A Frustrated Arrival
A Lithuanian traveller’s first impression of Malaysia turned sour when he discovered that the KLIA Express train only accepts card or e-wallet payments.
In a TikTok clip from 16 August now circulating widely, the man filmed himself trying to buy a ticket from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to KL Sentral.
Expecting to pay in cash, he approached staff for help but was told that the kiosks do not accept banknotes.
Clearly unsettled, he muttered, “First negative review, no cash in here… What kind of train station doesn’t take cash?”
Forced to Pay by Card
Still doubtful, he checked again, hoping it was a mistake. When the answer was the same, he sighed before reaching for his bank card.
“I don’t like to do this, but obviously it’s going to have to be it,” he admitted while tapping the machine for a RM55 ticket.
Moments later, he held up his receipt, conceding that the transaction was surprisingly fast but still insisting: “They don’t take cash. What kind of train station doesn’t take cash?”
Netizens React
The video triggered a wave of responses online.
Some advised.
Many Malaysians defended the cashless policy, pointing out that in 2025 such systems are standard in most modern cities.
While some highlighted the positives of a cashless system, another suggested the traveller should have done his research before arriving.
Others warned that he would struggle even more in Japan or China, where cashless systems dominate daily life.
Praise Beyond the Rant
Despite his irritation, the traveller later softened his stance in a second video exploring Malaysia.
He described Malaysia’s MRT network as clean and well-organised, and praised the staff who guided him through the system.
Their help and the state of the MRT appeared to have left him with a far better impression than his ticket counter frustration suggested.
A Wider Question: Is Cashless the Future?
Malaysia’s push towards cashless transport reflects a global trend. Supporters argue that e-payments reduce errors, cut down fraud, and speed up services. But critics caution that not everyone is ready for a world without cash. Elderly passengers, rural residents, or travellers without local banking options can all be left out.
Experts suggest a balanced approach — one that embraces digital payments but still leaves room for cash, at least until access and digital literacy are universal.
For the Lithuanian tourist, however, the takeaway was simple: efficiency aside, being caught with only cash at KLIA Express became the one thing that turned a smooth arrival into his “first negative review” of Malaysia.
Watch the video here:
@mrabroadvlogs Cash is useless if you want to buy train ticket in KL airport 🇲🇾#malaysia #malaysiatravel #kualalumpur #travel
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