Travel eSIMs for Singaporeans
In today’s world, staying connected while travelling is a must. Whether we’re navigating our way through foreign cities, staying in touch with folks back home, or flaunting our vacation vibes on social media, a reliable mobile data connection is our most important travel buddy.
That’s where eSIMs come into play. This nifty invention lets you switch between international network providers without fumbling with little plastic chips. With eSIMs, your smartphone can store multiple carrier profiles at once depending on which country you’re in, making it a breeze to snag new ones whenever you’re travelling to multiple destinations.
Here are the most value-for-money eSIMs to keep you connected wherever your wanderlust takes you:
*Reviews added where available, and edited for grammar and brevity.
What is an eSIM?
eSIM can be used in place of a physical SIM card for cellular services, such as making phone calls, sending text messages, and receiving internet data. They’re easy to install, usually requiring just a QR code to be scanned onto your phone before being used instantly.
You can typically use eSIMs and physical SIM cards at the same time. Some devices, like the iPhone, can support up to 8 eSIMs at once, but you’ll only be able to use 2 phone numbers concurrently.
eSIMs are tied to a singular device, so if you plan on upgrading or changing your smartphone, you’ll first have to deactivate the eSIM on the old device. You’ll need your telco to provide a new eSIM activation QR code to continue cellular service on your new device.
Why is my eSIM not working?
Assuming your smartphone is eSIM-compatible, you’ll firstly want to check that your eSIM has been selected under mobile settings. If you have another eSIM or physical SIM in your phone, make sure you’re on dual SIM mode or have temporarily disabled your other SIM.
Then, try switching off your mobile phone and switching it back on again. You can also try toggling with airplane mode to get the network connection to reset. In most cases, your eSIM needs to be booted together with your smartphone’s OS to work.
If you’re using your eSIM for internet data service, it would help to check if you’ve allowed data roaming. This is usually the case if you see a strong network connection, but aren’t able to use apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.
Image credit: Shopee
Should the above fail, check your APN settings. Your eSIM provider would have given you a username and password – make sure these are correct and change them if they’re wrong.
What smartphones are eSIM compatible?
This is a breakdown of smartphones that are eSIM compatible:
| OS | Brand | Phone Model |
| iOS | Apple iPhone | XR / XS / XS Max 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max SE 2 (2020), SE 3 (20233) 12 / 12 Mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max 13 / 13 Mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max 13 / 13 Mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max 16 / 16 Plus / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max |
| Android | Samsung Galaxy | S20 / S20+ / S20+ 5G / S20 Ultra / S20 Ultra 5G S21 / S21+ 5G / S21+ Ultra 5G S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra / S23 FE S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra Note 20 / Note 20 Ultra 5G Fold Z Fold2 5G / Fold3 5G / Fold4 / Fold5 5G Z Flip / Flip3 5G / Flip4 / Flip5 5G |
| Oppo | Find X3 Pro / Find N2 Flip Reno 5A Reno 6 Pro 5G Reno 9A Find X5 / Find X5 Pro A55s 5G |
| Huawei | P40 / P40 Pro Mate 40 Pro P50 / P50 Pro |
| Vivo | X90 Pro X100 Pro |
| Google Pixel | 2 XL 3 / 3 XL / 3a XL 4 / 4a / 4XL 5 / 5a 6 / 6a / 6 Pro 7 / 7a / 7 Pro 8 / 8 Pro |
Do note that most smartphones bought in Hong Kong, China, Japan, and South Korea will be incompatible with most eSIM services. You can check with your eSIM provider if you are unsure of compatibility.
