Are you traveling to Fiji and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Let this guide help you to pick the best sim card for your trip to Fiji.
Find below a comparison of the Fiji prepaid sim cards, the best e-sim cards for Fiji, up to date prices as per June 2024, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, where to buy a sim card for Fiji, info about international sim cards and everything else you need to know.
Getting connected is the first thing I do when traveling to a new country. In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival, but more and more I use e-sim cards to stay connected. Since Traveltomtom is already a full time nomad and travel blogger since 2012, buying sim cards and e-sim cards became part of my life, especially since Traveltomtom is also aiming to travel to every country in the world.
That is why you can find already more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, USA, Canada, Mexico, Asia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, United Kingdom, London and many more.
Are you flying to Nadi Airport then check out my complete guide for buying a sim card at Nadi Airport on arrival.
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!
Some links in this article about the best e-sim cards for Fiji are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
Why buying a sim card for Fiji
No one wants to get stuck with slow overseas data roaming plans. These data roaming plans from your mobile internet provider in your home country reduce the data speed and are much more expensive than e-sim cards or local prepaid sim cards.
The last thing we want is to get stuck with high data roaming charges, which in 2024 are still ridiculous and providers often charge up to $3 USD per MB, which means opening the Instagram app can cost you a lousy $100 USD. Not kidding!
Always make sure you switch off data roaming when traveling to Fiji!
Very important when traveling to Fiji is to stay connected. Why? What about ordering a taxi through an app or getting directions from Google Maps. Ever thought about what to do in emergencies and not being able to use data on your phone? Or killing time on long bus rides across the country, accessing your banking apps, etc.
Don’t rely on WiFi in Fiji either. Don’t expect all hotels and restaurants to have good working WiFi. And even if there is, it is no guarantee for fast WiFi.
Also another reminder that being connected to the internet through public WiFi is on an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
There is a pretty ok 4G/LTE phone signal available in most of the best places to visit in Fiji. So getting yourself a prepaid or e-sim card for Fiji is worth it and the best way to stay connected and to enjoy your trip to Fiji.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Vodafone sim card for traveling in Fiji. Based on network research and my own experiences I recommend buying a Vodafone sim card for traveling in Fiji in 2024 at for example Nadi Airport.
Traveltomtom definitely recommends using e-sim cards for traveling abroad. However, the Fiji e-sim cards you can buy online are more expensive than local prepaid Fiji sim cards.
In stores in Fiji, e-sim cards are NOT available. Only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists are available.
When traveling abroad and visiting more countries on your trip to the Pacific check out my list of the best International prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in 2024. These international travel sim cards are valid in multiple countries and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address.
Be aware that foreign sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If your phone is locked then you can’t use an international prepaid sim card, an e-sim card, or a local prepaid sim card before unlocking your phone. If you are not sure about this then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country before traveling to Fiji.
The best e-sim cards for Fiji
E-sim cards the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Fiji in 2024, but keep in mind that e-sim cards only work in e-sim compatible phones.
You order an e-sim card for Fiji on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Fiji e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Fiji it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted e-sim card provider and they have the following Fiji e-sim card plans for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $7.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $19.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
Click here to order an e-sim card for Fiji via Airalo.
These Fiji e-sim cards from Vinaka Fiji operate on the 4G/LTE network Vodafone. The Vinaka Fiji e-sim cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are NOT supported.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another trusted e-sim card provider. They sell an international e-sim card from AIS that is valid in 141 countries around the world:
- 6 GB data for 15 days = $39.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for Fiji.
The AIS eSIM2FLY Global international e-sim card is also a data-only sim card, but it does come with a phone number from Thailand that starts with +66. Outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported, but incoming sms and calls are supported!
Nomad
Then there are also Nomad e-sim cards for Fiji, these e-sims are operated by SingTel and they operate on the Vodafone 4G/LTE network. The Nomad e-sim card plans for Fiji are more expensive compared to Airalo.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $11 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD
Click here for more info or to order an e-sim card for Fiji via Nomad.
Before ordering an e-sim card for Fiji make sure your phone is unlocked and e-sim compatible otherwise an e-sim card won’t work on your phone.
