What are the must-have travel apps for Malaysians?

Roaming
August 28, 2025
  •  
By 
Ashwinee Rvan

Whether you’re chasing autumn leaves in Seoul, bargain-hunting in Bangkok, or finally ticking Europe off your wishlist, Malaysians love a good adventure. But let’s be honest — while spontaneous travel stories are great for the memories, a bit of digital planning can go a long way.

From scoring cheap flights to making sure you don’t accidentally order frog legs (again), here’s our ultimate list of must-have travel apps — all tested and loved by fellow Malaysian travellers.

1. Planning and booking made easy

📱 Skyscanner or Hopper

Let’s start at the very beginning — flights. These apps help you find the best deals, predict price drops, and even show you cheaper dates to fly. Hopper even adds a cute bunny that tells you when to book (because why not?).

📱 Klook

Think of Klook as your personal travel PA. From airport transfers to local experiences (hello, kimchi-making class!), it helps you book everything in advance — often with local prices.

Tried this myself and left with a full belly, a new appreciation for fish sauce, and a surprisingly decent phad thai. Highly recommend it! Check it out here.

2. Your pocket-friendly travel guide

📱 Google Maps or Rome2Rio

Not just for finding directions — Google Maps is a lifesaver for public transport timings, walking routes, and restaurant reviews. Rome2Rio is brilliant for figuring out how to get from Point A to That Random Countryside Airbnb.

📱 Culture Trip

Think travel blog meets guidebook. Culture Trip offers curated recommendations and hidden gems — perfect for finding that bookshop café in Lisbon or quirky vintage store in Tokyo.

3. No more language panic moments

📱 Google Translate or SayHi

Google Translate camera scanner. Image source: CNET

Whether you’re deciphering a menu or asking for directions, these apps help you bridge language gaps. The camera function on Google Translate is pure magic — just point, scan, and read.

💬 Real talk: One of us once ordered “steamed chicken blood jelly” thinking it was tofu. Lesson learned.

4. Keep your money and mobile in check

📱 Wise or BigPay

Digital wallets and prepaid cards like these are great travel companions — helping you dodge sky-high exchange rates and track your spending in real time (so you don’t accidentally overspend on bubble tea in Taipei).

📱 Your telco app – trust us, you’ll thank yourself later

Before you even hit the airport, make sure your telco app is downloaded and logged in. Whether you’re on Celcom Life App, MyDigi, or another provider’s platform, these apps are lifesavers for:

✅ Checking roaming status

✅ Topping up your prepaid line

✅ Buying international roamingpasses

✅ Avoiding post-holiday bill shock

Because no one wants to be that person desperately hunting for Wi-Fi just to activate data at immigration.

5. Stay connected and safe

📱 NordVPN or ExpressVPN

Using airport or hotel Wi-Fi? These VPNs keep your data safe — and let you watch your usual Netflix (hello, Malaysian subtitles!) no matter where you are.

📱 TripIt

Forward your bookings to this app and voilà — it creates a neat itinerary with flights, hotels, and car rentals all in one place. No more screenshot scrolling at immigration.

6. Food, glorious food

📱 TripAdvisor or Yelp

Whether you're hunting for halal ramen or the best croissants in Paris, these apps help you find top-rated spots (with photos — always check the photos). Don’t forget to leave your own review for future makan explorers!

📱 HappyCow

For our vegetarian and vegan friends — this one’s a gem. It filters eateries with meat-free options wherever you go.

Final boarding call…

Travelling is so much easier (and way more fun) with the right apps in your pocket — helping you plan like a pro, eat like a local, and dodge those rookie mistakes (no more mystery “frog leg soup”, promise 🐸🍲).

But here’s the real insider tip: all these apps are only as good as your Internet connection. And honestly, who wants the hassle of hunting down a local SIM, worrying about limited data, or stressing about losing your Malaysian SIM while overseas? With a CelcomDigi Roaming pass, you skip all that.

You don’t just get data — you enjoy unlimited Internet, in-flight roaming, and even calls while overseas. And the best part? It starts from as low as RM28. No more scrambling for sketchy café Wi-Fi or stressing about staying in touch.

Bon voyage and happy app-ing! 💼🌍✨

Stay connected, wherever you are

Travelling abroad? Explore CelcomDigi's roaming passes and international data plans to stay connected on all your favourite apps
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