-up, no email required.

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From the blog

Long-form guides for travellers

Deep dives we publish from Cairo: airport SIM kiosks, head-to-head operator picks and how to spot the best 2026 tourist deal.

All articles
Hand holding a smartphone showing mobile signal bars in front of a Cairo street

Guide · 8 min read

Best SIM cards in Egypt for tourists 2026

A side-by-side breakdown of every tourist plan from Vodafone, Orange, e& and WE — with verified May 2026 prices and our pick by trip type.

Read the guide
Two SIM cards on a desk next to a smartphone

Comparison · 7 min read

Vodafone vs Orange Egypt — which to pick

Coverage, 5G footprint, tourist bundles and English-language support. A no-fluff verdict for short trips and longer stays.

Read the comparison
Cairo International Airport arrivals concourse

How-to · 6 min read

How to buy a SIM at Cairo Airport — step by step

Where the kiosks are in Terminals 1 and 2, what to bring, what to pay, and how to avoid the touts in the car park.

Read the walk-through

FAQ

The questions tourists ask us most

Short answers below. The full set of questions — payment methods, renewals, refunds, eSIM activation — lives on the FAQ page.

See all FAQs
Where can I buy a SIM card at the airport in Egypt?

All four operators run 24/7 kiosks at Cairo International (CAI) in Terminals 1 & 2 (after baggage claim), and at Hurghada International (HRG). Smaller airports like Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Luxor vary — see our Where to Buy guide for the latest list.

Do I need my passport to buy a SIM in Egypt?

Yes — Egyptian law requires passport registration for every prepaid SIM. Bring the physical passport; copies aren't accepted. The kiosk staff will scan or photograph the photo page during sign-up.

Which operator has the best 5G coverage right now?

Vodafone Egypt and Orange Egypt both launched 5G in March 2026 and currently have the widest urban footprints. e& Egypt and WE (Telecom Egypt) hold licences from the same 2024 round and are still rolling out commercially in 2026. For 5G outside major cities, expect 4G/4G+ instead.

Can I use an eSIM in Egypt?

Yes. Major travel-eSIM providers — Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily and SimOptions — all support Egypt. eSIMs skip the passport-registration queue but you'll pay more per GB than a local SIM. See our eSIM page for the trade-offs.

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Use the form to ask us anything — which kiosk to visit, which plan fits your phone, or how to top up. Office hours Sun–Thu, 10:00–19:00 Cairo time.

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