How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Singapore?

Going on a trip to Singapore soon? You’re probably busy planning the last details of your itinerary. However, one practical thing you should also think about is how you’ll be getting around and communicating while you’re there.

To make your vacation more enjoyable, consider swapping your UK SIM for a Singapore SIM card. This will help you avoid additional expenses and also allow you to use translation apps and maps without having to rely on Wi-Fi.

Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. It can help you get ready for your stay in Singapore and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to Singapore from the UK?

Using a Singapore SIM card on your trip is a great way to save money. Most of the time, International calls and data usage aren’t included in UK monthly plans. So, it’s better to buy a local Singapore SIM card than to get charged extra by your provider for using your phone abroad.

A Singapore SIM will make it easier to stay in touch with your friends and family while you’re away. You’ll have better network coverage and be connected all day long, since you won’t have to rely on Wi-Fi. Also, having a local SIM card will allow you to use some travel essentials like translation apps and maps.

If you’re still not convinced you should get a local SIM card, you could rely on international roaming instead. Various networks, such as VOXI or Virgin Mobile, have global roaming packages that include Singapore. Others, like Tesco Mobile, Sky or Three, will have you pay roaming charges as you go.

How much does a SIM card cost in Singapore?

Singapore SIM cards are very affordable, especially considering the amount of data they come with. For example, the mobile operator M1 sells a 100 GB SIM card for around £7.

You can buy an eSIM at M1 for the same price as the physical SIM, but there are also some other unlimited data options. One of them is Holafly’s eSIM, which costs £5 daily, but less if you buy more days.

How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Singapore?¹

Getting a SIM card in Singapore is easy and straightforward. Besides buying them at official provider stores, you can also find them at supermarkets, convenience stores or gas stations. There’s even the option of ordering your SIM card online and having it delivered to your Singapore address.

When buying and registering a SIM card in Singapore, you’ll be asked to provide your passport. You’ll get a phone number and the store employees will activate your card right away. You can always pay with cash, but most likely also with your credit card or debit card.

Where can you buy a SIM card for Singapore in the UK?

You can buy a Singapore SIM card before leaving the UK, but you won’t have much to choose from and you’ll probably be overpaying. SimCorner has two options and both of them have 6 GB of data. One is valid for 15 days and it costs £29², while the other will last you 10 days and set you back £15³.

Can you buy a Singapore SIM card at the airport?⁴

You can get a Singapore SIM card as soon as you land. There are multiple selling points at Singapore Changi Airport, including kiosks and convenience stores.

Even if you have a late flight, you’ll be able to buy a SIM card in one of the stores that are open 24/7. This way, you won’t spend any money on international roaming.

Best prepaid SIM cards for Singapore

Here are some of the best SIM card options for a vacation in Singapore.

M1⁵

M1 has six SIM packages made for tourists. The £7 one is made for 15-day stays and it includes 100 GB of data. You also get 500 minutes of local calls, which might come in handy.

The other packages will last you from 28 to 30 days. The largest one costs around £17 and it has 150 GB of local data and 90 minutes of international calls.

Singtel⁶

Singapore’s biggest mobile operator has two 5G SIM cards created for short-term visitors. Both can be used for up to 28 days and you get unlimited local calls and SMS as part of the deal.

The SIM that costs £29 has 120 GB of data, while the one with 100 GB costs £17.

StarHub⁷

You can choose between three tourist SIM card packages at StarHub. The smallest one costs £7 and it includes 100 GB of data that will keep you covered for 10 days. If you plan on staying longer, the remaining two packages can be used for 30 and 180 days.

The first one costs around £18.5 and it has 100GB of local data and 3000 local minutes. If that’s not enough for you, the bigger, £29 package includes 120 GB of data and £29 of credit.

Best e-SIM cards for Singapore

Buying an eSIM is perhaps the most convenient way to avoid roaming costs. You can even buy one before leaving the UK and activate it when you arrive.

Don’t forget to check whether your phone is compatible with eSIMs in the first place. And if it is, here are some of the best eSIM cards for Singapore.

M1⁵

M1 has eSIM versions of their £7 Tourist SIM card and their £14.5 Prepaid SIM. The Tourist eSIM also has 100 GB of data which you can use during a 15-day period. On the other hand, the Prepaid SIM comes with 84 GB of data, which is 3 GB per day on average.

Airalo⁸

The well-known eSIM provider offers plans for Singapore and for Asia in general. They have six kinds of Singapore eSIMs which differ based on the number of data included and days of validity. Keep in mind that the prices listed on their website are in US dollars, not Singapore dollars.

The cheapest package has a 7-day validity period and 1 GB of data for $4.5. Their $6.50 option with 2 GB of data will last you 15 days. The rest of the eSIMs are 30-day packages and they cost between $8.5 and $26.

Holafly⁹

Holafly’s plans will make even the most passionate phone users happy. All of their packages have unlimited data and the price only depends on the number of days you buy.

Using Holafly’s Singapore eSIM for a day costs £5. However, if you get more days, the daily rate will become smaller. So, 10 days costs £29 and two weeks of usage will set you back £38.

You can share the data included in Holafly’s plans with others via hotspot. So, this can be a budget-friendly option if you split the costs with your friends or family.

Spend like a local in Singapore with Wise

While you’re picking a Singapore SIM card for your trip, you’ll also want to check out options for holiday spending.

The Wise card, from the money services provider Wise, is a convenient choice. Order a card for a one-time fee of £7, and you can spend and withdraw like a local in Singapore and 150+ more countries. You can also send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation, or the like while still in the UK.

With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Sign up for Wise today 💰

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 11-July-2024