Traveling to Lebanon soon and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Don't waste money on high roaming charges or slow overseas data plans. This is a complete guide for buying a sim card for Lebanon with where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per August 2023, the best e-sim cards for Lebanon, info about buying a sim card at Beirut Airport, the best 4G/5G network in Lebanon, my recommendation and even info about international sim cards for Lebanon.
Lebanon once was my port of call for my trip to Syria and I had a great time in an around Beirut. Of course I wanted to get connected straight away upon arrival, but sim cards deals for Lebanon at Beirut Airport where pretty poor. So I bought my sim card in Beirut city center.
As I am also aiming to visit every country in the world I constantly get to new countries and a lot of airports and therefore on Traveltomtom you can find more than 200 prepaid sim card guides already from all over the world: USA, New York, Canada, Mexico, Dubai, Jordan, Amman, Istanbul, Turkey, Gabon, Europe, Italy, Greece, Austria, UK, Vienna, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Milan and many more.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Touch sim card for Lebanon. They have the most extensive 4G network and a good prepaid sim card deal for tourists.
If you want to save money then don't buy a sim card for Lebanon at Beirut Airport but wait till you get to the city center and go to a Touch store.
Unfortunately you are not able to buy international sim cards and e-sim cards for Lebanon online. May that chance I will definitely update my article.
Mobile internet operators Lebanon
There are only two mobile internet providers in Lebanon: Alfa and Touch. Probably that is the reason a Lebanon prepaid sim card with data is expensive as there is no competition.
Where to buy a Lebanon sim card
There are a bunch of mobile internet shops scattered around Beirut, but for the best prices you want to go to an official retail store of Alfa or Touch. Both operators have a store in Beirut Downtown, but in Hamra for example you won’t find them. Therefore you might want to buy your sim card for Lebanon in a random phone shop nearby. They charge you a little service fee, but it is not much and these guys are mostly very friendly and also willing to set up everything for you.
Just bring your passport for the registration process. Your new Lebanon sim card will be registered on your name and passport number, that is standard procedure.
Buying a sim card at Beirut Airport
On arrival I went to the Airport Information Desk and they told me that there is only one shop that sells a prepaid sim card for Lebanon at Beirut Airport: CityFone.
You can’t miss this Beirut airport shop as it will be on your right hand side straight after you walk out into the Arrivals hall. I checked everything for you and I strongly recommend you NOT to buy a Lebanon sim card at Beirut Airport, unless you don't care how much it costs.
At the CityFone shop you can buy a Touch Lebanon sim card for tourist for $44 and you only get:
- 60 minutes calls or 60 sms
- 500 MB data
This sim card for Lebanon is valid for 30 days and only in Lebanon. That is right... $44 for 500 MB data? CRAZY!!!
Best 4G/5G network coverage in Lebanon in 2023
As of 2023 there is no 5G yet in Lebanon however, 4G is pretty wide spread and at most tourist attractions in Lebanon you will find a good 4G signal. Let's have a look at the Lebanon 4G coverage maps.
Alfa 4G/5G network coverage map
Touch 4G/5G network coverage map
Prices Lebanon sim card in 2023
Alfa Lebanon
An Alfa Lebanon prepaid sim card costs $12 USD: $7 USD for the new line and $5 for a plan that gives you 2 GB data for 7 days. (VAT excluded)
For the more info check the Alfa Lebanon website.
Touch Lebanon
A Touch prepaid sim card costs $13 USD and gives you 10 GB data for 2 weeks including 100 local minutes and sms.
For all the exact details check the Touch Lebanon website.
Best sim card for Lebanon in 2023
Let me urge you to buy a prepaid sim card in Lebanon and NOT trust on WiFi or slow overseas data roaming plans. Simply from my own experience I know that it is shit! Investing a couple dollars in a 4G connection will be worth it and saves you a lot of stress and as you have seen a prepaid sim card in Lebanon is not going to break the bank.
However, it is a very simply conclusion that Touch is the best sim card in Lebanon in 2023.
They offer by far the best prepaid sim card deal as they give you for almost the same price 10 GB data, when Alfa only gives you 2 GB data. An easy conclusion, especially when we also take into consideration the 4G network coverage.
I traveled to Lebanon to depart for my overland trip to Syria. Interested in reading about this extraordinary journey then head over to my Syria travel blog in this link.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of August 2023 I have visited more than 135 countries, so still a long way to go.
I hope all these tips for buying a sim card in Lebanon were helpful for your upcoming trip. May you have any more questions leave me a comment below.
Enjoy your trip to Lebanon!