SIM cards for Malaysia: Choices, prices, and the best alternatives
Getting a SIM card in Malaysia can be confusing and eat up a lot of your time, especially if it’s your first visit. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the different SIM card providers to how to get a SIM card in Malaysia. We’ll also explore the top alternatives to physical SIM cards. No need to stay offline during your travels — get a prepaid SIM card in Malaysia and stay connected!
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What is the best SIM card for tourists in Malaysia?
If you're a tourist in Malaysia, the best SIM card for you is the one that fits your needs. Overall, CelcomDigi offers the best balance of price, coverage, and accessibility, while U Mobile is great for travelers visiting multiple countries in Southeast Asia.
Check out our detailed breakdown of the top travel SIM cards in Malaysia from various local providers to find the best option for you.
CelcomDigi Tourist SIM
As far as the best SIM card in Malaysia goes, Digi is often considered the top choice. CelcomDigi offers a wide range of prepaid plans for tourists with extensive coverage throughout the country. Digi tourist SIMs are typically valid for 30 days and include high-speed internet (5G/4G), hotspot capabilities, and unlimited calls for prices that won’t break the bank.
Unlimited high-speed data plans begin at RM25 (~$5.75) for 30 days. If you need a cheaper SIM card in Malaysia for tourist purposes, there’s a 20 GB option with a 7-day validity period for RM12 (~$2.75).
Given Digi SIM cards’ popularity, they’re easy to find throughout Malaysia. You can purchase a SIM at the airport, a local convenience store, or online before your trip.
If you run low on data, you can easily top up a Digi SIM Card at telecom shops, convenience stores, or directly through the Digi app.
Important Note: In 2022, Celcom and Digi merged to become CelcomDigi, creating the largest telecommunication company in Malaysia. While previously Celcom offered prepaid tourist SIM cards through XPAX, they now distribute them through CelcomDigi.
Maxis Hotlink Tourist SIM
Maxis is one of Malaysia's largest mobile network providers and runs its prepaid SIM card service through Hotlink.
Hotlink offers a variety of options for Malaysia SIM cards, starting at just RM10 ($2.30) for a weekly prepaid plan with 20 GB of data and unlimited calls. Hotlink is an excellent choice for tourists looking for SIM cards with a daily, weekly, or monthly rate.
It’s easy to activate Hotlink prepaid SIM cards, and they’re widely available at airports, convenience stores, and telecom shops throughout Malaysia.
Hotlink has wide coverage, though the internet speeds are a bit slower than those of other SIMs. The prepaid plans provide connection speeds between 6 and 24 Mbps, while Digi offers 100 Mbps at the same (or a lower) price point.
U Mobile Traveller SIM
U Mobile has different prepaid and eSIM cards for tourists in Malaysia, making it a convenient option if you’re just visiting. The most compelling are the Traveller’s Plan options, which unlock unlimited data in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. If you’re hopping around Southeast Asia on your trip, this is probably the best SIM card for you.
The prepaid traveler plans begin at RM35 ($8) per month and include a 14-day validity period with unlimited data at 6 Mbps that you can use in all four countries and unlimited local calls in Malaysia. You can choose from more comprehensive prepaid plans if you prefer faster internet speeds or need a mobile hotspot.
Overall, U Mobile SIM cards are among the best low-priced travel SIM cards in Malaysia and beyond, easy to purchase at major retailers. The only downside is that U Mobile’s coverage is not as comprehensive as that of other, larger telco providers like CelcomDigi.
How much does a prepaid SIM card cost in Malaysia?
Wondering how much you’ll have to spend to get started with a prepaid SIM in Malaysia? Check out the table below, where we break down the initial costs for prepaid SIM cards from different providers. These starter costs typically include the price of the SIM card itself and may come with some preloaded credit or data.
Before diving into the table, let’s clarify what we mean by fixed and variable costs:
Fixed costs are the upfront charges you pay when purchasing the prepaid SIM. They usually include a set amount of data, call minutes, or other features valid for a specific period.
Variable costs, on the other hand, are any additional charges you incur after the initial purchase, such as topping up your balance or purchasing extra data plans. These depend on your usage and the options you choose once you’ve started using the SIM.
