Qatar SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know | 2024 (2024)

Visiting Qatar soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Qatar SIM card.

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Qatar in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Qatar. If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Arabic – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Qatar.

Best SIM Cards In Qatar

If you’re traveling in Qatar, we recommend using a SIM card from Vodafone, Ooredoo, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to The Middle East, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Middle Eastern countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Qatar

You can either buy a Qatar prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a Middle Eastern prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Vodafone, and Ooredoo.

Vodafone SIM Cards

Vodafone offers several prepaid data-focused plans. Here are the most relevant available to tourists:

• 16 GB, valid for 28 days for QR 150 ($41.20)
• 22 GB, valid for 42 days for QR 200 ($54.94)
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for QR 150 ($41.20)
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for QR 250 ($68.67)

Ooredoo SIM Cards

Ooredoo has several different prepaid plans available. They also offer same-day delivery within Qatar when you order online:

• 16 GB data, valid for 28 days for QR 150 ($41.20)
• 22 GB data, valid for 42 days for QR 200 ($54.94)
• Unlimited data, valid for 2 days for QR 25 ($6.87)
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for QR 250 ($68.67)

Overall, we think Ooredoo is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Qatar Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the OneSimCard works in more than 200+ countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. Qatar is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Another option is to purchase a prepaid Middle Eastern SIM card on SimOptions.

They currently offer one package that covers Qatar:

• 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Qatar or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for The Middle East.

How To Buy An eSIM Card For Qatar

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Qatar.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. And I first tried it when visiting my family in Canada. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo. Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Qatar.

Airalo Qatar

If you want to buy an eSIM for Qatar, you could purchase one on Airalo. This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for The Middle East and Qatar. I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.

Here are the options available:

• Pearl Mobile: 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
• Pearl Mobile: 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $9
• Pearl Mobile: 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $12
• Pearl Mobile: 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $17.50
• Pearl Mobile: 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $30
• Pearl Mobile: 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $49

Here’s an overview of the options available for The Middle East:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $15
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $28
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $39

The options mentioned above are part of The Menalink and offer coverage in 15 countries, including Qatar.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 85 countries, including Qatar.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
• 3 GB, valid for 15 days for $24
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 60 days for $59
• 20 GB, valid for 180 days for $89

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip. In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Holafly Qatar

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of their plans for Qatar:

• 3 GB, valid for 7 days for $34
• 6 GB, valid for 15 days for $44
• 8 GB, valid for 30 days for $47

Nomad Qatar

Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider. Here’s an overview of the plans available for Qatar:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $5
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $19

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Qatar

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Qatar or even an eSIM for your travels in Qatar is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in The Middle East without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase a Middle Eastern plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Qatar if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling to Qatar soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Is Doha worth visiting
• Dubai SIM cards
• Jordan SIM cards
• Oman SIM cards