Umrah eSIM guide: data in Makkah and Madinah

How to stay online in Makkah and Madinah: which networks a travel eSIM uses, where coverage is weak, how much data you need and how to set it up before you fly.

For your Umrah trip, a travel eSIM gives you data from the moment you land, without a local SIM shop or roaming charges from your Gulf carrier. It runs on Saudi networks (STC, Mobily, Zain), and your home number stays on for WhatsApp, calls and bank texts.

Coverage in Makkah and Madinah

Makkah, around the Haram: strong coverage, but networks get very busy at prayer times and in peak season.

Madinah: strong around the Prophet's Mosque and in hotels.

The roads and the train between the two cities: good on the Haramain train and the main roads.

How much data do you need?

Light use (about 0.5 GB a day): maps, WhatsApp and ride apps.

Normal use (about 1 GB a day): the above plus photos, social media and some video calls.

Heavy use (2 GB or more a day): streaming, many video calls, or sharing data with the family.

Travelling as a family? Give each phone its own plan, or buy a bigger plan for one phone and share it with a hotspot.

A tip for Umrah

Install the Nusuk app and download your permits before you travel, in case the network is busy when you need them.

How to set it up

Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM on our supported devices page.

Buy your plan and install it at home on Wi-Fi. It takes about two minutes.

When you land, turn on the travel eSIM, choose it for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.

Keep your home line on for calls and texts, with its data roaming off.

Bottom line

Install the plan before you fly and turn it on when you land. See all Saudi Arabia eSIM plans, with prices updated live.