Best Tourist Sim Cards in Singapore in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Singapore across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Singapore, having a sim card is essential for staying connected. With easy access to the internet, navigating unfamiliar cities becomes a breeze. You can discover the finest restaurants, get directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share photos with your loved ones, all on the go.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly escalate when traveling abroad. That’s why we recommend opting for either an eSIM or a local sim card, which offer access to local phone rates. The good news is that obtaining either option in Singapore is incredibly simple.
To help you make the right choice, this comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Singapore. It includes up-to-date pricing details and highlights the absolute best sim card for your specific needs.
Singapore is one of the few countries where I highly recommend purchasing the official Tourist sim card on arrival at the airport. Singtel’s hi!Tourist Sim Card is perfect for almost all visitors offering 100GB of 4G data for 14 days plus it costs just $12 SGD. This is crazy cheap!
If you are staying for longer than 14 days, then the hi! Sim Card is your best option at $15 for 100GB of data valid for 28 days. Both sim cards can be purchased at Singtel shops around Singapore including the Changi Recommends counter in Changi Airport.
I can’t really recommend eSims in Singapore as the local operators offer far more data at extremely cheap prices, plus they can be conveniently collected at the airport. However, if money isn’t really a factor for you then we recommend the Airalo’s Singapore eSim. It’s definitely easier than collecting and installing a physical sim card, however, it costs $30 SGD for 5GB data so it’s not as good of a deal as the Singtel cards.
A Tourist Sim Card in Singapore costs either $12 or $15 in April 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Singapore will cost between $7.50 USD and $45 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 Singapore which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $22.50 USD.
Singapore is home to several main sim card providers: Singtel, Starhub, and M1. Singtel is the largest telecommunications company in Singapore, offering a wide range of mobile services. With its extensive coverage and reliable network, Singtel is the preferred choice for many locals and tourists alike. Starhub is another major player in the market, known for its competitive data and call plans. It offers various packages catering to different needs and budgets. M1, the third largest telco provider, focuses on delivering affordable deals while maintaining a strong network presence. All three providers offer competitive pricing, reliable connectivity, and exceptional customer service, making Singapore a haven for seamless mobile connections.
Singtel is a leading telecommunications provider in Singapore, offering convenient and reliable tourist sim cards for visitors. Singtel’s tourist sim cards provide unlimited local data, free local calls, and international calls. These sim cards can be easily purchased at Singtel stores or authorized retailers throughout Singapore. With Singtel’s tourist sim cards, visitors can stay connected, navigate with ease, and enjoy a seamless communication experience during their trip to Singapore.
The price of a Singtel tourist sim card in Singapore is either $12 or $15.
The plan offered by Singtel stores includes 100GB 4G data + 500 minutes + unlimited Facebook & Whatsapp + 3GB roaming in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand valid for 14 days.
StarHub is a leading telecommunications company in Singapore, offering high-quality service to both locals and tourists. Their tourist sim cards are popular among travelers looking for convenient and affordable connectivity during their visit. The sim cards provide reliable network coverage, high-speed internet access, and various data packages to suit individual needs. With StarHub’s tourist sim cards, visitors can easily stay connected, navigate the city, and share their Singapore experiences with friends and family around the world.
The price of a Starhub tourist sim card in Singapore is $12 SGD.
The plan offered by Starhub stores offers 100GB data + 1000 minutes + 100 texts + 1GB roaming data valid for 10 days.
M1 is a leading telecommunications company in Singapore, offering convenient tourist sim card options for travelers. Their tourist sim cards provide unlimited local data and high-speed 4G connectivity, allowing visitors to stay connected and explore the city hassle-free. With easy activation and top-up options, M1’s sim cards are a popular choice among tourists looking for reliable and affordable communication solutions in Singapore.
The price of a M1 tourist sim card in Singapore is $12 SGD.
The plan offered by M1 stores includes 100GB data + 500 minutes + 100 texts valid for 15 days.
Identify mobile providers: Singtel, Starhub and M1 are your best options in Singapore.
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 usually be found in major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. If possible, I always recommend to to avoid airports and head in to an official store in the city.
Bring the necessary documents: It is always a good idea to carry your passport or identification documents for sim card registration purposes. We’ve found most providers will need to confirm your identity to provide a sim card and it can be a major hassle to head to a store only to have to come back again later with your passport.
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 a good starting point, but the staff will usually be able to suggest the best option.
Pay and activate your card: Pay for the SIM card and plan, and the staff will 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 search for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Singapore 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 Singapore then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Singapore 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 Singtel, Starhub and M1. 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 Singapore 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 Singapore 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 Singapore. The Airalo Singapore 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 $22.50 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 Singapore without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Singapore is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Singapore 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 Singapore eSim uses the Singtel network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Singtel networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Singapore.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Singapore eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $7.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22.50 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $33.50 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $45 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $22.50 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 Singapore eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Singapore eSim uses the Singtelnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Singapore
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Singapore eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional SIM cards, which have to be physically inserted or removed from a device, an eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware.
With an eSIM, users can remotely activate and program the SIM card through their mobile network operator. This means they can easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically changing SIM cards.
This technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient for managing multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users simply need to scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually input the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and enjoy the same voice, data, and messaging services as if it had a traditional SIM card.
Using an eSIM can be beneficial for several reasons:
– Convenience: You can switch between mobile networks or plans without needing to physically insert or remove a SIM card. This is especially helpful for frequent travelers who need to switch networks in different countries.
– Dual SIM functionality: eSIM allows you to have two active mobile numbers on one device. This is useful for separating work and personal numbers or managing multiple phone lines.
– Space-saving: eSIMs are embedded within the device, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot. This frees up space, allowing manufacturers to make devices smaller or use the extra space for other components.
– Remote provisioning: Activation and management of mobile plans can be done remotely over the air with eSIMs. This means you can activate or switch plans without needing a physical SIM card or visiting a store, providing greater flexibility and convenience.
– Future-proofing: As eSIM technology becomes more widely supported, you can take advantage of new services and offerings by using an eSIM-compatible device.
Overall, eSIM technology offers flexibility, convenience, and future-proofing for mobile connectivity, making it a compelling choice for many users.
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.
Using an eSim is new for many travellers, however, the good news is it’s surprisingly easy to get set up – even for the technologically challenged!
Here’s a general guide on how to use an eSIM:
Check eSIM Compatibility: Ensure that your device supports eSIM functionality. Many newer smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other devices are eSIM compatible including all iPhones produced since 2018.
Obtain an eSIM: There are multiple ways to acquire an eSIM. You can purchase an eSIM online from a provider like Airalo (which we recommend) or directly from a mobile network operator. Some devices also allow you to scan a QR code provided by your carrier to download the eSIM profile.
Activate the eSIM: Your eSim provider will send you instructions to activate the sim. This will usually involve scanning a QR code, entering an activation code, or downloading the eSIM profile directly onto your device.
Set up the eSIM: Once activated, your device will guide you through the eSIM setup process. This typically involves selecting the eSIM as your preferred mobile plan, configuring settings like data roaming, and entering any necessary authentication details.
Enjoy the Connection: Once the eSIM is set up, you can use it as you would with a physical SIM card. Make calls, send messages, browse the internet, and use data services as needed. You can also switch between eSIM profiles if you have multiple eSIMs installed on your device.
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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