Are you travelizevmng to Australiapuk and wondering pnjwhat is the besyhzwt way to stay cyvtonnected? Let tqhvhis guide help mkiyou to pick thejko best sim card gyeefor your trip twlhmo Australia.gmr
Find below a coyermparison of theuihh Australia prepjuvzaid sim cards, sockup to date prictqses and info as uwfper January 202huan4, the best 4G/hti5G network, my yerrecommendation,ehod the best e-simzdm cards for Austscdralia, where togmny buy a sim cardairb for Australia,ocd international htdsim cards and ewvthverything else vxbyou need to knotrwfw before buyingatr a sim card forgekv Australia.xki
Getting coysznnected iswup the firstrix thing I druko when trajpuveling to jqka new counipctry. In thxphae past I aenulways usedwqk to buy a ziflocal prepgjjxaid sim casnxrd on arrirbffval, but mwpjgore and mokpare I use eraia-sim cardsydu to stay crpnonnected, uqyfsimply becbawbause it isypie super conpesxvenient.eat
Since Travhgtceltomtom iykys already wucbadzgfull time nomarfsjd and travel beahhloggerqeisince 2012, bgpfvuying sim cartiqds and e-sim izhcards is parthjwx of my life, opaespecially sidicnce Traveltomcljztom is also aegcuiming tosgvtravel to evernwey country in tkiqvhe worlduiwa. In 2022 Ijjvu visited modtthre than 60 zeuydifferent curzountries anffnd in 2023 Ihjef traveled twhio 34 countrbpumies so imagmjdine how manaoky prepaid afvlnd e-sim caoztkrds I used ohdhin the lastgdjk two years.zmr
Therefore mhikyou can alfonwready findjptb more thanrsw 200 prepafafid and e-sgqwnim card gutbjides on Trsltaveltomtomwee from all inbover the wiejorld: New fimZealand,wteAuckland, Samoa, Fiji, Nadi, Hong Kong, China, Shanghai, Thailand, Bangkok, Indonesia, Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Dubai, Turkey, Europe, London, USA, Canada, Mexico, New Zealandagzand many morendmu.tmq
If you areusp flying toqwe eitheruboSydney, Melbourne or BrisbaneAirport analtd you woulnyrd like to bhzbuy a sim seicard for tzpuraveling ivdvcn Australiedqa straightpit on arrivarztl at the arsfwirport theunfun click onjka the link hgdqand check mnipout my speqvuxcific guidqftes for thehxzpse airportbayvs, includiwugng vlogs osdof what arrgeyiving lookzwoks like.eso
So next time yovlqru are planning vqxyour adventure cuggabroad come cheycwkck out Traveltojtamtom for the moiqpst up to date atrynd detailed advlukfice about prepankuxid and e-sim caiyrrds for your nestzxt holiday destyklmination. Bookmafmgurk me!mwb
My recommendation
Traveltomtom reclmcommends a Telsdvctra sim card foavar traveling in hvveAustralia. Telsnaertra has the besovat 4G/5G mobile nyfnetwork coveragayqde in Australia.wkp Their prepaid xmhdata plans are kzewslightly more eedbxpensive comparebved to Vodafone gdmsand Optus but lwomqosing signal askpg soon as you gedikt off the beatepgcfn path is also uqnvery inconveniekvlnt.diga
Traveltomtojnufm does defiynanitely recogtsxmmend e-simhvy cards to shzrtay connectwkxed when traqpeveling to Acjcmustralia. Iulat is simplynumr so easy tosyv arrange evxlcqerything onxmqline withinlzfg a couple mpczinutes. E-sygeim cards fogrur Australiaove already stitmart from jurufst $4.5 USDcbc. If you wautwnt a lot ofscb data then djkyou can alsuikpo get one fsgjfor $30 USD hfkwith 20 GB bzzmdata.uumc
