Visiting Dubai soon and need a local SIM card? Get all your questions answered with this detailed guide on du SIM cards for tourists.
Table of Contents
I. Quick facts about du
du is one of the two major telecom operators in the UAE along with Etisalat. The company is fully owned by Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) and provides mobile and internet services across the UAE.
Some key facts about du:
- du launched services in 2007, making it the second telecom operator in the UAE after Etisalat
- It has over 13 million mobile subscribers as of early 2023
- du offers 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G networks
- It has an extensive network reaching 99% population coverage in the UAE
- du has roaming agreements with 600+ operators across 200+ countries
With widespread coverage, fast speeds, and roaming capabilities, du is a great option for getting connected locally and globally.
II. Dubai du Coverage and Speed
Before getting a local du SIM card, it’s important to understand the network coverage and speeds you can expect with du in Dubai.
1. du coverage in Dubai
du provides extensive mobile coverage across Dubai and the UAE:
- Its 4G/LTE network reaches over 99% of the population
- 5G coverage is currently available in all major areas and districts
- 2G and 3G fallback available in remote areas
You can expect a strong du signal almost anywhere in Dubai – along metro lines, inside malls, major attractions, hotels, and so on. At Dubai’s airport terminals, du has installed indoor repeaters to ensure good connectivity. So with du, network access will not be an issue while visiting Dubai.
2. du speed
du offers some of the fastest mobile data speeds in the UAE:
- Its average LTE download speed is 36.71 Mbps according to Ookla
- Maximum advertised 4G speeds are up to 150 Mbps
- 5G speeds can reach up to 1 Gbps in lab tests
Real-world speeds depend on location, network congestion, device etc. Indoors, du’s LTE speeds often exceed 20 Mbps which is fast enough for HD video streaming, large downloads, gaming etc.
du has invested heavily in infrastructure giving users in Dubai a world-class mobile broadband experience.
III. du connectivity options for travelers to Dubai
du offers several connectivity options for short-term visitors to Dubai:
| Connectivity Option | Pros | Cons |
| Physical SIM Card | - Easy to find at airports and stores- Familiar technology | - Need nano-SIM slot on phone- Requires inserting SIM card |
| eSIM | - Convenient digital activation- No physical SIM needed | - Limited device compatibility- May need to enable eSIM in settings |
| Travel Pass/SIM | - No commitment, pay as you go - Easy activation | - Limited data allowances |
| Prepaid Plans | - Affordable daily/weekly plans - Roll over unused data | - Must remember the expiration date |
| Postpaid Plans | - Large data allocations - No limit on usage | - Require credit check- Long term contract |
| WiFi Packages | - Cost effective for casual browsing | - Depend on available hotspots- No reliability like cellular |
| Roaming Packages | - Continues home country number | - More expensive than local SIM- Carrier fees may apply |
With these du options, tourists have the flexibility to choose connectivity plans based on their Dubai trip duration and specific needs.
IV. Best du SIM cards for tourists & cost
Let’s compare the top du SIM card options for visitors to Dubai and their pricing:
| Plan Name | Data Allotment | Calls/SMS Allotment | Validity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexi Lite | 250MB | 100 minutes/100 SMS | 7 days | $3 |
| Flexi Start | 500MB | 200 minutes/200 SMS | 30 days | $7 |
| Flexi Easy | 1GB | Unlimited calls/SMS | 30 days | $12 |
| Easy | 750MB | Unlimited calls/SMS | 14 days | $6 |
| Easy Plus | 1.5GB | Unlimited calls/SMS | 30 days | $10 |
| Easy Prime | 3GB | Unlimited calls/SMS | 30 days | $14 |
| Flexi Prime | 10GB | Unlimited calls/SMS | 30 days | $25 |
| Flexi Supreme | 25GB | Unlimited calls/SMS | 60 days | $35 |
V. Does du Dubai support eSIM?
Yes, du offers eSIM support in the UAE. Instead of using a physical nano-SIM, an eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM profile installed directly on the device. du launched eSIM capability in 2018 for select Apple Watch models. This was later expanded to also support dual SIM iPhones.
As of 2023, du eSIM in Dubai can be used on iPhone XS/XR models and newer iPhones that support dual SIM. This allows using one physical nano-SIM card along with a secondary digital du SIM.
Because of its coverage, Dubai eSIM doesn’t supply eSIM from du but Etisalat with the price of $5.9 for 30 days. Dubai eSIM will bring you the best satisfaction during your trip without hassle connection.
VI. Where can you buy a du SIM card and eSIM?
Visitors have several convenient options to purchase du SIM cards and eSIMs while in Dubai:
1. Where to buy du SIM card for Dubai
Tourist du SIM cards are readily available at:
- Dubai International Airport Terminal Arrivals
- Major malls like Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates
- Select hotels, convenience stores, and travel shops
In addition, standard prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at:
- Official du stores in malls and commercial areas
- Numerous authorized du dealers across Dubai
- Select grocery stores like Carrefour sell du top-up vouchers
When buying in-person, you need to show your passport to register the SIM card.
