Popular SIM Cards in Sabah

For purchasing an eSIM for your trip to Sabah, you can primarily buy it through online booking or locally upon arrival. It's recommended to consider pre-ordering online through travel platforms like KKday. This allows you to complete the setup before your departure and activate your internet immediately upon landing in Sabah, saving you the hassle of queuing or language barriers. Booking via KKday often includes Chinese customer support and flexible cancellation policies, adding to your travel convenience. Some local telecom providers might offer eSIM services, but the selection and convenience might not be as good as online booking.

There are several ways to ensure a stable internet connection while traveling in Sabah. The most common and recommended method is to purchase a local SIM card or eSIM, which usually offers the most cost-effective data. This is ideal for travelers who need to use navigation apps, social media, or make video calls frequently. Alternatively, you can activate international roaming with your home carrier, which is convenient but generally more expensive. Renting a portable Wi-Fi device is another option, suitable for group travel. Considering stability, cost, and convenience, a local SIM card or eSIM remains the top choice for most travelers.

For travelers heading to Sabah, purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM is generally more cost-effective than activating international roaming. Local SIM/eSIM data plans are typically much cheaper than international roaming rates, especially for those who require significant data or are traveling for extended periods. While international roaming is convenient as it doesn't require changing SIM cards, its data charges are usually higher and may be subject to daily limits. If your primary needs are internet access for maps and social communication, local SIM/eSIM options provide a more budget-friendly solution with sufficient data usage.

SIM card prices in Sabah are typically set by local telecom providers and do not usually fluctuate significantly or become more expensive during the peak tourist season. SIM card plans usually have fixed rates with various data and validity combinations. However, during peak seasons, there might be queues at SIM card counters in airports or city centers, or certain popular plans might run out of stock temporarily. Therefore, if you plan to visit Sabah during the peak season, it's advisable to consider pre-ordering online. This ensures availability and saves valuable time spent queuing, making your trip smoother.

Upon arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) in Sabah, you can typically find counters for various telecom providers, such as Maxis, Celcom, and Digi, in the arrival hall. These counters sell prepaid SIM card plans suitable for tourists. You may need to present your passport for real-name registration when purchasing. Additionally, there might be other communication service stores within the airport offering SIM cards. It's recommended to look for these upon arrival to activate your internet connection before heading to the city.

There are several convenient ways to purchase a travel SIM card for your trip to Sabah. The most common and convenient method is to pre-order a SIM card or eSIM through online travel platforms like KKday. You can set it up before departure or opt for airport pick-up, and start using it immediately upon arrival, enjoying Chinese customer support and flexible cancellation policies. You can also purchase directly at the counters of major telecom providers in the arrival hall of Kota Kinabalu International Airport. If you miss the airport purchase, you can find SIM cards at large shopping malls, convenience stores, or telecom operator outlets in Kota Kinabalu city. Planning your purchase in advance is recommended to ensure a smooth internet experience throughout your journey.

When traveling in Kota Kinabalu, your choice of a SIM card plan should depend on your duration of stay and data usage habits. Major local telecom providers like Maxis, Celcom, and Digi offer prepaid SIM card plans specifically for tourists. These plans typically include varying amounts of data (e.g., 5GB, 10GB, or more) and different validity periods (e.g., 7 days, 15 days, or 30 days). It's recommended to choose a plan with enough data to support navigation, social media, and communication apps, ensuring the validity covers your entire trip. If you are a heavy data user, consider a plan with a more generous data allowance to avoid needing to top up mid-trip.

SIM cards for travel in Sabah usually offer a variety of flexible data plans to meet different traveler needs. Common plan types include limited data allowances (e.g., 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or more) with specific validity periods (e.g., 7, 15, or 30 days). Some plans may also include unlimited local calls or SMS. Some providers also offer data-only plans for travelers who do not require voice services. When choosing, it's advisable to estimate your travel duration and expected internet usage (e.g., for navigation, social media, video streaming) to determine the most suitable data capacity and validity period.

The main telecom companies in Sabah include Maxis, Celcom, and Digi. These providers generally offer good network signal coverage in Kota Kinabalu city and surrounding major tourist attractions, providing stable 4G and in some areas, 5G service. However, signal strength may be weaker or less stable in remote areas, within national parks, deep mountains, or at sea. Generally, Maxis and Celcom are considered to have better overall coverage, while Digi's signal is reliable in urban areas. If your itinerary includes more remote locations, it's advisable to check the coverage maps of each telecom provider beforehand.

Making traditional international calls directly using a local SIM card in Sabah is generally not cost-effective. While some local SIM plans might include a small international call credit, exceeding this allowance will incur higher rates. For travelers, a more economical way to make international calls is to utilize the data provided by the SIM card and use internet-based communication apps (like WhatsApp, Line, Facebook Messenger, or WeChat) for voice or video calls. These apps consume data, which is typically included in your Sabah SIM card plan, making them a more cost-effective choice for contacting friends and family.