How to Buy an eSIM Online for Your Saudi Arabia Trip

Alright, grab a coffee and let’s have a chat. So, you’re thinking about a trip to Saudi Arabia? That’s brilliant. Honestly, it’s one of the most fascinating places you can visit right now. For years it was pretty much off the map for most tourists, but it’s opening up at a lightning pace, and it feels like you’re discovering somewhere genuinely new, a place on the cusp of a massive change. It’s an exciting prospect.

But with any proper adventure to a new and exciting place, a little bit of prep goes a long, long way. I’m not talking about spending weeks planning every second, but about sorting out the little things that can become big headaches. And the biggest one? Your phone.

I remember landing in a new country a few years back, tired after the flight, and the first thing I was met with was a massive queue for the local SIM card kiosk. I must have wasted a solid hour of my precious holiday time just standing there, filling out forms, trying to figure out which data plan was best. An hour I could have spent finding my hotel or, more importantly, finding some decent food.

It’s a faff. And it’s a faff you can completely avoid. So, before we get into the incredible things you’re going to see, let me share my number one travel hack for making your Saudi trip as smooth as possible.

First, Why is Everyone Talking About Saudi Arabia?

So why now? For decades, Saudi Arabia was one of the hardest countries in the world to get a tourist visa for. But that’s all changed. With the introduction of the tourist e-visa, the country has thrown open its doors, and what lies inside is pretty spectacular. This isn’t just about gleaming new cities; it’s about uncovering thousands of years of history, breathtaking desert landscapes, and a rich culture that most of us in the UK know very little about. It’s a chance to be a bit of a pioneer, to see a place before it becomes a major tourist hotspot.

5 Incredible Places You’ll Need Your Phone For

To give you a taste of what’s on offer, here are five places that should be on your list. And I’ll show you exactly why having a bit of data in your pocket is a total game-changer for each one.

1. Al-Ula & Hegra: An Ancient Desert Kingdom This is the big one. Hegra, in the Al-Ula region, is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is jaw-dropping. Think of it as the sister city to Petra in Jordan. It’s an ancient Nabatean city with over 100 monumental tombs carved directly into the desert rock formations. You can wander for hours amongst these silent, magnificent structures.

• Why you’ll need data: You’ll be using your phone to navigate between the different tomb sites, looking up the history of a particular carving on the go, and booking a spot on a guided tour right there and then.

2. Riyadh: The Gleaming Capital Riyadh is a city of contrasts. You can be standing on the Sky Bridge of the futuristic Kingdom Centre, looking out over the sprawling city, and then an hour later be lost in the bustling, traditional Dirah Souq, haggling for spices and antiques. It’s a city that’s racing towards the future while holding onto its past.

• Why you’ll need data: Getting around a huge city like Riyadh is so much easier with a ride-sharing app. Plus, in the souq, a quick search can tell you what a fair price for that beautiful rug might be!

3. Jeddah’s Al-Balad (Old Town) Another UNESCO site, Al-Balad is the historic heart of Jeddah. It’s a maze of narrow alleyways and beautiful old merchant houses made from coral stone, with intricate wooden balconies. It feels like stepping back in time. It’s a wonderful place to just get lost.

• Why you’ll need data: Getting lost is fun, but being able to pull up Google Maps to find your way out again is even better. You’ll also want it to find that hidden gem of a coffee shop all the locals are talking about.

4. The Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) Just outside Riyadh is one of the most epic natural sights you’ll ever see. It’s a dramatic cliff edge that rises from the desert floor, with views that stretch to the horizon. It really does feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world.

• Why you’ll need data: This isn’t a place you can just rock up to. You’ll need to coordinate with a tour driver, and having data makes that a breeze. And let’s be honest, a view like this demands to be put on Instagram immediately.

5. The Red Sea Coast Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast is poised to become the next big luxury beach destination. With massive projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Global development, it offers pristine beaches and some of the most untouched coral reefs in the world for diving and snorkelling.

• Why you’ll need data: You can use an app to identify the incredible fish you see while snorkelling, check the sea conditions before you head out, or book a last-minute diving trip.

The Smart Traveller’s Secret: How to Get Connected

Okay, so you can see how having data in your pocket would be a massive help for all of that, right? So how do you do it without getting hit with a monster roaming bill from your UK provider?

The answer is the wonderful, simple eSIM. It’s why learning how to buy an eSIM online is probably the best travel hack for 2025. An eSIM is just a digital SIM card that’s already in your phone. You just download a data plan to it. It’s as simple as that. No plastic, no queues, no stress.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Buying an eSIM Online

It sounds techy, but I promise you it’s not. Here’s how you can get it sorted in less time than it takes to make a cup of tea. I’ll use my favourite provider, Commbitz, as an example because their process is so straightforward.

1. The Pre-Flight Prep: A few days before you fly, while you’re on your sofa, head to the Commbitz website.
2. Pick Your Plan: Choose ‘Saudi Arabia’ from their list of countries. You’ll see a few different data plans. Just pick one that suits how long you’re going for.
3. The Magic Email: You pay for it (in pounds, which is nice and easy), and they’ll instantly email you a confirmation with a QR code.
4. The Two-Minute Scan: Grab your phone. Go into Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM. Point your phone’s camera at the QR code on your laptop screen or a printout. Your phone will scan it, and that’s it. The plan is installed.
5. Activate on Arrival: When you land in Saudi Arabia, just go back into your settings, turn on your new eSIM line for data, and make sure Data Roaming is switched on for it. You’ll be connected instantly.

Why I Stick with Commbitz

Look, there are a few companies that do this. The reason I mention Commbitz is just because they’ve never let me down. Their website is clean, the prices are clear, and it just works. For me, that reliability is everything when I’m in a new country. It means I can confidently buy an eSIM online and know it’s sorted.

Ready for an Unforgettable Adventure?

A trip to Saudi Arabia is a chance to see a country in transformation, a place rich with ancient history and futuristic ambition. It’s an incredible opportunity.

So, when you’re planning this amazing journey, do your future self a favour. Spend the five minutes it takes to buy an eSIM online. It means you can spend your first hour in the country soaking it all in, not standing in a queue under fluorescent airport lights. And that’s a brilliant way to start any adventure.