Malaysia - Money and Phone

LTerencee on 20/12/2017 - 19:07

Hi peeps,

First time travelling ever at the end of this year and I am heading to Malaysia for 11 days. Just looking for some advice regarding travelling, what to do about money and phone SIM? I'm a complete newbie and not sure where to start looking for answers.

I have had a few mates tell me to change at currency exchange (United) and just bring it with me. Is this a normal / good idea?
Are there any other safer and/or more convenient alternatives?

Also wondering about a data SIM for Malaysia too. I have a Telstra plan but the roaming costs 10 bucks a day, but looking for cheaper alternatives.

Any help and advice would be appreciated,
Thanks!

Travel

Comments

  • Eeples on 20/12/2017 - 19:18
    +3

    In Malaysia I use my Citibank plus transaction card in ATMs to get money.

    It is almost always cheaper to change money once you arrive in a country (except Australia).

    Some people go to an ATM at the airport or change a little bit of money at the airport; and change more money later.

    • Terencee on 21/12/2017 - 07:56

      Thanks eeples! Sounds like the consensus is a citibank card, I will definitely look into opening one asap. Do you think it's possible for me to squeeze an account in before the 30th?

      • Eeples on 23/12/2017 - 22:52

        Doubtful.

        You can always use your own banks debit card (to get cash) if it has VISA or Mastercard; but your own bank will most likely charge a fee. You should find out how much.

        Your party should have cash as well as at least TWO cards (debit-visa/mc OR credit card) and keep these separate.

        You should also have a photocopy of your passport and of course travel insurance.

        A copy of your insurance should also be at home where you live.

        Malaysia is, imo, very safe; but imo the above is common sense for OS travel.

        I generally get by on just wifi from the hotel…. GPS seems to work okay (but not perfect) on my phone without phone data (at least when traveling around KL).

  • Almost Banned on 20/12/2017 - 19:35
    +1

    Fairly cheap and easy to buy sims at KLIA on arrival.
    There are multiple provider booth in the arrivals hall.

  • No on 20/12/2017 - 19:45
    +1

    I use digi, there are dudes selling sim cards before and after immigration.

    They activated the card for me, cost about $10 for the sim 7 days 1.5gb internet and some left over for calls / messages. Recharge 10MYR after the 7 days are up and you'll get another 1.5gb internet.

  • Belv on 20/12/2017 - 20:25
    +1

    i used digi and it worked on mainland. also langkawi and panang island

  • Belv on 20/12/2017 - 20:28
    +2

    change money there on street in KL. will get a lot better rate than in aus or airports. i recall some islamic money exchange had the best rates amongst street vendors

    • Terencee on 21/12/2017 - 07:51

      Cheers thanks belv! Do you just carry AUD there?

      • Belv on 21/12/2017 - 14:18

        yeh i just carry a stack and change couple of hundred when needed and depending on rate

  • dasher86 on 20/12/2017 - 20:40
    +3

    As this is your first time travelling I would suggest going to an exchange place and exchanging enough money for a half a day / a day.
    This way you're not overwhelmed when you get there and good to go.
    Once you're there exchange in Malaysia by checking against xe.com or withdraw money using a fee free debit card like Citibank.
    *Do not exchange money at airports.

    • Terencee on 21/12/2017 - 07:44

      Thanks dasher86 :)
      How would I go about exchanging money if I don't have a citibank account? Or is it easy / quick to set up. I will be leaving on the 30th so I'm not sure if it's enough time to open a new account! Am I able to just carry AUD and transfer it there? Or is that a bad idea?

      • dasher86 on 21/12/2017 - 10:07

        You can carry AUD and exchange it over there.
        There will be many foreign currency exchange places in the tourist areas. Be sure to compare their rates and check them against xe.com.
        As with anywhere in the world try not to flash your cash in public.
        You may not be able to get a Citi bank plus account in time. It takes a while to send out the debit card. And Christmas and all.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 20/12/2017 - 20:48
    +1

    When I arrived in KL I went straight to digi to get the 8 RM starter SIM (since I was only there for a few days) and they pretended it didn't exist while they tried to sell me one of those mega plans. She finally gave in and said "you know everything!". This was unexpected since you don't normally have to play mind games in KL unless it's a market stall.

