Visiting Malaysia Soon? Here Are 5 Cashless Payment Options You Can Use
Malaysia has plenty of ways to pay without cash!
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If you're visiting Malaysia, you might be wondering how much cash to exchange for your trip
Here's the good news, if you prefer using cashless payments, there are a few convenient ways to pay without even taking out your wallet.
In fact, Bank Negara's 2025 annual report saw Malaysia record 18.4 billion e-payment transactions, a 25% increase compared to 2024, indicating that the infrastructure for cashless payments is growing in Malaysia.
Here are five cashless payment options you can use in Malaysia:
1. Credit and debit cards
Credit and debit cards from Visa and Mastercard are often widely used in hotels, shopping centres, restaurants, supermarkets, and other established businesses. Some merchants accept American Express and JCB as well, but these options are not as widely available.
Contactless payment is very common. You can usually tap a compatible card at the terminal to perform a transaction. However, payments above RM250 usually require you to enter your PIN.
This option is good for you if:
- You're visiting Malaysia for a short holiday
- You want to use a payment method you already have
- You prefer paying by card rather than setting up a local app
- You plan to spend mostly at established businesses
2. DuitNow QR
DuitNow QR is Malaysia's national QR payment standard, operated by Payments Network Malaysia.
Instead of merchants displaying separate QR codes for different banks and wallets, Malaysian businesses now display one DuitNow QR that you can scan using a variety of banking apps and e-wallets.
If you're using a Malaysian bank account, you can often pay by scanning the QR code directly through your banking app.
The same system also supports selected cross-border QR payment arrangements:
| Country | Supported Platform |
|---|---|
| China | Alipay |
| Indonesia | QRIS |
| Singapore | Changi Pay & NETS |
| Thailand | KBank & TrueMoney |
| South Korea | Paybooc via BC Card |
It is important to note that the exact services available depend on your home country and payment provider, so having a bank account or payment app from one of these countries does not automatically mean it will work with every DuitNow QR merchant.
This option is good for you if:
- You already use a supported QR payment app in your home country
- You're visiting from a country with a supported cross-border payment arrangement
- You want to avoid exchanging cash for smaller purchases
- You expect to shop at smaller merchants where QR payments are common
3. E-wallets
Malaysia has several major e-wallets, including Touch 'n Go eWallet, GrabPay, Boost, and ShopeePay.
They can be used for various everyday purchases, with participating services also supporting DuitNow QR.
Touch 'n Go eWallet and GrabPay are two of the most popular ones — Touch 'n Go eWallet is often used for transportation, while Grab is also used for e-hailing and food delivery. However, do note that certain restrictions may apply for foreigners using these e-wallets.
This option is good for you if:
- You're staying in Malaysia for an extended period
- You expect to make frequent smaller purchases
- You already use Grab or another supported e-wallet
- You want access to local payment features beyond what your international card offers
4. Apple Pay
Apple Pay is available in Malaysia at participating contactless payment terminals.
A general rule of thumb is that if the merchant supports contactless payment, Apple Pay will work.
If your existing card supports Apple Pay, you can add it to Apple Wallet and complete your transactions with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
For international visitors, this can be one of the easiest options since you can continue using a card you already have.
This option is good for you if:
- You already use an iPhone or Apple Watch
- Your existing card supports Apple Pay
- You prefer not to carry a physical card
- You want to keep using your usual payment setup while travelling
5. Google Wallet
If you're an Android user, you can also use Google Wallet for contactless payments in Malaysia if your card and bank are supported.
As with Apple Pay, check that your particular card and issuer are supported before travelling.
This option is good for you if:
- You use an Android phone with NFC
- Your existing card supports Google Wallet
- You want to pay without taking out your physical card
- You prefer using your existing payment setup while travelling
Even with these cashless options, keeping some physical cash on hand is still sensible
Some smaller businesses may only accept cash, while others may not support your particular card, wallet, or QR payment service.
For most visitors, a contactless international card or mobile wallet, plus a little cash, should be sufficient to cover most everyday payments.
