Best Tourist Sim Cards in Philippines in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Philippines across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, having a reliable sim card is essential. It allows you to stay connected and make the most of your travel experience. With internet access at your fingertips, navigating through unfamiliar cities becomes a breeze.
Whether you’re looking for the top-notch dining spots, directions to your accommodation, or simply sharing memorable moments with your loved ones, a sim card enables you to do it all on the go.
While roaming is an option, the charges can quickly accumulate when traveling internationally. Therefore, we always recommend either an eSim or a local sim card to take advantage of local phone rates. Thankfully, obtaining one in the Philippines is hassle-free, but it’s advantageous to understand which option suits you best.
This comprehensive guide has everything you need to know about purchasing a sim card in the Philippines, including current prices and the absolute best choice for your needs.
The best sim card in the Philippines is the Smart prepaid sim card that offers 8GB data for 699 PHP. Smart is the network with the best coverage of the three operators in the Philippines which ensures you will have access to the internet wherever you are. This is the perfect option for most travellers.
However, Globe also has a very extensive network, which also happens to be the network that Airalo uses for their eSims in the Philippines. If you value convenience then I would recommend purchasing the Airalo Philippines eSim for around 725 PHP that comes with 5GB of data. This is not quite as good as the Smart sim card but it is certainly easier as you can order the eSim before you leave and activate it once you arrive in the Philippines.
If you are after the cheapest sim card in the Philippines then it could be worth looking in to Dito, which is the newest mobile operator in the country. Unfortunately, their coverage and network is significantly worse than Globe or Smart, so I can only recommend this to extreme budget travellers who don’t intend to travel to very remote areas.
A Tourist Sim Card in Philippines costs around 700 PHP in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Philippines will cost between $4.50 USD and $32 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 Philippines which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13 USD.
There are three main players in the sim card market in the Philippines: Smart, Globe, and the newly launched, Dito.
All three offer reasonably priced sim cards for tourists, however, Smart and Globe are miles ahead in terms of network coverage throughout the Philippines. For this reason I recommend avoiding Dito.
Smart is the best pick for most tourists who are not interested in purchasing an eSim. They have the best network in the Philippines and that is quite important, especially when visiting islands such as Palawan.
One good option to consider is purchasing both sim cards, assuming you’re travelling with someone else or you have dual-sim card slots in your phone. They’re generally cheap enough and this will maximize your network coverage.
Smart is the best sim card provider in the Philippines due to their extensive network and fast internet download speeds.
In particular, Smart is known for having the best mobile network connection in the islands, such as on Palawan, and as such is recommended for tourists.
Also note that it is quite easy to purchase a Smart sim card in the Philippines as they are available in convenience stores and at the abundant Smart stores.
The price of a Smart tourist sim card in Philippines is 699 PHP.
The plan offered by Smart stores includes 8GB data valid for 15 days.
Globe also has a very extensive mobile network in the Philippines. For most tourists, you’ll find this to be sufficient and are unlikely to notice much of a difference. However, if you are intending to visit more remote islands then I still recommend opting for Smart.
The plans are typically a bit cheaper but the extra price is worth it to ensure you can use the internet when you need it. That said, Globe is a good option for anyone who happens to find it a bit more convenient to purchase than a Smart sim card would be.
The price of a Globe tourist sim card in Philippines is 500 PHP.
The plan offered by Globe stores offers 20GB data valid for 15 days.
Dito is the new player in the Philippines sim card space, however, they have failed to successfully catch up to the main providers. If you’re looking for a cheap sim card to use around Manila, then by all means grab one from Dito.
They offer generous data allocations for reasonable prices and in the main cities you’re unlikely to face issues.
However, if you intend to head anywhere mildly remote, including the islands of Palawan, El Nido, Siargao or Boracay, then I advise avoiding Dito and picking something more reliable.
The price of a Dito tourist sim card in Philippines is 39 PHP.
The plan offered by Dito stores includes 3GB data valid for 15 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Philippines: Smart, Globe and Dito are your best options in Philippines.
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 Philippines. 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 Philippines to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Smart, Globe or Dito 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 Smart that includes 8GB data for 699 PHP.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay around 700 PHP 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 Philippines 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 Philippines then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Philippines 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 Smart, Globe and Dito. 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 Philippines 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 Philippines 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 Philippines. The Airalo Philippines 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 $13 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 Philippines without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Philippines is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Philippines 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 Philippines eSim uses the Globe network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Globe networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Philippines.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Philippines eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9.50 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $21 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $13 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 Philippines eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Philippines eSim uses the Smartnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Philippines
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Philippines eSim:
8GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $47 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a built-in digital SIM card found in devices like smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. Unlike physical SIM cards, an eSIM doesn’t require insertion or removal from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is incorporated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This enables users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without swapping physical SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for travelers or those who frequently switch between various mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network, providing voice, data, and messaging services similar to 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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