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Planning a trip to Malaysia and looking for a way to stay connected during your stay? Using tourist SIM cards is one of the most popular ways to do so, largely due to the fact that they’re affordable and fairly easy to get. 

Follow along to learn what the best tourist SIM cards in Malaysia are, how you can get them, and mobile internet alternatives you might want to consider.

Unlimited data eSIM for Malaysia

Get Holafly’s eSIM for Malaysia and stay connected without the need for physical SIM cards. Use code MYESIMNOW5 for 5% off at checkout.

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Where can I buy a SIM card for Malaysia?

You have two options when it comes to buying prepaid Malaysia SIM cards: shopping for a SIM card online or buying one in a physical store when you arrive in the country. Celcom, Digi, and Maxis are three of the biggest providers of travel SIMs in Malaysia and make up for a big part of those purchased both online and in person.

Have your ID card or passport prepared when shopping for Malaysian SIM cards. You’ll be asked to provide it in physical stores or provide ID details when ordering a SIM card online.

Temple in Malaysia. Source: Pexels

Buy an international SIM card online before your trip

Not all Malaysian carriers that provide tourist SIMs offer international delivery. So, to get a physical SIM delivered to your door, you’ll have to order through an international company that acts as a third-party reseller for local SIM cards from all over the world.

When buying a physical SIM card for Malaysia online, remember to leave some time for delivery. Companies like SimCorner can take up to 9 days to deliver your SIM. Free delivery can be an option, but you can also end up paying $7 AUD (~$4.50 USD) for express delivery.

What’s more, keep in mind that you’ll be paying for all the added services that come with third-party retailers, and you may also have to pay extra for delivery depending on where you’re located.

Buy a tourist SIM card in Malaysia

If you don’t have enough time to order the SIM card in advance, or simply prefer to shop in person, you can buy a Malaysia SIM card when you arrive in the country. Here are some popular spots for buying a SIM card:

  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport
  • Kota Kinabalu International Airport
  • Official cell provider shops in bigger cities
  • Most larger supermarkets and stores
  • Dedicated corner shops

Be mindful of shopping in touristy areas from unofficial vendors, as they might charge more than the standard price, taking advantage of tourists.

Buy an eSIM for Malaysia

eSIMs offer an even better alternative to physical SIM cards in Malaysia. You can buy yours online, but instead of taking days to arrive, the eSIM gets delivered to your email immediately. Using eSIMs allows you to avoid tourist scams and queues at airport stands while still enjoying quality service at an affordable price.

The purchase process is as easy as it gets. Simply choose an eSIM provider you like, buy an eSIM plan on your website, and your eSIM will be sent to your email. You can buy it at home before your trip or at the airport once you arrive. All you need is a steady internet connection as you do it.

Get an unlimited data eSIM

Use the discount code MYESIMNOW5 for a 5% discount.

Best tourist SIM cards in Malaysia

We’ve considered coverage, price, and availability to create a list of the best prepaid SIM cards for Malaysia. Here are the top options for you to consider:

Holafly virtual SIM card

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, 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.

You can also buy regional or even global eSIM plans that provide coverage in multiple countries. These plans automatically connect you to a local network when you cross borders, so you don’t need to get a new SIM or even worry about changing networks.

You can get the Holafly eSIM for Malaysia for as cheap as $1.55 USD/day (~$2.40 AUD/day) with longer plans. The shortest plan comes in at $6.90 USD/day (~$10.70 AUD/day), which is still a solid deal considering that you get unlimited data.

Holafly eSIM for Malaysia
Holafly eSIM for Malaysia

Celcom

Celcom is one of the most popular mobile network operators in Malaysia. It also offers solid prepaid options for tourists if you want to go with a local provider. You can choose between unlimited or high-speed plans, both of which last 30 days and have two unique options:

  • Unlimited data at 3 Mbps, 15 GB of high-speed internet, and unlimited calls for RM25 (~$5.70 USD or ~$8.80 AUD).
  • Unlimited data at 12 Mbps, 65 GB of high-speed internet, and unlimited calls for RM39 (~$8.70 USD or ~$13.45 AUD).
  • 40 GB of high-speed internet and unlimited calls for RM25 (~$5.70 USD or ~$8.80 AUD).
  • 85 GB of high-speed internet and unlimited calls for RM39 (~$8.70 USD or ~$13.45 AUD).

The provider has one of the best 5G network coverage networks in Malaysia, so you should be able to make the most of the high-speed data if you’re around the bigger cities. Remote areas are bound to have poorer coverage, no matter which provider you go with.

