Are you thinking of traveling to Qatar soon and looking for the best travel eSIM?
Many eSIM providers are available nowadays, but not all are equal or good.
Some offer unlimited data, while others include a phone number for local, regional, or global use.
Some have blazing-fast speeds, while others have extended validity.
Whatever you need, there will be an eSIM for your liking.
In the case of Qatar, I recommend one of these eSIM providers, which I have tested in numerous countries on multiple continents:
- Airalo
- Alosim
- Holafly
- Nomad
What do they offer?
eSIM | Packages | Prices | Data | Phone Number? | 5G NR? | Discount Code(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airalo | 6 | 5 USD – 49 USD | 1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 30 days | No | No | MAR10 (10%) & MAR15 (15%) 2 |
Alosim | 6 | 5 USD – 49 USD | 1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 30 days | Yes (CA/US number) 1 | Yes | PTW (5%) |
Holafly | 5 | 27 USD – 54 USD | Unlimited for 5 days – unlimited for 20 days | No | No | PHONETRAVELWIZ (5%) |
Nomad | 5 | 5 USD – 37 USD | 1 GB for 7 days – 10 GB for 30 days | No | Yes | ADU123 (3 USD) 3 |
1 Alosim allows you to pick a Canadian (CA) or American (US) phone number through its sister app Hushed, giving you credits worth 30 minutes (within Qatar or from Qatar to anywhere else) or 50 texts (same conditions as calling)
2 if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM, use code MAR15 for 15% off. You can still get 10% off using code MAR10 if you are an existing customer. Note each code has a redemption limit of 3000 (while the codes of Alosim and Holafly have no redemption limit)
3 if you have never purchased a Nomad eSIM, use code ADU123 for 3 USD off. On Tuesdays, use NOMADTUE for 10% off on plans of 10 GB or higher
Do any of these providers offer Middle Eastern (+Northern African) eSIMs? Yes!
eSIM | Regional eSIMs? | Countries | Phone Number? |
---|---|---|---|
Airalo | Yes (Menalink) | 18 | No |
Alosim | No | N/A | N/A |
Holafly | No | N/A | N/A |
Nomad | Yes (Middle East) | 7 | No |
What about eSIMs global eSIMs exist? Of course!
eSIM | Global eSIMs? | Countries | Phone Number? |
---|---|---|---|
Airalo | Yes (Discover(+)) | 120+ | Yes (Discover+ only) |
Alosim | No | N/A | N/A |
Holafly | No | N/A | N/A |
Nomad | Yes (Global 109/136) | 109 & 136 | No |
The discount codes I highlighted earlier can also be redeemed for any regional or global eSIM.
Now that we have an overview of our options let's go through each and find out about their benefits.
But if you already have an eSIM provider in mind, just click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & Nomad.
Original publication: 5th of October 2022. Last updated: 5th of March 2024.
Table of Contents
Airalo Qatar eSIMs
Airalo has three eSIMs that can be used in Qatar: Pearl Mobile, Menalink & Discover(+).
Below is a quick overview:
eSIM | Coverage | Packages | Prices | Data | 5G NR in Qatar? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pearl Mobile | Qatar only | 6 | 4.50 USD – 32 USD | 1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 30 days | No |
Menalink | Qatar & 14 Middle Eastern and Northern African countries | 3 | 15 USD, 28 & 39 USD | 1 GB for 7 days, 2 GB for 15 days & 3 GB for 30 days | No |
Discover(+) | Qatar & 120+ countries globally | 12 (6 for Discover & 6 for Discover+) | 9/15 USD – 69/89 USD 1 | 1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 365 days (1 year) | Yes 2 |
1 9 USD and 69 USD apply to the Discover eSIM. Discover+ eSIM costs between 15 USD and 89 USD
2 only on the Vodafone Qatar network
Remember to use code MAR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM before OR code MAR10 for 10% off if you are an existing Airalo user (valid until the 31st of March – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).
If you already have an eSIM variant in mind, click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Pearl Mobile, Menalink & Discover(+).
Airalo was the first eSIM store launched in 2019.
It is also the largest eSIM provider, covering over 200 countries and territories.
The first eSIM I ever tested was one from Airalo (in the Netherlands).
I have tested Airalo eSIMs in more countries than other providers.
Airalo gives each country's eSIM a unique name often related to said nation.
Airalo Pearl Mobile (Qatar) eSIM
Airalo's Qatar eSIM is called Pearl Mobile.
