The Best Singapore eSIM in 2026: Airalo Review for Tourists & First-Time Visitors.
I loved Singapore.
Finding my way through the incredible nature at Gardens by the Bay was a real highlight of the trip, but exploring it after dark wasn’t quite as straightforward as I expected.
A mix of the illuminated Supertree Grove and reliable mobile data meant I could explore confidently…
Even at night, without second-guessing directions or exits.
Navigating the ultra-efficient Singapore MRT, wandering through futuristic spaces, and hunting down street art and cafés in Kampong Glam were all noticeably easier with my Airalo eSIM working in the background.
I even had a strong signal underground on MRT platforms and inside huge indoor complexes, something I didn’t think about beforehand, but quickly realised was essential in a city built vertically.
For my last trip, I used Airalo, not sponsored, just my honest experience using what I believe is the best Singapore eSIM for travellers in 2026.
If you’re searching for the best eSIM for Singapore travel, this guide breaks down exactly how Airalo performed across the city, how much it costs, and whether it’s worth buying before you fly.
The incredible Supertree Grove.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
Skyline Icons, Tropical Sanctuaries & Heritage Grandeur — Singapore’s Most Iconic Stays 👇
Singapore’s best hotels don’t just give you a place to sleep — they’re part of the experience itself:
Marina Bay Sands – The city’s most iconic hotel, with its world-famous infinity pool floating above the skyline. Wake up to panoramic views over Marina Bay, swim at sunrise, and watch the city light up at night — a true bucket-list stay.
Raffles Singapore – A colonial-era landmark blending old-world elegance with modern luxury. Think grand courtyards, whitewashed facades, timeless interiors, and one of the most atmospheric stays in the city.
Capella Singapore – A tropical escape hidden on Sentosa Island, surrounded by rainforest and sea views. Private villas, infinity pools, and total tranquillity just minutes from the city.
The importance of staying connected in Singapore.
Singapore is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel, but only if you’re connected.
On the surface, as I wandered around on my first day, everything felt simple.
The streets are immaculate, signs are clear, and public transport is world-class. But Singapore is also a city where efficiency is built into everyday life, and being offline can quickly become inconvenient.
I did find the city to be incredibly walkable, but my travel distances were adding up fast.
From wandering past colourful shophouses in heritage neighbourhoods, to hopping on the Singapore MRT to the go and visit the most incredible hotels at the other side of the island.
My mobile data was a life saver, as even short journeys in a new destination can turn into unnecessary guesswork.
With Airalo, my connection stayed fast and reliable everywhere I went, including underground MRT stations and large indoor complexes.
My signal was strong in all the MRT stations.
During my time in Singapore, I was constantly using my phone to:
Navigate the MRT and bus network in real time.
Check platform changes and route updates.
Find hawker centres and food stalls hidden inside large complexes.
Explore neighbourhoods beyond the main tourist areas.
Walk confidently at night knowing exactly where I was.
Find some famous street art in Kampong Glam.
I found some famous Hawker Centres with Google Maps helping me.
Singapore is surprisingly vertical.
You’re often underground, inside malls, or moving between connected walkways, places where weak signal would quickly become frustrating.
That’s where having an eSIM that works instantly makes a real difference.
Looking for the best eSIM for Singapore travel?
I used Airalo throughout Singapore — from MRT stations to late-night walks — installed before departure and connected instantly on arrival.
Such a surreal backdrop.
Why I chose Airalo as my Singapore eSIM.
I chose Airalo because I wanted something that worked instantly and everywhere, without having to think about it.
That decision came from experience.
On a previous trip to Kuala Lumpur, I didn’t get connected straight away after landing. No data, no maps, no clear directions…
Just me, my luggage, and a growing sense of frustration as I tried to find my hotel late at night.
What should have been a simple transfer turned into a stressful start to the trip, all because I assumed I’d sort connectivity later.
I didn’t want a repeat of that in Singapore.
Singapore is not a destination where you want to land tired, hunt for Wi-Fi, or queue at a SIM kiosk.
Everything here runs on efficiency, transport, payments, navigation, even how people move through space, and your mobile data needs to match that pace.
I wanted to step off the plane, activate, open Google Maps, and just go.
Some proud Singaporean street art.
I know from previous experiences that Airalo is reliable.
Airalo ticked every box:
It connects to major local Singapore networks.
Setup is quick and stress-free before you fly.
Coverage is excellent across the entire city.
There’s no need to swap SIM cards or hand over your passport.
Your main SIM stays active for banking and messages.
Once it was installed, it simply worked in the background. I didn’t have to think about signal, loading maps, or whether data would drop when I went underground, which is exactly what you want in a city like Singapore.