U-Mobile 

U-Mobile is another local provider with prepaid SIM cards for tourists. All of them last 30 days and offer unlimited data, but have different Fair Usage Policy (FUP) limits. All of them also have speed caps, with the cheaper plans offering quite a slow connection.

  • Unlimited data at 6 Mbps (FUP applies at 40 GB) and unlimited calls for RM25 (~$5.70 USD or ~$8.80 AUD).
  • Unlimited data at 12 Mbps (FUP applies at 200 GB), 3G hotspot sharing, and unlimited calls for RM35 (~$7.80 USD or ~$12.05 AUD).
  • Unlimited data at 12 Mbps (FUP applies at 200 GB), unlimited hotspot sharing, and unlimited calls for RM40 (~$8.9 USD or ~$13.75 AUD).
  • Unlimited data at 25 Mbps (FUP applies at 200 GB), unlimited hotspot sharing, and unlimited calls for RM50 (~$11.15 USD or ~$17.25 AUD).

U-Mobile has worse coverage than Celcom in the eastern part of Malaysia, though you’ll still be just fine in any bigger city. You can pre-order the card online and pick it up at a selected pickup point once you arrive in Malaysia. Alternatively, simply look for a U-Mobile stand at the airport or in bigger cities.

Unifi

The last local SIM card provider on this list, Unifi has been named the most consistent provider in Malaysia according to a 2023 Opensignal research. It’s not the best in Malaysia in terms of speed or coverage, but it’s far from the worst in either category either. And the consistency of the service quality is something all travelers can appreciate.

There are three prepaid SIM card choices, all of which include 5G speeds:

  • 10 GB of data for 7 days for RM10 (~$2.25 USD or ~$3.50 AUD).
  • 30 GB of data for 30 days for RM25 (~$5.70 USD or ~$8.80 AUD).
  • Unlimited data for 30 days for RM35 (~$7.80 USD or ~$12.05 AUD).

It’s worth noting that while the Celcom and U-Mobile SIMs both include unlimited local calls into the plans, Unifi SIM cards only include data. That shouldn’t be an issue, though, as mobile internet is all that most travelers need nowadays.

Tips for choosing the best SIM card for Malaysia

Before you pack your bags for a visit to Southeast Asia, there are a few more things that you might want to keep in mind when buying your SIM card:

  • Shop online. Buying a SIM card in touristy spots and airports can be more expensive than normal. Consider buying your card online and having it delivered to you or pick it up at a designated location in Malaysia.
  • Make sure your phone is unlocked. If you haven’t used prepaid SIM cards before, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, it won’t work on local networks.
  • Limit data-heavy activity. Most travel SIM cards offer limited data, so try to avoid data-heavy apps when possible.
  • Have your ID ready. You’ll be asked to present your ID when buying a SIM card in Malaysia, so make sure not to leave it in your hotel room when you go out shopping.
  • Buy an eSIM instead. eSIMs provide all the benefits of regular Malaysia SIM cards, but without the tedious purchase processes, long delivery times, or the need to fiddle around with tiny plastic cards.

Choose an eSIM you can trust


Use the discount code MYESIMNOW5 for a 5% discount.

Can a foreigner buy a SIM card in Malaysia?

Yes, you can buy a SIM card in Malaysia as a traveler without any issues. You’ll be able to find SIM card shops in airports, most larger shops, and dedicated stands in larger cities. The only noteworthy thing is that you’ll need to provide an ID or passport for identification when buying your card.

How did we select the best SIMs for Malaysia?

To come up with a list of the best tourist SIM cards for Malaysia, we looked for ones with the best coverage network, dedicated prepaid SIM cards, and solid internet speeds. We’ve also made sure that they’re readily available for purchase in places like airports and general stores.

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Brenda Beltrán

Brenda Beltrán

Content Manager

Hi, I'm Brenda Beltrán. I'm passionate about travel, technology, and video games. In 2019, I started my career as a journalist in entertainment and technology. Then, I discovered that content creation was my true calling. Now, at Holafly, I'm dedicated to sharing travel tips and experiences that will make your adventures unforgettable. ✈️ Hola, soy Brenda Beltrán, apasionada por los viajes, la tecnología y los videojuegos. Desde mis inicios en 2019 como periodista en entretenimiento y tecnología, descubrí que la creación de contenido era mi verdadera vocación. Hoy, en Holafly, me dedico a compartir consejos y experiencias de viaje para que cada una de tus aventuras sean memorables.✈️

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