Is There Uber in Bangkok in 2024? How to Get Around
I’ve recently spent four incredible days exploring Bangkok, as part of my one month trip through Thailand.
I arrived in the city after a long flight and I was excited to get to my hotel and freshen up, so one of the first questions I had was “is there Uber in Bangkok?”
And if you’re planning on visiting Bangkok, I imagine you might be asking yourself a similar question.
Whilst Uber doesn’t operate in Bangkok, there are plenty of alternatives making it really easy to get around.
I’ll cover them all in this article, including my favourite way of navigating the city, that also happens to be one of the most affordable.
Is there Uber in Bangkok?
No, there isn’t Uber in Bangkok.
Uber used to operate in the city, but it was purchased by Grab in 2018 – a very similar ride-hailing service.
In fact, Grab purchased Uber across the whole of Thailand, so you won’t find it anywhere in the country.
Uber alternatives in Bangkok
Even though Uber doesn’t operate in Bangkok, there’s great alternatives that work in the same way.
Grab
Grab is the main taxi app in Bangkok, and the whole of Thailand. It works in a very similar way to Uber, you’ll need to download the app and put in your destination and you’ll be quoted different prices depending on the vehicle you need.
Once you’ve chosen the vehicle you want and Grab is searching for a taxi, you’ll have the option to add more vehicle types to your search, which may get you a car quicker depending on availability.
Most of the time the cost difference between cars was really small, and it means getting a slightly bigger and nicer car, so I used this feature quite a lot.
You can pay in cash or by card, just chose the option you want through the app.
Bolt
Bolt works in a similar way to Uber and Grab. You order on the app and you’ll be quoted an estimated price before your ride arrives, which you can accept or decline.
I used Bolt and Grab on my trip to Bangkok, and often found Bolt to be cheaper, so I’d recommend comparing the two to get the best price.
Which one you use really comes down to personal preference, as they work in the same way, although you might find it easier to get a car on Grab, as there’s more of them across the city.
Getting from Bangkok airport to the city centre
Bangkok has two airports – Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), so make sure you know which one you’ll be arriving into.
The majority of international flights arrive into Suvarnabhumi, whilst domestic flights tend to go to Don Mueang.
I used both airports during my trip to Bangkok (one to fly into, and one to fly out of), so let’s go through the best ways to get from the airport to Bangkok centre.
➡️ If you’re taking a taxi from the airport in Bangkok, make sure you tell your driver to take the toll road so you miss the busy city centre traffic. It’s inexpensive (around 70 THB) and you can pay with cash and card, but drivers don’t always take this by default so it’s best to remind them
Getting from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok city centre
AIRPORT RAIL LINK
This is the fastest and one of the most affordable way to reach Bangkok city centre. The train connects Suvarnabhumi airport with Phaya Thai in Bangkok, with several stops along the way.
A ticket costs between 15-45 THB depending on where you’re going, and they can be purchased at the station.
The train runs from 6am – 12am, and depart every 15 minutes during off peak hours, and every 10 minutes during peak times.
*Get off at Makkasan station to change to the metro, and Phaya Thai to change to the skytrain
TAXI
Taxis are available outside the airport if you don’t want to use Grab or Bolt, but expect to pay slightly more. As of March 2024 when I visited Bangkok, these were the prices quoted for a journey from Suvarnabhumi airport to ICONSIAM in the centre of Bangkok:
- Taxi – 500 THB
- Grab – 431 THB
- Bolt – 400 THB
PUBLIC BUS
There’s a 24 hour public bus service that runs from Suvarnabhumi airport to Bangkok, and it’s a really affordable option with the bus fare costing just 35 THB.
You’ll need to take the free shuttle bus from the airport terminal to the transport terminal to board your bus, and there’s several bus lines to choose from depending on where you’re travelling to.
Getting from Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok city centre
TRAIN
Don Mueang Railway Station is connected to the airport by a pedestrian bridge, and it’ll take about 5-10 minutes to walk there from the terminal.
I’d recommend getting the new commuter train (red line) as it’s the quickest way to get to Bangkok, getting you into the city centre in around 20 minutes.
BUS
You can take an airport bus to get from Don Mueang to Bangkok city centre.
