Egypt eSIM guide: mobile data in Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Cairo and on the Nile

Does my phone plan work in Egypt?

Egypt is not part of EU roaming. Most providers charge a daily fee or a high price per MB, and the costs add up quickly over a one- or two-week holiday. Check your provider's app, or install a travel eSIM with a fixed price before you fly.

Coverage: resorts and cities good, at sea none

• Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam: good 4G in and around the resorts.
• Cairo, Giza, Luxor and Aswan: good coverage; on a Nile cruise mostly fine near towns, weaker in between.
• Snorkelling and diving trips on the Red Sea: no signal far out at sea.
• Resort Wi-Fi is often slow, paid or only in the lobby.

How much data do you need?

Messages, photos, Instagram and some streaming by the pool add up to about 0.7 to 1.5 GB a day. For a week, 10 GB is comfortable; if you want to stream or share video every day, choose 20 GB or unlimited.

• Arriving: check the current visa rules for your nationality (visa on arrival or e-Visa; Sinai-only stays have their own rules).
• Carry some small cash in Egyptian pounds for tips.
• Plugs are type C/F (220 V), the same as most of continental Europe.

Installing your Egypt eSIM

1. Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi.
2. On landing, switch the eSIM on, choose it for mobile data and turn on Data Roaming for that line.
3. Keep your own SIM for calls and SMS, with its data roaming off.
4. Running low? Top up the same eSIM in a minute.