Everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Malaysia.

Going on a trip is the way to get rid of your phone addiction. Wonderful right? Nothing at all for a while! But we must honestly admit that the internet has saved us from getting lost and hungry several times. Fortunately, buying a SIM card in Malaysia is super easy and there are also convenient alternatives. In this blog, we explain to you step by step how best to buy a SIM card in Malaysia (physical or digital) and what to look out for. That way, you'll be well prepared and won't face any surprises.

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General information about Malaysia

Are you working on a travel plan for Malaysia? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and transport to and in Malaysia.

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Which provider do you choose in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, you have three popular mobile providers that all offer a tourist SIM card. A tourist SIM card is nothing but a prepaid SIM card with data bundle. The three major providers are:

• Maxis / Hotlink: strong coverage, good service
• CelcomDigi: good nationwide coverage & popular, especially among backpackers
• U Mobile: economical, especially suitable for urban areas

These providers offer similar packages with good coverage, reasonable speed and cheap prices. You can choose from packages for 7, 15, 30 days or longer. So you have plenty of choice!

Tip: We used CelcomDigi during our trip through Malaysia. We bought the ticket at the airport and everything was arranged quickly!

What does a SIM card cost in Malaysia?

A tourist SIM card costs between 10 and 50 Ringgit (RM) (about €2 to €10). The price of a SIM card in Malaysia depends on the number of days the SIM card is valid, the number of GB, the internet speed and the number of call minutes. So choose a sim card that best suits your travel plans. We both bought a CelcomDigi package of 30 RM (about €6.00) for 30 days.

How and where to buy a SIM card in Malaysia?

The above-mentioned providers offer their SIM cards at all sorts of places around the country. For instance, you can buy them at small street stalls, in supermarkets or in telecom shops. Just keep in mind that not every location offers all providers. Some shops work with fixed contracts or have exclusive partnerships, so your favourite provider or subscription may not be available where you are.

1. Buy a SIM card for Malaysia in the Netherlands (before departure)

Yes, you read that right! You can buy a SIM card before you leave! Personally, we never choose this option, but shops like Amazon offer options from almost all providers. So you can choose a SIM card that suits your travel plans at your leisure! It is more expensive but then you will be online as soon as you step off the plane.

Please note: Not every foreign SIM card will work in your phone right away without any problems. Therefore, check carefully whether your phone is SIM-free and whether the SIM card is suitable for the type of network in Malaysia.

Convenient alternative: eSIM for Malaysia

Another option is to buy an eSIM before you leave! This is mega convenient because you no longer need to buy or install a physical SIM card. You activate an eSIM digitally and it is online within minutes. The price is slightly higher than a physical SIM card, but it is super convenient and easy!

We ourselves have heard many positive things about Airalo, a popular provider of eSIMs for travellers. A big advantage of this is that when you arrive in Malaysia, you don't spend time picking up or searching for a SIM card. You are instantly reachable and can book a taxi via Grab or contact your accommodation right away, for example.

2. Buying a SIM card at the airport

If you arrive in the morning or afternoon, you can easily score a SIM card in the arrivals hall. We arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) where we bought a SIM card at one of CelcomDigi's kiosks. Other major providers are: Hotlink (Maxis) and U Mobile.

You will find these kiosks near the baggage carousel or just outside it. Prices here are usually a bit higher than in the city, but the advantage is that you are immediately online as soon as you leave the airport.

Tip: Only tourist (traveller) packages are offered at the airport. For most of you, this will suffice. Are you staying in Malaysia for more than a month? Then we recommend going to a shop in the city. There you will have more choice.

3. Buying a SIM card in the city

As we mentioned above, you can buy Malaysian SIM cards in many shops. Think of chains like 7-Eleven, MyNews or telecom shops. In that case, though, bear in mind that you will not have an internet connection from the moment you leave the airport. This can be inconvenient if, for instance, you still need to find your accommodation or want to book a taxi via an app.

Tip: Are you going to other countries in Asia after Malaysia? Then it's handy to look into a SIM card that works in multiple Asian countries. With this, you won't have to buy a SIM card again in each country, ideal if you're travelling around the region. Again, eSIM from Airalo another good option!

Read also: Cashing out in Malaysia: 6 handy tips + overview of costs
Read also: The ultimate itinerary for Malaysia and Singapore + tips

What should you look out for when buying a SIM card in Malaysia?

If you want to stay connected during your trip through Malaysia, it is smart to check carefully beforehand which SIM card best suits your situation. This is because there are a few key points to consider:

Note: Keep in mind that most staff in shops such as the 7-Eleven do not speak English well.

1. Turn off your roaming and take your passport with you!

Make sure your roaming is off when you enter Malaysia. This will prevent high bills from your Dutch or Belgian provider. In addition, do not forget your passport with you when you go to buy a SIM card. This is because anyone buying a SIM card in Malaysia is required to register. After you receive the SIM card and insert it correctly into your phone, you can start using it immediately.

2. Choose the provider with the best coverage

Although most providers score well, CelcomDigi often the best nationwide coverage. Do you travel to islands or remote areas? Then this provider may also work best for you.

3. How much data do you need?

This is a tricky question to answer. For example, if you mainly use wifi and very little mobile data, then a small bundle will suffice. But if you navigate a lot, watch videos or work remotely, then a bundle with at least 8GB for a 30-day stay is a good starting point.

It is useful to see how much GB you consume. Fortunately, you can do this easily by selecting the following settings on your phone.

• Android: Settings - Networks - Data connection - Click on the dates to change the cycle.
• iPhone / iOS: Settings - Mobile network - Scroll down and choose ‘Reset data’ - Check your usage under ‘Mobile data usage’.

Tip: Do you really use little data in pairs? Then we recommend you take 1 subscription and occasionally open a hotspot for the other. This is easy, quickly arranged and you don't pay double!

4. Our tips for smart and safe internet browsing in Malaysia

We would like to give you a few more tips so you can be prepared for your trip!

• Buy a SIM card at the airport or an e-SIM from Airalo If you want to be online right away, even if it's a bit more expensive.
• Share a SIM card if you have a small budget or staying in Malaysia for only a short time. After all, you have wifi almost everywhere and otherwise you can create hotspot for the other.
• Check your data bundle regularly, especially if you stream videos, navigate with Google Maps or use social media. This way, you avoid unexpected costs or being suddenly without internet.
• Don't use public wifi everywhere. Avoid entering sensitive data such as passwords or bank details when connected to an unsecured network in cafes, hostels or airports. Rather use your mobile data or a VPN for extra security.
• Turn off automatic app updates, so you don't consume unnecessary data. You can perform updates manually when connected to wifi.
• Make offline maps available in advance in Google Maps or Maps.me. This allows you to navigate without consuming data, which is especially useful in places with less coverage.

Useful apps for in Malaysia

Now that you know all about a SIM card in Malaysia, we are happy to share a few more handy apps that we often use during our travels. Trust us, these will only make travelling, negotiating or booking a hotel easier!

Games on the go

Are you going to tour Malaysia? Super cool! Unfortunately, you will then have to take the occasional long bus journey. Scrolling alone on Instagram or Tiktok will also get boring! And... think of the GBs! Therefore, some more cool games that you can easily take with you. They are compact, cheap and provide a lot of fun.

We hope this blog on buying sim card in Malaysia helps you plan your trip to Malaysia. If you have any questions or comments, send us a message at Instagram or [email protected].

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