Many tourists have fears of taking taxis in Bangkok, simply because the drivers do not want to turn on the meter or their destinations are always refused. Even though there is a law in place to make taxi drivers turn on the meter, there are still many who don’t. My advice to you is this, don’t be afraid of taking taxis in Bangkok. There are so many taxis in Bangkok. If they do not want to on the meter or do not want to take you to your destination, just get the next taxi behind. Yes, it does take a little more time and determination especially during peak hours.
But all that is about to change, with GrabTaxi! GrabTaxi is a smartphone-based taxi booking and dispatching service. To be frank, I don’t even know the taxi hotline to book taxis till now, so this GrabTaxi app is definitely extremely good for tourists because you don’t need to even communicate with the operator who might not even understand English. Plus, the biggest plus point is that all their taxis will have to turn on their meter for the trip!
With GrabTaxi, you really don’t have to waste time hailing a cab on the streets, all you have to do is just to download the GrabTaxi App to your mobile phone. They are available for Apple, Android, Windows and Blackberry devices.
After opening the app, you can select your 1) Current Location, 2) Destination and 3) Type of vehicle. Once done, just tap on Locate!
You can see the available taxis around your vicinity as well as the estimated taxi fare and distance.
Hooray! The driver accepted your booking! You can see the taxi license place as well as how far the taxi is from you. At this stage, I received a call from the driver. However, he spoke in Thai and we had difficulty communicating, so I just told him that pickup would be at the lobby of iSanook Residence.
I also like the tracking feature where I can see the taxi’s exact location and see him driving towards my location.
You can even “share-your-ride” on Facebook, Twitter, email, or SMS.
The taxi which arrived is a typical normal taxi which you see everywhere in Bangkok. The notable differences are the various GrabTaxi stickers which you can see in the cab.
So, how much does it cost? Drivers will turn on the meter once you are inside the taxi. All you have to pay is the metered fare and an additional 25 baht booking fee.
One more thing I would like to share with you!!! Are you on a holiday with friends and have big luggages that the normal 4 seater taxi can’t accommodate? I tried asking a MPV taxi for a rate to the airport, he quoted me 700 baht. Well, I thought that the price was ridiculous! So, I tried contacting GrabTaxi.
My GrabTaxi MPV Innova is here!
Look at how many big luggages this taxi can put!
Do you want to guess how much the fare was?! It was just 300 baht including the toll fee!
Update March 2017: There is now a booking fee of 150 baht for MPV taxis.
“GrabTaxi eliminates all the traffic woes that passengers are currently facing in the capital. Passengers can be assured that all GrabTaxi drivers use the meter, that they will not turn passengers down, that they will be taken to any destination within Bangkok and that they have been carefully prescreened and trained. GrabTaxi has evolved into a community consisting of like-minded drivers who believe in offering quality service and a good experience to passengers.” said Juthasree Kuvinichkul, Director and Founder of GrabTaxi (Thailand).
Thank you GrabTaxi for bringing such convenience of taking taxis to us!
Hi, tks for this informative website!
I will be going to bangkok with 5 adults and two little children, do u think we can book the bigger Innova taxi to take us all instead of taking two taxi? We will be bringing 3 medium size luggage with us.
Is there a maximum passenger limit for Bangkok taxi like in Singapore?
Tks in advance!
Hi! I think it will be hard as there is many adults and there won’t be space for your luggage if you utilise all the seats. Probably book via GrabTaxi for 2 cabs, it will be cheaper in the sense they definitely use meter. For now, I don’t think they have a limit but if the taxi sees too many passenger he will probably negotiate for a fee as 5 adults and 2 children is quite over capacity for a normal taxi.
Hi, thank you so much for the info. Is it posdible to use grab taxi service from airport? Do they take advance booking? Can we book the cab for whole day? Thank you
Hi would like to ask is this apps consuming any data?
Hi Melvin, yes, they require data connection in order to work.
thank you so much. Good day =)
Hi AroiMakMak!
I’ll be heading BKK next week with my hub and 2 kiddos. Would you advise if we use this GrabTaxi or just go to the taxi queue for a cab? Thank you!
I currently prefer booking by GrabTaxi because they will definitely on their meter without having to give me a fixed price when I board.
I have downloaded the app on my S5, but seems like they nee you to register in order to use this app?
