travel sim card melbourne

Buying a Sim Card at Melbourne Airport in 2024

Traveling to Melbourne and wondering if you can buy a sim card at Melbourne International Airport on arrival? This is a complete guide for finding the best way to stay connected on your trip to Melbourne and finding the perfect Australia sim card for you.

Find out where to buy a sim card at Melbourne Airport, up to date prices as per January 2024, my recommendation, the best e-sim cards for Australia, a vlog about my arrival, more info about international sim cards and everything else you need to know.

Making sure I stay connected is one of my main priorities when planning a trip. Mostly these days I order an e-sim card online. If not, a local prepaid sim card is a great substitute and depending how much Gigabyte you need, prepaid sim cards are even cheaper. 

Forget about high roaming charges and slow overseas data roaming plans. Find your prepaid or e-sim card with big data bundles and the best 4G/5G network connection.

Traveltomtom would like to visit every country in the world  and everywhere I go I document what is the best way to stay connected. That is how on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Sydney , Brisbane , Auckland ,  Hong Kong , Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur, Thailand , Bangkok ,  Indonesia , Bali ,  USA , New York , Turkey , Qatar , Dubai , London , Europe , Asia , Singapore , Hong Kong , Vietnam  and many more.

I also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Australia in 2024 with a comparison of all the mobile internet providers and their 4G/5G coverage maps. Thos who are explicitly looking for e-sims check out my guide for the best e-sim cards for traveling to Australia in 2024 .

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

My recommendation

The best prepaid sim card deal for tourists at Melbourne Airport is an Optus sim card. Compared to Telstra and Vodafone they prepaid sim card deals they offer the best value.

For a trip to Melbourne that is totally fine. However, if you are going to travel around Australia Traveltomtom recommends a Telstra prepaid sim card. You can also buy a Telstra prepaid sim card at Melbourne Airport, though slightly more expensive.

Why is Telstra the best prepaid sim card for Australia in 2024 ? Check out my complete guide and explanation in the link.

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Traveltomtom definitely recommends using e-sim cards when traveling to Australia. E-sim cards are so easy and convenient and with an installed e-sim card for Australia on your phone you are online as soon as the plane lands. More info below.

Recommended e-sim providers for Australia are:  SimOptions , Airalo and  Nomad .

If you travel to multiple countries on your trip to the Pacific then it is worth looking into an international travel sim card. Check out my article about the best world sim cards with data in 2024  and find the one that covers the countries of your trip to for example Australia and New Zealand.

Best e-sim cards for Australia

E-sim cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Australia in 2024. But keep in mind they only work in e-sim compatible phones.

If your phone is e-sim compatible then you simply order an e-sim card for Australia on the internet, process the payment, receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and you are connected in just a couple clicks.

If this raises a lot of questions then check out my complete guide with everything you need to know about using e-sim cards when traveling to Australia in 2024 , including a comparison of the best available tourist e-sim cards.

There are many e-sim providers on the internet, below you can find my recommendations. All trusted, tested and reviewed by Traveltomtom personally. 

Airalo is a trusted e-sim card provider and they have the following Australia e-sim card plans. Here are the Airalo data-only e-sim card plans for Australia for 2024:

• 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 to order an e-sim card for Australia from Airalo .

The Airalo e-sim cards for Australia are from Yes! Go! and they operate on the Optus 4G/LTE network.

SimOptions is another trusted e-sim card provider. They sell international e-sim cards that are valid in up to 130 countries around the world.

Here are the international e-sim card plans from SimOptions for 2024: 

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $9.90 USD
• 6 GB data for 10 days = $17.90 USD

SimOptions also sells the e-sim cards from Three HK that are valid in Australia as well.

• 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD

Click here to order an international e-sim card for Australia via SimOptions .

A third trusted e-sim card provider is Nomad and they offer also e-sim card plans for Australia. Here are the Nomad 4G/LTE e-sim card plans for 2024:

• 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 offers 5G ready e-sim cards for Australia.

• 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 to order an e-sim card for Australia from Nomad .

Before ordering an e-sim card make sure your phone is unlocked and e-sim compatible otherwise an e-sim card won’t work on your phone.

For a more detailed comparison of the best e-sim cards for Australia in 2024  click on the link for my guide, including all FAQ’s about e-sim cards.

Melbourne Airport

A very modern and easy to navigate airport. International flights all arrival in Terminal 2 and when walking out you are greeted by huge letters saying MELBOURNE. There is only one exit into a spacious arrival hall. Melbourne Airport is not as busy as most airports in Asia, Europe and the USA.

Where to buy a sim card at Melbourne Airport

Buying a prepaid sim card for Australia on arrival at Melbourne Airport is very easy. There are 3 different stores and you can not miss them.

On your left hand side when walking into the arrival hall you will see Welcome Center. This store sells prepaid sim cards from Telstra and Boost. If you are Chinese or Vietnamese speaking this is your place to buy a sim card as they also offer services in these languages. The Welcome Center is NOT an official Telstra retail store, just a reseller.

The Welcome Center store is open from 06.00 am till 02.00 pm and from 5.30 pm till midnight.

On your right hand side you will find the official retail stores of Vodafone and Optus. These stores are both open from 6.30 am till 23.30 pm. All sim card shops at Melbourne Airport accept international credit cards payments.

If you arrive outside the opening hours there is also a vending machine for sim cards behind the Optus shop.

Prices Australia sim cards at Melbourne Airport

Mind you that prices and packages change constantly. Traveltomtom tries to keep this article as up to date as possible. New input in the comments below is always appreciated. Prices below are in Australian Dollar and per January 2024: $1 AUD = 0.68 USD and $1 USD is $1.48 AUD.

Buying a Boost sim card is only recommended when staying in Melbourne city. Their network is very limited outside the city and therefore not recommended for traveling in Australia.

• 40 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $30 AUD - $20 USD
• 55 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $40 AUD
• 140 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 365 days = $200 AUD - $137 USD
• 260 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 365 days = $300 AUD

A prepaid Telstra sim card is free when buying one of the below data packages:

• 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $30 AUD - $20 USD
• 40 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $40 AUD
• 200 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 365 days = $300 AUD - $200 USD

Telstra has the best 4G/5G network coverage in Australia, see my guide for the best prepaid sim card in Australia in 2024 .

At the Vodafone store they offer a wide range of prepaid sim cards for Australia:

• 4 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 7 days = $10 AUD - $7 USD
• 8 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $20 AUD
• 60 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $25 AUD - $17 USD
• 150 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 365 days = $150 AUD

Vodafone is the most flexible when it comes to picking the right data package for your trip to Australia. Some have international minutes included as well, see the photo above for more info.

