Best Prepaid Sim Cards For Singapore (Stay Connected)
If you are planning on heading to Singapore then you are probably wondering about the best way to stay connected while you are there.
We all know that relying on data roaming is far too expensive, so what are your other options? You have the choice of grabbing an eSim if you can find the best prepaid sim card Singapore has to offer.
However, finding a good prepaid sim card for Singapore is not as easy as you think which is why I am here to help. Join me as I run through the best prepaid sim cards for Singapore so that you can find the right one for your needs.
Starhub
Starhub is the second largest mobile operator in Singapore and with one of their prepaid sim cards, you will have excellent coverage as well as quick connection speeds to boot.
You can buy Starhub prepaid sim cards in a lot of places from the airport to convenience stores and at the airport when you arrive. You can even pre-order your prepaid sim card and collect it at the airport when you arrive.
Starhub has a special local prepaid sim card for tourists and your Starhub prepaid sim card options are as follows:
- 10 days/100GB local data/ 1GB roaming data (17 destinations)/1000min local outgoing calls/ 100 local SMS – $12 SGD ($8.99 USD)
- 30 days/100GB local data/3GB roaming data (17 destinations)/3000min local outgoing calls/5000 local SMS/Unlimited data for social messaging – $32 SGD ($23.96 USD)
- $50 Credit for 180 days/30-Day 120GB local data 30-Day 5GB* roaming data (17 destinations – $50 SGD ($37.44 USD)
As you can see the Starhub prepaid tourist sim card options are pretty great. You have long and shorter-term options, you get a lot of data for an affordable price, and you even get roaming data that works in the following countries.
Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Pros
- Great coverage
- Fast speeds
- Excellent plans to choose from
- Lots of data
- Affordable
- Comes with roaming data
Cons
- None I can find
Singtel
Singtel is the largest mobile operator in Singapore and they provide excellent coverage all over the country as well as fast 5G connections everywhere.
Singtel offers similar prepaid sim cards to Starhub in the form of prepaid tourist sim cards. You can also pre-order a prepaid tourist sim card online and conveniently collect it at the airport when you arrive.
Here are the current Singtel prepaid sim cards available and they all come with unlimited access to Facebook, LINE, WeChat, and WhatsApp.
- 14 days/100GB data/3GB roaming data/500 local mins/100 local sms – $12 SGD ($8.99 USD)
- 28 days/100GB data/3GB roaming data/500 local mins/100 local sms – $15 SGD ($11.98 USD)
- 28 days/100GB data/5GB roaming data/unlimited local mins/unlimited local sms – $30 SGD ($22.47 USD)
- 28 days/120GB data/10GB roaming data/unlimited local mins/unlimited local sms – $50 SGD ($37.44 USD)
All of the prepaid sim card Singapore options above are excellent value in my eyes. You have more than enough data and you can choose a plan that suits your needs/trip length, plus they all come with roaming data too.
Pros
- Great coverage
- Fast 5G connection
- Good value
- Lots of plans to choose from
- Comes with roaming data
- Match a plan to your trip length
- Pre-order for airport collection
Cons
- None I can find
SIMBA
SIMBA, once TPG Mobile Singapore, is the smallest mobile operator in Singapore but despite this still has excellent coverage and fast 4G/5G connections for its customers.
SIMBA only offers one prepaid sim card for Singapore, which does limit one’s options a tad, but luckily it is pretty much a do-everything prepaid sim card that is more affordable than all the others featured. Here it is:
- 30 days/100GB/Unlimited Calls/Unlimited SMS to SIMBA numbers/30 Local SMS/1GB roaming data – $10 SGD ($7.49 USD)
This plan gives you more than enough data and calls for a stay in Singapore, and since it is cheaper than all the others, it doesn’t matter that it lasts 30 days. It is ideal for a short or long trip either way.
Pros
- Most affordable prepaid sim card
- Excellent amount of data
- Great coverage
- Fast 4G/5G connections
- Good plan for long stays
Cons
- Only one prepaid sim card to choose from
M1 Singapore
M1 Singapore is the third largest mobile operator in Singapore and like all the others provides excellent coverage and fantastic 4G/5G speeds.
M1 Singapore offers a few prepaid sim card options for Singapore but only 2 of them are worth looking at. Here are your local sim card options with M1.
- 28 days/150GB (4GB/day + 38GB)/5,000 local mins/600 Local SMS – $27 SGD ($20.22 USD)
It also comes with up to 1,000 IDD 033 mins (Bangladesh 400 mins / India 1,000 mins / China 1,000 mins / Indonesia 200 mins / Philippines 80 mins / Malaysia 500 mins). This is ideal if you are doing business in the region and need to make local calls.
