United Arab Emirates · Travel eSIM
the United Arab Emirates eSIM for UK travellers
Data plans for the United Arab Emirates that connect to du and Etisalat. Install one before you fly from the UK; plans and prices are Computatus eSIM's, checked 31 October 2026.
At a glance
- Networks
- Plans connect to du and Etisalat. 5G is listed on du and Etisalat.
- Plans from
- US$2.05 (about £1.54) for 500MB · 7 days.
- For a week
- 5GB · 30 days for US$14.88 (about £11.20) covers a week of moderate use.
- Your UK number
- Keep your UK SIM on for calls and texts; the eSIM carries your data.
eSIM plans for the United Arab Emirates
Computatus eSIM plans for the United Arab Emirates, a spread of data amounts and lengths. Buy one here: you pay on the secure Computatus eSIM checkout and come back to CogniTel once the payment is confirmed.
| Plan | Price | In pounds | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500MB · 7 days | US$2.05 | about £1.54 | Buy |
| 1GB · 7 days | US$3.26 | about £2.45 | Buy |
| 2GB · 15 days | US$6.51 | about £4.90 | Buy |
| 3GB · 15 days | US$8.91 | about £6.71 | Buy |
| 3GB · 30 days | US$9.30 | about £7.00 | Buy |
| 5GB · 30 days | US$14.88 | about £11.20 | Buy |
| 10GB · 30 days | US$26.97 | about £20.30 | Buy |
| 10GB · 60 days | US$27.86 | about £20.97 | Buy |
CogniTel is a reseller of Computatus eSIM. Payment, delivery and support are by Computatus eSIM. Prices are in US dollars, as charged at checkout; pound figures are approximate, at US$1 = £0.75 (28 October 2026).
One eSIM for the United Arab Emirates and nearby countries
These regional plans include the United Arab Emirates, for trips that cross borders:
- Gulf Region 6 countries · 500MB · 1 day: US$3.35 (about £2.52) Buy
- GCC 6 countries · 1GB · 7 days: US$7.42 (about £5.58) Buy
- Middle East 11 countries · 1GB · 7 days: US$9.11 (about £6.86) Buy
- Middle East & North Africa 12 countries · 1GB · 7 days: US$13.02 (about £9.80) Buy
- Global 117 countries · 1GB · 1 day: US$8.28 (about £6.23) Buy
- Global139 127 countries · 1GB · 7 days: US$9.90 (about £7.45) Buy
How much data you need in the United Arab Emirates
Rough guides for a phone used abroad, with the cheapest plan here that covers each.
| Trip | Light use | Moderate use |
|---|---|---|
| A long weekend (3 days) | 1 GB 1GB · 7 days: US$3.26 | 3 GB 3GB · 15 days: US$8.91 |
| A week | 2 GB 2GB · 15 days: US$6.51 | 5 GB 5GB · 30 days: US$14.88 |
| A fortnight | 4 GB 5GB · 30 days: US$14.88 | 10 GB 10GB · 30 days: US$26.97 |
| A month | 8 GB 10GB · 30 days: US$26.97 | 20 GB 20GB · 30 days: US$48.36 |
Mobile networks in the United Arab Emirates
Computatus eSIM plans for the United Arab Emirates connect to local networks: du and Etisalat. Your phone picks the strongest signal among those the plan lists.
Setting it up
Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. On an iPhone, Settings > Mobile Data shows Add eSIM; on Android, look under SIM or Network settings.
Install before you fly. Open the link or scan the QR code from the email while you still have Wi-Fi at home. The plan's days start when it first connects abroad.
Switch data on arrival. Set the eSIM as your line for mobile data and turn its data roaming on. Leave your UK SIM on for calls and texts.
Coming home. Switch mobile data back to your UK SIM. You can delete the travel eSIM once its plan has ended.
the United Arab Emirates eSIM: questions
Which eSIM plan do I need for a week in the United Arab Emirates?
For a week of maps, messages, social media and some video, about 5 GB is enough: 5GB · 30 days costs US$14.88 (about £11.20).
Which networks does a travel eSIM use in the United Arab Emirates?
Computatus eSIM plans for the United Arab Emirates use du and Etisalat.
Is there 5G in the United Arab Emirates?
Yes: plans list 5G on du and Etisalat. On a phone without 5G the same plans work on 4G.
Can I keep my UK number while I use an eSIM?
Yes. Most phones hold your UK SIM and an eSIM at once: keep the UK SIM on for calls and texts, including your bank's security codes, and use the eSIM for data.
When should I buy and install the eSIM?
Before you travel, while you have Wi-Fi at home: installing takes a few minutes, and the plan's days only start when it first connects in the United Arab Emirates.