At Optus they only offer 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists at Melbourne Airport. They offer a 4G and a 5G sim card deal:

• 60 GB data (4G/LTE) + unlimited calls/text for 30 days = $25 AUD - $17 USD
• 60 GB data (5G ready) + unlimited calls/text for 30 days = $60 AUD

International minutes are also included to 35 different countries and unlimited international minutes to another 15 countries, see the photo above.

Best prepaid sim card Melbourne Airport

Traveltomtom always recommends buying a prepaid sim card from an official retail store and therefore the Welcome Center is not my first recommendation. However, for Chinese and Vietnamese speaking travelers this store is great as they have everything in Vietnamese and Chinese as well.

Although Telstra has the strongest 4G/5G coverage in Australia the prices for Telstra prepaid sim cards are also slightly more expensive or at least you get less data for the same money.

If you really want 5G then Vodafone claims to offer 5G on all their data packages and Optus only gives you 5G when you pay double the price. Mind you that the 5G network in Australia is still pretty limited to the cities.

Vodafone has the widest range of prepaid sim cards and the cheapest prepaid sim card deals for tourists. That said Vodafone has the weakest 4G/5G mobile data network in Australia.

For more info on the best 4G/5G network and a comparison of the best prepaid sim card for Australia in 2024 check my article in the link.

My conclusion for the best prepaid sim card for Australia at Melbourne Airport is an Optus prepaid sim card. They offer 60 GB data for $25 AUD which is about $17 USD only. The Optus 4G/LTE network coverage is stronger than the Vodafone network.

However, if you are going to travel around Australia then you simply want a Telstra sim card, trust me.

When comparing e-sim cards for Australia with local prepaid sim cards Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that local prepaid sim cards offer more value for money. Meaning if you need a lot of Gigabytes then the prepaid sim card you buy in Australia are cheaper.

That said, if you just need a little bit of data then e-sim cards are the best way to stay connected when traveling to Melbourne. You arrange everything online and as soon as the plane lands you are already online and no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival.

E-sim cards from Australia already start from just $4.5 USD and for $12 USD you already get 5 GB data. Traveltomtom recommends  SimOptions , Airalo and  Nomad  for ordering an Australia e-sim card.

Check out my comparison of the best e-sim cards for Australia in 2024 for more detailed info.

If you are wondering what it looks like arriving at Melbourne Airport and buying a prepaid sim card for Australia on arrival then watch my vlog above.

Buying a prepaid sim card for Australia online

If your phone is not e-sim compatible then you can still order an international prepaid sim card for traveling in Australia on the internet. These sim cards are valid in multiple countries around the world. After you ordered online, a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Australia.

On arrival it is plug and play.

SimOptions offers the following physical prepaid sim card for Australia:

1. Three Data Pack - $24.90 USD

• 10 GB data-only
• Valid 30 days
• Valid in 56 countries
• Incoming/outgoing calls not supported

2. Orange Holiday World - $49.90 USD

• Valid 14 days
• Valid in124 countries
• Data allowance varies per country

Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Australia directly online via SimOptions .

Also a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can arrange everything online by simply ordering an e-sim card for Australia on the internet. Recommended e-sim providers for Australia are:  SimOptions , Airalo and  Nomad .

I hope all the above tips for buying a sim card for Australia were helpful for your upcoming trip to Melbourne. If you have any more questions then don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below and I will try to help you out.

Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world ? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Traveler & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to Melbourne!

Some links in this article about the best sim cards for traveling to Melbourne are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you.

Where to find a SIM card at Melbourne airport, and which one to get

This guide is to help travellers arriving in Melbourne find where to buy a SIM card. I travel to Melbourne airport frequently for work and visit. One of the first things I do when getting out of the airport is to pick up a SIM card for my phone.

There are two shops that sell SIM cards at Melbourne Airport:

I’ve found the shops occasionally sell out of the cheaper SIM cards, or the staff were pushing me to the more expensive ones.

At Terminal 2, International Arrivals , there are 2 SIM card shops:

• Optus, which sells SIM cards for the phone carrier Optus,
• Welcome to Melbourne , which sells SIM cards for various phone providers and tickets for the bus to the city

At the Domestic Terminals (1, 3, and 4) , I’ve never been able to find a SIM card shop. Typically travellers without SIM cards arriving on domestic flights have been in transit from Sydney. If you’ve arrived with Qantas or Virgin, it’s not far to walk to the international arrivals area to buy a SIM card. Otherwise, wait until the city to buy one.

Overall, I find Optus (starting at $10) 1 to be the best option for SIM cards at Melbourne Airport . Optus typically offers coverage everywhere I travel, which usually places them above Vodafone on my list of preferences. If I know I’m going to travel extensively in rural Australia, I like to find a Telstra SIM card instead.

Alternatively, a SIM card can be bought while transiting in Sydney Airport. I’ve included how to do this in my guide to Sydney airport here: Where to find a SIM card at Sydney airport

Which SIM cards are available at Melbourne Airport?

Of the SIM cards available at Melbourne Airport, I consider which one to get based on:

• Making phone calls

Great for coverage: Telstra and Optus, each from $10 AUD

Out of the options at Melbourne Airport, the best SIM card I’ve found for coverage is the Telstra Pre-Paid max 2 , starting at $10 AUD for 7 days.

Coverage is important in Australia if you plan on travelling outside the major cities and towns. If you’re trip is limited to Melbourne, any of the major mobile phone networks (provided by Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone) will work. For other common visitor destinations:

• Great Ocean Road , in my experience Telstra and Optus work well here, while Vodafone coverage can be spotty.
• Phillip Island , all major carriers should work here.
• Grampians , all major carriers should work in the towns, but Telstra offers the best coverage on the mountains themselves.

I like to use either Telstra or Optus if I’m travelling significantly outside the larger cities and towns:

• Telstra provides the most coverage in the countryside: it covers highways, smaller towns, and many remote areas.
• Optus is the covers most highways and some of the smaller towns. Optus is typically cheaper than Telstra.

Smaller SIM card brands will use the bigger networks to offer coverage. I’ve found the better deals on these smaller SIM card brands are only available once you leave the airport.

Great for data: Optus, from $30 AUD

For visitors staying up to 90 days in Australia, I’ve found Optus to offer the best deal on data. The $30 (AUD) Optus Prepaid Epic Data SIM card includes up to 35GB of data for each 28 day period as a bonus for the first three 28-day periods - so roughly 3 months. After that it drops down to 10GB/28-days, though this isn’t a concern for most short term travellers.

Great for calls: Vodafone, $20 or $40 depending on current deals

For calls back home, Vodafone includes generous minutes with its prepaid SIM card to dozens of countries . The price for this SIM card seems to be inconsistent, either it’s $20 or $40 AUD 3 . I feel it’s a good deal at either price point if you are interested in making phone calls back home.

