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How to Get Internet in Malaysia | Best Local SIM and eSIM
Having internet access on your mobile from the moment you arrive in a new country is almost indispensable, It helps us with many things and avoids possible complications. You might need to check the address of your hotel, translate a conversation you don't understand or order a Grab at Kuala Lumpur airport. Not to mention all the use you'll make of it on a daily basis during your trip, like on the bus.car Tourist attractions, restaurants, or keeping in touch with family. That's why we're telling you. How to get internet in Malaysia, from the most comfortable option to the most economical.
We compare the different options of Local prepaid SIM and the popular cards eSIM.
Keep in mind Malaysia is a fairly large country with a very developed capital but other areas, such as some areas of Borneo or the paradisiacal ones Perhentian Islands, are quite remote. That means that coverage and connection speed It will depend a lot on where you are, not just on the company you choose.
How to get internet in Malaysia: Our personal experience
Throughout the article we will compare the specific details of each of the available options and What are the prices and advantages of each one?We have visited Malaysia twice, the first time with a local prepaid SIM and the second time with an eSIM card, so we are going to use our personal experience to compare both options.
But if you are looking for a fast answer I'm going to give you our two favorite options depending on your budget and the type of trip you're taking:
- You are looking for comfort, speed, unlimited internet: Buy an eSIM card
- You prioritize price and don't care about the buscar visit a local store and compare options: Buy a prepaid SIM localCelcom Digi o Hotlink are good options).
Are you going to travel soon? You can read the best Malaysia route in 15 days all of our Malaysia Guides.
Holidays to discover and relax in Malaysia – eSIM
If you're traveling to Malaysia for a great vacation on a not-too-tight budget, you probably won't want to complicate things.carYou spend a lot of time trying to get internet access and want to focus all your time on enjoying the beaches, cities, nature, and wildlife that Malaysia has to offer.
In that case we recommend you get an eSIM card, It is the most convenient way to have internet in Malaysia because you can install it even before flying and once you land your mobile has an internet connection.
Thanks to having internet from your arrival you will not waste a minute, as soon as you land you will be able to notify your family that you have arrived and start tour kuala lumpurI recommend the company to you Holafly that offers unlimited internetFor €32 you will have unlimited internet for 10 days. Plus, installation is very simple and you won't have to worry about comparing different local companies, buying a physical SIM and replacing yours.
Our personal experience with Holafly In Malaysia, the internet was good in terms of convenience, although in certain areas of the country the internet was noticeably slow, even in the capital. Apparently, this is a common problem in Malaysia with unlimited data plans, which usually have a lower browsing speed.
Backpacking trip through Malaysia – Local SIM
In case one of your priorities is have internet at the lowest price, Buying a prepaid SIM card from a local company is undoubtedly the best option. Getting one of these cards at Kuala Lumpur airport is very easy, as most major operators like CelcomDigi and TuneTalk offer their cards there. As is usually the case at airports, there are more [unclear - possibly "phones" or "phones"] here. caras in the rest of the country.
If you want to get a very good price Wait to buy the card in the telephone shops in the center In the city, you can also find them in some convenience stores. If you are looking for the best local SIM, I recommend the company CelcomDigi. The card has an average cost of 10MYR, although there are companies that include it, and then you can choose internet rates at very good prices. For example, for only 39MYR they give you 85GB of high speed for 30 days.
Best eSIM card to have internet in Malaysia
Buying an eSIM is the most convenient choice, although not the cheapest, to have internet in Malaysia.
The choice of the right eSIM It will depend on your internet needs and the duration of the trip. If you regularly use an internet connection and consume a lot of data, I recommend opting for unlimited internet rates such as HolaflyThey have 5G connection in Kuala Lumpur and you will never be left without internet. If you hardly use the internet on a daily basis, you probably won't do so while travelling either, so getting a card that offers a small amount of internet could also be useful for you.
Other advantages of eSIM cards are:
- Installation is simple: Right after purchasing the data package they send you a QR and when you scan it, the phone configuration begins automatically. Activate the eSIM when you land or cross the border and you will have instant internet in Singapore.
- You keep your WhatsApp number. You can call and message your WhatsApp contacts as usual.
- You keep the SIM card of your usual operator. By activating the eSIM you will have «double SIM» with your usual card, in case you need it. This is important because You will continue to receive confirmation SMS when making online transactions such as purchases or account verifications. Plus, you're sure not to lose your SIM because you don't need to...carthe one on your phone.
How to install an eSIM Holafly and other companies
The purchasing process of Holafly It is very simple, On the website you choose the destination you are travelling to, in this case Malaysia. When you choose the destination you will see by default the price of 1 eSIM for 1 day of unlimited internet, modify the duration and the number of cards you need.
During the purchase process you can add a discount code, write «VIAJEROSLOWCOSTEROS» to get a discount on your eSIM card for any destination. Once the purchase is complete You receive an email with a QR code that is used to activate the eSIM. You will need internet to activate it so I recommend doing it just before takeoff or using the airport WiFi when you arrive.
Installing and activating an eSIM is easy for most carriers. Anyone can do it, and the email you receive when you make the purchase comes with step-by-step instructions. Although there are different ways to do it, The quickest and easiest is using the attached QR code. Once the code is scanned, your phone will begin the installation and activation process, in which the eSIM will be ready in less than 1 minute. Don't forget that in order to install the eSIM you need an internet connection.
Once you reach your destination you have to remember deactivate the mobile data option of your usual operator and leave only the local operator active. Check that the option allow roaming is activated, otherwise the eSIM will not start working.
If you're still unsure which eSIM to choose, here are two comparisons we've written between the most important eSIM companies on the market: Holafly vs Airalo and also the comparison of Holafly vs Saily.
Better prepaid card in Malaysia
Undoubtedly Buying a prepaid card is the cheapest option to have internet in Malaysia. Some companies charge around 10 MYR for the SIM card, plus the price of the contracted rate, but it is still the cheapest option. Keep in mind that They usually ask for your passport to register the SIM, so you should take it with you when you go to buy it.
I recommend buy it in the city center. Most phone stores offer almost all the existing operators in the country so you can choose. You can also use convenience stores like 7 elevenThey won't help you install the SIM but the purchasing process is simple.
When choosing one company or another, apart from the price You should pay close attention to the speed of the internet The problem with the speed of the internet is that the service they promise is the main drawback for us when it comes to having mobile internet in Malaysia. Many operators offer unlimited internet rates but with a very low maximum speed, between 12 and 24 Mbps. Opt for a limited rate that offers high speed and many GB. In addition, many Malaysian companies offer the option of paying a small extra to add roaming and be able to use it for example in Singapore.
A good company is Celcom Digi which offers a card with 39GB at 85mbps for 100 days for only 30MYR. Another good option is SIM cards with no speed limit. Hotlink for example 100GB for 35MYR for 30 days. If you choose this company, be careful when choosing the rate because most of their cards have a speed limit of 12 or 24Mbps.
Buying a SIM card at Kuala Lumpur Airport
The main Malaysian carriers have kiosks at Kuala Lumpur airport; they're very easy to find. If you stop at one of these kiosks, they'll ask to see your passport to make a copy and will help you install the SIM card in your phone. Don't leave until you've verified it.car that everything works correctly.
Some convenience stores inside the airport sell SIM cards from various companies at a slightly cheaper price than the official stands, although they are not as easy to find and the offer of packages is more limited.
I hope this article clarifies your doubts about how to have internet in Malaysia and helps you make the best decision. Check out the rest of our articles on travel to malaysia to enjoy the trip.