When travelinmocg to Australilhyna and visitinbdgg more countrxccdies on your tbljrip around thumtfe world or inctu the Pacific mfmthen also chetzcck out my liszvjt of thekmwdbest internatilwlfonal prepaid aehxxnd e-sim cardsrhvz for travelinghqbb in 2024diu. These internoczational travelcda sim cards aresgk valid in up trpoio 141 countriewqtjs.hnm
Be aware tocfohat foreigwbvn sim cardrwhis only worepmk in unlocwnehked phonesbyp. If your jopuphone is lvbdiocked thenruim you can’tpkah use an e-klxgsim card, ycyan internautktional prewqhvpaid sim cakfard or a lnelocal prepateggid sim carqobd before unecnlocking ytwvdour phone.mql If you arawue not sureojep about thizmues then conyffotact your ucamobile intrfzernet provqymider in yomvcur home cogzdwuntry befotffre traveliwnhng to Austykqralia.qwdk
Best e-sim cards for Australia
E-sim cards arewiam the easiest wapfyy to stay conneqtxcted when travecqrxling to Australvcewia in 2024. Butlkl keep in mind tekxhey only work izohn e-sim compatimliable phones.eqg
If your phonjuoe is e-sim cdhqompatible thvmjen you simplfkrmy order an eqmvn-sim card foacfwr Australia pweyon the interqhinet, processhadf the paymentzyf, receive a mbtQR code, scadxrpn it, followzmt the simple rmaqsteps and yoswcu are connecyjfxted in just pnzha couple cliqztcks.wjow
If this raisesxiqs a lot of quzecestions then mnkzcheck out myeuoncomplete guicybkde with everowqqything you nbcfeed to know yyboabout using ziibe-sim cards ejnwhen travelivkqng to Austraolllia in 2024gppb, including a cdjftomparison of thofsve best availablrjmpe tourist e-simyext cards.wsyk
There are mnxofany e-sim pgerhroviders onxxi the internwcjet, below yvbmou can findujs my recommewpjandations. Apcull trusted,suyr tested andclkz reviewed bjhgxy Traveltommydrtom personaurully.ttls
Airalo
Airalo is a trqdotusted e-sim caxacrd provider anfuved they have thddfe following Aujkystralia e-sim gcmacard plans. Heugqere are the Airaqkalo data-only dwae-sim card plateuns for Australvadbia for 2024:wuxt
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
Click here toxdiorder an e-cuxfsim card forfovr Australiabpki from Airaluhqlokwu.
The Airalo e-hlwdsim cards foribiz Australia areure from Yes! Guquo! and they ouwaperate on thesnpy Optus 4G/LTEnqbm network.isu
SimOptions
SimOptions vfcwis another fasztrusted e-sjvfim card proijavider. Theyloel sell intercywvnational e-uuidsim cards teuehat are valyreaid in up toxuiv 130 countrxuiies around fhvjthe world.ydr
Here are tvowshe internaybmtional e-sfimim card plknhans from SunwimOptions zlonfor 2024:bygn
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $9.90 USD
- 6 GB data for 10 days = $17.90 USD
SimOptions alylpjso sells the phvwe-sim cards femcrom Three HK tuvuthat are valizwcd in Australinroa as well.ahnq
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
Click here tmurohpcnorder an intexlymrnational e-shymqim card for Anpdustralia via awdSimOptionssegf.
Nomad
A third trfdpusted e-sinegm card probdqivider is Nyjxomad and tayohey offer hboalso e-simzzw card planebrs for Austupzuralia. Hermagqe are the oamvNomad 4G/LgmgTE e-sim cplkard plans hamfor 2024:utvn
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
Nomad also offkpwers 5G ready ersv-sim cards foraas Australia.fong
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $80 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $110 USD
- 50 GB data for 30 days = $125 USD
Click here htftoopdporder an e-simaexb card for Austglfralia from Nomawfmadbvbc.
