This article is intended for international travelers who will be arriving in Malaysia and buying a SIM card at Kuala Lumpur airport. Obtaining a local SIM card upon arrival can be tricky without understanding the registration process required.
Readers will get to know where and how to easily purchase a prepaid SIM card at KUL Airport, including what documents are needed and the different options available to meet their connectivity needs.
In this article
Yes, buying a SIM card at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) upon arrival can be a convenient option for tourists and travelers. You’ll have immediate access to mobile data, allowing you to navigate, stay connected with family and friends, and share your travel experiences without delay.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider. Airport kiosks often have a limited selection of plans and providers compared to what you’d find online, and prices tend to be higher. You might also encounter queues, especially during peak arrival times.
You can buy a SIM card online before departure or Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Here’s a guide to help you choose the most convenient method:
What to prepare:
Cost: Prices vary depending on the provider and plan, but generally slightly cheaper than buying at the airport.
Pros:
Cons:
Guide to the pickup point:
Kiosks/Stands/Booths:
What to prepare:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Notes:
Our recommendation: If you do not know which provider to choose, we recommend DiGi mobile operator for you.
Good to know: 1 USD = 4,78 MYR (Feb, 2024)
The most popular tourist SIM card plans at Changi Airport are provided by top three major mobile network operators: Celcom, DiGi and Maxis.
It’s noted that SIM cards purchased at airports tend to be more expensive than those bought outside the airport or online. Each provider offers many data plans at different prices. Here is a data plan from DIGi that is very popular and widely used:
To give you an overview of the current data plans from major providers in Malaysia, please refer to the table below for more details.
| Operator | Plan (Data + Calls) | Validity | Price (USD) | Price (MYR) |
| Celcom | 7 Days – 12GB (2GB 4G + 10GB 3G) | 7 days | $2.8 | 13.36 |
| Celcom | 30 Days – 15GB (5GB 4G + 10GB 3G) | 30 days | $8.3 | 39.64 |
| Celcom | 30 Days – Unlimited data (3Mbps) + Calls | 30 days | $8.3 | 39.64 |
| Celcom | 30 Days – Unlimited data (6Mbps) + Calls + 5GB uncapped | 30 days | $10.7 | 50.86 |
| Digi | 7 Days – 9GB (2GB 4G + 7GB 3G) | 7 days | $4.4 | 21.07 |
| Digi | 15 Days – 25GB (10GB 4G + 15GB 3G) | 15 days | $9.2 | 43.84 |
| Digi | 30 Days – (15GB – 65GB) | 30 days | $7.1 | 34.03 |
| Digi | 30 Days – Unlimited data (3Mbps) + Calls | 30 days | $8.3 | 39.64 |
| Maxis | 7 Days – 10GB | 7 days | $5.6 | 26.72 |
| Maxis | 30 Days – 30GB | 30 days | $7.1 | 34.03 |
| Maxis | 30 Days – 100GB | 30 days | $21.4 | 101.72 |
Tourists will need to show their passports as part of the registration process when buying a SIM card at Kuala Lumpur Airport.
Here are some other things you’ll need to have ready:
Since the registration process can be a bit time-consuming, you might consider these simpler options:
You can easily purchase an eSIM for Cambodia online, either before your arrival or while you’re already in Kuala Lumpur.
Gigago offers eSIM for most countries around the world with affordable prices and plans. For Malaysia, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB/ day for 5 days with $2.90 .
What is great about Gigago’s Malaysia eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $2.90 – $81.50 . Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in [country], there is always an option for you with Gigago.
In addition to buying a SIM card at the airport, many places offer one. Here are some suggestions and tips for you:
Location:
Tips:
As of February 25, 2024, most major providers like Maxis, Celcom, Digi, and U Mobile offer eSIMs. However, double-check their websites or ask at kiosks for confirmation and compatibility details.
Most kiosks are open 24/7, but it’s best to check with individual providers for confirmation.
This depends heavily on your usage habits. Casual browsing and occasional social media use might require around 1-2GB per day while streaming videos and gaming could use several GBs.
We have just discussed the option of purchasing a SIM card at Kuala Lumpur Airport. While it’s convenient to buy one there, the cost is usually higher compared to other locations.
Another idea is to consider an eSIM, which functions just like a regular SIM card but doesn’t require activation in person. With an eSIM, you can use your phone normally without any store visits. Ensure you set everything up before your trip to avoid travel hiccups.
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