Singapore eSIM Guide: Buying an M1 eSIM at Changi Airport (S$35) vs Trip.com

Where to buy a Singapore eSIM, how much it costs, and what to consider for stays longer than 30 days.

Planning a trip to Singapore and wondering which SIM card or eSIM to choose?

Whether you’re visiting for a few days, studying abroad, or staying for a research internship, having reliable mobile data is essential. But choosing an eSIM can be surprisingly confusing, especially if you need a Singapore phone number or plan to stay for more than 30 days.

I’m a Japanese medical student currently undertaking a research internship in Singapore. Before arriving, I spent quite some time comparing SIM and eSIM options because my stay would last just over a month.

In the end, I purchased an M1 eSIM with a local Singapore phone number for S$35 at Changi Airport.

In this guide, I’ll share my experience, including:

• Where I found the M1 counter at Changi Airport
• How much the available plans cost
• Why I chose the S$35 option
• What I was told about extending my plan beyond 30 days
• How M1 compares with travel eSIMs available on Trip.com
• Which option I would recommend for different types of travelers

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. My experience and opinions are my own. Prices and availability may change.

1. Should You Buy a Singapore eSIM Before Arrival or at the Airport?

One of the first decisions is whether to purchase your eSIM online before departure or after arriving in Singapore.

Both options have advantages.

Buying an eSIM online before departure

Online travel eSIMs are convenient because you can choose a plan before leaving home.

Depending on the provider, you may receive a QR code or installation instructions by email, allowing you to prepare your phone in advance.

This is particularly useful if you:

• Are visiting Singapore for a short holiday
• Mainly need mobile data for Google Maps, messaging, and social media
• Don’t need a local Singapore phone number
• Prefer to compare prices before traveling

However, many travel eSIMs are data-only, meaning they do not include a local number for regular calls or SMS.

Buying an eSIM at Changi Airport

Another option is to purchase a SIM or eSIM after arriving in Singapore.

This is what I chose.

The biggest advantage was being able to speak directly with staff about my situation.

Because I was staying for more than 30 days and wanted a local phone number, I preferred to confirm the details in person rather than purchasing a plan that might not meet my needs.

2. Where I Bought My M1 eSIM at Changi Airport

After arriving at Singapore Changi Airport, I completed immigration, collected my checked luggage, and entered the arrivals hall.

I found a counter selling M1 SIM cards and eSIMs nearby.

Photo: The arrivals area where I found the SIM counter after collecting my luggage.

The counter was easy to recognize because of its bright orange sign reading:

“YOUR M1 SIM IS HERE”

It also displayed the message:

“SIM / eSIM Available for Purchase too!”

Photo: The M1 SIM and eSIM purchase counter at Changi Airport, October 2026.

I appreciated being able to purchase the eSIM immediately after arrival without having to visit a mobile phone store in the city.

M1 also lists tourist SIM sales locations at Changi Airport, including Meet & Greet counters across Terminals 1–4.

However, the exact counter location, opening hours, and available products may vary.

My tip: If you plan to buy an eSIM after arrival, look for the orange M1 signage or ask airport staff where the prepaid SIM counters are located.

3. M1 eSIM Prices at Changi Airport: What I Saw

At the counter, I was shown a printed price list for M1’s prepaid 5G SIM and eSIM bundles.

These were the options displayed when I visited in October 2026:

Plan	Data allowance	Advertised validity
S$35 M1 Bundle	600GB	7 days
S$45 M1 Bundle	750GB	30 days
S$50 M1 Bundle	1,000GB	30 days

The advertised bundles also included selected local calling, SMS, and roaming benefits, subject to the specific plan conditions.

Photo: The actual M1 pricing information shown to me at Changi Airport in October 2026.

The data allowances were much larger than I expected.

However, I wasn’t simply looking for the plan with the most data.

My main priorities were:

1. Reliable mobile connectivity during my internship
2. A local Singapore phone number
3. A solution suitable for a stay longer than 30 days
4. A reasonable overall price

That’s why I asked the staff about the validity period before making my decision.

4. Why I Chose the S M1 eSIM

Although the S$35 bundle was advertised as a seven-day plan, I explained to the staff that I would be staying in Singapore for more than a month.

