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Are you traveling to Egypt and need a way to stay connected to the internet?
This was my first visit to Egypt, and I wanted to make sure I had the best internet connection possible not just to work remotely but also to access information quickly and stay safe on the go.
Ironically, the one place I wasn’t worried about at all turned out to have the worst connection of the entire trip. Go figure.
Since we tested several options on the ground, I narrowed it down to the three that stood out, each for different reasons.
Here’s a breakdown of what worked (and what didn’t) when it came to eSIMs and staying online in Egypt in 2025.
What I recommend
✨ Favourite options for e-sims in Egypt ✨
- Superalink eSIM with 5GB/day plan (my top pick)
- Airalo eSIM (reliable global option, with several plans)
- Vodafone physical SIM at the airport (easy, cheap, works well)
How mobile networks work in Egypt
There are three main networks in Egypt: Vodafone, Orange, and Etisalat.
Coverage is decent with Vodafone across most of the country, but your experience really depends on where you are. Don’t expect perfect speeds in desert areas or even in busy city centers like downtown Cairo.
Even if you’re using an eSIM like Superalink or Airalo, you’re still tapping into one of these local providers (usually Vodafone or Orange). If you buy a physical SIM at the airport, you’ll be locked into just one.
Want to geek out? There’s a handy site where you can check mobile coverage in Egypt by provider:
👉 nPerf Mobile Coverage Map for Egypt
According to the map, Vodafone has slightly better 5G coverage but in real life? That didn’t always match my experience.
With that said, I would super avoid the rest of the kiosks (Orange, Etisalata and WE).
Superalink eSIM: My experience
A few days before my trip, I saw a missed email from a company called Superalink offering a free trial of their eSIM. Normally I ignore these but this one stood out. They used my short name (not easy to guess), didn’t ask for a review, and had a clear onboarding plan for how I could test it out.
Most people in our group had already picked their own providers or planned to buy a SIM on arrival, so I figured it was a good chance to try something new.
Setup was super easy. I just scanned the QR code they sent by email before boarding my Athens–Cairo flight, and two minutes later the eSIM was active. Way smoother than some other services where you have to manually enter codes or fiddle with APNs.
I requested their 5GB/day plan, which was perfect for hotspotting my laptop and doing actual work from the road. The company only launched in 2024 and is based out of South Korea, which made me even more curious about how they handled global coverage.
While they gifted me the plan, the price listed on their website is $25.36 for 5GB per day for 10 days, which feels very fair — especially if you’re working remotely.
Performance
- Cairo: Solid, fast connection.
- Luxor: Worked perfectly.
- Hurghada: Surprisingly terrible. But that seemed to be a general issue — neither hotel Wi-Fi nor anyone’s mobile data worked well. Even in a central hotel near the Marina, none of our connections were great so it’s probably a network hole, not the provider’s fault.
I landed in Cairo at 3am, switched over immediately, and was connected before even reaching passport control. That’s a huge plus when you don’t want to rely on spotty airport Wi-Fi.
💡 Reader discount: Use code BACH20 at checkout to get 20% off any plan — for Egypt or any destination.
Physical SIM from Vodafone (buy at Cairo Airport)
A few people in our group went with the physical SIM card route. There are multiple 24-hour kiosks at the airport, and they even install the SIM for you.
If you’re using a dual-SIM Android or a phone with an open SIM slot, this is a convenient option. iPhones can be tricky unless you’re replacing your main line.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Unlocked phone required
- Show your passport
- Choose your data plan (e.g. 30GB + some minutes)
- Prices as of Nov 2025: 500 EGP ($10–12) for a tourist plan with 30GB
While prices are slightly cheaper if you buy outside the airport, I honestly wouldn’t bother. It’s worth a few extra dollars to be connected right away — especially if you need Uber or want to check into your hotel late at night.
Also, be aware that Orange’s pricing is a bit opaque — with some apps eating through your data plan faster than expected.
🚫 Avoid WE Telecom, even if the reps seem persuasive. Coverage is patchy, and their 4G/5G footprint is much smaller. Stick with Vodafone for best value and easier top-ups.
Where to buy a physial sim card at Cairo airport?
You can buy your SIM card as soon as you land at Cairo Airport.
You will find the kiosks near the baggage-claim before passport control and immiration, so right after you pick up your bags.
The kiosks are also open typically 24/7 (like most of Egypt) so even if you land late you should be fine.
⚠️ Because Cairo Airport has several terminals and flights may arrive in different spots, there might be location differences depending on where you are landing to. Some travellers report finding them “before passport control” and others “after passport control”.