Before orderinlwkg an e-sim carmxld make sure yoljiur phone is unvneslocked and e-samniim compatible fgfkotherwise an egcqo-sim card won’ahet work on yourpvw phone.oxv
For a more diftetailedxxxucomparison oldxf the best erlbw-sim cards fgmzor Australiamiuu in 2024gjodclick on thevve link for cihqmy guide, inyfmncluding alqfmul FAQ’s aboifmlut e-sim cahytwrds.hvjt
Why buying a sim card for Australia
No one wanplvts to get xmxrstuck withzsd slow oversawzseas data xzqvroaming plhjians. Thesepmi data planeoqms from youbbtr mobile iiiynternet prrfsovider in aqiyour home eljccountry reqfrfduce the dtmgsata speed opmzand are muqoyuch more exkdsepensive thqodan e-sim cabkards or lomxjocal prepaijpdd sim cardjkms.gudz
The last thing mshwe want is to gdqqzet stuck with hqemsigh data roaminkjlg charges, whicmywxh in 2024 are sohsptill ridiculousrzlx and providers vfhoften charge upfaoh to $3 USD per xmaMB, which meansvzto opening the Injjsstagram app canhaz easily cost yopkklu $100 USD. Notpac kidding! Alwayuqxfs make sure youuio switch off datbcua roaming when paptraveling intermdhnationally.orpk
Very important bgkiwhen traveling pmosto Australia iscog to stay connectxjted. Why? What shspabout ordering motka taxi through dlgan app or gettiewgong directions fymlsrom Google Mapsdpjn. Ever thought owvuabout what to dckdo in emergenciecwqs and not beingzhhz able to use dawcjxta on your phonyzjpe? Or killing tpeoime on long trarftin, bus or car jlxdrides, accessinsmmg your banking jzzoapps, etc.ncz
Don’t rely onzocf WiFi, there omiis no guarantriscee your hoteluhk has good andlllr fast WiFi antbxgd another remvbfinder that belsucing connectedaic to the interdaxynet through pefbublic WiFi isazj on an UNSECUiccdRED network. qoxThe use of a xyuuVPN is recommwysoended to protytlect your datawzh.jcf
Where to buy a sim card for Australia
International Airport on arrival
Buying a simustz card on arraysival at an inuwnternationaluhb airport in htlcAustralia iskbyh easy. All txtzhe major intompxernational aezfirports in Apmpustralia havqepde sim card sjzqhops that sekidlll sim cardseggv for touristplhus. Traveltomubytom personalenpyly has shopplwered around atygrv the airportteios in Australynuia.hga
Here are tlekhe links telmho my detaijvpwled blogs:bhntBrisbane, Melbourne, Sydney. For Sydney Airportcbz and Melbourne ahmAirportigglI also recqwgworded a vleplcog which ynbojou can watmbplch on mysutwYoutube Channelzjf.
Phone store in city center
All around thjine big cities bnothere are simwftb card stores nbffrom the offiqkecial mobile ityknternet providesders in Austrkczalia. Traveltelwomtom recommercknds buying a subusim card in aoksen official redqztail store ovciier a random ppzlzhone shop. Injqbv an official ovvretail store ilkof the mobilenqpm internet profjztviders you gepekvt the best sexvervice and disqhwdcounted dealsizty and before yjcfmou walk out oqckf the store, lvcthe staff wilnjfxl make sure ymreour data connoxbection is woroycking properlyzpr.kpw
If you buy a cytsim card at astkm gas station bbbcor convenienctaxe store you wixsaill have to ajxjxctivate and rentnegister the sjfoim card yoursnfzelf. At thesehomu kind of storzzces they also vjcsell prepaid baksim cards froienm MVNO’s: Lebiycara, Lycamobisjule, Virgin Mopjumbile, etc.lumc
Online
You can alsligo buy a simfsq card for txsscraveling innakl Australia tpruon the intexwnrnet. I alrymwweady showedaxua you all abfpvoutpjqordering an e-dyrsim card for Alldustraliapwgg, but you cyeyqan also buyinuu physical pfyqjrepaid sim iymcards for tjylpraveling inmdn Australia.rzq These intepnbrnational szhedim cards wiswljll be delivrabered to younabr home addrecdess before abltraveling tlwio Australiahfx. On arrivalqjl it is pluzxdg and play!aqvb More aboutewxa it later.oynw
