Getting a Singapore SIM Card When Traveling: Your Options and Where to Get Them

Jay Pagkatotohan

Jay Pagkatotohan

Last updated November 12, 2024

With its ultra-modern cityscapes, vibrant traditions, and delicious cuisine, Singapore is one of the most visited countries in Asia. It’s also a favorite travel destination among Filipinos, given its proximity and visa-free entry.[1]

If you’re flying to the Lion City soon, you may be wondering how you’ll stay connected with your loved ones here in the Philippines. You may consider your network provider’s roaming services, but they’re admittedly expensive. Fortunately, getting a Singapore SIM card when traveling is easy, saving you time, money, and effort. 

Read on to see your options. 


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Getting a Singapore SIM Card When Traveling: Your Top Options

getting a singapore sim card

Three leading telcos in Singapore provide tourists with an eSIM or a 5G SIM card. Check out and compare their packages: 

Singtel 

Singtel offers both physical SIM cards and eSIM cards. One highlight of these SIM cards is that they come with roaming data for select countries. 

4G and 5G Tourist SIM 

You can buy a Singtel physical SIM card at the official Singtel website[2] or at Singapore Changi Airport. Here are your options:

SIM Card

Price

Features

$12 4G Tourist SIM

S$12 or ₱530.07 at the time of writing 

  • 100GB data for 14 days
  • 3GB roaming data to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • 500 local call minutes and 100 local SMS
  • 30 minutes IDD calls

$18 4G Tourist SIM

S$18 or ₱795.11 at the time of writing 

  • 100GB data for 28 days
  • 3GB roaming data to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • 500 local call minutes and 100 local SMS
  • 30 minutes IDD calls

$30 5G Tourist SIM

S$30 or ₱1,325.18 at the time of writing

  • Unlimited* 5G data for 28 days
  • 5GB roaming data to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • Unlimited local calls and SMS
  • 90 minutes IDD calls
  • SIM card validity extendable when you top up on hi!App

$50 5G Tourist SIM

S$50 or ₱2,208.63 at the time of writing

  • Unlimited* 5G data for 28 days
  • 10GB roaming data to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • Unlimited local calls and SMS
  • 90 minutes IDD calls
  • SIM card validity extendable when you top up on hi!App
  • Comes with S$50 extra credits

Tourist eSIM

You can buy a Singtel eSIM on the official Singtel website. Check out your options:

eSIM 

Price

Features

$12 Tourist eSIM

S$12 or ₱530.07 at the time of writing

  • 100GB data for 14 days
  • 3GB roaming data to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand

$30 5G Tourist eSIM

S$30 or ₱1,325.18 at the time of writing

  • Unlimited* 5G data for 28 days
  • 5GB roaming data to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand

$50 5G Tourist eSIM

S$50 or ₱2,208.63 at the time of writing

  • Unlimited* 5G data for 28 days
  • 10GB roaming data to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand

*Subject to Fair Usage Policy

StarHub

If you’re thinking of getting a Singapore SIM Card when traveling, which you can use in different destinations across Asia Pacific, StarHub got you covered. Their offerings come with local and roaming data and 99% 5G coverage across Singapore. 

You can pre-order your 5G SIM card on the official StarHub website and collect it from one of the designated spots at Singapore Changi Airport.[3] 

Check out your options: 

SIM Card

Price

Features

Traveler 

S$12 or ₱530.07 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 14 days
  • 100GB local data
  • 500 minutes local calls
  • 100 local and international SMS
  • 30 minutes IDD calls
  • 3GB* roaming data across 20 APAC destinations**

Traveler+ (5G)

S$30 or ₱1,325.18 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 28 days
  • 100GB local data
  • 3,000 minutes local calls
  • 300 local and international SMS
  • 90 minutes IDD calls
  • 5GB* roaming data across 20 APAC destinations**

Traveler++ (5G)

S$50 or ₱2,208.63 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 28 days
  • 200GB local data
  • 4,000 minutes local calls
  • 500 local and international SMS
  • 200 minutes IDD calls
  • 10GB* roaming data across 20 APAC destinations**

*Data roaming for those visiting Myanmar is currently disabled until further notice.

**20 APAC destinations include Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

M1

M1 is another option for getting a Singapore SIM card when traveling. They offer both 5G SIM cards and eSIM services. You can get an M1 SIM card at M1 Shops[4] in Singapore, Singapore Changi Airport (Changi Meet & Greet, Changi Recommends, and Changi Airport FX Counters), select 7-Eleven and Cheers stores, and authorized M1 retailers within the island. 