The Vodafone prepaid SIM includes:

• 500 minutes of calls to Singapore, Malaysia, China and territories, Japan South Korea, UK, US and territories, and many more
• 100 minutes of calls to Most of South America, Most of Europe, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and also many more

For local calls in Australia , both Telstra and Vodafone offer unlimited local calls to standard Australian phone numbers. Optus offers 100 minutes of local calls, which is enough for most people.

Is it better to buy a SIM card in Melbourne city or at the airport?

If I can afford 15 minutes in queue, I like to buy the SIM card at the airport , and I usually buy the Optus option. If I’m in a rush, I’ll buy a SIM card in the city at a convenience store.

There is often a long queue at my preferred shop, Optus, however with coffee in hand from the nearby cafe, I tend to tough it out for the 10-15 minutes it takes.

The previously mentioned Welcome to Melbourne shop has less of a queue, but I feel the staff are less helpful in terms of setting up and activating the new SIM card.

Which SIM cards are better value if bought in the city?

For better value data: coles mobile for $20 aud.

Coles, a large supermarket chain in Australia, offers a $20 AUD plan that includes 28GB of data 4 . It is valid for 35 days. Coles has a large number of shops that you can buy this SIM card from. Network coverage is the same as Optus. Unlimited local calls are available though the rates aren’t as good as Vodafone.

For calls: Stick with Vodafone

For international calls , it’s hard to beat the Vodafone prepaid deal with 500 minutes to most of the world’s population.

For local calls , Coles has a 10 day $10 AUD SIM card that includes unlimited local calls.

For longer expiry: Any

All of the SIM cards mentioned here, available in Melbourne, and Australia in general, can be topped up and have their validity extended.

Do I need ID to buy a SIM card at Melbourne Airport?

Yes, identification is required to buy a SIM card at Melbourne Airport and anywhere else in Australia. A passport is sufficient, and the address you’re staying at will also need to be supplied. An activation process may be required for the SIM. The shop that sells the SIM card can do it, or you can do it on your phone once the SIM is inserted - different SIM cards support different activation methods, it’s easy but if you’re not sure ask when buying.

Recording identification is done either when you buy the SIM card, or when you activate. If you’re not sure about the process, buy from a shop where they can help you activate the SIM card.

Is Wi-Fi available at Melbourne Airport?

Yes, Wi-FI is available at Melbourne Airport. I usually connect to it while I’m waiting for my bag or while I’m waiting in line for the customs check. The Wi-Fi can be a little slow, I’ve found it only useful for updating messages and emails; it often struggles to load news articles.

The Wi-Fi at the airport helps me update on missed news while I’m waiting for bag collection and customs. I feel these embody the Australian spirit and can be a bit slower that what I’m used to in the likes of Singapore or Hong Kong.

How to get from the airport to the city, while connected

Catching the skybus.

SkyBus is the mass-transit option for transporting people from the airport to the city. Melbourne airport does not have a train connection. Taxi and services such as Uber are available. I prefer taxi (company money) or Uber (my money), even though they don’t provide Wi-Fi. The journey takes 30-60 mins depending on where you are going in Melbourne city.

Each SkyBus has Wi-Fi on board . People tell me the service isn’t good on the bus. I usually buy a SIM card before leaving the airport, or accept that I won’t be connected. If you’re next destination is the city - the train station Southern Cross or any hotel/AirBnB in the central area - I’ve found I don’t need a map to locate a convenience store that sells SIM cards.

Uber, using the airport Wi-Fi to book

It may be possible to book an Uber using the free Wi-Fi at Melbourne Airport. I don’t like this option because:

• Wi-Fi coverage isn’t great once you leave the terminal building - Uber pickup is a short walk outside the terminal building
• Wi-Fi speed, even when connected with full signal, is unreliable and may disrupt the Uber booking process.

I haven’t tried the other ride-share options available in Melbourne. Ride share in Melbourne includes:

• DiDi, pickup at airport follows the process on their website
• Ola, also have a process on their website for airport pick up
• Taxify, not available at Melbourne Airport.

Taxis in Melbourne do not have free Wi-Fi. The convenience of going straight to my destination means that I often prefer to jump straight in a taxi rather than line up for a SIM card at the airport - especially if work is paying for the taxi ride.

Can I roam with my Australian SIM card to another country

New zealand.

Optus offers 5 days of 10GB data roaming with its prepaid sim cards for an extra $20. This is only worth it for trips to New Zealand of 5 days or less. For trips longer than 5 days, local SIM cards can be bought at most airports that have flights from Australia and further abroad.

This Optus prepaid data roaming also works in Hong Kong, Singapore, USA and UK.

Prepaid roaming credit can be added on the Optus recharge website or in an Optus shop.

Most New Zealand destinations are available by direct flight from Melbourne. Direct flights take around 3.5 hours and are available to: Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown.

Despite being neighbours, roaming a prepaid Australian SIM card into Indonesia is expensive.

Telstra offers a very expensive $29 AUD for 100MB of data.

Vodafone is slightly cheaper at $25 AUD for a mix of data or calls (up to 200MB data), but it only lasts 3 days. A 7 day option is available for $35 AUD.

I don’t like the idea of taking an Australian SIM card to Indonesia, especially when there are so many local options available.

From Melbourne, Indonesia is accessible directly via Bali and Jakarta.

For short trips of up to 5 days, the Optus prepaid 10GB data roaming plan is $20.

References:

Optus prepaid plans

Telstra prepaid plans

Vodafone prepaid plans

Coles mobile plans

Tags: sim-card melbourne australia

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Written by Chris who travels frequently for work and understands what it can be like to arrive somewhere new and unfamiliar.

I wrote Landing Last Minute to help the hurried traveler get necessary information about any destination.

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Best prepaid SIM card for tourists (March 2024)

These are the best prepaid SIM cards for tourists on the eve of their next Aussie sojourn.

We may earn money when you click our links.

Best SIM card in Australia for tourists overall

• Best cheap SIM card in Australia for travellers
• Best big data prepaid SIM for travellers
• Best prepaid SIM for regional coverage
• Best prepaid SIM for short stays

If you're travelling down under for a holiday, work trip or family visit, you'll want to know which is the best prepaid SIM card in Australia for your needs based on your budget, phone usage habits, coverage requirements and data needs.

Take a tip from a veteran jet-setter: though the romanticised version of a holiday abroad is one of severing all connection to the boring every day, you're still going to need at least one effective line of communication intact. There is no escape from reality. Not truly.

Whatever the case, you're going to need a good SIM plan to accompany you on your travels. Whether you're backpacking on a budget or travelling out to regional and remote areas, we've laid out options for folks with a range of needs.

We'll dive into the best best sim cards for tourists for each category in a sec, but for a quick overview of popular SIM plans that tend to suit most travellers, look at our most popular SIM plans below. 

How to buy a SIM card in Australia

What documents do tourists need to buy a sim card in australia.

• Your full name
• Your passport number
• An Australian address (or the address of the hotel you are staying at)

How good is mobile coverage in Australia?