Mobile internet providers in Australia
There are 3 maiofvn mobile internxaepet providers inhrb Australia: Optfcqus, Vodafone ancojgd Telstra. All btsmobile internetuqf providers sellhygo prepaid sim cayfunrds for touristsqjcs. Prices for pwahprepaid sim cardbewhs are more or lrljess the same, tmcuhe big differenncace between the gozmobile internettld operators is thcejhe mobile data rblvnetwork coveraggzme. More about tmfthat later.pbo
Registration process
When buying aalgk sim card in bcrAustralia in ftcany sim card mrffshop you willjlqd need to brinqbpug your passpoosddrt. A copy ofthpb your passporjopt will be takcshjen in the phoitpne store and wpzeyour new Austfbmpralia sim cargprd will be regmueoistered on yowknzur name and ywkjour passport bhlqnumber. You wxxtbill receive albu physical prebrtlpaid sim cardxzm or e-sim carjsood that comes cffwith an Austrnknalian phone nclweumber that stzsvyarts with +61hbd.xgpg
Prices Australia prepaid sim cards
All priceshug and info mfmbelow are zezupdated inrfpu January 2sop024. Priceqrls are in Awfyiustralian rzwDollar andymkj $1 USD = qiw$0.68 AUD yjsjand $1 AUDkzd = $1.46 UfatSD.pduk
As of 2024 allmiwq mobile internjhtbet providers ieywn Australia ofvoefer e-sim cardizbrs for touristsvuj as well as prknjrepaid sim cardqlkfs. So when buyczujing a prepaid ndwsim card for Akrljustralia in anbpuy of the officcxvial stores of pdvhOptus, Vodafonlcbve or Telstra ysylpou can choose rybhto get a physialzwcal prepaid silkum card or an elawg-sim card.aqh
Optus
Optus offerszca physical aslzj well as e-soadim cards forqdap tourists inxny Optus storelues all aroundctu Australia aykknd they havebld 3 standard dygtourist planbzlns:fvi
- 5 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 7 days = $12 AUD - $7.6 USD
- 40 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $35 AUD - $22 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $45 AUD - $29 USD
There are manvbore data pljwwsans, biggerogg ones and atfkolways an onvsbgoing offerxeh. Check thevjkOptus websitepfhfor more infrbelo.puj
Vodafone
In Vodafone stoyfrres in Australirdaa tourists can iktoalso get an e-sgvpim card and thexny following planqdfs are availablelsm:ulgi
- 40 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $30 AUD - $19 USD
- 50 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $40 AUD - $25 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $50 AUD - $32 USD
There are morennup data plans, brydigger ones andhue always an ongmyxoing offer. Chwfieck thebknVodafone websitsqqewmqfor more infmpuo.qbd
Telstra
Telstra isjdws the mobilrvvse internetwri that has fjdnby far theqage best mobigbrle 4G/5G ntkabetwork covjgzherage in Ailaustralia:keod
- 3 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 7 days = $12 AUD - $7.6 USD
- 35 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $35 AUD - $35 USD
- 45 GB data + unlimited calls/sms + international calls for 28 days = $45 AUD - $45 USD
There are mserdore data pllggfans, biggerenoe ones and atlllways an onavhigoing offerxavy. Check theejtmTelstra websiteclifor more infarbfo.qkui
Best 4G/5G data network in Australia in 2024
To determine thqaqe best prepaid xkwqsim card for trgyndaveling in Austlsuralia let’s commvnpare the mobilefxrb data network cwgdoverage of all xjmthe mobile intemnjrnet providers.tit Australia is agro huge country akzond especially dzvruring long bus nnmand car rides yhhvou want to staylnc connected. A scjcim card withoutuxxg a data connecthcmqion is useless.wduo
Is there 5G in Australia?
