Oman: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Oman – a Sultanate known for being the oldest independent state in the Arab world, the Arabian Oryx & its ships.

With its constant warm desert climate, the country is not for those who do not like the sun (you would suffer, ha).

But what makes Oman an interesting travel destination compared to other Middle Eastern countries?

It has a lot to offer.

From the world-famous Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque to the Mutrah Souq bazaar.

Those who love to hike can visit the Jebel Shams or Wadi Ash Shab.

Or you can swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Bimmah Sinkhole.

Excited about your trip already? Yeah – me too.

But the Sultanate is not an inexpensive travel destination – costs can add up quickly.

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

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

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

You can get an eSIM for Oman for as little as 9 USD and up to 79 USD from Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, Vodafone Oman & RedBull Mobile Oman, Airalo (Omancom) & Holafly.

I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Oman and 80+ other countries, including Oman's neighbors, for competitive rates.

Original publication: 10^th of October 2022. Last updated: 8^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about eight eSIM options in Oman (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Oman without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Airalo Oman Omancom eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (top pick)
• Holafly Oman eSIM with unlimited data for 5 to 30 days (unlimited data eSIMs – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• Airalo Menalink eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 3 GB
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) with 12 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (extensive global coverage (125+ countries) at attractive prices) + ability to make and receive calls & send and receive SMS (new) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover(+) (Global) eSIM review too!
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in Oman with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Oman-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Oman 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Omancom eSIM for Oman

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

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

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

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

Anyway, Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Oman – it is called Omancom.

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

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

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

In the case of Oman, Airalo's Omancom eSIM uses the Omantel network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet, unfortunately.

Omantel has the extensive coverage and the fastest speeds in Oman, so you know you will have a smooth network experience with the Omancon eSIM.

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

Anyway, the following six Airalo Oman Omancom eSIMs are available:

1. Oman/Omancom 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 4.50 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Oman/Omancom 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 8 USD
3. Oman/Omancom 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 10.50 USD
4. Oman/Omancom 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 15 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Oman/Omancom 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 25 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Oman/Omancom 20 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Oman in this guide.

Moreover, you will have the best performance with the Omancom eSIM compared to any other eSIM (in this guide).

What makes things even more pleasant is that you can top up your eSIM when it is expiring or when you are out of data without the need to purchase a new eSIM.

But you may think that a local SIM card or eSIM will (still) be cheaper than Airalo or any other travel eSIM.

And you are right – that is true in most cases.

However, you will have to deal with the Omani SIM card registration laws.

(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).

Most mobile operators will only sell you (overpriced) tourist SIM cards or the most expensive plans because of “mandatory top-up requirements” (which are often lies to take more of your money anyway).

So while you technically could get cheaper plans, the question is whether you can actually get them or not.

Anyway, you should be aware that while you can get up to 4G/LTE connection with the Airalo Oman Omancom eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Omantel network instead of being a native customers.

But that does not mean you will have (extremely) slow speeds – just slower than native customers.

Anyway, the Airalo Oman Omancom eSIM is fantastic and is the eSIM I, and many Phone Travel Wiz readers, recommend the most.

The eSIMs are affordable, the data allowances can be tailored to your needs (1 GB to 5 GB + top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).

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Holafly eSIM for Oman

Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers, but it is one of the popular ones.

Like SimCorner, it used to sell travel SIM cards before entering the eSIM market.

However, its travel SIM cards were criminally expensive (unlike SimCorner, which is still the best and cheapest travel SIM card seller out there), so I did not pay too much attention to Holafly.

But in 2022, they started offering eSIMs – at first, at high prices (not surprised), but the prices have decreased in recent months (which I appreciate).

However, in June, they started offering unlimited data plans for its eSIMs, making Holafly unique.

And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various East– Southeast Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.

Fortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are available in Oman.

And I can tell you that I get positive emails multiple times a week from Phone Travel Wiz readers that have used the unlimited data plans in East- and Southeast Asia, Europe & North America; they love these eSIMs.

You have the following six Holafly Oman eSIM options:

1. Oman unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 27 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Oman unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 34 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Oman unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 37 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Oman unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
5. Oman unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD
6. Oman unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Oman eSIM, nor can you call and text (it is a data-only eSIM).

