Best eSIM for Malaysia in 2024 | Complete Guide

Are you planning your trip to Malaysia and would like to stay connected with an eSIM card? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM when traveling to Malaysia including a comparison of the best Malaysia eSIM cards in 2024.

Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM card for Malaysia on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find up to date prices as per October 2024, including all specifications per tourist eSIM card.

This guide will explain how eSIM cards work, show you where and when to order an eSIM card for Malaysia, answer all FAQ about using eSIMs, more info about the network coverage and 4G/5G data speed, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards for Malaysia and of course links to directly order your eSIM card for traveling to Malaysia online.

Table of Contents

Since 2012 I am already traveling the world full time and throughout the years I turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.

In 2023 I visited for example 34 different countries in 1 year so imagine how many different prepaid and eSIM cards I used throughout the year. 

In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIM cards to stay connected when traveling abroad. On my latest trips to Malaysia I tested the below recommended Malaysia eSIM cards for tourists.

Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.

Of course Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for tourists buying a prepaid sim card for Malaysia in 2024.

Traveltomtom also wrote specific and in-depth guides for buying eSIM cards in: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Asia, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Europe, United Kingdom, Italy, USA, international eSIM cards and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM card advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money while traveling!

Some links in this article about the best eSIM cards for Malaysia are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends the following two eSIM cards for traveling to Malaysia in 2024: 

1. SimOptions eSIM card for Malaysia - $17.40

• 10 GB data-only eSIM
• Valid in Malaysia only
• Valid for 30 days
• 5G ready
• $1.74 USD per Gigabyte

SimOptions has 7 different eSIM plans for Malaysia and all of them are 5G ready. It are the only 5G ready eSIMs for Malaysia and therefore recommended as best eSIM for Malaysia in 2024.

2. Nomad eSIM card for Malaysia - $28 USD

• 30 GB data-only eSIM
• Valid in Malaysia only
• Valid for 30 days
• Operates on the Maxis and CelcomDigi network
• 4G/LTE
• Only $0.93 USD per Gigabyte

Nomad has many eSIM card plans for Malaysia, some with bigger data plans of up to 50 GB that go down as much as only $0.90 USD per Gigabyte.

Both eSIM cards are data-only eSIM cards and incoming and outgoing calls or sms are not supported.

Is Malaysia one of your stops on a trip to Asia or around the world then you can also look into getting an eSIM card for world travelers or an eSIM card for traveling in Asia. There are a bunch of eSIM cards that cover multiple countries. 

There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an eSIM card for Malaysia or in general before using an eSIM card. 

Unlocked phones only

Make sure your phone is unlocked. eSIM cards for tourists only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.

In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked. 

If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or eSIM card to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone.

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eSIM compatible phones only

Second, and equally important: eSIM cards only work if your smartphone supports eSIM cards, also called eSIM compatible. All newer smartphones support eSIM cards. If you are not sure if your phone is eSIM compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is eSIM compatible. You will get the answer instantly.

If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM card for traveling to Malaysia.

However, you can still order a sim card for Malaysia on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Malaysia in 2024 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024.

Comparison of the best eSIM cards for Malaysia

Buying an eSIM card on arrival in Malaysia is still not possible. As per October 2024 all the mobile internet providers in Malaysia only provide physical prepaid sim cards in stores or at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. 

Luckily there are multiple eSIM providers on the internet that sell Malaysia eSIM cards for tourists. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM card for traveling in Malaysia from one of the well-known eSIM card providers like SimOptions, Airalo, Nomad, Holafly, Jetpac, etc. that have proven to be reliable operators.

SimOptions and Airalo have been long time favorites of Traveltomtom but are they still the best and cheapest? Nowadays there are many eSIM providers, the competition is fierce...

So before you buy an eSIM card first read all my tips below!

SimOptions is the only eSIM provider that also offers international prepaid sim cards for Malaysia. These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards that will be delivered to your home address before your trip and it is plug and play when you arrive in the Malaysia.

