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Thailand

Southeast Asia · last verified 2026-06

Beginner difficulty●●●●●Solo-friendly●●●●●
In Thailand, Grab covers taxis, delivery, and payments almost entirely, and 12Go makes intercity travel easy. Cash is still used often, so prepare both.

Do Korean-style apps work here?

GrabTaxis and deliveryEssential
Google MapsCore directionsWorks
12GoIntercity travelWorks
Credit cardsFine in citiesWorks
CashEssential at street stalls and marketsWorks
Motorbike taxisWatch out for accidentsLimited

Essential app stack

Pre-departure setup checklist

0/7
Before you go
On arrival
Getting around

Popular cities (big & small)

See where they are at a glance.

Bangkok3-4 days

Stay: Sukhumvit and Siam

Stay near a BTS/MRT station

Chiang Mai3-4 days

Stay: Old City

Dense with walking tours and nomad cafes

Phuket3-4 days

Stay: Patong and Kata

Beaches; a base for Phi Phi Island tours

Krabi & Ao Nang2-3 days

Stay: Ao Nang

Railay and island tours; quieter than Phuket

Ayutthaya당 days-1일

Stay: Historical Park

Ancient temple ruins; a day trip from Bangkok

Pai2-3 days

Stay: Pai Walking Street

A mountain town; by minivan from Chiang Mai

Suggested routes 🗺️

Popular routes travel YouTubers often follow.

Bangkok
Bangkok One-Day Temples + Night MarketClassic intro · About 9 hours
  1. 1
    Grand Palace & Wat Phra KaewMorning — dress code (long pants)
  2. 2
    Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)On foot — riverside
  3. 3
    Wat ArunFerry across the river
  4. 4
    Chinatown (Yaowarat)Evening — street food
  5. 5
    Asiatique or a rooftop barNight views

💡 For the temples, use Grab plus the ferry, and start in the morning to beat the heat. Mind the temple dress code.

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Old City + NimmanNomad-style, slow travel · About 7 hours
  1. 1
    Wat Chedi LuangAn Old City temple
  2. 2
    Tha Phae GateOn foot — cafes
  3. 3
    NimmanhaeminLunch plus nomad cafes
  4. 4
    Doi SuthepAfternoon — songthaew/Grab; great views
  5. 5
    Sunday Market(Sundays) evening night market

💡 For Doi Suthep, haggle for a songthaew or take a Grab. If it's Sunday, the Sunday Market is a must.

Traveler hangouts 🎒

Where solo and backpacker travelers actually gather.

Bangkok
Khao San Road
Backpacker Strip · Phra Nakhon

Where backpackers from around the world gather

Once Again Hostel
Hostel · Old City

Walking tours and social events

Sukhumvit Soi 11
Nightlife · Sukhumvit

Rooftop bars; good safety at night

Chiang Mai
Nimmanhaemin
Nomad Cafe Strip · Nimman

Packed with nomad cafes and coworking spaces

Stamps Backpackers
Hostel · Old City

Solo-friendly; connects you to tours

Sunday Market
Weekend Market · Old City (Tha Phae Gate)

Sunday night market

FAQ

Q. Is Grab essential in Thailand?

Effectively yes, to avoid taxi rip-offs and drivers refusing the meter. In some areas it helps to use Bolt alongside it.

Q. Why use 12Go?

It lets you book and compare intercity buses, trains, and ferries — like Bangkok to Chiang Mai — all in one app.