Moreover, you cannot top up or extend the validity with the Holafly Oman eSIM – so you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.

But to soften the (potential) friction of buying multiple Holafly eSIMs, you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Oman eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ – you are welcome 😜.

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Local Omani eSIM for Prepaid Customers

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

You have two main mobile operators and three Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Oman: Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, Vodafone Oman, FRiENDi Mobile Oman, Red Bull MOBILE Oman & Renna Mobile.

Currently, Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, Vodafone Oman & RedBull Mobile Oman offer eSIMs to prepaid customers.

You can get a Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, Vodafone Oman or RedBull Mobile Oman eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card, which is 2 OMR (5.20 USD) at the moment.

For more information about the plans offered by Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, Vodafone Oman & RedBull Mobile Oman eSIM, check out my Omani SIM card buying guide.

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International eSIM for Oman & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Oman travel eSIM options offered by Airalo, Holafly & SimCorner + by the local mobile operators (Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, Vodafone Oman & RedBull Mobile Oman in this case).

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Oman and not in neighboring Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or Yemen.

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

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

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

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Airalo Menalink eSIM

Airalo recently introduced an eSIM for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Menalink. The Menalink eSIM follows the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries, the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 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 Oman and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries:

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global)

Airalo was probably the first eSIM provider to introduce a global eSIM – it was called Discover Global.

I have had decent to good experiences with that eSIM, but I felt it could improve.

Such as extending the validity of most plans (maximum used to be 180 days) and having 5G NR access in popular destinations (like many regional Airalo eSIMs do nowadays, even country-specific ones).

In August 2023, Airalo made a radical change to its global eSIM.

Until then, the eSIM could be used in about 85 countries – always up to 4G/LTE (with some networks on 3G only).

This eSIM was powered by FL1 Telecom Liechtenstein (network name can be Mobilkom (Liechtenstein) at times).

This mobile operator worked well in Europe and some Asian countries, but it was often one of the slowest performing (Airalo eSIMs).

Now, Airalo's global eSIM is called Discover(+).

It is powered by eSIM Go (which is basically Drei Austria).

The difference between the Airalo Discover and Airalo Discover+ eSIMs is that the latter has calling and texting functionalities (with an Austrian +43 phone number).

Because of this, Discover+ eSIMs can be up to 20 USD more expensive than regular Discover eSIMs.

For the previous Airalo Discover Global eSIMs, you paid the same prices as the Discover+ eSIMs for worse availability (85+ countries instead of 125+) and no calling or texting at all.

So… it is an upgrade 😎.

Not only that, but you (finally) get 5G NR access in quite some countries (55+)¹ as well.

¹ click here, press select the variant you want & click on network to see which network(s) allow for 5G NR access. You often have access to multiple local networks, but not all have 5G NR access (and some do not even give you 4G/LTE access)

Moreover, the most expensive option is now valid for a whole year (365 days) instead of 180 days.

The Airalo Discover(+) eSIM can be used in the following 125+ countries:

• Åland Islands ³
• Albania
• Argentina
• Armenia (new)
• Australia ⁵
• Austria ³
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain (new) ³
• Bangladesh (new)
• Belarus ¹
• Belgium ³
• Bolivia (new)
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Botswana (new) ²
• Brazil ⁵
• Brunei (new) ¹
• Bulgaria ⁵
• Cambodia
• Canada ⁵
• Central African Republic (new) ¹
• Chad (new)
• Chile
• China ³
• Colombia
• Congo, Democratic Republic of (new)
• Congo, Republic of (new)
• Costa Rica (new)
• Croatia ³
• Cyprus ⁵
• Czech Republic ³
• Denmark ⁵
• Dominican Republic ¹
• Ecuador
• Egypt (new)
• El Salvador (new) ¹
• Estonia ⁵
• Eswatini (new) ¹
• Finland ⁵
• France ³
• French West Indies (new) ³
• Gabon (new)
• Georgia
• Germany ³
• Ghana (new)
• Gibraltar ¹
• Greece ³
• Greenland (new) ¹
• Guatemala (new) ¹
• Guernsey (new)
• Guinea-Bissau (new) ¹
• Honduras (new) ¹
• Hong Kong ³
• Hungary ⁵
• Iceland ³
• India
• Indonesia ³
• Ireland ³
• Isle of Man (new)
• Iraq ¹
• Israel ⁵
• Italy ⁵
• Ivory Coast
• Japan ³
• Jersey
• Jordan (new)
• Kazakhstan (new)
• Kenya (new)
• Kosovo

