Saudi Arabia – the origin of Islam, known for the Arabian horses, and, of course, known for being an oil-producing nation.
While the country received many visitors for Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimages), it was basically closed off for tourism until 2019.
That is when the Kingdom (finally) introduced tourist visas, opening up the country for tourism.
The country is not known for being the cheapest travel destination in the region. But it is also not the most expensive one.
Moreover, the cost of mobile data is low for the region too.
So, how much do Saudi SIM cards cost?
You can get a Saudi SIM card for 30 SAR (8 USD) in the official stores of the mobile operators (STC – also for Jawwy, Mobily, Zain, Lebara & Virgin Mobile). Hajj and Umrah SIM cards start from 34.50 SAR (9.20 USD) – the same applies to visitor SIM cards. Airports sell SIM cards too.
These prices may not seem that cheap when you take them at face value.
But you will be surprised how inexpensive mobile data is in this country – and how generous the data allowances are!
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Saudi Arabia. Let’s do this.
Original publication: 16th of December 2019. Last updated: 13th of October 2021.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Saudi Arabia?
Anyone 18 years old or older living in or visiting Saudi Arabia can buy a Saudi SIM card from the mobile network operators (STC KSA, Mobily & Zain KSA) or the MVNOs (Jawwy, Lebara Mobile KSA & Virgin Mobile KSA) with some restrictions.
The main restriction is that you can only have up to two active SIM cards in your name as a tourist in Saudi Arabia.
For most travelers, this restriction is not an issue at all.
For others, like those who review SIM cards for a living (a bunch of weirdos, am I right), it can be an issue.
Besides that restriction, you are free to use Saudi SIM cards.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
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 Saudi Arabia).
Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Saudi Arabia?
You can get a Saudi SIM card in STC (also for Jawwy), Mobily, Zain, Lebara & Virgin Mobile stores. It is also possible to get SIM cards at select international airports, including Jeddah-King Abdulaziz International Airport.
You can buy a SIM card in the following international airports:
- Dammam – King Fahd International Airport (مطار الملك فهد الدولي)
- Jeddah – King Abdulaziz International Airport (مطار الملك عبدالعزيز الدولي/)
- Medina – Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (مطار الأمير محمد بن عبد العزيز الدولي)
- Riyadh – King Khalid International Airport (مطار الملك خالد الدولي)
You can expect to pay the following for Saudi SIM cards:
- STC KSA: 34.50 SAR
- Mobily: 34.50 SAR
- Zain KSA: 34.50 SAR
- Lebara Mobile KSA: 34.50 SAR
- Jawwy: 34.50 SAR
- Virgin Mobile: free, but plan purchase required (starting from 30 SAR)
The following mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists and Hajj/Umrah visitors:
- STC KSA: 34.50 SAR (Sawa Ziyara – tourist)
- Mobily: 30 SAR, 50 SAR & 99 SAR (Hajj/Umrah)
- Zain KSA: 63.25 SAR, 113.95 SAR, 228.85 SAR & 458.85 SAR (Visitor SIM) & 34.50 SAR (Hajj/Umrah)
Can You Use Your Phone in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Saudi Arabia. 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 Saudi Arabia, 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 Saudi Arabia.
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 Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE and 5G NR.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has three Main Operators, one sub-brand & two Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs):
- STC KSA
- Mobily
- Zain KSA
- Jawwy (STC KSA sub-brand)
- Lebara Mobile KSA (Mobily MVNO)
- Virgin Mobile KSA (STC KSA MVNO)
The sub-brands Yaqoot (by Zain KSA) and V Mobile (by Lebara Mobile KSA) will not be covered in this guide because you need an Absher Account, a Saudi government services app. Short-term travelers will not get access to this app.
The following frequencies are used in Saudi Arabia:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12), 800 MHz (Band 20), 900 MHz (Band 8), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1), 2300 MHz (Band 40), & 2600 MHz (Band 38)
- 5G NR: 2500 MHz (n41) & 3500 MHz (n78)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Saudi Arabia, check out this page by Will My Phone Work (may be outdated or inaccurate at times).
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.
A Note About FRIENDi Mobile KSA
FRIENDi Mobile KSA, which started as an MVNO in 2014, got integrated with Virgin Mobile KSA in 2020.
Virgin Mobile now offers Friendi packages in addition to its regular plans and offers.
It should be noted that the Virgin Group and Friendi Group have had a strategic partnership since 2012 when they signed a deal to merge regional operators.
5G NR in Saudi Arabia
Commercial 5G NR has been available in Saudi Arabia since October 2019. It is available on the STC KSA, Mobily & Zain KSA networks. 5G NR is also offered to prepaid customers, including Jawwy & Virgin Mobile KSA users. Lebara Mobile KSA users cannot use 5G NR (yet).
Best SIM Card in Saudi Arabia
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Saudi Arabia, I recommend going with STC or Zain. STC has the best network, coverage, and overall mobile internet speed. Zain has the fastest and most extensive 5G NR network.
SIM Card Registration in Saudi Arabia
SIM card registration, with the use of your passport information, is mandatory in Saudi Arabia. This will be done at the point of sale.
As of 2016, biometrics (fingerprints) will also be taken as part of the SIM card registration process.
Be aware that all foreigners, including tourists, travelers, and non-Saudi residents (such as expats) and migrant workers, are restricted to two active prepaid SIM cards across all Saudi operators.
If you are a Saudi citizen, however, you can have up to 10 active prepaid SIM cards.
Saudi-Expatriates has an excellent article on checking how many SIM cards are registered on your Iqama (for Saudi citizens and residents – irrelevant for travelers).
VAT in Saudi Arabia
As of 2018, the Saudi government introduced a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15% applicable to most goods and services in Saudi Arabia.
In July 2020, the VAT rate was increased to 15%.
The 15% VAT will be charged upon recharging.
This means that you will not be taxed 15% when purchasing a plan or package (like in the United Arab Emirates).
Unless you purchase a plan directly from your credit or debit card without reloading first. Then you will be charged the VAT when buying your plan.
Previously, I added an extra column with the price with VAT.
However, based on reader feedback, this column has been removed due to it being complicated.
And because, in most cases, the VAT is already charged when you topped up your SIM card.
But if you want to calculate the price with VAT yourself, take a calculator and enter the price + 15% to get the answer.
If your calculator does not have the % sign for calculations, then multiply the price by 1.15 – meaning 15% (for example: 100 * 1.15 = 115 SAR).
Internet Censorship in Saudi Arabia
There is internet censorship in Saudi Arabia. The government censors various things, such as LGBTQ content, pornography, political criticism, and escort services.
Just like many other countries in the region, internet censorship is strong in Saudi Arabia.
That is why I would recommend using a VPN to browse the web in peace. I use both NordVPN and Surfshark.
NordVPN has the most servers of any VPN service out there, which I love.
Surfshark is insanely cheap for the price they charge.
Depending on where I am, I will either use NordVPN or Surfshark.
Neither VPNs have servers in Saudi Arabia (obviously), which makes sense, but connecting to nearby countries will still result in fast browsing speeds.
You can get amazing discounts for both NordVPN and Surfshark when using these links. Stay safe, secure, and private in Saudi Arabia!
