5 useful apps to have on your phone when travelling to Malaysia
Heading to Malaysia for your next adventure? Good choice. With its bustling cities, rich culture, tropical islands, malls, iconic landmarks, and even the second tallest building in the world, Malaysia is a traveller’s paradise. But to truly enhance your experience in Malaysia,, you’ll want your smartphone equipped with a few essential apps to help you move, pay, explore, and communicate effortlessly.
Here are five must-have apps to download when you're travelling to Malaysia
1. Ride hailing apps – for getting around easily
In Malaysia, if you think ride hailing app, you’d think of Grab. Grab is Malaysia’s leading ride-hailing app, and it’s an absolute must for tourists. If you’re used to using Uber, think of Grab as the local equivalent. Whether you're landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport or exploring Georgetown in Penang, Grab helps you book safe, reliable rides without the need to haggle or worry about language barriers.
Beyond just transport, the app also offers food, grocery and even parcel delivery.
Everything’s cashless and priced upfront. Connect your card , and you're good to go. Other alternatives includes Bolt, a newer ride hailing company that offers competitive pricing, although with lesser number of drivers.
Why you need it: Avoid long taxi queues and and fare disputes, compare ride types and choose car sizes (in case you are travelling with a larger party) and fares, and pay seamlessly all from your phone.
2. Navigation apps – for navigating like a local
In Malaysia, there are two popular navigation apps, and which one you use depends on your main mode of transportation. If you’re driving, Waze is the go-to app for most Malaysians. It provides accurate driving routes and real-time traffic updates, helping you avoid jams and spend as little time on the road as possible.
But if you’re planning to explore by public transport or on foot, then Google Maps is the better choice. It offers detailed walking directions and, more importantly, helps you discover nearby tourist attractions, restaurants, and even hidden gems like street hawkers and night markets.
Google Maps also lets you download offline maps—perfect for when you're exploring areas with weak mobile signal.
Why you need it: These apps helps you stay on track and avoid getting lost, avoid traffic, and discover top-rated places nearby, from roti canai stalls to scenic viewpoints.
3. Translation apps – for smooth communication
Malaysia is a multicultural country where you’ll hear a mix of Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil, and local dialects. While many locals speak English (English is the official second language of Malaysia), especially in cities, having a translation app like Google Translate on hand can help bridge the gap when reading menus, signs, or chatting in smaller towns.
Google Translate’s camera translation feature lets you scan and translate printed text instantly, and the conversation mode helps you talk in real time with locals.
If you’re looking for alternatives, consider iTranslate for iOS users.
Why you need it: Malaysia is widely English speaking, but having a translator app never hurts, especially if you’re travelling off the beaten path.
4. Attractions and experiences booking app – for easy sightseeing and activities
Want to book tours, skip-the-line attraction tickets, or find hidden gems on the go? Travel experience apps are your best friend. These platforms make it easy to plan and book everything from day trips to cultural workshops in just a few taps.
In Malaysia, the most popular app in this category is Klook. Klook is great for curated experiences across Malaysia, including entry tickets to Sunway Lagoon, Aquaria KLCC, and more. With Klook, you’ll get to enjoy instant confirmation and mobile e-tickets.
If you’re looking for alternatives, KKDay is a solid choice as well. Similar to Klook, KKDay offers unique local tours, cultural classes, and discounted attraction passes. Perfect if you’re hunting for less-mainstream activities.
These apps are especially handy for last-minute planners, helping you secure deals and skip queues with mobile tickets and real-time availability.
Why you need one: Whether you're planning in advance or booking on the fly, experience apps make it easy to discover, book, and enjoy the best of Malaysia – without the stress.
5. Digital wallet – TNG eWallet
Malaysia is big on going cashless, and TNG eWallet is the local favourite. It’s accepted pretty much everywhere—from food stalls and taxis to shopping malls and theme parks.
As a tourist, you can easily sign up and top up your eWallet using major credit cards or online banking. You can also pay for public transport using their enhanced Visa card, and even scan QR codes at night markets. Bonus: there are often exclusive deals and cashback rewards just for using the app.
As if all that is not enough, TNG eWallet also allows you to access partner apps such as foodpanda for food deliveries, KLIA Ekspres for KLIA transit and ETS ticket purchases, Klook for tickets to attractions and landmarks, and many others.
And TNG eWallet is also useable in more than 190 countries globally, so you don’t have to worry about depleting your account balance when you leave Malaysia!
Why you need it: It’s not just an eWallet—it’s the perfect payment method when you’re in Malaysia.
Make your time in Malaysia memorable and convenient
With these five essential apps on your phone, your Malaysian adventure will be smoother, safer, and more enjoyable. From hassle-free rides and seamless payments to language help and unforgettable activities, you’ve got everything covered.
Pro traveller tip: Download all five before you fly—and make TNG eWallet your travel MVP by centralising everything you need in one smart app.