Grab is a popular ride-hailing platform that connects passengers with drivers in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries.
You can use Grab to book a car for your personal or business needs, whether you need a quick ride to the airport, a comfortable sedan for a special occasion, or a larger vehicle for your group.
In this article, we will show you how to book a Grab car in Malaysia using the Grab app on your smartphone.
Step 1: Download the Grab app and register an account
- To book a Grab car, you need to download the Grab app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Make sure you download the app that has the Grab Malaysia logo only, as Grab is also available in other countries.
- After downloading the app, you need to register an account with your phone number, email address, and password. You also need to verify your phone number with a code sent to you via SMS.
- You can also link your Facebook or Google account to sign up faster.
Step 2: Choose your pick-up and drop-off locations
- Once you have registered an account, you can start booking a Grab car. To do so, open the app and tap on the “Transport” icon at the bottom of the screen.
- You will see a map showing your current location as the default pick-up point. You can change it by tapping on the address bar and entering a different address or selecting a nearby landmark from the list.
- Next, you need to enter your drop-off location by tapping on the “I’m going to” bar and typing in the address or choosing a place from the list. You can also use the map to drag and drop the pin to your desired destination.
- Make sure you double-check your pick-up and drop-off locations before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Select your preferred service type and fare
- After entering your locations, you will see a list of available service types and fares at the bottom of the screen. You can choose from various options depending on your budget, comfort level, and number of passengers. Some of the common service types are:
- JustGrab: The cheapest and fastest option that matches you with the nearest private car or taxi.
- JustGrab (Top-Rated Drivers): The same as JustGrab but with drivers who have maintained a high rating for their past 100 rides.
- GrabCar Plus: A comfortable sedan driven by top-rated drivers.
- GrabCar Plus Flexi: The same as GrabCar Plus but automatically switches to JustGrab if GrabCar Plus is unavailable.
- GrabCar 6-seater: A larger vehicle that can fit up to six passengers.
- GrabCar Premium: A high-end and executive ride for business or special occasions.
- GrabExec: A first-class experience that offers comfort and style.
- You can also tap on “Show other rides” to see more options such as GrabBike, GrabShare, or GrabTaxi.
- To select your preferred service type, simply tap on it and you will see the estimated fare (excluding tolls and surcharges) and the estimated arrival time of the driver. You can also tap on “Fare breakdown” to see how the fare is calculated.
Step 4: Confirm your booking and contact your driver
- Once you have selected your service type and fare, you can confirm your booking by tapping on the “Book” button at the bottom of the screen. You will then see a confirmation screen with your booking details and driver information.
- You can also add some optional features to your booking such as:
- Schedule: If you want to book a ride in advance (up to 7 days), you can tap on “Schedule” and choose your desired pick-up time. This feature is only available for bookings to KLIA/KLIA2 airport on certain service types.
- Notes: If you want to leave some notes for your driver such as your gate number, luggage size, or special requests, you can tap on “Notes” and type in your message.
- Promo code: If you have a promo code that can give you a discount or cashback, you can tap on “Promo code” and enter it before confirming your booking.
- After confirming your booking, you can contact your driver by tapping on the “Message” icon at the top right corner of the screen. You can choose to chat with your driver via text or call them using the app. Your chat history will be deleted upon completion of your ride.
- You can also track your driver’s location and ETA on the map. If you need to cancel your booking for any reason, you can do so by tapping on the “Cancel” button at the bottom of the screen. However, you may be charged a cancellation fee depending on the service type and the time of cancellation.
Step 5: Enjoy your ride and rate your driver
- When your driver arrives, make sure you check the car plate number and the driver’s name and photo before boarding the car. You can also greet your driver and confirm your destination.
- During your ride, you can enjoy some features such as:
- Emergency button: If you feel unsafe or need help, you can tap on the emergency button at the bottom of the screen to notify the authorities or your emergency contacts.
- Share my ride: If you want to let your friends or loved ones know where you are, you can tap on the share my ride button at the bottom of the screen and send them your live GPS location.
- AudioProtect: A new safety trial feature where audio is recorded during rides as an additional layer of protection. You can opt-in or opt-out of this feature before or during your ride.
- After reaching your destination, you can pay for your ride using cash, credit card, debit card, or GrabPay. You can choose your preferred payment method when booking your ride or change it before paying. You will receive a receipt via email and in-app notification after paying.
- You can also rate your driver and leave some feedback by tapping on the stars and the comment box at the bottom of the screen. Your rating and feedback will help improve the quality of service and maintain a fair platform for all users.
Conclusion
Booking a Grab car in Malaysia is easy and convenient with the Grab app. You can choose from a wide range of service types and fares to suit your needs and preferences.
You can also enjoy some features that enhance your safety and comfort during your ride. With Grab, you can travel anywhere in Malaysia with ease and confidence.