(oh, by the way – VPNs are not illegal in Saudi Arabia, 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…)
Saudi Arabia Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Mobile data rates can be crazy cheap or crazy expensive in the Middle East.
But at the end of the day, the local data rates will almost always be cheaper than international roaming rates.
So, how expensive is mobile data in Saudi Arabia?
The average price for 1 GB of data in Saudi Arabia is 1.47 USD, way lower than the Middle Eastern average of 3.94 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
And the costs have decreased year by year.
But does this mean that the quality of service will be poor because of these low rates?
Not at all.
Saudi Arabia's average mobile download speed is around 151 Mbps – one of the fastest in the world.
Saudi Arabia has been in the top ten countries with the fastest mobile download speed for more than a year. Sometimes being in the top 3.
And compared to a year ago, the average mobile download speed has doubled.
Let's look at the mobile operators individually.
Based on an analysis done by Speedtest, STC KSA had the best mobile download speed performance in Dammam, Jeddah & Riyadh.
Often outdoing its competitors by double digits.
Here we some overall performance compared.
And these are old figures too (but the latest available at the time of writing).
But, something interesting came out of that report as well.
When looking at solely 5G NR, the worst mobile operator is actually the fastest.
And that would be Zain KSA.
Because of Zain KSA, Saudi Arabia's 5G download speed is 127% faster than the global average.
I mean, take a look at this:
Zain KSA is indeed not playing any games.
With reasonably priced SIM cards, blazing-fast mobile speeds, insanely cheap mobile data rates, and extensive nationwide coverage, you should have a smooth network experience in Saudi Arabia.
Currency in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal with the symbol SAR (which will be used throughout this guide). However, prices are often listed in ر.س or ﷼. For example, 25 AED = 25 ر.س/﷼.
For reference, below are some exchange rates between SAR and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 SAR = 0.25 USD
- 10 SAR = 2.65 USD
- 100 SAR = 26.65 USD
- 1000 SAR = 266.45 USD
- 10 000 SAR = 2664.55 USD
For up-to-date SAR:USD exchange rates, search SAR to USD on Google, or replace USD with the currency you use.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Transferwise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Transferwise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Transferwise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Transferwise account FREE!
Saudi Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through STC KSA, Mobily, Zain KSA, Jawwy, Lebara KSA & Virgin Mobile KSA, 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 Saudi Arabia to offer to us.
STC KSA
STC KSA, just STC, is the largest mobile operator in Saudi Arabia. STC stands for Saudi Telecom Company.
And if you wonder why I refer to it as Saudi Telecom Company (STC) – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), STC is also active in Bahrain and Kuwait. I do not want you to get confused ;)
It is also the best mobile operator in all aspects in Saudi Arabia.
The company is primarily state-owned (70%), so who says state-owned enterprises cannot be the best? ;)
STC uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz – to be phased out in 2022
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2300 MHz (Band 40)
- 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
This is what you will learn about STC:
* Coverage
* How to Get an STC SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – STC KSA
STC has the best coverage in Saudi Arabia.
It even won the Saudi Arabia Best Mobile Coverage 2021 Award by Speedtest.
Opensignal came to the same conclusion.
4G/LTE can be found almost anywhere (in populated areas – do not expect much in deserts).
Below is STC's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – STC KSA
You can buy an STC SIM card, called Sawa 25, for 30 SAR (34.50 SAR with VAT) in STC stores. Its data-only SIM card, called Quicknet Prepaid, is sold for 30 SAR (24.50 SAR with VAT) as well. It is also possible to get SIM cards at Damman, Jeddah, Medina & Riyadh airports.
It is also possible to get an STC eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card. Upgrading from a standard SIM card to an eSIM will cost you 28.75 SAR.
To use an STC eSIM, you need to have one of the following devices:
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max
- iPhone SE
- iPhone XR/XS/XS Max
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the Sawa Ziyara SIM card – STC's tourist SIM card.
For 34.50 SAR (vat inclusive), you get 20 SAR credit, 60 minutes to other Sawa Ziyara numbers, and 600 local minutes.
Sawa Ziyara SIM cards are valid for 120 days. However, your number will be kept for 30 days.
I am not sure what you will be doing with that SIM card for the remaining 90 days, though.
Sawa Ziyara SIM cards can be pre-booked online.
STC SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 360 days (no top-up for 360 days or no activity for 360 days).
However, your credit will expire after 90 days.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – STC KSA
STC top-up vouchers are sold in STC stores and many other establishments, such as kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores.
To top up your STC SIM card, dial *155*VoucherCode#. The same can be done by texting 155*VoucherCode# to 1500 or VoucherCode155 to 900.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *155*123456#, text 155*123456# to 1500, or text 123456 155 to 900.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *166#, call 1500, or text 8888 to 9010 to check your STC balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the mySTC KSA app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – STC KSA
STC has five data-featured plans:
- Sawa Internet (combo – yes, really)
- Sawa Ziyara Packages (combo for Sawa Ziyara SIM card)
- Sawa Data Keys (data)
- Quicknet Prepaid (data for Quicknet Prepaid data SIM card)
- Level Up (data add-on for games)
All STC plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 900.
Some STC plans are eligible for 5G NR.
Many plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text 7009 to 900.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Sawa Internet – STC KSA
The Sawa Internet plans are, unlike the name suggests, combo bundles with data and minutes.
Sawa Internet plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 900:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social media Data 1 | 5G Access? | On-Net Minutes | Off-Net Minutes | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 SAR | Sawa 10 | 200 MB | N/A | No | 200 minutes 2 | N/A | 1 day | 8111 |
| 15 SAR | Sawa 15 | 1 GB | N/A | No | 400 minutes | N/A | 1 day | 7015 |
| 30 SAR | Sawa 30 | 1 GB | 1 GB | No | 200 minutes | N/A | 28 days | 7030 |
| 30 SAR | Sawa 30 International | 1 GB | 1 GB | No | N/A | 30 minutes 3 | 28 days | 8115 |
| 35 SAR | Sawa 30 Plus International | 1 GB | 1 GB | No | 50 minutes 3 | N/A | 28 days | 8116 |
| 35 SAR | Sawa 30 Plus | 1 GB | 1 GB | Yes | 100 minutes 4 | N/A | 28 days | 7135 |
| 65 SAR | Sawa Like | 5 GB | 10 GB | No | 500 minutes | N/A | 28 days | 7065 |
| 75 SAR | Sawa Like Plus | 10 GB | 10 GB | Yes | 500 minutes 4 | N/A | 28 days | 7175 |
| 90 SAR | Sawa Flex | N/A | 10 GB | Yes | N/A | 200 minutes 5 | 28 days | App only |
| 100 SAR | Sawa Flex Plus | N/A | 25 GB | Yes | N/A | 250 minutes 5 | 28 days | App only |
| 110 SAR | Sawa Share | 25 GB | 25 GB | No | Unlimited | N/A | 28 days | 7110 |
| 115 SAR | Sawa Share Plus | 25 GB | 25 GB | Yes | Unlimited | 1000 minutes | 28 days | 7115 |
| 160 SAR | Sawa Post | 50 GB | Unlimited | No | Unlimited | N/A | 28 days | 7160 |
| 170 SAR | Sawa Post Plus | 60 GB | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | 1500 minutes | 28 days | 7170 |
| 220 SAR | Sawa Star | 100 GB | Unlimited | No | Unlimited | N/A | 28 days | 7220 |
| 240 SAR | Sawa Star Plus | 100 GB | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 28 days | 7240 |
1 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
2 +200 local SMS
3 also to 8 undisclosed countries
4 also for off-net use
5 also for on-net use and to 21 undisclosed countries
Sawa Ziyara Packages (Tourist) – STC KSA
The Sawa Ziyara Packages are combo plans with data, STC WIFI & minutes exclusively for the Sawa Ziyara (tourist) SIM card.