Where to buy a sim card for Fiji
Nadi International Airport on arrival
If you are flying into Fiji you are most probably landing at Nadi Airport, the main international hub for tourists traveling to Fiji. I have traveled to Nadi Airport several times this year and last year and buying a sim card is very easy and arguably the best place to buy your Fiji prepaid sim card. Check out my complete guide for buying a sim card at Nadi Airport.
In case you are flying to Suva International Airport then you are unlucky as there is no sim card shop at Suva Airport. Suva Airport is very small and there is only a small diner restaurant and a convenience store. If you are looking to buy a sim card in Suva then head to a Vodafone or Digicel store in the city center, they are centrally located near the market and the bus station.
Phone stores city center
Buying a prepaid sim card in Fiji is also possible in the city center or in shopping malls. The easiest way to locate a nearby phone store is through Google Maps. Just type in sim card store or Digicel or Vodafone and you will find the nearest shop to your hotel.
There are also phone stores that sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. My first recommendation would be an official retail store of Vodafone or Digicel, but these stores also do the job. Just make sure that before you walk out of the phone store everything is working: data & voice.
Online
You can also buy a sim card for traveling in Fiji on the internet. I already showed you all about ordering an e-sim card for Fiji, but you can also buy physical prepaid sim cards for traveling in Fiji. These international sim cards will be delivered to your home address before traveling to Fiji. On arrival it is plug and play! More about it later, but I can already tell you it is NOT worth it to order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Fiji.
Mobile internet providers in Fiji
There are only 2 mobile internet providers in Fiji: Digicel and Vodafone. Both mobile internet providers sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. One is a little more expensive than the other, but it has the better mobile data network coverage. More about that later.
Registration process Fiji prepaid sim card
When buying a sim card in Fiji you will need to bring your passport. A copy of your passport will be taken in the phone store and your new Fiji sim card will be registered on your name and your passport number. You will receive a physical sim card that comes with a Fiji phone number that starts with +679.
Comparison of the Fiji prepaid sim cards prices
All prices and info below are updated in June 2024. Prices are in Fiji Dollar and $1 USD = $2.23 FJD and $1 FJD = $0.45 USD.
Prepaid sim cards with data are really cheap in Fiji, especially for locals. For tourists however, there are special tourist sim cards for Fiji that you get when buying a sim card as a foreigner. Still, prices for Fiji tourist sim cards with data are very affordable.
Vodafone
Vodafone Fiji offers 6 different prepaid sim card plans for tourists at the moment. Two plans for $70 FJD and 2 plans for $100 FJD. Then they offer the following two plans for tourists:
- 7 GB data + $10 FJD credit + 60 local & 60 international minutes for 10 days = $35 FJD - $16 USD
- 100 GB data for 15 days = $65 FJD - $29 USD
Big data bundles as you can see and much more affordable than e-sim cards for Fiji.
Digicel
Digicel is a little cheaper compared to Vodafone and they in fact offer a free sim card for Fiji with 3 GB data for 48 hours. However, max data speed is 3G on this sim card deal. It is better to go for one of the other prepaid sim card deals if you choose to buy a Digicel sim card for traveling in Fiji.
- 30 GB data-only for 3 days = $10 FJD - $4.5 USD
- 75 GB data-only for 7 days = $15 FJD - $6.8 USD
- 125 GB data + 60 minutes for 30 days = $30 FJD - $13.5 USD
A simple conclusion that Digicel prepaid sim cards are much cheaper than Vodafone prepaid sim cards for tourists in Fiji.
Best 4G/5G data network in Fiji in 2024
To determine the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Fiji let’s compare the mobile data network coverage of all the mobile internet providers. There is a difference in price between the Digicel and Vodafone sim cards but that also reflects in the mobile data network coverage.
Fiji is a country with a lot of mountains and a lot of parts of Fiji are very remote. Beginning of this year I flew from Suva to Nadi on a propeller flight and saw the beautiful remote hilly countryside of the Fiji main island. It was stunning, but also very off the beaten path.
Therefore when traveling in Fiji be prepared to not always find a phone signal, definitely if you go off the beaten path. More on my experiences using a Fiji prepaid sim card below.
Is there 5G in Fiji?
