11 must have apps in Thailand
If you've never heard of Grab and Eatigo, this list of must have apps in Thailand is for you.
This apps are for anyone who stay in Thailand, wether you're coming as a backpacker for a week or living here as an expat.
Now that we do everything with our phone, there's a lot of apps that make our life easier.
But to keep it simple and avoid taking all the storage on your phone, here is in my opinion the 11 must have apps in Thailand.
Google Maps
Google Maps should aways be on your phone no matter what.
It's easy to use, pretty effective to get around when there's a ton of traffic and it even have reviews on the places you want to visit.
If like me you try to have as few apps as possible on your phone, Google Maps is like Yelp, Tripadvisor, Waze and (insert your favorite travel app) all together.
Don't forget to download maps offline when you go to new places to access the map even when you don't have access to internet.
Google translate
Thai is a tough language for translator apps and I'm yet to see one that do a perfect job.
Like the others apps I've tried, Google Translate isn't perfect but it does a good enough job to get around.
And it have one feature that even the best Thai translator app don't have it that's the live translation when you point your camera at something.
Really useful when you need a live translation of a menu or a sign for exemple.
It can also translate what's written in Thai on your photos and screenshots.
Booking.com
There's so many apps to book hotels nowadays but from my experience there two good reasons to stick to Booking.com
- The large range of options they have
- Their support.
Booking in Thailand have all types of accommodation, including hostels, hotels, villas, pool villas, apartments...
And even if they don't always have the cheapest rates, when you always book with them you unlock extra discounts with the Genius program.
So at the end of the year, it's almost the same as if you went always for the cheapest rate.
Except that you don't have to switch app all the time and you have all your bookings in one place.
Airbnb
I love Airbnb for their clean design and detailed listings.
Where Booking or Agoda can be confusing with all the options they list, it's always easy to find what you want on Airbnb.
But the main reason to use Airbnb in Thailand, on top of finding a place to stay, is all the "experiences" they offer on the site.
They have all sorts of unique ways to visit Thailand, from "Instagram tours" with pro photographers to cooking classes and even nightlife tours.
Grab app
Grab is the asian equivalent of Uber, but even more powerful.
Grab have different types of cars, motorbike taxis and in some cities, you can even rent a car.
The app also offer food delivery, chauffeurs, deliveries and a ton of special rewards and coupons that you buy with the points you earn with each booking.
AirAsia
When possible, I prefer to stick to AirAsia to fly in and around Thailand.
And there's a few reason for that :
- They have really good rates. Not always the cheapest, but really close most of the time.
- They have a good quality of service, for a low cost company
- They always have special deals with really cheap flights, in and around Thailand.
- Their app work great and let you book flights, do your online check-in, check your flight status, and even work as boarding pass for some flights.
Overall, their app and service is way better than other local companies so whenever possible, fly with Airasia.
Eatigo
Eatigo is by far the best app ever invented and it’s as essential as Grab or Line if you're in Thailand.
Eatigo is the best app to find discounts for restaurants.
The platform offer a selection of restaurants with discounts of up to 50% on the whole menu at specific times.
That's it. There's no catch.
The app is free to use and give you huge discounts on all types of restaurants including some of the best high end hotel buffets in Thailand.
Chope
If you don't find the restaurant you want on Eatigo, at least book your table with Chope.
Chope is also free to use and give you rewards for every meal you book through the app.
Foodpanda
Everybody in Thailand have a hate and love relationship with Foodpanda.
On one side, they have an amazing selection of restaurants and always offer special deals and discounts.
On the other hand, the order tracking system kind of suck and their customer support is almost non existant.
But as long as they keep offering great deals and send discount coupons, it is still a must have app in Thailand for your Netflix and chill nights.
Happyfresh
Who still go grocery shopping in 2020 ?
Happyfresh have all the main supermarkets and big shops in Thailand on their app.
Instead of going to the different shops, you can order from all of them on the same app and have it delivered to your door.
Line
If most of the world use Messenger or WhatsApp, in Thailand everybody use Line for friends, family and even work.
If you hear someone ask you for your line ID, they want to know your username on Line to "Add you"
You can get by without it if you're just traveling in Thailand, but if you live here or if you're single, you're gonna need it.
The app is also becoming more like Wechat and is constantly adding new feature like LinePay that let you pay with your phone at some retailers or LineMan that is basically a delivery service.
Other Apps
That's it for the must have apps in Thailand.
But depending on how long you stay and what you do when you're in Thailand, there's a few other apps you might want to consider.
Dating Apps
If you're single, check my list of the best dating apps in Thailand.
From Tinder to Thaifriendly, all the popular dating apps in Thailand are there.
Pollution
With the high level of pollutions that Thailand have seen the last few years, especially in Bangkok and in the north (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai...) it's always good to check the pollution before you go out or plan a trip.
The most popular App for that is AirVisual.
Transferwise
If you have a Thai bank account, Transferwise is the cheapest and fastest way to send money to Thailand.
Coming for the first time to Thailand ?
In that case, check my guide of Thailand for more tips and recommendations for your trip and read my first time guide for Bangkok (and Thailand).
Now it's your turn. What's for you the best app in Thailand? What's the app your use the most?
Let me know in the comments.
And if you have any question about any of this app, ask me below.