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Syria: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Syria is probably not the most popular travel destination in the Middle East, but it still has a much offer.

Especially now 🗿.

But it still has a lot to offer and is one of the cheaper destinations in the Middle East.

Be careful with with international roaming though – International roaming can be expensive, which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.

Not only will you save a lot of money by doing so, you do not have to deal with SIM card registration laws, which are often invasive (which includes Syria).

How much will a local or travel eSIM for Syria cost you?

You can get an eSIM for Syria for 9.50 USD from Airalo (Ijaazih Mobile).

Buying an eSIM for Syria Guide (Airalo and Ijaazih Mobile)

Original publication: 13th of October 2022. Last updated: 15th of January 2024.


Table of Contents

Airalo Ijaazih Mobile eSIM for Syria

Airalo Logo
© Airalo

Airalo is probably a name you have heard of when researching travel eSIMs worldwide – perhaps even for Syria.

That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

Its extensive worldwide coverage attracted me to Airalo early on – even when I did not have an eSIM-compatible phone and had to use my dad's phone for testing purposes.

He did not like me stealing his phone so often… so I eventually got my own 🗿.

Anyway, Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Syria – it is called Ijaazih Mobile.

Syria Ijaazih Mobile eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

It is impossible for Airalo, or any other mobile operator, to operate in every country (and do not trust any company saying otherwise), so they set up roaming agreements.

Yes, I said roaming, but this is not the type of international roaming that will result in a 3000 USD roaming bill – do not worry!

What Airalo does, and basically all mobile operators do, is partner up with a local mobile operator so that their customers can still stay connected when abroad.

Syriatel Logo
© Syriatel

In the case of Syria, Airalo's Ijaazih Mobile eSIM uses the Syriatel network up to 3G (no 5G NR yet, unfortunately.

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Syria Ijaazih Mobile eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).

Anyway, the following Airalo Syria Ijaazih Mobile eSIM is available:

  1. Syria/Ijaazih Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD
Syria Ijaazih Mobile eSIM Airalo (with Prices)
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.


Be aware: you will be restricted to 3G – not 4G/LTE with the Ijaazih Mobile eSIM (unlike most Airalo eSIMs).

Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.

Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Ijaazih Mobile eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Ijaazih Mobile 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Iran soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.


Local Syrian eSIM for Prepaid Customers

If you want the best and full network experience, including being able to call and text, you want to get a local eSIM.

You have only one mobile operator in Syria: MTN Syria.

Currently, no Syrian mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

For more information about the plans offered by the Syrian mobile operators, check out my Syria SIM card buying guide.

Buying a SIM Card in Syria Guide (logo of MTN)

International eSIM for Syria & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Syria travel eSIM options offered by Airalo.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Syria and not in neighboring Israel, Iraq, Jordan, or Turkey.

So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?

Yes, you do. Airalo have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Syria too.

So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Syria and other countries, including Syria's neighbors.


Airalo Menalink eSIM

Airalo recently introduced an eSIM for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Menalink. The Menalink eSIM follows the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries, the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 14 Asian countries & the super new Latamlink eSIM for 19 Latin American countries.

Menalink Middle East North Africa (MENA) eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

The Menalink eSIM comes in three variants: 1 GB/7 daysmost popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days & 3 GB/30 daysvery popular with PTW readers, to be used in Syria and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries:

  • Bahrain
  • Egypt
  • Iran
  • Iraq 1
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Morocco
  • Oman
  • Palestine 1
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sudan
  • Tunisia 1
  • United Arab Emirates

1 on 3G only

Airalo Menalink Middle East eSIM Eligible Countries Map Infographic by Phone Travel Wiz (October 2023 Version)

Below is an overview of how much each Menalink eSIM costs:

  1. Middle East and North Africa/Menalink 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  2. Middle East and North Africa/Menalink 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 28 USD
  3. Middle East and North Africa/Menalink 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 39 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 7th of September (2023 data only).

Sometimes, it can be more convenient and cheaper to get the Menalink eSIM than the local Airalo eSIM because Menalink offers more data (instead of you having to purchase multiple 1 GB/7 days top-ups to stay connected).

With the Menalink eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit in the Middle East and North Africa!

As you can see, the Menalik eSIM cannot be used in Syria (yet).

However, as many who visit Syria do not just stay in Syria Israel & Iraq as well, you can consider it.


Overview of the Best eSIMs for Syria (Airalo)

In this guide, I went over Airalo's Ijaazih Mobile as the only (reasonably priced) eSIM for Syria.

I recognize that there are other eSIM providers that do offer services for Syria.

But they are either crazy expensive or the quality of service is whack (based on my experience or the experiences of other Phone Travel Wiz readers).

But you are free to try them out and let me know if they were any good 😀.


Buying a SIM Card in Syria

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Syrian SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.

Buying a SIM Card in Syria Guide (logo of MTN)