Guide to Using Grab in Kuala Lumpur

Bonjour and Good Day 😃

If you’re planning to get around Kuala Lumpur without using public transportation then for me there’s no better way than using Grab! It's in my top 5 essential apps 😄

Download and Set Up

First, you’ll need to download the Grab app, go to the App Store or Google Play, search for “Grab” and install it.

Then you'll need to register, you can do so using your mobile number even if it's a foreign number.

Then for the payment, by default it will make you pay cash but you can link your card and set it as your default payment method, I find it more convenient.

Be aware that several months ago, around mid-2024, Grab started charging a 3% fee for payments made with a foreign card ☹️
For example on a RM50 order, the fee would be RM1.5

They also have "GrabPay" which is a wallet that you can top up. To my current knowledge as I type this, there is no foreign card fee when topping up.

PS: Turn on your location 😄

How to Book a Ride

Now that you're all set up, booking a ride is quite easy, first tap on "Car", then follow these steps:

1. Type in your destination in the search bar.
2. The app usually gets your pick up location automatically. BUT double check it, sometimes Grab is confused 😅
   Same as the destination, you can adjust it with the search bar. Or you can also do it by moving the map (for example if you're in a mall having several pickup points!)
3. Grab now shows you an estimated fare for each type of vehicle (and you can double check the itinerary). I usually have JustGrab and GrabCar Plus. Sometimes the GrabCar 6-seater if there's many people or luggages.
4. Before booking check your payment method and tap "Offers" to check if you're eligible for any discount, sometimes they have it 😄
5. Once everything looks good, book it and wait!

Once a driver has been found the app will show you the driver’s details and real-time tracking so you know exactly where your ride is. It even tells you what color is the car, very practical to not read every plate of every car ^^

GrabFood

Now let’s talk food! Grab isn't just a taxi app as you might have seen on the app's homepage, you can also order food 😄 Here’s how to order:

1. This time head to the food section of the app, I'll assume you've done the setup previously and have your payment method all good.
2. Scroll through the list of restaurants nearby, or use the search bar to find exactly what you're craving. They have a lot of categories and recommended "signature" restaurants.
3. Before adding your meal to the basket you can also type a note below, for example you might want less spicy 😊
4. Then on the checkout page, you can select different types of delivery that will take more or less time, you can also tap "Use Offers" to check for any available discount and you can request for cutlery (by default they are not given).
5. Just like with rides, GrabFood lets you track the progress of your meal. You’ll know exactly when your food is being prepared and then on the way to you.

If you want to know more apps, check my article on essential apps I recommend. And if you're planning on using public transports instead, I got you as well here!

Terimakasih for reading until here! Happy travels 😇