TNG eWallet, Grab, Waze: 5 Payment And Digital Apps To Download For Singaporeans Traveling To Malaysia

Traveling to another country sometimes means that you may need to adapt to a different environment and learn how the day-to-day activities are done there.   

If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Malaysia and want to ensure a smooth travel, you may want to get familiarised with certain digital and payment apps that are commonly used by the locals on a daily basis. This way, you can download the relevant apps beforehand to prepare for your trip and not have to scramble at the last minute. 

Here are five payment and digital apps to download before taking a trip to Malaysia.  

Read Also: Long Weekends In Malaysia: Dates You May Want To Avoid Traveling To Malaysia 

#1 Touch ‘n Go (TNG) eWallet 

Launched in 2018, the Touch ‘n Go (TNG) eWallet app is one of largest digital payment platforms in Malaysia. The TNG eWallet is accepted widely at over two million touchpoints in Malaysia including supermarkets, food and beverage chains.  

Not only that, the TNG eWallet app also serves other functions as well. If you’ve driven to Malaysia before, chances are you’ve heard of TNG’s physical card, which is the primary payment method for toll payments in the country. You can also use the card to pay parking, public trains and bus fares. 

There are two types of TNG cards, which are the regular one and the enhanced TNG card. The enhanced TNG card is equipped with near field communication (NFC) technology and can be linked to your TNG eWallet. All you need to do is add your card and enter your card details on the app. You can then reload your enhanced TNG card anywhere and anytime you want, without worrying if you have sufficient balance at toll booths.

TNG eWallet offers a two-tier user system, which are Lite and Premium. Lite users can reload up to RM200 and make a maximum transaction of RM2,000 per month. On the other hand, Premium users enjoy a larger e-wallet capacity with maximum reloads up to RM20,000 and a monthly transaction limit of RM120,000 per month as well as other features. The following table shows the wallet size and maximum monthly transaction amount with TNG eWallet for Lite and Premium users.  

To become a Premium user, you just need to verify your account on the app.  Foreign travellers from selected countries such as Singapore can sign up for TNG eWallet with their existing mobile numbers. For those who drive often to Malaysia, you can consider signing up for TNG eWallet to make retail payments, indoor parking, street parking in KL and easily reload your TNG card to pay tolls at expressways.  

#2 Waze 

The Waze app, which was launched in 2016, is commonly used by Malaysian drivers navigating the roads.  

Waze provides drivers with GPS navigation and even an estimated arrival time based on real-time traffic situations. This way, you will know roughly how long it takes for you to drive to your destination based on current traffic and plan accordingly. 

Waze is a community-based app where drivers can chat with others or upload photos on the map. Users can share real-time traffic information and updates, whether there has been an accident on the road, ongoing roadworks or police blocks with others. The Waze app is available to download for users of over 16 years of age. 

#3 MBJB Spot 

If you’re heading to Johor Bahru, you can consider downloading the MBJB Spot app that was launched in 2016. The MBJB Spot app is a parking app managed by the Johor Bahru City Council. You can use the app to conveniently pay for street parking in Johor Bahru. 

The app also allows you to check for traffic compounds and find out the traffic flow within the Johor Bahru area. Singaporeans can register for the MBJB Spot app with their numbers by adding the country code and use the app for their Singapore-registered vehicles.  

#4 Grab 

Introduced in 2012, Grab is the leading ride hailing and food and grocery delivery app in Malaysia, with over 930,000 drive partners and nearly 2.5 million drives a day. 

If you’re traveling in major cities in Malaysia, you can get around by booking Grab rides on the app with upfront pricing displayed on the app, excluding tolls and surcharges. You can also use Grab’s taxi calculator for more accurate fare estimates. 

Grab offers various categories of rides. The commonly used Standard JustGrab rides include hopping into the nearest private car or taxi available. There are also Standard Plus rides with comfortable sedans driven by top-rated drivers and larger six-seat vehicles for larger groups. 

If there’s a special occasion, you can also book premium rides for high-end and executive ride experiences. Besides booking rides, Grab also offers food and grocery delivery services. You can book these services when you need them or in advance. 

Users can create an account with either an active Google email, Facebook account or phone number.

#5 myICA 

In 2024, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) announced that citizens and other travellers can use QR code in place of passports to clear immigration more speedily when arriving and departing Singapore via Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. 

Travelers can first create a profile and generate an individual or group QR code using the MyICA mobile app. You will need your mobile phone number and passport or Singpass to generate the code. Then you can scan the QR code during immigration clearance. 

Do note that travellers using passports that have not been used for entry into Singapore previously will be required to present their passport. They will be able to use QR code for immigration clearance on their subsequent trips. 

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