Best Singapore SIM Cards for Tourists

Buying a SIM card to prepare for a Singapore trip is needed to stay connected during the trip. You still need to contact your own world: family back home, friends or relationships on internet platforms. Because roaming fees are high and free WiFi is not stable, prepaid Singapore SIM cards will be a perfect alternative.

 Below we will persuade you why this is the best choice for your abroad journey.  

I. Where to buy a Singapore SIM Card for Convenience and Cheap Price? 

We recommend 04 ways you can find a SIM card which is up to your requirements: 

1. Before departure

• Buy at physical stores that provide travel SIM cards
• Or order online on websites selling travel SIM cards, wait for the delivery person to come to your home.

2. At airports

• Every international airport can offer these cards. The price including prepaid calling credit and data is often at $15-30, more or less. 
• A caution you need to keep in mind is SIM cards sold at airports are always more expensive from 20% to 30% compared to those sold in the city center. The option to choose is also limited. 

3. In convenience stores, supermarkets or gas stations after arrival 

• Some popular brands are Walmart, Walgreens and 7-Eleven. 
• But in these places you have to activate the SIM card by yourself. Consider carefully before buying in these stores.

4. Through online

• You can choose prestigious online websites that provide travel SIM for tourists. They have prepaid physical and virtual one. Online stores like Gigago, Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart are good places for your search.
• But you must have an address for delivery. 

► Our recommendation:

Among these ways, buying online before departure is the most convenient, because  you will be more proactive with your plans and don’t need to worry about language barriers. 

II. What Are The Best SIM Cards for Tourists?

Singapore has 03 major network carriers, which are M1, StarHub, and Singtel.

Here are plans of these mobile network operators for travelers to Singapore:

Operator	Plan name	Price range	Data	Validity
M1	Bespoke Flexi, SIM-only Plans	$20 – $80 per month	500Mbps, 1Gbps, 2Gbps, GamePRO 1Gbps	30 days
StarHub	SIM-only Plans	$25 – $100 per month	30GB – 300GB	30 days
	Phone Plans	$30 – $120 per month	Varies depending on the plan	Varies depending on the plan
	Prepaid Plans	$8 – $50	2GB – 100GB	7 – 28 days
Singtel	Combo Plans	$20 – $95 per month	10GB – 200GB	100 – Unlimited
	SIM-only Plans	$20 – $95 per month	100 – Unlimited	28 days
	Prepaid Plans	$8 – $50	1.5GB – 10GB	5 – 30 days

III. Do I Need to Buy a SIM Card for Singapore Travel?

YES. While traveling outside your home country, you have to pay attention to a fee called roaming charges. They are additional fees incurred when a mobile phone user connects to a foreign network. These charges apply to voice calls, text messages, and data usage, often resulting in higher costs compared to domestic rates.

Then, let’s take a simple math calculation: 

Roaming charges would set you back about $10 a day, depending on your current mobile network operator. So, for example, your 5-day trip would have cost $50 for contacting.

But a SIM card with a basic calling plan in Singapore costs just $5 per day and you can text messages, call within Singapore and use WiFi.

Many travelers are doing the math when they plan international trips. They’re weighing the convenience of a calling plan against the savings of a SIM card. So when should you use a SIM and when should you use a calling plan? And are they your only options? 

Here are some ways to stay in touch when you pay a trip to Singapore: 

Forms	Features	Price	Reliability	Coverage	Convenience
Roaming	Use the current SIM to roam and connect to the Singapore network.	HIGH:Higher costs, including additional fees and charges.	MEDIUM:Depend on your operators.	VARIES: Depend on your home network and agreements with local carriers	MEDIUM:Not all network operators in your home country have connection and cooperation contracts with Sing network operators
SIM cards	Use a tourist SIM from your local country	MODERATEHave many options with different data and credit for your requirements	HIGH: Use local mobile networks, ensuring a stable and consistent connection	WIDE:Offer extensive coverage as they use local networks, allowing you to stay connected in various locations	HIGH: Be easy to obtain and use.
Free wifi	Use public Wifi in Singapore such as cafes, restaurants, malls,…	FREE:Free but limited, and some places may require purchases	LOW: Be available in certain places, but it can be unpredictable and may not cover all areas	LIMITED: Be limited to specific areas like cafes or tourist spots.	LOW:Require to search for hotspots, and the connection may not always be seamless.

IV. What to Prepare to Buy Prepaid SIM cards in Singapore?

When buying a prepaid SIM card in Singapore, you need to bring your passport. The store will copy your passport page for registration. The SIM card will be registered under your name and passport number. You’ll receive a physical SIM card with a phone number starting with +65.

V. What Types of Singapore SIM Cards Are Available For Tourists?

Simply, we can split SIM cards into two types: prepaid Singapore SIM cards and Singapore eSIMs. Both of them also provide two choices: “data-only” option and “data with voice and text” option.