After that Kuala Lumpur experience, having instant connectivity felt like a non-negotiable part of travelling well. And in Singapore, Airalo delivered exactly that.
👉 For a stress-free arrival, Airalo’s Singapore eSIM lets you connect instantly on landing — view current plans and prices here.
How my Airalo Singapore eSIM helped day-to-day.
Navigating Singapore’s MRT system.
Singapore’s MRT is one of the best public transport systems in the world, but it’s also vast, fast-moving, and incredibly busy at peak times.
On paper, the network looks simple. In reality, stations are huge, multiple lines intersect, and the difference between the right exit and the wrong one can add a surprising amount of walking.
Having reliable mobile data takes all of that guesswork away.
Singapore’s MRT system is incredibly efficient, but having mobile data makes checking routes, transfers, and platform changes effortless.
Using my Airalo Singapore eSIM, I could:
Plan routes instantly on Google Maps.
Check live journey times and transfer options.
Adjust routes when platforms or stations were crowded.
Choose the best exits to minimise walking.
Move confidently without constantly stopping to recheck directions.
This was especially useful during peak hours and when hopping between areas like Marina Bay, Chinatown, and Bugis in a single day.
Instead of memorising routes or relying on screenshots, I could adapt in real time, which made getting around Singapore feel effortless rather than overwhelming.
The Singapore MRT is fast and reliable, but live maps and journey planning apps make moving around the city even easier.
Exploring Gardens by the Bay after dark.
Visiting Gardens by the Bay at night was one of my favourite experiences on my whole South East Asia trip, however, timing is important if you want to enjoy your time to the fullest.
The scale of the park is bigger than most people expect, and once the Supertree light show starts, paths fill up quickly. Having reliable mobile data meant I wasn’t guessing where to be or when to move.
Gardens by the Bay completely transforms after dark, and knowing show times and routes makes the experience far more enjoyable.
With my Airalo Singapore eSIM, I could:
Check Supertree light show times in real time.
Navigate between the Supertrees, conservatories, and exits efficiently.
Avoid backtracking through crowded areas.
Walk back through Marina Bay confidently after dark.
Even with thousands of people around and heavy mobile usage in the area, my connection stayed fast and stable. That made the whole experience feel relaxed rather than rushed, exactly how it should be.
Exploring Gardens by the Bay during the day gives you a real sense of its size, especially when walking between the Supertrees and elevated walkways.
Finding street art and cafés in Kampong Glam.
Kampong Glam is a very fun place to stay in Singapore, with colourful architecture, palm trees, and creativity on every corner. From my experiences in the area, some of the most interesting murals, cafés, and creative spaces aren’t always on the main roads.
The best Instagram spots in Singapore are usually tucked behind shops, down side streets, and around corners you’d easily walk past.
Having reliable mobile data meant I could explore freely without worrying about losing my bearings, jumping between locations as I went and following whatever caught my attention.
Kampong Glam is full of hidden street art like this, especially once you step away from the main roads and start exploring side streets.
Instead of sticking to just one or two famous streets, I could wander deeper into the neighbourhood, find cafés away from the busiest tourist spots, and track down street art hidden in backstreets I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Knowing I could always check where I was, and how to get to the next place, made exploring Kampong Glam feel relaxed and spontaneous rather than rushed or stressful.
Kampong Glam blends historic streets with modern city life, making it one of the most interesting areas in Singapore to explore on foot.
Getting around cash-free and stress-free.
Something that I noticed straight away is that Singapore is almost completely cashless.
From cafés and hawker centres to major attractions and public transport, so much of daily life relies on digital payments, QR codes, and online confirmations.
Being connected here isn’t just convenient — it’s essential.
Having reliable mobile data meant I could pay for things digitally without issues, pull up booking confirmations instantly, scan menus and QR codes to order food, and book attractions or transport as my plans changed.
Everything felt fast and friction-free, without needing to hunt for Wi-Fi or carry cash. I love Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for this reason.
I find that this part of the world is always one step ahead.
QR code menus are everywhere in Singapore, making reliable mobile data essential for ordering food, paying, and moving quickly.
In a city built around efficiency and technology, being offline would feel like I had returned to the chaos of my time in Vietnam.
Fun, but it can get tiring after a while…
Cashless ticket counters at Gardens by the Bay, highlighting Singapore’s digital-first visitor experience.
Finding the best viewpoints.
Singapore is full of incredible viewpoints… Too many!
Some are tucked along waterfront walkways, others sit at the end of pedestrian bridges, and a few are only really worth visiting at certain times of day.
It was ideal using Airalo’s reliable mobile data to quickly check where viewpoints were located, time visits around sunset, and adjust plans on the fly when areas were busy.