• Kuwait ³
• Kyrgyzstan (new)
• Latvia ³
• Liberia ¹
• Liechtenstein ⁴
• Lithuania ⁵
• Luxembourg ³
• Macau
• Madagascar (new)
• Malawi (new)
• Malaysia
• Mali
• Malta ³
• Mexico ⁵
• Moldova
• Monaco (new)
• Montenegro ⁵
• Morocco (new)
• Netherlands ⁵
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua (new)
• Niger (new) ¹
• Nigeria (new) ²
• North Macedonia
• Norway ⁵
• Oman (new)
• Pakistan (new)
• Panama
• Paraguay ¹
• Peru
• Philippines ³
• Poland ³
• Portugal ³
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar ⁵
• Réunion (new)
• Romania ⁵
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia ⁵
• Senegal (new) ¹
• Serbia
• Seychelles (new)
• Singapore
• Slovakia ³
• Slovenia ⁵
• South Africa
• South Korea ³
• Spain ⁵
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Sweden ⁵
• Switzerland ³
• Taiwan ³
• Tanzania (new)
• Tajikistan ¹
• Thailand ⁵
• Tunisia (new)
• Turkey ³
• Uganda (new)
• Ukraine (new)
• United Arab Emirates (new) ³
• United Kingdom ⁵
• United States ⁵
• Uruguay (new)
• Uzbekistan (new)
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Vietnam
• Yemen (new) ¹
• Zambia (new) ¹

* “(new)” is compared to the previous Discover Global eSIM (discontinued) or recently added countries
¹ on 3G only
² check the networks section on the Airalo website or app because at least one of the available networks is on 3G only (while the others are up to 4G/LTE)
³ 5G NR access for all available networks
⁴ even if your phone does not support 5G NR, select FL1 Telecom/Telecom Liechtenstein for 4G/LTE access because Salt Liechtenstein is restricted to 3G only
⁵ check the networks section on the Airalo website or app because at least one of the available networks is up to 4G/LTE (while the others are up to 5G NR)

You have these 12 Airalo Discover Global eSIMs:

1. Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
3. Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
4. Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
5. Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
6. Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
7. Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
8. Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
9. Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
10. Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
11. Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
12. Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

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AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM (5G NR access in Oman)

SimOptions also sells a global eSIM: AIS eSIM2FLY Global.

And it can be used in 140+ countries for 15 days – 53 of them with 5G NR access.

The AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM can be used in the following countries:

¹ with 5G NR access

If you get this eSIM from SimOptions, which I recommend, you will pay 39.90 USD.

The main issue I have with the AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM is its short validity.

Making it hard to call it an actual global eSIM… unless you can somehow visit 140+ countries within 15 days – something not even I can do🧐.

Still, it is a relatively affordable global eSIM covering 140+ countries… with 5G NR access!

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Oman (Airalo vs. Holafly vs. SimCorner)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Oman.

But I also informed you that you can get an Omantel, Ooredoo Oman, Vodafone Oman & RedBull Mobile Oman eSIM, which is available to prepaid customers too.

However, you will have to deal with the Omani SIM card registration requirements (and internet censorship).

These are things you do not have to deal with the travel eSIMs offered by Airalo, Holafly & SimCorner.

So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:

• Airalo Oman Omancom eSIM (top pick)
• Holafly Oman eSIM
• Airalo Menalink eSIM
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (reasonable extensive global coverage (84+ 125+ countries) at attractive prices + calling and texting options (new))
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in Oman (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly and SimCorner eSIMs- a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Oman

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

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

Or you can get the SimCorner Oman SIM card, which will be delivered to your home before going to Oman – convenient 😏.