Sawa Ziyara Packages can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 900:
| Price | Plan | Data | STC WIFI Data | Local Minutes | International Call Credit | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 SAR | Sawa Ziyara 40 | 3 GB | 3 GB | 20 minutes | 5 SAR | 28 days | 6705 |
| 70 SAR | Sawa Ziyara 70 | 6 GB | 6 GB | 45 minutes | 10 SAR | 28 days | 6706 |
Sawa Data Keys – STC KSA
The Sawa Data Keys are data-only plans.
Sawa Data Keys can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 900:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 SAR | 1 GB | 7 days | 2151 |
| 20 SAR | Unlimited | 1 day | 2120 |
| 30 SAR | 1 GB | 1 month | 2152 |
| 50 SAR | 2 GB | 1 month | 2153 |
| 80 SAR | 5 GB | 1 month | 2154 |
| 100 SAR | Unlimited | 7 days | 2162 |
| 110 SAR | 10 GB | 1 month | 2155 |
| 155 SAR | 10 GB | 2 months | 2156 |
| 180 SAR | 10 GB | 3 months | 2157 |
| 230 SAR | 50 GB | 2 months | 2158 |
| 350 SAR | 100 GB | 3 months | 2159 |
| 350 SAR | Unlimited | 1 month | 2161 |
| 470 SAR | 300 GB | 3 months | 2160 |
Quicknet Prepaid – STC KSA
The Quicknet Prepaid plans are data-only bundles exclusively for the Quicknet Prepaid SIM card (data-only SIM).
Quicknet Prepaid plans can be activated on the mystc KSA app:
| Price (with VAT) | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 34.50 SAR | 1 GB | 1 month |
| 92 SAR | 5 GB | 1 month |
| 115 SAR | 25 GB | 1 month |
| 161 SAR | 10 GB 2 | 1 month |
| 195.50 SAR | 100 GB 1 | 1 month |
| 201.25 SAR | 30 GB | 3 months |
| 253 SAR | 75 GB | 2 months |
| 391 SAR | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 402.50 SAR | 115 GB | 3 months |
| 414 SAR | 200 GB | 2 months |
| 540.50 SAR | 300 GB | 3 months |
| 862.50 SAR | 500 GB | 6 months |
| 1121.25 SAR | Unlimited | 3 months |
1 +19 GB for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
2 +unlimited YouTube data
Level Up – STC KSA
The Level Up plans are data-only bundles for select games (8 Ball Pool, Call of Duty Mobile, Clash Royale, Fortnite Mobile, Minecraft, Mobile Legends & PUBG Mobile). They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
Level Up plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 900:
| Price (with VAT) | Game Data 1 | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 SAR | 10 GB | 1 month | 2112 |
| 34.50 SAR | 15 GB | 1 month | 2111 |
1 8 Ball Pool, Call of Duty Mobile, Clash Royale, Fortnite Mobile, Minecraft, Mobile Legends & PUBG Mobile
APN/Internet Settings – STC KSA
Most phones will automatically retrieve the correct APN settings when inserting a SIM card – the same counts for STC KSA SIM cards.
If that does not automatically happen, you can text jawalnet to 2222 to download the APN settings.
If that does not work, you will have to add the settings manually by filling in these fields:
- Name: STC
- APN: jawalnet.com.sa
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Mobily
Mobily, by Etisalat, is the second-largest mobile operator in Saudi Arabia.
It was the mobile operator to end STC KSA's monopoly. Subsequently, it was also the first to offer 4G/LTE in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Mobily uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2500 MHz (Band 41) & 2600 MHz (Band 38)
- 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
This is what you will learn about Mobily:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Mobily SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Mobily
Mobily has extensive coverage throughout Saudi Arabia.
4G/LTE can be found in all urban areas but not in the deserts.
Below is Mobily's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – Mobily
You can buy a Mobily SIM card for 30 SAR (34.50 SAR with VAT) in Mobily stores. It is also possible to get SIM cards at Damman, Jeddah, Medina & Riyadh airports.
It is also possible to get a Mobily eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.
To use a Mobily eSIM, you need to have one of the following devices:
- Google Pixel (1)/2/3/3XL/4/4A/5
- Huawei P40/P40 Pro
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max
- iPhone SE
- iPhone XR/XS/XS Max
- Microsoft Surface Duo
- Samsung Fold LTE Model
- Samsung Galaxy 20/S20+/S20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Fold/Z Fold 2 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 FE/FE 5G/Ultra/Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- Samsung Galaxy X Flip
Those visiting Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah can get the Hajj & Umrah SIM cards.
They come in three variants:
| Price | Plan | Data | On-Net Minutes | Off-Net Minutes | International Call Credit | Umrah Validity | Hajj Validity | Renewal Code |
| 30 SAR | Hajj & Umrah 30 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 30 days | 45 days | N/A |
| 50 SAR | Hajj & Umrah 50 | 1 GB | 200 minutes | 20 minutes | 20 SAR | 30 days | 45 days | 5050 |
| 99 SAR | Hajj & Umrah 99 | 2 GB | 500 minutes | 50 minutes | 60 SAR | 30 days | 45 days | 1899 |
To renew your Hajj & Umrah plan, text the Renewal Code to 1100.
The first recharge on your Hajj & Umrah SIM card will give you 2 GB valid for 3 days for free.
Moreover, you can get up to 300% bonus credit if you recharge at least 10 SAR.
The following credit bonuses are available:
| Recharge Denomination | Bonus Credit | Bonus Data | Bonus Validity |
| 10 – 29 SAR | 50% | 150 MB | 1 Day |
| 30 – 49 SAR | 100% | 150 MB | 3 Days |
| 50 – 99 SAR | 200% | 150 MB | 5 Days |
| 100 -=> SAR | 300% | 150 MB | 7 Days |
Dial *1100# to access the Mobily menu.
Dial *1100# and enter 999 to change the system's language (Arabic and English).
Dial *222# to see your Mobily phone number.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Mobily
Mobily top-up vouchers are sold in Mobily stores and many other establishments, such as kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores.
To top up your Mobily SIM card, dial *1400*VoucherCode#. The same can be done by calling 1400. Citizens and residents have to dial *1400*VoucherCode*Iqama#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456 (and your Iqama is 123456), you would dial *1400*123456# or *1400*123456*123456#.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *1411# or text 1411 to 1100 to check your Mobily balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Mobily App (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Mobily
Mobily has seven data-featured plans:
- Prepaid Plans (combo)
- Data Bundles (data)
- Data Vouchers (data)
- Internet Addons (data)
- Data Prepaid Plans (data for data-only SIM)
- Unlimited Social Media (data for social media)
- Mobily WhatsApp Service (data for WhatsApp)
All Mobily plans are eligible for 5G NR.
