Best Esim For Singapore
Airalo and local carrier tourist SIMs from Singtel or StarHub offer the best value for Singapore travelers in 2026. For short trips under 5 days, travel eSIMs like Nomad or Holafly provide better convenience at competitive rates, while longer stays benefit from local tourist SIMs offering 100GB for SGD12 (~$9 USD).
Quick Summary: Top eSIMs for Singapore (2026)
| Provider | Type | Data | Validity | Price | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singtel Tourist SIM | Local | 100GB 4G | 14 days | SGD12 (~$9) | Singtel |
| Singtel 5G Tourist | Local | 100GB 5G | 28 days | SGD30 (~$22) | Singtel |
| StarHub Tourist | Local | 100GB | 10 days | SGD12 (~$9) | StarHub |
| Airalo | Travel eSIM | 1-20GB | 7-30 days | $4.50-$26 | Singtel |
| Holafly | Travel eSIM | Unlimited | 5-30 days | $19-$75 | Singtel/StarHub |
| Saily | Travel eSIM | 1-20GB | 7-30 days | $1.89-$12.74 | Multi-network |
| Nomad | Travel eSIM | 1GB+ | 7+ days | $5+ | Singtel |
Which Singapore Network Has the Best Coverage?
Singapore has three main carriers: Singtel, StarHub, and M1, plus MVNOs like Simba. Singtel dominates with the largest network and best nationwide coverage, making it the preferred backbone for most travel eSIM providers.
All carriers provide excellent coverage across urban areas, tourist zones, and residential districts. Minor dead zones exist on Sentosa Island and in high-density building areas.
Should I Get a Local Tourist SIM or Travel eSIM?
Local tourist SIM advantages:
- Best price-per-GB: 100GB for SGD12 ($0.09/GB)
- Includes local call minutes (500-1000 minutes) and SMS
- Data roaming options for nearby countries
- Available at Changi Airport, 7-Eleven, carrier stores
Travel eSIM advantages:
- Install before departure; activate on landing
- No passport verification or store visits required
- Keep existing SIM active for SMS verification
- Easy data tracking and top-up via app
Verdict: Local SIMs win on raw value for trips over 5 days. Travel eSIMs win on convenience for short visits.
Does 5G Work with Singapore eSIMs?
Local carriers: Only Singtel offers 5G tourist SIMs at SGD30 for 100GB/28 days. StarHub’s Traveler+ plan provides unlimited 5G data with voice/SMS at SGD50.
Travel eSIMs: Nomad’s unlimited plans include 5G coverage via Singtel. Ubigi partners directly with StarHub for reliable 4G/5G connectivity. Most budget travel eSIMs remain 4G-only.
What Are the Best Budget eSIM Plans for Singapore?
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price | Cost/GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | 20GB | 30 days | $12.74 | $0.64 |
| Saily | 10GB | 30 days | $9.49 | $0.95 |
| Airalo | 10GB | 30 days | $26 | $2.60 |
| Airalo | 3GB | 30 days | $11 | $3.67 |
| Nomad | 1GB | 7 days | $5 | $5.00 |
Saily offers the lowest per-GB rates among travel eSIMs, with integrated VPN and ad-blocking features. Airalo provides wider plan variety with proven reliability across 10+ million users.
Do Singapore eSIMs Support Hotspot and Tethering?
All major travel eSIM providers support hotspot/tethering in Singapore:
- Holafly: Full hotspot on unlimited plans
- Airalo: Hotspot supported on most Singapore plans
- Nomad: Tethering enabled
- Saily: Hotspot included
Local carrier tourist SIMs also permit hotspot usage without restrictions.
Where Can I Buy a Singapore Tourist SIM?
At Changi Airport: Head to Changi Recommends counters in arrival halls for immediate pickup.
Pre-order online: Singtel, StarHub, and M1 allow advance ordering with airport collection.
Convenience stores: 7-Eleven and Cheers stock tourist SIMs, though carrier selection varies by location.
Requirements: Original passport required for identity verification; maximum three active SIMs per person allowed.
Tasnima Tabassum Ema is the Founder and Lead Data Analyst at eSIM Expart. Driven by her own costly roaming nightmares, she built the site to save fellow travelers money. She specializes in rigorous, real-world testing and calculating the true cost per Gigabyte ($/GB) to ensure you always get the cheapest, most reliable connection.
