WiFi router VS data roaming VS overseas data SIM card: which should you choose for your next overseas trip?
PUBLISHED ONJuly 02, 2019 2:13 AMBy Wong Hui Min
One of the necessities while travelling is the access to the Internet. While there are many ways to stay connected while overseas, having a WiFi router, switching on a data roaming plan or using a pre-paid overseas data SIM card are the three most convenient options that we can choose.
For comparison, we would be comparing cities across various continents. According to Skyscanner, Hong Kong, London and Sydney are among the most popular destinations that Singaporeans would visit for a holiday. In addition, we included Kuala Lumpur as it is nearby hot favourite as well.
The options that we have selected are based on what is easily available in Singapore. For instance, you may find cheaper overseas SIM cards in your destination country, however, purchasing from reputable online sources do provide a level of assurance prior to embarking on your trip.
We used a reasonable amount of data usage for the comparison based on a given length of trip. Needless to say, the final amount that you have to pay would be different depending on your data needs.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (2D1N)
|
Wifi Router |
Data Roaming |
Overseas SIM Card |
|
– 4G/3G (depending on network) – 4G/3G network: only first 500MB per day, network speed will slow down when data limit exceeds – Up to 5 connections – Battery life: 6 hours Price = $15 ($8 x 2 = $16. $16 – $1 = $15) Has to pay for 2 days at least, no option to click for one day |
StarHub Data Travel
– Autoconnects to strongest network – 1GB 4G/3G data – Validity: 3 days Price = $5 (for 1GB) – Unlimited data Price = $38 ($19 per day x 2) |
Klook 15GB 4G SIM Card (KLIA 2 Pick Up)
– 5GB data with 4G high speed internet – 10GB basic internet data (up to 64kbps) – RM5 credit for calls/data Validity: 7 days Price = $7.59 |
|
– 4G connection – Must rent at least 3 days – Battery life: 16 hours – Price (self-collection)= $8 x 3 = $24 – Price (courier) = $24 + $6 = $30 |
– Unlimited 4G/3G data roaming – Charged daily Price = $30 (1 day) – Use your local data bundle of your mobile plan to roam overseas Price = $10/month |
Changi Recommends 15GB MALAYSIA SIM CARD 7 DAYS – Collect at Changi Recommends counter before departure – 5GB data with 4G high speed internet (max speed: 42Mbps) – 10GB basic internet data (up to 64kbps) – RM5 credit for local calls and international calls Validity: 7 days Price = $11.50 |
|
Klook 4G WiFi (SG Pick Up) for Malaysia – Battery life: 12 hours – 4G speed for first 500MB everyday – Up to 5 connections Price = $10 (min booking of 2 days)
|
– $5/GB – 1GB 4G/3G Data Roaming Price = $5 (for 1GB)
|
Shopee Unlimited Data SIM Card – 1st 5GB on 4G LTE/3G network – RM6 calling credit Validity: 30 days Price (normal mail or self-collection) = $10 Price (registered courier) = $13.20 |
|
Klook: 4G WiFi (SG Delivery) for Malaysia – Battery life: 12 hours – 4G speed for first 500MB daily – Up to 5 connections Price = $5 x 3 + $14 (postage) = $29 (min 3 days) |
– |
Qoo10: Malaysia Celcom 30 Days Data + Local Call – 5GB 4G/3G Speed Data – 10GB 2G Speed Data – RM4 call credit Validity: 30 days Price (normal mail or self-collection) = $9.99 Price (Qxpress) = $13.65 |
|
– 4G speed for first 500MB daily – Up to 5 connections Price = $5 x 3 = $15 (min rental period of 3 days) |
– |
– |
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (5D4N)
|
Wifi Router |
Data Roaming |
Overseas SIM Card |
|
Price = $39 ($8 x5 = $40. $40 – $1 = $39) |
Price = $10 (2GB) Price = $95 (5 days) |
Klook 15GB 4G SIM Card (KLIA 2 Pick Up) Price = $7.59 |
|
Price (self-collection)= $8 x 5 = $40 – Price (courier) = $40 + $6 = $46 Promo code: y5june2019 : -$5
|
Price = $75 (5 days) Price = $10/month |
Changi Recommends 15GB MALAYSIA SIM CARD 7 DAYS Price = $11.50 |
|
Klook 4G WiFi (SG Pick Up) for Malaysia Price = $25 |
Price = $10 (2GB)
|
Shopee Unlimited Data SIM Card Price (registered courier) = $13.20 |
|
Klook: 4G WiFi (SG Delivery) for Malaysia Price = $25 + $14 (postage) = $39 |
