Are you planning your trip to Malaysia and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Don't get fooled by slow overseas data roaming plans and don't let high data roaming charges ruin your trip.
This is the ultimate guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Malaysia in 2025.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per May 2025, info about eSIMs for Malaysia, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, a vlog about my arrival in Kuala Lumpur Airport and more.
In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I pretty much always use eSIMs to stay connected.
Traveltomtom also wrote a specific guide with the best eSIMs for Malaysia in 2025.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Best eSIMs for Malaysia
- Why buying a sim card for Malaysia?
- Mobile internet operators in Malaysia
- Where to buy a sim card for Malaysia
- Registration process
- Prices prepaid sim cards in Malaysia
- Best 4G/5G network in Malaysia in 2025
- Best prepaid sim card in Malaysia in 2025
- Buy a prepaid sim card for Malaysia online
Some links in this article about the best prepaid sim cards for traveling to Malaysia are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate links I earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Based on research and user experience Traveltomtom recommends a CelcomDigi prepaid sim card for traveling in Malaysia. For less than $10 USD you can already get 65 GB high speed data for 1 month.
There are many prepaid sim cards in Malaysia with unlimited data, but the capped data speed is only 6 Mbps and therefore not recommended!
CelcomDigi has truly high speed internet and no data speed cap and is therefore Traveltomtom's first recommendation!
Traveltomtom is also an advocate for using eSIMs. No need to go to a phone store in Malaysia, simply order an eSIM on the internet and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
For example a SimOptions eSIM for Malaysia with 10 GB is only $12.90 USD and there are many more similar eSIMs.
Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Malaysia in 2025.
If you are on a trip to Asia and visiting several countries then check out travel sim cards with global coverage. In my comparison of the best international sim cards for travelers in 2025 you can find some great sim card deals for traveling around Asia.
These pre-activated international prepaid sim cards will be shipped to your home address before your trip. Especially when traveling to multiple countries on one trip these global travel sim cards with data are a great way to stay connected.
Best eSIMs for Malaysia
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Malaysia in 2025 is an eSIM. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical sim cards and the best thing is you keep your sim card from home in your phone and thus your own phone number.
You order an eSIM for Malaysia on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Malaysia eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Malaysia it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
For more detailed info about using eSIMs and an answer to all FAQ check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Malaysia in 2025.
Here are some recommendations.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable and trusted eSIM provider. Airalo sells eSIMs for pretty much every country in the world. They are the market leader in eSIMs and have never let me down.
Here are the eSIM plans for Malaysia in 2025:
- 1 GB for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB for 15 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB for 30 days = $10.5 USD
- 5 GB for 30 days = $15 USD
- 10 GB for 30 days = $25 USD
- 20 GB for 30 days = $40 USD
Click here to directly order an eSIM for Malaysia via Airalo.
The above eSIMs of Sambungkan are data-only sim cards valid only in Malaysia. They operate on the 4G/LTE network of Maxis.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable eSIM provider that Traveltomtom has used multiple time and they sell the following Malaysia eSIMs:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $5.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $6.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $12.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $31.90 USD
- 50 GB data for 60 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for traveling to Malaysia via SimOptions.
If you download the SimOptions app and use the coupon code TOM10 you get an extra 10% discount on all SimOptions eSIMs.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Malaysia.
Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide including a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Malaysia with much more eSIM plans and providers.
Why buying a sim card for Malaysia?
Life can be pretty challenging these days without a working data connection on your mobile and so is traveling. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, getting directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with your loved ones back home. No need to tell you that traveling to Malaysia is much easier with a local prepaid sim card.
Traveltomtom recommends you to buy a prepaid sim card in Malaysia, because it is easy, cheap and takes only a couple minutes. It is the best way to save on high roaming costs. Also a reminder that public WiFi is often slow and unreliable and it is an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended.
Be aware: your phone needs to be UNLOCKED to make sure a local prepaid sim card from Malaysia is working in your phone. This also counts for international prepaid sim cards and eSIMs for Malaysia.
Being a full time nomadic travel blogger since 2012 I have been looking for the best ways to get connected for more than 10 years now.
Since I like to document all my travel tips and I am also trying to visit every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: China, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Bangkok, Indonesia, Bali, Vietnam, Philippines, USA, Europe, Dubai, Istanbul, London, Paris, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Mobile internet operators in Malaysia
There are 5 mobile operators in Malaysia and they all offer prepaid sim cards for tourists:
- Maxis/Hotlink
- CelcomDigi
- U mobile
- Yes
- Unifi
On top of the above mobile internet providers there are also a couple MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) but they are too small to consider as a good prepaid sim card for Malaysia.
Prices for data plans differ slightly per provider but 4G/5G network coverage differs much more significantly. Below I show you the prices and the mobile internet network coverage maps in Malaysia, make a comparison of all the Malaysia sim cards and find you the best one.