There’s four routes that cover different parts of the city and a ticket starts from 30 THB and can only be purchased on board the bus, so make sure you have change from.
Ordering your taxi from Bangkok airport
If you’re arriving into Bangkok from a different country, you’ll need to either get a local SIM card or connect to the airport WiFi before you can use your phone to order a taxi.
Whilst you can connect to the airport WiFi for free, I’d recommend getting a SIM card straight away so you can use your phone once you leave the airport.
You may be tempted to buy an eSIM ahead of time, which you can use as soon as the plane lands, but I really wouldn’t recommend this option.
It’s much cheaper to buy a SIM card in the airport. There’s counters in the baggage hall, and it only took ten minutes for my SIM to be up and running. It’s also a good way to kill time whilst you’re waiting for your bags!
The best way to get around Bangkok
Bangkok’s a big city with a population of over 11 million, so knowing how to navigate it will make your trip run much more smoothly.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Bangkok has a very efficient public transport system, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get around the city.
Skytrains + Metro: There’s two types of train that cover the city – the skytrain (also known as the BMT – Bangkok Mass Transit System) and the metro (also known as the MRT – Metropolitan Rapid Transit). It’s really easy to use and one of the most affordable ways to travel around Bangkok.
Buses: Bangkok has an extensive bus network that covers the entire city, but buses will be subject to the busy city centre traffic, so you might be better off using trains that can avoid it.
Tuk-Tuks: Woven into everyday life in Bangkok and across Thailand, Tuk-Tuks are an easy way to get around the city, just make sure you agree a price upfront.
Boat
Cruising along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is not only a brilliant way to see the city, but it means you avoid the traffic jams and get to your destination much quicker.
The hop-on hop-off boat is used by tourists and locals to get around Bangkok and it was my favourite way to travel on my trip.
Walking
Although Bangkok’s a big city, it is walkable if you fancy getting the steps in. It does get very hot though, so make sure you pack plenty of water.
I’d personally suggest taking the boat or the metro to the neighbourhood you want to visit, and then exploring the area on foot. That way, you won’t get too tired.
Hop-on Hop-off bus
A hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to see the main tourist attractions, learn about the history of each one, and see the city as you drive around.
Scooters
Scooters are a really popular method of transport in Bangkok, not least because of their ability to nip through the busy city centre traffic.
But I’d only recommend hiring a scooter in Bangkok if you have experience driving one – it’s definitely not the place to learn.
You can also order scooters through Grab and Bolt, and instead of a car picking you up, the driver will be on a scooter and you’ll jump on the back.
This way, you can avoid the traffic, but keep yourself (and everyone else) safe.
Is it safe to use ride hailing apps in Bangkok?
Yes, it’s safe to use Uber in Bangkok. I’m a bit of an over thinker, so I’m always extra cautious, especially if I’m travelling alone.
Here are a few things I’d recommend doing to help you feel safer:
- Check the number plate matches the one on the app. I once ordered an Uber in Barcelona and the car showed up with different number plates. He said he’d “just got new plates” but I felt really uncomfortable and ordered a new Uber.
- Send your location to a friend. I always send my live location to a friend whenever I’m in an Uber. That way, I know someone else can track where I’m going.
- Follow the journey on your Google Maps. If I’m travelling alone, I always follow the route to make sure we’re going the right way. You can report anything that feels suspicious to Uber within the app.
- Check the Uber drivers rating. You’ll only see this after the Uber has been confirmed, but I never like to travel with a driver who has a low rating. The app doesn’t tell you the reason which is frustrating, but I don’t like to take the risk. You might get charged a small amount if you cancel, but it’s better to be safe.
Don’t feel bad about refusing to get in the car if you feel uncomfortable. Even if you do have to pay a cancellation fee, your safety is more important.
Is there Uber in Bangkok: The Wrap Up
As you’ve gathered from this article, there isn’t Uber in Bangkok, but alternatives like Grab and Bolt operate in exactly the same way.
You’ll have no problems navigating Bangkok thanks to its excellent public transport system – there’s public buses, the metro, skytrains, Tuk-Tuks, scooters and even boats to help you get around the city!