– |
Shopee: 8days 3GB Malaysia Prepaid Travel SIM Card Price (normal mail) = $13.90 Price (registered courier) = $16.70 Price (POPStation) = $17.10 |
|
Price = $25
|
– |
Qoo10: Malaysia Celcom 30 Days Data + Local Call Price (normal mail or self-collection) = $9.99 Price (Qxpress) = $13.65 |
HONG KONG (5D4N)
|
Wifi Router |
Data Roaming |
Overseas SIM Card |
|
Price = $24 ($5 x 5 = $25. $25 – $1 = $24) |
Price = $10 (2GB) Price = $95 (5 days) |
Klook: 4G/3G Hong Kong SIM Card – 3GB 4G Data – HKD18 Call Credit – Validity: 5 Days (after activation) Price = $8.90 |
|
Price (self-collection)= $5 x 5 = $25 – Price (courier) = $31 ($25 + $6) |
Price = $75 (5 days) Price = $10/month |
Changi Recommends: Hong Kong PCCW Tourist SIM Card – 3GB data – Unlimited CSL Wifi In HK – Unlimited HK Local Calls – Validity: 5 days Price = $10.50 |
|
Klook: 4G WiFi (SG Pick Up) for Hong Kong – First 500MB daily on 4G network – Unlimited 3G data will be applied after first 500MB – Battery life: 12 hours – Up to 5 connections Price (self-collection) = $19.50 Price (2-way courier) = $33.50 (courier fee: $14)
|
– 1GB = $20 – Can use across 18 destinations Price = $40 (2GB)
|
Shopee Hong Kong Unlimited Data SIM Card – First 3GB data on 4G/3G network. – Unlimited low speed data @128kbps. – 300 mins HK local call. – HKD$30 credits for call & SMS – Validity: 8 days Price (normal mail or self-collection) = $11.90 Price (SpeedPost Economy) = $13.39 |
|
Price = $25
|
– |
– 2GB 4G/3G – Unlimited low speed data @128kbps. – 20 mins local call Price (self-collection) = $10.99 Price (normal mail) = $11.79 Price (Qxpress) = $14.65 |
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (7D6N)
|
Wifi Router |
Data Roaming |
Overseas SIM Card |
|
Price = $62 ($9 x 7 – $1) |
Price = $40 (2GB) *but can use across Australia Price = $133 (7 days) |
Changi Recommends: Australia SIM Card – 12GB local data – Unlimited local calls and SMS, overseas calls and local SMS – Validity: 28 days Price = $26 |
|
Price (self-collection)= $10 x 7 = $70 – Price (courier) = $76 |
Not applicable Price = $10/month |
Shopee Australia Prepaid Mobile SIM Card – 36GB local data – Unlimited local calls and SMS, overseas calls and SMS (selected countries) – Validity: 30 days Price (self-collection) = $25 Price (delivery) = $26.49 |
|
Klook: 4G WiFi (SG Pick Up) for Australia – First 500MB daily on 4G network – Unlimited 3G data will be applied after first 500MB – Battery life: 12 hours – Up to 5 connections Price (self-collection) = $56 Price (2-way courier) = $70 |
– 1GB = $12 – Can use across 18 destinations Price = $24 (2GB) |
– First 1.2GB data on 4G LTE network – Unlimited low speed data – Validity: 8 days Price (normal mail) = $18.80 Price (registered mail) = $22.60 |
| Roaming Man WiFi
Price = $84 ($12 x 7) |
– |
– |
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (10D9N)
|
Wifi Router |
Data Roaming |
Overseas SIM Card |
|
Price = $89 ($9 x 10 – $1) *Can be used for other European cities |
Price = $50 (3GB) Price = $300 (10 days) |
Changi Recommends: UK + Europe 10GB Vodafone SIM |
|
Price (self-collection)= $8 x 10 = $80 Price (courier) = $86 |
Not applicable Price = $25/month |
Shopee: UK and Europe Travel Data SIM Card – 5GB local data – Unlimited SMS & calls (UK + Europe) – Validity: 30 days Price (self-collection and normal mail) = $29.99 Price (registered mail) = $33.49 |
|
Price = $120 ($12 x 10) |
– 1GB = $35 – Can use across 56 destinations Price = $105 (3GB)
|
– 1GB 4G data – Validity: 7 days Price (normal mail) = $12.90 x 3 = $38.70 (3GB) Price (registered mail) = $42.50 |
FINAL VERDICT
For short trips, the cheapest option would be to simply switch on your data roaming. It is also highly convenient as you are able to do it anywhere and anytime.
Although having a WiFi router seems to be the most expensive option out of all, it may actually be a cost-effective solution if you are travelling in a group, since you can share the cost.
Also, some hotels provide HandyPhone, which has tethering ability that you can tap on for data usage for free.
This article was first published by Dollars and Sense.
