Qatar – known for its airline, airport & highrise buildings.
To many travelers, Qatar is only known because of (Doha) Hamad International Airport, which is Qatar Airways' hub.
But the country plans on attracting more tourists who do not use the airport solely for transit but also stay a few nights (as a stopover, for example) by placing itself on the world map by hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
But should you actually visit Qatar? Yes, you should.
The Katara Cultural Village is just majestic, especially when the sun sets.
If you are into museums, visit the Museum or Islamic Art of the National Museum of Qatar.
Shopping in Villaggio Mall can be fun if you have money to burn.
And if you have the opportunity, visit Al Aaliya Island.
So even if you are just visiting Qatar because of the World Cup, there is no reason to be bored on the days your country is not playing 😏.
What I do not recommend doing is using your home SIM card in Qatar, also known as international roaming.
International roaming can be expensive, which is why I recommend local SIM cards, eSIMs, or travel eSIMs, which also applies to the country's mobile data rates.
Luckily for you, SIM cards are not too expensive in Qatar, and this also applies to mobile data rates in the country.
So, how much do SIM cards cost in Qatar?
You can get a Qatari SIM card for “free” from Ooredoo or 10 QAR (2.75 USD) from Vodafone in their stores. You need to top up at least 10 QAR with Ooredoo. It also has tourist SIM cards for 35 QAR (9.60 USD) and 150 QAR (41.20 USD). SIM cards are also sold at (Doha) Hamad International Airport (DOH).
These numbers are not bad at all! Especially if you know that costs were waaay higher a few years ago (they are borderline criminal).
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Qatar. Let's go.
Original publication: 25th of December 2019. Last updated: 1st of June 2023.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Qatar?
Anyone 18 years old or older living in or visiting Qatar can buy a Qatari SIM card from the mobile network operators (Ooredoo and Vodafone) with no restrictions.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Moreover, you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in Qatar).
Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Qatar?
You can get a Qatar SIM card in Ooredoo and Vodafone stores. SIM cards are also sold at (Doha) Hamad International Airport (DOH).
You can expect to pay the following for Qatari SIM cards:
- Ooredoo Qatar: “free”, but a plan purchase or minimum top-up of 10 QAR required
- Vodafone Qatar: 10 QAR
The following Qatari mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:
- Ooredoo Qatar: 35 QAR (Fan SIM – formerly Visitor SIM) & 150 QAR (Super Fan SIM)
- Vodafone Qatar: 35 QAR (it has no real tourist SIM card (anymore) – this is the price for SIM cards at the airport)
For up-to-date QAR:your currency (let's say INR) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Can You Use Your Phone in Qatar?
Qatar uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Qatar. If your phone has a SIM card slot, then it supports GSMA (99% of the phones do support GSM nowadays).
Traditional European frequencies are used in Qatar, which are mostly used in ITU Regions 1 and 3 (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania).
The Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2) use American frequencies, which differ from the European ones.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU Regions 1 and 3), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Qatar.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Qatar or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Qatar (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE and 5G NR.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Qatar
Qatar has two mobile operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Ooredoo Qatar (قطر)
- Vodafone Qatar (قطر)
The following frequencies are used in Qatar:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Qatar, check out this page by Kimovil or this one by Will My Phone Work (outdated, unfortunately, but extremely user-friendly – useful for phones launched in or before 2019. It does not check for 5G NR compatibility).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
VoLTE & VoWiFi in Qatar
VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) is available in Qatar, and it is offered by all mobile operators (Ooredoo and Vodafone). However, VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) is not available.
This means that your phone does not have to downgrade to 2G or 3G when making a call in Qatar (unlike mobile operators that do not support VoLTE).
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
5G NR in Qatar
Commercial 5G NR has been available in Qatar since May 2018. It is available on the Ooredoo and Vodafone networks. 5G NR is also offered to prepaid customers.
Best SIM Card in Qatar
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Qatar, I recommend going with Ooredoo. It has the best coverage and the fastest speeds. Vodafone is not bad at all. It is just that Ooredoo is (significantly) better.
Best eSIM in Qatar
Ooredoo and Vodafone offer eSIMs to prepaid customers.