- 28 days/56GB (2GB/day)/5,000 local mins/1,000 Local SMS – $25 SGD ($18.72 USD)
As you can see, these are both great prepaid sim card plans but they are a little more expensive than other providers. Also, they limit your data usage per day which is quite annoying
Pros
- Good coverage
- 4G/5G connections
- Lots of data
- Unlimited local calls
Cons
- A little more expensive than others
- Only 2 prepaid sim card plans to choose from
- Data usage limited per day
Is A Sim Card Essential When Traveling to Singapore?
I would say that a sim card is essential when traveling to Singapore or anywhere these days. We rely on our phones so much that not being connected while you explore Singapore probably isn’t an option.
Having a prepaid sim card will allow you to call taxis, make bookings, stay in touch with home, use navigation apps, request Ubers, and lots more. There is also a safety element to think about, I know I feel safer in new places knowing I can make a call or send a message any time I need.
Also, the fact that you can be connected for close to a month in Singapore for about $10 USD with a prepaid sim card means it is very affordable.
Things to Know Before Buying A Sim Card in Singapore
Is Your Phone Unlocked?
In order to use any sim cards abroad you will need your phone to be unlocked from you mobile provider at home. Chances are, your phone is already unlocked but to be sure, call your local provider and ask.
If they say that it is locked, ask them to unlock it, it should only take a few mins.
Are You Using A GSM Phone?
There are two types of mobile phone networks, GSM and CDMA. Most of the world uses GSM including Singapore and you will need a GSM phone to connect to it.
Chances are you have a GSM phone unless you are living in North America. Some providers such as Verizon still use CDMA and if you have a connection with them, your phone might be CDMA.
If this is the case, you will need to buy a GSM phone for your trip to Singapore.
How to Buy A Sim Card in Singapore
Buying A Sim Card Before Traveling to Singapore
You can order a Starhub and Singtel prepaid sim card in advance and pick it up at the airport when you land which is very convenient as it saves the registration process after a long flight.
Other options are to buy an eSim for Singapore or an eSim for Asia which you can order online in advance and activate when you land.
Buying A Sim Card in Singapore
Buying a sim card in Singapore is very easy. Simply go to one of the providers’ shops, most of which are also at the airport. You can also buy sims at stores such as 7-Eleven and Cheers convenience stores.
You will need to present your passport and pick a phone number which is then registered to your passport details. The whole process only takes a few mins
How Much Does A Sim Card in Singapore Cost?
Sim cards are free in Singapore as they are included in the prepaid sim card plans when you purchase them. So long as you buy a preload plan with your tourist sim card it will be 100% free.
How to Activate & Top Up Your Singapore Sim Card
Activating your new prepaid sim card is very easy in Singapore. Simply put your prepaid sim card in your phone and turn it on.
Once connected, you will get a text message from your provider with activation instructions to follow. Alternatively, if you buy your tourist sim card from a provider’s shop you can ask the staff to activate it for you which is a lot simpler.
Hopefully, you will have bought a prepaid sim card plan with enough data/calls/sms so that you do not need to top-up during your stay.
If you do need to top-up, you can do so by visiting a provider’s store or 7-Eleven and Cheers convenience stores.
The easiest option is perhaps to do it online through your provider’s website or mobile app. You will need to register for an account and provide your credit or debit card information.
Once you have topped up your SIM card, you will receive a confirmation message with your new balance.
Managing Your Mobile Data in Singapore
Managing your mobile data in Singapore isn’t so necessary as you get a lot of mobile data so chances are you will not run out. But, it would be nice to avoid running out of data in the middle of the day, so here are some tips.
- Choose the right plan: Before purchasing a SIM card, compare different plans offered by different mobile network providers to find the best one that suits your data usage and budget. Make sure to also check the terms and conditions of the plan, including any data limits
- Use Wi-Fi when available: Take advantage of free Wi-Fi hotspots at hotels, cafes, and public places to conserve your mobile data.
- Monitor your data usage: Most smartphones have a built-in data usage tracker that lets you monitor your data usage. Set up alerts or warnings when you approach your data limit to avoid overage charges.
- Disable automatic updates: Disable automatic updates for apps and operating systems to conserve your mobile data. Instead, manually update them when you have access to Wi-Fi.
- Use airplane mode: This stops any background use of data and you can still use GPS and photos with it on.
- Download Google Maps for Offline Use: This way you can use Google Maps to navigate without using any data, just make sure you do the download on WiFi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest prepaid sim card in Singapore?
The cheapest prepaid sim card in Singapore is the SIMBA prepaid sim card, featured above in the reviews.
The prepaid SIMBA sim card costs $10 SGD ($7.49 USD) and comes with 100GB/Unlimited Calls/Unlimited SMS to SIMBA numbers/30 Local SMS/1GB roaming data for 30 days.
Can foreigners buy a sim card in Singapore?
Yes, foreigners can buy a sim card in Singapore and the process is a lot easier than in some other countries like India. All you need is your passport and to visit a mobile provider’s store or 7-Eleven and Cheers convenience stores.
You will be given a sim card with a number registered to your passport. The process only takes a few minutes.
