Singapore, the modern and beautiful city of Southeast Asia, is known worldwide for its magnificent buildings, unparalleled shopping malls, and amazing tourist attractions. If you plan to visit Singapore, the best mobile connectivity solution for you might be a prepaid SIM card. In today’s age, every traveler needs the Internet to find directions, book hotels, or stay in touch with friends and family. Various companies provide the best prepaid SIM cards in Singapore, which cater to your travel needs.
In this article, we will review the best prepaid SIM cards in Singapore to make it easier for you to choose the best option for you.
Why Prepaid SIM card is necessary in Singapore?
Roaming around Singapore without a prepaid SIM card can expose you to expensive data roaming charges or difficulties finding a local network. Benefits of buying a prepaid SIM card include:
Easy data packages: Fastest internet data at affordable prices.
Local Calls: Local calls and SMS at cheap rates.
International calling: Some SIM cards also offer great rates for international calls.
No Contracts: You don’t have to be locked into long contracts
Where to Buy SIM Cards in Singapore
Buying a prepaid SIM card in Singapore is very easy. You can get this card at airports, shopping malls, convenience stores, and mobile service providers. Buying a SIM card at Changi Airport is the best option as it connects you instantly.
To buy an e-SIM card in Singapore you can visit the following locations:
Airport: At Changi Airport you will find various stores to buy e-SIM cards, where you can get the e-SIM right away. It is generally convenient for international visitors.
Mobile Network Stores: Singapore has stores of various mobile network operators such as Singtel, StarHub, and M1. You can visit their stores and buy an e-SIM card and the staff there will also help you.
Online: Many e-commerce websites also sell e-SIM cards. You can visit websites like Lazada or Shopee to purchase the e-SIM card of your choice.
Retail Stores: E-SIM cards can also be found at various retail stores in Singapore such as 7-Eleven, Cheers, and other supermarkets.
These locations will help you purchase an e-SIM card, and will also have different plans available to suit your needs.
What frequencies are used in Singapore?
Frequency bands are specific ranges of radio waves used for mobile networks, wireless communications, and other technological devices. Different frequency bands in each country are given to specific network operators to provide service to their customers. In Singapore too, different operators such as Singtel, StarHub, and M1 provide service to their customers on different frequency bands.
Singtel Singtel is the largest network operator in Singapore and provides services on various bands:
4G LTE: 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2600MHz
5G: 3500MHz, 2100MHz, 700MHz
StarHub StarHub is another leading operator that provides the fastest data and voice call services to its customers:
4G LTE: 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2600MHz
5G: 3500MHz, 2100MHz, 700MHz
M1 M1 is also a major operator in Singapore and provides service on different frequency bands:
4G LTE: 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2600MHz
5G: 3500MHz, 2100MHz, 700MHz
Cheapest prepaid SIM cards in Singapore
Let’s come to the Cheapest prepaid SIM cards in Singapore!
Singtel
Various hi! Prepaid SIM cards are perfect for customers who want local and international calls and data packages at affordable prices. These SIM cards not only come with different validity periods but also include different features such as free stream services and extra data on app activation. The plans given below will help you choose the best option according to your usage.
Singtel S$8 hi! Prepaid SIM Card
Price: From S$8
Validity: 90 Days (top-up to extend to 180 days)
Local Data: 1.5 GB for 30 days
Local calls: S$0.22/minute
Local SMS: S$0.05/message
Free: 30-day Viu Premium, Banglaflix, The Filipino Channel
Extra: 2 GB free on hi!App activation
Singtel S$15 hi! Prepaid SIM Card
Price: From S$15
Validity: 120 Days (top-up to extend to 180 days)
Local Data: 3 GB for 120 days + 5 GB for 30 days
Local calls: S$0.22/minute
Local SMS: S$0.05/message
Free: Unlimited messaging apps and Spotify, 30-day Viu Premium, Banglaflix
Extra: 2 GB free on hi!App activation
Singtel S$38 hi! Prepaid SIM Card
Price: From S$38
Validity: 30 Days (top-up to extend to 180 days)
Local Data: 8 GB for 30 days + 3 GB in Malaysia and Singapore
Local calls: S$0.22/minute
Local SMS: S$0.05/message
Free: 30-day Viu Premium, Banglaflix
StarHub
Here are the details of StarHub’s various prepaid SIM cards, which are being offered to you with different prices and features. These SIM cards aim to provide ease and convenience to the users so that they can make the best choice according to their needs.
StarHub S$8 Prepaid SIM Card
Source: StarHub
Validity: 90 Days
Price: S$8
Local Data: 1 GB for 30 days
Outgoing Calls (local): S$0.22/minute
SMS (local): S$0.05/message
Additional Features:
S$10 credit for 90 days
30 minutes of IDD 018 calls for 30 days
S$15 Prepaid SIM Card
Source: StarHub
Validity: 180 Days
Price: S$15
Local Data: 8 GB for 180 days
Outgoing Calls (local): S$0.22/minute
SMS (local): S$0.05/message
Unlimited messaging apps for 180 days
Promotion (Valid for 28 Days):
Free 120GB local data
Free S$100 IDD 018 credit
Free 5000 minutes of local calls
Free 200 local SMS messages
StarHub S$50 Prepaid SIM Card
Source: StarHub
Validity: 180 Days
Price: S$50
Local Data: 120 GB for 30 days + 5 GB roaming data for 30 days
Outgoing Calls (local): S$0.22/minute
SMS (local): S$0.05/message
Prepaid data plans for travelers
Short-term SIM cards are best for tourists traveling without a signal, especially if you’re only in Singapore for 7 days. Singapore’s three major telecom providers currently offer 100GB of data, 500 minutes of local calls, and 100 SMS, some of which include 1GB of roaming data.
