Singapore tourist SIMs: Everything you need to know

By Hannah Geremia

Last updated 21 May 2025

Contents

In this guide:

How to order a tourist SIM
Which providers offer tourist SIMs?
Tourist SIM FAQs

When you’re travelling the globe, staying connected is essential. Whether you’re navigating the backstreets of a new city, boasting about your new experiences on social media, or sharing your favourite foodie spots, a SIM card that meets your needs is a necessity. Not only are tourist SIMs secure and convenient, but they’ll also save you from racking up a small fortune on roaming charges.

While in Singapore, you’ll need a SIM card or eSIM if you want access to the country’s cellular or data network. Several mobile operators, like Singtel, M1, StarHub, and eight offer flexible and affordable options based on your needs.

Before we get into it, here's a quick look at some of the cheapest tourist eSIMs on offer:

#1	Eight	Eight 228GB Tourist eSIM 228GB data on StarHub network No Calls Included $8 Starter Pack 30 Day Expiry Go	$8 Starter Pack 30 Day Expiry	Go
#2	M1	M1 100GB Tourist eSIM 100GB data M1 4G network 500 Minutes 100 Messages $12 Starter Pack 15 Day Expiry Go	$12 Starter Pack 15 Day Expiry	Go
#3	Singtel	Singtel $12 Tourist eSIM 100GB data Singtel 4G network No Calls Included $12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry Go	$12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry	Go
#4	StarHub	StarHub $12 Traveler Data eSIM 100GB data Network: M1 No Calls Included $12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry Go	$12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry	Go

How to order a tourist SIM

You can purchase a physical tourist SIM before your departure and have it sent directly to your home, or have it sent to the airport or your hotel for you to collect once you land. Alternatively, you can choose a SIM from the variety of retailers in Changi Airport, or convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Cheers, or opt for an eSIM, which can be installed immediately.

Most travellers grab their tourist SIM before they leave for their trip. It's the most convenient option, especially if you want to avoid searching for SIM card merchants right after your flight. Some providers, like M1, almost exclusively offer physical SIM cards. Your best bet is to book a collection at Changi Airport or choose an eSIM.

If you’re after a StarHub SIM, you can find them at the UOB Currency Exchange Counter or the Travellers Counters in Terminal 1 or 3. You can also check StarHub’s list of authorised retailers.

Singtel tourist SIMs can be purchased at the Changi Airport Travelex, UOB Currency Exchange Counter, or at Changi Recommends. As for M1 tourist SIMs, head to Changi Recommends, the ChangiFX counters, or Changi Meet and Greet in Terminal 1-4.

How to register a tourist SIM

If you’re purchasing your SIM online, you may need to register your SIM. Even if you're purchasing a tourist SIM in-store, you’ll still be asked to register your SIM. To do this, you’ll need to present your email and a valid ID, like your passport, when you go to check out. This is a security measure taken to verify that you’re a tourist and to prevent the misuse or reselling of SIM cards.

Once your SIM has been registered, slide the card into your phone, and keep an eye out for a link sent via email or SMS by your new provider. Click the link to complete the registration and finish setting up your tourist SIM. You now have access to the Singapore cellular or data network, depending on your chosen plan.

Which providers offer tourist SIMs?

There are plenty of providers that offer connectivity to those travelling to Singapore, or leaving their homeland for abroad.

Singtel tourist SIMs

Singtel offers three options when it comes to travel eSIM plans, all of which are data-only (meaning no calls or texts are included):

#1	Singtel	Singtel $12 Tourist eSIM 100GB data Singtel 4G network No Calls Included $12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry Go	$12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry	Go
#2	Singtel	Singtel $30 5G+ Tourist eSIM Unlimited data Singtel 4G network No Calls Included $30 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry Go	$30 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry	Go
#3	Singtel	Singtel $50 5G+ Tourist eSIM Unlimited data Singtel 4G network No Calls Included $50 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry Go	$50 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry	Go

They also have a few options if you’re after a physical SIM card.

Singtel $12 4G Tourist SIM: 14-day duration, 100GB of 4G data, 3GB roaming data (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand), 500 local call minutes, 100 local SMSes, 30 IDD minutes.
Singtel $18 4G Tourist SIM and Transport Card: 28-day duration, 100GB of 4G data, 3GB roaming data (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand), 500 local call minutes, 100 local SMSes, 30 IDD minutes.
Singtel $30 5G+ Tourist SIM: 28-day duration, unlimited 5G data, 5GB roaming data (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand), unlimited local calls, unlimited local SMSes, 90 IDD minutes.
Singtel $50 5G+ Tourist SIM: 28-day duration, unlimited 5G data, 10GB roaming data (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand), unlimited local calls, unlimited local SMSes, 90 IDD minutes.

M1 tourist SIMs

It's also worth noting that M1 primarily offers physical tourist SIMs. They do offer one tourist eSIM, which you’ll find detailed below.