Click the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Prepaid Plans – Mobily
The Prepaid Plans are combo bundles with data and minutes.
Prepaid Plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 1100:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media Data | Local Minutes | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
| 30 SAR | Prepaid 30 | 1.2 GB | 1.2 GB | 100 minutes | 28 days | 30 | 030 |
| 75 SAR | Prepaid 75 | 15 GB | 5 GB | 500 minutes | 28 days | 75 | 075 |
| 110 SAR | Prepaid 110 | 25 GB | 25 GB | 1500 minutes | 28 days | 110 | 0110 |
| 150 SAR | Prepaid 150 | 50 GB | Unlimited | 2250 minutes | 28 days | 150 | 0150 |
| 180 SAR | Prepaid 180 | 70 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 28 days | 180 | 0180 |
| 220 SAR | Prepaid 220 | 100 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 28 days | 220 | 0220 |
| 360 SAR | Prepaid 360 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 28 days | 360 | 0360 |
Prepaid Plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 1100.
Data Bundles – Mobily
The Data Bundles are, as the name implies, data-only plans.
Data Bundles can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 1100:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
| 5 SAR | Internet 150 MB | 150 MB | 1 month | 1015 |
| 15 SAR | Internet 500 MB | 500 MB | 1 month | 1115 |
| 25 SAR | Internet 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 month | 1125 |
| 45 SAR | Internet 2 GB | 2 GB | 1 month | 1145 |
Data Vouchers – Mobily
The Data Vouchers are data-only plans that can be activated with a Mobily voucher code through *1400*VoucherCode#.
| Price (with VAT) | Data | Validity |
| 50 SAR | 2 GB | 1 month |
| 80 SAR | 5 GB | 1 month |
| 140 SAR | 10 GB | 3 months |
| 300 SAR | 100 GB | 3 months |
| 450 SAR | 300 GB | 3 months |
Internet Addons – Mobily
The Internet Addons are data-only plans.
Internet Addons can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 1100:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
| 5 SAR | 150 MB | 14 days | 750 | 750 |
| 20 SAR | 500 MB | 1 month | 6090 | 6092 |
| 30 SAR | 1 GB | 1 month | 6100 | 6102 |
| 50 SAR | 2 GB | 1 month | 7200 | 7202 |
| 75 SAR | 5 GB | 1 month | 7300 | 7302 |
| 95 SAR | 10 GB | 1 month | 7050 | 7052 |
| 135 SAR | 20 GB | 1 month | 6300 | 6302 |
| 160 SAR | 100 GB | 1 month | 7080 | 7082 |
| 165 SAR | 10 GB | 3 months | 6070 | 6072 |
| 210 SAR | 50 GB | 2 months | 7090 | 7092 |
| 220 SAR | 20 GB | 3 months | 8200 | 8202 |
| 260 SAR | 50 GB | 3 months | 8070 | 8072 |
| 320 SAR | 100 GB | 3 months | 8080 | 8082 |
| 450 SAR | 300 GB | 3 months | 300 | N/A |
| 900 SAR | 600 GB | 6 months | 606 | N/A |
Internet Addons auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 1100.
Data Prepaid Plans – Mobily
The Data Prepaid Plans are, as the name suggests, data-only bundles exclusively for the Mobily data SIM card.
Data Prepaid Plans can be activated on the Mobily App:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
| 200 SAR | Prepaid 10 GB | 10 GB | 3 months |
| 250 SAR | Prepaid 50 GB | 50 GB | 2 months |
| 260 SAR | Prepaid 20 GB | 20 GB | 3 months |
| 375 SAR | Prepaid 100 GB | 100 GB | 3 months |
| 525 SAR | Prepaid 300 GB | 300 GB | 3 months |
The Unlimited Social Media plans are, as the name suggests, unlimited data plans for select social media apps (Facebook, Google Duo, Snapchat, Twitter & WhatsApp).
The following Unlimited Social Media plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Social Data 1 | Validity | Activation Code |
| 4 SAR | Unlimited Daily Social | Unlimited | 1 day | *441# |
| 20 SAR | Unlimited Weekly Social | Unlimited | 7 days | *447# |
| 60 SAR | Unlimited Monthly Social | Unlimited | 30 days | *440# |
1 Facebook, Google Duo, Snapchat, Twitter & WhatsApp
Unlimited Social media plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text 0440 to 1100.
Mobily WhatsApp Service – Mobily
The Mobily WhatsApp Service is a data-only plan for WhatsApp.
Mobily Internet Service can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 1100:
| Price | Plan | WhatsApp Data | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
| 10 SAR | WhatsApp Weekly | Unlimited | 7 days | 210 | 5210 |
| 20 SAR | WhatsApp Monthly | Unlimited | 1 month | 211 | 5211 |
| 40 SAR | WhatsApp Plus Monthly | Unlimited 1 | 1 month | 233 | 5333 |
1 +1 GB for regular data browsing (no restrictions)
Mobily WhatsApp Service plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 1100.
APN/Internet Settings – Mobily
- Name: Mobily Internet
- APN: web2
Note: make sure to use “web2” as a prepaid user. APN “web1” is for postpaid customers only. Leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Zain KSA
Zain KSA, just Zain, is the smallest mobile operator in Saudi Arabia.
It is the mobile operator with the best 5G NR performance in the Kingdom.
Zain, as a company, is active in Africa (Sudan & South Sudan) & the Middle East.
Zain uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 900 MHz (Band 8), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 38)
- 5G NR: 2500 MHz (n41) & 3500 MHz (n78)
This is what you will learn about Zain:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Zain SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Zain KSA
Zain has extensive coverage throughout Saudi Arabia.
All urban areas are covered by Zain's 4G/LTE network. This, of course, does not apply to most deserts.
While Zain has the worst nationwide coverage of the Main Operators, it does have the best 5G NR coverage, availability, and speeds due to it investing in the technology early on.
Below is Zain's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – Zain KSA
You can buy a Zain SIM card for 30 SAR (34.50 SAR) in Zain stores. The Umrah & Hajj SIM card is also available for the same price. It is also possible to get SIM cards at Damman, Jeddah, Medina & Riyadh airports.
It is also possible to get a Zain eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.
To use a Zain eSIM, you need to have one of the following devices:
- Huawei P40/P40 Pro
- iPhone XS/XR/XR Max
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Samsung S20/S20 Plus/S20 Ultra
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the Zain Visitor SIM – Zain's tourist SIM card.
They come in 4 variants:
| Price (with VAT) | SIM Card | Data | On-Net Minutes | Off-Net Minutes | International Call Credit | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63.25 SAR | Visitor 55 | 2 GB | Unlimited | 30 minutes | 20 SAR | 1 month | V55 |
| 113.85 SAR | Visitor 99 | 4 GB | Unlimited | 60 minutes | 50 SAR | 1 month | V99 |
| 228.85 SAR | Visitor 199 | 10 GB 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 50 SAR | 1 month | V199 |
| 458.85 SAR | Visitor 399 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 25 SAR | 1 month | V399 |
1 +unlimited data for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Zain KSA
Zain top-up vouchers are sold in Zain stores and many other establishments, such as kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores.
