Best Tourist Sim Cards in New Zealand in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in New Zealand across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, having a reliable sim card is essential. With access to the internet, exploring new cities becomes a breeze. From finding top-notch restaurants to navigating your way to your accommodation, booking taxis, and sharing pictures with your loved ones, staying connected on the go is a must.
While roaming is an option, the hefty fees can quickly accumulate when traveling internationally. It’s always advisable to opt for an eSIM or a local sim card to enjoy local phone rates. Luckily, acquiring either of these options in New Zealand is incredibly simple.
This comprehensive guide provides you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in New Zealand, including updated pricing and the best sim card options for your needs.
There are three mobile networks in New Zealand: 2degrees, Vodafone and Spark. In terms of coverage and reliability, all three networks are fairly similar.
The best sim card in New Zealand is the Airalo NZ eSim. This eSim runs on the reliable One NZ network (recently rebranded from Vodafone) and allows you to choose the amount of data you need and at a similar price to the local sim cards. For just $25 NZD you can get 5GB of data, or for $43 NZD you get 10GB, however, you sacrifice the unlimited calls and texts.
Considering eSims are unquestionably the most convenient and efficient sim cards I consider this tradeoff more than worth it.
If you require the minutes or texts, or your phone isn’t eSim compatible (most phones, including all iPhones since 2018, work perfectly with eSims), then I recommend the 2degrees prepaid sim card. With 2degrees you can opt for either their expensive Unlimited Tourist Plan, or ask for a standard prepaid sim card in any store.
All three providers offer similar packages, but 2degrees offers 30 days validity instead of just 28 days. I’ve used all three mobile operators in New Zealand and my experience with 2degrees has been the best.
A Tourist Sim Card in New Zealand costs between $13 NZD (for 150mb) and $49 NZD (for 10GB) in December 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in New Zealand will cost between $4.50 USD and $44 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting New Zealand which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $16 USD.
New Zealand has only three sim card providers: 2degrees, Spark and One (formerly Vodafone). All three operators offer extensive mobile coverage and fast data speeds nationwide. They are roughly comparable to each other in terms of networks.
In my experience driving through New Zealand on countless occasions, I’ve found that mobile connection cuts out frequently in rural areas. This is the case regardless of which sim card you purchase and it is just part of travelling in New Zealand.
On top of this, there are a range of resellers, or MVNOs, in New Zealand. These can be more cost-effective but are typically not worth the effort for tourists. For example, Kogan offers a sim card that can only be bought online and can offer affordable 365-day plans. I don’t recommend tourists purchase any sim cards except the three mentioned above.
I recommend opting for an Airalo eSim instead, which uses the One mobile network, as it’s actually cost-effective and convenient in New Zealand. It costs slightly less and includes just as much data – but you sacrifice the ability to make phone calls and send texts. If this isn’t an option for you then any of the other three providers will work equally well.
One extra thing to note is that Spark have extended the duration of their tourist plans to 90 days. For any backpackers out there, this means you buy the same data at the same price as One or 2degrees and ration it out over 90 days instead of 30 or 60. This makes Spark the best option for anyone travelling for over 30 days in New Zealand.
2degrees technically uses the One network, however, they are a completely independently owned telecommunications company. Their tourist sim plans are roughly identical to One and Spark with generous data caps but relatively high prices.
I usually recommend 2degrees for tourists based on my own personal experiences dealing with the company. I’ve found their online and in-store customer service to be a lot more efficient than the other two providers and for this reason alone I recommend them ahead of One and Spark. On top of this, I’ve found their app to be quite user-friendly which will be relevant for tourists planning to stay for longer than a month.
They offer an unlimited tourist package which is quite expensive, as well as prepaid sim card plans starting from $8. I would recommend the $35 or $45 plan to ensure you have enough data for your trip, plus there is a $5 charge for the sim card. They’ll make sure you’re set up in-store though which is a big plus.
The price of a 2degrees tourist sim card in New Zealand is $45 NZD.
The plan offered by 2degrees stores includes 10GB data + unlimited calls & texts valid for 1 month.
One (formerly Vodafone) owns one of New Zealand’s best and most extensive mobile networks. Their sim card plans are similar to Spark and 2degrees with healthy data limits and unlimited calls and texts for those rare occasions when you need them.
Prices are quite high in New Zealand no matter which sim card you choose and One isn’t an exception, with prices all being roughly fixed. If it’s most convenient for you then you will find Vodafone to be a solid pick.
The price of a One (formerly Vodafone) tourist sim card in New Zealand is $49 NZD.
The plan offered by One (formerly Vodafone) stores offers 10GB + unlimited calls and texts valid for 60 days.
Spark is New Zealand’s largest telco company and, again, offers similar tourist sim cards to the other two players in the market.
Connectivity is great, speeds are good and the network is generally reliable within any town or city.
Their tourist sim card packages offer a good variety of options including plans for up to 90 days which makes Spark a good value pick for longer-term travellers.
The price of a Spark tourist sim card in New Zealand is $49 NZD.
The plan offered by Spark stores includes 10GB data valid for 90 days.
Identify the mobile providers in New Zealand: 2degrees, One (formerly Vodafone) and Spark are your best options in New Zealand.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in New Zealand. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in New Zealand to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, 2degrees, One (formerly Vodafone) or Spark staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by 2degrees that includes 10GB data + unlimited calls & texts for $45 NZD.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay between $13 NZD (for 150mb) and $49 NZD (for 10GB) to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for New Zealand at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in New Zealand then you will be in luck. All major international airports in New Zealand have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as 2degrees, One (formerly Vodafone) and Spark. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in New Zealand are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in New Zealand with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to New Zealand. The Airalo New Zealand eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $16 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in New Zealand without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in New Zealand is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to New Zealand and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s New Zealand eSim uses the One NZ to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the One NZnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in New Zealand.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s New Zealand eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $8.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $11 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $16 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $27 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $44 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $16 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s New Zealand eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s New Zealand eSim uses the Vodafone/NZC/Sparknetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in New Zealand
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s New Zealand eSim:
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $34 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a type of digital SIM card that is built directly into a device, like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional SIM cards, an eSIM doesn’t require a physical card to be inserted or removed from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is seamlessly integrated into the hardware of the device and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without the need to physically swap SIM cards.
The utilization of eSIM technology offers numerous benefits, including convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness. This is particularly advantageous for individuals who frequently change mobile networks or travel internationally. With eSIMs, there’s no longer a necessity to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
Activating an eSIM involves either scanning a QR code provided by the mobile network operator or manually entering the activation details. Once the eSIM is activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and access voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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