Malaysia Tip: Go Cashless when Travelling in Malaysia
- Rick
- May 21
- 8 min read
Updated: May 24
When travelling, the usual way is to carry sufficient cash for the trip — either bring more to prevent running out of cash or bring not enough resulting in having to borrow after overspending. The downside of carrying too much cash on trips is the uneasiness and risks of losing the money. As such, cashless payment has become more popular nowadays — but only in regions that have the infrastructures to support it.
Listed in this article are common cashless payment methods that can be used when travelling in Malaysia. We will also compare the exchange rates of these methods, where applicable.
Cash
"Cash is king" is a phrase that we often heard when it comes to payment. Despite advance technologies that support cashless payments, cash is still the most basic form of payment in many places and also as fallback when all means of cashless payment failed or are not accepted — "advance technology" is not free and cannot function without electricity and the Internet.
In Malaysia, there are still a lot of small vendors, private transport providers, small businesses in rural areas, etc, that does not support cashless payments — or unwilling to support them due to higher costs for them. Thus, cash is still required in such situations.
The preferred way will be to carry less cash (as contingency) and use cashless means to make payments whenever possible.
For reference, the currency market rate on 17 March 2025 was SGD 1 → MYR 3.335. The exchange rate offered by most money changers in Singapore and around JB CIQ was SGD 1 → MYR 3.30 (the charges are about 1.03%).
Credit Cards
International credit cards (Visa / Mastercard) have been the de facto means to make cashless payments when travelling overseas. Payments via credit cards are put on credit with no amounts deducted directly from bank accounts at real-time. Credit cards also allow cash advances (overdraft), but at high interest rates.
Although a convenient means for cashless payment, credit cards suffer badly when it comes to fraud. Credit card details can be easily stolen and misused, especially those with magnetic strips. As a result, it is advisable to use credit cards only at trustworthy or reputable establishments and not to allow the card to leave your sight. Enable contactless function, such as PayWave, etc, and tap the card on payment readers — holding on to your card at all times. Payments can also be made via Near-Field Communication (NFC) on smart phones after adding the card details to the devices and be sure to lock the phones with biometric authentication.
However, despite the convenience of using credit cards, they are usually supported by larger or established businesses due to higher cost of implementation. Some merchants may require minimum purchase amounts before accepting credit cards. Thus, credit cards have limited use among smaller establishments — and they are the majority.
Exchange rates of transactions via credit cards are determined by the card issuers. However, the rates of issuing banks / financial institutes, plus fees charged by Visa / Mastercard, tend to be poorer than the rates offered by money changers.
YouTrip (Debit Card)
YouTrip is a prepaid debit card / e-wallet service that has became very popular in recent years. With multiple currencies stored in one wallet, and linked to Mastercard, YouTrip is especially useful for travel use and works like a credit card but with no overdraft feature. Like credit card, YouTrip's card details can be compromised too. So, use card at trustworthy establishments and not to allow the card to leave your sight.
As a debit-only service, the e-wallet needs to be topped up (or prepaid) before payment can be made from the card. Top-up the card with small but adequate amount for payments over a short period. If the card is compromised, the maximum loss will only be the prepaid amount, or whatever remaining, that is held in the wallet. Note that any amount that is prepaid into the e-wallet / card cannot be withdrawn.
Another benefit of using YouTrip is its better exchange rate over banks and money changers. Effective from April 2025, YouTrip launched a new currency conversion facility for Malaysia ringgit (MYR). With minimum of S$100 held in the e-wallet, the amount can be converted to and held in MYR at the prevailing rate. When the exchange rate is better (can exchange for more MYR), YouTrip users will be able to "lock in" the exchanged amount and it will automatically be deducted when payments are made in ringgits — this is similar to exchanging money virtually, without going through a brick-and-mortar middleman.
On 17 Mar 2025, YouTrip's exchange rate was fluctuating around SGD 1 → MYR 3.33 (about 0.13%), which was much, much, much better than the rates offered by credit card issuers and money changers.
More info: YouTrip website
PayNow-DuitNow Transfer
PayNow is a Singapore-based real-time inter-bank payment system whereas DuitNow is Malaysia-based.
The PayNow-DuitNow linkage allows person-to-person (P2P) fund transfers between Singapore and Malaysia, requiring only the recipient's mobile number or Virtual Payment Address (VPA). This method of payment is useful if the merchant uses his/her own mobile number to accept payments.
Any Singapore bank's payment app that supports PayNow will be able to utilise the PayNow-DuitNow Transfer.
Exchange rates of transfers are determined by respective banks.
DBS Paylah! / Payment Apps by Banks, etc
Most payment apps by Singapore banks and private providers, such as ShopeePay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay, etc, can be used to make payments in retail outlets in Malaysia that use the DuitNow (pronounced as "do it now") QR codes. Using these apps to scan-and-pay in Malaysia are the same as using them in Singapore to make payments.
Since I use DBS PayLah!, I will use it as an example. PayLah! has an additional feature when paying in Malaysia: it will do a conversion of the ringgit amount to SGD at the same time and show the equivalent in SGD before confirming payment.
Note: The DuitNow QR must be a static merchant code, which is usually pre-printed and displayed at the counter. DuitNow QR codes that are generated on a merchant’s Point-Of-Sale (POS) device with the payment amount is probably a transaction code and is not recognised by PayLah!.
Since the payment services are provided by banks, or other private providers, the exchange rate may be poorer. However, the difference can be insignificant considering the convenience they bring.