Airalo, Holafly, Jetpac and Nomad only sell eSIM cards for Malaysia.

SimOptions

SimOptions is a reputable eSIM card provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your tourist eSIM card for Malaysia through SimOptions is done fast and easy.

Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM card deals.

SimOptions is always one of my top recommendations. SimOptions Malaysia eSIMs are cheaper than Airalo, but more expensive than Jetpac.

Here are the international eSIM card plans from SimOptions for 2024:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
• 3 GB data for 15 days = $7.90 USD
• 5 GB data for 15 days = $9.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $17.40 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.40 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $51.40 USD
• 50 GB data for 60 days = $84.90 USD

Click here to order a SimOptions eSIM card for Malaysia. 

All the SimOptions eSIM cards that you can order through SimOptions are only valid in Malaysia. The best value eSIM card from SimOptions is the one with 50 GB for $84.90 which is $1.7 USD per Gigabyte.

Unfortunately SimOptions doesn't specify exactly which mobile network operator in Malaysia they use. But at least all the SimOptions eSIMs for Malaysia are 5G ready.

The SimOptions eSIM cards for Malaysia do NOT come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms services. The validity of these eSIM cards is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM card, even if you are not in Malaysia. For more info check the SimOptions website. 

Airalo

Airalo is a very reliable eSIM card provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using Airalo for ordering an eSIM card.

Why using Airalo? Airalo is the market leader in eSIMs and a very reliable eSIM provider with excellent reviews and costumer service. Traveltomtom has never faced an issue with Airalo eSIMs.

Here are the Airalo data-only eSIM card plans for Malaysia for 2024:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $10.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD 

Click here to order an eSIM card for Malaysia from Airalo.

The best value eSIM card from Airalo is their plan with 20 GB for $40 USD, which is $2 USD per Gigabyte.

The Airalo eSIM cards for Malaysia are from Sambungkan and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of Maxis. Unfortunately the Airalo Sambungkan eSIM cards for Malaysia are not 5G ready.

In the best places to visit in Malaysia you will find a 4G/LTE signal and the data speed is pretty good these days.

For more info about the best 4G/5G network in Malaysia check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for Malaysia in 2024, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.

All the Airalo eSIM cards are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM card has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.

Jetpac

Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider that offers eSIMs valid in multiple countries. So is the eSIM for Malaysia also valid in: Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam. Jetpac is a perfect eSIM card for traveling to Southeast Asia.

Here are the Jetpac Malaysia eSIM plans:

• 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
• 3 GB data for 7 days = $11 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
• 15 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD
• 40 GB data for 30 days = $65 USD

Click here for more info or to order the Jetpac Malaysia eSIM card.

The Jetpac Malaysia eSIM plan with 20 GB data for just $28 USD makes it one of the best value eSIMs for Malaysia as well as for traveling in Southeast Asia with a rate of only $1.4 USD per Gigabyte.

The Jetpac Malaysia eSIM cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are not supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number and they operate on the Maxis 4G/LTE network in Malaysia, they are not 5G ready.

You can instal your Jetpac eSIM card before your trip to Malaysia, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in Malaysia or one of the other supported countries. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.

An extra advantage of Jetpac eSIM cards is that they provide a free VPN as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.

Nomad

Although having some great eSIM card deals for tourists, the Traveltomtom Team has reported some mixed reviews about using Nomad eSIMs lately. Most of the feedback was good, but some reported some issues with installing the Nomad eSIM cards.

Here are the Nomad eSIM card plans for Malaysia: 

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $7 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
• 15 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $22 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
• 40 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD
• 50 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD 

Click here to order an eSIM card for Malaysia from Nomad.

Nomad eSIM cards for Malaysia have great value and their rates go as low as $0.90 USD per Gigabyte.

The Nomad website is a bit messy for finding the best eSIM cards for traveling to Malaysia and it is not as easy to spot the amazing eSIM card deals, especially on desktop.

