When travelling, the traditional way will be 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.
Nevertheless, cash is still the most basic form of payment in many places and as fallback when all means of cashless payment failed or are not accepted. The preferred way will be to carry less cash (as contingency) and use cashless means to make payments when possible.
Listed in this article are common cashless payment methods that can be used in Malaysia. We will also compare the exchange rates of the methods, where applicable.
For reference, the 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 (about 1.03% of charges).
Credit Cards
Credit cards have been the de facto means to make cashless payments when travelling overseas. All payments are put on credit with no amount deducted 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. 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) through smart phones.
Exchange rates of credit cards are determined by the card issuers' rates.
YouTrip (Debit Card)
YouTrip is a prepaid debit card 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 the service at trustworthy establishments and not to allow the card to leave your sight.
As a debit-only service, the wallet needs to be topped up (or prepaid) before payment can be made from the wallet. 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 in the wallet.
Another benefit of using YouTrip is its better exchange rate over banks and money changers.
On 17 Mar 2025, YouTrip's exchange rate was fluctuating around SGD 1 → MYR 3.33 (about 0.13%), which was much better than the money changers.
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.
DBS Paylah! / Payment Apps by OCBC, UOB, etc
Most payment apps by Singapore banks can be used to make payments in retail outlets in Malaysia that use the DuitNow QR (pronounced as “do it now”). 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 before I pay, allowing me to know the equivalent in SGD right away.
Note that the DuitNow QR must be a static merchant code, which is usually pre-printed and displayed at the counter. DuitNow QR that is 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!.
However, the exchange rate may be poorer than the others. The difference can be insignificant considering the convenience it brings.
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.
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 card 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 card only.
TNG e-wallets, downloaded on smart phones, can be used to scan-and-pay at retails, similar to bank apps like DBS Paylah!. It can be topped up 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 top-up cards (with PINs) from designated stores and petrol kiosks. Most convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, etc, do not sell TNG top-up cards, which is why the service is unpopular with non-driving travellers.
I have registered a TNG e-wallet as standby. When the need arises someday, I will top it up via a top-up card and use it.
ManjaLink Card
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 or finding small notes and shillings as drivers do not provide change. For those who travels frequently to Johor and using 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 the kiosks when credits run low.
When travelling in Malaysia, I will carry not more than RM300 in cash and make payments using mobile banking app (DBS Paylah!) or my YouTrip card as much as possible. There will be smaller merchants, private bus services, etc, that do not accept scan-and-pay methods or credit / debit cards, so cash is still necessary.
In the event if my phone runs low on battery or has no connection to the Internet, I will fallback on the YouTrip card and cash.
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