Just take your time, since you’ll need to stop before passport control and get your VISA as well (which is typically $25) so you’ll have time to scout the area.
Do you really need a number in Egypt?
Honestly? I don’t know!
Even though I love eSIMs and would still recommend Superalink or Airalo, having a local number came in handy more than once:
- Tour guides and drivers asked for my Egyptian number or WhatsApp
- Hotels needed a callback number for confirmation
- It was easier to book local experiences or ask for info in real time
For me, this is a great option if you don’t want to give out your WhatsApp number or if you are carrying two phones anyway, and can keep one and add a sim to the other.
Will you struggle without internet in Egypt?
Unless you are very adventurous and don’t mind getting lost then yeah.
Public WiFi is not unheard of and some cafes and restaurants will have networks you can tap into but why risk it?
I also found that having a visual on the map of where we are going (while in a taxi for example) helps, and might make you feel safer as well.
If you are worrying about safety, then make sure to download offline maps on your phone before the trip or while at the airport, and keep some copies of important documents stored offline as photos in your phone.
Also, a VPN is always a good idea, especially if you are doing work or need to log in to sensitive websites for banking.
My final recommendation
With all that said, I’d still go with Superalink if you need more data per day — or Airalo if you prefer a global option (though it’s slightly more expensive per day, especially if you choose their unlimited package).
Egypt only rolled out its 5G coverage in June 2025, so don’t expect lightning-fast speeds. But for regular phone calls, browsing, and even some patchy video calls, you’ll be just fine.
You might need to wait until you’re back home to back up your cloud photos — but overall, the value is there. Considering I paid over €50 for 20 days of unlimited data in South Korea a few months ago, I found the prices in Egypt quite reasonable.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Must Know When Visiting Egypt
- Emergency: Dial 122 for police, 123 for ambulance, and 180 for fire services. English is not always guaranteed, so if it’s a serious situation, ask your hotel or a local contact for help calling.
- Language: Arabic is the official language. In tourist areas, hotels, and with guides, English is commonly spoken, but don’t expect it everywhere. Learning a few basics helps: Salam Aleikum (hello), Shukran (thank you), La shukran (no thank you). Google Translate works fairly well for Egyptian Arabic when you download it offline. Also keep in mind that some people can’t read so using voice recordings to communicate is better than showing them a translation in written Arabic.
- Navigation: Google Maps works in Egypt for driving and walking, but directions and ETAs can be unreliable, especially in Cairo. I found it most useful just for orientation and tracking routes in taxis rather than strict navigation. Always keep offline maps downloaded.
- Water: The general word of advice is to not drink the water in Egypt. You can stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Driving: Cars drive on the right-hand side. Driving in Egypt, especially Cairo, is chaotic and not recommended unless you are very experienced and calm under pressure. If you need a car, arrange a driver or transfers instead. For longer distances, internal flights or trains are much easier. I would not drive in Egypt. If you must drive, check out Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.
- Accommodation: Booking.com offers the widest range of hotels, from budget stays to luxury Nile-view properties. Hotels in Egypt tend to use their own rating scale: 1–3* are usually very basic, while 4–5* properties can be extremely expensive but often feel closer to a 3* in terms of amenities. Keep in mind that reviews at both the low and high end can be unreliable. A 3* property I booked turned out to be quite good, while an 8/10-rated one was underwhelming. Many hotels don’t even appear on Google Maps or have much of an online presence, so if you value comfort and predictability, it’s best to stick to well-known hotel chains.
- Public Transport: Public transport exists but is not tourist-friendly. Cairo’s metro is cheap and functional but very crowded. Most visitors rely on Uber, Careem, or pre-arranged drivers. For longer distances, domestic flights save a lot of time and stress.
- Activities: There’s no shortage of things to do in Egypt, from food tours around Cairo to full day guided tours in Luxor and lots of water and scuba activities near the coast. For hassle-free bookings with verified reviews, use Get Your Guide to arrange activities in advance.
- Taxi & Ride Apps: Uber works well in Cairo and was my preferred option. Careem is another solid alternative. Always avoid getting into random taxis off the street unless arranged by your hotel. Keep in mind that even Uber drivers will try to haggle a price with you (ahem, overcharge you) and cancel the ride if you don’t agree to it. If you find an Uber driver that you feel good with, exchange phones so you can request him when you need him.
- Culture: Egypt is conservative but welcoming. Dress modestly at religious sites (covered shoulders and knees). Expect attention as a tourist, especially in busy areas — staying polite, firm, and not engaging too much with unsolicited offers goes a long way. Tipping (baksheesh) is common for small services, though not mandatory everywhere. With that said, you will be asked to tip almost everywhere and sometimes less politely than other times.
