How to Buy a prepaid SIM Card for Papua New Guinea? (Tourist Guide)

This guide covers everything you need to know about getting a prepaid SIM card for your trip to PapuaNew Guinea as a tourist. It explains the most popular SIM card options and the best deals available.

Getting a prepaid SIM card for Papua New Guinea is really important if you want to stay connected during your trip. These SIM Cards let tourists make local calls, send texts, and access the internet with low prices. They’re much better value than using international roaming.

This article will explain where you can buy a prepaid SIM card for Papua New Guinea and how to get one, so you can make the most of your time in Papua New Guinea.

I. What are the Best Papua New Guinea SIM cards for Tourists?

Digicel SIM Cards and  Vodafone SIM Cards are recommended for Papua New Guinea trips.

1. Digicel 

Digicel actually charges 10 Kina for the SIM card registration. They offer daily, weekly, and monthly packages with different data amounts:

• 1.5 GB of data for 3 days = 20 Kina ($5,14 USD).

• 5 GB of data for 3 days = 65 Kina ($16,7 USD).

• 3 GB of data for 7 days = 40 Kina ($10,3 USD).

• 10 GB of data for 7 days = 100 Kina ($25,7 USD).

• 8 GB of data for 30 days = 100 Kina ($25,7 USD).

• 20 GB of data for 30 days = 200 Kina ($51,4 USD).

They also have a special “Red Club” offer. In some cases, you can get 30 GB of data for just 50 Kina $12,9 USD, which is an excellent deal.

2. Vodafone/ B Mobile

Vodafone/BMobile charges a 10 Kina registration fee for a new prepaid SIM card.

At the Port Moresby airport, they sell these prepaid SIM card packages:

• 2 GB of data for 7 days = 12 Kina ($3,1 USD).

• 5 GB of data for 14 days = 30 Kina ($7,7 USD).

• 10 GB of data for 30 days = 55 Kina ($14,1 USD).

• 20 GB of data for 30 days = 110 Kina ( $28,3 USD ).

• 30 GB of data for 30 days = 150 Kina ($38,6 USD).

If you buy a Papua New Guinea SIM Card at stores in the city, the price will be cheaper.

II. Where to Buy SIM Cards in Papua New Guinea for Tourists?

There are 03 main options for getting a SIM card for your trip to Papua New Guinea:

• Buying at Papua New Guinea Airports.

• Buy a SIM card in city centers in Papua New Guinea.

• Buy an eSIM online one day before your departure.

1. Buying at Papua New Guinea Airports.

The best place to get a SIM card when arriving in Papua New Guinea is at the Port Moresby International Airport.

As soon as you step into the airport, you’ll see advertisements from the local mobile internet providers. After going through immigration, getting your luggage, and customs, you’ll come into a small arrival hall. On the right side, there is a Digicel store. Across from that, on the left, is a B Mobile store.

The stores are open for every incoming international flight, and you’ll see most tourists buying a SIM card right here at the airport.

• Price: Higher than SIM cards sold in city stores.

• Pros: Instant internet access upon arrival.

• Cons: Higher cost, limited plan options, potential queues, and limited store opening hours.

2. Buy a SIM card in city centers in Papua New Guinea.

If you didn’t get a SIM card at the Port Moresby airport, you can go to the Vision City Mega Mall in Port Moresby. There are Vodafone and Digicel stores there where you can buy a SIM.

If you’re traveling directly to Mount Hagen instead of going through Port Moresby, you can buy a SIM card at the Vodafone store at Tininga Hagen Central in Mount Hagen.

• Price: Cheaper than buying at airports.

• Pros: Competitive prices, wider range of options to choose from.

• Cons: Requires traveling to the stores.

3.  Buy an eSIM online one day before your departure:

If your phone has eSIM capability, you can buy an eSIM plan online before your trip to papua New Guinea. This is a very convenient option.

You can choose from many packages at affordable prices, buy online, and install simply in no more than 5 minutes by scanning the QR code.

• Pros: Pre-order and activate your eSIM in advance for internet connection. Saves time and money (no shipping fee).

• Cons: Only works if your phone supports eSIM.

III. How Much is a Tourist Papua New Guinea SIM Card?

Visitors can purchase Papua New Guinea SIM Cards with prices starting from $1 USD. The price will depend on the specific plan you choose – how much data, minutes, and texts it includes.

For example

• Some basic starter packages of Vodafone cost as little as 2 Kina (about $0.5 USD).

• On the other end, you can get a more comprehensive monthly package for around 20 Kina (about $5,14 USD) that provides 10GB of data.

No matter which Papua New Guinea cell provider you go with – like Digicel or Vodafone/B Mobile – they offer great value options designed specifically for foreign tourists.

IV. What types of Papua New Guinea SIM cards are available for tourists?

Papua New Guinea has two main options for getting a SIM card – physical SIM cards and eSIM.

1. Physical SIM Card:

This is a small physical chip you insert into your phone or device. It gives you a local Papua New Guinea phone number and network settings.

