eSIM vs local SIM card in Hurghada, Egypt — which is better and do you need to cancel it when leaving?

Travelers often worry that a local Egyptian SIM registered to their passport could lead to fines on the next entry if not cancelled before leaving. In practice there's no need to deactivate it — no fees are charged for unused SIMs; the passport is only required for standard subscriber registration under local law.

eSIMs reliably work in Egypt even for travelers whose provider doesn't work well at home — you land and get connected immediately without issues.

It's recommended to buy an eSIM in advance (e.g. Yesim) instead of a local SIM at Hurghada airport. It costs a bit more, but the connection is more stable and the SIM won't get blocked on your next trip to Egypt.