Why should you buy a Singapore tourist SIM card?
A Singapore travel SIM card or eSIM can help you avoid high roaming fees and stay connected easily throughout your trip. The main benefits include:
Reliable mobile data around Singapore. A tourist SIM card allows you to stay online while sightseeing, using public transport, or traveling between your hotel and the airport.
Easy access to maps and Grab. You can check routes, find nearby attractions, and book rides without relying on free Wi-Fi.
Messaging and translation on the go. You’re able to use WhatsApp, email, translation apps, mobile tickets, and booking services whenever you need them.
Connectivity as soon as you arrive. A SIM bought in advance or a preinstalled eSIM for Singapore can connect your phone as soon as your plane lands at Changi Airport.
Less reliance on public Wi-Fi. Mobile data offers a more private connection than open networks in airports, hotels, and cafés.
If you’d rather not deal with a physical SIM card, downloading the Saily eSIM app is an easy alternative because you can install your eSIM before departure and connect soon after landing. International roaming through your usual carrier is another option, but it’s often less cost effective if you expect to use a lot of mobile data.
What are the best SIM card operators in Singapore?
The best Singapore tourist SIM card depends on your budget, the length of your stay, your expected data use, and whether you need calls, SMS, or regional roaming. Three of Singapore’s main mobile operators are Singtel, StarHub, and M1.
Singtel
Singtel offers prepaid and postpaid SIM cards with limited and unlimited data plans. The service provides 4G and 5G connections, covering almost the entire country. Its tourist plans may also include local calls and SMS, international call minutes, and roaming data. You can buy a prepaid tourist SIM from a Singtel shop, selected retailer, or participating convenience store.
StarHub
Like its competitors, StarHub provides so-called “tourist plans,” which include SIM cards with mobile data, calls, and text messaging options. Similar to Singtel, StarHub’s coverage spans the country, providing 4G and 5G connections. Physical tourist SIM cards and traveler eSIMs are available.
M1
M1 offers several tourist SIM and eSIM options based on the user’s needs. Its plans may include local data, regional roaming, calls, and SMS, with both short-stay and 30-day options available.
Where to buy a SIM card in Singapore
Frankly, getting a SIM card in Singapore is the same as getting a SIM card in almost any other country. You can either buy one online, buy one at the airport upon arrival, or visit a local convenience store. Each choice has its pros and cons, so the following breakdown explains why one option might be better for you.
Online, before departure
Buying your SIM online before your trip to Singapore is probably the most sensible option. In fact, many travelers get their prepaid tourist SIM cards before their trip, saving themselves time and the discomfort of having to explain to foreign shopkeepers exactly what they’re looking for.
To buy a SIM card online, you can look for options provided by major global travel agencies. Once you buy a SIM card online, you’ll have two choices — either have your SIM card sent to your home or pick it up at the airport before the flight. After receiving your SIM, install it in your phone, and you’ll be all set to use it once you touch down at Changi Airport.
Buying SIM cards online can also be a great option if you’re flying to multiple countries. Some regional travel SIM and eSIM data plans cover destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, and Malaysia. If the latter is also on your itinerary, learn more about how to get a SIM card for Malaysia.
At Singapore airport
If you prefer solving your problems as they occur, you can ditch the online SIM shopping and just get a SIM card once you arrive at your destination. Singapore’s Changi Airport prides itself on its interior and a “world-class shopping” experience, as its website puts it. So it only makes sense that such a place would have tourist SIM card shops, right?
Tourist SIM cards are available from Changi Recommends counters, selected convenience stores, money changers, and other authorized outlets across the airport’s four terminals. For more info on collection points and opening hours, check the Changi Airport guide.
Convenience store
Finally, if you’re not in any rush, you can visit an authorized convenience store. Selected 7-Eleven and Cheers outlets sell prepaid SIM cards in Singapore, making this a useful option if you need a quick and affordable connection after leaving the airport. However, help may be limited if you experience setup problems, so remember to take your passport and check that the retailer can register the SIM.
