Best Australia SIM Cards for Tourists: Types, Where, How to Buy

Latest update: September 2024

Australia SIM cards are essential for tourists visiting the country, providing reliable connectivity and Internet access on the go affordably.

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 to save money and stay connected easily.

With an Australia SIM card, you will:

avoid roaming charges: using your home phone plan can be associated with expensive roaming bills. A local Australia SIM card offers a much cheaper way to call, text or use cellular data.
enjoy reliable connectivity with Australia’s 4G/5G networks: you can access to maps, travel apps, and stay in touch with people back home constantly and securely.
have multiple plan options to choose: Prepaid SIM cards for Australia help adjust data usage on your trip.

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

For travelers heading to Australia, there are different types of SIM card options based in format, features, and more.

1. Prepaid Physical SIM Card vs. eSIM for Australia

You can buy prepaid SIM cards for Australia online, at airports, or in stores in Australia. This type of SIM requires inserting and swapping the card. You also need to remove your primary SIM if your phone has only one SIM slot.

On the other hand, Australia eSIM are sold online and can be installed and activated digitally. You just need to pick your desired plan for Australia, pay, and receive eSIM plan information via email after 5-10 minutes. Then, scan the QR code sent in the email and have your eSIM activated upon landing in Australia.

However, eSIM only works in eSIM-compatible devices, which are listed here.

2. Data only vs. data with voice and text SIM plans

Data only are often cheaper than the plan with voice and text. However, you can still stay connected with other people using voice apps like Skype or WhatsApp.

Plans with voice and text come with phone number, allowing you to make calls and send texts with a fixed amount.

3. Local SIM cards vs. International SIM cards (roaming SIM cards)

If you are planning to stay in Australia in long term, then choose a local Australia SIM card with a local phone number to call and text traditionally.

But, if you only travel Australia in a short trip, choose international SIM cards, also known as roaming SIM cards, which are often data only and come without phone number.

► 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. How much does a SIM card cost in Australia?

The prices of a SIM card in Australia depends on the volume of data and the plan validity period.

There are fixed SIM plans and unlimited data only plans.

How much data you should get for Australia travel?

As a tourist, you should choose a plan with data amount starting from 3GB to use basic apps and carry out usual activities like navigating Google Maps, using email and text, web surfing, using Facebook, etc.
If you need to do music streaming, online gaming, watching YouTube, video streaming,... you may need at least 20GB of data.

IV. Best Australia SIM Card Packages for Tourists

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

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

04 main 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.

VI. Australia eSIM – Alternative to Physical SIM Cards

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 ls. With a lot of travel around the different areas of Australia like Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, and many other cities, mobile connectivity is important for tourists. You should choose the suitable mobile network that works strong in your destination or that fit your preference (coverage, speed, signals, plan options, or price).

Here’s a breakdown of the top 3 Australian mobile network operators: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone.

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)

► Our 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. 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.

IX. 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.