The quality of your mobile coverage in Australia will depend on your location and network provider. There's plenty of detail to pour over when it comes to Australia's mobile landscape, but the short version is that every Australian SIM card is powered by one of three major mobile networks:

While all three of the above offer 3G, 4G and 5G connectivity, their coverage can vary. To help you find out who offers the best SIM card in Australia for you, have a tinker with the interactive coverage map below.

Where to buy a SIM card in Australia?

If you're looking to buy a SIM card in Australia, you likely won't have to search far.

The airport is the first place that travellers to Australia are likely to have the chance to buy a SIM in Australia, though it isn't the only option. These Australian airports will sell you a SIM the moment you touch down:

• Adelaide Airport (ADL)
• Brisbane Airport (BNE)
• Cairns Airport (CNS)
• Canberra Airport (CBR)
• Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
• Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
• Perth Airport (PER) 
• Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) 

Of course, it's not uncommon for airport retail outlets to charge a premium for convenience. If you want a SIM card as soon as possible, you might end up paying a little bit more for it.

Fortunately, you should be able to find a prepaid SIM in many other Australian retailers, including supermarkets, newsagents, post offices and service stations. Here is a list of major retailers that sell SIM cards in Australia.

• IGA Supermarkets
• Harvey-Norman
• Officeworks
• The Good Guys
• Australia Post

Are all phones working in Australia

If your smartphone is made by a mainstream brand like Apple or Samsung, chances are it will probably work just fine in Australia. However, if you're using something a little more niche then it might be worth digging into the spec sheet to make sure it'll play nice with Australia's telecommunications infrastructure.

One thing you'll want to look out for here is whether your device is compatible with the GSM standard. Some handsets use a different standard called CDMA. If this is the case, then you might not be able to call or text on an Australian mobile network with that device.

The other big thing you might want to double-check before hopping on a plane is whether your smartphone is able to operate on the frequencies that Australia's mobile networks use.

Australia's 3G networks use the 850MHz, 900MHz, and 2100Mhz frequencies.

Australia's 4G networks use the 700Mhz, 850Mhz, 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, 2100Mhz, 2300Mhz and 2600Mhz frequencies.

Australia's 5G networks use the 700Mhz, 850Mhz, 1800Mhz, 2100Mhz, 2300Mhz, 3500Mhz and 26Ghz frequencies.

Boost Mobile $35 Prepaid Plan

✓ how we picked the best sim card in australia for tourists: .

• We ranked SIM only phone plans under $50 in our database by price and chose one that offered the best coverage for travellers. We also factored in the cost per gigabyte and relevant international inclusions.

Boost Mobile is closely allied with Australia's biggest network, Telstra. So closely allied, in fact, that they have access to the full Telstra network, which covers 99.5% of the population. Considering every other provider on the Telstra network only gets access to part of it, Boost is your best bet for mobile coverage if you don't like the idea of paying Telstra's premium prices.

 Boost Mobile plans range in size from 3GB and 260GB, with prices ranging from as little as $10 to as much as $300. Safe to say, variety is one of this provider's strengths. Boost Mobile offers a variety of plan expiry terms that go all the way up to 365-day-long expiry plans.

Our pick of the lot for travellers visiting Australia is the Boost Mobile $35 Prepaid plan. This SIM-only plan comes with unlimited calls and texts within Australia, unlimited international calls to 20 countries, and 300 minutes to an additional 30 countries. These plans last for 28 days, but if you're staying longer, whatever data you don't use will roll over to the next month.

How does this prepaid SIM card compare?

To see how that compares to other SIM plans, here are the most popular plans around $30 in Australia right now. However, keep in mind that not all of these providers offer the same coverage or international inclusions as the Boost plan above.

Best prepaid plans

If you're looking for more prepaid phone plans, make sure you check out our comprehensive guide to the best prepaid plans in Australia.

Best cheap SIM card in Australia for travellers

Lebara $5 extra small plan, ✓ how we picked the best cheap sim card in australia for tourists: .

• We ranked SIM only phone plans under $10 in our database by price and chose one that offered the best coverage for travellers. We also factored in the cost per gigabyte and relevant international inclusions.

We see where your head is at. You've dropped a considerable chunk of money on getting Down Under and you'd much rather spend your remaining funds on the finer things. For you, we'd recommend Lebara as a budget SIM option. This provider runs on the Vodafone network for coverage.

Which their cheapest offer, you'll get unlimited talk and text within Australia, 3GB of data, 300 minutes of international calls to 8 selected countries, and $3 extra international call credit. It's a great match for people looking to stick to Wi-Fi for most of the trip, but who need a little emergency data for peace of mind. And with prices starting from $5, it's great for the old hip pocket.

There's even better value to be had if you open the playing field up to providers that don't offer international calls, but keep in mind some of these SIM plans might not be easy to find at an airport or convenience store. Here are the most popular no-contract plans under $15 in Australia.

Vodafone $40 prepaid SIM Starter Pack

From $14.99

Belong SIM Starter Pack

From $35.00

Telstra Prepaid SIM Starter $10

*Pricing and deals only accurate as of last page update. 

Best big-data SIM card for travellers in Australia

Amaysim unlimited 120gb plan, ✓ how we picked the best big-data sim card for travellers in australia: .

• We ranked SIM only phone plans in our database by price and chose one that offered the best coverage for travellers and at least 120GB We also factored in the cost per gigabyte and relevant international inclusions.

 If you're after both data  and  some international calls, amaysim is pretty hard to beat.

You're going to need a lot of data to share all those happy snaps and Instagram stories, and if you're a particularly heavy data user, you'll need a plan that can keep up with your needs. Each of the Amaysim plans in the widget above comes with a healthy dose of data, unlimited talk and text in Oz, and unlimited international calls and texts to 42 countries. It also runs on the Optus network, which is Australia's second-largest.

For real data gluttons, you'll want to go with the Amaysim Unlimited 120GB plan. You'll get a generous 120GB of data to use, but this gets boosted pretty often with frequent bonus data deals. 

If you're happy to go without international calls, there are even better deals to be had for data lovers. Here are the most popular contract-free plans offering at least 75GB of data. There's often special offers on too, meaning you can nab a great deal while you're Down Under.

Best SIM card for regional coverage in Australia

✓ how we picked the best sim card for regional coverage in australia: .

• We ranked SIM only phone plans under $30 in our database by price and chose one that offered the best coverage for travellers. We also factored in the cost per gigabyte and relevant international inclusions.

You'll not have too big a head-scratching decision with this one. Telstra and Boost Mobile plans are the only two providers available that offer access to the full Telstra network, and you'll need that if you're going to go bush. With that in mind, there are plenty of different plans to choose from, depending on your budget and data needs. Both providers' plans offer some international calls, but only Boost offers unlimited international calls - Telstra only comes with 30 international minutes.