No, as of June 2024 there is no 5G yet in Fiji. If you find 4G you can already be grateful and happy when it is working properly. However, if you stick to the most famous tourist destinations in Fiji there is actually a pretty decent and fast mobile internet connection.
Let’s compare the mobile data coverage maps of Digicel and Vodafone in Fiji.
Vodafone Fiji 4G/5G network coverage map
Digicel Fiji 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above network coverage maps are not 100% accurate, they are a great reference.
From the above 3G/4G/5G Fiji mobile data coverage maps we can come to the simple conclusion that Vodafone has a much more extensive mobile data network compared to Digicel.
However, from my own experience I can tell you that the network coverage is in reality better than what the data coverage maps above may indicate. More about my experience staying connected in Fiji below.
But based on the available information Traveltomtom concludes that Vodafone has the best 3G/4G/5G mobile data network in Fiji in 2024.
Best sim card for Fiji in 2024
After my comparison of the prepaid sim cards for Fiji, the e-sim cards and the 3G/4G/5G network coverage maps we can come to the conclusion that Vodafone is the best sim card for traveling to Fiji in 2024.
Prices for prepaid sim cards for tourists in Fiji are pretty cheap and therefore it is worth to invest a couple dollar extra in having a sim card with better network coverage and that is why we recommend a Vodafone sim card for Fiji.
Traveltomtom acknowledges the fact that e-sim cards are the way to go in the future, but as for now e-sim cards for Fiji are much more expensive and 5 GB data will costs you a minimum of $30 USD. That said, as soon as the plane lands you are online and there is no need to find a sim card shop and waste precious holiday time when arriving in Fiji. It is up to you…
Unfortunately none of the mobile internet operators in Fiji offer e-sim cards for tourists, only physical prepaid sim cards are available.
There are also international prepaid sim cards for traveling abroad, but unfortunately none of the sim cards available on the internet are worth considering for traveling to Fiji as they are extremely pricey, see below for more info.
Order a prepaid sim card for Fiji online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible then you can still order an international prepaid sim card for traveling in Fiji on the internet.
Arrive prepared in Fiji with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Fiji, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
However, there is very limited choice. SimOptions offers the following physical prepaid sim card for Fiji:
- 5 GB for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order this international prepaid sim card for Fiji directly online.
This physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Fiji and is pre-activated. So on arrival in Fiji it is plug and play.
My experience staying connected in Fiji
As I said before I traveled in and out Fiji a bunch of times last year and this year. As Traveltomtom would some day like to travel to every country in the world I traveled for 3 months in the Pacific to visit every Pacific country. Since Fiji is the main hub to get to countries like: Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and even Kiribati and Nauru I passed by Fiji more than preferred.
Not complaining of course, but direct flights between islands would have been better. :)
Anyway, on my first trip I ordered an Airalo e-sim card for Fiji with just 1 GB data to get me connected as soon as the plane lands. Great, it worked perfectly fine and I love to be instantly online and kill time when waiting in line for the bags, customs, etc. and start arranging things like searching for an Uber, contacting the hotel pick up, etc.
Then on arrival at Nadi Airport I saw how easy it is to get a tourist sim card, so every next time I traveled to Fiji this is what I did. On my trips to Fiji that just stayed around Nadi I opted for a Digicel sim card as they are cheaper and at the same time I was able to figure out the difference and to compare using a Vodafone and a Digicel sim card in Fiji.
Those times that I actually traveled a little bit around the island I chose a Vodafone sim card as they have a much better connection. On my bus ride for example from Nadi to Suva I was pretty pleased with my Vodafone sim card and most of the times there was a signal, when I compared it with my Digicel sim card in my other phone I saw the difference clearly that Digicel has less connection off the beaten path in Fiji.
Even on my propeller flight from Suva to Nadi I actually had a Vodafone signal most of the time during my flight. I know it is not allowed! Sorry… but I guess because the propeller flights don’t fly that high and the flight time is only 30 minutes (instead of a 4 hour bus ride!) I stayed connected to 3G/4G during the plane ride.
Anyway, I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card for Fiji were helpful and my information made it easier for you to pick the right sim card for your trip to Fiji.
Let me know if you still have any questions and I am more than happy to help you out. Leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media.
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 June 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Fiji!