Handy apps for your Thailand trip

Wherever you travel in the world, having the right apps at your fingertips can help your travel experience. The same is true for Thailand, where having certain apps on your phone or tablet can help you during your travels. In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the handiest apps for your Thailand trip.

Although apps can be a great tool, we advise not to rely on them completely. Sometimes, waving down a local songthaew (shared taxi) will be a quicker and cheaper option than waiting for a car using a ride-sharing app. Similarly, booking directly with hotels instead of using a booking app can sometimes give you access to better deals, particularly at smaller hotels. 

Accommodation

As mentioned above, there are times when booking directly with a hotel will be beneficial; some hotels offer exclusive deals for direct bookings. This is especially true for smaller hotels which have to pay relatively large commissions to an online travel agent (OTA) whenever a booking is made via an app. That said, not all hotels in Thailand have an updated website or an easy booking process, so we understand the convenience of using an OTA. If you do want to use an app, the two most widely used in Thailand are Agoda and Booking.com.

Assistance

Millions of people travel to Thailand every year, and the vast majority enjoy their time in the Land of Smiles without any problems. If you do require any assistance during your time in Thailand, two of the most handy apps to have are the official apps from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Tourist Police.

Communication

While many Thais speak some English, knowing a few Thai phrases will significantly enhance your travel experience. Google Translate helps bridge the language gap with text and voice translation features. The app also includes an image translator — perfect for understanding menus, street signs, or notices. You can download the Thai language pack for offline use.

Google Lens is another handy tool for the quick translation of signs and menus into English.

LINE is Thailand’s most popular messaging app and a fantastic way to stay connected. Although some Thai people use WhatsApp, the LINE app is more widely used for communication by locals and businesses. This makes it an especially handy app to have to contact your hotel, a tour operator, or even new friends you meet along the way. Like WhatsApp, the LINE app also supports free voice and video calls.

Mobile phone providers
Getting a Thai SIM card can be a big help and whichever network provider you opt for, they will have their own app, which makes it easier to top-up with credit and get access to deals.

Food

One of the great joys of travelling in Thailand is the food culture. There is no substitute for eating in person at a street stall or a family-run restaurant. Food apps can be a quick way to identify places to eat near you which you can then visit in person. If you are travelling longer in Thailand, there may be times when you don’t feel like going out or simply want some comfort food delivered to you.

Food apps are also used by locals but keep in mind that the vendor or restaurant you order from still has to pay a commission to the likes of Grab and FoodPanda. Consumers often have to pay at least part of that extra cost when ordering on an app compared to dining in person. The other downside is that using delivery services creates more plastic waste, but if you do want to use an app the most widely used nationwide are:

• FoodPanda
• Grab
• Lineman 

Vegans and vegetarians can download the useful HappyCow app which specialises in locating plant-based eateries. From vegan-friendly cafés in Bangkok to organic farm-to-table restaurants in Chiang Mai, the HappyCow app is an excellent resource. 

Travel

There are a host of apps available for transport in Thailand, but some can be buggy and frustrating to use so we have restricted our selection to the ones we use ourselves in Thailand.

In locations like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, you’ll have access to a range of taxi and ride-hailing apps. Not all services are available nationwide, but Bolt and Grab are two of the most practical ones to download for most travellers. With transparent pricing and the option to book a range of vehicles ranging from motorbikes to standard cars to larger SUVs, these apps can be extremely handy for your travels. 

• Bolt
• Grab
• InDriver
• Maxim 

Travel in Thailand can easily be booked in person once you are here via tour offices and hotels. However, if you’d like to book travel connections before you arrive in Thailand, one of the most useful apps is from 12GoAsia. The app allows you to book a variety of tickets covering trains, buses and ferries. Although this service is helpful, it’s important to note that apps like this do not list every available boat, bus or train. For a more comprehensive list, you will still need to contact the service provider directly (e.g. the State Railway of Thailand for train tickets) or ask at a tour office in Thailand.

If you’re planning to explore multiple destinations within Thailand, Skyscanner is a good way to find flights and travel deals. Although this is a convenient app for finding and booking flights, it’s still advisable to double-check the airline’s own website for a full list of options and promotions that may not show on the Skyscanner app.

Keep track of your travel itineraries with the TripIt app. Booking confirmations for flights and hotels received via email can be forwarded to the app making it an easy way to organise and plan your adventures.

• Booking domestic travel in Thailand
• Exploring Thailand by train
• Booking boat and ferry trips in Thailand

Immigration and entry procedures

As part of ongoing efforts to streamline the travel experience and simplify entry and immigration procedures, Thailand has launched the THIM (Thailand Immigration Management) application. The app is part of Thailand’s wider digital transformation that aims to replace paper-based processes with digital services.

Tours and activities

It’s always worth checking in person with a tour office in Thailand when booking tours or activities. Most tour operators will be able to provide you with a broader choice of options compared to using an app. Booking in person also makes it easier to book a private or tailor-made tour. 

If you do want to use an app, GetYourGuide and Klook are two of the more popular options used by travellers in Thailand. There is also the TagThai app, a collaboration platform between the Thai Government and the private sector to make booking tours and activities easier for travellers.

Maps

Whether you’re trying to find the fastest route to your hotel or hunting for the best local restaurants, Google Maps offers accurate directions, public transport information, and reviews.

Maps.me is an excellent alternative to Google Maps. Once you have downloaded the maps you need, you can use them offline so you aren’t relying on internet access.

Other useful apps

When used as a rough guide, weather apps are ok, but don’t expect them to be 100% accurate for the tropical weather in Thailand. Apps like AccuWeather or Weather Underground are often recommended, but if you have another weather app already installed on your phone, it will probably be good enough for your travels.

At certain times of the year, regional haze can affect air quality in different areas of the country. If you are asthmatic or sensitive to air pollution, use the Air4Thai app to check the air quality in locations across Thailand.

XE Currency Converter is a handy app for keeping track of your budget.  The app provides real-time exchange rates and lets you compare prices in Thai Baht (THB) with your home currency. Its offline functionality is also helpful when you’re travelling without internet access. Offering a similar service, SuperRich is another option. When you want to exchange cash for Thai Baht, SuperRich exchange booths usually offer better rates compared to banks.

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