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Data roaming in Malaysia: Costs, plans, and alternatives
Data roaming in Malaysia can be costly. Compare roaming costs and see how to stay connected abroad for less with an unlimited data Holafly eSIM.
Data roaming in Malaysia can cost over $10/MB on pay-as-you-go plans or about $12/day to unlock your local allowance, meaning a 7-day trip could add up to more than $90 in Malaysia roaming fees just to stay connected.
But there are alternatives to roaming Malaysia, such as using a Malaysia data roaming prepaid card, a digital data roaming card Malaysia, or a travel eSIM — all often among the cheapest data roaming Malaysia options.
Let’s explore the different international data roaming Malaysia costs, which plans are available, and what options you can use to save money abroad.
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Data roaming costs in Malaysia
Malaysia’s data roaming charges vary depending on where you’re traveling from and your mobile provider. For most travelers, the price depends on their selected roaming plan. They usually have a choice between a daily data roaming pass and pay-as-you-go roaming rates.
Some providers include more high speed data in their premium postpaid plans, while budget travelers may prefer searching for the best data roaming plan for Malaysia to fit their data usage needs.
- For US travelers, the most common option is to use roaming passes, which range from $5 to $50 USD depending on your provider. Pay-as-you-go roaming data is also available, but the cost per MB can be extremely high.
- For UK travelers, international roaming services include daily or weekly roaming plans, starting from £5/day to £7.86/day depending on the carrier. Pay-as-you-go rates can cost as much as £6/MB, making them one of the least cost-effective data roaming plan Malaysia options.
Let’s dig deeper into how much roaming data for Malaysia costs.
Roaming costs in Malaysia for US travelers
| Provider | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T roaming in Malaysia | $12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls | $3/minute, $1.30/text, $10.24/MB |
| Verizon roaming in Malaysia | $12 daily with unlimited data, text, and calls | $1.79/minute, $0.50/text, $2.05/MB |
| T-Mobile roaming in Malaysia | $5 to $50 for up to 30 days with up to 15 GB of data, unlimited text, and calls | Use roaming passes |
Note: T-Mobile offers monthly free international roaming with up to 15 GB of high-speed data. If used, you can use unlimited mobile data at lower speeds.
Roaming costs in Malaysia for UK travelers
| Provider | Roaming pass | Pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| EE roaming in Malaysia | Roam Like Home 7-day Pass – £25 Roam Like Home 24-hour Pass – £5 | Use roaming passes to get mobile data £1.80/minute, 0.60p/text, |
| O2 roaming in Malaysia | £7/day to unlock your local allowance on O2 Travel Bolt On eligible plans | £2/minute, 0.50p/text, £7.20/MB |
| Three roaming in Malaysia | £7 daily on the Advanced and Lite plans with your local allowance 3 to 14 days roaming passes for up to £49 with your local allowance Free roaming on Value and Complete plans for up to 56 days | £3/minute, 0.35p/text, £6/MB |
| Vodafone UK roaming in Malaysia | £7.86/day to unlock up to 25 GB monthly, plus calls and texts | 0.60p/minute, 0.08p/text, 0.12p/MB |
While these are the main data roaming plans from UK mobile providers, there are some details to consider:
- O2: If using a plan with O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate Bolt On included, you get free international roaming services in Malaysia.
- Vodafone UK: You can rely on a World Extra data roaming pass, which ranges from £12.75 with 2 GB with no texts and calls to £28.75 with 4 GB, 200 minutes, and 200 texts.
| Note: These costs also differ for postpaid customers versus prepaid users. In many cases, roaming is automatically activated when you arrive in Malaysia, connecting to your preferred roaming operator. |
Get unlimited data for less in Malaysia with Holafly
Even if you find a desired roaming pass, international roaming services in Malaysia remain expensive compared to other options.
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, the best option is to use an eSIM for Malaysia. This gives you unlimited data, up to 500 MB of hotspot sharing daily, 24/7 customer support, and an easy setup that lets your mobile phone seamlessly connect as soon as you land.
These digital travel plans are not only cheaper than most roaming plans but also more flexible. Depending on your trip length, prices range from $3.90/day to as little as $1.55/day, or £3.79 to £1.29 for UK travelers.
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in Malaysia. Use local networks at local rates.
How to avoid roaming charges in Malaysia
Saving money on international roaming in Malaysia means you’ll have more left over for experiences like trying laksa or exploring Kuala Lumpur. Here are some practical tips:
- Rely on free WiFi: Using free WiFi is the best way to save money; however, this alternative is insecure, so you’ll be limited. You’ll be limited to checking addresses or sending messages, but accessing private info is a no-no.
- Use a local SIM card: A Malaysia SIM card is a great roaming alternative for SIM-only phones. Plans range from $6 to $11, including up to 85 GB plus unlimited calls and texts.
- Rent a pocket WiFi: For groups or remote workers, renting a pocket WiFi ensures a stable connection, but the pricing is higher than roaming fees. But with Holafly Plans, you get unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, and coverage in 170 countries if you’re traveling around the world—all for $64.90/month.
- Switch to airplane mode: If you don’t need to be online all the time, turning on airplane mode prevents unexpected data or call charges.
- Disable automatic app updates: Background app updates can use up roaming data quickly. Turn them off in your mobile phone settings and update only when connected to Wi-Fi.
Malaysia roaming vs. eSIM for Malaysia
Malaysia roaming services are often expensive unless you’re enrolled in a plan with built-in roaming, but these usually cost over $80. For many postpaid customers, the best data roaming plan Malaysia still ends up being pricey compared to local options.
With an eSIM for Malaysia from Holafly, you don’t need an expensive roaming package. A Malaysia eSIM gives you unlimited data for up to 90 days starting at just $1.55/day, letting you avoid the high costs of international data roaming in Malaysia.
Or, if you need a more complete plan, using Holafly Plans is also a great option. These digital plans include multi country coverage across 170 destinations, so you don’t have to depend on a single network operator. They’re designed as innovative postpaid plans for travelers who want high-speed data, unlimited hotspot data, and reliable service worldwide.
Limitless data, endless adventures
Stream, scroll, and share as you please. With Holafly, your data is always unlimited.
Planning to visit other countries in Asia? Learn how roaming works there:
FAQ
Yes. On carrier-locked phones, you’ll be limited to international roaming, while carrier-unlocked phones can use local SIM cards, prepaid roaming passes, or an eSIM. Most major carriers also support 5G roaming, depending on your plan and device.
Before traveling, check which plan you’re enrolled in. Then, choose whether you’re using a data roaming pass, pay-per-use rates, or built-in roaming. When you arrive, roaming is often automatically activated once your phone connects to a preferred roaming operator, but you may still need to turn it on in your mobile phone settings.
Yes, especially if you don’t use a data roaming pass. Beyond data, you may be charged for voice calls, incoming calls, or even background automatic app updates, so it’s important to monitor your data usage.
Yes. Many carriers allow Wi-Fi calls, which let you make or receive calls without using roaming data — sometimes even giving you free incoming calls.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
