SIM Card & Wi-Fi Guides

Data on arrival: tourist SIMs, eSIMs and free Wi-Fi, compared on price and coverage.

This page gathers EatStays guides on staying connected in Singapore. It covers the Singapore SIM card and eSIM options for visitors, free public Wi-Fi, rough prices and where to buy at Changi Airport. Guides on this topic appear in the list below. The notes further down explain the basics, so you can sort out data before you land.

Arriving soon? See Changi Airport for what to expect at the airport.

New guides are on the way. Browse Travel Tips →

Your Singapore SIM card options

A Singapore SIM card or eSIM is the easiest way to stay online during your trip. You will use data for maps, ride-hailing apps, messaging and bank alerts. Visitors have three main choices: a local tourist SIM, an eSIM, or roaming on a home plan. Free Wi-Fi fills the gaps, but it is not enough on its own.

Tourist SIM cards from local networks

The main mobile networks are Singtel, StarHub and M1. Simba is a smaller network. The big three all sell prepaid tourist SIM cards. These come with a large data allowance that lasts a set number of days. Many also include some local calls and texts. Some plans add data for nearby countries too.

What a tourist SIM costs

Tourist SIM cards often cost roughly S$10 to S$30, depending on the data and the number of days. Prices change and offers come and go, so compare the operators' websites before you buy. You can top up in convenience stores or online.

Registration

Every prepaid SIM card in Singapore must be registered. Bring your passport when you buy one. The seller usually sets it up for you in a few minutes.

eSIMs and roaming

If your phone supports eSIM, you can set one up before you fly. That way you are online the moment you land. Local networks offer tourist eSIMs, and international eSIM apps also cover Singapore. Check two things first:

Your phone is unlocked, so it can use other networks.
Your phone model supports eSIM. Most recent smartphones do.

Roaming on your home plan is simple, but daily charges can add up fast. Check your provider's rates before you travel. If your phone takes two SIMs, keep your home SIM active for bank texts. Turn off its data roaming to avoid charges.

Where to buy a SIM card at Changi Airport and in the city

Changi Airport. Tourist SIM cards are sold at counters in the arrival halls, including money changers. This is the easiest option if you land without data.
Convenience stores. 7-Eleven and Cheers stores across the island sell prepaid SIM cards and top-ups.
Operator shops. Singtel, StarHub and M1 have shops in many malls. Staff can set up the SIM and check that your phone works.
Online. Some SIM cards and eSIMs can be bought online before you fly. Use the operator's own website.

On a long stopover, a SIM lets you head into the city with maps ready. See Singapore Layover Itinerary: 8 Hours in the City. With a few spare hours, Jewel Changi Airport is next to Terminal 1. Arriving late? Changi Airport Hotels keep you close to the terminals.

Free Wi-Fi in Singapore

Free Wi-Fi is easy to find and can save you data.

Changi Airport. The terminals offer free Wi-Fi, so you can get online as soon as you land.
Wireless@SG. This is the free public Wi-Fi network. It covers many malls, libraries and other public places. You may need a mobile number that can receive a text to sign up.
Hotels, cafés and malls. Most hotels include free Wi-Fi. Many cafés and malls have their own networks too.

Public Wi-Fi can drop out between buildings, and it is not ideal for banking. For maps and taxis on the move, mobile data is far more reliable.

Useful apps and tips

Before you land, download a map app, a ride-hailing app such as Grab and a messaging app. WhatsApp is widely used in Singapore.
Singapore phone numbers have eight digits. The country code is +65.
You can tap a contactless bank card on the MRT and buses. See How to Use the MRT in Singapore: A Tourist Guide and Getting Around.
Carry a power bank, as maps and data drain your battery. For plugs and adapters, see Packing Lists.
Working on the road? Business Travel covers trips with meetings.

FAQs about SIM cards and Wi-Fi in Singapore

Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Singapore?

Yes. Prepaid SIM cards must be registered, so bring your passport when you buy one.

Is an eSIM or a physical SIM card better for Singapore?

An eSIM gets you online the moment you land and lets you keep your home SIM in place. A physical SIM card works in any unlocked phone. Both use the same local networks.

Can I buy a SIM card at Changi Airport?

Yes. Tourist SIM cards are sold at counters in the arrival halls, including money changers.

Is there free Wi-Fi in Singapore?

Yes. Changi Airport, many malls and libraries, and most hotels offer free Wi-Fi. Wireless@SG is the free public network.

Does mobile data work on the MRT?

Yes. Mobile coverage is generally strong across the island, including on most MRT trains.