Heading into 2026, staying connected in Saudi Arabia is fast, relatively affordable, and crucial for navigating daily life. Whether you need to order a Careem, show your digital ID, or post that sunset shot from AlUla, your choice of SIM can make or break your trip.
The market is dominated by three giants: STC, Mobily, and Zain. While international travel eSIMs (like Airalo) are convenient, they often lack a local phone number—a critical feature you will need for receiving OTPs from local apps.
🏆 Quick Verdict: Best for 2026
- Best Overall Coverage (City & Desert): STC (Sawa Visitor). It is the "premium" choice with the widest network reach, essential if you are visiting remote areas like AlUla or the Edge of the World.
- Best Value for Money: Mobily. Excellent 5G speeds in cities and significantly cheaper data packages than STC.
- Best for Short Stops/Budget: Zain. Their "Visitor 40" package is unbeatable for quick trips, though rural coverage can be spotty.
- Easiest Setup (No Passport Scan): Airalo / Holafly. Good for data-only users who don't need a local number for OTPs.
1. The "Big Three" Local Providers
Buying a local SIM is almost always better than roaming. You get a local (+966) number, which is vital for restaurant reservations, food delivery (HungerStation/Jahez), and ride-hailing.
STC (Saudi Telecom Company)
STC is the undisputed king of coverage. If your itinerary includes road trips, hiking in Abha, or camping in the desert, pay the extra riyals for STC.
- Popular Plan: Sawa Visitor 60
- Data: ~15 GB Local Data + Social Media allowance
- Price: Approx. 70 SAR ($18.60 USD)
- Pros: Best signal in remote areas (AlUla, Neom highways).
- Cons: slightly more expensive; queues at airport kiosks are usually the longest.
Mobily
Mobily is the "smart" choice. Their 5G network in Riyadh and Jeddah is often faster than STC's, and their prices are more competitive.
- Popular Plan: Visitor 50
- Data: 15 GB + Unlimited Social Media (limited time offers vary)
- Price: Approx. 57.50 SAR ($15.30 USD)
- Pros: Great value; reliable city coverage.
- Cons: Signal can drop on long, empty desert highways.
Zain KSA
Zain is aggressive on pricing and targets the youth/tourist market with heavy data bundles.
- Popular Plan: Visitor 40
- Data: 10 GB Local + Social Media
- Price: 40 SAR ($10.60 USD)
- Pros: Cheapest entry point; good 5G in major hubs.
- Cons: Indoor coverage can be weak in older buildings; rural coverage is the weakest of the three.
2. International Travel eSIMs (Data Only)
If you don't want to queue at the airport or scan your fingerprints, apps like Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad are excellent alternatives. They connect to local networks (usually STC or Zain) via roaming agreements.
- Airalo (Menalink/KSA): Reliable, pings off STC towers. Cheap for small data (1GB/3GB).
- Holafly: Offers "Unlimited Data" packages, but note that hot-spotting is often restricted.
3. Coverage Guide: Where are you going?
Your destination dictates your choice.
| Destination | Recommended Carrier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh / Jeddah / Dammam | Any (Mobily/Zain are cheaper) | All 3 have excellent 5G coverage here. |
| AlUla / Hegra | STC | Crucial for desert signals between canyons. |
| Neom / Tabuk | STC or Zain | Neom has heavy investment from all, but STC covers the gaps best. |
| Empty Quarter / Remote Desert | STC | Don't risk it with others. |
| Mecca / Medina (Hajj/Umrah) | Any | Networks are hyper-reinforced here; Mobily often has specific Umrah bundles. |
4. Buying Guide 2026: Airport vs. City
Where to Buy
The Airport Kiosk (Best Option): As soon as you exit customs at Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED), or Dammam (DMM), you will see kiosks for STC, Mobily, and Zain. They are open 24/7. Staff are used to tourists and speak English.
Requirements for 2026
Buying a SIM in Saudi Arabia is strictly regulated. You cannot just "grab and go."
- Passport: Mandatory.
- Visa Number / Border Number: The staff will locate this on your visa document. Write it down beforehand (it's the 10-digit number handwritten or stamped on arrival, or on your e-Visa).
- Fingerprint: You must scan your fingerprint at the kiosk to activate the SIM. This links the number to your identity legally.
Physical SIM vs. eSIM
Most local providers now offer instant eSIM activation at the kiosk. If your phone supports it, ask for an eSIM. It saves you from fumbling with a SIM ejector tool and lets you keep your home SIM active for emergency texts.
Final Recommendation
For a hassle-free trip in 2026:
- Land at the airport.
- Walk to the Mobily or STC kiosk (check the queue length).
- Ask for a "Visitor eSIM" with at least 10GB of data.
- Pay roughly 60-80 SAR.
- Walk out with a working local number and data in under 10 minutes.