    I normally visit http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Prepaid_SIM_with… before I land in a country to check available pre-paid SIMs, but the website isn't always complete or up to date (it's hard enough keeping track of changing SIM deals on OzBargain this year) and it doesn't usually include on-line only deals (like Kogan deals in Australia).

    CIMB ATMs are my favourite but they sadly stopped dishing out 10 RM denominations at the new airport (which was useful for last minute meals when using Citibank Debit).

  • Normie on 20/12/2017 - 21:21
    +1

    Last time i was their withdrew money with Citibank plus account at MayBank ATMs no fee, hotel had free wifi.

  • bluesky on 20/12/2017 - 21:44
    +2

    Perhaps this will suit you - for MYR$40 (~AUD$13), you can get the DIGI Sim with 5Gb data and MYR$5 call credit, which last 30 days. You can get this at the airport. If the 4G is saturated and unusable, force it down to 3G will give better performance.

    As for cash, if you have a Citibank Plus account, use the debit card to withdraw money from most ATMs - free of foreign fees. Most ATMs also do not charge the ATM fee. You can also exchange AUD for MYR at the money changers there, for a better rate than exchanging here. Still, a good idea to have a small amount of MYR cash with you when you land.

    Here is my comment on another KL thread about the GoKL free bus, in case it is useful to you. I found it very useful to get around, in addition to Grab and Uber.

    • Terencee on 21/12/2017 - 07:50

      Wow thank you so much bluesky for a very detailed and helpful post :D sounds like digi is the service to go with and this plan sounds perfect 5GB should be good!
      Quick question re $5 call credit, how much are calls in Malaysia? Are they $1 per call like they are here?

      Re cash, unfortunately I do not have a citibank plus account (planning to open one asap though after all these replies!) do you know if it takes long to open an account? Will I be up and running before the 30th this month or is that a stretch?

      Thanks for info re gokl too! Sounds very useful thank you

      • bluesky on 21/12/2017 - 15:45
        +1

        You are most welcome. As for the call rates, did a search, pretty sure the ones shown here are the ones - 30c/60sec call, 20c sms. (Could not easily cut&paste, just go to the RM$8 starter pack area and click on + for more info). I found I hardly use the call credits at all, and I have skype to fall back on. If you expect to be calling a lot, there is a 40% skype card deal at woolworths currently. So get some of this, and you will be covered as far as calling goes, even calling back to aus. The 5Gb data will cover all the skype calls, no problems.

        I don't think you can make it for the citiplus account. No big deal. Just bring a wad of cash (AUD), and change over there. You are allowed to bring as much as USD10K into Msia, so the limit is generous and not going to be an issue. Just make sure you protect it well. The rates fluctuate from day-to-day, and between different money changers, so by keeping an eye out as you walk around, and you can get a competitive rate.

        Best wishes for the trip.

  • Ryanek on 21/12/2017 - 10:45
    +1

    My advice… stay away from durians.

    • bluesky on 21/12/2017 - 15:58
      +1

      Haha, not if you love durians … It is a highlight of the trip for some :-)

  • MeesusEff on 21/12/2017 - 13:18

    Yes, use digi not Hotlink which is located in front iirc. Hotlink data never lasts…

  • [Deactivated] on 23/12/2017 - 16:30

    I use Hotlink, $1 per day for 1GB of data, calls not included.
    Just WhatsApp everyone, and use Skype when I need to call an actual phone number.

    For cash, I just use the local ATMs to get cash out.

  • branners on 23/12/2017 - 22:01
    +1

    I write this from Penang, going to KL tomorrow.
    The money exchanges at the airports shave off a few points but they are nowhere as avaricious as the ones in Australia. You will drop a couple of percent, so change a little at the airport, if you need immediate cash.
    Then use the money changers at the main station (Sentral) as they are always very close to the XE rate.

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