Singapore SIM card recommendations
 

Going to be in Singapore for about two weeks and I'm looking for the best way to get data for my phone (don't need calls or texts). Singtel appears to be a carrier which sells tourist cards: https://www.singtel.com/personal/i/p...ouristsimcards

$15 for a 5day or $30 for a 10day. Is this a good deal? Should I try to order something online in advance from a different service?

Also, my flight arrives at 1am so I don't expect to get outside until 2 or 2:30... will it be easy to find a taxi at 2:30am at Changi?

I have T-Mobile and international data was free in Singapore.

For a 1 am arrival, strongly recommend staying at airport Transit hotel inside SIN airport (three different hotels to choose from). Details on SIN airport web site, as well as lots of threads here in this forum.

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I've already booked the hotel... It says it's only ~25 minute drive from the airport(on orchard road).

You won't have any problem finding a taxi, and you could also use uber.

The cost is generally the same - though Singtel gives you the least Data.
As such have a look at the other two main telcos here and decide basing on the data volume.

http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/travel-roam/visiting-singapore.html

https://www.m1.com.sg/personal/mobil...ile/mcard#tab7

It's unlikely to take as long as an hour to be out and on your way at Changi airport. Taxis are no problem, also Uber and Grab (have a pickup location ready, e.g. Terminal 2 arrivals, door 3).

There is free WiFi at Changi, get a code by scanning your passport at a terminal or information desk, or receive by SMS if your phone can roam. Using this avoids having to buy an overpriced 'tourist' SIM from one of the network counters at the airport - if you can wait until the morning in town it will be cheaper and a longer validity package. Your best option on Orchard Road is the M1 Shop in the basement of Paragon (290 Orchard Rd) which opens daily at 11am. They will show you a range of options starting at S$5 with some calls and data for thirty days and $6 credit with which you can already buy a data pack. You will need your passport to buy.

There is now only 3G and 4G cellular service in Singapore, so a 2G handset won't work, and a dual-SIM phone that has only 2G connection on the second (non-data) SIM will have no service on that SIM.

last time I was there I just got the Starhub prepaid SIM from one of the UOB exchange booths. They put it in my phone and got everything set up for me
http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobi...singapore.html

+1 for Starhub.

They give you free/very cheap roaming in most of Asia + UK & US.

Unless you are in the very back of the bus in coach and the last to get off a large capacity plane, there's no reason you can clear immigration, retrieve checked bags, clear customs (which is generally just a walk through a door anyway), and be in queue at the taxi stand by 2am, if not a bit earlier. Taxi drivers know the landing schedules and, if possible for their schedule, line up at the airport to get desirable long distance (for Singapore) fares. Plus, they get late night surcharges which make runs from the airport even more attractive.

Being in Biz or first class, and getting off the plane quickly, proceeding DIRECTLY to immigration with NO stops (use the bathroom on the plane before descent begins, or go AFTER you clear immigration) helps. Being a local or employment pass holder helps, but even without that, so long as you have your forms properly filled out before you stand before the immigration agent, I often go from wheels on the tarmac to standing at my hotel registration desk within 45-60 minutes.

I DO NOT recommend staying at the airport if you arrive at 1AM. Secure a late arrival reservation and go directly to your hotel to avoid having to move. That way, you can settle in, shower, try to sleep, and get into a routine.

I am also looking for a prepaid sim card. I will stay in Singapore for 3 days, then I will fly to Indonesia (Bali, Lombok and North Sulawesi) and will stay in Indonesia about 17 days. Thereafter I will fly to Kuala Lumpur for 2 days.

Do you think I should buy a Starhub sim with roaming for these countries? Could anybody help me here please?
Do I have to buy the $50 Happy Prepaid SIM package at the airport?
Or can I buy $15 Happy Prepaid SIM package and buy a "Happy Roam Data Plan" for another $15?

in general, it would be easy for me to buy just one sim card for my whole holiday.

You'll be OK with Starhub in MY and ID as well.

You might as well go with the $32 (20€) Happy Travel SIM.

If point is to have data roaming, then $15 will get you 2.4GB of data which I think is sufficient- no need to pay the double amount

I'm a bit lost here - the $15 SIM seems to be SIN only, no roaming, while the $32 version has 2GB roaming. What do I miss here?

Also, the validity comes into the picture, too, doesn't it?

Yeah, I didn't get it either.

Can I buy the $15 Happy Prepaid sim card and then add the Happy Roam Data plan (30 days for $15 with 2.4GB) ?

Can anyone confirm this?

You got it wrong. Data roam is feature of prepaid sim card regardless how much did you pay for it. Read here
http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobi...aid-cards.html
http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobi...appy-roam.html

So SIM card comes with with variety of prices, starting from $8 and above - $8 SIM card comes with $10 credit, $15 card comes with $18 credit, $32 card comes with $32 credit.

Now data balance is separate matter. Some SIM card purchase options come with data balances, some - cheaper options do not.

For example if you buy $8 card, you can use whole $10 credit to buy 1.2GB data, in this case you won't have any credit left for local/international calls or SMS, but if you are not interested in these - you are fine, you will use data only. Another example - if you purchase $15 SIM with comes with $18 credit then you can use $15 credit to buy 2.4GB of data and you will have $3 left for calls/SMS/etc. Data purchases can be done using codes or via happy prepaid app.

That purchased data is valid not only for Singapore but for other countries as well. You do not need to purchase a special SIM to use in these countries or purchase some other option for it - you just need to set correct APN settings - it can be done by downloading starhub happy app and inside it it has an option to configure phone.

Hope this clarifies the situation.