I was told that it would be possible to extend the plan beyond 30 days without paying an additional fee.

Based on that explanation, I decided to purchase the S$35 option.

I also received a local Singapore phone number, which was one of my reasons for choosing M1 over a typical data-only travel eSIM.

Important: What I was told versus M1’s official rules

I want to be clear about one important detail.

The information about extending my S$35 plan without an additional fee was what I was told at the airport counter.

It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that everyone purchasing this bundle can use it for more than 30 days at the same price.

M1’s official guidance states that prepaid SIMs registered using a foreign passport are generally valid for only 30 days, including the registration date.

To keep the same number beyond that period, eligible users need to update their registration using an accepted Singapore identification document, such as certain work or long-term passes.

This means that extending a data bundle and extending the registration validity of a SIM are not necessarily the same thing.

If you are staying for more than 30 days, I strongly recommend confirming both points with M1 before purchasing.

You can check the official information here:

M1 Tourist SIM and eSIM Plans

M1 Prepaid SIM Registration and Extension FAQ

5. Can You Get a Cheaper M1 eSIM Online?

Something interesting I discovered while preparing this article is that M1’s official website lists plans that are different from the prices displayed at the airport counter I visited.

For example, at the time of checking, M1’s website advertised:

M1 official website plan	Data	Validity	Price
Data-only option	500GB	30 days	S$13
Calls, SMS and data	600GB	30 days	S$14
Calls, SMS and data	750GB	30 days	S$25

These are advertised offers, and eligibility, activation requirements, sales channels, and availability may differ.

In particular, some online activation options are restricted to Singapore residents with Singpass, so international visitors should check the conditions carefully.

This comparison made me realize that buying a SIM at the airport is convenient, but it isn’t necessarily the cheapest option.

I don’t regret purchasing mine because I valued speaking to the staff and getting everything arranged after arrival.

However, if I were planning another trip, I would compare M1’s online prices before going to the airport.

Check the Latest M1 eSIM Plans

6. M1 vs Trip.com eSIM: Which Is Better for Singapore?

If you’re traveling to Singapore for just a few days, you might not need the same type of plan that I purchased.

Trip.com offers travel eSIM products for Singapore and Southeast Asia, including options for different durations and data allowances.

Many of these products are designed for travelers who primarily need mobile data.

Comparing the two options

Feature	M1 prepaid eSIM	Trip.com travel eSIM
Where to buy	M1 website or participating counters	Online through Trip.com
Singapore phone number	Available with eligible plans	Depends on the product; many are data-only
Local calls and SMS	Available with eligible plans	Not included in most data-only plans
Plan duration	Depends on the bundle	Often 1–30 days, with some other options
Airport counter visit	Possible	Usually unnecessary for QR-code eSIMs
Best for	People needing a local number or longer-term arrangements	Travelers mainly needing mobile data

Why Trip.com may be cheaper for short trips

Imagine you’re visiting Singapore for four days.

You mainly need internet access for:

• Google Maps
• WhatsApp
• Instagram
• Restaurant searches
• Ride-hailing and travel apps

In that situation, paying for a large bundle with hundreds of gigabytes might not be necessary.

A smaller travel eSIM purchased online could be more economical.

Trip.com lists multiple eSIM products with different validity periods and data allowances. Some regional products also cover nearby destinations such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

However, the lowest advertised price may apply only to a very short validity period or a small data package.

Always select your actual travel dates, duration, and data allowance before comparing the final prices.

Compare Singapore SIM Cards and eSIMs on Trip.com

When I would choose M1 instead

I would lean toward M1 if I needed:

• A local Singapore phone number
• Regular local calls or SMS
• A prepaid plan with a large data allowance
• Assistance from staff when setting up the service
• Information about SIM registration for a longer stay

That said, M1 itself may have inexpensive tourist options, so I would compare its official website with Trip.com rather than assuming either one is always cheaper.

7. Staying in Singapore for More Than 30 Days? Read This First

This was the most complicated part of choosing an eSIM for my internship.

Many travel eSIMs offer plans lasting up to 30 days.

For a trip lasting 31–35 days, it may be tempting to assume that a 30-day plan can simply be extended.

However, there are three separate things to check.

1. Data plan validity

A 30-day data package generally has an expiry date.

