Internet in Egypt works well on mobile data, but there is no public free Wi-Fi network a traveller can plan around. Hotels and cafes offer Wi-Fi, while mobile networks deliver a median download speed above 50 Mbps, so your own data line will do most of the work. Two further points catch many visitors off guard. Egypt has run a registration system for imported mobile phones since 2025, with a 90-day exemption for tourists. And internet voice calls such as WhatsApp calling have been restricted for years. This guide draws on Egypt's regulator, its cyber-security agency and the mobile operators' own pages to show what to rely on and what to arrange before you fly.
If you want to be online from the moment you land, you can set up an Egypt eSIM before you leave. See the Coral eSIM plans for Egypt and pick the data allowance that fits your trip.
Wi-Fi in Egypt: available, but not something to rely on
Almost all the Wi-Fi a visitor will use in Egypt is provided privately by hotels, cafes and restaurants. We could not find a nationwide government free Wi-Fi programme, or a law requiring public hotspots of the kind some countries have.
Airports are no different. Cairo International Airport's official website does not publish the terms of any free Wi-Fi service, and its older information page no longer loads. Do not plan to book a ride or reach your hotel using airport Wi-Fi. The safest approach is to have your own connection working as soon as you clear immigration.
Hotel Wi-Fi often differs between rooms and lobbies, and on Nile cruise boats or at desert camps the connection itself can be weak. Treat Wi-Fi as a bonus for when you are back at your hotel, and plan to use mobile data while you are out.
Mobile internet speed in Egypt: often better than the Wi-Fi
Egypt's mobile networks are fast enough for travel. Ookla's Speedtest Global Index for August 2026 puts Egypt's median mobile speed at 52.32 Mbps down, 9.54 Mbps up, with 27 ms latency. That comfortably covers maps, ride-hailing apps and uploading photos.
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) also measures each operator. In December 2024 it recorded average download speeds of 83 Mbps for WE, 57 Mbps for e&, 52 Mbps for Vodafone and 48 Mbps for Orange. The tests covered around 139,000 km of roads, so the figures include coverage between cities.
- Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Hurghada and other cities: everyday use rarely causes problems
- Deep desert, remote archaeological sites and Nile boats: signal can drop depending on location
- On the move, away from Wi-Fi: mobile data is your only link
Egypt's phone registration system and the 90-day tourist exemption
Since January 2025, Egypt has required phones brought in from abroad to be registered and customs duty to be paid. The system supports locally made handsets. In a joint notice dated 20 January 2026, the NTRA and the customs authority announced that the special exemption for phones carried by passengers would end at 12:00 noon on 21 January 2026.
The same notice states that the exemption continues to apply to tourists' phones for 90 days. It also describes a 90-day grace period from the day a phone is first used, with fees payable through the Telephony app, banks or e-wallets.
- Trips of up to 90 days: under the notice, tourists are not asked to take any special steps
- Stays longer than 90 days, or plans to buy or bring in another handset: check the NTRA's latest notices before you travel
The notice covers handsets only. It says nothing about foreign SIM cards, eSIMs or roaming, so long-stay visitors should confirm the official position before departure.
Do WhatsApp and other app calls work in Egypt?
Internet voice calling (VoIP) has long been restricted in Egypt. Freedom House's Freedom on the Net 2025 report, covering June 2024 to May 2025, says the NTRA announced plans in late 2024 to lift the ban on services such as WhatsApp and Viber calling. However, the ban had not been lifted by the end of that period, and several VoIP services remained inaccessible.
We could not confirm the situation after that from an official source. The safe assumption is that app calls may not connect, and to plan accordingly.
- Make sure important contacts can reach you by text message as well
- Keep your home phone number active so you can make ordinary calls or receive SMS when you need to
- Agree how to stay in touch with your tour operator or hotel by email or message before you arrive
For how to keep your number while using a travel eSIM for data, see how to keep your phone number while traveling.
Local SIM, local eSIM or a travel eSIM for Egypt
There are three ways to get your own connection in Egypt.
A local SIM card
According to Vodafone Egypt, a prepaid line requires a valid passport plus a valid residence permit or visa, including an e-visa. Vodafone sells a dedicated Tourist Line at its airport stores and shops. Depending on opening hours and queues, you may not be connected straight after landing.
A local eSIM
The NTRA launched eSIM in December 2024, and all four major operators now support it. Early reports described it as limited to residents, but Orange Egypt's official page now says all new and existing customers are eligible, including tourists. You still need to complete the process in a store.
A travel eSIM bought before you leave
Buy and install it at home and you can start using data as soon as you land in Egypt, with no need to find a SIM counter. Your home SIM stays in the phone. Your handset must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked (see how to check your phone is unlocked). The steps are covered in how to set up an eSIM for travel.
Using free Wi-Fi in Egypt safely: EG-CERT's advice
EG-CERT, the cyber-security centre under the NTRA, gives this advice for public Wi-Fi:
- Use only trusted, password-protected networks
- Use only encrypted HTTPS websites
- Use a VPN
- Avoid handling personal data
- Turn off location sharing
- Keep antivirus software and a firewall enabled
The easiest rule for travellers is not to use online banking, card payments or account logins on hotel or cafe Wi-Fi. Switch to your own mobile data for those. For more, see our guide to free Wi-Fi security.
Internet in Egypt: frequently asked questions
Is there free Wi-Fi at Egyptian airports?
Cairo International Airport's official website does not publish the terms of any free Wi-Fi service. You may find a network, but because the conditions are not published, do not rely on it for contact straight after landing. Setting up a travel eSIM before you leave is the dependable option.
Will I pay tax on my own phone when I visit Egypt?
Egypt began registering and charging duty on imported phones in January 2025. However, the January 2026 notice from the NTRA and customs states that tourists' phones are exempt for 90 days. If you will stay longer than 90 days, check the latest official information before you travel.
Can I make WhatsApp calls in Egypt?
Internet voice calls have long been restricted in Egypt. Freedom House's report covering the period to May 2025 says several VoIP services remained inaccessible. Keep text messaging and your normal phone number available as a backup.
How fast is mobile internet in Egypt?
Ookla's August 2026 index gives a median mobile download speed of 52.32 Mbps. In the NTRA's December 2024 tests, operators averaged between 48 and 83 Mbps. In cities, that is enough for maps, ride-hailing and photo uploads.
Is a pocket Wi-Fi router or an eSIM better for Egypt?
For one or two travellers, an eSIM is simpler: nothing extra to carry or charge, and no pick-up or return at the airport. If several people want to share one connection, eSIM tethering covers that too. See eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi for a full comparison.
In Egypt, treat Wi-Fi as a backup and secure mobile data with an eSIM before you land
Wi-Fi in Egypt is a useful extra at hotels and cafes, but you cannot build a trip around public free Wi-Fi. Mobile data is fast, so use your own line for maps and messages on the move. Know that tourists' phones are exempt from registration for 90 days and that app calls have been restricted, and nothing will surprise you on arrival. Set up a travel eSIM before departure and keep your home number active. Those two steps are the most reliable way to prepare for staying connected in Egypt.
See the Coral eSIM plans for Egypt, or browse all destinations.
