Singapore
Singapore SIM card for Indian tourists — Singtel vs. StarHub vs. M1
Singapore is one of the most-visited destinations for Indian travellers, with three carriers all selling cheap, high-data tourist eSIMs. Here's their published tourist pricing side by side with what an Indian operator roaming pack would cost instead.
Local tourist eSIMs — Singtel vs. StarHub vs. M1
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data | Validity | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singtel hi! Tourist eSIM | $15 tier | S$15 ≈ ₹1,050 | 500GB (4G/5G, fair-use) | Check Singtel for exact validity | Data-only |
| Singtel hi! Tourist eSIM | $18 tier | S$18 ≈ ₹1,260 | 1000GB (4G/5G, fair-use) | Check Singtel for exact validity | Data-only |
| Singtel 5G+ Tourist | SIM + Transport Card | S$18 ≈ ₹1,260 | 100GB | 28 days | Includes Singapore transport card |
| StarHub Tourist eSIM | $12 tier | S$12 ≈ ₹840 | 300GB (4G/5G, fair-use) | Check StarHub for exact validity | Data-only |
| StarHub Tourist eSIM | $30 tier | S$30 ≈ ₹2,100 | 400GB (4G/5G, fair-use) | Check StarHub for exact validity | Data-only |
| M1 Tourist eSIM | $14 tier | S$14 ≈ ₹980 | 600GB | Check M1 for exact validity | Data-only |
Prices last checked October 2026, from each provider's own published rates. Operators change plans often — confirm the exact price on the provider's site or app before you buy. Pardes SIM never processes payments; you always buy directly from the provider.
Indian operator roaming packs (valid in Singapore)
These are Airtel's general international roaming packs, valid across Singapore and other Asian destinations — not Singapore-exclusive pricing. We're still confirming Jio's and Vi's exact Singapore roaming rates; check their apps for current pricing in the meantime.
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data | Validity | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel IR | Short-trip roaming pack | ₹698 | 1GB | 1 day | 100 min incoming+outgoing (India+local), 10 SMS |
| Airtel IR | Short-trip roaming pack | ₹998 | 4GB | 5 days | 150 min incoming+outgoing, 20 SMS |
| Airtel IR | Short-trip roaming pack | ₹1,298 | 6GB | 10 days | 200 min incoming+outgoing, 20 SMS |
Prices last checked October 2026, from each provider's own published rates. Operators change plans often — confirm the exact price on the provider's site or app before you buy. Pardes SIM never processes payments; you always buy directly from the provider.
The real trade-off
Singapore's tourist eSIMs are mostly data-only — great value for maps, messaging and social media, but you lose your Indian number for calls. Keep your Indian SIM in a second slot (idle, no roaming pack) if you need to stay reachable, and use a local eSIM purely for data.
Singapore SIM — common questions
Which is cheapest — Singtel, StarHub or M1 tourist eSIM?
StarHub's entry tier at S$12 (≈ ₹840) for 300GB is the lowest headline price, with M1's S$14/600GB offering more data for slightly more. Singtel's $15–18 tiers offer the largest data allowances (500GB–1000GB, fair-use capped) and its $18 5G+ Tourist SIM bundles in a transport card, which the others don't.
Is a Singapore tourist eSIM data-only, or do I get a local number?
All three carriers' tourist eSIM tiers listed here are primarily data-only — they don't give you a usable local phone number for calls/SMS the way a full prepaid SIM does. If you need a local number, ask at the carrier's airport counter for their standard prepaid SIM instead of the tourist eSIM.
Should I use an Indian roaming pack instead for a short Singapore trip?
For a very short stay (a day or two), Airtel's ₹698/1-day pack can be more convenient since it keeps your Indian number live for calls. For anything longer, a local tourist eSIM gives far more data per rupee — e.g. StarHub's S$12/300GB works out to a fraction of the per-GB cost of a roaming pack.
Where do I buy a Singtel, StarHub or M1 tourist SIM?
All three are sold at Changi Airport arrival-hall counters, and their eSIM versions can be bought online and activated before you land. OTA platforms like Expedia and Klook also resell them as bookable activities if you prefer to pre-purchase.