The following top-up cards are available:
| Top-Up | Credit After Tax |
|---|---|
| 20 SAR | 17.39 SAR |
| 30 SAR | 26.08 SAR |
| 50 SAR | 43.47 SAR |
| 100 SAR | 86.95 SAR |
| 300 SAR | 260.87 SAR |
The following online or eTop Up options are available:
| Top-Up (with VAT) | Credit |
|---|---|
| 20 SAR | 17.39 SAR |
| 34.50 SAR | 30 SAR |
| 57.50 SAR | 50 SAR |
| 115 SAR | 100 SAR |
| 345 SAR | 300 SAR |
To top up your Zain SIM card, dial *141*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *141*123456#.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *142# to check your Zain balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Zain SA app (Android/iOS/Huawei AppGallery).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Zain KSA
Zain has seven data-featured plans:
- Zain Flex (combo)
- Shabab (combo)
- Unlimited Call & Internet Bundles (combo)
- Voice Internet Bundles (data – yes, really)
- MBB Prepaid (data)
- Unlimited Social Media Bundles – Apps (social media data)
- Unlimited Social Media Bundles – YouTube (as the name implies)
All Zain plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959.
Some Zain plans are eligible for 5G NR.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Zain Flex – Zain KSA
The Zain Flex plans are combo bundles with data and Flex Minutes (local and international use).
Shabab plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959:
| Price | Plan | Data | YouTube Data | Flex Minutes 1 | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 SAR | Zain Flex 19 | 1 GB | 2 GB | 30 minutes | 7 days | 100 |
| 29 SAR | Zain Flex 29 | 1 GB | 1 GB | 50 minutes | 28 days | 101 |
| 99 SAR | Zain Flex 99 | 20 GB | Unlimited | 250 minutes | 28 days | 102 |
| 319 SAR | Zain Flex 319 | 100 GB | Unlimited | 800 minutes | 3 months | 103 |
Shabab – Zain KSA
The Shabab plans are combo plans with data and minutes.
Shabab plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media Data 1 | Local Minutes | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 SAR | Shabab 39 | 2 GB | 2 GB | 100 minutes | 28 days | S39 |
| 59 SAR | Shabab 59 | 5 GB | 5 GB | 400 minutes | 28 days | S59 |
| 69 SAR | Shabab 69 | 10 GB | 10 GB | 500 minutes | 28 days | S69 |
| 99 SAR | Shabab 99 | 15 GB | 20 GB | 1500 minutes | 28 days | S99 |
1 Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
Shabab plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text CA39 to 959.
Unlimited Calls & Internet Bundles – Zain KSA
The Unlimited Calls & Internet Bundles are, true to its name, plans with unlimited data and call allowances.
Unlimited Calls & Internet Bundles can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959:
| Price | Data | 5G NR Access? | Local Minutes | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 SAR | Unlimited | No | N/A | 1 day | 418 | 4182 |
| 15 SAR | Unlimited | No | Unlimited | 1 day | 419 | 4192 |
| 85 SAR | Unlimited | Yes | N/A | 7 days | 420 | 4202 |
| 349 SAR | Unlimited | Yes | N/A | 1 month | 415 | 4152 |
| 999 SAR | Unlimited | Yes | N/A | 3 months | 417 | 4172 |
Unlimited Calls & Internet Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 959.
Voice Internet Bundles – Zain KSA
The Voice Internet Bundles are, unlike the name suggests, data-only plans.
Voice Internet Bundles can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959:
| Price | Data | YouTube Data | 5G NR Access? | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 SAR | 50 MB | N/A | No | 1 day | 401 | 4012 |
| 5 SAR | 250 MB | N/A | No | 1 day | 402 | 4022 |
| 15 SAR | 1 GB | N/A | No | 7 days | 404 | 4042 |
| 30 SAR | 2 GB | N/A | No | 1 month | 405 | 4052 |
| 50 SAR | 4 GB | N/A | No | 1 month | 406 | 4062 |
| 75 SAR | 8 GB | N/A | No | 1 month | 407 | 4072 |
| 99 SAR | 25 GB | 25 GB | Yes | 1 month | 408 | 4082 |
| 160 SAR | 100 GB | N/A | No | 1 month | 411 | 4112 |
| 165 SAR | 30 GB | N/A | No | 3 months | 409 | 4092 |
| 199 SAR | 75 GB | 75 GB | Yes | 2 months | 410 | 4102 |
| 299 SAR | 100 GB | 100 GB | Yes | 3 months | 421 | 4212 |
| 399 SAR | 150 GB | 150 GB | Yes | 3 months | 422 | 4222 |
| 450 SAR | 300 GB | N/A | No | 3 months | 414 | 4142 |
Voice Internet Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 959.
MBB Prepaid – Zain KSA
The MBB Prepaid plans are data-only bundles.
MBB Prepaid can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959:
| Price | Data | YouTube Data | 5G NR Access? | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 SAR | 25 GB | 25 GB | Yes | 1 month | 408 |
| 160 SAR | 100 GB | N/A | Yes | 1 month | 411 |
| 165 SAR | 30 GB | N/A | No | 3 months | 409 |
| 199 SAR | 75 GB | 75 GB | Yes | 2 months | 410 |
| 299 SAR | 100 GB | 100 GB | Yes | 3 months | 421 |
| 325 SAR | Unlimited | N/A | No | 1 month | 416 |
| 349 SAR | Unlimited | N/A | Yes | 1 month | 415 |
| 399 SAR | 150 GB | 150 GB | Yes | 3 months | 422 |
| 450 SAR | 300 GB | N/A | Yes | 3 months | 414 |
| 999 SAR | Unlimited | N/A | Yes | 3 months | 417 |
The Unlimited Social Media Bundles are unlimited data-only plans for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter & WhatsApp.
Unlimited Social Media Bundles (Apps) can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959:
| Price | Social Data 1 | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 SAR | Unlimited | 1 day | 310 | CA310 |
| 20 SAR | Unlimited | 7 days | 311 | CA311 |
| 60 SAR | Unlimited | 28 days | 312 | CA312 |
1 Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter & WhatsApp
Unlimited Social Media Bundles (Apps). To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 959.
The Unlimited Social Media Bundles (YouTube) are unlimited data-only plans for YouTube.
Unlimited Social Media Bundles (YouTube) can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 959:
| Price | YouTube Data | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 SAR | Unlimited | 1 day | 500 | CA500 |
| 39 SAR | Unlimited | 7 days | 501 | CA501 |
| 99 SAR | Unlimited | 28 days | 502 | CA502 |
Unlimited Social Media Bundles (YouTube) auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 959.
APN/Internet Settings – Zain KSA
Most phones will automatically retrieve the correct APN settings when inserting a SIM card – the same counts for Zain KSA SIM cards.
If that does not automatically happen, you can dial *99# to download the APN settings.
If that does not work, you will have to add the settings manually by filling in these fields:
- Name: Zain
- APN: zain
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Jawwy
Jawwy is a sub-brand by STC KSA.
