Sometimes, it is just fun to visit Dubai for a few days. The same can be said for Europe, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Australia, or New Zealand. You have probably found the attractions you want to visit in your selected destination, but you are wondering whether you can roam with Virgin Mobile Saudi Arabia or not. If you can, what are the options and the roaming rates? Let's find out today.
Can I roam with Virgin Mobile KSA?
Virgin Mobile KSA (Saudi Arabia) customers can roam on standard international roaming rates in 85 destinations such as Jordan, Yemen, and the UK. Data roaming is available in Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, with the roaming data bundles starting at 25 SAR a day.
No idea how roaming works? I made this comprehensive guide about what roaming is and how it works. It is worth the read – promised!
What do I need to know about roaming with Virgin Mobile KSA?
Virgin Mobile KSA does not have roaming bundles that include voice, text, and data. Instead, it only offers data roaming bundles for 5 destinations, which are Saudi Arabia's neighboring countries. For all the other destinations, you can roam on select operators at Pay As You Go roaming rates, which differ by the type of calling action (local call, call to KSA, receiving a call, or calling a 3rd destination). Sending SMS is not possible.
The standard roaming rates range from:
- 1.1 SAR to 14.4 SAR for local calls
- 2.7 SAR to 24 SAR for calls to Saudi Arabia
- 0.55 SAR to 5.25 SAR for incoming calls
- 8.4 SAR to 274 SAR for calls to other destinations (neither the destination you are in nor Saudi Arabia)
Your Virgin phone should automatically connect with a roaming partner once you are abroad. If not, then you can manually select one of the preferred roaming providers on the network selector on your phone's settings.
Data Roaming Bundles
Virgin Mobile KSA has 2 types of roaming bundles.
- 1-day data roaming bundle for 25 SAR
- 3-day data roaming bundle for 50 SAR
The 1-day bundle gets you 100 MB that is valid for 1 day. The 3-day bundle gets you 300 MB to be used within 3 days.
The data bundles can be used in the following 5 destinations:
- Kuwait
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Qatar
- Bahrain
Where can I roam with Virgin Mobile KSA?
You can roam in 85 destinations on standard roaming rates, such as the United States, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. Below you can find a table with all the roaming destinations, including the roaming partners and rates.
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Notes:
1. L. Call stands for Local Call
2. Call to KSA stands for Call to Saudi Arabia
3. Inc. Call stands for Incoming Call
4. Call ROW stands for Call to the Rest of the World
5. All calls are rounded to the nearest minute and are priced in Saudi Riyal
6. You can only roam on the listed networks
7. Data roaming is possible with an active data roaming bundle in Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain
8. The table is best viewed in landscape mode or desktop view (when on mobile)
| Destination | Operator(s) | L. Call | Call to KSA | Inc. Call | Call ROW |
| Afghanistan | AWCC, Etisalat | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Albania | Vodafone | 3.1 SAR | 11.6 SAR | 2.65 SAR | 45 SAR |
| Algeria | Wataniya, Mobilis, Djezzy | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Australia | Vodafone, Telstra | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Austria | Orange | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 60 SAR |
| Bahrain | VIVA, Batelco | 1.1 SAR | 2.7 SAR | 0.79 SAR | 8.4 SAR |
| Bangladesh | Grameenphone, Banglalink | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Belarus | MDC | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Belgium | Belgacom Proximus, Telenet Group | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | BH Telecom, PE Croatian Telecom JSC | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 60 SAR |
| Brunei | DST, Progresif Cellular | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Cambodia | CAMGSM | 8 SAR | 8.7 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 105 SAR |
| Canada | Rogers Wireless, TELUS | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Congo | VodaCom | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 3.55 SAR | 60 SAR |
| Cyprus | MTN | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Czech Republic | Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Denmark | Telia, TDC | 3.1 SAR | 11.6 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 45 SAR |
| Egypt | Vodafone, Orange | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Estonia | Elisa | 14.4 SAR | 36.5 SAR | 2.65 SAR | 274 SAR |
| France | Orange,BOUYGUES TELECOM, SFR | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Gabon | Libertis Telecom | 14.4 SAR | 36.5 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 274 SAR |
| Georgia | Magticom | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 2.3 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Germany | Vodafone, E-Plus Mobilfunk | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Ghana | Vodafone, AIRTEL | 3.1 SAR | 11.6 SAR | 4.05 SAR | 45 SAR |
| Greece | Vodafone, Wind | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Guinea | Orange | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 2.3 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Hong Kong | Hutchison, HKT | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Hungary | Telenor (ex Pannon) | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Iceland | Simminn | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.65 SAR | 12 SAR |
| India | Bharti Airtel, Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Indonesia | Indosat | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Iraq | Korek Telecom, Zain | 8 SAR | 8.7 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 105 SAR |
| Ireland | Vodafone,Meteor | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Italy | Telecom Italia,Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Japan | NTT Docomo | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Jordan | Orange | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Kazakhstan | K-Cell | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Kenya | Telecom Kenya | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 3.55 SAR | 60 SAR |