How much does a SIM card for Singapore cost?
Most tourist SIM plans from Singapore’s main mobile operators start at around S$10-12 (~US$7.70-9.30), although retailer-specific or promotional options may be cheaper. The price usually depends on the carrier, validity period, data allowance, and whether the plan includes outgoing calls, international calls, SMS, or roaming data. Airport and online promotions may also affect the final Singapore SIM card price.
Provider | Popular tourist plan | Key features | Price |
|---|
Singtel | hi! Tourist Plan, 30 days | 500 GB local and regional data (SG, MY, ID, TH, HK), 18 GB of APAC roaming, 8 GB of worldwide roaming, 600 IDD minutes, and unlimited local calls and SMS | S$15 (~US$11.50) |
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StarHub | 4G Tourist Plan, 30 days | 300 GB local data, unlimited local calls and SMS, plus regional roaming allowances | S$12 (~US$9.30) |
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M1 | Tourist SIM or eSIM, 15 days | 100 GB local data, 3 GB roaming in selected destinations, local calls, SMS, and international call minutes | S$12 (~US$9.30) |
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*Prices retrieved on July 15, 2026.
The main plans in the table start at S$12 (~US$9.30). M1 also lists a retailer-only S$10 (~US$7.70) tourist SIM, but availability and inclusions may vary. Singtel also has a S$10 (~US$7.70) option, but it’s limited to seven days.
The cheapest prepaid SIM card isn’t necessarily the best prepaid SIM card for your trip, so compare the validity period, mobile data allowance, calls, and roaming before choosing.
How to buy a SIM card in Singapore
Buying a tourist SIM card in Singapore is easy. However, buying a SIM in Singapore comes with a few extra requirements. Here’s what you should keep in mind when setting up your Singapore SIM.
Registration process
If you’re buying your SIM online, you’ll need to register for your SIM card. So don’t be surprised when the service asks you to provide your email address and a valid form of identification, such as your passport.
Mobile carriers have to collect this information to comply with local regulations requiring the registration of SIM cards for security purposes. After submitting your information, you’ll receive confirmation that your SIM card has been registered or activated.
A SIM registered with a passport may only remain valid for 30 days unless it is re-registered using an eligible Singapore-issued ID.
Required documents
If you buy your SIM at an airport or convenience store, you’ll likely be asked to provide your passport or another accepted form of ID. That’s another security measure allowing service providers to verify that you’re a tourist and comply with local regulations that require the registration of SIM cards to prevent misuse and fraud.
Setup process
After you get your SIM card, slide it into your phone and follow the instructions provided by your new mobile carrier. Make sure you have a SIM removal tool on you because you’ll need it to open your phone’s SIM card tray. After you complete the SIM installation, the service should be up and running, allowing you to access your mobile data.
If your phone supports dual SIM technology, you may be able to leave both lines active. Select the Singapore SIM for mobile data and turn off roaming on your usual line to avoid accidental data roaming charges.
Singapore SIM card options and alternatives
If you’re the undecided type, it can be hard to pick the best Singapore SIM card option. After all, prepaid SIMs, postpaid SIMs, and travel eSIMs differ in price, coverage, availability, connection limitations, and even security. To make your decision easier, we’ve looked at the pros and cons of each option.
Prepaid SIM card
Getting a prepaid SIM card is a convenient and simple choice. It’s an accessible option — you can find SIM card shops at the airport and local convenience stores or even get one online — and you usually don’t have to pay through the nose to get one.
However, you should be careful with your pick because prepaid SIM cards might not offer enough data for your needs. In addition, setting up a prepaid SIM may be a headache, especially if you get one that only provides installation instructions in a foreign language.
To understand the technology before you buy, read more about what a SIM card is.
Postpaid SIM card
Postpaid SIM cards may offer fewer data limitations than prepaid plans, but they can cost significantly more. They are generally better suited to residents and longer-term visitors, and you may need a local address, accepted payment method, Singapore-issued ID, or contract to sign up. For a short trip, a prepaid SIM card or eSIM is usually easier to arrange.
