Should travelers use a local SIM card in Hurghada or buy an eSIM before arrival to avoid phone blocking issues in Egypt?

Some travelers suggest checking the phone in advance for blocking: ask a contact in Egypt to verify the IMEI through an Egyptian carrier app to see if the phone will get service before you even land.

To avoid risking your main phone, some recommend bringing an old spare phone, putting the local SIM in it, and using it as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your other devices.

The safest option is to activate an eSIM before flying to Egypt. Travelers recommend this if you want to keep using the same phone on future trips and avoid the risk of device blocking linked to a local physical SIM.

Buying a SIM card at Hurghada Airport is seen as a risky choice by some travelers: mobile service may not start immediately and can take around an hour to activate.

If it is a phone you do not plan to bring back to Egypt, some travelers say using a local SIM is less of a concern. For your main phone that you plan to use on future Egypt trips, they advise extra caution.