Our pick of the lot for travellers visiting Australia is the Boost Mobile $35 prepaid mobile plan. This SIM-only plan comes with unlimited calls and texts within Australia, unlimited international calls to 20 countries, and 300 minutes to an additional 30 countries.

With that in mind, here are all of Telstra and Boost Mobile's Upfront and prepaid plans, sorted by popularity. Just be aware that Telstra Upfront plans auto-renew at the start of each month, so you'll need to cancel it before you leave. 

Best SIM card for short stays in Australia

Amaysim $10 7-day unlimited plan, ✓ how we picked the best sim card for short stays in australia: .

• We ranked SIM only phone plans with 7-day expiry in our database by price and chose one that offered the best coverage for travellers. We also factored in the cost per gigabyte and relevant international inclusions.

If you're only in Oz for a short stay, you'll be happy to hear you don't have to settle with a more expensive 28 or 30-day plan like those listed above. Both Optus and amaysim (which both run on the Optus network) offer shorter-term prepaid plans.

Our top pick is Amaysim's $10 7-day UNLIMITED Plan, which comes with 10GB of data, unlimited talk and text in Australia and even unlimited international calls to 42 countries.

If you'd rather go day-to-day, Optus's Flex plans include a $1 per day subscription plan or $7 per 7 days, each offering 1GB data per day and unlimited Australian talk in text. On the downside, there are no international call inclusions.

Things you need to consider when deciding on what sim card to buy

If you're looking to decide on a SIM card to buy in Australia, here is a short list of things you should consider and questions to ask yourself.

• Whether it includes enough data for the duration of your stay?
• Does the network the SIM card is associated with meet your coverage requirements? For instance, if you're looking to visit rural and regional areas then Telstra is the way to go.
• Are the expiry terms appropriate? If you're only visiting for a matter of weeks then a long-expiry plan may not be the right fit.
• Will you need to call home during your stay? Picking a prepaid or postpaid plan with included calls might save you some money.

Lastly, it's worth considering whether the mobile provider associated with the prepaid SIM card can get it to you before you travel. Otherwise, you're going to have to get it delivered to a hotel or friend or go out and get it yourself.

Which networks are available in Australia?

In Australia, there are three major networks. In order of size, these are as follows:

• Telstra - 99.8%
• Optus - 98.5%
• Vodafone - 96%

There are also several dozen mobile virtual network operators ( MVNOs ), which operate on top of those three major networks. This includes providers like Boost Mobile, Belong , Amaysim, Kogan , Lebara, Mate and Felix . The full list of Australian MVNOs is as follows:

• Amaysim (acquired by Optus)
• Aussie Broadband
• Boost Mobile
• CMobile Blue
• CMobile Red
• Catch Connect
• Coles Mobile
• Dodo (owned by Vocus Group)
• Felix Mobile (TPG Telecom sub-brand)
• Gomo (Optus sub-brand)
• iiNet (acquired by TPG Telecom)
• Internode (acquired by TPG Telecom)
• Lebara Mobile (acquired by Vodafone/TPG Telecom)
• Moose Mobile

ALDI Mobile

• Belong (Telstra sub-brand)
• Tangerine Telecom
• Think Mobile
• Southern Phone
• Vaya (acquired by Amaysim/Optus)
• TPG (merged with Vodafone)

Top Telstra prepaid SIM card plans

Top optus prepaid sim card plans, top vodafone prepaid sim card plans, how we choose the best prepaid sim cards for tourists and travellers visiting australia.

Every tourist's needs are going to be different, however, here's a quick rundown of what we consider the most important plan features.

Our picks are centred on prepaid or no-contract SIMs only with a maximum expiry of 30 days. This is where you can get the most value for money while avoiding any fine print cancellation fees or surcharges for going over your allotted amount of call time or data usage. Trust us ⁠— there's nothing worse than coming back home to find your bank account has taken a hit from holiday expenses and some fees you were up until now blissfully unaware of.

We also focused on options that have wide availability at Australian international airports and major convenience stores, as well as international call inclusions and foreign-language customer support.

Prepaid SIM cards for tourists FAQs

If you want to use your phone overseas, your best bet is to ensure you have affordable global roaming.

Otherwise, consider purchasing a SIM at your overseas destination.

Australia has three major phone networks: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Telstra is our oldest telecom and covers 99.5% of the Australian population. Optus isn't far behind with 98.5% coverage, and Vodafone is in third with about 96%.

If getting good reception during your holiday is important to you, Telstra (or a provider that uses the Telstra network, like Boost Mobile and Aldi Mobile) is your best bet. However, if you're on a budget or are sticking to mainly metropolitan areas and large regional centres, Optus, Vodafone, and other providers that run on their respective networks (like Amaysim and Lebara) are generally much cheaper. There's no clear-cut "best" network in Australia - it's more a matter of what's most important to you: Coverage or cost.

If you're a tourist and you're having issues with a prepaid SIM card in Australia, there's a chance that your mobile might be locked to a specific network. Fortunately, most Australian mobile providers (with Telstra being the big exception) are able to unlock your device for free if you ask nicely.

Yep. Swapping between prepaid and SIM-only plans in Australia is as simple as signing up for a new plan and trading out the physical SIM card inside your device.

Tourists can also change prepaid plans via eSIM, depending on the provider.

Unless you're buying it online, you won't need any special documents to buy a prepaid SIM card in Australia. however, you may need additional documentation when it comes to activating your tourist SIM such as your full name, passport number and the Australian address where you'll be staying.

There are a number of mobile providers in Australia that offer eSIM. If you're visiting Australia, chances are you'd prefer to go prepaid. The list of providers that offer eSIM include felix, Lebara and amaysim.

Mobile providers in Australia will provide you with a prepaid SIM card when you sign up for a plan. Some providers also offer eSIM.

An Australian SIM card should last as long as the terms of your plan dictate. For instance, those on a mobile plan with 30 day expiry will have that long to use the inclusions involved.

If your Australian SIM card has no data, talk or text on it, it's likely only a matter of time until your mobile provider will disconnect that number. The length of this can vary between providers. For example, Telstra will give tourists on an expired prepaid plan six months grace to recharge before they kick you off the network.

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Best SIM cards for travellers and tourists in Australia

If you're planning to visit australia for work or play, you'll likely need a sim card to get you through the length of your trip. we’ve narrowed down prepaid sims suited to both short and longer trips starting at just $1.25 a day..

In this guide

Looking for a versatile travel SIM card?

Best sim for short trips, best sim for longer visits, best sim card for coverage, how do i find the best sim card for travelling in australia, which australian network should i get a sim on, how much data do i need on my sim, do you need international call inclusions, how do i choose the right plan length for my trip, compare mobile plans.