Ooredoo launched eSIMs back in November 2018, but it has quietly phased out at an unknown date.
With Apple slowly phasing out SIM cards for eSIMs (already a thing for the iPhone 14 series sold in the United States), I hope Ooredoo introduced eSIMs again shortly.
A week before the World Cup starterd, Ooredoo reintroduced eSIMs!
Note that the Qatari mobile operators require your identification (passport) for eSIMs and physical SIM cards (will be discussed later).
However, you can also get a travel eSIM from various eSIM providers.
The list below is not exhaustive – many more providers have eSIMs for Qatar.
But these are the ones I have tried and had pleasant experiences with.
Moreover, they are reasonably priced, which I find very important (you will not see me recommending an eSIM I would not buy myself).
So here are the eight best eSIMs for Qatar:
- Airalo's Qatar Pearl Mobile eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 20 GB
- Airalo Menalink eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 3 GB
- Airalo's Discover Global eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 20 GB – read my ongoing Airalo Discover Global eSIM review too!
- Holafly Qatar eSIM with three choices between 3 GB and 8 GB
- Nomad Qatar eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 20 GB
- Nomad International eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 5 GB
Because this is the SIM card buying guide for Qatar, I will not spend too much time about travel eSIMs here and throughout this guide (but I will still do here and there).
If you want to learn more about the best eSIMs for Qatar, you better check out my Qatar eSIM buying guide.
It is as helpful and comprehensive as this guide but about eSIMs instead 😜.
SIM Card Registration in Qatar
SIM card registration with your passport information is mandatory in Qatar. It will be done at the point of sale.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Internet Censorship in Qatar
There is internet censorship in Qatar. The government censors various things, such as LGBTQ content, pornography, political criticism & escort services.
However, unlike other countries in the region, internet censorship is not as strong in Qatar… but it is still present.
That is why I recommend using a VPN to browse the web in peace.
I use both NordVPN and Surfshark (not at the same time – do not do that… you will not have a pleasant browsing experience 🗿).
NordVPN has the most servers of any VPN service out there, which I love.
Surfshark is insanely cheap for the price it charges while offering stellar service.
Depending on where I am, I will either use NordVPN or Surfshark.
Neither VPNs services have servers in Qatar (obviously), but connecting to nearby countries (like the United Arab Emirates for both NordVPN or Surfshark) will still result in fast browsing speeds.
With these links, you can get amazing discounts for NordVPN and Surfshark (they change frequently, but you can always get up to 81% off).
Stay safe, secure & private in Qatar!
(oh, by the way – VPNs are not illegal in Qatar, but the authorities may not like it. But what are they going to do? You will be private anyway 😉 just do not do anything silly like insulting government officials).
Qatar Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Qatar is probably not the cheapest travel destination in the Middle East.
And the same can be said about mobile data rate sin the country.
The average price for 1 GB of data in Qatar is 25 QAR (6.87 USD), way above the Middle Eastern average of 3.65 USD. The world average is 3.12 USD.
In fact, Qatar is the third-most expensive country for mobile data in the Middle East (or the most expensive if we ignore countries that are active warzones like Yemen (16.58 USD) and Syria (8.57 USD)).
One of the (many) reasons why mobile data rates are high in Qatar is because there is an established duopoly – Ooredoo and Vodafone have no incentive to drop prices because they do not have to.
While the prices for data-featured plans are high, will you also get fast speeds in Qatar?
Incredibly fast speeds – blazing-fast, you can say.
Qatar's median mobile download speed is around 114 Mbps – 3.5x more than the global median.
For reference, the global median is around 31 Mbps at the moment.
Currently, only Norway and the United Arab Emirates have faster median mobile download speeds than Qatar, 122.77 Mbps and 118.42 Mbps, respectively.
Yes… only two countries have faster speeds than Qatar, meaning Qatar has the third-fastest median download speeds worldwide – incredible!
Qatar's mobile download speeds have increased by 26.2% year on year.
Okay, now it is time to know which mobile operator is the fastest in Qatar.
That would be Ooredoo, with a median download speed of 133.15 Mbps. Followed by Vodafone (92.05 Mbps).