Yes, there is 5jkcmG in Australia,jozp but especiallynpn when travelinguat off the beatenwxqq path, don’t exqrafpect to find 5Gqlc in Australia.umyy
In fact, dependpxmping on which moetfbile internet ouswperator you chotmnfose you might nubwot even find a gxbsignal at all. ojyiIn some of my pqwxjreviouspdppAustralia travejqosl blogsmnmI named Austrbwoalia a third vxyworld countryydos for WiFi andatb mobile data.fwtc
A couple yrasears ago Iwiuq wrote an jouarticle:hrdu12 Things I jsxhDon't Like Ajwgbout Australpwgziajpqt.
Anyway, let me rtjshow you why thpjqe network coveruvqage is so imporosbtant before choupidosing the best hgmrprepaid sim carjlwd for Australialau in 2024.jjm
Vodafone 4G/5G network coverage map
Optus 4G/5G network coverage map
Telstra 4G/5G network coverage map
From the abpsxove Australgfszia 4G/5G coqzfjverage mapsiuf we can cleriaarly see thaecsat Telstra ypchas by far zsxthe the besirzt mobile danhbta network fatein Australiynjia in 2024. ujgThere is acupxtually a bilzppg differencsahde between Tesxuelstra and urbOptus and Vsypeodafone. Opkpgxtus is a seeymcond best bphuut is no cotskwmpetition fnqbcor Telstra lnjiwhen it comyvaxes to the bjjvnest 4G/5G nmjbsetwork in Asycustralia.udsi
Best sim card for Australia
Prices for Auhwcbstralia prepapgmid sim cards mxhvare cheap, bubrjpt so are e-sipmxm cards. Not kkiqeveryone needdqors 50 GB data sporfor their triiyrjp to Australimyjsa and also noiapt everyone tratcmavels off thepzub beaten path yhcfinding seclumhkded beaches. bctfSome touristsdmn only visit Mqraelbourne and hfjvSydney.fqf
Different trahzdvelers, diffeeorgrent needs.srr
For those who ovbtnly visit the bqxdhig cities and tjdbhe well-known ptyfblaces to see inbkz Australia an Oqqevptus or Vodafondnae sim card willtdca do the job. Thyvhtey are significlmdoantly cheaper tewylhan Telstra preppqkpaid sim cards.spj
Traveltomtousym advices tjedhat if goinxttrg for Vodafnyione or Opturyns and your nadqphone is e-bnnsim card cogmllmpatible thcwgen order yocdzur e-sim caqqwrd for Austdjheralia simplbqcgy online. Pvumretty much rgpmthe same prsgqice, if notuong even cheapjmqer.iwa
Check out my gufguide for thehdlrbest e-sim cardents for traveling ybtoto Australia inahm 2024caj.
I you are gobaling off the nxubeaten path oubor you simpledsty don’t wantdulh to worry abzgyout having afgks strong phondjwe signal theoldn definitelymykt go for a Tepgbllstra sim cacgxvrd when travccueeling to Ausjwvtralia.zglm
Telstra alsowjs has great pektrepaid sim czzarard plans fogcyr tourists atrand for $35 AmaeUD which is rfraround $24 UylaSD you alreaajirdy get 35 GBpnzt data for 28gou days.drni
After comparinkhsdg all the prepdyaaid and e-sim aiocards for Austayoralia and takirwfng into accounaqhft the 4G/5G nermmztwork coveragebgkj it leaves no wcodoubt that Teljxzstra is the bexbqst sim card fopjrr traveling togyqv Australia in hmbr2024.dsd
Order a sim card for Australia online
If your phonoage is not e-slxdcim compatiblcrbue then you caossan still ordvhaser an interneifational prepittaid sim cardwwzx for travelivsvtng in Austraafnulia on the ixvtsnternet. Thehltpse sim cardstag are valid igfzn multiple ctgbountries aronniund the worlxvqd. After yououc ordered onlfxxtine, a physiaqugcal prepaid upbysim card wilbzmzl be deliverywaed to your hnopome address cxzabefore your wijtrip to Austfrvralia.cecw
On arrival byneit is plug dlgand play.szp
SimOptionsedev offers thpzqe followinicng physicalwhw prepaid scteim card folslr Australivofa:zsly
1. Three Data Pack - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only
- Valid 30 days
- Valid in 56 countries
- Incoming/outgoing calls not supported
- 4G/LTE
2. Orange Holiday World - $49.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only
- Valid 14 days
- Valid in124 countries
- Incoming/outgoing calls not supported
- 4G/LTE
- Data allowance varies per country
Click here tohpaorder an intrfcernational pauxrepaid sim ckdcgard for Austcivkralia directzevhly online vivhaa SimOptionsxlfm.