Read our reviews of other brands

If you're looking for a convenient travel SIM to use in Australia, as well as other countries as part of your holiday, consider getting a travel eSIM before you arrive.

eSIMs allow for almost instant activation and you can find good value data packs that can be used in hundreds of countries and regions worldwide.

Just keep in mind that not all travel packs come with international calls included, if that's something you're after.

Airalo Travel eSIM

• Available to use in over 200 countries, including Australia
• Instantly activate your eSIM after purchase
• Prices start from US $4.50
• 24/7 customer support

Best prepaid SIM cards for travellers in Australia

• Best SIM for short trips : Lyca Small
• Best SIM for longer visits : amaysim 32GB Plan
• Best SIM card for coverage : Boost $35 SIM
• Good to know: Before we dive into the best SIMs for you to consider, keep in mind that there are 3 mobile networks in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Smaller mobile providers operate on any 1 of the 3 networks and tend to offer cheaper plans that could be better suited to your budget as long as you're getting what you need in return.

Why we like Lycamobile:

• Runs on the wholesale Telstra 3G/4G network which covers 98.8% of the Australian population.
• Comes with unlimited calls and texts in Australia, as well as unlimited minutes to 29 selected destinations .

If you're coming to Australia for a short visit, Lycamobile's Small plan lasts for a week and is great value at just $1 per 1GB.

It also has the added advantage of running on the Telstra network, just keep in mind it's not the full network access (which covers 99.5% of Aussies) but is still pretty good.

Can I get a Lycamobile SIM card at the airport?

Lycamobile is available to purchase in some Australian airports, but can also easily be picked up at many convenience store chains such as EzyMart.

amaysim 32GB Plan

Why we like amaysim:

• Operates on the Optus 4G network so you get the same coverage as you would on a plan from Optus.
• Unlimited international calls to 28 countries .
• Unlimited data banking to save up unused data for your next month.
• eSIM available for those with eSIM compatible phones so you can sign up to an amaysim plan before you even land in the country!

amaysim is Australia's fourth-biggest mobile provider and operates on the Optus 4G network. It gets access to the full network so you'll get the same coverage as if you're with Optus itself.

amaysim usually throws in extra data deals and price cuts on its plans, which bumps up what you're getting.

You'll also get international call inclusions with amaysim, which can make reaching home a lot easier.

• Keep in mind that amaysim's plans last for 28 days. You'll need to recharge before the end of the month if you want to continue using the plan for the next 28 days.

Can I get an amaysim SIM card at the airport?

amaysim doesn't offer a standalone store, but you can pick it up from various stores and post offices. Check Australia Post, the airport supermarket or a general store at the international arrivals area to see if they have an amaysim plan for you to buy.

Boost $35 SIM

Why we like Boost:

• Offers full Telstra 4G network coverage that reaches 99.5% of the Aussie population (without the premium Telstra price tag).
• Unlimited international calls and texts to 20 countries .
• Data rollover to use in your next recharge.

Telstra offers the widest network coverage in Australia but its own prices are set at a premium. If you're looking for excellent coverage but don't want to spend a lot of money, then Boost Mobile can sort you out.

It's great for travellers going around regional or rural Australia and want to continue getting strong signals wherever they end up.

• Good to know: Boost is the only provider outside of Telstra itself that shares the same 4G coverage. Other smaller providers that run on the Telstra network only reach 98.8% of Australians, compared to Telstra's full umbrella coverage of 99.5%.

Boost is another provider that likes throwing in price and data promotions, making its value a lot better when you first sign up.

Can I get a Boost SIM card at the airport?

There's no specific Boost kiosk at Australian airports but you might be able to pick up a Boost SIM from the airport supermarket or newsagency. You can also get a Boost SIM from a bunch of locations such as Australia Post, Coles, Woolworths and Caltex.

Choosing the right SIM card for your visit to Australia means ticking off a few boxes other than price. These include:

Where will you be visiting in Australia? Will you be travelling around or sticking to the main cities? Those looking to branch out should consider mobile plans on one of the larger mobile networks such as Telstra or Optus.

Avoid having to recharge your plan before its time by choosing the right amount of data. Will you be streaming Spotify if you plan to take long road trips or stream Netflix on the bus? Or do you just need enough data to use Google Maps, social media and WhatsApp?

International calls

These could be important to you if calling friends and family back home isn't possible via WhatsApp, Zoom or a similar service.

Plan length

Choose a plan that best suits your time in Australia. While most plans last about 28–30 days, you'll find some short-term mobile plans for 1–14 days too.

There are 3 mobile networks in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Smaller providers, also known as MVNOs , run on 1 of the 3 networks.

Here's an overview of what makes each one different.

Telstra network: The largest in Australia

Telstra offers the most extensive 4G network in Australia, covering 99.5% of the Aussie population. Its reputation for coverage makes it a strong bet if you plan to spend time in rural or regional Australia.

But if you don't want to splash some cash for its premium prices, then it's best to consider smaller providers that run on the Telstra network.

Telstra splits its network access into 2. It offers 99.5% coverage on its own plans and those from Boost Mobile while other smaller providers on its 4G network have 98.8% coverage.

See our top picks for the best mobile plans on the Telstra network

Optus network: The Goldilocks choice

Optus is a close runner-up to Telstra as its 4G network reaches 98.5% of Aussies. Its prices are slightly more favourable too.

You won't notice much difference between Optus and Telstra if you're only visiting large towns and cities, which makes it a solid choice for most travellers.

Optus also opens its full 4G network to the largest number of smaller providers. If price is an issue, you're bound to find a bargain from a smaller provider on the Optus network.

When I arrived in Australia 8 years ago to travel, I signed up for an Optus SIM at the airport. It allowed for unlimited calls and texts to my friends and family overseas as well as plenty of data.

See our top picks for the best mobile plans on the Optus network

Vodafone network: For big-city travellers

Vodafone's network covers 96% of the Australian population and could be a strong option if you're sticking to populated towns and cities.

Vodafone offers the cheapest prices of the lot, so if you're more comfortable signing up directly with a provider, you could do well with it.

• Keep in mind: Those looking to travel to regional destinations should check whether Vodafone offers coverage in these areas. You may be better off with Telstra or Optus instead if you're going outside of major cities.

While having loads of data can be handy, it also usually means spending more on your mobile plan.

Consider whether you're happy to use free Wi-Fi for the time you're in Australia. This is available at most accommodations, some cafes and restaurants and even in shopping centres and outdoors in major cities.

If you're going down the free Wi-Fi route, it means you can save on your mobile plan by picking one with less data.

But if you plan on being on the road often, it's best to opt for a SIM card with plenty of data so you don't rack up any excess usage charges.

It can be easy to contact friends and family if they're used to WhatsApp calls or similar services.

But you might need to consider international call inclusions if your grandma needs to be called directly on her home phone or for instances of emergency. This can include contacting your embassy back home due to a lost passport, or the bank to address any credit card issues.