These SIM cards give you more freedom while in Singapore, and you don’t need any additional contracts after your stay.
1. SingTel hi! Tourist SIM card
Duration: 7 days
Price: S$12
Local Data: 100 GB
Roaming Data: 3GB (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand)
Local Calls: 500 minutes
International Calls: 30 minutes
Local SMS: 100
Social & Messaging Apps: Unlimited
2. Starhub Travel Prepaid SIM Card
Duration: 10 days
Price: S$12
Local Data: 100 GB
Roaming Data: 1 GB (17 locations)
Local Calls: 1,000 minutes outgoing, unlimited incoming
International calls: 30 minutes
Local SMS: 100
Social & Messaging Apps: Unlimited
3. M1 prepaid tourist SIM card
Duration: 15 days
Price: S$12
Local Data: 100 GB
Roaming Data: None
Local calls: 500 minutes
International Calls: 20 minutes
Local SMS: 100
Social and Messaging Apps: None
These SIM cards offer different benefits according to your needs, so you can choose according to your preferences.
Best Data Plans for Long-Term Tourists
If you plan to stay in Singapore for more than a week, getting an additional SIM card with more data and outgoing calls may be worthwhile. SingTel, TPG, and M1 offer 100GB of data and 5,000 text messages along with 3,000 minutes of calls per day on their networks.
1. SingTel hi! Tourist SIM Card (14 days)
Duration: 14 days
Price: S$12
Local Data: 100 GB
Roaming Data: 3 GB
Local calls: 500 minutes
International calls: 30 minutes
Local SMS: None
Social & Messaging Apps: Unlimited
2. SingTel hi! Tourist SIM Card (28 days)
Duration: 28 days
Price: S$30
Local Data: 100 GB
Roaming Data: 5GB (Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand)
Local Calls: Unlimited
International Calls: 90 minutes
Local SMS: Unlimited
Social & Messaging Apps: Unlimited
This 28-day tourist SIM card provides users with 5GB of roaming data. However, it’s not as cheap as a 14-day SIM card, as you’re paying S$18 more for an extra 2GB of roaming data — which would make this option ideal for tourists visiting Singapore for a month. is
3. Starhub Travel Prepaid SIM Card
Duration: 12 days
Price: S$32
Local Data: 100 GB
Roaming Data: 3 GB
Local Calls (Outgoing): 3,000 minutes
Local Calls (Incoming): Unlimited
International Calls: 90 minutes
Local SMS: 5,000
Social & Messaging Apps: Unlimited
4. M1 Prepaid Tourist SIM Card (30 days)
Duration: 30 days
Price: S$30
Local Data: 150 GB
Roaming Data: 3 GB
Local calls: 3,000 minutes
International calls: 50 minutes
Local SMS: 1,000
Social and Messaging Apps: None
5. M1 prepaid tourist SIM card (4 weeks)
Duration: 4 weeks
Price: S$25
Local Data: 84 GB
Roaming Data: Combined with local 84GB data (3GB/day)
Local calls: 5,000 minutes
International Calls: None
Local SMS: 400
Social and Messaging Apps: None
If you’re looking for more options for your mobile phone use, compare and apply for the best SIM-only plans, to get the best value and flexibility.
Which is the best mobile network operator in Singapore?
Choosing the best mobile network operator in Singapore depends on various factors, such as service availability, price, internet speed, and customer service. There are three major network operators in Singapore: Singtel, StarHub, and M1.
Singtel: It is the largest network operator in the country and is known for its excellent coverage and high-speed 4G and 5G services. It has different plans tailored to suit different needs, including prepaid and postpaid plans.
StarHub: This is also a popular choice, especially because of its low-cost plans. StarHub’s services also include 4G and 5G speeds and offer multiple customization options for families and small businesses.
M1: This is another great operator that is generally popular among the youth and technology enthusiasts. M1 plans are cheap and feature-rich, such as free data rollover and various international drug offers.
Ultimately, choosing the best network operator depends on your needs and budget, so you should compare plans from different operators to suit your needs.
Here’s a comparison table of the three major mobile network operators in Singapore.
Feature
Singtel
StarHub
M1
Coverage
Excellent coverage
Good coverage
Good coverage
Internet Speed
Fast 4G/5G
Fast 4G/5G
Fast 4G/5G
Price
Higher-priced plans
Affordable plans
Reasonable pricing
Prepaid Plans
Available
Available
Available
Postpaid Plans
Available
Available
Available
Features
Various international packages
Family plans
Free data rollover
Customer Service
Excellent
Good
Fair
Youth Appeal
Moderate
Good
Excellent
What to look for when choosing a prepaid SIM card?
Consider a few important factors before buying a prepaid SIM card to best suit your needs:
Data volume and speed: If you use the internet a lot, such as watching videos, getting directions, or using social media, a plan with more data is better.
Calling packages: If you need local or international calls, look for packages that offer more calling minutes.
Price: The price of the packages should be within your budget and you have to see which package suits your needs.
Duration of Use: Some prepaid SIM cards have usage periods, such as 7-day, 15-day, or 30-day packages. Choose the package according to the duration of your stay.
How to Activate a SIM Card
When you arrive in Singapore and purchase your prepaid SIM card, activating it is very easy. Most SIM cards are automatically activated when you insert them into your phone. Some companies may ask you to call for activation or register through a website.
Using a VPN
If you want to protect your online data in Singapore or watch geo-restricted content, using a VPN may be best. Your internet activities are protected with a VPN.
The result
A prepaid SIM card can be the best choice while traveling in Singapore. Packages from companies like Singtel, StarHub, and M1 are available at very reasonable prices and cater to all needs, be it internet, local calls, or international connectivity.
Choose a SIM card according to your needs and budget to make your journey more comfortable and connected!