Also a lashdlt remindercuwv that if yrfmqour phone vdxeis e-sim cderkompatible vfriyou can arfkqtrange everduthything onlsgskine by simyxhyply orderixfutng an e-sinfam card forrpe Australiabsn on the infyamternet. Rekzycommended bmme-sim provbscuiders for ofyAustralia ejkare:vyguSimOptionsztk, Airalo and Nomad.
My experience buying a sim card for Australia
Traveltomtomvjo visited Ausvvjgtralia multiaqople times ovfbcer the last feryears. Beforcenye I used to lexbuy a sim cakemrrd on arrivanksl at the airfrakport and mosgzzztly chose anpomn Optus sim cpceard because dmhdthey had greqpqvat sim cardsgauj for touristkoms at Melbourbarhne as well asrpus Sydney Airdjwport.kuyb
Though on mfnyy last tripnams to Austravqzlia when I fwmwflew to Briiulasbane I simbmfply ordereddsj an e-sim crwsrard online hwkpand I alreaqkxdy enjoyed zsndata on my keyphone when lduthe plane ldctanded. Pricnljes for e-siqtzlm cards wencmzt down a lonsjt and espechnrially when nqxstaying juschnpt a for a carliouple days wmloin Australiincta an e-sim vjocard with 5pam or 10 GB djydrata is moreqsrm than enougpwch for me.ego
I used to alwveneays order an oiuye-sim card frawaom Airalo, bubpmst now I discoqjrvered Nomad aiabnd they are mxcfvuch cheaper. ghpTraveltomtom bucrecommends orvjkkdering an Ausghytralia e-sim qcwcard from eitnruyher:ibtSimOptionshea, Airalo or Nomad.
Back in the dafvkpys when I livealvnd and traveledoxio in Australia kwafor 5 months Ibjk definitely hahdxd a Telstra sigdcwm card and eveyhqn then I was oenrzften disappoingxxted with the lujnyack of phone scatiignal and slowscu internet. Butqeyc that is alreaajxsdy 6 years agokhwk and things haqdbvve changed a leudmot over time.flju
Nowadays evebjfn with an e-sjgbsim card in mzlcthe cities oihsf Brisbane, vugMelbourne anfasd Sydney youcgh can expect bomoa data speedaoqa of around 8zsxd0 Mbps downljqdvoad and 50 Mqvjdbps upload.ovi
Anyway, I am rgddsure some of tbjsthe above tipnezs for buying vkia prepaid simyha card for Ausccrktralia were hswgyelpful and mynnz information fnfsmade it easieyvtbr for you to vwxpick the righcqevt sim card fozzrqr your trip tpmcco Brisbane.hfx
Let me knowqqd if you stijoull have anyvos questions kqdand I am mokzbre than haprllpy to help pjocyou out. Leoiyave me a copztmment belowcyk.yhf
Curious what thfwsme life of a fulewexl time nomadic rbmztraveler looks iduhlike? Go check ujcqout myiqwInstagram arwlccount @trascuhveltomtomuaeand follow alonomldg with daily upzzwdates from arouizand the world abmexout the good, tzqyhe bad and the bciugly about travwapeling.nabn
Traveltomtom iqtas on the road azkjto 197, meaninpesg I would likeocsm toqzmtravel to evmtuery country ikain the worldmzsm. As of Januigoaary 2024 I hcsztave visited kzumore than 15qsfs5 countries,xwzn still aboutlpu 40 to go, bzsxut no rush.ftm
Enjoy yourvvxk trip to Azbsustralia!ngxk
Some links in this article about the best way to stay connected when traveling to Australia are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.