The Best Apps for Malaysia (Travel, Food, Transport & More!)
One of the most common questions I get from first-time visitors to Malaysia is:
“What apps should I download before my trip?”
Malaysia is easy to travel, but having the right apps can make your experience even smoother—whether you’re navigating the MRT in Kuala Lumpur, ordering roti canai to your hotel, or trying to figure out how to hail a Grab from a hidden hawker stall in Penang.
This guide covers all the apps I recommend for visiting Malaysia—broken down into travel, transport, food, shopping, and more. These are apps I’ve personally used, or ones that come highly recommended by travelers, expats, and locals.
Let’s get into it!
📱 Quick List: 10 Essential Apps for Malaysia
If I could only download 10 apps before visiting Malaysia, it would be these:
- Grab – Ride-hailing, food delivery, and e-wallet in one
- Whiz – Local navigation + real-time transit info
- Klook – Book tours, airport transfers, SIM cards, and more
- AirAsia MOVE (formerly airasia Superapp) – Flights, hotels, and food delivery
- Google Translate – For reading menus or chatting with taxi drivers
- Touch ‘n Go eWallet – For public transport and cashless payments
- Booking.com – My favorite for hotel bookings
- Shopee or Lazada – For shopping almost anything
- Wise – For easy currency conversion and ATM withdrawals
- WhatsApp – Most Malaysians use this for messaging
✈️ Travel & Booking Apps
Klook
My go-to app for booking airport transfers, SIM cards, theme park tickets, and day tours in Malaysia. You can also find discounts on popular attractions like Sunway Lagoon, Petronas Towers, or Genting Highlands.
Sometimes you’ll find promo codes, and if you refer friends, you’ll earn credit too.
AirAsia MOVE (formerly AirAsia Superapp)
This one’s way more than just flights. You can book hotels, airport rides, bus tickets, even food delivery. It’s super popular with locals and offers frequent flash sales.
Booking.com
For hotels in Malaysia, I use this 99% of the time. It’s easy to search by location, and you’ll rarely need to deal with deposits or bank transfers like you would if you book direct.
Agoda
Sometimes Agoda lists boutique hotels or homestays that don’t appear on Booking. It’s popular in Asia, so it’s worth comparing both for deals.
🚗 Transport Apps
Grab
This is the #1 app you need in Malaysia. Use it to:
- Book rides (much easier than hailing a taxi)
- Order food and groceries
- Pay at restaurants or 7-Eleven with GrabPay
Tip: Grab is usually cheaper than taxis and much more reliable. You can pay with card, GrabPay, or even cash.
Whiz – Malaysia’s Local Navigation App
If you’re looking for real-time directions, public transit updates, and better local accuracy than Google Maps, Whiz is a great Malaysia-based alternative.
It’s especially useful in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru for:
- 🚍 Real-time bus and MRT schedules
- 📍 Finding attractions, eateries, and landmarks nearby
- 🗺️ More reliable walking routes and mall navigation than Google Maps
Whiz is also great for exploring lesser-known places where Google might fall short. It’s built specifically for local use, so you’ll often find more detailed info on small roads, side entrances, and even parking availability.
Moovit
If you’re relying on public transport, Moovit helps with live bus/train arrival times and detailed directions (especially helpful for routes outside KL).
Touch ‘n Go eWallet
This is Malaysia’s version of Apple Pay + transit card + mini-bank in one. Use it for:
- MRT/LRT/Monorail rides (via QR scan)
- Toll roads (if you rent a car)
- Paying at convenience stores and cafes
You can top it up using your card or Wise account.
🥡 Food & Delivery Apps
GrabFood
Integrated inside the Grab app. You’ll find everything from McDonald’s and Starbucks to nasi lemak from a local warung. Delivery fees are low, especially if you’re near the city center.
FoodPanda
This pink-scootered delivery app has a cult following. It sometimes features smaller food stalls that aren’t on Grab. Also useful for ordering snacks or convenience store items like bottled water, mosquito spray, or SIM top-ups.
Beep
Local favorite for ordering directly from restaurants—especially cafés, bakeries, and bubble tea spots in KL and Penang. Some restaurants only use Beep!
🛍️ Shopping Apps
Shopee
The most popular online marketplace in Malaysia. Think Amazon but more Southeast Asia-style. You can get clothes, electronics, local snacks, and travel gadgets delivered to your hotel or pickup point.
Lazada
Shopee’s main rival. Sometimes the prices differ, so it’s worth checking both.
Watsons / Guardian
If you need skincare, sunscreen, or cold meds, Watsons and Guardian are Malaysia’s go-to pharmacies—and both have decent apps with online ordering and store locators.
💬 Communication & Translation Apps
Malaysia’s #1 messaging app. Many hotels, tour operators, and even restaurants use WhatsApp to communicate with guests. Don’t bother with LINE here—it’s more of a Thai and Taiwan thing.
Google Translate
You won’t need this often—most Malaysians speak English—but it’s helpful for menus, signs, or chatting with a Grab driver in a rural area.
Papago
Sometimes more accurate than Google Translate for Asian languages. Offers offline translation and voice recognition.
💸 Money & Currency
Wise
Want to avoid ATM fees and bad exchange rates? Open a Wise account and use their card for withdrawals and spending. It’s fast, safe, and way cheaper than most bank cards.
XE Currency
Simple app to track exchange rates. Malaysia uses MYR (Ringgit), and the app works offline, too.
💡 Bonus Apps
KLIA Ekspres App
Buy e-tickets for the KLIA airport train and skip the kiosk queues.
Setel
If you’re renting a car in Malaysia, Setel lets you refuel at Petronas stations and pay via app—no need to go into the store.
Final Thoughts
Malaysia is one of the easiest countries to travel in Southeast Asia—and having the right apps makes it even easier. Whether you’re sipping teh tarik in KL, hiking in the Cameron Highlands, or catching a boat to Langkawi, these apps will help you move smarter, eat better, and stay connected.
Did I miss any app you love using in Malaysia? Let me know in the comments below!
