Oman is a country with stunning beaches and historical landmarks. Recently, it has seen a surge in tourism from people seeking exotic destinations without long travel times. However, Oman is outside the EU, meaning data usage or calls to your home country could be costly. Your options include buying a local SIM card or using a virtual eSIM. Here, we explore the pros and cons of both options.
eSIM Oman: How to Choose the Best Option?
Key criteria for selecting an eSIM include data volume and validity period. Are you going on a ten-day hotel stay with Wi-Fi but still need a backup plan? A 1 GB package with just 7 days of validity won’t suffice. If you plan to travel more and spend less time at the hotel, you’ll need larger data packages.
Regarding the network used by eSIMs, all providers utilize Omantel. While it offers better connectivity in cities and tourist areas, the signal along the road from Muscat to Salalah is sparse. If you need navigation for such trips, you might consider getting a local SIM from Ooredoo.
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The Most Affordable eSIM Data Packages for Oman
Let’s look at the prices for the most popular data packages.
Most Affordable Packages
If you only need data as a backup for maps or ride-hailing apps, 1 GB of data will suffice. The cheapest option is GlobalYO, priced at $3.99. A similar deal is offered by Airalo at $4.50. Both options are valid for 7 days.
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Average Usage (5 GB Data)
Spending your days on the beach but using hotel Wi-Fi at night? 5 GB of data may suffice. The cheapest option is Saily at $13.99, including an extra 2 GB as a gift. Other options include GlobalYO for $14.59 and Airalo at $15. All options are valid for 30 days.
Traveling to nearby countries like Turkey, the UAE, or Kuwait? Consider the “Middle East” eSIM from MobiMatter at $20.49 with a 30-day validity.
High Data Usage (10 GB or More)
If you don’t want to limit your data usage, a 10 GB package is ideal. The cheapest option is again from Saily, priced at $23.99, with an additional 5 GB as a gift. Similar deals are available from GlobalYO and Airalo, both priced around $25, but without the bonus data.
If you’re combining your Oman trip with visits to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, consider the “Middle East” eSIM from MobiMatter for $36.99.
Unlimited Data in Oman
Unlimited data options are available from a few providers. The best prices are from GlobalYO, but note that speeds drop to 512 kbps after 1 GB of daily use. For 7 days, this eSIM costs $25, while 15 days costs $48.
For truly unlimited data, consider Holafly or eTravelSIM. Holafly allows you to choose the exact number of days you need, from 1 to 90, but has limited hotspot functionality. 7 days cost $36.9, and 15 days cost $50.9.
Summary of the Best eSIM Packages
| Provider | Data | Price | Validity |
| GlobalYO | 1 GB | $3.99 | 7 days |
| Saily | 5 GB | $13.99 | 30 days |
| Saily | 10 GB | $23.99 | 30 days |
| Holafly | Unlimited | $50.9 | 15 days |
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Local Data SIM Card in Oman
In Oman, you can buy a local SIM card easily at the airport, specialized operator stores, or supermarkets. To purchase a local SIM card, you will need a passport.
Some online sources suggest that you might be able to order a SIM card and have it delivered to your home before your trip. However, this has not been tested, and details on how to do this are unclear. Additionally, it might cost slightly more.
Oman has two main operators, Omantel and Ooredoo, along with a newer entrant, Vodafone, which launched in 2022. Vodafone’s infrastructure and offerings are still limited. Two virtual operators, Renna Mobile (Omantel network) and Friendi Mobile (Ooredoo network), also operate, but they don’t offer anything special, and their stores are harder to find. This article focuses on Omantel and Ooredoo.
Both operators provide good coverage and speed in cities and tourist areas. However, internet access in the desert is limited. Omantel excels in city coverage, while Ooredoo has slightly better coverage along the road from Muscat to Salalah.
So, what about prices and data packages?
Ooredoo offers plans ranging from 2 GB to 25 GB with validity periods from as short as 24 hours to 4 weeks. Omantel provides only three packages, but they also offer unlimited data. Additionally, each package includes a certain number of SMS and call minutes (note that while international calls are available, they only apply to specific countries). However, these plans are limited to 10 days of validity. The prices for both operators are fairly similar.
- 3 GB – 3 OMR (approx. $7.80), valid for 28 days
- 6 GB – 5 OMR (approx. $13), valid for 28 or 10 days depending on the operator
- 15 GB – 10 OMR (approx. $26), valid for 28 or 10 days depending on the operator
- Unlimited plan – 20 OMR (approx. $52), valid for only 10 days
Summary
Data in Oman are not the cheapest, and in this particular country, a local SIM card costs about the same as an eSIM. It is ultimately up to you whether you prefer to purchase data conveniently from home or handle SIM card arrangements on-site with the operator.
