Best Malaysia SIM Cards for Tourists: Best Plans, Providers, Price

Clover Garcia

|

Latest update: April 2025

A Malaysia SIM card allows travelers to stay connected with high-speed internet, privacy and security – all while saving money.

A SIM card in Malaysia is a common connectivity option that many tourists choose to stay connected during their trip thanks to its affordability, ease of use, and popularity. Getting a Malaysia SIM can cost you a lot of time, especially if you are new to it. This guide will reveal everything you need to know about SIM cards in Malaysia, including types, cost, where to buy, how to get, and alternative options.

I. What is the best SIM cards in Malaysia for tourists?

The best SIM card in Malaysia is the one that fits your demands. Best SIM cards are offered by major Malaysian mobile network operators including CelcomDigi, U Mobile, and Maxis Hotlink. Overall, tourists prefer CelcomDigi because they offer the best balance of coverage, speed and accessibility. Travelers who cross borders of Southeast Asia countries are recommended to opt for U Mobile SIM cards.

Let’s see in details each of them:

1. CelcomDigi Tourist SIM

Digi is considered as the best option in Malaysia with many advantages such as extensive coverage and a wide range of prepaid plans for tourists. CelcomDigi prepaid 5G tourist SIMs come unlimited and high-speed data, hotspot capability, and unlimited calls with affordable price.

Two best unlimited CelcomDigi SIM plans are:

• Unlimited 5G/4G Internet (3Mbps), 15GB high-speed data (100Mbps) – valid in 30 days, cost at RM25 (~US$5.75)
• 200GB 5G/4G Internet (12Mbps), 55GB high-speed data (100Mbps), 3GB hotspot (100Mbps), unlimited calls – valid in 30 days, cost at RM39.

If you need something cheaper, you can consider high-speed 5G SIM plans from Digi below:

• 40GB high-speed 5G/4G (100Mbps), 30GB hotspot, unlimited calls – valid in 30 days, cost at RM25.
• 85GB high-speed 5G/4G (100Mbps), 30GB hotspot, unlimited calls – valid in 40 days, cost at RM39.

Note: In 2022, Celcom and Digi merged to create CelcomDigi, which is now the largest mobile telecommunication company in Malaysia. In the past, Celcom offered prepaid SIM cards for tourists through XPAX, they now distribute them through CelcomDigi.

2. Maxis Hotlink Tourist SIM

Maxis is one of the largest mobile network operators in Malaysia. Hotlink is the specifically designed for prepaid SIM card services. However, compared with other SIMs, Hotlink’s internet speeds are a little bit slower, which is between 6 and 24Mbps, while Digi delivers 100Mbps at the same price (or even a lower).

As a tourist, you can choose from a wide range of prepaid SIM cards of Hotlink, with daily, weekly and monthly rate.

You can choose from:

• 20GB high-speed data, unlimited calls – valid for 7 days, cost at RM10 (about US$2.3)
• 8GB high-speed data, unlimited data at throttled speed after the high-speed data runs out, 60 minutes local calls, and 60 minutes IDD calls to China and India – valid for 15 days.

They start from RM10 (about US$2.3) for a weekly prepaid plan with and unlimited calls.

Another choice designated specifically for tourists is Hotlink tourist SIM coming with 8GB high-speed data, valid for 15 days after activation. Customer can still access Internet at throttled speed after the high-speed data runs out. The plan also comes with 60 minutes local calls and 60 minutes IDD calls to China and India.

You can easily find Hotlink SIM at at airport SIM card stalls, convenience stores and telecom shops across Malaysia.

3. U Mobile SIM for Travelers

U Mobile offers different prepaid options, both physical and eSIM for tourists in Malaysia. Its Traveler’s Plan options come with unlimited data for using in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. If you visit multiple countries around Southeast Asia, this is your ideal choice.

Here are 3 SIM plans for travelers:

• 25GB high-speed 5G/4G data, unlimited data (6Mbps), Unlimited local calls, valid in 7 days, cost RM12
• 50GB high-speed 5G/4G data, unlimited data (6Mbps), Unlimited local calls, valid in 14 days, cost RM35
• 100GB high-speed 5G/4G data, unlimited data (6Mbps), Unlimited local calls, unlimited hotspot, valid in 30 days, cost RM35

Overall, CelcomDigi’s SIM plans are the best option for tourists, both in terms of coverage map and speed, followed by Maxis/Hotlink.