It started in 2016 and is targeted at prepaid use.
However, STC KSA does offer prepaid service by itself as well – perhaps it will be phased out in the future.
Jawwy (Mobile) should not be confused with Jawwy TV.
To learn about Jawwy’s frequencies, jump back to STC KSA’s frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Jawwy:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Jawwy SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Jawwy
Jawwy is an STC KSA MVNO, meaning Jawwy uses the STC KSA network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
To find out what to expect in terms of coverage with Jawwy, jump to the STC KSA Coverage section.
SIM Card Price – Jawwy
You can buy a Jawwy SIM card for 30 SAR (34.50 SAR with VAT) with 1 GB of data, 1 GB for social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube) & 100 local minutes – all valid for 28 days in STC stores.
It is also possible to get a Jawwy eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card or free if you upgrade from a physical SIM card to an eSIM.
To use a Jawwy eSIM, you need to have one of the following devices:
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max
- iPhone SE
- iPhone XR/XS/XS Max
Jawwy SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 90 days (no top-up for 90 days or no activity for 90 days).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Jawwy
Jawwy top-up vouchers, using STC's Sawa vouchers, are sold in STC stores and many other establishments, such as kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores.
To top up your Jawwy SIM card, dial *155*VoucherCode*#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *155*123456#.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
Each top-up has no expiry, as long as your Jawwy SIM card is active.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Topping up and checking your balance can be done on the Jawwy app (Android/iOS).
There is no USSD/shortcode to check your Jawwy balance.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Jawwy
Jawwy has five data-featured plans:
- Physical SIM (combo)
- Jawwy Pro (combo)
- Flexible Plan (customizable combo)
- Social Pass (social media data)
- YouTube Pass (YouTube data)
All Jawwy plans can be activated on the Jawwy app.
All Jawwy plans are eligible for 5G NR.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Physical SIM – Jawwy
The Physical SIM plans are actually starter SIM cards you can buy (instead of the 30 SAR one) with data, minutes & SMS.
However, the benefits you get with those starter offers also act as plans.
These options are available, which can be activated on the Jawwy app:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media Data 1 | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 SAR | Jawwy SIM 60 | 5 GB | 5 GB | 500 minutes | 28 days |
| 70 SAR | Jawwy SIM 70 | 2 GB | N/A | 500 minutes | 30 days |
| 100 SAR | Jawwy SIM 100 | 20 GB | 30 GB | 1500 minutes | 30 days |
| 150 SAR | Jawwy SIM 150 | 50 GB | Unlimited | 3000 minutes | 30 days |
| 200 SAR | Jawwy SIM 200 | 97 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
1 Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
Jawwy Pro – Jawwy
The Jawwy Pro plans are combo plans with data and minutes.
The following Jawwy Pro plans are available, which can be activated on the Jawwy App:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130 SAR | Jawwy Pro 30 | 30 GB | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 180 SAR | Jawwy Pro 60 | 60 GB | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 220 SAR | Jawwy Pro 120 | 120 GB | Unlimited | 30 days |
Flexible Plan – Jawwy
The Flexible Plan is a customizable bundle that allows you to set how much data and how many minutes you want.
Each Flexible Plan needs at least 1 GB of data and 100 minutes, costing 30 SAR.
With every configuration, you get 3000 on-net minutes for free.
The following Flexible Plan options are available, which can be activated on the Jawwy app:
| Data/Minutes (SAR) | 1 GB | 3 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | 15 GB | 20 GB | 50 GB |
| 100 minutes | 30 | 60 | 75 | 100 | 110 | 120 | 150 |
| 200 minutes | 40 | 70 | 85 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 160 |
| 400 minutes | 50 | 80 | 95 | 120 | 130 | 140 | 170 |
| 600 minutes | 60 | 90 | 105 | 130 | 140 | 150 | 180 |
| 800 minutes | 70 | 100 | 115 | 140 | 150 | 160 | 190 |
| 1000 minutes | 80 | 110 | 125 | 150 | 160 | 170 | 200 |
| 1500 minutes | 105 | 135 | 150 | 175 | 185 | 195 | 225 |
The Social Pass is a 3 GB data add-on for Facebook, Twitter & WhatsApp. It costs 20 SAR and is valid for 30 days.
The Social Pass can be activated on the Jawwy app:
| Price | Facebook, Twitter & WhatsApp Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 20 SAR | 3 GB | 30 days |
YouTube Pass – Jawwy
The YouTube Pass is a data add-on giving you 1 GB a day for 30 days for YouTube. It costs 50 SAR and can be activated on the Jawwy app.
APN/Internet Settings – Jawwy
- Name: JAWALNet
- APN: jawalnet.com.sa
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Lebara Mobile KSA
Lebara Mobile KSA, just Lebara, is a Mobily MVNO.
The company is known for having attractive rates and packages for overseas calls.
Cannot see the video above? Watch it on YouTube.
Lebara is a Mobily MVNO, meaning Lebara uses the Mobily network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
To find out what to expect in terms of coverage with Lebara, jump to the Mobily Coverage section.
This is what you will learn about Lebara:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Lebara SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
SIM Card Price – Lebara Mobile KSA
You can buy a Lebara SIM card for 30 SAR (34.50 SAR with VAT) in Lebara stores.
In some cases, you might have to register or activate your Lebara SIM card online.
However, this can only be done when you have an Absher account – an app allowing you access to governmental services.
As a traveler, you will not get such an account.
But, Lebara has informed me that you can (and should) register and activate Lebara SIM cards in Lebara stores.
Then, regular SIM card registration rules apply.
It is also possible to get a Lebara eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.
To use a Lebara eSIM, you need to have one of the following devices:
- Huawei P40/Mate P40 Pro
- iPhone SE (2nd Generation)
- iPhone XR/XS/XS Max
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S20
- Samsung Note 20 Ultra
Do note that, just like with registration and activation, you need an Absher account to activate a Lebara eSIM.
For the eSIM, this rule cannot be circumvented by visiting a Lebara store.
I do mention the eSIM possibility because many migrant workers read this guide on a monthly basis who do have an Absher account.
Dial *000# and select option 2 to change your language. The same can be done by calling 1755 and selecting option 2.
Dial *000# to see your Lebara phone number.
Lebara SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 60 days (no top-up for 60 days or no activity for 60 days).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Lebara Mobile KSA
Lebara top-up vouchers are sold in Lebara stores and many other establishments, such as grocery stores and post offices.
To top up your Lebara SIM card, dial *000# and select option 1. The same can be done by dialing *111*VoucherCode*ID-Number# or calling 1755, selecting option 3, enter your ID Number, and enter your Voucher Code.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *000# or *119# or call 1755 and select option 1 to check your Lebara balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Lebara KSA app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Lebara Mobile KSA
Lebara has three data-featured plans:
- Local Pass (combo)
- Hawakom (combo)
- Data Bundles (as the name implies)
Lebara does not offer 5G NR (yet).
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Local Pass – Lebara Mobile KSA
The Local Pass plans are combo bundles with data and minutes.
