“Can I use Uber here?”
A lot of tourists ask this question when they arrive in Malaysia. The simple answer is no. Uber no longer operates in Malaysia.
Actually a few years ago Uber do existed here. Malaysians used it quite heavily too. But Uber left the Malaysian market, and another app took over almost completely. That app is called Grab.
So if you are visiting Malaysia, and you need a car ride from the airport to your hotel, Grab is the app you need to install. And honestly, for us the locals here, using Grab is already part of our daily life.
Grab Is Everywhere in Malaysia
In Kuala Lumpur especially, Grab is so common. People use it to go to work. I believe some people here do not own cars anymore because they rely so much on Grab.
As a Malaysian, I personally think tourists will find Grab very convenient here. You can use this app almost anywhere in Malaysia, especially in big cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
I live in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and also I always use Grab to get to train station, shopping malls or KLIA whenever i want to get to these places without driving a car. And compared to some countries, the price is usually considered affordable.
The App Works Almost Like Uber
If you have used Uber before, then you must already understand how Grab works. You open the app, choose your destination, and wait for a driver to accept your ride.
You can see:
- The driver’s name
- The car plate number, and also the car model and color
- The estimated arrival time
- The estimated fare price
Almost everything is shown clearly inside the app. You don’t need to negotiate prices when using Grab. The app already calculates the fare for you before the ride starts. So there is less stress, compared to using the conventional taxi.
Shhh, there is also a chance for you to be overly charged if you’re using the normal taxi (or cab).
You Can Pay by Credit Card or E-Wallet
Most tourists usually connect their credit or debit card directly into the Grab app. That is maybe the easiest way.
But in Malaysia, many locals use e-wallets like Touch ‘n Go eWallet together with Grab. Have you read I wrote about the QR Pay in Malaysia?
Malaysia is very heavy on cashless payments now. Even small roadside stalls accept QR payments. So once you get comfortable using apps like Grab and Touch ’n Go eWallet, travelling in Malaysia will feel easier.
Grab Is Not Just for Car Rides
This is another thing many tourists do not realise. Grab is not only for transportation. You can also use Grab for ordering food, just like the FoodPanda App.
Read >> Ordering food delivery in Malaysia is too easy for tourists
Some Malaysians are so used to Grab that they order food from a restaurant that is only five minutes away from their own house.
Lazy? Maybe. Efficient? Yes.
Public Transport Still Exists
Even though Grab is very useful, that does not mean public transport is much too bad here in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur has trains like the MRT, LRT, and Monorail systems.
I myself can’t see the difference in these trains except their names. For me, they’re just the same as long as they can take me to the right destination. They are helpful especially in busy city areas.
But personally, I think Grab is easier for tourists sometimes, especially if you are carrying large luggages. And also if you are travelling with family, using Grab is the best to get to your hotel from the KLIA.
If you are visiting places that are not directly connected by train, you will definitely need Grab. That is why many tourists end up using both. Train for certain routes. Grab for everything else.
So if you are planning to visit Malaysia soon, please do not waste time searching for Uber. Just install the Grab app instead. That is basically Malaysia’s version of Uber now. After a few days here, you will probably start using it like a local too.