Must-Have Apps for Thailand: The Complete 2026 Travel Guide
Contents (16)
Short answer: before a trip to Thailand, fill in the TDAC digital arrival card (free, on the official site), and install Grab and Bolt for rides (there's no Uber), 12Go for trains, buses and ferries, LINE for messaging locals, Google Translate with the Thai pack, Grab Food or LINE MAN for delivery, and Google Maps with offline maps.
Thailand is one of the world's favorite destinations, but it works a little differently: there's no Uber, locals message on an app you may not know, Thai script isn't readable to most visitors, and there's a digital arrival form you must fill in before landing. With the right apps on your phone, all of this becomes simple.
We've gathered the must-have apps that actually work in Thailand, so you can install everything before you leave home.
First things first: internet in Thailand
Booking a taxi, booking a ferry to the islands and messaging your hotel all need an internet connection. The easiest way is an eSIM for Thailand: install it at home by scanning a QR code, and land in Bangkok already connected, without queuing at the airport SIM counters.
With FlySim you can buy a data plan for Thailand and install it before your flight. Before you buy, make sure your phone supports eSIM and isn't locked to a specific carrier. Comparing your options? Read our Thailand SIM card guide for tourists.
A must before your flight: the digital arrival card (TDAC)
Since 1 May 2025, every foreign tourist entering Thailand must fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, the digital form that replaced the paper arrival card. You fill it in on the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, up to 3 days before arrival, and every traveler fills in their own form, including children.
Note: filling it in on the official site is free. Beware of copycat sites that charge for the service.
Taxis: Grab and Bolt
There's no Uber in Thailand, and the local ride apps are the safe, convenient way to get around without haggling with taxi and tuk-tuk drivers.
- Grab: the leading ride app in Thailand, working in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and most islands. It shows a fixed price before you book.
- Bolt: an alternative that's often cheaper than Grab in the big cities. It's worth installing both and comparing prices before each ride.
Travel between cities and islands: 12Go
12Go is the main app for booking trains, buses, minivans and ferries in Thailand, for example from Bangkok to Chiang Mai or from Phuket to Koh Phangan. Note that it's a booking platform, and the journey itself is run by the transport companies.
Tip: in high season, ferries and overnight trains fill up, so book ahead.
Communication: LINE and Google Translate
- LINE: Thailand's messaging app. Hotels, guides, scooter rental shops and landlords message almost exclusively on it, so it's worth having.
- Google Translate: translates signs and menus in Thai script through the camera. Download the Thai language pack in advance for offline use.
Food delivery: Grab Food and LINE MAN
- Grab Food: food delivery straight from the Grab app, with no extra app to install.
- LINE MAN: the popular local delivery app, with a wide choice of restaurants and street food stalls.
Navigation: Google Maps
Google Maps works very well in Thailand, including routes on Bangkok's BTS Skytrain and MRT metro. On the islands and in the north, signal is sometimes weak, so download an offline map in advance as a backup. Which network is better on the islands? See AIS or DTAC on the Thai islands.
Apps for Thailand at a glance
| Need | App |
|---|---|
| Entry form | TDAC (official website) |
| Rides | Grab, Bolt |
| Trains, buses and ferries | 12Go |
| Messaging locals | LINE |
| Translation | Google Translate (with Thai offline) |
| Food delivery | Grab Food, LINE MAN |
| Navigation | Google Maps (with offline maps) |
Checklist before your flight to Thailand
- Fill in the TDAC form on the official site up to 3 days before landing
- Install Grab and Bolt and sign up while you're still at home
- Download 12Go and book ferries and trains in advance in high season
- Install LINE
- Download the Thai pack in Google Translate, plus offline maps
- Install your eSIM and turn off data roaming on your home SIM
Frequently asked questions
Is there Uber in Thailand?
No. The alternatives are Grab and Bolt, which work the same way.
Which is better, Grab or Bolt?
Grab is more widely available and considered the most reliable. Bolt is often cheaper. The best value is to install both and compare.
Do I have to fill in an arrival form for Thailand?
Yes. Every foreign tourist must fill in the TDAC on the official site before arrival, and it's free.
How do I get from Bangkok to the islands?
The easiest way to book is 12Go, which brings flights, buses, trains and ferries together in one place.
Does WhatsApp work in Thailand?
Yes, but most locals use LINE, so it's worth installing that too.
Summary
With Grab and Bolt for rides, 12Go for travel between cities and islands, LINE for talking to locals and your TDAC form ready in advance, your trip to Thailand becomes much simpler. All of them work only with reliable internet.
Before you pack, choose a FlySim eSIM plan for Thailand, install it at home and land connected. Sawasdee!