Fast mobile download speeds can be found in Umm Salal Muhammed and Al Khor, with median download speeds of more than 160 Mbps.
In Al Wakrah, Ar-Rayyan & Doha, median download speeds of more than 110 Mbps can be experienced.
Okay, those numbers were related to 4G/LTE. Who is winning the 5G NR race (for now)?
The mobile operator with the best 5G NR speeds is Ooredoo, with a median download speed of 443.37 Mbps. It is followed by Vodafone (425.88 Mbps).
So yes, Ooredoo is faster than Vodafone, but not significantly.
Anyway, so what about coverage? Which mobile operator has the best coverage?
Honestly, the four mobile operators have extensive coverage, but Vodafone has the upper hand for now.
So which mobile operator is winning the 5G NR race in terms of coverage?
Currently, in the places where 5G NR should be available, Ooredoo is winning the race (22.1%), ahead of Vodafone (14.2%).
So what about overall network performance by the Qatari mobile operators?
Ooredoo is the winner of the Qatar Mobile Experience Awards of April 2022.
But Vodafone was a joint winner in many categories too.
Basically, you cannot go wrong with Ooredoo.
With low SIM card prices, practically perfect nationwide coverage, literally blazing-fast mobile download speeds, and high mobile data rates, you should have a smooth network experience in Qatar.
Currency in Qatar
Qatar uses the Qatari Riyal with the symbol QAR (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed in QR or ر.ق. For example, 25 QAR = 25 QR/ر.ق .
For reference, below are some exchange rates between QAR and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 QAR = 0.30 USD
- 10 QAR = 2.75 USD
- 100 QAR = 27.50 USD
- 1000 QAR = 274.70 USD
For up-to-date QAR:your currency (let's say INR – Indian Rupee) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Australian Dollars and Euros, my main currencies, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards.
Qatari Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Qatar has to offer to us.
Ooredoo Qatar (قطر)
Ooredoo Qatar (قطر), just Ooredoo, is the largest mobile operator in Qatar.
It is also the mobile operator with the best network performance.
Ooredoo, as a mobile operator, is also active in Algeria, Indonesia (as Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison), Iraq (as Asiacell), Kuwait, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Palestine & Tunisia.
Ooredoo uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
- VoLTE: Yes
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Ooredoo:
* Coverage
* How to Get an Ooredoo SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Ooredoo Qatar
Ooredoo has the best coverage in Qatar.
This was also confirmed by Opensignal.
Below is Ooredoo's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Ooredoo Qatar
You can get an Ooredoo SIM card, called Hala, for free, although a plan purchase or minimum top-up of 10 QAR, in Ooredoo stores. Ooredoo SIM cards are also sold at (Doha) Hamad International Airport.
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the Ooredoo Fan SIM card – Ooredoo's tourist offering.
This SIM card used to be known as the Ooredoo Visitor SIM, but it has been rebranded and improved for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The following two Ooredoo Fan SIM cards:
| Price | SIM Card | Credit | Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes 2 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 QAR | Fan SIM | N/A | 2 GB | 25 minutes | 15 minutes | 7 days 3 |
| 150 QAR | Super Fan SIM | 30 QAR | 20 GB 1 | 400 minutes | 75 minutes | 30 days |
1 +unlimited data @ 128 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)
2 to Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini (Swaziland), the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saba, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sint Eustatius, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen & Zambia
3 SIM card is valid for 30 days
Insiders have informed me that unless you have a residence permit for Qatar, like migrant workers or students do, expect Ooredoo to only sell you Fan SIM tourist SIM cards instead of regular ones (the ones that are “free”).
Luckily, you can purchase regular Ooredoo plans when your initial plan expires, which extends the validity of your SIM card (to 150 days).
Dial *100# to access the Ooredoo menu.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Ooredoo has no eSIMs (anymore).
Ooredoo launched eSIMs back in November 2018, but it has quietly phased out at an unknown date.
Just before the World Cup starterd, Ooredoo reintroduced eSIMs (which are also available to prepaid customers)!