There are quite a few short-term plans for trips that last anywhere between 1 and 14 days, which can be convenient if you don't want a lot of data.

But if you're visiting Australia for longer and reckon you'll need a hefty amount of data to get by, then you're better off getting a monthly prepaid SIM. These often give you a better bang for your buck.

• Watch out for autopay: We suggest not turning on autopay if you're on a short trip. You could easily forget to switch it off as you're leaving Australia. You may get charged for a plan you're no longer using, even when you're already back home. It can also be a pain to contact Australian providers from overseas to get the issue sorted.

Find more options for your trip down under in our comparison table.

We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.

Learn how we maintain accuracy on our site.

Why you can trust Finder's mobile plan experts

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Frequently asked questions, what is the best sim card to use in australia.

We recommend grabbing a prepaid SIM card for visitors to Australia. These are easy to buy from physical kiosks and stores. Our top picks for the best SIMs in Australia include:

• Best SIM for short trips: Lycamobile Small 10GB $10 7 Days
• Best SIM for longer visits: amaysim 32GB $30 28 Days
• Best SIM card for coverage: Boost Mobile 25GB $35 28 Days

What documents do I need to buy a SIM card?

It's easy to buy a SIM card in Australia as long as you have a valid ID on you. Your passport should suffice.

Do I need to unlock my phone for international travel?

Yes, you do, especially if your phone is currently locked by your carrier (such as Verizon or AT&T if you're from the US) and you plan to use a local SIM overseas.

Make sure you do this before leaving your home country.

Is there free Wi-Fi in Australia?

Travellers coming into Australia will usually get access to free Wi-Fi at airports (at least the major ones), libraries, McDonald's, Starbucks and some hotels.

However, you shouldn't solely rely on Wi-Fi if you need to use your phone frequently when visiting Australia. It's always best to have at least a handful of data if you need Internet access for navigation or a quick Google search.

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Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with over 11+ years of experience in print and digital media. Her main goal is to help households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their household bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine.

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Travel SIMs & Roaming Packs

Compare Mobile Plans

Compare Phone on a plan, Sim only Pre or Post-Paid Mobile Plans.

See Our Ratings Methodology .

Most Satisfied Customers | SIM Corner

SIM Corner took out top spot in Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction ratings with an impressive five-star result across almost all categories, including overall satisfaction, and three stars for its app or website.

How we rate Travel phone plan providers

Our travel phone plan provider ratings are based on customer satisfaction across multiple purchase factors. It’s like asking more than 1,000 Aussies what they think of their travel phone service!

How many Australians do we survey for our ratings?

Canstar Blue surveyed 1,194 Australians for their feedback on travel phone plan providers they’ve been used. Respondents had to have used a SIM card or roaming pack for overseas travel in the past three years, not including SIM cards for use in Australia or purchased overseas.

• The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics .

What criteria are used to rate travel phone plan providers?

Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their travel phone plan provider from zero to 10 , with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Travel mobile plan provider satisfaction is rated on the following criteria:

• Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a travel phone plan provider as an individual score, NOT the combined total of all criteria.
• Value for money: the price paid for the travel or roaming pack was reasonable for the inclusions.
• Sign-up and activation: the plan was easy to sign up to and activate.
• Customer service: the provider was easy to get in touch with and offered good customer support.
• Network coverage: there was good mobile network coverage and reception in the country/countries travelled in.
• App or website: the provider offered an app or website that was easy to understand and use.
• Ease of recharge: it was easy to recharge the travel phone plan when needed.

How do we determine the winner?

The winning brand is the brand that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating after scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.

• The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and therefore win the award. If a clear leading brand still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Which travel phone plan providers do we rate?

To qualify in the ratings results, providers must have received a minimum of 30 responses to be included . Therefore, not all travel phone plan providers are in this survey. Providers rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

• Woolworths Mobile
• Australia Post TravelSIM

Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customers ratings .

Best travel phone plan providers in Australia

1. sim corner, ratings result.

SIM Corner took out top spot with a near-perfect result, scoring five stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, sign up and activation, customer service, network coverage and ease of recharge. It scored its only three-star result for the app or website category.

Editor’s notes

SIM Corner is an Australian-owned and operated provider offering a range of prepaid travel SIM packs. Most plans require the purchase of a physical SIM card that’s shipped to you, however eSIM packs are also available. Travel packs include destinations in Europe, the US, Asia, the UK, South America, New Zealand and more, with different inclusions and expiry dates available.

In second place was GoSim with four stars for overall satisfaction, along with value for money, app or website and ease of recharge. It scored three stars for sign-up and activation, customer service and network coverage.

GoSim offers a range of physical international SIM cards, including Europe, Asia and USA-specific packs, plus standard international SIM card and data-only SIM packs. You can also top up your plan if you need more data, call and SMS inclusions.

Telstra took third place with four stars for overall satisfaction, sign-up and activation, customer service, network coverage and app or website. It scored five stars for ease of recharge and three stars for value for money.

Telstra offers its travel plans in the form of international roaming add-ons for existing Telstra customers. This means you’re able to keep your Telstra SIM in your phone (and still have access to your Australian phone number) and add on a Day Pass. Inclusions, prices and eligible destinations vary between the plans.

4. Vodafone

Taking out fourth spot was Vodafone, with four stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, sign-up and activation, and app or website. It scored five stars for ease of recharge and three stars for customer service and network coverage.

Vodafone’s $5-per-day roaming has been a stand out offer for several years now. Rather than offering a roaming SIM or add-on packs, Vodafone customers on eligible plans can pay $5 per day of roaming to access their phone plan’s inclusions while overseas. While access to some inclusions (such as unlimited capped-speed data) are excluded, it offers a convenient way to access your phone plan when travelling.

5. Woolworths Mobile

Woolworths Mobile was in fifth place with four stars for overall satisfaction, value for money and ease of recharge. It scored three stars for sign-up and activation, customer service and network coverage, and was the only provider to score five stars for the app or website category.

Like Telstra and Vodafone, Woolworths Mobile offers international roaming as an add-on to an existing phone plan. There are several roaming add-ons to choose from, with varying prices, inclusions and expiry periods, however it’s only available to use in select countries.

6. Australia Post TravelSIM

Australia Post took out sixth place with three stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, sign-up and activation, customer service and network coverage. It scored five stars for ease of recharge and four stars for app or website.

Although Australia Post offers a selection of SIM-only phone plans, it has one, separate international roaming plan. The simple roaming plan can be used in more than 90 countries and inclusions topped up as required.

Rounding out our ratings was Optus with three stars for overall satisfaction. It scored three stars in most other categories, but five stars for ease of recharge and four stars for app or website.

Optus offers a $5-per-day roaming add-on to eligible customers. Unlike Vodafone’s offering that allows access to existing domestic inclusions, Optus’ version comes with its own set of inclusions, which can be used in more than 100 destinations.