II. How much does a Malaysia SIM card cost?

The price of Malaysia tourist SIM card depends on the data amount, validity, features associated with, and provider. A typical SIM card plan include the price of a white SIM card and prepacked data or credit.

There are two types of costs related to Malaysia SIM cards:

• Fixed costs: the upfront charges you pay upon buying the prepaid SIM card. This costs is paid for a specific amount of data, call minutes, and other features valid for a fixed period.
• Other costs: top-up cost or buying extra data plans. These depend on your usage and other factors like the options you choose after starting using the SIM.

III. Where to buy a Malaysia SIM card?

You can order a SIM card for Malaysia online and pick it up at the airport, buy right at the airport, in convenience stores or mobile shops. Here is the review of each way:

1. Online pre-order and airport pick-up

Some agents, websites like KKday, Traveloka, etc. offer Malaysia SIM plans that tourists can pay in advance and get after arriving at Malaysia’s airports. For example, if you buy from KKday, after paying, you will receive an e-voucher. Then you present it at the meeting point at KLIA, KLIA2, BKI Airport to get the SIM card. That is that simple.

2. Airports (upon arrival)

It is convenient to buy your Malaysia SIM cards at kiosks or booths of Malaysian mobile operators, such as Maxis/Hotlink, CelcomDigi, U Mobile, or other convenience stores like Bluecube and TuneTalk.

After getting out of Arrival Hall, right before customs, you will see many booths selling SIM cards scattered. There you need to show your passport and choose the SIM plan that fits your needs. The staff will activate the SIM right at spot.

This option is convenient for those who are hesitating to navigate the city to buy SIM cards without data. However, the SIM card prices at Malaysian airports tend to be more expensive than online and outside in the city.

Also, if you arrive at rush hours, you may need to queue in lines to get the SIM. All the prepaid SIM card shops at Malaysia airports are open 24/24, but not all of them accept credit cards. BlueCube and Tune Talk only accept cash.

That is why we DO NOT recommend buying airport SIM cards in Malaysia if you are not in a hurry.

3. Mobile stores

If you miss buying a SIM card online or at airports, you can get it from official retail stores of major mobile carriers and phone stores around the country. However, as a traveler, you are advised to buy from the official stores of one of the major Malaysian mobile internet providers.

Just use Google Maps to find the nearest store and head to it. You are required to present passport and possibly other personal documents when buying.

After choosing the right plan for your needs, have staff there support to install the SIM.

4. Convenience stores

Convenience stores like 7-Eleven or MyNews offer prepaid Malaysia SIM cards for tourists. You can also top up on the spot and use additional telecom services there if you want.

5. Shopping malls

Shopping malls are a all-in-one location that gathers many telco shops, that allow customers to select the best deal.

6. Online

You can either buy a SIM for Malaysia online and have them delivered to your accommodation. Regarding online, you can choose either physical or digital SIM (eSIM).

eSIM option is more advantageous because you do not need to insert a physical SIM card. However, it only works on eSIM-compatible devices. If you choose the Malaysia eSIM, go for a prestigious eSIM provider like Gigago, which offer various plans supported by major Malaysian telcos.

Note: You need to pay for a 6% foreign tax added to your total if buying a SIM card online without your passport number. If you choose Gigago eSIM for Malaysia, you will avoid such fee.

IV. Buy an eSIM to get mobile data within minutes

Getting a physical SIM card in Malaysia requires your passport number, which can be daunting for many tourists. Besides, the physical SIM’s price at the airports and online are often expensive due to convenience.

eSIMs are the better alternative to travel Malaysia SIM card. Visitors can buy prepaid plans from GIGAGO Malaysia eSIM before departing. You do not need to wait for delivery, just receive a QR code via email and then scan it to set up the virtual eSIM profile. Plus, eSIMs will help you prevent the risk of physical loss and damage.

V. FAQs about Malaysia SIM Cards