Note that the Qatari mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and for physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM, you can go with the Qatar (Pearl Mobile) eSIMs from Airalo (1 GB/7 days – most popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days , 3 GB/30 days, 5 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers & 10 GB/30 days.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Or get the Qatar eSIMs from Nomad (from 1 GB/7 days to 20 GB/30 days).
Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps) and get 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off (even on top of (some) ongoing promotions)!
Promo: until the 31st of May, you can get 15% off plans with 10 GB of data or more (Asian eSIMs only). If you do not need that much data, you can still use code NOMADASIA for the discounted rates mentioned above – you are welcome 😜.
But during certain promotions where you are required to enter a code for a discount (let's say Tuesdays (web sales only) or public holidays), the discount you get for these special promotions will be more than the 3 USD off with codes ADU123. I suggest using those code instead for extra savings – I will not blame you for it 😏.
- Check out my Nomad eSIM reviews
Or get the Qatar eSIMs from Holafly (3 GB/7 days, 6 GB/15 days & 8 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers).
Use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!
- Check out my Holafly eSIM reviews
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 13 Asian countries & the super new Latamlink eSIM for 19 Latin American countries.
The Menalink eSIM comes in three variants: 1 GB/7 days – very popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers & 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers, to be used in Qatar and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries:
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17th of May (2023 data only).
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!
TIP: check out my Best Qatar eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Qatar (including ones not mentioned above).
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Ooredoo Qatar
Ooredoo top-up vouchers are sold in Ooredoo stores, grocery stores, corner shops & electronic shops throughout Qatar.
The following (online) Ooredoo top-ups are available:
| Top-Up | Validity |
|---|---|
| 10 QAR | 60 days |
| 20 QAR | 90 days |
| 30 QAR | 180 days |
| 50 QAR | 180 days |
| 60 QAR | 180 days |
| 100 QAR | 180 days |
| 200 QAR | 360 days |
| 500 QAR | 365 days |
To top up your Ooredoo SIM card, dial *127*VoucherCode# or dial *100# and follow the instructions.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *127*123456#.
Dial *100# or *129# to check your Ooredoo balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Ooredoo Qatar app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Ooredoo Qatar
Ooredoo has five data-featured prepaid plans:
- Hala Smart (combo)
- Flexi Packs (combo)
- Hala Super Recharges (combo)
- Data Recharges
- Endless Data Recharges
Ooredoo plans can be activated on the Ooredoo Qatar app.
I will list all the prices in QAR.
To convert QAR to your currency (let's say INR – Indian Rupee) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Hala Smart Plans – Ooredoo Qatar
The Hala Smart plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.
Hala Smart can be activated on the Ooredoo Qatar app:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 QAR | N/A | 30 minutes | 5 days |
| 15 QAR | 100 MB | 150 minutes | 10 days |
Flexi Packs – Ooredoo Qatar
The Flexi Packs are combo bundles with a unit system (Flex Points) and data (without 5G NR access).
Below is an overview of how many Flex Points are used per action:
- 1 local/international minute = 1 Flexi Point
- 1 local/international SMS = 1 Flexi Point
- 7 MB = 1 Flexi Point
Flexi Packs can be activated on the Ooredoo Qatar app:
| Price | Flexi Points | Data | Bonus Data 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 QAR | 30 points | 100 MB | N/A | Until midnight |
| 10 QAR | 70 points | 250 MB | N/A | 3 days |
| 20 QAR | 150 points | 550 MB (7 days) | N/A | 7 days |
| 30 QAR | 225 points | 750 MB (7 days) | 3 GB (30 days) | 14 days |
| 60 QAR | 500 points | 2 GB (7 days) | 8 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
| 100 QAR | 1000 points | 2.2 GB (7 days) | 16 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
| 150 QAR | 2100 points | 2.2 GB (7 days) | 16 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
| 200 QAR | 3100 points | 2.2 GB (7 days) | 30 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
1 + Bonus local night data from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM for 30 days.
Hala Super Recharges – Ooredoo Qatar
The Hala Super Recharges are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.
