Dubai in the UAE has become one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world. With a range of options available for tourists, it is no wonder that people from across the world are flocking to Dubai. For tourists today, Wi-Fi is a vital requirement. They require Wi-Fi access for their mobile phones and devices to access the internet.
Whether for work or for personal reasons, internet access is essential for everyone. Tourists would want to know how to access Wi-Fi in Dubai. While they would want to know how to get free Wi-Fi, they wouldn’t mind paying for high-speed Wi-Fi. This guide provides you with all the information you want to know about free and paid Wi-Fi in Dubai.
Free Wi-Fi in Dubai
Dubai is part of the Wi-Fi UAE program that offers free Wi-Fi access across the country for everyone. A point to note is that WiFi UAE is available only for those mobile phones that have a UAE number. It is at present not available for international numbers. So, the first thing you need to do to be able to access Wi-Fi UAE is to get a local mobile connection.
As soon as you enter Dubai, you can purchase a local SIM card. The telecom providers Du and Etisalat are partners for Wi-Fi UAE. You can get a connection from them to make use of the free Wi-Fi. All you need to do is show your passport and visa and you can get an instant connection at the airport.
However, free Wi-Fi is also offered at other places across Dubai. You can get free Wi-Fi at malls, hotels and other public places.
Let’s first look at the free Wi-Fi under Wi-Fi UAE. You can get good speeds connecting to this Wi-Fi. Use it to check your email, browse websites, use social media and connect to government sites. The Wi-Fi is available for a session of 1 hour for free. The procedure to access is as follows:
- Search for Wi-Fi networks and you will find the SSID WiFi UAE. You need to authenticate through SMS, which is where you need a local mobile number.
- Choose between the free and premium packages and then key-in the OTP.
- If you have an international number, you need to share your passport details that should match with immigration data.
- When you use this Wi-Fi in RTA taxis and in buses, you can get up to 50 MB of free data usage per day.
Apart from this network, free Wi-Fi is available in many other places in Dubai. The details are as given below:
- The Mall of Emirates offers free Wi-Fi. Connect using #Free_Mall-WiFi SSID.
- Dubai Mall offers free WiFi. You can connect using @Dubai Mall by Emaar.
- At the Dubai airport, you can connect to DXB Free WiFi to access free WiFi.
- If you are using taxis, then login to taxiconnect.ae to access free WiFi.
Public beaches, the Dubai Water Canal, and parks also offer free WiFi. There are also smart charging stations available. These are available in the shape of a palm tree and are known as smart palms. The smart palm is solar-powered and has charging spots that you can use for free. There is also free WiFi on offer here. The instructions are provided at the smart palms.
Apart from these, most of the hotels and restaurants in Dubai offer free WiFi. You can search for the network or contact the reception to get more details.
Paid WiFi in Dubai
Free WiFi has limitations and hence people prefer to use premium or paid Wi-Fi services. This allows you to get a high-speed connection with no limitations. However, there is a fee involved.
- As per the WiFi UAE initiative, you can choose the Premium option in the menu. You then need to make a payment to proceed. Payment can be done with GCC credit cards or with du recharge cards.
- The fee payable is AED 5 for one-time access valid for 24 hours.
- You can get a 7-day pass for AED 25. It allows you to use unlimited premium Wi-Fi for a week.
If you are planning to stay for a longer duration in Dubai, you can consider availing of the data bundle. Both prepaid and postpaid plans are available and you can contact the telecom service provider.
An example plan to help you get an idea is provided. By paying 319 AED, you can get a new SIM with unlimited data, 100 flexi minutes of calling, and a validity of 10 days. The 79 AED plan gives you 4GB data with 28 days validity.
FAQs
The telecom providers Du and Etisalat are partners for Wi-Fi UAE. You can get a connection from them to make use of the free Wi-Fi. All you need to do is show your passport and visa and you can get an instant connection at the airport. However, free Wi-Fi is also offered at other places across Dubai.
Does Emirates give you free Wi-Fi? ›
Free Wi‑Fi internet for the whole flight
Enjoy free Wi‑Fi throughout your flight as an Emirates Skywards Blue member traveling in First Class or an Emirates Skywards Gold or Silver member traveling in Business Class or First Class.
How to pay for Wi-Fi in Dubai? ›
There are three payment methods that you can select from when purchasing the Premium WiFi packages:
- du Recharge cards.
- Credit card (GCC only)
- du Account (du Consumer subscribers only)
A basic home internet package in Dubai costs upwards of AED 300 per month. However, your monthly price will depend on your provider, what requirements you have and what packages are available at the time of purchase.