On 17 Mar 2025, DBS Paylah!'s exchange rate was SGD 1 → MYR 3.239 (about 2.86%), which was much lower than the others. Technically, it means about S$3 extra charges for every S$100 spent. Note that this rate probably applies to credit cards issued by DBS too.
Touch 'n Go (TNG)
Touch 'n Go is a contactless smart card system for cashless payments in Malaysia. It is widely used by the Malaysian government, especially the Malaysia Ministry of Transport. Drivers in Malaysia need to use Touch 'n Go to pay road-related charges, such as tolls, vehicle entry permit, etc. Many transport hubs in Malaysia are going cashless, accepting credit / debit cards and TNG only — especially in Larkin Sentral. However, TNG cannot be used to pay for bus fares onboard stage buses (see section on "ManjaLink Card" below).
Some merchants in Malaysia prefers to use Touch 'n Go — and cash — for payments by displaying a blue TNG QR code and may not support DuitNow QR nor accept credit / debit cards. In such cases, other than using cash, TNG becomes handy. Scan-and-pay on the TNG QR code is via TNG eWallet only whereas tapping on NFC payment readers (if available) can be via TNG card or TNG eWallet.
Note: Touch 'n Go card and Touch 'n Go eWallet are two separate entities. Using a TNG card to make payment does not deduct any amount from the TNG eWallet, and vice versa.
Touch n' Go cards can be purchased from supporting outlets and convenience stores. There are two types of card: a normal card and an enhanced card that supports Near-Field Communication (NFC). The enhanced TNG card supports top-up from TNG eWallet on a mobile device with NFC capability. Both cards cost RM10 each. There is a (hidden) surcharge of another RM10 for each purchase of the card — I paid RM30 for an enhanced card with RM10 credits and validity of 6 years. Topping-up the cards can be done at any physical TNG stations at supporting outlets.
TNG eWallet, downloaded on smart phones, can be used to scan-and-pay at supporting retails, similar to bank payment apps. It can be used to scan both TNG QR codes and DuitNow QR codes. Topping-up the wallet is via local banks in Malaysia. For foreigners to Malaysia, or those with no Malaysia bank accounts, topping-up of TNG e-wallets is by means of purchasing TNG top-up cards (with Reload PINs), from designated convenience stores and petrol kiosks, or via credit / debit cards with applicable charges.
If you registered for a TNG eWallet, there is NO need to get a physical TNG card.
More info: Touch n' Go website
ManjaLink Card / ManjaPay E-Wallet
ManjaLink card is a cashless fare card, like Singapore's EZ-Link card, that can be used to pay for bus fares on Causeway Link services, including myBAS and cross-border services, in Johor Bahru. It saves the hassle of asking Malay-speaking-only bus drivers about bus fares to certain destinations or finding small notes and shillings as drivers usually do not provide change. For those who travels frequently to Johor Bahru, the wider Johor, Malacca, etc and using Causeway Link's public bus services, this card is essential.
Each new ManjaLink card costs RM30.60 with a RM20 travel credits and is available at ManjaLink service kiosks in Johor Bahru and Singapore. Tap the card on the readers when boarding and alighting the buses — don't tap the card when alighting from cross-border services and Senai Airport Service AA1. Top-up the card (minimum is RM30) at any ManjaLink kiosks when credits run low.
The remaining amount and transaction history of a ManjaLink card can be monitored via LUGO app from authorised app stores. LUGO app also provides a ManjaPay e-wallet (currently in beta phase) that can be used to make fare payments on domestic bus services, that accepted ManjaLink cards, but not cross-border bus services. Similar to Touch n' Go, both ManjaLink card and ManjaPay e-Wallet are two separate entities.
Topping-up of ManjaLink card and ManjaPay e-Wallet from LUGO is available via Travel Credit Reload Card or SenangPay (via credit/debit card, TNG e-wallet, ShopeePay, etc) — extra transaction fees may apply for foreign-issued credit cards.
Well, I find it easier to top-up ManjaLink card at the kiosks using cash or YouTrip card.
More info: Manja website
To sum it up,
Supportability | Ease of Usage | Exchange Rate | |
Credit Card | Large companies | Pay and bill later | Poor |
YouTrip Card | Large companies | Top-up and pay direct | Best |
Payment Apps (by SG banks) | DuitNow QR codes | (Top-up and) Pay direct | Poor |
Payment Apps (by others) | DuitNow QR codes | Top-up and pay direct | Depends on provider |
Touch n' Go eWallet | TNG and DuitNow QR codes | Top-up and pay direct | Depends on top-up method |
Touch n' Go Card | Card readers that support TNG payment | Top-up and pay direct | Depends on top-up method |
When travelling in Malaysia, I will carry not more than RM350 (or S$100 equivalent) in cash and will make payments using banking app (DBS Paylah!) or my YouTrip card as much as possible, keeping Touch n' Go and my credit card as backup. For smaller vendors, private bus services, etc, that do not use scan-QR-and-pay methods nor accept credit / debit cards, cash will be used.
Of course, ManjaLink card is for use on public buses only.
I will also use YouTrip to top-up Touch n' Go card / eWallet, when needed, due to the better exchange rates. However, if I use too many e-wallets, my funds will be dispersed in too many places and they cannot be withdrawn.
In the event if my phone runs low on battery or has no connection to the Internet, which happens quite often since foreigners are using roaming data, I will fallback on my YouTrip card, Touch n' Go card and cash.
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