Planning a trip to Malaysia? While it’s one of the easier Southeast Asian countries to explore, having the right apps can save you time, energy, and maybe even a few frustrations. Your phone can become your best travel companion when navigating busy streets in Kuala Lumpur or ordering a midnight snack from a hawker stall. Sure, you can survive without them, but why make your trip harder than it needs to be?
These apps are designed to take the guesswork out of your journey, helping you focus on what really matters: exploring Malaysia, trying new foods, and maybe getting a little lost (on purpose). In this post, I’ve gathered the best apps you’ll need for everything from transport to food delivery, so you’ll feel like a local in no time.
Getting around: E-hailing & transport apps
Malaysia’s public transport is decent in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang, but it doesn’t cover everything, and rural areas are a different story. E-hailing apps are usually the fastest and most reliable way to get around.
Grab is the main player here. You can use it to book rides, order food and groceries, or even pay for things in shops. It’s cheaper than regular taxis, and you’ll avoid the whole “meter not working” conversation. The only thing to note is that wait times can vary and rates can increase during rush hour or rain. But it’ll still tell you the exact price you’ll pay before you agree to book. It’s best to book a ride a little earlier if you’re catching a train or flight.
There are also other e-hailing options like AirAsia Ride, Maxim and InDrive, but most visitors stick with Grab just because it’s more widely used (all over Southeast Asia) and easier to set up.
Public transport: Train, bus & city travel
If you’re planning to use public transport in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Valley, or Penang, there are a few apps worth having to make your journeys smoother.
For buses and trains, the MyRapid Pulse app is the official app by RapidKL. It covers the LRT, MRT, Monorail, and RapidKL buses in the Klang Valley. You can check train and bus timings, track arrival times, and view service alerts. It’s especially useful during peak hours when trains can get packed and you want to know if the next one is just a minute away or delayed by ten.
Download MyRapid Pulse: Android | iOS
If you’re taking the KTM Komuter (the commuter train that connects suburbs and satellite towns to KL), the KTMB Mobile app lets you check train schedules and plan your journey. It’s also used for intercity and ETS trains — the faster trains that run between cities like KL, Ipoh, Penang, and even up to the Thai border. This app allows you to buy tickets online, but you can also buy them on their website.
Download KTMB Mobile: Android | iOS
For bus and train planning within the city, Moovit gives you a good overview of routes, arrival times, and disruptions, while Google Maps handles most urban directions decently. Neither is perfect, so having both helps.
And for longer distance travel (like KL to Penang by bus), apps like Redbus, BusOnlineTicket or Easybook let you book in advance and choose your seats. They’re handy if you’re planning to travel during weekends or public holidays when buses get full fast.
Food delivery: When you can't be bothered to go out
There’s no shortage of food in Malaysia — hawker stalls, food courts, kopitiams — but if you’re tired, jetlagged, or just rained in, food delivery apps are a lifesaver.
GrabFood (within the Grab app) is the most popular, especially in urban areas. You’ll find a mix of fast food, local dishes, and cafes. Just note that delivery times can vary depending on location — in KL, it’s fast. In small towns, it’s hit or miss.
FoodPanda, Beep, and Shopee Food (within the Shopee app) are some of the other options. They sometimes partner with different restaurants than Grab, so they’re worth checking out if you’re after something specific, or if you’re hunting for the best deals.
Booking activities, attractions & accommodation
If you’re planning to visit tourist attractions, book a ferry, or try out a local experience like batik painting or a food tour, platforms like Klook and KKday come in handy. They’re essentially booking apps that are widely used in Asia for tours, entrance tickets, and SIM cards — but they’re usually cheaper than booking on the spot, and they sometimes include skip-the-line options. I personally like using Klook because I get cashbacks for every booking and review that I make.
Other apps that I regularly use in Malaysia are Booking.com, Agoda, and Airbnb for booking accommodation, and Get Your Guide and Viator for tours. Each one can show different stuff, so I tend to check them all and see which one’s better or cheaper for the specific thing I’m looking for.
Communication: how people actually talk to each other
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to install WhatsApp. It’s the go-to communication app in Malaysia. Locals use it to book appointments, send delivery updates, and even run businesses. If you book a tour or accommodation, there’s a good chance the confirmation or pickup instructions will come through WhatsApp, not email. It’s also how most drivers or Airbnb hosts will reach out to you.
If you have mobile data, you’re all set. If not, make sure you have Wi-Fi access, as WhatsApp doesn’t run offline.
Translation & language help
English is widely spoken in Malaysia, especially in tourist areas and among younger people, but you’ll still see menus and signs in Malay, or sometimes Chinese. Google Translate works great for basic translations, and the camera feature allows you to translate menus and signage directly.
- Download Google Translate: Android | iOS
If you're staying in Malaysia longer...
These aren’t must-haves for a short trip, but if you’re in Malaysia for awhile and end up needing to move stuff, order things, or send them between locations, it’s helpful to know that these services exist.
Shopping & payments
If you need to order something — say, a portable fan, electronics, or a specific piece of clothing you can’t seem to find in the nearby shops — locals usually use Shopee or Lazada. Prices are low, delivery is fast, and you’ll find just about anything. You can have stuff delivered to your guesthouse or a nearby pickup point if you don’t have a fixed address.
Keep in mind that some of the sellers may be based in other countries like China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. So while that gives you plenty of options, some items might take longer to arrive if they’re shipping from abroad. Always check the estimated delivery time and origin before you order, especially if you’re on a tight schedule.
Malaysia is increasingly cashless in urban areas. Many places accept card, and mobile wallets are catching on fast — especially Touch ‘n Go eWallet, which is accepted at convenience stores, restaurants, and night markets in some cities.
As a traveler, you can download it and use it for smaller purchases, but topping it up might be tricky without a local card.
Parcel delivery & on-demand courier
If you need something delivered same-day — a forgotten charger, an important document, or something you left at a friend’s place — apps like Lalamove can save the day. Lalamove is basically a same-day courier service for anything from documents to furniture.
It’s typically used by small businesses that don’t have their own delivery riders, but also helpful if you’re coordinating something between accommodations or getting items from local sellers who don’t provide delivery services. You can choose the vehicle size (motorbike, car, van, truck), track the driver live, and schedule pickups within minutes.
Download Lalamove: Android | iOS
Another app that does something similar is Grab Express (within the Grab app), but this one usually only delivers smaller items.
Final thoughts
Some of the apps mentioned here are general travel tools you probably already have on your phone, but the Malaysia-specific ones can make things smoother, especially for transport, food, and figuring out the local way of doing things.
You don’t need to clutter your phone with every single one of them before you arrive. At the very least, install Grab, and — if you don’t have them already — WhatsApp and Google Maps. That’ll cover most of your day-to-day needs. Everything else can be accessed through their respective websites or downloaded as you go, depending on how long you’re staying and how often you’re going to use those services.
Have you used any of these apps in Malaysia, or discovered others that made your trip smoother? Share your tips in the comments below!
