Best Australia SIM Cards for Tourists: 2024 Detailed Guide [+Internet & WiFi]

Published: July 2024

Australia SIM cards are essential for tourists visiting the country, providing connectivity and access to essential services.

This blog post is written for tourists planning a trip to Australia, aiming to help them make an informed decision on the Australia SIM cards that best suit their needs. By the end of this guide, readers will have a clear understanding of the various types of SIM cards, their pricing, and where to purchase them to ensure a smooth and connected travel experience in Australia.

In this article

I. Should You Get a SIM card in Australia?

Yes, you should get an Australia SIM card for your trip because you cannot imagine how much money you can save for your trip and other benefits:

Cheap Internet: SIM cards have good data deals to avoid high roaming costs.
Easy Local Use: A local SIM lets you call, text, and use apps like a local without trouble.
Good Signal: Australia’s 4G/5G networks keep you connected everywhere.
Flexible: Prepaid SIMs help manage spending and adjust data use on your trip.

Compared to other connection options:

Using your home SIM in Australia can cost a lot and give little data. Better to get an Australian SIM.
Public WiFi is often slow and not safe. A local SIM gives you safe and steady internet.
Renting a mobile hotspot is pricier and less handy than just using a SIM card.

II. Types of Australia SIM Cards for Tourists – Which One is the Best?

For travelers heading to Australia, 2 main SIM card options cater: Prepaid Physical SIM Cards and Prepaid Tourist eSIMs. Both offer data plans, with some including voice and text capabilities.

1. Prepaid Physical SIM Card

Buy prepaid SIM cards in stores, airports, and other places in Australia.
They come in two kinds: only data, or data + calls + texts.
Good for tourists who need a local number in Australia.

2. Prepaid Tourist eSIM

Work online and need compatible devices.
Offer data or data + voice + text like regular SIM cards.
Easy for travelers to buy and use online, no physical SIM needed.

To help you have a clear picture of both types of Australian SIM cards, let’s see the comparison:

Aspect	Physical SIM Card	eSIM
Compatibility	Works on all devices	Only compatible with eSIM-enabled devices
Availability	Widely available at physical stores	Online purchase and activation
Convenience	Requires visiting a store	Fully digital process
Swapping	Requires physical SIM swap	Virtual swap without handling SIM cards

► Recommendation: If your phone works with eSIM and you just need to use calling apps and the internet, get an eSIM data plan. You can check the eSIM-compatible devices here.

III. Best Australia SIM Card Packages for Tourists and Price

Good to know: 1 AUD = 0.66 USD (May 2024)

Big mobile operators like Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone usually have the best deals and service coverage for prepaid SIM cards for many people traveling to Australia. Below are the tables including detailed information about each operator’s plans and prices.

1. Best Australia Telstra SIM Card Plans and Price

Plan	Data	Validity	Price (AUD)	Price (USD)
$10 plan	2GB	7 days	$10	$6.60
$30 plan	10GB	28 days	$30	$19.80
$40 plan	20GB	28 days	$40	$26.40
$50 plan	30GB	28 days	$50	$33
$60 plan	40GB	28 days	$60	$39.60
$150 plan	60GB	6 months	$150	$99
$300 plan	150GB	12 months	$300	$198

2. Best Australia Optus SIM Card Plans and Price

Plan	Data	Validity	Price (AUD)	Price (USD)
Optus Flex Plus	5GB	7 days	$12	$7.92
Optus Flex Plus	60GB	28 days	$12	$7.92
Optus Flex Plus	80GB	28 days	$17	$11.22
Optus Flex Plus	120GB	186 days	$160	$105.6
Optus Flex Plus	260GB	365 days	$260	$171.6

3. Best Australia Vodafone SIM Card Plans and Price

Plan	Data	Validity	Price (AUD)	Price (USD)
Prepaid Plus Starter Pack	45GB	28 days	$20	$13.20
Prepaid Plus Starter Pack	85GB	28 days	$30	$19.80
Prepaid Plus Starter Pack	65GB	28 days	$45	$29.70
Prepaid Plus Starter Pack	150GB	185 days	$119	$78.54
Prepaid Plus Starter Pack	240GB	365 days	$250	$165.00
Prepaid Plus Starter Pack	320GB	365 days	$320	$211.20

IV. Where to Buy a Tourist SIM Card for Australia?

Ways to buy Australia SIM cards include:

Buying online before departure
Buy physical SIM at Australian airports
Buy physical Australia SIM in the cities
Buying an eSIM

Here is a table with more details about each buying method:

Way of Buying	How to Do It	Where to Buy	Pros	Cons
1. Buying online before departure	Visit websites, choose & pay for the plan, and SIM will be delivered to your address in Australia.	Official websites (Telstra, Optus, etc)	Convenient & hassle-free. Can activate & use SIM right away	Limited choice. SIM may not arrive on time
2. Buy physical SIM at airports	Look for telco stalls at airports & purchase plan + SIM	Major airports like Sydney, Melbourne etc	Instant for use. Wide choice of plans	Limited choice of telcos. Extra cost for airport price
3. Buy physical SIM in the cities	Visit telco stores in cities & purchase plan + SIM	Telco stores, stores like 7-Eleven	Wide choice of plans & telcos. Can see SIM in person	Takes more effort than online. May not use SIM instantly
4. Buying an eSIM	Purchase an online plan with no physical SIM. Scan the QR code to activate	Gigago	Convenient activation. No physical SIM handling	Only compatible with modern devices.