Instead of sticking to a single skyline spot, I could move between different viewpoints around Marina Bay, explore quieter sections of the waterfront, and find angles I might otherwise have walked straight past.
Marina Bay Sands dominates the skyline, especially when explored on foot around the bay.
In a city as visually impressive as Singapore, staying connected makes it much easier to experience the skyline properly, especially when I was exploring on foot intuitively.
I still think the viewpoint across the water was my favourite!
Taking a break along the Marina Bay waterfront — one of the best places to soak up Singapore’s skyline on foot.
Singapore eSIM price: how much does Airalo cost?
When you’re planning a trip, data costs shouldn’t be an afterthought, and in Singapore, roaming from UK networks can get surprisingly expensive if you don’t sort connectivity before you fly.
Airalo’s Singapore eSIM gives you a range of real-world options that are far more budget-friendly, with prices you can choose based on how long you’re staying and how much data you need.
Airalo’s packages start at around $4.40 USD (£3.50) for 1 GB of data valid for a few days, ideal for short stopovers or minimal browsing, and you can go up to larger plans like 20 GB for around $19.50 USD (~£15–£16) with 30-day validity if you’re staying longer or use a lot of apps and navigation on the go.
On my last visit I was on a slightly longer itinerary, so I picked a 5 GB plan —ideal for maps, transport apps, social, and messaging. This usually sits under $10 USD (£8–£9) with 15- to 30-day validity.
For most travellers spending a few days to a week in Singapore, a 5–10 GB plan is more than enough for maps, transport apps, payments, and everyday browsing.
👉 If you want to compare plans and pick the right one before you fly, check current Airalo Singapore eSIM prices here.
Marina Bay Sands is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks, and exploring the surrounding walkways on foot gives you a real sense of the city’s scale and design.
Singapore eSIM vs physical SIM — which is better?
Singapore airports are efficient, but even here, buying a physical SIM still adds friction at exactly the moment you don’t want it.
I’ve learned the hard way that queues after a long flight are never fun, something I really felt on my first trip to Hanoi, where landing tired and then standing around comparing SIM plans was not the welcome I’d imagined.
Since then, I’ve always tried to minimise anything that slows down that first hour in a new country.
I’ve also had less-than-ideal experiences with physical SIMs elsewhere. In Luxor, I managed to misplace my original SIM card after swapping it out, which caused far more hassle than it was worth.
And in Amman, I paid far more than I should have for an airport SIM, simply because I was tired, jet-lagged, and just wanted things to work.
Those experiences are exactly why I now prefer using an eSIM whenever I can.
With a Singapore eSIM, everything is sorted before you even leave home.
You buy it online in advance, install it in your own time, keep your main SIM active for banking and messages, and land knowing your phone is ready to go. There’s no queue, no paperwork, no guessing whether you’ve picked the right plan.
For me, the difference is night and day.
I landed in Singapore, turned off airplane mode, and immediately had data, no extra steps, no delays, and no stress.
After enough travel mishaps involving SIM cards, that simplicity alone makes a Singapore eSIM the clear winner.
Walking along Marina Bay at sunset is one of the easiest ways to experience Singapore’s skyline — especially when navigation and transport apps work seamlessly.
Setting up the Airalo Singapore eSIM
Setup took less than 10 minutes:
Download the Airalo app.
Choose Singapore.
Purchase your plan.
Install the eSIM.
Enable data roaming for the eSIM profile.
By the time I landed, Google Maps, Grab, and WhatsApp were already working.
Public art like this is scattered throughout Singapore, adding character to everyday walks and rewarding slow exploration on foot.
Singapore eSIM for iPhone and Android users.
Airalo works perfectly as a Singapore eSIM for both iPhone and Android.
Compatible devices include:
iPhone XR and newer.
Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer.
Google Pixel 3 and newer.
Your phone just needs to be unlocked.
Chinese food stall in Singapore displaying roasted meats and street food dishes inside a busy indoor market.
FAQ — Singapore eSIMs for Travellers (Using Airalo).
Can I use an Airalo eSIM in Singapore?
Yes. Airalo works across Singapore by connecting to major local networks, delivering fast and reliable 4G and 5G coverage across the entire city-state.
Do I need an unlocked phone?
Yes — your phone must be eSIM-compatible and unlocked.
Can I top up if I run out of data?
Yes. You can top up directly in the Airalo app without buying a new eSIM.
Does hotspot work?
Yes. I regularly used hotspot to upload photos, book transport, and work while out exploring.
Is Airalo worth it for Singapore?
Absolutely. For convenience alone, it’s one of the easiest and most stress-free ways to stay connected in Singapore.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.