1. Prepaid Singapore SIM Cards

• A new physical SIM card will be inserted into the phone. This allow travelers to have a new phone number and connect into singapore network 
• Advantages: Have various options with affordable prices as prepaid SIMs are widely supported. 
• Disadvantages: 
  • Risk of losing or damaging the main SIM card and travelers may need to purchase a replacement. 
  • Furthermore, one phone only uses one SIM, (if the phone has one SIM card slot)

2. Prepaid eSIMs

• eSIM is a digital SIM profile that is embedded directly into your device. No physical SIM card is needed.
• Advantages: 
  • You can easily connect to multiple carriers and plans directly
  • Quick and convenient to set up since there is no waiting for a physical SIM to arrive or inserting it.
  • Use 2 SIMs at the same time (or 1 physical +1 eSIM or 2 eSIMs The main SIM remains on the phone, no need to remove it.
  • You can install multiple plans/packages on the same phone, but you are only allowed to activate 1 or 2 packages at a specific time depending on the device type as mentioned above.
• Disadvantages: Devices must be compatible. Not all phones support eSIMs yet.

► Our recommendation: If you have a mobile device which is compatible with eSIMs, choose this option. eSIM includes all advantages and also upgrades many functions to solve the drawback of physical SIM cards. See a detailed list of eSIM equipped devices.

VI. Singapore eSIM – Alternative to Physical SIM Cards to Get Internet

Besides some popular ways (such as portable wifi, roaming, physical SIM cards) to keep in touch with others while traveling, eSIM has emerged as a perfect alternative to the inconveniences of the above forms thanks to scientific and technological advances. 

Below are some superior benefits of eSIM that you should take consideration: 

• Convenient for installation: With eSIM, you just need a QR code to get one. No need to disassemble. Therefore, no risk of losing the main SIM
• Easier to switch networks: Instead of inserting a new SIM into your phone, you can switch to a different network quickly as up to five virtual SIM cards can be stored on one eSIM at a time. You also won’t need to go hunting for a SIM ‘ejector tool’ to remove the old SIM from your phone.
• Have more than one SIM: eSIMs also offer the same advantages as dual-SIM phones with two slots for traditional plastic SIMs, the most obvious being that you can have two phone numbers on one device.

And if you are wondering which supplier can provide quality and reliable eSIMs for your trip to Singapore, we recommend Gigago as the No.1 eSIM service provider based in Hong Kong. Gigago offers a unique range of data-only and combined data & call credit plans, which start from a 5-day plan with 1GB per day for $5. They also have 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day plans ranging from 1GB to 50GB of total data, or 1GB to 3GB per day, with prices from $5 up to $89.50.

Besides competitive price, choosing Gigago Singapore eSIM, you can reap the following additional benefits:

• Easy online purchase and activation process.
• Multiple payment options, including PayPal.
• 24/7 customer support via chat and email.

VII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Singapore?

The duration of a tourist SIM card in Singapore depends on the top-up amount. For example:

• A top-up of $2 to $4 grants 15 days of validity.
• A top-up of $5 to $9 extends the validity to 60 days.
• A top-up of $10 to $16 provides 90 days of validity.
• Any top-up of $17 and above also offers 90 days of validity.

Therefore, the length of time a tourist SIM card lasts in Singapore can range from 15 to 90 days, depending on the top-up amount.

VIII. How to Use Singapore Prepaid SIM Cards and eSIM

1. Using prepaid Singapore tourist SIM Cards

These are some steps to buy a SIM card you should take into consideration:

Firstly, Make sure your phone is unlocked. 

• The most important thing you have to check before buying a new SIM card is whether your phone is already unlocked. You can contact your carrier and make clear if your phone is tied to a particular network. Then, if the answer is yes, ask your carrier to unlock for you. 
• Another solution is buying an inexpensive device to contact while having a trip abroad. These devices are often unlocked and you can buy them in your hometown or destination countries. 

Secondly, choose where to buy and which plans is up to your requirements 

Lastly , Set up SIM cards. 

• You totally can ask clerks to set up the card for you. It is usual service in any store ( except for some kinds of stores I said above).  

2. Setting up and activating Singapore eSIM 

Setting up and activating your Singapore eSIM is relevantly easy ! Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you connected:

Before you buy:

• Check Compatibility: Make sure your phone supports eSIM. Most recent iPhone and Android models do, but you can check the manufacturer’s website or your phone settings to be sure.
• Choose your eSIM: Decide on a data plan that suits your needs and purchase it online from a trustworthy provider like Gigago. They offer various tourist eSIM plans with different data allowances and validities.
• Receive your eSIM: You’ll receive an email with the eSIM profile, usually in the form of a QR code or activation codes. Save it carefully!

Setting up your Singapore eSIM:

• Connect to Wi-Fi: Before activating your eSIM, it’s recommended to connect to a Wi-Fi network to avoid data charges during setup.
• Open Settings: Locate your phone’s Settings app and navigate to the “Mobile Data” or “Cellular” section.
• Add eSIM: Look for an option like “Add Cellular Plan” or “Add eSIM”.
• Choose Activation Method: You’ll usually have two options:

Scan QR Code: Select this if you received a QR code in your email. Scan it with your phone’s camera.

Enter Details Manually: Choose this if you received activation codes. Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code provided in the email.

• Follow Prompts: Your phone will guide you through the remaining installation steps, which may involve downloading a carrier profile and confirming the plan details.
• Restart your phone: Once the installation is complete, restart your phone for the eSIM to activate.

IX. FAQs