Hala Super Recharges can be activated on the Ooredoo Qatar app:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Bonus Data 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 QAR | 3 GB 2 | 120 minutes | 3 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
| 60 QAR | 8 GB 3 | 240 minutes | 8 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
| 100 QAR | 16 GB 3 | 360 minutes | 16 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
| 200 QAR | 32 GB 4 | 1000 minutes | 30 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
| 500 QAR | 300 GB 4 | 40 000 minutes | 30 GB (30 days) | 30 days |
1 + bonus local night data from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM for 30 days
2 +unlimited data @ 128 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance
3 +unlimited data @ 256 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance
4 +unlimited data @ 1 Mbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (annoyingly slow!)
Data Recharges – Ooredoo Qatar
The Data Recharges Plans are, as the name implies, data plans (without 5G NR access).
Data Recharges can be activated on the Ooredoo Qatar app:
| Price | Plan | Data | Bonus Data 3 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 QAR | Data Recharge 5 | 300 MB | N/A | Until midnight |
| 10 QAR | Data Recharge 10 | 750 MB | N/A | 3 days |
| 20 QAR | Data Recharge 200 | 1.6 GB | N/A | 7 days |
| 20 QAR | Daily Data Pack 20 | 1 GB | N/A | 1 day |
| 20 QAR | Weekly Data Pack 20 | 1 GB | N/A | 7 days |
| 30 QAR | Data Recharge 30 | 1 GB 1 | 3 GB (30 days) | 14 days |
| 60 QAR | Data Recharge 60 | 2.5 GB 2 | 8 GB (30 days) | 28 days |
| 80 QAR | Data Recharge 80 | 4 GB 2 | 8 GB (30 days) | 28 days |
| 100 QAR | Data Recharge 100 | 7 GB 2 | 16 GB (30 days) | 28 days |
| 125 QAR | Unlimited Data Pack 125 | Unlimited”, 100 GB | N/A | 7 days |
| 150 QAR | Data Recharge 150 | 14 GB 2 | 16 GB (30 days) | 28 days |
| 200 QAR | Data Recharge 200 | 20 GB 2 | 30 GB (30 days) | 42 days |
1 +1 GB additional local data for 7 days.
2 +2 GB additional local data for 7 days.
3 +Bonus local night data from 22:00 – 4:00 for 30 days
Endless Data Recharges – Ooredoo Qatar
The Endless Data Recharges Plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).
Endless Data Recharges can be activated on the Ooredoo Qatar app:
| Price | Data 1 | Bonus Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 QAR | “Unlimited”, 30 GB @ 3 Mbps | 3 GB (2 days) | 2 days |
| 250 QAR | “Unlimited”, 300 GB @ 3 Mbps | 30 GB (30 days) 2 | 30 days |
1 + unlimited data @ 128 Mbps after exhausting your “normal” speed allowance (super slow – 3 Mbps is slow too!)
2 + bonus local night data from 22:00 – 4:00 for 30 days
APN/Internet Settings – Ooredoo Qatar
- Name: Ooredoo
- APN: data
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Vodafone Qatar (قطر)
Vodafone Qatar (قطر), just Vodafone, is the other mobile operator in Qatar.
It entered the Qatari telecom market back in 2009 and has challenged Ooredoo Qatar, which was then still known as Qtel, ever since.
While Vodafone never overtook Ooredoo Qatar, it still has a market share of between 30% and 40%.
The Vodafone Group does not own Vodafone Qatar anymore.
It sold its Vodafone Qatar majority stake to Qatar Foundation in 2018.
Still, the Vodafone brand will stick for the time being.
Vodafone uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
- VoLTE: Yes
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Vodafone:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Vodafone SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Vodafone Qatar
Vodafone has extensive coverage throughout Qatar.
Below is Vodafone's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Vodafone Qatar
You can get a Vodafone SIM card for 10 QAR in Vodafone stores. Vodafone SIM cards are also sold at (Doha) Hamad International Airport (DOH – for 35 QAR instead).
Dial *100# to access the Vodafone menu.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
It is possible to get a Vodafone eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.
Note that the Qatari mobile operators require your identification (passport) for future eSIMs and for physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM, you can go with the Qatar (Pearl Mobile) eSIMs from Airalo (1 GB/7 days – most popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days , 3 GB/30 days, 5 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers & 10 GB/30 days.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Or get the Qatar eSIMs from Nomad (from 1 GB/7 days to 20 GB/30 days).
Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps) and get 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off (even on top of (some) ongoing promotions)!
Promo: until the 31st of May, you can get 15% off plans with 10 GB of data or more (Asian eSIMs only). If you do not need that much data, you can still use code NOMADASIA for the discounted rates mentioned above – you are welcome 😜.
But during certain promotions where you are required to enter a code for a discount (let's say Tuesdays (web sales only) or public holidays), the discount you get for these special promotions will be more than the 3 USD off with codes ADU123. I suggest using those code instead for extra savings – I will not blame you for it 😏.
- Check out my Nomad eSIM reviews
Or get the Qatar eSIMs from Holafly (3 GB/7 days, 6 GB/15 days & 8 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers).
Use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!
- Check out my Holafly eSIM reviews
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 13 Asian countries & the super new Latamlink eSIM for 19 Latin American countries.
The Menalink eSIM comes in three variants: 1 GB/7 days – very popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers & 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers, to be used in Qatar and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries:
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17th of May (2023 data only).
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!
TIP: check out my Best Qatar eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Qatar (including ones not mentioned above).
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Vodafone Qatar
Ooredoo top-up vouchers are sold in Vodafone stores, grocery stores, corner shops & electronic shops throughout Qatar.
The following (online) Vodafone top-ups are available:
| Top-Up | Validity |
|---|---|
| 10 QAR | 30 days |
| 20 QAR | 60 days |
| 30 QAR | 180 days |
| 50 QAR | 180 days |
| 60 QAR | 180 days |
| 80 QAR | 180 days |
| 100 QAR | 180 days |
| 150 QAR | 180 days |
| 200 QAR | 180 days |
| 300 QAR | 365 days |
| 500 QAR | 365 days |
To top up your Vodafone SIM card, dial *127*VoucherCode# or dial *100# and follow the instructions.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *127*123456#.
Dial *100# or *129# to check your Vodafone balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the My Vodafone (Qatar) app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Vodafone Qatar
Vodafone has four data-featured prepaid plans:
Vodafone plans can be activated on the My Vodafone (Qatar) app.
I will list all the prices in QAR.
To convert QAR to your currency (let's say INR – Indian Rupee) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Flex Plans – Vodafone Qatar
The Flex plans are combo bundles with a unit system (Flex Points) and data (with 5G NR access).
Below is an overview of how many Flex Points are used per action:
- 1 GB = 147 Flex
- 1 local minute = 1 Flex
- 1 local SMS = 1 Flex
- 1 international SMS = 1 Flex
- 1 minute to Bangladesh = 2 Flex
- 1 minute to Egypt = 5 Flex
- 1 minute to Nepal = 2 Flex
- 1 minute to Pakistan = 4 Flex
- 1 minute to the Philippines = 4 Flex
- 1 minute to Bahrain, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States & Yemen = 5 Flex
Flex can be activated on the My Vodafone (Qatar) app:
| Price | Credit | Data | Bonus Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 QAR | 70 Flex | 260 MB | N/A | 3 days |
| 20 QAR | 150 Flex | 512 MB 1 | N/A | 7 days |
| 30 QAR | 274 Flex | 750 MB (7 days) 2 | 3 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 14 days |
| 50 QAR | 525 Flex | 1.8 GB (7 days) 2 | 3 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
| 60 QAR | 610 Flex | 2 GB (7 days) 3 | 8 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
| 80 QAR | 854 Flex | 2 GB (7 days) 3 | 8 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
| 100 QAR | 1220 Flex | 2.2 GB (7 days) 3 | 16 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
| 120 QAR | 1720 Flex | 2.2 GB (7 days) 4 | 16 GB (10PM to 4AM) | |
| 150 QAR | 2562 Flex | 2.2 GB (7 days) 4 | 16 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
| 200 QAR | 3782 Flex 5 | 2.2 GB (7 days) 5 | 30 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
| 300 QAR | 4575 Flex 5 | Unlimited 5 | 30 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
| 500 QAR | 7625 Flex 6 | Unlimited 6 | 30 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 30 days |
1 +unlimited data @ 64 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)/Flex points
2 +unlimited data @ 128 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)/Flex points
3 +unlimited data @ 256 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)/Flex points
4 +unlimited data @ 512 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)/Flex points
5 +unlimited data @ 2 Mbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (slow!)/Flex points
6 +unlimited data @ 15 Mbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance/Flex points
Combo+ Plans – Vodafone Qatar
The Combo+ plans are combo bundles with data (with 5G NR access) and minutes.