Here are your options: 

SIM Card

Price

Features

$12 Tourist SIM (15 Days)

S$12 or ₱530.07 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 15 days
  • 100GB local data
  • 3GB roaming dataa
  • 500 minutes local calls
  • 100 local SMS
  • 30 minutes international calls
  • Also available in eSIM

$12 Tourist SIM (30 Days)

S$12 or ₱530.07 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 30 days
  • 150GB local data
  • 1GB roaming datab
  • 500 minutes local calls
  • 30 days unlimited incoming calls
  • 50 local SMS
  • 150 IDD 033 minutes (Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, and Bangladesh) / 25 IDD 033 minutes (Philippines and Myanmar)

$14 Tourist SIM

S$14 or ₱618.42 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 30 days
  • 3GB roaming dataa
  • 500 minutes local calls
  • 100 local SMS
  • 50 minutes international calls

$30 Tourist SIM

S$30 or ₱1,32.18 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 30 days
  • 150GB local data
  • 5GB roaming dataa
  • 3,000 minutes local calls
  • 1,000 local SMS
  • 90 minutes international calls

$14 SIM

S$14 or ₱618.42 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 30 days
  • 100GB local and roaming datac
  • 3GB roaming data (Bangladesh and Thailand)
  • 1GB roaming data (China and India)
  • 1,000 minutes local calls
  • 500 local SMS
  • 20 minutes international calls

$25 SIM

S$25 or ₱1,104.32 at the time of writing

  • Valid for 28 days
  • 84GB local and roaming data (3GB per day)c
  • 28 days unlimited incoming calls
  • 5,000 minutes local outgoing calls
  • 400 local SMS

aCan be used in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, and Thailand

bCan be used in Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Thailand

cCan be used in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan   

Singapore SIM Card- and Travel-Related FAQs

If you wish to learn more about buying a SIM card in Singapore or are just looking for helpful information for your upcoming trip, refer to the items below: 

1. Is the Internet connection in Singapore fast? 

Yes! According to Speedtest by Ookla, Singapore ranks 1st in the world in fixed broadband speeds and 11th in the world in mobile speeds for September 2024.[5] So, when you’re in the country, you have every assurance that you’re connected with your loved ones in the Philippines. 

When comparing the three telcos’ mobile experience, Opensignal has published interesting findings in May 2024: 

  • StarHub offers the most consistent experience in Singapore
  • Singtel offers the fastest 5G download and upload speeds
  • M1’s 5G is the most available

2. Where can I buy a Singapore SIM card for tourists? 

As mentioned above, you can get your eSIM or 5G SIM card on the provider’s official website. Nevertheless, you can buy it when you arrive at Singapore Changi Airport. Other alternatives include platforms like Klook and KKday. You may also find SIM cards at convenience stores like Cheers and 7-Eleven. 

3. What is a Singapore Arrival Card? 

The Singapore Arrival Card or SGAC is a requirement for all travelers entering Singapore. It is basically the electronic version of the disembarkation/embarkation form normally submitted by incoming travelers upon arrival. 

Note that the SGAC is not a visa, and you’re supposed to submit it within three days prior to the date of your arrival in Singapore. You can lodge a Singapore Arrival Card online application via SGAC eService[7] or MyICA mobile app.[8]

Read more: Prepare These Requirements for Travel Abroad Before You Fly Out

4. What is the Singapore Tourist Pass?

singapore sim card tourist pass

Singapore’s transportation system is reliable, quick, efficient, and clean. To make the most of it, you may want to get a Singapore Tourist Pass. 

This pass is a special EZ-Link card that lets you enjoy unlimited travel on Singapore’s basic bus services, MRT, and LRT trains within the card’s validity. 

There are two types of tourist passes:

Singapore Tourist Pass

Pass

Price

Features

1-Day Pass

S$17 or ₱750.94 at the time of writing

Unlimited rides on public transport for one day

2-Day Pass

S$24 or ₱1,060.14 at the time of writing

Unlimited rides on public transport for two days

3-Day Pass

S$29 or ₱1,281.01 at the time of writing

Unlimited rides on public transport for three days

Singapore Tourist Pass + Changi Recommends Bundle

Pass

Price

Features

3-Day Pass

S$48 or ₱2,120.29 at the time of writing

Unlimited rides on public transport including Xplore one-hour tour, postcards, and S$5 for Changi Travel Concierge Service; valid for three days

You can buy the Singapore Tourist Pass at automated kiosks at select MRT stations, select MRT Station Ticket Offices, Cheers stores, Travelex outlets at the airport, and select Prosegur Change Money Changer outlets. 

Meanwhile, you can buy the Singapore Tourist Pass + Changi Recommends Bundle at Changi Recommends counters at Singapore Changi Airport. 

Related: 

Final Thoughts

Getting a Singapore SIM card when traveling is easy, as there are many options from three leading Singapore telcos: Singtel, StarHub, and M1. A tourist SIM card from one of these companies is also a reliable travel buddy if you have onward trips within the region, thanks to its roaming services. 

Moreover, you don’t have to worry about getting a tourist SIM card. You can buy it online or at the airport. 

Avail of a travel insurance policy via Moneymax

Sources: 

Jay is a marketing communications professional who specializes in short-form and long-form content. He has written ads for TV, radio, print, and digital. He has also produced corporate blogs, magazine features, white papers, product listings, reviews, and press releases for clients here and abroad. When he’s not writing, Jay plays the piano or takes pictures for his visual diary. Follow Jay on LinkedIn.

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