Is it worth buying an Etisalat SIM card at Sharm El Sheikh Airport, and do you really get the advertised data package?

A recent Etisalat airport report: the SIM cost $8 with 48 GB advertised, but the usable allowance should realistically be treated as 24 GB. The connection worked well.

As an alternative to Etisalat at the airport, one traveler bought a WE SIM with 68 GB for $11; internet quality was reported as excellent, and the seller said it included roughly 20–30 minutes of calls within Egypt. Other discussion participants disputed the seller’s claims about the operator, so confirm the terms at the counter.

Another report: bought an Etisalat SIM at the airport for $12 with an advertised 60 GB package, but after installing the operator's app the actual balance turned out to be only 15 GB.

At an Etisalat office in the Hadaba area (not the airport), one traveler was offered $12 for 8 GB, after which another 16 GB loads automatically (effectively 24 GB total for that price). This raised the question of where else (besides the airport) to find deals like 46 GB for $8.

Another airport counter option: a data-only SIM (no calls) with a 30 GB package for $7. It lasted a full week-long trip with data to spare, handling video streaming and any traffic without issue.

Another airport example: a modem with SIM cost about $20, while a separate 60 GB SIM was around $13. The data didn't activate immediately — it took about an hour to start working.

Another traveler reported being promised a 30 GB package, but only 20 GB was actually activated. The SIM started working about 1.5 hours after purchase, despite the seller promising activation within 30 minutes. A local guide said this delay is normal. Even 20 GB turned out to be enough for the whole trip with some left over.

One traveler mentioned a minimum-tier option: for $9 at the airport you can get a SIM with 10 GB of data — the cheapest package mentioned so far.

A July report from Sharm El Sheikh Airport mentioned an Etisalat package of 60 GB for $11, but the data stopped working after 7 days even though only about 30 GB had been used. This suggests you should confirm the package terms and actual remaining balance right at the airport counter.

Travelers considering an airport SIM specifically warn that the activated data amount may be lower than what was sold. The most practical tip is not to leave the counter until you verify that the package is active and the data allowance matches what you paid for.

There was also a positive airport Etisalat experience: the SIM cost about $10, the seller inserted it into the phone and confirmed it was working on the spot. The connection then worked reliably for the full 12-day trip.