The following Local Pass plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 SAR | Local Pass 10 SAR | 250 MB | 50 minutes | 30 days | *777*3001# |
| 20 SAR | Local Pass 20 SAR | 500 MB | 120 minutes | 30 days | *777*3002# |
| 30 SAR | Local Pass 30 SAR | 3 GB | 300 minutes | 30 days | *777*3006# |
| 50 SAR | Local Pass 50 SAR | 3 GB | 350 minutes | 30 days | *777*3003# |
| 70 SAR | Local Pass 70 SAR | 7 GB 1 | 500 minutes | 30 days | *777*3004# |
| 70 SAR | Local Pass 70 Plus | 12 GB | 350 minutes | 30 days | *777*3070# |
| 90 SAR | Local Pass 90 SAR | 15 GB | 900 minutes | 30 days | *777*3005# |
| 110 SAR | Local Pass 110 SAR | 30 GB | 300 minutes | 30 days | *777*3007# |
| 150 SAR | Local Pass 150 SAR | 50 GB | 1000 minutes | 30 days | *777*3150# |
| 220 SAR | Local Pass 220 SAR | 100 GB 2 | 2200 minutes | 30 days | *777*3220# |
1 +7 GB for social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter WhatsApp & YouTube )
2 +unlimited data for social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter WhatsApp & YouTube)
Hawakom – Lebara Mobile KSA
The Hawakom plans are combo bundles with data, minutes & SMS.
The following Hawakom plans are available, which can be activated on the Lebara KSA app:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media Data 1 | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 SAR | Hawakom 50 | 5 GB | 5 GB | 500 minutes | 50 SMS | 30 days |
| 90 SAR | Hawakom 90 | 10 GB | 20 GB | 900 minutes | 90 SMS | 30 days |
| 120 SAR | Hawakom 120 | 20 GB | 40 GB | 1200 minutes | 120 SMS | 30 days |
| 220 SAR | Hawakom 220 | 100 GB | Unlimited | 2200 minutes | 220 SMS | 30 days |
1 Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter WhatsApp & YouTube
Hawakom plans auto-renew. Auto-renewal can be disabled on the Lebara KSA app.
Data Bundles – Lebara Mobile KSA
The Data Bundles are, as the name suggests, data-only plans.
The following Data Bundles are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 SAR | Mobile Net 50 MB | 50 MB | 7 days | *777*030# |
| 5 SAR | Mobile Net 100 MB | 100 MB | 7 days | *777*080# |
| 9 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 300 MB | 300 MB | 7 days | *777*200# |
| 19 SAR | Daily Unlimited Data | Unlimited | 1 day | *777*01# |
| 25 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 1.5 GB | 1.5 GB | 30 days | *777*1000# |
| 29 SAR | Weekly Bundle | 10 GB | 7 days | *666*010# |
| 45 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 3 GB | 3 GB | 30 days | *777*2000# |
| 50 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 15 GB | 15 GB | 15 days | *777*150# |
| 60 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 5 GB | 5 GB | 30 days | *777*5000# |
| 95 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 25 GB | 25 GB | 30 days | *777*2500# |
| 99 SAR | Weekly Unlimited Data | Unlimited | 7 days | *777*07# |
| 110 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 10 GB | 10 GB | 85 days | *777*10000# |
| 115 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 50 GB | 50 GB | 30 days | *777*050# |
| 175 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 100 GB | 100 GB | 30 days | *777*100# |
| 189 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 20 GB | 20 GB | 90 days | *777*20000# |
| 260 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 50 GB | 50 GB | 90 days | *777*50000# |
| 330 SAR | Mobile Net Saver 100 GB | 100 GB | 90 days | *777*01000# |
| 345 SAR | Monthly Unlimited Data | Unlimited | 30 days | *777*30# |
Data Bundles can be stacked (multiple ones can be activated at a time).
APN/Internet Settings – Lebara Mobile KSA
- Name: Lebara
- APN: lebara
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Virgin Mobile KSA
Virgin Mobile KSA, just Virgin Mobile, is a Mobily MVNO.
It was the first mobile operator in Saudi Arabia allowing you to create your own plan.
Virgin Mobile, as a brand, is active in Europe, Mexico, the Middle East & South America.
To learn about Virgin Mobile’s frequencies, jump back to Mobily’s frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Virgin Mobile:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Virgin Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Virgin Mobile KSA
Virgin Mobile is a Mobily MVNO, meaning Virgin Mobile uses the Mobily network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
To find out what to expect in terms of coverage with Virgin Mobile, jump to the Mobily Coverage section.
SIM Card Price – Virgin Mobile KSA
You can get a Virgin Mobile SIM card for free in Virgin Mobile stores. However, you are expected to top-up or buy a plan (starting from 30 SAR) on the spot.
You can also get a SIM card delivered to the place you are staying within two hours (between 10:00 – 22:00) in Al-Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Jeddah, Makkah & Riyadh.
It is also possible to get a Virgin Mobile eSIM for free (if purchased with a plan).
To use a Virgin Mobile eSIM, you need to have one of the following devices:
- Huawei P40/Mate P40 Pro
- iPhone XR/XS/XS Max
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S20/S20 Plus/S20 Ultra
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Virgin Mobile KSA
You can top-up your Virgin Mobile SIM card on the Virgin Mobile KSA app (Android/iOS/Huawei AppGallery) or online – the same counts for checking your balance. Top-up vouchers are not sold.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Virgin Mobile KSA
Virgin Mobile has seven data-featured plans:
- Predefined Plans (combo)
- Create Your Plan (flexible combo)
- Daily Capped Bundles (data)
- Virgin Mobile Data Bundles (as the name implies)
- YouTube and Social Media Offers (as the name suggests)
- FRIENDi Package Combo Bundles (as the name implies)
- FRIENDi Package Data Bundles (as the name suggests)
Yes, you can use FRIENDi (Mobile) packages with your Virgin Mobile SIM card.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Predefined Plans – Virgin Mobile KSA
The Predefined Plans are combo plans with data and minutes.
Dial *100# to activate Predefined Plans:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media Data 1 | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 SAR | Hero | 10 GB | N/A | 500 minutes | 30 days |
| 100 SAR | Virgin 100 | 25 GB | 5 GB | 750 minutes | 30 days |
| 150 SAR | Virgin 150 | 20 GB | Unlimited | 3000 minutes | 30 days |
| 215 SAR | Social Media | 100 GB | Unlimited | 5000 minutes | 30 days |
1 Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
Although no SMS is included with the Predefined Plans, you can still send text messages without being charged Pay As You Go (PAYG) rates.
2 SMS are equal to 1 minute. In theory, you could send up to 10 000 SMS (if you have the Social Media plan) if you want to by not using any minute.
Create Your Plan – Virgin Mobile KSA
Create Your Own Plan is a customizable bundle that allows you to set how much data and how many minutes you want.
Each Create Your Plan needs at least 1 GB of data and 100 minutes, costing 30 SAR.
If your plan costs between 100 SAR and 120 SAR (actual pricing differs per configuration), you get 3000 on-net minutes for free.