With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of the prepaid SIM options available in Malaysia:
Mobile Data Solution | Pocket Wi-Fi | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
CelcomDigi Prepaid SIM | RM25 for 15 GB high-speed internet (100 Mbps), 3 GB hotspot, and unlimited calls. Valid for 30 days. | Unlimited 5G/4G at 3 Mbps after the first 15 GB. |
Maxis Hotlink Tourist SIM | RM25 for 30 GB 4G/5G internet and unlimited calls. Valid for 30 days. | A bonus of 30 GB 5G internet. |
U Mobile Traveller SIM | RM35 for unlimited data at 6 Mbps in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, and unlimited local calls in Malaysia. Valid for 14 days. | 7-day Travel Pass for Malaysia or 30-day Travel Pass for Malaysia and Singapore. |
How to get a SIM card in Malaysia
It’s pretty easy to get a SIM card in Malaysia. You can pick it up at the airport, a convenience store, a mobile shop, or a mall or order it online. Let’s review the main spots to buy a Malaysian SIM and the benefits of each option.
Airport
If you’re flying to Malaysia, you can grab a travel SIM card at the airport. Right before customs, you’ll find telco stands from various providers offering SIM cards that are activated on the spot. This is super handy, especially if it’s your first time visiting Malaysia. If the idea of navigating the city without data (hello, Google Maps) feels a bit daunting, picking up your SIM card at the airport is a great option.
However, buying a SIM card at the airport is generally the most expensive option. The providers can (and do) charge a premium for the convenience, making SIM cards from the airport more expensive than if you buy them in town. You’ll save a few bucks if you can hold off until you reach your destination.
Convenience stores
You can easily buy prepaid Malaysia SIM cards in convenience stores like 7-Eleven and MyNews. Almost all of them will be able to provide you with a prepaid SIM card of your choice and allow you to top up on the spot and access additional telecom services as needed.
Mobile stores
Mobile or telecom stores sell prepaid SIM cards for tourists in Malaysia and will often have the most comprehensive options since you’re buying directly from the source. Providers like Digi, U Mobile, and Maxis have shops throughout Malaysia.
The only downside to buying your Malaysia SIM card from a mobile store is having only one provider’s SIMs and plans to choose from, while purchasing from a third party would allow you to compare plans from different providers. That said, if you’re sure that you’d like a SIM card from a certain provider, you can make a beeline for the specific mobile store.
Shopping malls
Most shopping malls have telco stands and shops, making it easy to secure a travel SIM card in Malaysia. You don’t have to bounce between different storefronts looking for the best deal — simply pop into a shopping mall and find everything under one roof. Most malls centralize the experience and give you easy access to most of the big providers to compare plans in person.
Online
Almost all providers offer the option to purchase prepaid SIM cards for Malaysia online and deliver them to your accommodation. When you buy a SIM card online, you can typically choose between a physical SIM card and an eSIM, which can be activated without a physical SIM card.
It’s handy to buy your SIM card online, but if you opt for the eSIM option, first consider a designated eSIM provider like Saily, which offers more bang for your buck than eSIMs from Malaysian telcos.
Remember that Malaysian SIM cards are subject to a 6% foreign tax added to your total when purchasing a prepaid SIM card online with your passport number. Providers like Saily don’t burden you with similar taxes.
Best alternative: Buy an eSIM for Malaysia with a few clicks
Getting a SIM card in Malaysia can be a tedious task. Regardless of your chosen provider, you’ll have to register with your passport number and pay a foreign tax to secure access to mobile services. Plus, physical SIM cards can be finicky and expensive, especially if you buy them from the airport or online.
With this in mind, eSIMs are the best alternative to a travel SIM card in Malaysia. Rather than comparing confusing plans, visiting physical telco stores, and getting lost when trying to top up your data, go for the Saily eSIM app that simplifies the process. Your Saily eSIM service will activate automatically when you arrive in Malaysia so that your mobile data is ready and waiting for you as soon as you land. You can also track your data usage and review your mobile plans directly in the app.
eSIMs are extremely flexible. They offer a choice of 7 or 30 days and between 1 and 20 GB of high-speed data that you can top up within the app anytime. If you're going for great prices and convenience, an eSIM for Malaysia is the best path to take.
Staying connected in Malaysia made easy
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a lot of information and feel lost in so many options. Weighing plans and providers takes time, sometimes more than you’d like to. To check one item off your to-do list, download an eSIM and save yourself the hassle of hunting down, picking up, and activating a physical SIM card. The Saily eSIM app is the ultimate solution for staying connected anywhere in the world, including Malaysia.
FAQ
Ugnė thrives on exploring new places and capturing moments on the go, so it’s no surprise her social media comes back to life whenever she’s abroad. An avid traveler, she believes staying connected with an eSIM is as essential as packing a passport, ensuring seamless adventures wherever she roams.