As highlighted in the table earlier, there are six Qatar Pearl Mobile eSIM variants:
- Qatar/Pearl Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar/Pearl Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 9 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar/Pearl Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 12 USD
- Qatar/Pearl Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar/Pearl Mobile 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 30 USD
- Qatar/Pearl Mobile 20 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 49 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 19th of February.
With the Airalo Pearl Mobile eSIM, you can use the Vodafone Qatar network.
In my Qatar SIM card buying guide, I tell you more about which Qatari mobile operator(s) is/are the best in coverage or speed so you can manually select the network that would suit your needs.
Airalo Menalink eSIM
Next, we have the Airalo Menalink eSIM for use in Qatar and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries.
This eSIM was introduced in November 2022 after the success of Airalo's Asialink (Asia – review) and Eurolink (Europe – review) eSIMs.
It is one more comprehensive Middle East eSIMs out there because it also covers popular Northern African countries (Egypt, Morocco, Sudan & Tunisia) instead of solely the Middle East/Gulf States.
Unfortunately, it is one of the more expensive regional Airalo eSIMs, as you will see soon.
Below is a price list of the three Menalink eSIM options:
- Middle East/Menalink 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
- Middle East/Menalink 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 28 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Middle East/Menalink 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 39 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 19th of February.
You can use the Ooredoo Qatar network with the Menalink eSIM (without 5G NR access).
In my ongoing Airalo Menalink review, I tell you all the 15 countries where the eSIM can be used.
But you can also use the map below as a reference.
Airalo Discover(+) eSIM
Lastly, we have the Airalo's global Discover and Discover+ eSIMs.
These eSIMs can be used in Qatar and 120+ other countries on each continent.
Previously, Airalo's Discover Global eSIM was kind of… meh.
I have had a decent experience with that eSIM, but I felt it could improve.
The new Discover(+) eSIMs have a maximum validity of 365 days (instead of 180) and can use 5G NR in most destinations.
Moreover, the + variant gives you an Austrian (+43) phone number.
As a result, the Discover+ eSIM can be up to 20 USD more expensive than the Discover eSIM, but the benefits are worth it, in my opinion (I have the + variant installed on my phone).
These Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs are available:
- Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
- Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
- Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
- Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
- Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
- Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
- Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
- Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
- Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 19th of February.
The Discover(+) eSIM can use the Ooredoo Qatar (4G) and Vodafone Qatar (5G) networks.
For an entire list of countries where the eSIM can be used, you should check out my ongoing Airalo Discover+ eSIM review.
Although the map below may be helpful if you know your world map well.
In every country I visit where I test country-specific Airalo eSIMs, I also try out its Discover+ eSIM (if it can be used there).
So you better check it out now and then to see if I wrote about the country/countries you plan to visit and read about the eSIM's performance in said country, as it is not always perfect.
Before Airalo updated its global eSIM, I used the old version (Discover Global) in 15+ countries. From August 2023, I will only test the Discover+ eSIM. This is why some country-specific reviews (like Hong Kong) still refer to Discover Global and show the old eSIM image instead of Discover+.
Airalo eSIMs for Qatar Summarized
To summarize, these are the characteristics of each Airalo eSIM covered in this section:
- Pearl Mobile:
- can be used in Qatar only
- is priced between 5 USD and 49 USD
- has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 30 days)
- has no 5G NR access
- has no phone number
- Menalink:
- can be used in Qatar and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries
- is priced at 15 USD, 28 USD & 39 USD
- has three variants (1 GB for 7 days, 2 GB for 15 days & 3 GB for 30 days)
- has no 5G NR access in Qatar (or any other country besides Saudi Arabia)
- has no phone number
- Discover:
- can be used in Qatar and 120+ countries worldwide
- is priced between 9 USD and 69 USD
- has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 365 days)
- has 5G NR access on all supported networks in Qatar (and in many other countries)
- has no phone number
- Discover+:
- can be used in Qatar and 120+ countries worldwide
- is priced between 15 USD and 89 USD
- has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 365 days)
- has 5G NR access on all supported networks in Qatar (and in many other countries)
- includes an Austrian phone number
- offers up 200 international minutes and 200 international SMS (to any country worldwide, including those the eSIM cannot be used in)
Alosim Qatar eSIMs
Here is an overview of what Alosim has to offer for Qatar:
eSIM | Packages | Prices | 5G NR in Qatar? | Phone Number? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Qatar | 6 | 5 USD – 49 USD | Yes | Yes |
Remember that you can use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).
Alosim is backed by AffinityClick, which is known for the Hushed app.
