The Best SIM Cards for Travel to Malaysia
Malaysia was one of my most enjoyable experience in Asia because it was so easy to travel. Unlike Thailand, Cambodia or China where a language barrier can be a huge hindrance, a lot of Malaysians speak English and the tourism industry is very well developed in most of the popular areas like the Cameron Highlands, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
So I’d say you don’t need a SIM Card to travel in Malaysia. Wi-Fi is widely available at hotels and hostels and the Best Apps for Malaysia can often be used offline. But SIM Cards are super affordable which is really tempting because I like to share, even live-stream my awesome experiences to my friends and family back home. Having unlimited Data for Facebook, Instagram and WeChat makes sharing live so much better! So alas here are my picks for the best SIM Cards in Malaysia for travelers.
SIM Cards Available in Malaysia
There are a lot of options out there for Malaysia SIM Cards and factors to consider before selecting one.
- How long is your trip?
- Will you be traveling to Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong or Myanmar?
- Will you be traveling from Thailand?
- Will your phone work on Malaysia networks?
This article is a little lengthier than our usual ones. But do take the time to check out the requirements and your phones compatibility with Malaysia SIM Card providers.
Where to Buy a SIM Card?
The vast majority of tourists enter Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) or KLIA 1. So an obvious place to start looking for SIM Cards are the airport kiosks. Each major provider: DiGi, Maxis, Celcom and U-Mobile will have a store or kiosk.
The other providers will probably only have SIMs at cellular kiosks. The other ways to enter Malaysia are through Singapore and Thailand by train. So you’ll want to look for the following stores: 7-Eleven, AEON, Giant Supermarket, Tesco, or retail stores of the providers in the city center or shopping malls. Top-up vouchers can also be found at these stores.
Where a SIM is only available online, we’ll include the info in the notes.
SIM Card Requirements
All SIM Cards in Malaysia require registration since 2006. So bring ID when you go to get one. All networks allow VOIP calling and Data tethering (hotspoting).
All Top up vouchers and SIM Cards now have a 6% GST tax added on top of the quoted price.
Malaysia networks also have special calling rates for certain countries. They call them “IDD” prefixes. I’m not going to list that info because you can just use Skype or WhatsApp calling with Data. It’s similar to how the USA provider AT&T doesn’t charge international calling rates to Canada or Mexico.
Check Your Phone Compatability
Your phone needs to be compatible with the SIM provider’s network. What does this mean?
There are two network types worldwide: CDMA and GSM. Malaysia uses GSM networks on 2G and 3G which is the standard worldwide including in Canada and Europe. 4G/ LTE work on both types.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to know the details because nice internet people have come through for us! Check out WillMyPhoneWork.NET. Here is what you need:
- Your Phone Brand (Apple ,Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei etc…)
- Your Phone Model (Samsung Galaxy S9, IPhone X, etc…)
- Your Phone Sub-Model Number (Model A1532) May also have to know your carrier (Verizon, Sprint, Rogers etc…)
- The country you are visiting (United States, Japan etc…)
- The carrier whose network you’ll be using (AT&T or T-Mobile)
Example of Compatibility (USA)
- Brand: Apple
- Model: IPhone 5C
- Sub-Model: N# on the back of the phone A1532.
- There are two options: Verizon CDMA and GSM (other carriers). I’m not with Verizon so it must be GSM (North America)
- Country: United States
- Carrier: AT&T
Compatibility Result: 3G & 4G. Next I checked T-Mobile, but I only had 2G, 3G and only maybe 4G compatibility on their network. So AT&T is probably better.
Best Value SIM Cards
Top Choice: DiGi Prepaid SIM
- Network: DiGi
- Pre-purchase Online: No.
- Available Locations: DiGi Kiosks in major airports only.
- Top Ups: Yes, you can get vouchers for DiGi Prepaid SIM. Also use a credit card on the DiGi app: Android, iOS.
- Note: SIM Card is only available to non-Malaysian passport holders. Bring your passport.
- Note2: Prices are GST Included. Both plans include 5 RM of credit on the account.
- Note3: IDD minutes are valid for: China, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, India and Japan.
SIM Price: Free+
- 45 RM ($10.80 USD) for 40 GB of Data, Unlimited mins for 30 Days.
