If you like to meet the Premier of a country, then Niue is the place to go. Often, visitors can meet the Premier when exploring the island nation (who is a nice guy).
Besides meeting the Premier, you better go snorkel around the Limu Pools or explore the Avaiki Cave. The Ukuto Beach is a nice place to relax, too.
If you are thinking of roaming with your provider in Niue, then I have bad news with you. Telecom Niue, the sole operator in Niue, has no roaming agreements with any foreign operator. Therefore, the only way to be connected is by buying a SIM card from Telecom Niue.
In this article, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Niue. Let's get this done.
Telecom Provider in Niue
Niue has 1 telecom provider, which is Telecom Niue. The operator used to have a slow 2G network, but they replaced it with 4G/LTE in 2019.
Normally, I do not mention the frequencies and bands an operator uses because they often have multiple ones. However, in the case of Telecom Niue, they run 4G/LTE on Band 28 at 700 MHz. If your phone does not support this frequency or band, then you can get a mobile hotspot 100 NZD ($66.10), of which 50 NZD will be regarded as a deposit.
Like most countries in Oceania, you do not have to show your passport when buying a SIM card in Niue.
Besides that, there is not much more to say about Telecom Niue, so let’s see what they have to offer to us.
Tip: Looking for cheap flights? Book with AirWander and add stopovers! Not in a hurry yet? Set up flight alerts with Airfarewatchdog and get notified when ticket prices for your preferred route(s) drop!
Telecom Niue
Telecom Niue is the sole operator of Niue. Although the operator became a private company in 2016, the government is the sole shareholder, which means it can still be regarded as a state-owned operator.
You can get Telecom Niue SIM cards at Niue International Airport or at the Telecom Niue office. Topping up can be done at their office, on the phone, or by using the Telecom Niue app.
Telecon Niue sells visitor SIM cards and “regular” local SIM cards. Normally, travelers cannot get a regular SIM card unless they stay in Niue for a long period, but you may be able to convince the salesperson to get you a local SIM card so that you can enjoy lower rates.
Telecom Niue visitor SIM cards are valid for 7, 14, or 30 days, depending on how long you are staying in Niue. The following data packs can be added:
- 6 NZD: 250 MB for 1 day
- 32 NZD: 3 GB for 30 days
- 52 NZD: 7 GB for 30 days
- 78 NZD: 11 GB for 30 days
You can also get one of the following combo packs:
- 52 NZD: 2 GB, 30 minutes (domestic and international), and 30 local SMS and to Australia and New Zealand for 7 days
- 73 NZD: 4 GB, 40 minutes (domestic and international), and 40 local SMS and to Australia and New Zealand for 14 days
If you manage to get a Telecom Niue local SIM card, then you can add one of the following data packs. Do note that those with a visitor SIM card cannot add any of the packages listed below:
- 4 NZD: 250 MB for 1 day
- 6 NZD: 1 GB between 10 PM and 6 AM (one time)
- 12 NZD: 1 GB for 60 days
- 32 NZD: 3 GB for 60 days
- 52 NZD: 7 GB for 60 days
- 78 NZD: 11 GB for 60 days
- 104 NZD: 16 GB for 60 days
- 160 NZD: 25 GB for 60 days
As you can see, the data plans for local SIM cards are more affordable and give you much more than the ones for visitor SIM cards.
You can also buy any of the following combo packs:
- 21 NZD: 512 MB, 200 minutes, and 100 SMS
- 52 NZD: 3 GB, 500 minutes, and 250 SMS
- 104 NZD: 10 GB and unlimited calls and SMS
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Niue
So far, you have been informed about the SIM card options in Niue. However, that is not the only way to be online in Niue. I have already briefly mentioned that you can roam with your provider, although it can be expensive in most cases. Besides that, you can use free WIFI connections, mobile hotspots, or international SIM cards.
Roaming in Niue with Your Provider
Roaming is a term used in wireless telecommunication that indicates a mobile device is outside the range of its home network and has connected to a different, available cell network. Let’s say your provider is Our Telekom from the Solomon Islands, then you would be roaming with Our Telekom in Niue.
You may have read horror stories of people coming back from a lovely holiday, only to be confronted with a roaming bill in the thousands. This can still be the case if you do not review your roaming options before going on a holiday. Luckily for you, I have written about the roaming options you have with various providers around the world, which you can read here.
Some operators offer roaming plans. Others allow you to roam for free in Niue, while several operators let you use your plan’s allowance for a daily fee. As you can see, roaming does not have to be a horrific experience. If your provider is generous and lets you roam for free in Niue, then you do not even need a local SIM card (although I would still recommend doing so, as your connection speed will be much slower as a roamer than someone who is a customer of the network).
No idea how roaming works? I made this comprehensive guide about what roaming is and how it works. It is worth the read – promised!
Pay As You Go roaming should be avoided, as that is how travelers get high roaming bills. One provider charges you about 1000 USD per GB in certain destinations, which is insane. If you really want to roam, check whether your provider has attractive roaming plans. Else, you will be better off with buying a local SIM card.