Price breakdown of travel eSIMs in Singapore
| eSIM Provider | Best Feature | Price From | Countries Supported |
| Jetpac by Circles.Life | Free airport lounge access for delayed flights | S$5.50 | 150+ countries, including Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Korea, Thailand, UK |
| Changi Recommends | Cheapest on the list (S$0.72/day unlimited data) | S$0.72 | 22 countries, including Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China, Europe |
| NPN Travel | Instant eSIM delivery upon purchase | S$1.50 | Multiple destinations, including Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China, Europe |
| WeFly | Best for Southeast Asian countries | S$2.90 | Multiple SEA countries |
| ByteSim | 24/7 customer support | S$3.89 | 114 countries, including Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, US |
| Echo Networks | Unlimited calls in UK & Europe | S$1.99 | Europe, UK, SEA countries |
| Eskimo | Free 1GB data for new users | S$5.37 | 130+ countries, including Malaysia, Japan, China, Thailand |
| Airalo | Widest network coverage (>200 countries) | S$6.04 | 200+ countries, including Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China, Thailand |
| Holafly | Unlimited data | S$9.26 | 200 destinations including Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Korea |
| Xplori | Pay-as-you-use plans | S$0.87 | Multiple destinations, including Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China |
| OneSimCard | Option for a local number | S$13.36 | 120+ countries, including Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China |
1. Jetpac by Circles.Life
Free airport lounge access for delayed flights
You can now swipe several dating apps in 150+ foreign countries without worrying about the enormous phone bill – all thanks to Jetpac by Circles.Life.
Jetpac Travel eSIM is suitable for all travellers regardless of their network.
The company just released a variety of prepaid Jetpac Travel eSIM packages to keep everyone from backpackers to business travellers wired the second they land at their destination. That way, no swapping of SIM cards or counting megabytes will be needed.
Choose packs from 1GB (from S$5.50) up to 100GB (from S$679) that lasts a whole year, and go ham abroad. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you’ll automatically receive a Loungkey that grants you free lounge access to the nearest swank business lounge inside the airport.
Price: From S$5.50
Contact: Jetpac by Circles.Life website
2. Changi Recommends’ Travel eSIMs
eSIMs from S$0.72
At S$0.72 for an eSIM, the Changi Recommends’ Travel eSIMs are the cheapest on the list. But don’t think the small price tag means they’re skimpy on the data. This price is for 1 day of unlimited data, with up to 500MB of high speed internet usage. That’s enough for a 1-day JB trip with data to spare to make Grab bookings and post IG stories.
You can get eSIMs to 22 countries, including popular destinations like Japan, Korea, the US, most parts of Europe, and even China. With eSIMs, there’s usually a concern that you’ll need an additional VPN to access social media apps like Tiktok and Instagram in China. But fret not, you’ll still be able to endlessly scroll through your IG feed and FYP with little hassle.
Price: From S$0.72
Contact: Changi Recommends’ Travel eSIMs website
3. NPN Travel
Receive eSIM instantly upon purchase
We’ve all been there – booking everything we need for a holiday, like hotel reservations, attraction tickets, and travel insurance, but forgetting to get an eSIM until you’ve left the country. Good news, you can conveniently get one on NPN Travel via their Shopee store.
Simply select the country you’re travelling to and how much data you want. Once your purchase has been confirmed, you’ll receive the eSIM QR code in your email in an instant. Don’t worry if you don’t hear from NPN Travel. You can also chat to their customer service agents on the Shopee platform, who’ll be able to troubleshoot any problems you might have in setting up your eSIM.
NPN Travel review: “I have limited knowledge of how eSIMs work, and many reservations using them. But I am thankful for NPN Travel’s customer service team who patiently guided me on the configuration and activation of the eSIM. Highly recommend.”
– j*****f via Shopee
Price: From S$1.50
Contact: NPN Travel Shopee store
4. WeFly
Best for SEA countries
WeFly has built a solid reputation over the years, particularly for offering affordable and customisable roaming options in Southeast Asian countries. In addition to their well-received physical SIM cards on Shopee, WeFly now offers eSIMs as well.
Asiatique in Bangkok, Thailand.
Those planning a quick getaway to neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia, can consider exploring their packages from S$1.80. They even have data plans covering several countries within Asia (from S$2.90), saving you the hassle of purchasing multiple eSIMs.
WeFly’s customer service team is available 24/7. If suay suay something happens, simply reach out to them via Shopee chat and they’ll be there to attend to your needs ASAP.
WeFly review: “Connection was great even in a rural village in Batam, Indonesia. Able to access IG and upload images with no problem!”
