Singapore SIM card for tourists: Best providers and buying guide

The city-state of Singapore is home to unique adventures, such as visiting the Marina Bay Sands and connecting with old local cultures at the Kampon Golem or visiting Sentosa Island. From helping to locate your next experience with Google Maps to sending photos back home, you can’t miss using a Singapore SIM card.

With a tourist SIM card, you’ll get access to an internet connection with reliable local networks, phone calls, and text messages. But which is the best SIM card provider for Singapore?

Find a comparison of the best options, learn about prices and features, and discover alternatives to staying connected in Singapore with our detailed guide below.

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Local Singapore SIM card carriers

For its small size, Singapore has a large reputation for being technologically advanced. The country’s internet offerings are no exception, with Singtel, Starhub, and M1 representing three of the best carriers in the region.

All three of these local carriers offer prepaid SIMs for tourists, but which of their plans is the best SIM card for Singapore overall? 

Let’s dive into the pricing, features, pros, and cons to help you get the best possible mobile internet in Singapore.

Note: Other local carriers like SIMBA, Circles.Life, and GoMo are only available for locals, as they require a Singpass (National ID) upon purchase.

Singtel

Singtel offers five different data plans for tourists. These tourist SIM cards range from roughly $13.70 to $57.10 AUD.

Here’s what you need to know about these SIM cards:

• 4G and 5G networks are available
• 14 to 28 days of validity
• 100 GB of 4G plans and unlimited data with fair usage policy on 5G plans
• 500 local calls and 100 text messages on 4G SIM cards, unlimited local calls, and text messages on 5G SIM cards

Advantages of Singtel

• Works with 4G and 5G networks
• Easy to top-up using the hi!App for 5G SIM cards
• Includes roaming in Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia
• Unlimited data on 5G SIM cards

Disadvantages of Singtel

• Registering on the hi!App before landing in Singapore will limit SIM cards to data-only features

StarHub

StarHub offers three different tourist SIM card plans. These range from roughly $13.70 to $57.10 AUD.

Here’s what you’ll get with the Singapore prepaid SIM card from StarHub:

• 14 to 28 days of validity
• 500 to 4,000 minutes for local calls
• 100 to 500 text messages
• 100 GB to 200 GB of 4G/5G data
• 3GB to 10 GB of data roaming in APAC destinations

Advantages of StarHub

• Works with 100 GB and 200 GB data packages
• Connects with 4G and 5G networks 
• Available to pre-order on the StartHub website
• Roaming available at APAC destinations

Disadvantages of Hub

• Not available to purchase through the StarHub app
• No top-up available

M1 

The last option to get a tourist SIM card in Singapore is M1, which offers six different data plans. These range from roughly $13.70 to $34.25 AUD.

Here are the main features for M1 SIM cards:

• 84 GB to 150 GB 4G mobile data
• 15 to 30 days of validity
• 500 to 1,000 minutes of local calls
• 50 to 1,000 text messages 
• Data roaming on different APAC destinations

Advantages of M1 

• Includes roaming on APAC destinations
• Connects with M1 4G/LTE networks
• 84 GB to 150 GB data plans available
• Up to 30 days validity

Disadvantages of M1

• Not available to pre-order online 
• No unlimited data plans available 

Which is the best SIM card for Singapore?

Deciding which is the best SIM card for tourists in Singapore can be tricky, especially as the top physical card options all come from local carriers.

So, here’s a side-by-side comparison between Singtel, StarHub, and M1 to help you see which is the best option for staying connected during your trip to Singapore.

Where to buy a tourist SIM card in Singapore

Depending on the local carrier you plan to use, you can either purchase these before traveling or wait until you arrive at Changi Airport or downtown Singapore to buy one.

Buy online before you travel

It’s possible to buy a Singapore SIM card online, but you’ll most likely need to pick it up when you arrive. 

This means finding your way to the collection point without your SIM set up, resulting in a high chance of getting lost or having to pay excessive data roaming fees to access Google Maps.