Some providers allow you to purchase an additional package, while others require a new eSIM.

Check whether you can top up the existing plan and when the new package becomes active.

2. SIM registration validity

For Singapore prepaid SIMs, the registration document matters.

M1 states that SIMs registered with a foreign passport cannot remain active beyond 30 days unless the registration is updated to an accepted local identification document.

If you hold an eligible work pass, student pass, or other accepted document, ask M1 how and when to update your registration.

Do not assume that purchasing more data will automatically extend your SIM registration.

3. Additional charges

Even if a plan is extendable, it does not necessarily mean that the extension is free.

Ask the provider to clarify:

• Whether the existing data allowance remains valid
• Whether you need to purchase a top-up
• Whether the phone number will remain active
• Whether additional identity verification is required

My recommendation: For stays longer than 30 days, confirm these details before relying on a single prepaid SIM for your entire trip.

8. How to Set Up an M1 eSIM on Your Phone

The exact process depends on your phone and the plan purchased.

In general, you should:

1. Check that your smartphone supports eSIM.
2. Make sure the device is unlocked and compatible with the provider.
3. Prepare your passport or other accepted identification document if required.
4. Complete the purchase and registration process.
5. Connect to Wi-Fi if needed for activation.
6. Follow the instructions provided by M1 to add the eSIM.
7. Confirm that mobile data is working before leaving the airport.

M1’s official instructions include adding a cellular plan in your phone’s settings and scanning the QR code provided.

For iPhone users, the option is usually located under Settings → Cellular / Mobile Data → Add eSIM, although the wording may vary by iOS version.

If you are purchasing the eSIM at the airport, you can ask the staff to guide you through the setup process.

One important precaution: Never share your eSIM activation QR code publicly, as it may contain information that allows someone else to activate your plan.

9. Do You Really Need a Singapore Phone Number?

This is worth thinking about before purchasing a plan.

For many tourists, a local phone number is not essential.

You can usually use internet-based services such as WhatsApp, Google Maps, email, and social media with a data-only eSIM.

However, a local phone number may be useful if you expect to make regular calls within Singapore or need to receive conventional SMS.

For my research internship, I preferred having a local number available rather than relying entirely on internet-based communication.

Still, having a Singapore number does not guarantee that every service will accept it for registration or verification. Requirements vary by provider.

If you only need mobile internet for a short holiday, a data-only eSIM may be sufficient.

10. My Recommendations for Different Travelers

For a 3–7 day Singapore holiday

I would compare the smaller data packages on Trip.com first, especially if you don’t need a Singapore phone number.

Browse Singapore eSIM Options on Trip.com

For a 2–4 week trip

I would compare M1’s official 30-day offers with Trip.com’s longer-duration travel eSIMs.

The best choice depends on whether you need calls and SMS, as well as how much data you expect to use.

For a research internship, exchange program, or stay longer than 30 days

I would prioritize registration requirements, extension options, and phone-number validity.

If you need a local number, M1 may be worth considering, but confirm the conditions for your specific visa or pass.

For this type of stay, the cheapest advertised data package isn’t necessarily the most suitable option.

Final Thoughts: Is M1 a Good eSIM Choice for Singapore?

For my own stay, buying an M1 eSIM at Changi Airport was a convenient way to get connected.

I paid S$35, received a local Singapore phone number, and was able to ask the staff about my longer-than-usual stay.

The experience also taught me that it’s important to distinguish between the advertised validity of a data bundle and the registration validity of the SIM itself.

If you’re visiting Singapore for only a few days, I would recommend checking online travel eSIMs before arriving.

If you’re staying longer or need a local number, M1 is worth comparing—but don’t forget to check the official registration rules and the latest prices.

Useful links

M1 official website

View M1 Tourist SIM and eSIM Plans

Trip.com

Compare Singapore SIM Cards and eSIMs

Related reading on Choco Med Journal

• Medical Student Research Internship in Singapore: Visa, Budget, Housing & Preparation
• Where to Stay in Singapore for a Month: Hotels, Coliving & Serviced Apartments

Last reviewed: October 2026. This article reflects my personal experience and publicly advertised offers at the time of writing. Plan prices, registration requirements, and availability may change. Always confirm current conditions with the provider before purchasing.