Where to buy a sim card for Malaysia
Buying a sim card at Kuala Lumpur Airport
The easiest place to buy a sim card in Malaysia is directly on arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Even before passport control you can already buy a Malaysia sim card from either the Hotlink Maxis, Tune Talk or CelcomDigi shop. It is impossible to miss when walking up to immigration on your right hand side.
When you walk out into the arrivals hall you will immediately stumble upon the prepaid sim card shops on your left hand side: U Mobile, Maxis Hotlink and Tune Talk. On the right hand side there is Bluecube.
All prepaid sim card shops at Kuala Lumpur Airport are open 24 hours, but mind you that not all shops take credit card. Tune Talk and Bluecube only accept cash!
You can not buy an eSIM at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, only physical prepaid sim cards.
If you are curious what it is like to arrive and buy a prepaid sim card at Kuala Lumpur Airport then watch my YouTube vlog above with my experiences.
If you arrive on one of the other major international airports in Malaysia then there are also kiosks that sell prepaid sim cards for tourists at: Langkawi, Kuching, Penang and Kota Kinabalu.
Phone stores
You can of course also buy a sim card for Malaysia in any random phone store around the country. Traveltomtom advices to buy a sim card from an official store of one of the mobile internet providers. To find the nearest one to you simply use Google Maps.
In an official mobile internet operator retail store you will get the best service, prices and they make sure that everything works properly before you leave the store and you are connected to the internet.
Online
Buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Malaysia is a little bit of a hassle after a long flight. If you buy a sim card for traveling in Malaysia on the internet you arrive prepared and as soon as the plane lands you are online.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible you can order a physical prepaid sim card for Malaysia via SimOptions. But if your phone is eSIM compatible then simply order an eSIM for Malaysia on the internet.
For more detailed info about using eSIMs when traveling to Malaysia check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for Malaysia in 2025.
Registration process
When buying a prepaid sim card in Malaysia you need to bring your passport. In the shop they will take a copy and register your new prepaid sim card on your name. You will also need to give your fingerprint.
The purchased prepaid sim cards in Malaysia are activated within minutes. Traveltomtom advices to directly put the new sim card in your phone and see if it works before you leave the store. Also ask your provider how to check your balance and remaining data bundle.
If for some reason you do not wish to register with your passport then looking into ordering an eSIM for Malaysia or order an international prepaid sim card for Malaysia. These forms of getting connected when traveling to Malaysia do NOT require identification.
Prices prepaid sim cards in Malaysia
All prices and info are up dated as per May 2025. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit: 10 MYR = $2.35 USD and $1 USD = 4.25 MYR.
As of 2025 most of the phone stores in Malaysia now also offer eSIMs for tourists. In store you choose if you want a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM.
Maxis - Hotlink
Although Maxis is one of the biggest mobile internet providers in Malaysia, their prepaid service is called Hotlink. They offer the following Malaysia prepaid sim card deals:
- Unlimited data (6 Mbps) + unlimited calls for 7 days = 12 RM - $2.5 USD
- Unlimited data (6 Mbps) + unlimited calls for 1 month = 40 RM - $8.5 USD
- Unlimited data (12 Mbps) + unlimited calls for 1 month = 50 RM - $10.5 USD
For more info check the Hotlink website. Prepaid sim cards with unlimited internet sounds great but there is a speed limit. Max speed is only 12 Mbps, that is not much. Considering the fact that in next door Thailand you can reach mobile data speed of over 300 Mbps.
CelcomDigi
A CelcomDigi sim card costs 10 RM ($2 USD) for the registration and then you choose from one of the 2 prepaid sim cards for tourists:
- 15 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = 25 RM - $5 USD
- 65 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = 39 RM - $8 USD
The CelcomDigi prepaid sim cards for tourists are much better than Maxis Hotlink as they provide you with a max data speed of 100 Mbps, instead of just 12 Mbps. Check out the CelcomDigi website for more info.
U mobile
U Mobile offers several different prepaid sim cards for tourists, all valid for 1 month:
- Unlimited data (6 Mbps) + unlimited calls = 35 RM - $7.5 USD
- Unlimited data (6 Mbps) + unlimited calls + hotspot = 40 RM - $8.5 USD
- Unlimited data (12 Mbps) + unlimited calls + hotspot = 50 RM - $10.5 USD
As you can see U Mobile also works with max data speed. And again max data speed of 12 Mbps is pretty low and disappointing. Check the U Mobile website for more info.
Yes
Yes was called Yes 4G, but with the new 5G era it is now simply Yes Malaysia. Yes is a fairly new mobile internet provider and their 4G/5G network is much smaller than other providers. Yes offers the following prepaid sim card plans valid for 30 days:
- 50 GB data + unlimited calls = 20 RM - $4 USD
- Unlimited data + unlimited calls = 30 RM - $6 USD
At least it says uncapped data speed on the Yes prepaid sim cards. For more info check the Yes Malaysia website.