You can get your SIM card online at:

• Singtel: Visit the Singtel website to browse their available SIM cards and then complete the purchase using the Pelago website, as Singtel doesn’t process purchases on its official website. You can collect your SIM at Changi Airport upon arrival or at a store in the city based on your chosen SIM.
• StarHub: Visit the StarHub site and choose your preferred travel SIM card for Singapore. Complete the purchase on their website and choose the venue/store where you’ll collect your SIM card.
• Amazon: To bypass the collection process, you can look at Amazon Australia and check the third-party vendors’ Singapore travel SIM cards. Keep in mind these are more expensive than local SIM cards and include a delivery fee.

Buy once you land in Singapore

The most convenient place to search for tourist SIMs in Singapore is at Changi Airport. However, you’ll also find physical SIM cards in convenience stores and physical shops throughout Singapore and at a potentially lower cost.

Specifically, SIM cards are available at:

• Changi Airport: Singtel, StarHub, and M1 stores are located throughout terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• Changi Recommends counters: You can visit a Changi Recommends counter and purchase your preferred tourist SIM card within the airport.
• Selected convenience stores: Only available for M1 and StartHub prepaid SIM cards at 7-Eleven and Cheers.
• Authorized retailers: Available for all local carriers throughout the Singapore city-state.
• Physical stores: These are available for all local carriers throughout Singapore. The carrier’s “Find Store” option will help you locate the closest one to you.

Requirements to get a tourist SIM card in Singapore

To get a tourist SIM card in Singapore, you’ll need a:

• Valid passport for purchasing online or in-store
• Unlocked phone to connect with local networks
• Valid credit card. StarHub doesn’t accept credit cards issued in India, just in case you have one.

Singapore eSIM: Unlimited data alternative for tourists

eSIM options are another alternative when traveling to Singapore, and local and international carriers offer these.

Singtel, StarHub, and M1 offer different eSIM packages for Singapore alongside their prepaid SIM cards. Still, there are better options since these data packages are more limited than SIM cards.

If you plan to purchase an eSIM, you’ll still need to use your passport to complete the purchase. But these are activated through the official carriers’ app or with a QR code.

So, let’s talk about Holafly, one of the best carriers to stay connected in Singapore with unlimited data.

Holafly eSIM for Singapore

One option to get a reliable Singapore tourist eSIM is Holafly. With our eSIMs, you get a hassle-free purchase experience using the website or mobile app, and you won’t need your passport or go to a physical store to purchase!

Holafly is a great alternative to avoid data roaming in Singapore, as it includes unlimited data plus data sharing on the available plans.

You can also choose the exact validity of the eSIM for your trip; there’s no need to pay more for data you won’t use. 

Lastly, your only requirement is an eSIM-compatible phone to get your Singapore eSIM!

Advantages and disadvantages of the Holafly eSIM

• Advantages:
  • Unlimited 5G data with the Singtel network
  • Choose the exact validity of your eSIM
  • 24/7 customer service in different languages
  • Data plans start at $9 AUD 
  • Automatic installation on iOS devices
  • Easy to activate by turning the “Roaming” option on while in Singapore
• Disadvantages:
  • Lacks phone calls, but thanks to the unlimited data is possible to use VoIP apps to make calls while in Singapore

SIM card vs. eSIM: Which one should you take on your trip to the Lion City?

Singtel, Starhub, and M1 are all reliable network carriers with a range of physical SIM offers for tourists. 

This said, waiting until you land in Singapore for a complicated purchase and collection process opens the door to other alternatives.

That’s where the Holafly eSIM for Singapore kicks in as an alternative. With a fully digital checkout process, you can wave goodbye to delivery fees, physical queues, and out-of-the-way pick-up locations.

Additionally, with unlimited data plans, data sharing, and up to 5G connections, you can share and stream until your heart’s content.

So, forget about carrying your passport everywhere to get a tourist SIM. Take your Holafly eSIM to get unlimited data on your trip!

Plans that may interest you

Singapore

From

$6.90

USD

China

From

$6.90

USD

Leoneska Ruiz

SEO Specialist Jr.

Hi! Leoneska here, your guide to traveling connected. I'm a Venezuelan SEO content specialist with over four years of experience sharing tips and tricks for using mobile internet while traveling and making the most of your adventures. At Holafly, I take care of providing reliable and high-quality information to travelers like you. I hope you enjoy my content and find it useful!

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