The following Flexible Plan options are available, which can be activated on the Virgin Mobile KSA app:
| Data/Minutes (SAR) | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB | 10 GB | 20 GB | 40 GB | 80 GB | 100 GB |
| 100 minutes | 30 | 45 | 70 | 90 | 100 | 120 | 140 | 170 | 180 |
| 250 minutes | 45 | 60 | 85 | 105 | 115 | 135 | 155 | 185 | 195 |
| 500 minutes | 55 | 70 | 95 | 115 | 125 | 145 | 165 | 195 | 205 |
| 1000 minutes | 80 | 95 | 120 | 140 | 150 | 170 | 190 | 220 | 230 |
| 1500 minutes | 105 | 120 | 145 | 165 | 175 | 195 | 215 | 245 | 255 |
| 2000 minutes | 130 | 145 | 170 | 190 | 200 | 220 | 240 | 270 | 280 |
| 5000 minutes | 280 | 295 | 320 | 340 | 350 | 370 | 390 | 420 | 430 |
Daily Capped Bundles – Virgin Mobile KSA
The Daily Capped Bundles are, as the name implies, data-only bundles with a daily data allowance.
Dial *118# to activate Daily Capped Bundles:
| Price | Daily Data | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 SAR | 512 MB/day (3.5 GB) | 7 days |
| 40 SAR | 512 MB/day (7 GB) | 14 days |
| 75 SAR | 1 GB/day (30 GB) | 30 days |
Virgin Mobile Data Bundles – Virgin Mobile KSA
The Virgin Mobile Data Bundles are, as the name suggests, data-only plans.
Dial *110# to activate Virgin Mobile Data Bundles:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 3 SAR | 50 MB | 1 Day |
| 15 SAR | 500 MB | 7 Days |
| 21 SAR | 700 MB | 30 Days |
| 24 SAR | 1 GB | 30 Days |
| 45 SAR | 2 GB | 30 Days |
| 70 SAR | 4 GB | 30 Days |
| 90 SAR | 8 GB | 30 Days |
| 100 SAR | 10 GB | 30 Days |
| 180 SAR | 10 GB | 90 Days |
| 120 SAR | 20 GB | 30 Days |
| 140 SAR | 40 GB | 30 Days |
| 230 SAR | 50 GB | 60 Days |
| 170 SAR | 80 GB | 30 Days |
| 180 SAR | 100 GB | 30 Days |
| 350 SAR | 100 GB | 90 Days |
The YouTube and Social Media Offers are, as the name implies, data-only plans for YouTube & Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
Dial *100# to activate YouTube and Social media Offers:
| Price | Data | Social Media Data 1 | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 SAR | 25 GB | 5 GB | 750 minutes | 30 days |
| 150 SAR | 20 GB | Unlimited | 3000 minutes | 30 days |
| 215 SAR | 100 GB | Unlimited | 5000 minutes | 30 days |
1 Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter, WhatsApp & YouTube
FRIENDi Package Combo Bundles – Virgin Mobile KSA
The FRIENDI Package Combo Bundles are, as the name suggests, combo plans with data and minutes.
FRIENDi Package Combo Bundles are not exclusive to FRIENDi Mobile SIM cards.
Dial *112# to activate FRIENDi Package Combo Bundles:
| Price | Data | Bonus Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 SAR | 750 MB | N/A | 100 minutes | 14 Days |
| 43 SAR | 3 GB | N/A | 250 minutes | 30 Days |
| 70 SAR | 10 GB | 2 GB | 500 minutes | 30 Days |
| 90 SAR | 9 GB | 6 GB | 900 minutes | 30 Days |
| 110 SAR | 25 GB | 5 GB | 1000 minutes | 30 Days |
FRIENDi Package Data Bundles – Virgin Mobile KSA
The FRIENDi Package Data Bundles are, as the name implies, data-only plans.
FRIENDi Package Data Bundles are not exclusive to FRIENDi Mobile SIM cards.
Dial *108# to activate FRIENDi Package Combo Bundles:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1.99 SAR | 30 MB | 1 Day |
| 4.99 SAR | 100 MB | 3 Days |
| 8.99 SAR | 300 MB | 7 Days |
| 12 SAR | 500 MB | 10 Days |
| 14 SAR | 750 MB | 14 Days |
| 17 SAR | 1 GB | 21 Days |
| 25 SAR | 1.9 GB | 30 Days |
| 39 SAR | 3.5 GB | 30 Days |
| 60 SAR | 7.5 GB | 30 Days |
| 99 SAR | 40 GB | 30 Days |
| 110 SAR | 10 GB | 90 Days |
| 189 SAR | 20 GB | 90 Days |
| 260 SAR | 75 GB | 90 Days |
| 330 SAR | 150 GB | 90 Days |
APN/Internet Settings – Virgin Mobile KSA
- Name: Virgin Mobile
- APN: internet
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Saudi Arabia
I would highly encourage anyone visiting Saudi Arabia to get themselves a Saudi SIM card – you will be saving a lot of money when you do so.
However, for some, getting a Saudi SIM card is not an option.
For example, your device may be SIM-locked, meaning that you cannot use any other SIM card other than the SIM card provided by your mobile operator.
There are other ways to stay online while in Saudi Arabia, but they may not be cheap.
However, these methods may be more expensive than getting a SIM card from the local mobile operators.
International Roaming
International roaming is the most convenient way to stay connected when traveling in other countries because you do not have to buy a new SIM card, have to deal with SIM card registration regulations, nor have multiple phone numbers to deal with.
However, international roaming has proven to be expensive in many cases, especially compared to buying local SIM cards. That is why many travelers are not fond of international roaming.
International roaming has its pros and cons. However, it is important to know how it works. This in-depth guide explains it all.
Find out whether your mobile operator has attractive roaming rates for Saudi Arabia here.
Using an International SIM Card or Travel SIM Card
International SIM cards are SIM cards made for the traveler in mind. Using them is often cheaper than international roaming. However, they are almost always more expensive than using a local SIM card.
There are many other advantages and disadvantages of getting international SIM cards, which you can learn about here.
Using a Mobile Hotspot (Pocket WIFI)
Mobile hotspots, or pocket WIFI, are small devices that connect to the local operators of the country you are visiting.
Mobile hotspots are ideal for families or those traveling in a large group, as they allow you to connect multiple devices to one hotspot without the need of each traveler having to buy a SIM card.
You can either buy a mobile hotspot or rent one.
Using Free WIFI Networks
Using free WIFI connections is the cheapest way to stay connected because they are free.
The major downside of trying to use WIFI hotspots is that you will have to locate them, and they are not available on every corner in Saudi Arabia.
Make sure to protect your internet traffic with a VPN so that hackers cannot steal your personal data.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Saudi Arabia
Getting a SIM card from STC or Zain would do you well when considering a Saudi 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:
Support Phone Travel Wiz
It takes a lot of time to analyze, translate, and review the SIM card options worldwide (especially to test them out).
Your support helps me keep producing impartial content by eliminating the need to recommend international SIM cards as the best local SIM card (but some of them CAN be useful)
Every Ko-Fi donation, one-time or monthly, helps me to spend more time creating local SIM card buying guides.
Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel!
Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation.
Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling?
In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services, and products I have for this site and my YouTube channel.
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
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
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Who is the guy behind Phone Travel Wiz? Well, find out on the Ernest Adu about page!