stc roaming in UAE or a travel eSIM?
Travelling from Saudi Arabia to UAE? Here is what stc's GCC Roaming costs for your trip, next to today's cheapest travel eSIMs. stc prices are from stc's own website (checked 11 October 2026); eSIM prices are checked every day.
eSIM prices checked 14 November 2026 · Virgin Connect Roam prices checked 10 November 2026
For 4 days with social media, browsing, photo uploads and some video calls (about 3.2 GB), the cheapest travel eSIM costs ≈ 34.84 SAR ($9.29) with shibaSIM, against 287.50 SAR with stc. That is about 252.66 SAR less.
Trip by trip
| Trip | stc GCC Roaming | Cheapest travel eSIM | Cheapest unlimited eSIM | eSIM vs stc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days Social media, about 1.6 GB | 172.50 SAR 1 × 2-day pass (unlimited) | ≈ 22.46 SAR ($5.99) Breeze: 2 GB plan, valid 15 days | ≈ 25.43 SAR ($6.78) shibaSIM · Full speed 1 GB a day, then 128 kbps | 150.04 SAR less |
| 4 days Social media, about 3.2 GB | 287.50 SAR 1 × 4-day pass (unlimited) | ≈ 34.84 SAR ($9.29) shibaSIM: 5 GB plan, valid 10 days | ≈ 50.85 SAR ($13.56) shibaSIM · Full speed 1 GB a day, then 128 kbps | 252.66 SAR less |
| 7 days Social media, about 5.6 GB | 460.00 SAR 1 × 10-day pass (unlimited) | ≈ 52.50 SAR ($14.00) Yesim: 2 × 3 GB plan, valid 30 days | ≈ 71.29 SAR ($19.01) Roam2Go · Full speed 3 GB a day, then 1 Mbps | 407.50 SAR less |
| 10 days Streaming video, about 20 GB | 460.00 SAR 1 × 10-day pass (unlimited) | ≈ 104.96 SAR ($27.99) Maya: Unlimited data, 14-day pass | ≈ 104.96 SAR ($27.99) Maya · Full speed 5 GB a day, then 3 Mbps | 355.04 SAR less |
Each eSIM price is the cheapest way to cover the whole trip with enough data, converted to SAR at today's rate (≈) for comparison; you pay the provider's own price. Tap a price to open the plan.
What stc says
GCC Roaming with unlimited data and unlimited calls in the Gulf and to Saudi Arabia: 12 hours for 74.75 SAR, 2 days for 172.50 SAR, 4 days for 287.50 SAR, 10 days for 460 SAR (VAT included).
- stc's page lists this as GCC roaming; it does not list the countries one by one. The UAE is one of the six GCC countries.
Source: stc: GCC Roaming (checked 11 October 2026). Carrier prices change; your bill follows stc's current terms.
How to use an eSIM and keep your stc number
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to stc.
- Buy a plan for UAE and install it over Wi-Fi a day before you fly.
- When you land, choose the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for the eSIM only.
- Keep your stc line on for calls and SMS codes, with its data roaming turned off.
More: all eSIM plans for UAE.
Questions
Is a travel eSIM cheaper than stc roaming in UAE?
For a 4-day trip with about 3.2 GB, stc GCC Roaming costs 287.50 SAR and the cheapest travel eSIM costs about 34.84 SAR (shibaSIM, prices checked 14 November 2026). That is about 252.66 SAR less with the eSIM.
Can I keep my stc number while using an eSIM?
Yes, on a phone with two SIMs. Keep your stc line switched on for calls and SMS codes, set the eSIM as your mobile data line, and turn off data roaming on the stc line so you are not charged for data.
How much does stc roaming cost in UAE?
GCC Roaming with unlimited data and unlimited calls in the Gulf and to Saudi Arabia: 12 hours for 74.75 SAR, 2 days for 172.50 SAR, 4 days for 287.50 SAR, 10 days for 460 SAR (VAT included). (from stc's website, checked 11 October 2026).
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