- 35 RM ($8.45 USD) for 30 GB of Data, Unlimited mins for 30 Days.
- 30 RM ($7.25 USD) for 15 GB of Data, Unlimited mins for 30 Days.
- 20 RM ($5 USD) for Students age 12- 24, 15 GB of Data, for 30 Days.
- 15 RM ($3.62 USD) for 3 GB of Data, Unlimited mins for 30 Days.
Runner Up: TuneTalk Air Asia Traveller SIM
- Network: Celcom
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes, online with international shipping, activate online
- Available Locations: Kiosk locations
- Top Ups: Yes, online and with vouchers. Top-ups extend the validity of the SIM.
- Note: SIM Card is only available to non-Malaysian passport holders. Bring your passport.
- Note2: Prices are GST Included. Both plans include 5 RM of credit on the account.
- Note3: Both plans include an additional 10 GB of Data at 2G speeds at 64 kbps, for email and basic browsing.
SIM Price: Free+
- 25 RM ($6 USD) for 5 GB of Data for 7 Days.
- 45 RM ($11 USD) for 10 GB of Data for 14 Days.
3rd Choice: Maxis Hotlink Chat or Social
- Network: Maxis
- Pre-purchase Online: No.
- Available Locations: Maxis Stores or Registered Dealers. List Here
- Top Ups: Yes, vouchers or online with Credit Card (or through the Hotlink App).
- Note: 1 GB of extra Data for downloading the App: Android, iOS.
- Note2: SIM automatically comes with 5 RM of credit and 300 MB for 3 Days.
- Note3: 10 GB of Facebook Data is also included for free for the duration of the plans below.
SIM Price: 10 RM ($2 USD)
- 3 RM ($0.70 USD) for 3 Mbps of Data and Unlimited mins for 1 Day
- 12 RM ($2.90 USD) for 3 Mbps and Unlimited mins for 7 Days
- 35 RM ($8.50 USD) for 3 Mbps and Unlimited mins for 30 Days
- 45 RM ($10.85 USD) for 6 Mbps and Unlimited mins for 30 Days
- 60 RM ($14.50 USD) for 10 GB, Unltd. mins of local Voice for 30 Days
- 45 RM ($10.85 USD) for 10 GB only data for 30 Days
- 35 RM ($8.50 USD) for 8GB only data for 30 Days
- 25 RM ($6.04 USD) for 4GB only data for 30 Days
Hotlink Tourist Sim
Preloaded with RM5 credit and 8GB high-speed Internet, both valid for 15 days. It will also include 5G network, FREE 60 minute(s) domestic calls & FREE 60 minute(s) IDD calls to China & India.
Best Price SIM Cards
Top Choice: RedOne Starter SIM
- Network: Celcom
- Pre-Purchase Online: No.
- Available Locations: Retail Stores, Preton, Watson Drugstores, Caltex
- Top Ups: Yes, online or with vouchers
- Note:
SIM Price: 10 RM ($2 USD)+
- Free: 500 MB of Data, 1 GB of 2G low speed Data, 6 RM of credit for 30 Days.
- 3 RM ($0.70 USD) for 1 GB of Data for 1 Day
- 10 RM ($2.50 USD) for 2 GB of Data for 7 Days
- 25 RM ($6.04 USD) for 5GB for 30 days
- 30 RM ($7.25 USD) for 1GB 4G LTE (FREE every month) and 10GB Basic Internet (FREE every month) for 30 Days
- 45 RM ($10.87 USD) for 10 GB of Data for 30 Days
Runner Up: ALTEL SIM
- Network: Celcom
- Pre-purchase Online: No
- Available Locations: ALTEL Stores & Registered Dealers. List Here
- Top Ups: Yes, online with a Credit Card or with a voucher.
- Note: SIM Card validity can be extended to 1 year for 28 RM ($6.75 USD)
- Note2: SIM includes unlimited Data at 2G speeds 64 kbps.
SIM Price: 7 RM ($1.70 USD)+
- Free: 200 MB of Data, 3 RM of credit for 15 Days.