– z*****l via Shopee
Price: From S$2.49
Contact: WeFly Shopee store
5. ByteSim
24/7 support
Catalonia, Spain.
Those planning on taking a well-deserved break and travelling far and wide can consider ByteSim‘s (iOS | Android) regional eSIMs. Whether you’re backpacking through SEA or city hopping around Europe and USA, they’ve got diverse plans tailored to the duration of your trip. They even have global plans if you’re planning to go all out and see the world.
Dealing with time differences can be a real hassle, especially when you’re facing an emergency. So, it’s a bonus that ByteSim’s support team is available round the clock via WhatsApp if you require urgent assistance.
ByteSim review: “Pricing was excellent, but the BEST part was their service: I had to reach out multiple times via WhatsApp and they always replied quickly with a clear answer/solution that worked for me/”
– JT via Trustpilot
Price: From USD2.90 (~S$3.89)
Contact: ByteSim website
6. Echo Networks
Unlimited calls in UK & Europe
Echo Networks has eSIMs for various countries, including some bundled packages for seamless travel across multiple destinations. One of their best-sellers – the Europe and UK bundle (from S$16.90) – comes in handy for adventurers hopping on the Eurostar from Paris to London.
Zurich, Switzerland.
For those exploring the wonders of SEA, Echo Networks offers several packages from S$4.90 tailored to different SEA countries too. There is a mobile plan for those eager to immerse themselves in the rich culture of Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia all at once.
And if you’re heading to China and fancy a side trip to Hong Kong and Macau, there are also packages from S$10.90 to complement your travel itinerary.
Echo Networks review: “The setup is rather easy with instructions given through emails. I purchased it when I was in the EU and got it activated with WiFi. It supported the countries I was travelling to – Germany and Poland. The signal was great except at the airport when I boarded the plane.”
– ylchan80 via Shopee
Price: From S$1.99
Contact: Echo Networks Shopee store
7. Eskimo
Free 1GB data
Ah, the magic word “free” – it’s like music to our ears. If you’re new to eSIMs or are feeling a bit sceptical about their performance, you can try try with Eskimo (iOS | Android) first.
Upon signing up, you can snag 1GB of complementary data. Just enter the gift voucher code <GOODTOFLY> when you’re signing up, or click on “Redeem Gift or Voucher” at the main page after you have signed up for an account. This bonus data can be used in any of the 130+ countries Eskimo covers and is valid for 2 years upon activation.
If you overestimated your data needs and have some left over to spare, you can transfer them to your pals who are heading overseas after you. Just input their phone numbers tied to their Eskimo accounts, and they can enjoy staying connected too. This is probably one of the best souvenirs they can receive from your trip, wink.
Eskimo review: “Eskimo is really easy to use and has great coverage across the globe. I love the ability of retaining the date for 2 years and I am never worried about switching in and out of SIM cards!”
– vpotatochip via Shopee
Price: From US$4 (~S$5.37)
Contact: Eskimo Shopee store
8. Airalo
Widest network coverage with >200 countries
Airalo (iOS | Android) is an app that can be conveniently downloaded onto your mobile phone to access a wide range of local, regional, and global data packages. In fact, they have one of the most extensive collections of data plans, covering over 200 countries worldwide.
Make use of their referral programme, where you can earn some extra bucks while hooking your friends up with it. Just share your referral code, and for each successful referral, you’ll get USD3 Airmoney. Your friends will also score USD3 by signing up with your code. So, the more friends you jio, the more referral money you’ll earn to offset your next data plan purchase.
Airalo has also recently launched their loyalty programme. Depending on the total amount of eSIM purchases you’ve made, you can climb the ranks from Traveler to Silver, Gold, and Platinum. With each subscription, you can enjoy up to a 10% rebate for your next purchase based on your membership.
Airalo review: “Throughout my trip, from country to country, I had full LTE with full reception. I don’t remember once where I had an issue with connection. In smaller cities and towns, I still had full bars. Video chats and sending photos and videos over WhatsApp went well. I never felt disconnected.”
