Apps and getting around the city
In Thailand no single app covers everything: the best combination is Grab plus Bolt for rides, 12Go for intercity trains, buses, and ferries, ViaBus for Bangkok public transport, and MuvMi for shared electric tuk-tuks in Bangkok. Includes a comparison of foreign card support, phone number requirements, and English UI for each app.
- Install Grab first - it is the most universal for tourists and works in 60+ cities.
- Add Bolt as a price alternative; it is often cheaper but driver availability varies by city.
- Use 12Go for intercity buses, trains and ferries; ViaBus for live Bangkok transit.
- MuvMi shared electric tuk-tuks are a nice add-on in central Bangkok.
- Grab accepts international phone numbers for signup; foreign cards may carry a 2–3% fee.
- Uber is not relevant for Thailand - the market is Grab, Bolt and inDrive.
Do not rely on a single app in Thailand. The best-working combination is Grab + Bolt + 12Go + Google Maps/ViaBus, plus MuvMi in Bangkok.
- Grab - the best documented and the most universal for tourists.
- Bolt - a strong footprint in the main tourist centers, with officially described driver pickup points at all four airports covered here.
- inDrive - tends to be cheaper but is less predictable, and its payment methods depend on location.
- 12Go - very useful for intercity buses, trains, boats and ferry combinations.
Sources: Grab transport TH, Grab explore Thailand, Bolt airports Thailand, inDrive payments, 12Go.
App comparison table
| App | What it is for | Bangkok | Chiang Mai | Phuket | Foreign card | Local number | English UI | Note | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grab | taxi, car, bike, delivery, airport rides | yes | yes | yes | yes; sometimes a foreign payment fee of 2–3% | no; an international number is supported | yes | most universal for tourists; works across 60+ cities | Web, Help - intl number, Help - payment, iOS, Android |
| Bolt | taxi / ride-hailing | yes | yes | yes | yes | unclear/verify; signup runs via phone | yes | often cheaper than Grab, but driver availability varies city by city | Web, Thailand airports, Payment, iOS, Android |
| inDrive | ride-hailing, often with bidding | yes* | yes* | yes* | depends on location | phone signup required; a Thai number requirement is not confirmed by a primary source | yes | cheaper but less predictable; payment methods depend on location | Web, Payments, iOS, Android |
| 12Go | trains, buses, ferries, intercity | yes | yes | yes | yes | typically no | yes | excellent for intercity travel; for some operators a screenshot of the voucher is enough | Web, FAQ, iOS, Android |
| ViaBus | live public transport | yes | limited | limited | no payments handled | no | yes | excellent for Bangkok bus/boat/BTS/MRT orientation | App Store, Google Play |
| MuvMi | shared electric tuk-tuks | yes | no | no | yes | app signup | yes | great as a local Bangkok add-on | Web, App Store, Google Play |
| SRT D-Ticket | official train tickets | yes | yes | yes | yes | signup required | parts of the UI may be less friendly | official app of the State Railway of Thailand | Google Play dev, App Store |
* inDrive coverage of Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Phuket is based mainly on traveler reports; no official consumer city matrix was found, so treat it as unclear/verify.
What to install, in order:
- Always install Grab.
- Add Bolt as a price alternative.
- Use 12Go for intercity trips.
- Use ViaBus for Bangkok.
- Add MuvMi as a bonus in central Bangkok.
Skip Uber. It is not worth including as a default for a Thailand arrival in 2026; current Thai and traveler sources are dominated by Grab, Bolt and inDrive.
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