Other travel phone plan providers

Whether you’re looking for an international roaming add-on, or you want a separate SIM with a specific travel plan, there are plenty of providers offering a range of travel phone plans. While not all providers (or telcos offering international roaming on plans) are covered in our ratings, it doesn’t mean you can’t find a good-value travel plan to suit your needs. Some other travel phone plan providers include:

• Cover-More Global SIM
• Tripsim (by Sydney Airport)

Phone plans with roaming features

• Postpaid plans
• Prepaid plans

To give you an idea of the plans available with international roaming features, the table below lists a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of advertised cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.

To give you an idea of the plans available with international roaming features, the table below lists a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of advertised cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.

Compare more products featured in our Most Satisfied Customers Awards

• Prepaid SIM-only providers
• Postpaid SIM-only providers
• Phone on a plan providers
• Smartphones

How to choose a good travel phone plan

Having access to our mobile phones and phone service overseas is an essential for many of us, for keeping in touch with friends and family back home, sharing our journey on social media, using maps and browsing great places to visit.

Of those we surveyed, 39% used their travel SIM more for data than calls and texts and 38% chose a travel SIM because roaming on their regular plan was too expensive. Although 39% said that they’d recommend their travel SIM to friends and family or other travellers, there are a few things to consider when choosing a travel phone plan.

First up, you’ll need to decide what type of travel plan you’ll need — for light data users or if you’re with a telco that offers a good international roaming plan, you might prefer to just switch roaming on.

However, if roaming is too expensive, there are plenty of travel plans available so you don’t need to stress about finding a SIM card when you reach your destination. Some of these might include calls, texts and data allowance, while some might be data-only. If you choose a data-only plan, you may need to set up a messaging app that uses mobile data, such as Messenger or WhatsApp, so you can still make calls and send messages.

SIM card or eSIM?

Some plans might also be available with an eSIM. The advantage to using eSIM is that there’s no need to switch out your Australian SIM for a physical SIM card  so you’ll be able to get text messages to your Aussie number while travelling — very important for receiving verification codes from your bank and other services. You can also set up your eSIM before you hop on your flight. Keep in mind that eSIM is not available with every phone, so you’ll need to check if your mobile phone offers eSIM compatibility . Some phones might have dual-SIM capability so you’ll be able to have your Aussie SIM and a physical travel SIM in your phone at the same time.

Destinations available

The most popular travel destinations in Europe, Asia, Oceania and North and South America are covered by many travel phone plans, but it’s important to check the destinations a plan has included before signing up. Likewise, if you’re travelling to multiple destinations, you may prefer to find a travel phone plan that will cover all of those destinations on the one plan.

Inclusions, cost and plan length

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, you’ll need to consider how long the travel plan is active. Some plans might have limited expiry periods, so you might need to recharge your plan when still travelling. If that’s the case, make sure you know how to recharge, have any required  app installed and your payment details already connected to the account (if possible).

Also consider what inclusions you need, such as how much data you’ll likely use each day, and how much the plan will cost. Travel phone plans are often expensive and data inclusions can be small so it’s a good idea to make use of secure WiFi networks when available. It’s also a good idea to download all your favourite movies, shows, music, podcasts and audiobooks before you travel so you’re not draining your data by streaming.

About our telco experts

Emma bradstock: senior telco specialist.

Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for the last 4 years, with a dedication to providing Aussies with all the information they need to make better purchasing decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University and has a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media.

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

About this research.

Canstar Blue surveyed 12,200 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have used a SIM Card or roaming pack for overseas travel in the last 2 years (not including for use in Australia or SIM cards purchased overseas)– in this case, 1,194 people.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.

Past ratings

Here are past winners of Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers – Travel phone plan ratings:

• 2022: Vodafone
• 2021: Telstra
• 2019: SIM Corner

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**Max. Data/Billing Period

The amount of data the provider has advertised for the billing period of their plan.

Billing periods usually range from 28 to 31 days, but can vary - contact the provider for the billing period costs and inclusions.

Actual product inclusions can be found on the provider’s website.

^^Advertised Cost/Billing Period

The advertised cost the provider has advertised for the billing period of the plan.

• The search results do not include all providers or products, and may not compare all features relevant to you.
• Advertised data (per billing, and monthly cost as shown in the table may not be the same as the amounts per billing period). Contact Provider for the billing period costs and inclusions.
• Some plans may apply additional charges where you exceed usage limits. Check the product provider's plan information.
• Products displayed by our referral partner will be the closest available match to your search inputs. If no reasonable match is available, no results will be displayed.
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• Canstar Blue’s  Terms and Conditions  and  Privacy Policy  apply.

Unlimited Data

• Some providers may cap the provision of unlimited data at maximum speed. Once this cap is reached the provider will then revert you to a slower speed. See providers website for more details.

Referral Partners

By clicking on a brand, ' go to site ', ' shop online ', ' get quotes now ', or ' see offer ' button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to our referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue’s terms and conditions  apply to this referral.

Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product's rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table.  For more information please see  How Are We Funded .

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International SIM cards and eSIMs for all your mobile needs abroad

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SimsDirect (by Simify) FAQ

All simify plans of $30 or more have international calls and text included.

1. Order your travel SIM online by clicking on the "BUY" buttons above to select your plan 2a. e-SIM: download e-SIM from the link in the email you will receive 2b. Sim card: wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail and then take it on your flight 3. Land and choose e-SIM or just insert the physical sim card into your device and activate it. You're all set!

Option 1 - Australia Post Standard Service. Delivered in 4-7 business days and is completely free with tracking included.

Option 2 - Australia Post Express Service. Delivered in 1-2 business days and is $7.99 with tracking included.

See full details here .

Check that your phone is compatible with eSIMs here .

Step 1 - Land in New Zealand

Step 2 - Insert SIM card

Step 3 - Dial 200

Step 4- Restart your device

You should connect within 5 minutes and you are all set. Happy travels!

If you want to call or text home: Simply dial: Country Code -> Area Code -> Mobile Number For example: If you wish to dial 0431166871 You would enter +61431166871

For NZ calls & texts: Simply enter the local number and you are all set.

This SIM can be easily recharged via the 2degrees mobile app. Instructions are included on the SIM packaging.

Your new mobile number is printed on the back of the SIM packaging so you can give it to friends and family before you leave.

Countries included in the Europe & UK plan

• Aland Islands
• Balearic Islands
• Canary Islands
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Northern Ireland
• Switzerland
• The Czech Republic
• Vatican City

Countries included in SOUTH AMERICA

• El Salvador
• French Guiana
• French West Indies
• Puerto Rico

Most common questions

Your new New Zealand mobile number is printed on the back of the SIM packaging so you can give it to friends and family before you leave.

Countries included in the Europe & UK plan: EUROPE

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