What payment method should I use when travelling to Malaysia?

When travelling to Malaysia, the choice of payment method needs to be a combination of local spending habits and your convenience. Below are detailed suggestions:

1. Cash (RM, MYR)

  • significance: It is still the main method of payment for small transactions, night markets, vendors, taxis, etc.
  • Redemption Recommendations::
    • Domestic exchange: Bank of China / ICBC for advance booking and better exchange rates.
    • Local exchangeAirport exchange rates are poor, but downtown shopping malls (e.g. KLCC, Pavilion) offer better value for money. We recommend the "Mid Valley" or "Bukit Bintang" areas.
  • ATM cash withdrawal::
    • ATMs that support UnionPay cards (Maybank, CIMB, etc.), but will charge a handling fee (about RMB 15-30 per transaction).

2. Credit/debit cards

  • Visa/Mastercard is widely accepted, and UnionPay is available at some merchants (especially in Chinese shopping areas).
  • Recommended Scenarios: Large shopping centres, hotels, restaurant chains.
  • take note of::
    • Some small shops may set a minimum spend before swiping your card.
    • Overseas transaction fee is about 1.5%-3%. Preference can be given to cards with no currency conversion fee.

3. mobile payment

- GrabPay.
Bundled with the Grab App for taxi and partner merchant payments
- Touch 'n Go eWallet.
Similar to Alipay, requires local mobile phone number to register, suitable for long term stayers
- Alipay/WeChat Pay.
Some Chinese businesses only (e.g. duty free shops/convenience shop chains)

4.a traveller's cheque(largely phased out)
Not recommended - hassle to cash in and not accepted by most merchants

practical skill

  1. Cash Allocation] Prepare change at RM100-200 per person per day (for snacks\tickets) and use your card for large purchases.
  2. [Anti-theft] Separate the cash and avoid putting it all in your wallet.
  3. Real-time exchange rates] Install an app such as "Simple Exchange Rate" to compare prices.

Example trip payment combination:

Breakfast (rice with coconut milk) → RM5 cash  

Twin Towers Shopping → Visa Credit Card  

Durian Night Market → Cash RM20  

Grab taxi → GrabPay balance

If you have more specific needs (e.g., how to pay for self-drive refuelling, etc.), you can ask further questions~

Right! Here's what to pay for travelling to MalaysiaAdvanced Supplementary Guide, covering more details and solutions for special scenarios:

5. Payment for transport

  • Kuala Lumpur Metro/Bus::

    • The Touch 'n Go Card (physical card) is recommended and can be purchased at MRT stations or convenience stores (cost of capital RM5-10) for travelling on the LRT, MRT, buses, and even at some of the motorway toll booths.
    • alternative: Take a taxi with Grab (bind your credit card or top up your GrabPay balance).

  • Long distance bus/train (KTMB)::

    • Visa/Mastercard is required to purchase tickets on the official website, and cash is available for on-site purchases.

  • car hire and self-drive::

    • Cash is generally accepted at petrol stations (especially in towns and villages), with some credit cards supported in major cities; Touch 'n Go cards are required for tolls.

6. Duty-free shopping and refunds

  • Conditions for Tax Refunds: 5%-6% refund for spending of RM300 or more in a single shop, passport must be presented and a tax refund slip requested.
  • Payment association reminder: It is recommended to use a credit card to make purchases, and it is quicker to return the tax refund directly to the original card (cash refunds may be lined up).

7. "Cashless" constraints and responses

Despite the popularity of electronic payments in major cities, the following situations still require attention:
| take | Recommendation | note |
|————————|—————————-|——————————–|
|Night Markets / Roadside Stalls |Money in small amounts (RM10/20 change) |Durian stalls, desserts, etc. do not accept cards.
|Chinese Tea Room (Breakfast) |Cash |Older establishments such as Yakun's may only accept cash.
|Island Resorts (e.g. Heatwave Island) |Confirm in advance! Some of them are cash/Visa only |Remote islands have poor internet connection, mobile payment may not work |

Safety Tips

  1. Anti-theft swipe] Choose chip card insertion instead of magnetic stripe swipe when you swipe your card, and enable the limit of secret-free payment for small transactions.
  2. [Spare cash] RM200 emergency cash in a hidden bag in your luggage (in case you lose your wallet).

Niche Needs Supplement

✅ Donation boxes in places of worship → cash coins only
✅ B&B Deposit → Cash Deposit may be required (communicate in advance)
❌ American Express card → very low acceptance

For more specific scenario answers (e.g. payment optimisation for trips with seniors/children), let me know the details of your trip!