The Nomad eSIM cards are from Nomad Red and Joytel and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of Maxis and CelcomDigi. These eSIM cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported. None of the Nomad eSIMs for Malaysia support 5G.

The Nomad Malaysia eSIM cards have to be installed on your phone within 60 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Malaysia. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.

Holafly

Holafly is another well-known eSIM provider but unlike other providers they work with eSIMs with unlimited data. However, there is a catch and that is a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy). More about it later, but it could mean that you suddenly have a very slow data connection for a whole day until it resets.

Here are the Holafly eSIM plans for the Malaysia with unlimited data per day:

• 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
• 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
• 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
• 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
• 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
• 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
• 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
• 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
• 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
• 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
• 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
• 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
• 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
• 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD 

The Holafly eSIM cards for Malaysia are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do also not come with a phone number. The Holafly eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE network of Maxis and CelcomDigi.

You can use a hotspot on the Holafly eSIM cards for Malaysia, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.

Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.

If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of eSIM cards with 'unlimited' data and therefore it is not my first recommendation when looking for an eSIM for Malaysia.

Also, Traveltomtom tested Holafly in another country and was very disappointed with the overall performance. Holafly was using the weakest mobile data network in that country and people all around me constantly had connection but I was pretty much offline for a whole week. Even though we were in big cities, I constantly had to ask for the public WiFi of my hotels, restaurants and bars because my Holafly eSIM was super slow.

What is the cheapest eSIM card for Malaysia?

The cheapest eSIM for Malaysia is just $1 USD. No eSIM provider can beat this offer from Jetpac. You get 1 GB data for 4 days.

Another cheap eSIM card for Malaysia is an Airalo eSIM for just $4.5 USD. You get 1 GB data for 7 days. This eSIM is only valid in Malaysia and does not support calling and texting.

Why ordering an eSIM card for traveling in Malaysia

eSIM cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Malaysia in 2024 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes. 

The most important reason to get an eSIM card is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Malaysia without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless. 

One of the best things about arriving in Malaysia with an activated eSIM card is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM card later. 

There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Malaysia, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Malaysia so much more convenient and fun!

At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2024. 

eSIM cards are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges! 

Overseas data roaming plans

So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you in pretty  much every amazing tourist destinations in Malaysia there is 4G/LTE available.

And price-wise it should be a no brainer since you have seen how affordable the eSIM cards for Malaysia are.

Uncountable times travel friends have asked me: "Tom, can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!". Trust me, get yourself an eSIM card or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Malaysia. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.

Where to buy an eSIM card for Malaysia? 

Online

You can only buy an eSIM card for Malaysia on the internet through an eSIM card provider. There are loads of eSIM providers for Malaysia. Traveltomtom compared multiple eSIM providers and concluded that the ones mentioned in this guide are the best eSIM providers in 2024.

When buying an eSIM card for Malaysia through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM card is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed. 

On arrival in Malaysia

There are 5 main mobile internet provider in Malaysia: Maxis/Hotlink, CelcomDigi, U mobile, Yes, Unifi/Bebas. Unfortunately as per October 2024 none of these operators offer eSIM cards for tourists, only physical prepaid sim cards.

For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Malaysia in 2024 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Malaysia, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.

Flying into Malaysia and landing at Kuala Lumpur Airport then you can buy a tourist sim card for Malaysia on arrival at the airport. Although you will find many sim card shops all over the airport you can only buy a physical prepaid sim card, tourist eSIM cards are not available at Kuala Lumpur Airport.

When to order/activate an eSIM card for Malaysia?

You can order an eSIM for Malaysia pretty much any time you want. Most eSIM cards have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.

More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM card. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIM cards only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.

Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM card on the day of departure to Malaysia or before. When in Malaysia you will need an internet connection to instal your eSIM card. Every international airport in Malaysia has free WiFi so you could use that to install your eSIM card. Just make sure it is a stable internet connection and therefore Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your eSIM card in your home country. 