100GB Tourist eSIM

100GB data
M1 4G network
500 Minutes
100 Messages

$12

Starter Pack

15 Day Expiry

$12

Starter Pack

15 Day Expiry

M1 offers six physical tourist SIM plans in total, of which four can be purchased online and at brick-and-mortar retailers, while the remaining two are only available for purchase at M1 stores. Here's a rundown of each plan:

M1 Tourist 100GB SIM: $14 for 30 days, 100GB data (for use in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan), 3GB roaming data (for use in Bangladesh and Thailand), 1GB roaming data (for use in China and India), 1,000 local minutes, 500 local SMSes, 20 IDD minutes.
M1 Tourist 100GB SIM: eSIM available, $12 for 15 days, 100GB data (for use in Singapore), 3GB roaming data (for use in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau & Thailand), 500 local minutes, 100 local SMSes, 30 IDD minutes.
M1 Tourist 150GB SIM: $30 for 30 days, 150GB data (for use in Singapore), 3GB roaming data (for use in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan), 3,000 local minutes, 1,000 local SMSes, 90 IDD minutes.
M1 Tourist 168GB SIM: $25 for 28 days, 168GB data (for use in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan), 3GB roaming data for use in (Bangladesh, China, India and Thailand), 200 IDD minutes (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand), unlimited incoming calls, 5,000 minutes outgoing local calls, 400 SMSes.
M1 Tourist 300GB SIM (retailer-only offer): $12 for 30 days, 300GB data (for use in Singapore), 11GB roaming data for use in (Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Thailand), 500 minutes local outgoing calls, unlimited incoming calls, 50 local SMSes, 300 IDD minutes (Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, China), 150 IDD minutes (Indonesia), 30 IDD minutes (Myanmar, Philippines).
M1 Tourist 150GB SIM (retailer-only offer): $14 for 30 days, 150GB data (for use in Singapore), 3GB roaming data for use in (Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand), 500 minutes local outgoing calls, 100 local SMSes, 50 IDD minutes.

StarHub tourist SIMs

StarHub offers three tourist SIM plans, starting at $15, for 14 and 28-day durations. StarHub offers both eSIMs and physical SIMs that can be collected once you land in Changi Airport, the only difference being that the eSIM plans do not include calls and texts, while the physical SIMs do. Here's a look at the eSIM plans:

#1	StarHub	StarHub $12 Traveler Data eSIM 100GB data Network: M1 No Calls Included $12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry Go	$12 Starter Pack 14 Day Expiry	Go
#2	StarHub	StarHub $30 Traveler+ Data eSIM Unlimited data StarHub 4G network No Calls Included $30 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry Go	$30 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry	Go
#3	StarHub	StarHub $50 Traveler++ Data eSIM Unlimited data StarHub 4G network No Calls Included $50 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry Go	$50 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry	Go

And below is a breakdown of StarHub's physical tourist SIM plans:

StarHub Traveller 5G: $15 for 14 days, 100GB local data, 500 minutes local calls, 100 local and international SMSes, 30 IDD minutes, 3GB roaming data (20 APAC destinations).
StarHub Traveller+ 5G: $30 for 28 days, 100GB local data, 3,000 minutes local calls, 300 local and international SMSes, 90 IDD minutes, 5GB roaming data (20 APAC destinations).
StarHub Traveller++ 5G: $50 for 28 days, 150GB local data, 4,000 minutes local calls, 500 local and international SMSes, 200 IDD minutes, 10GB roaming data (81 destinations).

eight tourist SIMs

It's not just the big three providers that offer tourist SIMs. eight, an MVNO that runs on the StarHub 4G network, offers two tourist eSIM plans. While these plans doesn't offer 5G access or physical SIM cards, they make up for it with very generous data allowances.

#1	Eight	Eight 228GB Tourist eSIM 228GB data on StarHub network No Calls Included $8 Starter Pack 30 Day Expiry Go	$8 Starter Pack 30 Day Expiry	Go
#2	Eight Editor's Pick	Eight Editor's Pick 588GB Tourist eSIM 588GB data on StarHub network No Calls Included $18 Per 30 Day Renewal Go	$18 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go

Tourist SIM FAQs

Where can you buy a tourist SIM in Singapore?

You can purchase a tourist SIM at the Changi Airport in Singapore. Check out the UOB Currency Exchange Counter, Changi Airport Travelex, Changi Recommends, and the Travellers Counters in Terminal 1 or 3. You can also check StarHub, M1, and Singtel’s list of authorised retailers.

Alternatively, most providers allow you to purchase a tourist SIM at selected local convenience stores, like 7-Eleven and Cheers.

Can you pick up a tourist SIM at the airport?

You can purchase a tourist SIM before your departure and have it sent directly to your doorstep. If you’d prefer, you can also have it sent to the airport or your hotel to collect once you land.

Do you need your passport to purchase a tourist SIM?

To take advantage of tourist SIMs in Singapore, you’ll need to register your SIM. This helps to prove your status as a tourist. Just provide your passport or another valid form of identification when you go to check out. Your SIM will be registered along with your name and passport number. Now you’re free to explore the city with data in your pocket.

What’s the price of a tourist SIM card in Singapore?

The price of tourist SIM cards can vary between carriers, inclusions, and locations. For most providers, you can expect to pay between $12 and $50. If you purchase a SIM directly from Changi Airport, you might end up paying more than you would if you ordered ahead of time.

Should I get a postpaid or prepaid tourist SIM?

There are pros and cons to both prepaid and postpaid SIMs. Tourist SIMs operate on a prepaid basis. They’re the most accessible and affordable option, and you can find them just about anywhere. Local convenience stores and SIM card shops at Changi Airport sell mostly prepaid SIMs.

Even though postpaid SIMs can offer comparable amounts of data, they are more likely to include calls, SMSes, and other benefits like roaming data and IDD minutes. However, if you’re only visiting on a short-term basis, they can end up costing you more than a tourist SIM would.

If you’re planning on staying a couple of months or more and want better value, consider a postpaid SIM-only plan.

Do you need a tourist SIM?

A tourist SIM is the best way to gain access to Singapore’s data network. Public Wi-Fi is insecure, and roaming charges can quickly skyrocket. Between maps, social networks, and accessing your finances, we can’t recommend tourist SIMs enough.