How to get free Wi-Fi 2023? ›
4 Ways To Get Free WiFi on Your Phone
- Connect to Public WiFi Networks. As of 2023, there are at least 628 million public WiFi hotspots available globally. ...
- Ask Someone Else for Their Mobile Hotspot. ...
- Apply to Programs for Low-Income Households. ...
- Take Advantage of Being a Student.
The telecom providers Du and Etisalat are partners for Wi-Fi UAE. You can get a connection from them to make use of the free Wi-Fi. All you need to do is show your passport and visa and you can get an instant connection at the airport. However, free Wi-Fi is also offered at other places across Dubai.
Does Dubai have free Wi-Fi? ›
Today free and fast Wifi is not just a convenience, but a necessity. Dubai is a smart city with many places offering free wi-fi service. The places where you can enjoy free WiFi in Dubai include airports, shopping malls, restaurants and cafes. Read on to find out how to get access to free Wi-Fi in Dubai.
Does WhatsApp work on Wi-Fi in Dubai? ›
If you want to use WhatsApp in Dubai, you'll need a VPN, because WhatsApp calls are banned there. For our money, ExpressVPN is the best, thanks to its extensive server network and reliability. However, you can also use cheaper alternatives like NordVPN and Windscribe.
How can I connect to Internet in Dubai? ›
How can I connect to free WiFi in UAE?
- Look for WiFi UAE hotspots, then connect to the “@WiFi UAE from du” network.
- Your device should automatically be taken to our login page. If that doesn't happen, go to du.ae. ...
- Enter your mobile number and follow the instructions to gain access to the internet.
you can enjoy unlimited free wifi across the airport... Wifi at Dubai is absolutely free and they recently upgraded the entire system to improve the user experience.
The UAE doesn't allow competition on utilities. There's several reasons for this but primarily privatized utilities usually degrades service (see what happened in Texas in 2020 when they had a cold snap and the state didn't have power for several days.) Income isn't taxed in the UAE. Everyone needs internet.
Does WhatsApp work in Dubai? ›
If you are in Dubai, you will sadly not be able to make any WhatsApp calls to people using the app, since those functions have been limited by the government of Dubai. You can, however, access Whatsapp's texting feature, and share video messages or audio texts with your contacts.
How to get free Wi-Fi? ›
If you're asking, “Where can I get free WiFi?” we have the answer. Coffee shops, libraries, airports, or restaurants all often offer free internet access. While the speed and reliability of these networks may vary, they can be a good option if you need to connect to free Internet in a pinch.
How can I get free Wi-Fi without service? ›
How to Get Free WiFi Anywhere
- Share Your Smartphone's Internet Connection.
- Use a Hotspot Database App.
- Buy a Portable Router.
- Visit Popular WiFi Hotspot Locations.
- Look for Hidden WiFi Networks.
Instabridge
Living by its tag name which reads “Free Internet for Everyone', Instabridge is a promising name in the sphere of free WiFi apps compatible with Android phones. Once you download this app from the Google Play Store you will be able to access the nearest WiFi hotspots, all for free.
How can I get free internet anywhere for free? ›
Public Wi-Fi hotspots are your best bet for free internet access. These are available in various locations like coffee shops, restaurants, airports, libraries, and even public transportation. To find these hotspots, you can use apps like WiFi Map, OpenSignal, or simply search online for "free Wi-Fi near me".
What is free on Emirates economy? ›
You always get a multicourse meal in Economy Class. Enjoy your choice of main served along with fresh fruits or a salad, crackers and cheese, as well as our sweet treat of the day. You can also pair your meal with our selection of complimentary fruit juices, soft drinks, wines, beers and spirits.
Do we get free Wi-Fi on international flights? ›
Can you get WiFi on a plane? WiFi is available in the air depending on the airline you're flying with. Many airlines, like British Airways, offer WiFi for a small fee, but there are a handful of airlines that have free WiFi onboard, like Emirates and Turkish Airlines.
Is there a way to get free Wi-Fi on a plane? ›
JetBlue bills itself as the only major airline to offer, "free, high-speed Wi-Fi at every seat, on every plane." The in-flight satellite service is provided by Viasat, and passengers can use it to browse the web, send messages and emails or stream video.
Which airline has free internet? ›
JetBlue. Everyone's favourite best budget airlineThe airline has been providing free high-speed Wifi service on all of its flights since 2013, setting the forefront for many other air carriers. Passengers enjoy unlimited internet access at no extra cost, which is why many people enjoy flying with JetBlue.