My personal advice is to instal your tourist eSIM card for Malaysia before you get into the plane and as soon as the plane lands you will be connected without any problems.

How do I know all this? Traveltomtom has visited Malaysia around 15 times over the last years and traveled all around the country to many of its amazing places to visit.

Traveltomtom also wrote a blog about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists for Malaysia in 2024 and there is also a vlog on my YouTube channel about my arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and buying a prepaid sim card for traveling in Malaysia.

How to activate an eSIM card

Installing and activating an eSIM card is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM card and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code. 

When you order an eSIM card plan for Malaysia you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.

You will see a summary of your eSIM card order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Malaysia eSIM card. 

But installing an activating an eSIM card is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM card on. The QR contains all the information about your Malaysia eSIM card.

Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM card is successfully installed. 

Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM card otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.

Tip: if you order an eSIM card with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM card on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.

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.

Things to know before ordering an eSIM card for Malaysia 

Here are some general tips for using eSIM cards when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Malaysia eSIM cards, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM card in general.

Make sure your phone is unlocked

To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIM cards only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM card without any problems.

If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Malaysia. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone. 

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If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Malaysia or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Malaysia and use it as a portable WiFi device.

Which smartphones support eSIM cards?

Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM card is if your smartphone supports eSIM cards. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIM cards. 

The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that! 

Can I trust these eSIM card providers?

All the eSIM providers for Malaysia recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Malaysia.

Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards now for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue. 

The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM card provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.

Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom only received positive feedback and excellent reviews about the eSIMs and services of Jetpac.

Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIM cards with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.

Traveltomtom does NOT sell Malaysia eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIM cards for traveling to Malaysia.

All eSIM card providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.

Can I keep my phone number from home with a Malaysia eSIM card?

Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM card to stay connected when traveling to Malaysia. An eSIM card can be used next to your physical or eSIM card from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM card.

So you can have multiple eSIM cards installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!

For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Malaysia eSIM card you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs. 

This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.

Switching between physical and eSIM cards is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.

Can I make phone calls with a Malaysia eSIM card?

No, unfortunately none of the tourist eSIM cards for Malaysia available on the internet include calling and texting. The eSIM cards from Nomad, Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly and SimOptions are data-only eSIMs and any incoming/outgoing calls/sms are not supported. 

If you buy a prepaid sim card for tourists on arrival in Malaysia in a store or at the airport then you get calling and texting included. Most hotels/bars/restaurants etc. in Malaysia have WhatsApp services, so you can easily give them a call through WhatsApp. There is no direct need for calling minutes.

Does a Malaysia eSIM card come with a phone number?

No, none of the Malaysia eSIM cards that you can buy on the internet come with a phone number which also means you can not receive any phone calls or sms.

In the above Malaysia eSIM card comparison you can find all the specifications per eSIM card.

Can I use 5G on an Malaysia eSIM card?

Yes, the SimOptions eSIMs for Malaysia are now all 5G ready. SimOptions is the only eSIM provider that offers 5G ready eSIMs and SimOptions is also rated as the best eSIM card for traveling to Malaysia in 2024.

Are there eSIM cards for Malaysia with unlimited data?

Yes, the Holafly eSIM cards for Malaysia include unlimited data. However, Traveltomtom is not a big fan of unlimited data sim cards.

Always ask yourself is unlimited truly unlimited? Is there a catch? If the unlimited data is not on max data speed, then there is a so called FUP. Which means that your data speed will be capped after you used an X amount of Gigabytes.

Holafly is an eSIM provider that sells eSIMs with unlimited data for Malaysia and uses a so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP). Holafly does NOT specify what the FUP is. Which is very concerning!

Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Malaysia eSIM cards with unlimited data plans with an FUP. On Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.

Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading!

Especially on days that you have a long bus or train ride and you need a lot of data, you definitely don't want any data speed restrictions that day.

Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIM cards for Malaysia with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then Holafly might be your favorite eSIM card.

However, if you don't use so much data per day then what's the point of an eSIM with unlimited data!?

Nomad has eSIM card plans for Malaysia with up to 50 GB data. There is no real need for an eSIM card with unlimited data unless you want to upload your whole camera roll to Google Drive or iCloud via 4G/LTE instead of WiFi.

There are a lot of different specifications per eSIM card. Another reason why I advice you to take a close look at my comparison of the best eSIM cards for traveling to Malaysia in 2024 before choosing your favorite. 

Are eSIM cards the best way to stay connected when traveling to Malaysia?

eSIM cards are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Malaysia, but what is the best way? 

There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Malaysia: 

• Local prepaid sim cards
• International prepaid sim cards
• eSIM cards

Let's compare eSIM cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected. 

Local prepaid sim cards

In general if you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip. 

Malaysia prepaid sim cards offer bigger data plans than tourist eSIM cards you order online. In fact local prepaid sim cards with data are very cheap for tourists in Malaysia.

A local prepaid sim card can only be purchased on arrival in Malaysia in a phone store or at the airport but NOT on the internet. 

Another big difference is that local prepaid sim cards have the advantage that they come with a phone number and mostly with calling minutes and sms bundles. That means incoming and outgoing calls are supported.

More info about the best Malaysia sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Malaysia in 2024.

International prepaid sim cards

If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Malaysia. Some of them are great for Malaysia as well as in all other countries in for example Europe, Americas and Asia and you can easily order them online. 

If after visiting Malaysia you are traveling onwards in Asia then check Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2024.

A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground in Malaysia and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!

Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Malaysia directly online.

eSIM cards

As explained throughout the article there are two different eSIM cards:

• eSIM cards that you buy on the internet through a third party
• eSIM cards that you buy in Malaysia in a mobile internet provider store 

However, as of October 2024 eSIM cards are still not available for prepaid tourist sim cards in Malaysia.

Traveltomtom personally shopped around in Malaysia to find out if eSIM cards were available for tourists and the answer is: NO! 

On arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia they only sell physical prepaid sim cards for tourists and in every phone store around Kuala Lumpur they told me eSIM cards were not available for tourists.

eSIM cards vs. local prepaid sim cards

Getting an eSIM card on the internet is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Malaysia, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Malaysia. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in Malaysia. 

As soon as the plane lands, you are online!

But what is cheaper? An eSIM card or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?

When we compare the prices for Malaysia eSIM cards with the prices for local prepaid sim cards in Malaysia, it is an easy conclusion that local prepaid sim cards are much more affordable as you get many more Gigabytes for the same price. 

In fact, for around $10 USD you can already get a prepaid sim card with unlimited data for 1 month. This is however not on max data speed. There are restrictions, so when buying a prepaid sim card in Malaysia always ask about the exact data speed. 

For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards for Malaysia in 2024.

But local prepaid sim cards can only be bought in Malaysia on arrival in a sim card shop or at the airport and a tourist eSIM card for Malaysia can be bought in 2 minutes on the internet.

Remember that some of the eSIM plans for Malaysia also go down to only $0.9 USD per Gigabyte.

After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. With eSIM cards you buy on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands. For this convenience Traveltomtom definitely recommends to order one of the listed best eSIM cards for Malaysia in the comparison above.

Many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM card for Malaysia. Faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper depending on how much data you need. 

Data speed

Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM card is that eSIM cards are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO’s operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth. 

This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIM cards through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.

Bottomline: the data speed of eSIM cards can be less compared to a local prepaid Malaysia sim card.

I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM card for your trip to Malaysia were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your eSIM card for Malaysia right away. 

If you still have any questions about eSIM cards then please leave me a comment below and I am more than happy to help you out.

Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.

Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of October 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.

Enjoy your trip to Malaysia!