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Buying a SIM Card or eSIM in Qatar

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Qatar isn’t typically thought of as much more than a layover destination for travelers en route to somewhere more exciting. 

I was surprised, then, to fall hard for this sandy, souk-filled country soon after touching down in Doha. This futuristic city is a wonderful blend of towering skyscrapers and traditional markets, and is well worth exploring for a couple of days.

I found heading outside the capital just as rewarding, and spent a day exploring the north, including the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage site at Al Zubarah fort and the desert ghost town of Al Jamail. 

Staying connected while I was there was a straightforward and not terribly expensive process. I bought a physical SIM card at the time, but if I was going back today, I’d get a travel eSIM instead: prices are cheaper, and the process is even easier.

However you do it, here’s everything you need to know about staying connected in Qatar. 

Companies

  • I recommend Ooredoo for most travelers who want a physical SIM
  • An eSIM from aloSIM is the best option if you only need data

There are two cellphone providers in Qatar, Ooredoo and Vodafone. 

Ooredoo is the clear front-runner, with better coverage and speeds, and two-thirds of the market. Even though it had higher prices, it’s the option I went for since I’d be taking a trip through sparsely-populated parts of the country.

Vodafone, on the other hand, offers slightly cheaper packages with less coverage and slower data speeds. If you’re only going to be visiting the main centers and want to stay on a tighter budget, it’s worth a look.

Travel eSIM for Qatar

As inexpensive as local SIMs are in Qatar, travel eSIMs are even cheaper. That’s helped by not having to buy the physical SIM card, which also means that you can buy your eSIM, set it up ahead of time, and be good to go as soon as you land.

Of the companies I use and recommend, aloSIM and Airalo tend to have near-identical prices. They’re both great options (I’ve used them all over the world without a problem), so it won’t matter too much which one you choose.

If you’re new to eSIMs, they offer big benefits to travelers in terms of how quickly, easily, and (often) cheaply you can get connected when you arrive in a new country. Most recent phones support them, and you can read all about them here.

How to Buy a Prepaid SIM Card in Qatar

Whether you decide to go with Ooredoo or Vodafone, the easiest place for visitors to buy a SIM card is the arrival hall at Doha’s Hamad International Airport.

Ooredoo stand in Doha airport

Once you exit into the terminal, you’ll find the Ooredoo stand on the far right of the hall (above) and the Vodafone store to the left. Prepare to be approached by half a dozen taxi touts on your walk to either stall! 

Getting the SIM card was quick and easy, taking just a few minutes. You’ll most likely be offered just the SIM by itself, without credit, calls, texts, or data included. Double-check with the staff member whether this is the case, and ask to add an appropriate call, text, and/or data package before you leave the airport if so. 

You need to show a valid form of ID to buy and register a SIM card in Qatar. If you’re buying on arrival at the airport, that won’t be a problem, as you’ll have your passport to hand. The staff will take a quick scan of it before handing over the SIM.

Ooredoo shopfront in Doha

If you wait until you’re outside the airport, there are plenty of stores and stands in Doha offering SIM cards for sale. Once again, ensure you have your passport with you while you’re walking around, and look out for Ooredoo branding in the shop windows. 

No matter where you buy your SIM, it legally needs to be registered in your name. That’ll happen by default at the airport, but double-check when buying elsewhere if you don’t want to risk service being suddenly cut off.

Prepaid SIM and eSIM Costs

Ooredoo

Ooredoo SIM card package

I paid 35 QAR (~$10) for an Ooredoo SIM card with no credit, calls, texts, or data. Since I wasn’t staying in Qatar for long and didn’t need calls, texts, or much data, I then added the 30 QAR ($8) pack with 4GB, valid for 14 days.

Ooredoo offers several other data packages as well. Prices range from 10 QAR ($3) for 1 GB valid until the end of the day, all the way through to 35 GB for 200 QAR ($55) valid for six weeks. 

aloSIM or Airalo

Like I said, aloSIM and Airalo usually have very similar if not identical prices for the same amount of data. Right now, for instance, a 1 GB pack valid for 7 days costs $5 with aloSIM and… $5 with Airalo.

They’re not the only game in town, mind you. We’ve compared many eSIM vendors in the past, and here’s how the best ones stack up price-wise in Qatar.

Validity Period

  • 7 days

  • 15 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

Data Amount

  • 1 GB

  • 2 GB

  • 3 GB

  • 5 GB

  • 10 GB

  • 20 GB

Price (USD)

  • $5

  • $9

  • $12

  • $17.50

  • $30

  • $49

Validity Period

  • 7 days

  • 15 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

Data Amount

  • 1 GB

  • 2 GB

  • 3 GB

  • 5 GB

  • 10 GB

  • 20 GB

Price (USD)

  • $5

  • $9

  • $12

  • $17.50

  • $30

  • $49

Validity Period

  • 7 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

  • 30 days

Data Amount

  • 1 GB

  • 3 GB

  • 5 GB

  • 10 GB

Price (USD)

  • $5

  • $17

  • $23

  • $37

Topping Up

Ooredoo

Frustratingly, while the Ooredoo website is easy to navigate and use, as a foreigner you probably can’t use it to top up your SIM card. You need a Qatari bank account or card to add credit to your account, which you’re pretty unlikely to have.

To pay in cash or with an international card, you’ll need to buy a voucher from a store instead. Any shop displaying the Ooredoo logo can help with this, and the process is very straightforward.

Several different types of top-up are available. If you only need data, just go for one of the Hala Data packs mentioned above. You can also purchase flexible credit that can be used to purchase a call, text, and data package, or just for casual use.

aloSIM or Airalo

Topping up with aloSIM, Airalo, or other travel eSIM companies is done by logging into the website or app. You just select your Qatar eSIM, hit the top-up button, and pick the pack you like the look of.

All of the top-up packs have exactly the same pricing and duration as the original eSIMs: there’s basically no difference between buying a top-up or a new eSIM, other than not having to activate it.

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Coverage and Data Speeds

With my Ooredoo SIM card, coverage and speeds were excellent, both in the capital and outside it. I took a trip from Doha to the northernmost part of Qatar and had coverage and data throughout.

LTE/4G download speeds were around 20Mbps in Doha, and never dropped below around 10Mbps anywhere else. 

Both aloSIM and Airalo use the Vodafone network, which doesn’t have quite the same level of coverage. It won’t matter at all in and around Doha, but you might notice the difference in more remote areas.

If that’s likely to affect your trip, get your eSIM from Nomad instead: it can use both the Ooredoo and Vodafone networks as needed.

ooredoo qatar data speedtest

Check out our guides to SIM cards and eSIMs in 75+ other countries here.

Images and screenshots via author

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