| Kuwait | VIVA, MTC Zain | 1.1 SAR | 2.7 SAR | 0.79 SAR | 8.4 SAR |
| Kyrgyzstan | Megacom (Alfa) | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 60 SAR |
| Lebanon | MTC Touch, MIC 1 | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Luxembourg | Tango | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Malaysia | Celcom,Maxis | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Maldives | Dhiraagu | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Malta | Vodafone, GO Mobile | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Mauritania | Chinguitel (Espresso), Mattel | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Mauritius | Telecom, Emtel Mauritius | 3.1 SAR | 11.6 SAR | 2.65 SAR | 45 SAR |
| Morocco | Maroc Telecom, Wana Corporate | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 60 SAR |
| Nepal | NPLM2 | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Netherlands | Vodafone,KPN | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| New Zealand | Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Niger | Orange | 3.1 SAR | 11.6 SAR | 2.3 SAR | 45 SAR |
| Nigeria | Airtel | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 60 SAR |
| Norway | NetCom TeliaSonera Norge, AeroMobile | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Oman | Omantel, Ooredoo | 1.1 SAR | 2.7 SAR | 0.79 SAR | 8.4 SAR |
| Pakistan | Jazz (Warid), Paktel Ltd | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Palestine | Wataniya | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Philippines | Globe, Smart | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Portugal | Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Qatar | Vodafone | 1.1 SAR | 2.7 SAR | 0.79 SAR | 8.4 SAR |
| Romania | Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Russia | Tele2 | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Senegal | Sentel | 7.8 SAR | 24 SAR | 2.5 SAR | 75 SAR |
| Serbia | Srbija Telecom | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Singapore | M1 Limited,SingTel | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Slovakia | O2 | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.65 SAR | 12 SAR |
| South Africa | Cell C, Vodacom | 4.4 SAR | 15.3 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 60 SAR |
| South Korea | LG Uplus, SK Telecom | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Spain | Vodafone, Xfera Moviles (Yoigo) | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Sri Lanka | Mobitel,Hutchison,Dialog, Etisalat | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Sudan | Sudatel, MTN | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Switzerland | Swisscom | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Taiwan | Chunghwa Telecom | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Tajikistan | Babilon Mobile, Indigo | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Tanzania | Vodafone | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 5.25 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Thailand | AIS | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Tunisia | Tunisie Telecom (Tuniscell) | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Turkey | Turkcell,Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Turkmenistan | ES-MTS | 5 SAR | 21 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 61 SAR |
| Ukraine | Kyivstar | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 12 SAR |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | DU,Etisalat | 1.1 SAR | 2.7 SAR | 0.79 SAR | 8.4 SAR |
| United Kingdom (UK) | O2,Vodafone | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| United States (USA) | AT&T Mobility,T-Mobile | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 1.35 SAR | 12 SAR |
| Uzbekistan | Unitel/Beeline | 14.4 SAR | 36.5 SAR | 2.05 SAR | 274 SAR |
| Yemen | Sabafon, MTN | 2.1 SAR | 4.2 SAR | 0.55 SAR | 12 SAR |
Can I roam on planes with Virgin Mobile KSA?
According to AeroMobile, in-flight roaming is possible with Virgin Mobile KSA. However, the rates are nowhere to be found. I have reached out to Virgin to inquire about the rates and will update this section as soon as I have more information.
Can I roam on cruise ships with Virgin Mobile KSA?
Maritime roaming is not possible with Virgin Mobile KSA.
Is roaming with Virgin Mobile KSA worth it?
Now that we have analyzed all the roaming options, it is time to determine whether you should roam with Virgin Mobile KSA or not.
I am not a fan of Pay As You Go roaming rates, as the prices can be all over the place. For example, you will pay 1.1 SAR when making a call within Oman, but 14.4 SAR in Uzbekistan.
Unfortunately, you cannot send SMS while you are roaming, which forces you to either get a local sim, an international sim, or use WIFI hotspots to use internet-based apps like Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, or Skype to chat with your friends and family. Moreover, data roaming is available in only 5 destinations, limiting your choice even more.
I do like the fact that Virgin has some roaming bundles, but they are limited to data roaming and only for a handful of destinations. It would be nice if they would support more destinations and offer voice and text bundles too so that their customers have more choice when traveling abroad.
I believe that the roaming bundles are worth it, as they are quite cheap. Sure, they do not give you so much data (max 300 MB for 50 SAR), but it is better than nothing. I would not recommend getting the 3-day bundle more than two times, as you can often get a local sim if you purchase the 3-day plan three times or more for much less and for more benefits.
In short, I would avoid roaming on standard roaming rates with Virgin Mobile KSA, but would consider purchasing the data bundles if I wanted to be online in Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Qatar, or Bahrain. I would limit the purchase to max two times, as you probably can get a local sim for less than 150 SAR that would get you more options.