When it comes to travel, there's always something critical we forget to think through at the planning stage - especially if you're travelling alone. Flights, accommodation, and itineraries are common aspects we ensure are in order. But what about transport?
Thailand, like several other Southeast Asian countries, is packed with bustling streets of delicacies and iconic experiences tucked away in corners that mainstream media often overlooks. If your trip's purpose is to discover local cuisines and authentic experiences, public buses and the metro may not be the best option.
Our trip to Thailand taught us the importance of planning our travel methods beforehand. Fortunately, we were able to anticipate what to expect, thanks to Google. That's why we decided to go by taxi.
Without further ado, here's our list of the 'best taxi in Thailand'. Read about the best places to Travel in Thailand in 2024.
Please note that we are not promoting any of these companies. These reviews are solely based on our real-life experience.
We'll be talking about;
Grab
In-Drive
Tuk Tuks
Local Taxi
Transport Costs
In 2024, regular road taxi fares start from 40 baht (1$) per kilometre, there onwards 6.50 baht/km for the 2nd to 10th kilometres, 7 baht/km for the 11th to 20th kilometres, 8 baht/km for the 21st to 40th kilometres, 8.50 baht/km for the 41st to 60th kilometres, and 9 baht/km thereafter.
A trip from Suvarnabhumi Airport (the main airport in Thailand) to Chinatown (the heart of Bangkok) would cost about 300 baht to 350 baht (8$-10$) given the crazy traffic.
Rating Taxis in Bangkok
Grab: The 'Uber' in Southeast Asia
If you were to ask any traveller in Thailand to show their phone, they would likely have Grab, which is the Southeast regional version of Uber. Uber is not available in Thailand, but Grab is well-established, fast, versatile and reliable.
Pre-travel research told us that airport transport is now a scam, instead many travellers recommended Grab.
So as soon as we touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport, we requested a Grab to drop us at our hotel. It arrived in 15 minutes!
There was a bit of a struggle with communication, and the rates lean towards the higher side, but the overall experience was great. The app interface is not too complicated and the experience is not bad. We wouldn't compare it with Uber, but it's quite helpful.
You can grab a Grab practically anywhere in Thailand. It's safe and simple. The plus point is, if you're travelling to any Southeast Asian country, you can use the same Grab app for transport.
We rate Grab 7.5 out of 10
In-Drive
Hail a taxi? No, let's get it bade!
In-Drive is a saviour in disguise. Operating in over 47 countries, In-Drive is a ride-hailing app that works in a rather unique way. We were unaware of In-Drive until one day before our last day in Thailand.
We were in the Thanyaburi district looking for a taxi to head back to our hotel after a tour of Dream World, and we were super unlucky. Had no luck with Grab either as it was pouring. This is when we met a fellow traveller who told us about In-Drive.
Unlike other ride-hailing apps, In-Drive doesn't dictate a rate from point A to B. Instead requests you to offer the best rate. If the driver is satisfied with what you're able to offer, they will accept it. Otherwise, they will bid their rate.
Here's the catch, in order to offer a rate that works well for both you and the driver, you must have an idea of the regular fare.
If you're a traveller in Thailand (like we were), here's what you can do;
Check the rate on Grab for your trip.
Check the rate on similar applications like Bolt and compare the price (you'll realize that Grab rates are somewhat higher).
Offer a deducted rate on In-Drive and check for the prices other riders would bid. If you're happy, accept one.
If that doesn't work, increase the rate bit by bit. Do not let the rate surpass what Grab offers. You'd be at a loss.
Drivers of In-Drive
Not every driver on In-Drive is a professional taxi driver. You may encounter regular working-class individuals who use In-Drive as a part-time job, and some of them may even be regular taxi drivers.
Despite this, our experience using In-Drive was great. The only issue we faced was finding drivers during odd hours.
If you're travelling around Bangkok or Pattaya, getting an In-Drive is easy. However, in Chiang Mai, you may need to stick to Grab or a rented taxi
We rate In-Drive 8.5 out of 10
Tuk Tuk
Tuk-tuks in Thailand are not just a convenient transportation method like in South Asian countries. They are very much a part of the colourful culture and vibrant life that the country embodies.
We only rode a tuk-tuk twice in our entire trip. That too was just for the experience and we loved it!
As we all know, tuk-tuks have become notorious for scams in Thailand. And by scams, we don't just mean sky-high fares. Tuk-tuk drivers often collude with tour guides and other shady businesses.
While these scams may not be particularly dangerous, they can certainly waste your precious time. Our advice is to try riding tuk-tuks for the fun of it but always agree on a price before getting in. Also, try not to engage in lengthy conversations with the drivers.
We rate Tuk Tuks 5 out of 10
Local Taxi
Let us tell you this: we've seen a lot of taxi systems in our travels, but this one is by far the best ever!
Incredibly organized, and readily available. Moreover, they come with a meter. We've read about tampered meters and all sorts of scams about the local taxis but fortunately, we didn't face such incidents.
To avoid falling prey to local taxi scams, make sure to always tell the destination clearly before you get in. Avoid any confusion or guesswork on their part.
Next, make sure the meter is on within 10 seconds after the ride begins. If not, don't hesitate to tell the driver. When you're in Bangkok - the roads are quite complex and confusing, so it's always best to have your Google Maps on at all times, just to make sure the driver isn't taking you on an unnecessarily long ride.
We rate Local Taxis 8 out of 10
What's the best taxi in Thailand?
Based on our experience travelling around Bangkok by taxi, the local taxi was the best method to move around. They're all metered and there are enough vehicles on the street during day and night. It takes a little bit of effort to try and communicate the exact drop-off location, but the overall experience is much more convenient.
Here are some answers to common traveller questions when it comes to Taxi in Thailand.
Is Bolt better than Grab?
In terms of Price, Grab is more expensive but its more reliable and commonly used by locals as well. The app UI is user friendly and the drivers that we met were friendly although they struggled communicating. If you're somewhat away from the main city Bangkok, you'd still be able to hail a Grab.
Is Grab or Taxi Cheaper?
Taxi in Thailand is cheaper than Grab. Taxis are metered and they have a proper system of identification and protocols they follow. Still be on alert especially with routes as they don't follow maps, and could take you rounds around the city.
Where else Can I Use Grab?
The beauty of Grab is that it's a Southeast Asian company. If you're on a Southeast Asian adventure, you can use Grab in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines as well.
Before we wind up;
Here's something you must know when it comes to the best taxi in Thailand: there's no one-size-fits-all solution. It all depends on your preference and the type of experience you're looking for. It's very much your own story in which we cannot predict which method would work well for you.
So on your trip to Thailand, we recommend you try them all! If you need further information, drop your comments below and we'll be happy to assist!