🏝 Why Grab Is a Must in Kota Kinabalu
In Kota Kinabalu, public transportation is very limited.
You won’t see many buses, and metered taxis are rare.
So what’s the best way to get around? One word: Grab.
Grab is Southeast Asia’s most popular ride-hailing app.
It works similarly to Uber, and it's super handy for travelers—safe, affordable, and easy to use.
📲 Installing Grab Before Your Trip
Good news—you can install and register Grab while you're still in your home country.
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Download “Grab” from Google Play or the App Store
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Register with your email or mobile number
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No need for a Malaysian number—you can log in with your Korean number first
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After landing in Kota Kinabalu, insert your local SIM card and Grab will detect the region
✔️ Pro Tip: Logging in before arriving saves time at the airport!
🚘 How to Book a Ride on Grab
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Open the app and enter your pickup and drop-off locations
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Choose vehicle type (JustGrab, GrabCar, etc.)
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Check estimated fare
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Confirm your ride
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View your driver’s profile and live location on the map
📌 From the airport to the city center, the ride usually costs RM12–18 (~₩4,000–₩6,000).
💵 Payment Options
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Cash: Most drivers prefer cash. No extra fee, just pay the fare directly.
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Card: You can add a credit card in the app, but some foreign cards may fail during payment.
💡 In my experience, cash was the most reliable option.
⚠ Common Grab App Issues (and How to Fix Them)
🈳 1. App Suddenly Switches to Malay Language
This happens automatically when you insert a Malaysian SIM card.
Don’t panic—switching it back is easy.
How to fix it:
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Open Grab
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Tap Profile → Settings → Language
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Choose English
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Restart the app
✔️ Once done, the language stays fixed unless you reset the app.
📍 2. Incorrect Pickup Location
Sometimes GPS might drop your pin a few meters off.
Solution:
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Use the map to manually drag and drop your pickup point
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Choose well-known landmarks like:
Imago Mall, Jesselton Point, or Suria Sabah
💳 3. Card Payment Fails
Most often caused by Korean cards being blocked for overseas payments.
How to solve it:
🚫 4. No Drivers Available or Booking Gets Canceled
This often happens during rush hour or rainy days.
Tips:
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Adjust your pickup location to a nearby mall or hotel
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Restart the app or switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data
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Download Maxim or InDrive as backup ride apps
🌟 Extra Tips from Personal Experience
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Don’t write locations in Korean—it must be in English or selected via map
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Most drivers will message “I’m here” or call you—replying with a thumbs-up 👍 is enough
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Try to avoid calling; the in-app chat works just fine
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Be patient during peak hours or rainy weather—fares may surge slightly
🧳 My Honest Review After 6 Days in Kota Kinabalu
I used Grab more than 15 times throughout my stay,
from airport pickups to heading to night markets.
I never waited more than 5–10 minutes for a ride, and most trips were under ₩6,000.
Compared to taxis back home, this felt like a luxury at half the price.
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