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Malaysia SIM card: Best plans for tourists 2025

A Malaysia SIM card will help you stay connected on your trip. Explore various SIM options, prices, and plans, including a digital travel solution.

A Malaysia SIM card for tourists is one of the best ways to get data on your trip. You can avoid roaming charges, pay affordable rates, and enjoy a reliable connection to local networks.

This article covers the best prepaid SIM cards in Malaysia for tourists, including prices, packages, and requirements. And if you’d like to avoid SIM card swapping and long queues, we’ve also explored the alternative of an unlimited data travel eSIM.

In this article

Requirements to get a Malaysia SIM card for tourists

If you choose to purchase a Malaysian local SIM card upon arrival, you’ll have to comply with some tourist requirements, which may include presenting:

a valid passport (and a photocopy)
proof of entry/visa stamp
proof of accommodation or stay
local currency in cash (or a working debit/credit card)

You also must ensure your phone is unlocked and compatible with Malaysia’s frequency bands.

Whether purchasing a physical SIM card in person or online, you’ll need to complete the registration and activation process. This can be confusing to do on your own, and you might encounter long tourist queues in Malaysia for prepaid SIM card registration.

Want to avoid these inconveniences? Go for a digital eSIM (over a physical SIM) instead. eSIM providers like Holafly deliver the eSIM straight to your inbox; the setup only takes five minutes.

How much does a SIM card in Malaysia cost?

A Malaysia SIM card for tourists will cost anywhere between 6 MYR (~$2 USD) to 24+ MYR (~$6+). These figures vary according to how comprehensive your SIM card package is. The higher the data, call, text allowances, coverage, and internet speed, the more expensive it will be.

Below, we’ll explore four of Malaysia’s top prepaid SIM card providers. We show you their Malaysia travel SIM packages, as well as how and where to buy their SIM cards.

Which is the best prepaid plan in Malaysia?

Malaysia’s top tourist SIM card providers are CelcomDigi Berhad, Maxis Berhad, and Telekom Malaysia Berhad. Each provider offers their own set of SIM card packages for tourists and locals with varying data, call, and text allowances.

CelcomDigi SIM card for Malaysia

Celcom network offers SIM card packages to locals and tourists. For 25 MYR (~$6), you can get 40 GB of data at 100 Mbps, and for 39 MYR (~$9), you can get 85 GB at the same speed. Both data plans include unlimited calls and a hotspot.

You can also grab One-Time Internet Pass deals, including a 3-day package of 9 GB for 6 MYR ($2), and a weekly plan of 20 GB for 12 MYR (~$3).

How and where to buy a CelcomDigi Malaysia SIM card for tourists

Kuala Lumpur Airport (arrivals hall)
Official CelcomDigi stores (use their store locator tool)
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, MyNews)
Supermarkets

Maxis SIM card for Malaysia

Maxis network offers a range of tourist-friendly SIM card plans for short and extended stays. Their plans can be divided into three categories:

Hotlink SIM cards: Monthly SIM card plans starting at 25 MYR (~$6) for 60 GB of internet to unlimited internet at 12 Mbps for 40 MYR (~$9) and 24 Mbps for 50 MYR (~$11)
Weekly plans: 10 GB for 10 MYR ($2) and unlimited data plan (6 Mbps) for 12 MYR (~$3)
Daily plans: 3 GB for 3 MYR (~$1)

How and where to buy a Maxis Malaysia SIM card for tourists

Kuala Lumpur Airport (kiosks in the arrival halls)
Official Maxis store (use their store locator tool)
Shopping malls (Low Yat Plaza)
Convenience stores (7-Eleven)
Banks with telco services
Electronic stores

U Mobile SIM card for Malaysia

U Mobile offers tourists and locals monthly unlimited data plans, varied in calls and hotspot allowances:

U Prepaid 35: unlimited data, unlimited domestic calls, and 10 GB hotspot for 25 MYR (~$6)
U Prepaid 40: unlimited data, unlimited domestic calls, and 200 GB hotspot for 40 MYR (~$6)

They also offer a prepaid traveler plan for 35 MYR (~$8), which offers unlimited data at 6 Mbps for a 14-day validity period.

Where and how to buy a U Mobile SIM card for Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (kiosks in the arrival halls)
Official U Mobile store (use their store locator tool)
Convenience stores (7-Eleven and MyNews)
Banks with telco services
Electronic stores

Where to buy a Malaysia SIM card?

Ensuring you’re connected when you arrive is crucial for a smooth experience. You’ll need data to navigate your way to the hotel/stay, communicate with locals, and update friends and family.

You can choose to purchase a local SIM card before you travel or after you arrive, or opt for a digital solution — an eSIM. We discuss each of these options in more detail below.

Buy a SIM card for Malaysia before you travel

Malaysia’s local SIM operators (CelcomDigi, Maxis, and U Mobile) do not ship SIM cards internationally. However, there are many online third-party companies that deliver Malaysia travel SIM cards to your home address. This way, you can activate and register your SIM card before you arrive.

When buying your Malaysian SIM online, you will be responsible for activating and registering it on your own.

Where to buy a Malaysia SIM card in Australia: SimCorner, Simify, SimsDirect
Where to buy a Malaysia SIM card in the USA: SimCorner, Mobal, Amazon USA
Where to buy a Malaysia SIM card in the UK: SimCorner, Amazon UK

Buy a Malaysia SIM card after you land

You can buy a prepaid SIM in person at Malaysia’s international airports, official stores, convenience stores, electronics shops, and gas stations throughout the country.

If you get a Malaysia SIM in person, you’ll have a greater choice of local physical SIM cards and will enjoy local rates and a staff-supported registration process.

Buy an eSIM for Malaysia

An easier alternative than both options mentioned above is purchasing an eSIM.

With an eSIM, you don’t have to worry about long installation and activation processes, SIM card swapping, and long tourist queues. Providers like Holafly offer unlimited high-speed data for your trip to Malaysia and 200 other destinations.

Holafly eSIM: Unlimited data for hassle-free travels

If you want the best eSIM for Malaysia, look no further than Holafly. On top of being quick and easy to purchase, Holafly offers unlimited data and high-speed internet, 24/7 customer support, and a flexible plan selection. There are also dedicated apps for iOS and Android that make it easy to purchase eSIMs and monitor data usage.

Holafly’s eSIM for Malaysia can be as cheap as $1.55 USD/day. Or, if you’re planning an extended stay in Malaysia and want to travel around Indonesia, Thailand, and beyond, Holafly Plans will take the stress away from getting online.

Choose from various plans, including unlimited data and unlimited hotspot that covers 170+ destinations under one eSIM profile. No local ID or passport checks, no contracts, and you can cancel anytime. Explore our monthly eSIM plans and get connected today!

Traveling to other countries in the region? Check out our other posts on local SIM cards:

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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