That app with the tagline “Temporary & Second Phone Number App for Wifi, Data Calling & Texting” has over 8 million downloads.
It took a while, but AffinityClick finally bundled its product, which is a big deal.
Why? With any Alosim eSIM purchase, you will get a Hushed redemption code, giving you up to 30 international minutes or 50 international SMS.
You get a free +1 (American or Canadian) phone number from one of the more than 300 supported area codes.
While it would be fantastic to get a Qatari phone number instead, it is impossible to get one for the time being due to local regulations.
Either way, Alosim is the only eSIM provider that gives you a phone number for each eSIM purchase.
And it has eSIMs for over 170 countries, including Qatar.
Alosim Qatar eSIM
For Qatar, you have the following six choices:
- Qatar 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD
- Qatar 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 9 USD
- Qatar 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 12 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17.50 USD
- Qatar 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 30 USD
- Qatar 20 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 49 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 19th of February.
Alosim's Qatar eSIM gives you access to the Vodafone Qatar network (5G).
For more information on how Qatari mobile operators perform, check out my Qatar SIM card buying guide, where I discuss the performance of each SIM card (in terms of coverage and speed).
Alosim eSIMs for Qatar Summarized
To summarize, these are the characteristics of the Alosim Qatar eSIM:
- Qatar:
- is priced between 5 USD and 49 USD
- has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 30 days)
- has 5G NR access
- includes a free +1 (American or Canadian) phone number through Hushed
- allows for up to 30 international calls and/or 30 international SMS (within Qatar or from Qatar to any other country)
Holafly Qatar eSIMs
Here is an overview of what Holafly has to offer for Qatar:
eSIM | Packages | Prices | 5G NR in Qatar? | Phone Number? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Qatar | 5 | 27 USD – 54 USD | No | No |
Remember that you can use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off any Holafly purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).
Holafly made a name for itself by introducing unlimited data plans in June 2022, which was uncommon back then.
Now, it has eSIMs for more than 160 countries.
And more than 100 of them have unlimited data plans.
For many Middle Eastern countries Holafly has eSIMs for, it took a while before unlimited data plans were introduced (except for (Cyprus,) Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
However, most of them have unlimited data plans by now.
Holafly Qatar eSIM
Holafly has five Qatar eSIMs:
- Qatar unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 34 USD
- Qatar unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 37 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
- Qatar unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 19th of February.
Be aware that as of mid-2023, Holafly eSIMs with unlimited data plans (excluding European ones) are speed-restricted to 18 Mbps (the speeds are even slower in some countries).
While 18 Mbps is not exactly a snail's speed, much faster speeds are available for lower prices with other eSIM providers mentioned in this guide.
Anyway, with this eSIM, you can use the Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar networks.
Holafly eSIMs for Qatar Summarized
To summarize, these are the characteristics of the Holafly Qatar eSIM:
- Qatar:
- is priced between 27 USD and 54 USD
- has five variants (unlimited for 5 days – unlimited for 20 days)
- has no 5G NR access
- has no phone number
Nomad Qatar eSIMs
Nomad has two eSIMs that can be used in Qatar: Qatar and Global.
Below is a quick overview:
eSIM | Coverage | Packages | Prices | 5G NR in Qatar? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Qatar | Qatar only | 5 | 5 USD – 37 USD | Yes 2 |
Global | Qatar & 108/135 other countries | 6 (3 for 109 countries & 3 for 136 countries) | 25/19 USD – 45/57 USD 1 | Yes 3 |
1 25 USD and 45 USD apply to the 109 Countries Plan. 136 Countries Plan eSIMs costs between 19 USD and 57 USD
2 5G NR access for most eSIM options (except for 1 GB for 7 days (5 USD variant))
3 5G NR access is available for the 136 Countries Plan eSIMs only
If you already have an eSIM variant in mind, click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Qatar and Global.
Nomad is an eSIM provider covering over 160 countries.
Its Middle Eastern presence was initially mediocre, but this was changed in Q2-Q3 of 2023.
This was when Nomad introduced eSIMs for multiple Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar.
Nomad Qatar eSIM
For Qatar, you have these five choices:
- Qatar 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (Nomad), costing 5 USD
- Qatar 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (eSIM Go), costing 10 USD
- Qatar 3 GB eSIM for 30 days (eSIM Go), costing 17 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar 5 GB eSIM for 30 days (eSIM Go), costing 23 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Qatar 10 GB eSIM for 30 days (eSIM Go), costing 37 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 19th of February.
