Skinny roaming in China: costs, data, and how to save
A plain-English guide to the Skinny Overseas Roaming Packs, what you'll pay, and a cheaper alternative if you want one.
How Skinny roaming works in China
A plain-English explainer of Skinny's Skinny Overseas Roaming Packs — so you know exactly what you're paying for before you fly.
Skinny runs on Spark's network in NZ and uses Spark's roaming partnerships overseas. Rather than a daily pass, Skinny sells prepaid Overseas Roaming Packs that you buy in advance — a $11 pack covering 3 days (500MB), a $17 pack covering 7 days (1GB, data-only), or a $23 pack covering 7 days (full inclusions). Each pack starts the moment you buy it, not when you arrive in China.
| Cost for ~1GB of data per day | $17.00 NZD per day in China — based on Skinny's published rates |
|---|---|
| Daily data allowance | 3-day pack: 500MB total. 7-day Data pack: 1GB total. 7-day Full pack: a smaller data allowance plus calls and texts — see the Skinny site for the current breakdown. |
| Calls & texts | The 7-day Full pack includes voice minutes and texts to/from China and NZ. The Data and 3-day packs are data-only — for voice you'd need the Full pack or PAYG rates. |
| Hotspot / tethering | Allowed on all packs, but every MB tethered counts against the pack's data allowance. |
| What happens after the daily allowance | Each pack expires after its 3- or 7-day window regardless of usage. Once it ends — or once you exhaust the data allowance — you fall back to PAYG rates or need to buy another pack. |
| Countries covered alongside China | Mainland China may fall outside Skinny’s daily pass coverage — check the Skinny site for current zones before you travel. |
| How to activate or deactivate | Buy the pack through the Skinny app or website before you fly. The pack activates the moment you buy it (not when you land), so don't buy days in advance or you'll burn the window before you leave NZ. |
You could save big by using a KiwiSim eSIM when roaming in China, compared to using your Skinny SIM.
KiwiSim vs Skinny — cost over a trip
Cumulative NZD cost in China from day 1 to day 30, based on getting around 1GB of data per day from each provider at their published rates. Prices accurate as at 21 May 2026.
Daily Unlimited Plan
1GB of full-speed data every day, then unlimited data at standard speed. Resets every 24 hours.
- 1GB at top 5G speed daily, then unlimited at standard speed
- Hotspot & tethering enabled — share with any device
- Connects to China Mobile
- Activate when you land — no rush
How long is your trip?
Fixed Data Plans
Get a fixed amount of data that can be used across your entire trip as you need it.
KiwiSim vs Skinny — feature comparison
A side-by-side look at how KiwiSim and Skinny stack up for travel to China.
| KiwiSim | Skinny |
|---|---|
| How data is sold | |
| Unlimited daily plan — pay by the number of days you need | Pre-paid packs you buy in advance: $11 for 3 days (500MB), $17 for 7 days (1GB data-only), or $23 for 7 days (full pack) |
| When the allowance runs out | |
| Continues at reduced speed for the rest of the day — still browsable. Resets every 24h. | Pack expires after its duration regardless of usage. Unused allowance is forfeited; buy another pack to extend. |
| Hotspot / tethering | |
| Networks used in China | |
| China Mobile & China Unicom 5G/4G | China Unicom partner network |
| Activation method | |
| Scan QR code, install in 2 minutes | Buy the pack before you fly — it activates immediately on purchase, not on landing |
| Keeps your NZ number for calls/texts | |
| Yes — runs alongside your NZ SIM | Yes — it is your NZ SIM |
| Customer support | |
| 24/7 chat & email | Online chat & community forum |
| If you cross into another country | |
| Install a new eSIM for that country | Pack only covers the listed destination — moving outside means buying a new pack or paying PAYG rates |
| Feature | KiwiSim | Skinny |
|---|---|---|
| How data is sold | Unlimited daily plan — pay by the number of days you need | Pre-paid packs you buy in advance: $11 for 3 days (500MB), $17 for 7 days (1GB data-only), or $23 for 7 days (full pack) |
| When the allowance runs out | Continues at reduced speed for the rest of the day — still browsable. Resets every 24h. | Pack expires after its duration regardless of usage. Unused allowance is forfeited; buy another pack to extend. |
| Hotspot / tethering | ||
| Networks used in China | China Mobile & China Unicom 5G/4G | China Unicom partner network |
| Activation method | Scan QR code, install in 2 minutes | Buy the pack before you fly — it activates immediately on purchase, not on landing |
| Keeps your NZ number for calls/texts | Yes — runs alongside your NZ SIM | Yes — it is your NZ SIM |
| Customer support | 24/7 chat & email | Online chat & community forum |
| If you cross into another country | Install a new eSIM for that country | Pack only covers the listed destination — moving outside means buying a new pack or paying PAYG rates |
Skinny sells fixed-duration roaming packs rather than a true daily pass — buy in advance and the clock starts ticking immediately. KiwiSim lets you decide your dates after you land and pays for itself on most trips.
Why KiwiSim?
Built by Kiwis, for Kiwis travelling the world.
Locally Owned & Operated
Know you're in good hands with our kiwi team
Global 5G/4G Network
Enjoy fast and reliable coverage in over 200 locations worldwide
Simple to Setup
Get globally connected in a matter of minutes, all online
Hotspot/Tethering Enabled
Share your data connection with phone, tablet, or friends - all included
Keep your NZ Number
Our data-only SIMs give you the full flexibility of still receiving calls to your NZ number
Compatible with most phones
Majority of modern phones are compatible with eSIMs - use our device checker to double-check
Regional Plans
Tripping around? Have a look at some regional plans that include China for better value.
Skinny roaming in China — FAQ
The questions Kiwis ask before they travel — answered honestly.
Other roaming comparisons for China
Compare your other NZ carrier options for travel to China.