Pros:

• Diverse packages: Papua New Guinea SIM Card providers offer various affordable plan options to meet your needs.

• Widely supported: This type of SIM is supported by many different devices and providers.

Cons:

• Inconvenience in disassembly: You have to physically have the SIM card and insert it, which can be inconvenient if you switch devices.

• Risk of loss or damage of SIM Card: There’s a risk of losing or damaging the physical SIM card.

2. eSIM (Embedded SIM):

An eSIM is a digital SIM that is built into your device, rather than a physical card.

Pros of eSIM:

• Convenience: Since it’s embedded, you don’t have to physically insert or remove a SIM card.

• Flexibility: You can easily switch between different mobile providers and have multiple eSIM profiles on one device.

• Remote activation: You can activate an eSIM by scanning a QR code or getting a digital code, without needing to visit a store.

Cons of eSIM:

• Compatibility: Not every device supports eSIM functionality, so you need to check if your phone or tablet is compatible.

V. Do I Need to Buy a Sim Card for Papua New Guinea travel?

YES. The convenience and peace of mind of having a local Papua New Guinea SIM card makes it worthwhile for most visitors.

Even though there is free public WiFi available in Papua New Guinea, it’s still a good idea to get a local SIM card for your trip. Having a SIM card ensures you have a reliable data connection on your phone.

There are many everyday situations where having cellular data can be really useful – like booking an Uber, using Google Maps for directions, finding a hotel, grocery store or restaurant. Having that connectivity is important.

It’s also valuable in case of emergencies, or if you need to access your banking apps on the go. 

VI. What to prepare when buying a SIM card in Papua New Guinea?

To get a prepaid SIM card in Papua New Guinea, you’ll need to bring your passport. The store will make a copy of your passport and register the SIM card in your name and with your passport number. You’ll then get a physical SIM card with a Papua New Guinea phone number starting with +675.

If you want to skip the registration process, you can order an international prepaid SIM card or an eSIM for Papua New Guinea online instead. For online orders, you just need to provide your email address – no ID verification is required.

VII. Papua New Guinea eSIM – alternative to Tourist SIM cards.

While there are various options available, Papua New Guinea prepaid eSIMs offer numerous advantages over other alternatives like roaming, pocket WiFi, free WiFi, and prepaid physical SIM cards. 

• Convenience and Flexibility:

Prepaid eSIMs do not require any physical installation or swapping of SIM cards. 

With an eSIM, you can switch between different operators and plans with just a few taps on your phone, providing ultimate flexibility during your trip.

• Cost-effectiveness: Papua New Guinea prepaid eSIMs often offer competitive pricing compared to roaming or purchasing physical SIM cards. 

• Easy Activation and Setup: You can usually purchase and download the eSIM profile directly from the provider’s website.

Gigago eSIM is a reputable provider that offers excellent prepaid eSIM options for travelers in Papua New Guinea. Here are a few reasons why Gigago eSIM stands out:

• Diverse Plan Options.

• Reliable Network Coverage.

• User-Friendly Experience.

For Papua New Guinea, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 5 days with $10.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Papua New Guinea eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $10.50 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Papua New Guinea, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VIII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Papua New Guinea?

The length of time a prepaid Papua New Guinea SIM card valid for visitors can vary depending on the plan you choose.

• If you only need basic phone service for a few days, there are 1-day or 3-day options that provide limited usage over a short period.

• Many tourists opt for a 7-day plan, which gives you a week’s worth of calling, texting, and data access.

• For longer trips, a 30-day SIM card allows you to use your phone freely for the full month you’re exploring Papua New Guinea.

IX. How to activate a SIM card in Papua New Guinea?

Here’s a guide on how to use Papua New Guinea prepaid SIM cards and eSIM:

1. Using prepaid Papua New Guinea tourist SIM Cards

• Purchase a prepaid SIM card from a local mobile network provider or authorized retailers in Papua New Guinea.

• Make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the frequencies used in Papua New Guinea (typically GSM 900/1800 or 3G/4G/LTE bands).

• Insert the SIM card into your phone’s SIM card slot.

• Follow the instructions provided by the network provider to activate the SIM card and select a prepaid plan that suits your needs.

• Top up the SIM card with credit as needed to maintain service.

• Enjoy the benefits of local calls, messaging, and data usage while exploring Papua New Guinea.

2. Setting up and activating Papua New Guinea eSIM 

• Check if your phone supports eSIM functionality.

• Contact a mobile network provider in Papua New Guinea that offers eSIM services or visit their website.

• Follow the provider’s instructions to purchase and activate an eSIM plan.

• You may need to scan a QR code or enter a provided activation code to set up the eSIM.

• Once activated, your eSIM will be ready to use for calls, messaging, and data services.

• Enjoy the convenience of a digital SIM card without the need for a physical card.

X. FAQs

In conclusion, getting a prepaid SIM card is a great way for tourists to stay connected while exploring Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea SIM cards provide affordable cellular data, texting, and local calling, so you won’t miss out on anything during your trip. You’ll be able to stay in touch, navigate, and share your experiences, all without worrying about high roaming fees.