2. Where to buy Dubai du eSIM
To get a du eSIM for your iPhone, you can:
- Visit any du store in Dubai with your iPhone
- Use the du app to generate a QR code to scan and activate eSIM
Currently, most third-party retailers and airports do not offer eSIMs. So you need to visit a du shop directly or use the du app for eSIM provisioning.
Show staff your passport when adding an eSIM line just as you would for a physical SIM purchase.
VII. How to activate du Dubai SIM/eSIM?
Activating your new du SIM or eSIM is quick and convenient:
1. How to use Dubai du SIM card
Follow these steps when inserting your new du SIM:
- Turn off your phone and insert the du SIM
- Power phone back on and wait for automatic configuration
- A welcome message will confirm SIM activation
- Enter PIN when prompted and SIM is active!
If data does not work automatically, try manually selecting du from network options.
2. How to activate du Dubai eSIM
To activate a new du eSIM profile:
- Install du app and login to your account
- Request new eSIM via app and scan QR code
- Follow on-screen prompts to install new plan
- Congrats! eSIM now ready to use
You can swap between physical SIM and eSIM without reconfiguring. Enjoy dual SIM capabilities!
VIII. Dubai du Call & SMS Rates
Here are the standard voice call and text rates when using du in Dubai:
Local mobile charges:
- Calls to du numbers – 44 fils/minute
- Calls to other UAE numbers – 49 fils/minute
- Outgoing SMS – 15 fils
International charges:
- SMS to most countries – 50 fils
- Calls to South Asia – 99 fils/minute
- Calls to Egypt – 1.50 AED/minute
- Calls to Philippines – 1.50 AED/minute
- Calls to UK/USA – 1.99 AED/minute
Rates get reduced with add-on bundles or special offers. Calls made using apps like WhatsApp are charged as data.
IX. Useful USSD Codes for du Dubai SIM/eSIM
USSD codes are a useful way to check your account balance and other details on du:
| USSD Command | Usage |
| *135# | Check main account balance |
| *136# | Remaining data balance |
| *137# | Remaining international calling minutes |
| *123# | Opt-in/opt-out of packages or offers |
Simply dial the code on your phone and info gets displayed instantly.
X. How to Top-up du Dubai SIM card/eSIM
When your prepaid credit runs low, you can easily recharge your du mobile account using:
du app
- Instantly add top-up value from stored payment methods
- Purchase add-on data packs or call bundles
Recharge cards
- Sold at most du outlets and convenience stores
- Available in AED 15, 25, 50 etc. denominations
- Scratch card to reveal recharge PIN
du kiosks
- Self-service touchscreen kiosks across Dubai
- Accept cash, debit/credit cards
- Print voucher with top-up code
Online
- Use du website for credit card top-ups
- Or recharge securely via third-party sites
Set a low balance alert on your du line to be notified when a top-up is needed.
XI. Alternatives to Dubai du
The only other telecom option in Dubai is Etisalat which has a similar network footprint and offerings.
Etisalat vs du
- Etisalat has more subscribers, being the first operator
- Network coverage and speeds on par with du
- Pricing and plan rates also broadly similar
- Etisalat seen as premium brand, du positioned as younger
- Choose based on price promotions or personal preference
To have better price for Etisalat eSIM, visit esimdubai.com to explore data plans in 30 days from $5.9-$275
for 500MB-10GB. Don’t hesitate to pick up right options for your trip without any disruption with Dubai eSIM by GIGAGO.
Another option for Dubai visitors is using an international roaming du SIM card from providers like KnowRoaming or GigSky. However, roaming full-time can get expensive so a local SIM is better for longer stays.
XII. FAQs about du in Dubai
Does du work in other Emirates?
Yes, du has presence across all seven Emirates of UAE offering seamless service.
Can I use a du Dubai SIM in another country?
du SIMs can roam in 190+ destinations. But long-term use abroad is violates ToS so not recommended.
How long is du SIM card valid for?
Tourist SIMs 7/30 days. Prepaid SIM valid up to 1 year depending on initial credit.
Is VoLTE supported?
Yes, du has enabled Voice over LTE so calls are high definition on supported devices.
Can I port my du number to another country?
No, UAE numbers can not be ported outside. You would need to disconnect service.
XIII. Final Words
Getting connected with du is quick and convenient for Dubai visitors. Their prepaid plans provide flexibility while tourist du SIM cards deliver simplicity. With widespread local coverage, fast LTE speeds, and global roaming reach – du simplifies staying connected in Dubai and beyond.