Using Free WIFI connections in Niue
This does not require a lot of explanation, but using free WIFI connections is the cheapest way to connect to the internet because you do not have to pay anything. Nothing beats free stuff, right? Well, not so fast.
First, you need to find hotspots in Niue. In some countries of cities, you will find so many hotspots that you can try them out one by one and find the one with the fastest speeds. In other places, however, WIFI connections do not seem to exist.
In the case of Niue, you will barely find any hotspots.
Additionally, public WIFI hotspots are unsecure. They are a prime target for hackers to steal your data and use it for illicit purposes. That is I use, and would recommend you to start using, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you connect to a public hotspot. What a VPN does is creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and the hotspot so that your data will stay private. I use NordVPN, and you can get up to 70% off when you get a NordVPN subscription. Get your subscription now or learn more about NordVPN.
Using a Pocket WIFI (Mobile Hotspot) in Niue
Pocket WIFI is a portable, battery-powered wireless router that allows you to connect your phone, laptop, or tablet without needing multiple SIM cards for those devices to be connected to the internet. They are compact and lightweight so that you take them along with you whenever you need internet access on the go.
Many companies have created mobile hotspots (just have a quick search on Amazon, for example, you will find many). Skyroam and Vision Global Wireless are reputable pocket WIFI providers I know. You can get a discount if you rent a router through Skyroam by using coupon code PHONETRAVELWIZ. Cellular access with Skyroam starts at $8 a day while using a Vision Global device starts at $2 a day. Both services cover more than 130 destinations around the world.
I often recommend mobile hotspots to those who are traveling in groups or with families. They can save groups a lot of money if they are visiting destinations where buying multiple SIM cards would become an expensive endeavor.
I recently wrote an article analyzing the 7 Best Mobile Hotspots for Travelers like yourself, which should be an interesting read if pocket WIFI is something you are considering. I do reviews of individual devices every now and then, so check out my mobile hotspot category to stay up to date.
Getting an International SIM card for Traveling in Niue
International SIM cards are, as the name implies, SIM cards for international use. Well, that does not explain anything. Although most providers allow you to use your card abroad, some actually restrict this possibility. An international SIM card lets you go abroad without having to change SIM cards when visiting multiple destinations. They have been made with the traveler in mind.
All of this sounds lovely, but international SIM cards are much more expensive than local SIM cards in Niue. Not only that, some offer poor service as well for high rates. Some reputable companies I know are OneSimCard, SimOptions, and Surfroam.
International SIM cards are appealing to those who travel frequently or are visiting multiple destinations in one trip. Some countries in Oceania require you to register before you can use a SIM card, which can be a hassle for some. Additionally, the language barrier may be off-putting to some travelers, which is why an international SIM card can be handy. You order it before you depart and can use it in various destinations.
My recommendation, however, is to get a local SIM card if you are only visiting one destination. If you are visiting multiple ones, an international SIM card could be handy. If you want to learn more about international SIM cards, check out my international SIM card comparison article, where I analyze 10 international SIM card providers so that you do not have to.
The Best Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Niue
Getting a SIM card from Telecom Niue is your only when considering a SIM card from Niue. Be sure to explore the roaming options your provider offers you, as they may offer free or cheap roaming bundles.
You could also consider getting an international SIM card or using a portable hotspot. International SIM cards are attractive for those visiting multiple destinations at once or within a year. Portable hotspots will be useful when traveling with multiple people so that not each individual has to get a SIM card but can use the hotspot.
Visiting other countries in Oceania? Check out my Oceanian SIM card buying guide covering the other Oceanian destinations, such as American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
What is next?
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! Save money on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation. Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Book Your Flight for Niue
It is time to book your flight. Find cheap flights with AirWander so that you can add free or cheap stopovers in destinations you have not considered yet before going to Niue. If you are not ready to take off yet, set up flight alerts with Airfarewatchdog, and they will notify you once ticket prices to Niue drop.
Book Your Accommodation for Niue
I am a huge fan of Airbnb because it allows me to live with a local or get a local place for myself. Staying in someone’s house or apartment feels much different than being in a ho(s)tel, especially in Niue. At least, that is how I see it. Moreover, Airbnb can often be much cheaper than staying in a hotel.
Get Your Travel Insurance for Niue
You will regret not having travel insurance once you actually need it and “forgot” to get it. Nowadays, travel insurance is cheap and comprehensive unlike back in the days. World Nomads is by far the best travel insurance for adventurous travelers like yourself. You can even get insured WHILE already traveling in Niue, which is not something many insurance companies allow you to do.
Get a Travel Debit Card
Travel Cheques are outdated. Paying with your credit card or debit card can be expensive because of all the exchange commissions banks charge you. TransferWise allows you to convert your main currency to the local currency for a small fee (up to 8 times less than with your bank!) Getting a Transferwise Borderless account is FREE, so you will get an instant return on your investment.
Enjoy your trip!