If an eSIM is powered by eSIM Go, you can use 5G NR (unless the country does not have the technology yet). If the eSIM is powered by JoyTelecom, ” Nomad” (unknown provider), Nomad Black, or Truphone (rebranded to 1Global) instead, you will be restricted to 4G/LTE.
The best way to determine which Qatari mobile operator(s) your eSIM can use is by pressing See Details on the Nomad Qatar eSIM product page.
My Qatar SIM card buying guide will inform you which network(s) is/are the best regarding coverage and speed.
Nomad Global eSIM
At last, we have the Nomad Global eSIM.
The eSIM can be used in 109 or 136 countries, depending on your chosen variant.
Truphone (rebranded to 1Global) powers the 109 Countries Plan, giving you up to 4G/LTE access.
Meanwhile, the 136 Countries Plan is powered by eSIM Go, giving you 5G NR access in about half of the supported countries.
Each plan has three eSIMs: 1 GB for 7 days, 3 GB for 30 days & 5 GB for 30 days.
Below is a price list of all the Nomad Global eSIMs:
- Global 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (109 Countries), costing 25 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Global 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (136 Countries), costing 10 USD
- Global 3 GB eSIM for 30 days (109 Countries), costing 40 USD
- Global 3 GB eSIM for 30 days (136 Countries), costing 24 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Global 5 GB eSIM for 30 days (109 Countries), costing 45 USD
- Global 5 GB eSIM for 30 days (136 Countries), costing 36 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 19th of February.
Because I have no ongoing review for this eSIM (its short validity makes it challenging to be a proper global eSIM), you can use the Nomad Global product page or the map below to find all supported countries.
Nomad eSIMs for Qatar Summarized
To summarize, these are the characteristics of each Nomad eSIM covered in this section:
- Qatar:
- is priced between 5 USD and 37 USD
- has five variants (1 GB for 7 days – 10 GB for 30 days)
- has 5G NR access
- has no phone number
- Global:
- can be used in Qatar and 108/135 other countries globally
- 109 Countries Plan (powered by Truephone/1Global)
- 136 Countries Plan (powered by eSIM Go)
- is priced between 19 USD and 57 USD
- 109 Countries Plan: 25 USD – 45 USD
- 136 Countries Plan: 19 USD – 57 USD
- has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 5 GB for 30 days)
- 109 Countries Plan: 1 GB for 7 days, 3 GB for 30 days & 5 GB for 30 days
- 136 Countries Plan: 1 GB for 7 days, 3 GB for 30 days & 5 GB for 30 days
- has 5G NR access in Qatar (and numerous other countries)
- 109 Countries Plan: no 5G NR access
- 136 Countries Plan: 5G NR access in Qatar (and numerous other countries)
- has no phone number
- can be used in Qatar and 108/135 other countries globally
Overview of the Best eSIMs for Qatar
That was a lot of info we went over, so let's try to summarize everything.
Qatar-only eSIMs:
- Cheapest 3 GB Qatar eSIM: Airalo, Alosim & Nomad (5 USD)
- Cheapest 5 GB Qatar eSIM: Airalo & Alosim (9 USD)
- Cheapest 10 GB Qatar eSIM: Airalo & Alosim (12 USD)
- Provider with unlimited data plans for Qatar: Holafly
- Qatar eSIM with the longest validity: Airalo, Alosim & Nomad (30 days)
- Qatar eSIM with 5G NR: Alosim & Nomad
- Qatar eSIM with phone numbers: Alosim (American/Canadian)
Middle Eastern eSIMs covering Qatar:
- Cheapest 3 GB Middle East eSIM: Airalo (39 USD)
- Cheapest 5 GB Middle East eSIM: N/A
- Cheapest 10 GB Middle East eSIM: N/A
- Provider with unlimited data plans for Qatar and the Middle East: N/A
- Middle East eSIM with the longest validity: Airalo (30 days)
- Middle East eSIM with 5G NR in Qatar: N/A
- Middle East eSIM with phone numbers: N/A
Regarding global eSIMs, Airalo's Discover(+) eSIM is cheaper, has more generous data allowances & longer validity than Nomad's Global eSIM (and includes a phone number for the + variant).
However, Nomad's eSIM has better coverage (135+ instead of 120+ countries).
Do not forget to use one of these discount codes for extra savings:
- Airalo: MAR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM. If you have, use MAR10 for 10% off (each code can be used 3000 times among all Airalo customers, so better redeem it quickly!
- Alosim: PTW for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
- Holafly: PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
- Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD (or your currency's equivalent) if you have never purchased a Nomad eSIM
Enjoy Qatar!