- 2 RM ($0.50 USD) for 1 GB of Data for 1 Day
- 5 RM ($1 USD) for 1 GB of Data for 7 Days
- 10 RM ($2.50 USD) for 2 GB of Data for 7 Days
- 20 RM ($4.83 USD) for 5 GB of Data for 7 Days
- 25 RM ($6.04 USD) for 5 GB of Data for 31 Days
- 45RM ($10.84 USD) for 10 GB of Data for 31 Days
- 75RM ($18.12 USD) for 20 GB of Data for 31 Days
3rd Choice: SpeakOUT Prepaid SIM
- Network: DiGi
- Pre-purchase Online: No.
- Available Locations: 7-Eleven Stores, List Here
- Top Ups: Yes, Credit Card or Voucher. Top-ups extend the validity of the SIM Card up to 180 days.
- Note: This is the regular prepaid, there is also a Tourist Only SIM Card I’ve listed under the Monster Data section.
SIM Price: 16 RM ($3.85)+
- Free: 500 MB of Data, 2 Rm of credit for 30 Days
- 10 RM ($2.50 USD) for 500 MB of Data for 14 Days
- 20 RM ($4.85 USD) for 1 GB of Data for 30 Days
- 28 RM ($6.75 USD) for 1.5 GB of Data for 30 Days
- 38 RM ($9.20 USD) for 2.5 GB of Data for 30 Days
- 48 RM ($11.60 USD) for 3.5 GB of Data for 30 Days
Monster Data SIM Cards
Top Choice: SpeakOUT Tourist Prepaid SIM
- Network: DiGi
- Pre-purchase Online: No.
- Available Locations: 7-Eleven Stores, List Here
- Top Ups: Yes, online with a Credit Card or with a Voucher. Top-ups extend the validity of the SIM Card up to 180 days.
- Note: Price has GST included
SIM Price: Free+
- 50 RM ($12 USD) for 100 GB of Data, 15 mins of Voice and 20 SMS for 7 Days
Data Add-On Plans
- 30 RM ($7.25 USD) for 5 GB of Data for 14 Days
- 50 RM ($12 USD) for 10 GB of Data for 14 Days
3rd Choice: U-Mobile Tourist SIM
- Network: U-Mobile
- Pre-purchase Online:
- Available Locations: KLIA1 & KLIA2 Airports Only for the Tourist SIM.
- Top Ups: Yes, online with a Credit Card or in stores with a voucher.
- Note: SIM Card is only available to non-Malaysian passport holders. Bring your passport.
- Note2: Prices are GST Included.
- Note3: Both prepaid “UMI 26 & UMI 36” plans include unlimited Waze, WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify & Apple Music.
SIM Price: Free+
- 26 RM ($6.25 USD) for 2.5 GB of Data, 2.5 GB of video streaming only Data for Youtube for 30 Days.
- 36 RM ($8.66 USD) for 7.5 GB of Data, 7.5 GB of video streaming Data for Youtube, and unlimited Youtube streaming between 2am and 10am for 30 Days.
The U-Mobile Tourist SIM is different from the regular prepaid in that it’s free to pick up. But once you choose a plan like Umi 36, it’s like any other prepaid you can top up and continue using. Although 7.5 GB is less than other options on this list, the UMI prepaid packages include unlimited data for almost all the apps you are likely to use a lot. It even has Waze for GPS and Youtube for Video! So 7.5 GB will go a long way for browser searches on Safari or in Chrome, email and the few other apps you may want to use.
4rd Choice: TuneTalk Vibe+ Online
- Network: Celcom
- Pre-purchase Online: Yes, online with international shipping, activate online
- Available Locations: Kiosk locations
- Top Ups: Yes, online and with vouchers. Top-ups extend the validity of the SIM.
- Note: Plans include an additional 10 GB of Data at 2G speeds at 64 kbps, for email and basic browsing
- Note2: SIM Card can be ordered online for free to a Malaysia address
SIM Price: 5 RM ($ 1 USD)
- 10 RM ($2.42 USD) for 1GB of Data, Unlimited mins Voice for 30 Days
- 28 RM ($7.00 USD) for 6 GB of Data, Unlimited mins Voice for 30 Days
- 48 RM ($11.60 USD) for 10GB of Data, Unlimited mins Voice for 30 Days