Unifi
Another mobile internet provider in Malaysia is Unifi and they offer the following prepaid sim cards for tourists:
- 10 GB data for 7 days = 10 RM - $2 USD
- 30 GB data for 1 month = 25 RM - $5 USD
- 50 GB data* + unlimited calls for 1 month = 35 RM - $7.5 USD
*It says unlimited data, but in there is a Fair Use Policy of 50 GB, so it is not really unlimited. For more info check the Unifi website. The Unifi prepaid sim cards do not come with data speed restrictions like for example Maxis Hotlink sim cards.
When we compare local prepaid sim cards for tourists with eSIMs for Malaysia we see that eSIMs are more expensive.
Read more about eSIMs in my guide with everything you need to know about eSIMs for traveling to Malaysia in 2025.
Best 4G/5G network in Malaysia in 2025
Sim card prices are important to determining the best Malaysia sim card, but so is the network coverage. Imagine traveling on long bus rides or staying in the beautiful Perhentian Islands and having no phone signal. Therefore I compared the Malaysia 4G/5G coverage maps from all mobile internet providers in Malaysia for you.
Is there 5G in Malaysia?
Surprisingly 5G in Malaysia is not as developed as we would have hoped. Nearby countries Thailand and Singapore offer some of the best 5G coverage in the world, but Malaysia is a little behind. As of 2025 there are lots of tourist destinations in Malaysia with a 5G signal, but not everywhere and definitely not with every operator.
CelcomDigi 4G/5G coverage map
Maxis 4G/5G coverage map
U Mobile 4G/5G coverage map
Unifi 4G/5G coverage map
Yes 4G/5G coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Malaysia in 2025.
Traveltomtom comes to the simple conclusion that Yes, Unifi and U Mobile have a lot to catch up when comparing their 4G/5G network strength with Maxis, CelcomDigi.
Especially when you decide to travel to Borneo it is not recommended to buy a sim card from either Yes, Unifi or U Mobile as their 4G/5G network coverage in Borneo is very limited.
CelcomDigi has the best 4G/5G network in Malaysia in 2025. When looking for the best sim card for traveling to Borneo you should buy a CelcomDigi prepaid sim card.
Tips for how to get around Malaysia
Let me help you find the best bus, boat, train and flight tickets when traveling in Malaysia. Check out the search engine for public transport and be amazed what they find. Try it below yourself.
Powered by 12Go system
At 12Go Asia you will get all the modes of transportations all in one overview.
Bus, boat, ferry, train and flights are all displayed together with travel time, prices, available seats, etc. and the best thing is that you can directly book your ticket online and instantly get a confirmation on your phone.
Best prepaid sim card in Malaysia in 2025
Prices for data sim cards in Malaysia are very affordable and for less than $10 USD you can already get unlimited data for the whole month. But... always check the data speed restrictions.
Unlimited internet obviously sounds the best, but max data speed is only 6 Mbps for example with Maxis/Hotlink. That is terribly slow compared to truly high speed internet.
CelcomDigi gives you unlimited high speed data for the first 65 GB for just $8 USD and since CelcomDigi also has the best 4G/5G network coverage in Malaysia it is an easy conclusion that CelcomDigi is the best sim card for Malaysia in 2025.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Malaysia is cheaper, but eSIMs are more convenient as you will already be online as the plane lands.
A SimOptions eSIM for Malaysia with 10 GB is only $12.90 USD and there are many more similar eSIMs.
Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Malaysia in 2025.
Personally, I would always choose a sim card that does NOT have a data speed cap.
Yes, U Mobile and the Maxis/Hotlink prepaid sim cards with unlimited internet for less than $10 USD all have a max data speed of only 6 Mbps!
Did you know that 5G data speed is far above 100 Mbps?
Traveltomtom does not recommend a Unifi or Yes prepaid sim card for traveling in Malaysia because of their weaker mobile network coverage, especially in Borneo.
Buy a prepaid sim card for Malaysia online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible you do not have to wait until you arrive in Malaysia to buy a prepaid sim card. You can already order an international prepaid sim card on the internet and arrive in Malaysia prepared.
Arrive prepared in Malaysia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Malaysia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Malaysia:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Malaysia via SimOptions.
The above international prepaid sim card will be delivered as a physical sim card to your home address and is automatically activated from its first use. It is like plug and play, no need to update settings or anything like that.
A last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks and have data on your phone as soon as the plane lands.
There are loads of eSIM providers that offer eSIMs for Malaysia like: Holafly, Nomad, Ubigi, Jetpac, etc. Find them all in my guide for buying an eSIM for Malaysia in 2025.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card for tourists in Malaysia were helpful for your upcoming trip. If you still have questions please let me know in the comments below, I am more than happy to help you out, also with other Malaysia travel related questions.
Want to be fuelled by wanderlust with uncountable travel tips then check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow my road to visit every country in the world. As of May 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to Malaysia!