Singapore eSIM card (virtual card)
An eSIM card is a digital SIM built into a compatible device. It provides mobile data without requiring you to insert or replace a physical SIM card.
An eSIM is often more convenient than a physical card because you can buy and install it before departure, keep your usual SIM in your phone, and connect without searching for a store when you land. You also avoid the risk of losing or damaging a tiny SIM card. Learn more about the benefits of an eSIM and the differences between an eSIM and a physical SIM.
Many international travel eSIMs are data only, so they do not include a Singapore phone number or standard calls and SMS. You can still communicate through internet-based services such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Signal. That said, some providers are starting to bridge the gap — Saily, for example, now offers a US phone number add-on for calls and texts, which can be useful for 2FA verification or accessing services that require a real number.
What are the best eSIM providers in Singapore?
Common Singapore eSIM providers include Airalo, Holafly, M1, and Saily. M1 offers local tourist eSIMs, including plans with calls and SMS. Airalo provides fixed-data travel plans, while Holafly focuses on unlimited data packages priced by trip length. You can read an Airalo review or compare Saily vs. Holafly for more details.
For most travelers, Saily is the strongest all-around option. You can install your eSIM before departure, and your plan activates automatically when you arrive and connect to a supported network. On top of mobile data, it’s also one of the few travel eSIMs that lets you add a US phone number for calls and SMS.
You can also top up through the app, share your connection through a hotspot, access 24/7 support, and use built-in security features such as web protection, an ad blocker, and virtual location.
How much does an eSIM for Singapore cost?
An eSIM for Singapore can cost from around US$3.99 for a small fixed-data plan. Local operator packages and unlimited plans cost more, depending on their data allowance and duration.
Provider | Example Singapore eSIM plan | Price | Key details |
|---|
Saily | 1 GB for 7 days | From US$3.99 | Automatic activation, in-app top-ups, hotspot sharing, 24/7 support, and built-in security features |
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Airalo | Singapore plans | From US$4 | Fixed-data travel eSIM with online installation |
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Holafly | Unlimited data for 3 days | US$11.90 | Unlimited data package, with prices increasing according to trip length |
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M1 | Tourist eSIM with 100 GB for 15 days | S$12 (~US$9.30) | Local data, selected regional roaming, calls, SMS, and international call minutes |
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*Prices retrieved on July 15, 2026.
Saily offers competitive pricing if you mainly need maps, messaging, email, and everyday browsing. You can choose a smaller allowance instead of paying for an unlimited plan and top up through the app if you need more data. Prices and promotions can change, so check the provider’s website before buying.
How to use an eSIM card in Singapore
The exact eSIM setup process varies by provider, but the general steps are similar. We'll walk through it using Saily as an example. First, check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible. Then:
Choose a plan. Visit the Singapore plan page or download the Saily app and select the data allowance and validity period you need.
Install the eSIM before departure. Follow the instructions in the app or use the QR code sent after an online purchase while you still have a stable internet connection.
Select Saily for mobile data. Label the new line clearly and turn off mobile data roaming on your usual SIM.
Connect after landing. Turn on the Saily eSIM and enable data roaming for that line. The plan should activate automatically when it connects to a supported network.
Manage your data in the app. Check your usage and buy a top-up if you need more data during your trip.
It’s worth remembering that enabling roaming for a prepaid Saily eSIM won’t create charges beyond the plan you purchased. For more detailed instructions, see how to get an eSIM.
Stay connected in Singapore
A physical Singapore tourist SIM card can be useful if you need a local phone number, calls, or SMS. Singtel, StarHub, and M1 offer tourist plans, and you can buy them online, at Changi Airport, or from authorized retailers. However, you’ll need to register and insert the physical card before using it.
For a quicker and more flexible setup, Saily is the best choice for most travelers who need mobile data. You can install it before your trip, connect automatically after arrival, and manage your plan and top-ups in one app. Choose a Saily eSIM for Singapore and arrive ready to use maps, messages, bookings, and other online services.