– u/CharlesxHarvey via Reddit
Price: From US$4.50 (~S$6.04)
Contact: Airalo website
9. Holafly
Buy & get connected immediately
Picture this: you’re en route to the airport, and it hits you that you forgot to equip yourself with data roaming for the trip. Fret not, you can simply grab an eSIM from Holafly (iOS | Android) on the go. At check-out, they’ll instantly email you the eSIM activation code, so you can set it up beforehand and stay connected as soon as you step off your flight.
Victoria, Australia.
Holafly offers unlimited data for the majority of their plans, which includes popular countries like Japan, Australia, and Europe. So you can actively update your social media and flex your vacay on your friends’ news feeds without any worries about excessive mobile data usage.
Here’s a little travel hack: you can install the eSIM on just 1 device and use your hotspot to share the data with your buddies while you’re all on the move together.
Holafly review: Unlimited data with a very competitive price. You can customise the length of your trip, which means you aren’t locked into buying more than one eSIM or paying for extra days. Fast data, easy setup, and helpful help centre.”
– Eva Brakenrig via Trustpilot
Price: From US$6.90 (~S$9.26)
Contact: Holafly website
10. Xplori
Best for light data users
When you’re out exploring the world, it’s only natural to be captivated by the country’s offerings rather than glued to your phone. With Xplori‘s (iOS | Android) pay-as-you-use data and call plans, you can rest assured that you’ll only be charged for what you’ve used.
The rates vary for each country, starting from USD0.65/100MB (~S$0.87) of mobile data and USD0.20 (~S$0.27)/minute of call.
To stay connected, simply purchase global credit. The credit is valid for a year from the day of purchase, and the expiry date will be extended whenever you make a new purchase.
Otherwise, you can also get packages like their 3-day 1GB package starting from USD5.23 (~S$7.02).
Price: From US$0.65 (~S$0.87)
Contact: Xplori website
11. OneSim
Option to top up for a local number
While eSIMs are commonly used for leisure travel, they can also be a valuable asset for business travellers crossing borders.
With OneSim (iOS | Android), besides getting mobile data, you have the flexibility to top up and obtain a local number for making calls during your work trips or even for setting up contacts for your overseas business ventures. However, some countries, like France and Hong Kong, may require additional documents for verification purposes when setting up a local number.
To sweeten the deal, incoming calls are free from over 120 countries.
OneSimCard review: “This eSIM works for your Samsung Galaxy Watch. OneSim has great tech support and customer service! Installing the eSIM is quite simple. You can also get a Personal Extra Number as an add-on service.”
– Geekster via Amazon
Price: From US$9.95 (~S$13.36)
Contact: OneSimCard via Amazon
(Discontinued) Yoodo
Yoodo is a Malaysia-based telco renowned for its customisable plans in Malaysia. Getting connected is a breeze – just register for an account through their app, and you can start personalising your plan, including mobile data, phone calls, and SMS.
How to activate an eSIM
Before purchasing an eSIM, you need to make sure that your phone models are compatible with using this feature.
To get started, once you’ve made the purchase or are installing the eSIM for the first time, make sure you have a reliable internet connection. Some establishments will email you the QR code, which you can scan and install into your phone. Otherwise, certain apps will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing the eSIM.
Once the installation is complete, remember not to remove the eSIM until after your trip.
Each eSIM can only be installed on 1 phone, so removing it before the trip might invalidate it. If this unfortunate situation does happen, don’t worry – just contact your network provider ASAP, and they’ll help you rectify the issue.
When you’re all set to embark on your adventure, activate your mobile data once you’ve crossed the borders. That’s when your eSIM will be activated and its validity period will start counting.
Make sure that the Data Roaming function is switched on.
Grab an eSIM for your next overseas trip
We’ve taken care of the legwork and handpicked these eSIM providers, each offering a variety of plans to suit specific needs and your next destination. All you need to do is pick what’s best for your trip and compare the prices before making your final purchase. No need to worry about finding a local carrier at the airport or risk losing your original SIM card anymore.
For more travel tips:
Last updated by: Raewyn Koh on 12th December 2024.