← Back to the blog

Travelling overseas soon? With so many roaming options available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

Whether you're heading on a short getaway, travelling across multiple countries, or flying frequently for work, choosing the right option helps you stay connected without worrying about unexpected charges.

In this guide, we break down Singtel’s data roaming options — from plans with roaming already included to flexible roaming add-ons — and help you find the best fit for your travel needs. 

We’ll cover:

Disclaimer: Plan details, roaming benefits, and pricing are subject to change. Please check the respective websites for the latest updates.

Singtel offers a wide range of roaming solutions designed for different travel needs — from short holidays to frequent global travel.

With coverage across 256 destinations and 544 partner networks, you can stay connected almost anywhere in the world.

There are two main ways to stay connected:

Before buying any roaming plan, here’s something many travellers overlook:

You may already have roaming included.

Many Singtel’s SIM-Only plans and Mobile Plans come with built-in roaming data for Malaysia, Asia, and even selected global destinations.

This means you can often:

Start by checking what your current plan already includes:

Check your SIM-Only Plan benefits: 
https://www.singtel.com/personal/mobile/plans/sim-only

Check your Mobile Plan benefits: 
https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile

Here’s a quick overview of the roaming benefits included across Singtel’s SIM-Only Plans and Mobile Plans:

SIM-Only Plans (No Contract)

Mobile Plans (With Contract)

What this means for you?

When should you still use a roaming plan?

You may need a roaming plan if:

 If that’s the case, Singtel’s roaming plans give you additional flexibility.

Whether you're an existing Singtel customer looking to extend your coverage, or a new user exploring options for your trip, Singtel’s roaming plans offer flexible ways to stay connected overseas.

If your current plan isn’t enough for your trip, Singtel’s roaming plans can help you stay connected with additional coverage.

Understanding Singtel’s roaming plans

Singtel’s roaming plans are designed around different travel needs:

Let’s take a closer look at each.

UnlimitedRoam plans are designed for travellers who want worry-free, unlimited data usage overseas.

Here’s a quick look at the UnlimitedRoam plans:

*Fair usage policy applies (e.g daily high-speed limit may apply)

What’s the difference?

There are two types of unlimited roaming options:

Regional plans (Neighbours, Asia, Worldwide)

Short-trip unlimited data

Explore UnlimitedRoam plans: 
https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/roaming/all-plans#frequent-travel-plans

ReadyRoam plans are designed for travellers who want a simple and predictable way to stay connected across destinations.

Here’s a quick look at the ReadyRoam plans:

How ReadyRoam works across destinations?

Most ReadyRoam plans cover multiple destinations, making them ideal for multi-leg trips with predictable data usage and cost.

For example, if you're travelling across Europe, you can use the same plan across different countries without switching.

The only exception is ReadyRoam Neighbours, which works in one selected country (Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand).

Explore ReadyRoam plans:

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/roaming/all-plans#occasional-travel-plans

DataRoam plans are designed for travellers who need flexible connectivity, whether it’s for short bursts or specific environments like flights and cruises.

Here’s a quick look at the DataRoam plans:

How DataRoam works?

Explore DataRoam plans: 
https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/roaming/all-plans#others

SMSVoiceRoam plans are ideal if you only need basic connectivity overseas, such as making calls, receiving OTPs, or sending occasional messages.

Here’s a quick overview of SMSVoiceRoam plans :

Explore SMSVoiceRoam plans:

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/roaming/all-plans#others

Here’s a quick overview of Singtel’s roaming options to help you understand what each plan offers:

Which option should you choose?

Start by checking your current plan. If it doesn’t fully cover your trip — or if you’re not using a Singtel plan — use the guide below:

Choosing the right roaming option comes down to how you travel. 

If your current plan already covers your destination, you’re all set. Otherwise, Singtel’s roaming plans let you easily extend your coverage based on your needs — whether it’s more data, more destinations, or more flexibility.

Singtel's roaming plans aside, you have other options such as:

What’s the difference with each option? Let’s take a look.

Many travellers opt for buying a local SIM card once they reach their destination.

It sounds simple enough: just swap out your current SIM card and start using the local network right away. 

However, there are a few things to keep in mind with local SIM cards.

Firstly, there’s the hassle of physically changing SIM cards, where you need to be extra careful not to misplace or damage your original SIM card.

Plus, if you're using a local SIM card, you won’t be able to receive SMSes, use your OTP, or take important calls on your Singapore mobile line.

For example, say you’re trying to buy BLACKPINK or Taylor Swift concert tickets while you’re overseas, but you need to be able to use your OTP.

You won’t be able to do that if you’re using a local SIM card. For that reason, we still recommend roaming plans over local SIM cards!

An eSIM is an electronic SIM card.

To use an eSIM, you would need to purchase it on an eSIM app, then activate it once you’ve reached your destination. You simply activate it on your phone – you don’t need to physically swap out your card. 

This sounds good in theory, but again, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

First, activating the eSIM can be a headache when you reach your destination.

Just do a quick Google search for “activating eSIM problem”, and you’ll see that it’s a relatively common issue – many people face problems with activating their eSIM cards.

And unlike when you buy a normal SIM card, you can’t go to the counter and ask someone for help.

Secondly, some older devices aren't eSIM compatible. 

You can do a quick Google to find out which – but if you’re using a phone that was purchased in the last 1-3 years and NOT before that, you should be safe.

Still have some burning questions about Singtel’s roaming plans?

Keep reading to get the answers you need.

Q: What’s the difference between Singtel’s Pay-As-U-Roam and roaming plans?

A: While Singtel's roaming plans offer a fixed amount of data for travellers, Pay-As-U-Roam applies pay-per-use rates to users who did not subscribe to a roaming plan.

Additionally, there's a 25% surcharge on the accumulated rates, with all voice and video calls being charged in 1 minute increments.

You can view Singtel’s roaming charges here.

Q: Does Singtel have a data passport? 

A: A data passport involves using a postpaid roaming plan that provides a predetermined data allowance.

In our case, these are our ReadyRoam and DataRoam roaming plans. 

Whether you’re heading overseas for a quick work trip or taking a well-deserved long break, Singtel offers multiple ways to keep you connected — from mobile plans with built-in roaming to flexible roaming options for your trip.

If your current plan already includes roaming, you may be able to stay connected right away. And if you need more data or wider coverage, Singtel’s roaming plans make it easy to extend your connectivity based on where you’re going and how you travel.

Getting started is simple.

Just log in to the My Singtel app, choose the plan or roaming option that suits your trip, and select when you’d like it to start. No hassle, no complicated setup.

That’s it — you’re all set to stay connected wherever you go.