► Recommendation: The best choice for travelers is to get an eSIM from a reliable retailer. With an eSIM, you can easily change networks and use different data plans when traveling. You won’t have to buy a new SIM card or deal with changing numbers.

V. How Much Data Is Enough for a Prepaid Tourist SIM Card for Australia?

Choosing the right data amount for your Australian trip depends on your internet usage habits. Let’s explore what different data amounts can offer!

What can you do with 1GB of data?

Browse the internet for about 12 hours
Use GPS navigation for about 5 hours
Send and receive 1,000 emails (without large attachments)
Stream about 200 songs
Watch about 2 hours of standard-definition video

Now, let’s find the perfect data package for you!

Heavy data users (streaming, gaming, video calls): 20GB or more
Medium data users (regular browsing, social media, some streaming): 10-20GB
Light data users (emails, maps, occasional browsing): 3-10GB

Matching data to your travel style:

Average tourist (sightseeing, using maps, social media): 5-15GB
Business traveler (emails, video calls, file downloads): 15-30GB
Sharing with other devices (hotspot): 20GB or more, depending on the number of devices and usage

Making the most of your data:

Think about your typical internet activities.
Consider the length of your trip.
Remember, you can often top-up your data if needed.

With the right data package, you can stay connected throughout your Australian adventure without any worries!

VI. Australia eSIM – Alternative to Physical SIM Cards to Get Internet in Australia

The Australia eSIM is like a digital SIM card that helps travelers use the internet easily in Australia. It’s super handy because you don’t need a physical SIM card, avoiding costly roaming fees. Plus, getting and using an eSIM is quick, saving money. You won’t need to look for a store, change SIM cards, or carry extra gadgets. It’s all about making your trip smoother!

Gigago eSIM is a provider that offers different plans, both data-only and data with call credits, catering to various needs. Here are some key points about Gigago:

Instant eSIM delivery via email
Easy activation process with a QR code
Competitive pricing for various data allowances and validity periods
24/7 customer support

For Australia, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 5 days with $10.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Australia eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $10.50 – $141.50 . Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Australia, there is always an option for you with Gigago

VII. Which Australia Mobile Networks Are The Best for Tourists?

Australia is a popular tourist destination, visiting places like Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, and many cities and attractions. With a lot of travel around the different areas of Australia, mobile connectivity is important for tourists. Here’s a breakdown of the top 3 mobile contenders.

1. Telstra

Rank: 1st in Australia
Coverage: 99.5% of populated areas, including regional and remote locations
Network: 3G, 4G, and 5G
Average Speed: 50 Mbps
Awards: Best Network Coverage (PCMag 2023)

2. Optus

Rank: 2nd in Australia
Coverage: 98.5% of populated areas, mainly focusing on major cities and towns
Network: 3G, 4G, and 5G
Average Speed: 45 Mbps
Awards: Best Value Mobile Network (Finder Mobile Awards 2023)

3. Vodafone

Rank: 3rd in Australia
Coverage: 96% of populated areas, primarily in urban and coastal regions
Network: 3G, 4G, and 5G
Average Speed: 35 Mbps
Awards: Most Improved Mobile Network (PCMag 2023)

Recommendation:

For travel in rural areas: Telstra has the best coverage, great for outside big cities.
For those on a budget: Optus has good prices and coverage in cities.
For city visits: Vodafone is cheap and works well in cities and coastal areas.

VIII. How to Use Australia SIM Cards and eSIM?

Sure, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to use prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs in Australia:

1. How to Use Australia SIM Cards?

Get a prepaid SIM with good data, call rates, and coverage for Australia.
Purchase the SIM before traveling or upon arrival.
Insert SIM to activate and follow on-screen instructions.
Use for calls, texts, and the internet.
Top up credit as needed.

2. Setting Up and Activating Australia eSIM

Check device eSIM compatibility.
Choose an eSIM plan based on data, call rates, and coverage.
Purchase eSIM from your provider before or upon arrival in Australia.
Set up eSIM using a QR code or provider instructions.
Once set up, use your device for calls and data in Australia.
Monitor data usage and top up your plan as needed.

IX. FAQs about Australia SIM cards

Do I need to unlock my phone to use Australia SIM cards?

Most likely yes, unless you purchased your phone directly from an Australian carrier. Check with your current carrier about unlocking your phone.

Do Australian SIM cards work for data in other countries?

Generally no, Australian SIM cards are intended for use within Australia. You’ll need to purchase a local SIM for other countries.

Do I need an Australian address to activate the SIM?

For prepaid SIMs, you generally don’t need an address. For postpaid plans, an Australian address is required for billing purposes.

X. Conclusion

Australia SIM cards make it easy for travelers to keep in touch while they’re visiting. You can buy prepaid SIM cards from big companies like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, choosing a data plan that fits what you need. With these SIM cards, you’ll get good service all over the country, letting you use the internet, make calls, and text without stressing about big roaming fees. Getting an Australia SIM card helps you enjoy your trip and stay in touch with people back home easily.