Combo+ can be activated on the My Vodafone (Qatar) app:
| Price | Plan | Data | Bonus Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes 2 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 QAR | Combo+ 20 | 1 GB | N/A | 25 minutes | 15 minutes | 7 days |
| 50 QAR | Combo+ 50 | 2.5 GB | 3 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 100 minutes | 25 minutes | 14 days |
| 100 QAR | Combo+ 100 | 5 GB 1 | 16 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 100 minutes | 70 minutes | 30 days |
| 150 QAR | Combo+ 150 | 8 GB 1 | 16 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 450 minutes | 100 minutes | 30 days |
| 300 QAR | Combo+ 300 | “Unlimited”, 20 GB @ 2 Mbps | 30 GB (10PM to 4AM) | Unlimited | 100 minutes | 30 days |
| 450 QAR | Combo+ 450 | “Unlimited”, 200 GB @ 15 Mbps | 30 GB (10PM to 4AM) | Unlimited | 100 minutes | 30 days |
| 750 QAR | Combo+ 750 | “Unlimited”, 500 GB @ 15 Mbps | 30 GB (10PM to 4AM) | Unlimited | 500 minutes | 30 days |
1 +unlimited data @ 128 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)
2 to Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini (Swaziland), the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saba, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sint Eustatius, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen & Zambia
Combo Plans – Vodafone Qatar
The Combo plans are combo bundles with data (with 5G NR access) and minutes.
Combo can be activated on the My Vodafone (Qatar) app:
| Price | Plan | Data | Bonus Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 QAR | Combo 30 | 3 GB 1 | 3 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 120 minutes | 30 days |
| 60 QAR | Combo 60 | 8 GB 2 | 8 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 240 minutes | 30 days |
| 120 QAR | Combo 120 | 19 GB 3 | 16 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 500 minutes | 30 days |
| 150 QAR | Combo 150 | 24 GB 3 | 16 GB (10PM to 4AM) | 750 minutes | 30 days |
1 +unlimited data @ 128 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)
2 +unlimited data @ 256 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)
3 +unlimited data @ 512 Kbps after exhausting your high-speed data allowance (super slow!)
Data Plans – Vodafone Qatar
The Data plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (with 5G NR access).
Data can be activated on the My Vodafone (Qatar) app:
| Price | Data | Bonus Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 QAR | 750 MB | N/A | 3 days |
| 20 QAR | 1.5 GB | N/A | 7 days |
| 30 QAR | 1 GB | 1 GB (7 days) | 14 days |
| 50 QAR | 2 GB | 1.8 GB (7 days) | 28 days |
| 60 QAR | 2.5 GB | 2 GB (7 days) | 28 days |
| 80 QAR | 4 GB | 2 GB (7 days) | 28 days |
| 100 QAR | 7 GB | 2 GB (7 days) | 28 days |
| 125 QAR | “Unlimited”, 100 GB @15 Mbps | N/A | 7 days |
| 150 QAR | 14 GB | 2 GB (7 days) | 28 days |
| 200 QAR | 20 GB | 2 GB (7 days) | 42 days |
| 250 QAR | “Unlimited”, 300 GB @ 3 Mbps | N/A | 30 days |
APN/Internet Settings – Vodafone Qatar
- Name: Vodafone Internet
- APN: web.vodafone.com.qa
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Qatar
Getting a SIM card from Ooredoo would do you well when considering a Qatari SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other Middle Eastern Countries
Visiting other countries in the Middle East? Check out my Middle Eastern SIM card buying guide, covering other Middle Eastern countries, such as:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
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If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
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