Bonjour Malaisie

Getting a SIM Card & eSIM

Getting a local SIM card is one of the first and most important things to do upon arriving in Malaysia. It's affordable, easy to set up, and essential for navigation (using apps like Grab and Waze), communication, and accessing services. Malaysia has excellent mobile coverage, especially in urban areas.

Major Mobile Providers

Hotlink (by Maxis)

Best for: Tourists

Excellent for travelers due to its easy-to-use app that allows eSIM purchase and activation before arriving in Malaysia. This means you can be connected the moment you land. Hotlink also offers competitive tourist plans and roaming passes for neighboring countries.

The pre-arrival setup via eSIM is a significant advantage for tourists, removing the hassle of finding a store upon landing. Their roaming packs are a great value if you're visiting countries like Singapore or Thailand on the same trip.

Example Plans (Jan 2026 est.)

  • Tourist eSIM Plan (RM 45): 40GB high-speed data, valid for 14 days.
  • SEA Roaming Pass (RM 10): 1GB/day for use in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia.

CelcomDigi

Best for: Expats

As the largest network in Malaysia, CelcomDigi offers the widest and most reliable coverage across the country, including rural and remote areas. This makes it the top choice for long-term residents who may travel or live outside major city centers.

For residents, network reliability and consistent coverage for calls and data are paramount. CelcomDigi's postpaid plans offer excellent value with large data quotas and device bundles, making it a more economical choice over the long term compared to prepaid tourist SIMs.

Example Plans (Jan 2026 est.)

  • Postpaid 5G 80 (RM 80/month): 90GB 5G/4G data, unlimited calls.
  • Prepaid Unlimited (RM 35/month): Unlimited data (6Mbps speed cap), unlimited calls.

U Mobile

Best for: Budget Users

Known for offering some of the cheapest plans with very generous data quotas. A great option for budget-conscious users who primarily stay within major cities where coverage is strong.

U Mobile competes aggressively on price, often providing the most data for your money. However, this can come at the cost of less reliable coverage once you venture into more remote parts of Malaysia. It's a solid choice for city-dwellers on a budget.

Example Plans (Jan 2026 est.)

  • U25 Prepaid (RM 25/month): Unlimited 5G data (capped), unlimited calls.
  • U Power Prepaid (RM 30): 60GB high-speed 5G/4G data for 30 days.

eSIM vs. Physical SIM

eSIM (Digital SIM)

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan without needing a physical card. You can often purchase and set it up online before you arrive, which is great for convenience and for keeping your home country's SIM in your phone.

Physical SIM

The traditional plastic card that you insert into your phone. It's readily available everywhere and simple to pop in. A reliable choice if your phone doesn't support eSIM.

Where to Buy Your SIM Card

At the Airport (KLIA/KLIA2)

The most convenient place for tourists. You will find official booths for all major providers right after you exit baggage claim. The staff will set everything up for you.

Official Stores

Visit a provider's official service center in any shopping mall for the widest range of plans (including postpaid) and expert help.

Convenience Stores

Stores like 7-Eleven and MyNews sell starter packs for prepaid SIMs, but you will still need to register with your passport.