There is this activation code which by right should be sent to your mobile number right? However, I have never received the SMS for the activation code for the past 2 days.. How does it work??
You have to enter the local number in order to receive the SMS for the activation code.
How do you send your private info to them? What is DM?
Hi how do u pass your personal details to grabtaxi? And what is DM?
You can chat with them on Twitter. DM is direct message
It really depends on your activity. If you are there to shop, I believe you will need about $700 – $1000.
Yes, you can book once you get a SIM Card. Register your account with the new Thai number you have.
It’s not that easy to get a MPV taxi unless you charter them. MPV taxi now charges a flat rate, from what I understand from GrabTaxi Thailand.
Hi, I would like to ask if I would to book a Grabtaxi using the mobile app requesting to pick me up at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Where should I request the exact location/gate to pick me up from the airport? From what I know is that not every gate or location the taxis can wait or pick passengers up from the airport as there’s a penlty fine(read it from some articles).
After booking, the driver will usually call you to confirm location. So, got to register your Thai number in the app before booking. :)
Hi Aroimakmak,
Thanks for this very informative post!
May I check if the payment method for Grabtaxi Thailand is by credit card? Is it possible to use cash since it’s still a taxi anyway. Couldn’t seem to find this information off Grabtaxi Bangkok website.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Aloe, thanks for your support! Grab taxi is via cash. :)
Hi Aroimakmak,
Thanks for your informative post on grabtaxi in thailand! i’m going bkk in a few days time and would like to use the service. Can i check with you whether you had heard about any bad experience on grabtaxi in thailand? Like the driver ask for more ‘charges’ at the end of the trip?
There will definitely be some black sheep around but my experience with them have been 98% peaceful and good. They won’t charge more as it’s based on meter + 25 baht booking fee. Usually there will be coupon for you to use to waive off the booking fee. Most of them are more customer oriented as you can rate the drivers in the app. If there are any bad experience, you can also feedback via the app. :)
Ok! Thank you so much! You are really helpful!
yes, you are right!
yes, as long as you pickup the call when the driver call you
you can contact them via twitter
Hi, do you think grab’s 7 seater can fit 3 adults with 3 big luggage & 3 cabin size luggage?
yes, it should fit.
yes, you can book it via Grab app. The latest booking fee is now 150 baht for MPV taxis.
It is the same app called “Grab”
For the fare, can I paid by thb cash?
yes
Hi Aroimakmak ,
I’m wondering if I have to delete and re-download ” Grab ” app since I already have an account in Singapore.
You can use the same app but you just have to change your contact number to the one in Thai.
Hi Aroimakmak,
does wondering if I purchase the AIS traveller data sim card, not sure if there is a Thai number. But using this data card, will the Grab driver able to reach me? Thanks!
yes, the data sim card will come with a thai number which you need to update in your Grab app settings. It is crucial because some taxi drivers will try to call you to ask for your exact location and if they can’t get you, most likely they will cancel the booking.
Thanks for the info!
Hi, I’m going in a group of 5. Possible to take 5 passengers in a cab for both Grab and usual cab?
You can try to squeeze but under law, they are only allowed to take 4.
yes, you need a Thai sim card. Alternatively you can use your roaming services. The drivers will usually call to confirm your location, hence if they can’t contact you, they might cancel the booking.
the Grab app will work. You can select the service options when you are in Bangkok but from what I know, they know charges a fixed rate.
Hi, you can try Grab MPV but it won’t be that easy to get one plus it usually cost more now. Perhaps taking 2 taxi might even be cheaper at times.
It’s the same app called “Grab”
How did you manage to book a Innova and pay normal cab booking fee ?
I saw only Grab MPV advance , booking fee of 150 THB.
We have 4 pax and 4 luggages.
Seems like this is a new implementation by them now. I have updated the post as well. Thanks for notifying.
I will be carrying a pocket wifi with me to Bangkok so that l do not need yo get a local SIM card and Thai number. Will my overseas number deter the driver from picking up my request or calling me back for confirmation, etc? Or should l get a local Thai number?
Yes, sometimes driver might cancel booking if they can’t get through to you. So better to get a SIM card for calling too.
Hi, sorry if you have included the information in the post and I have missed it, can I know if GrabTaxi uses the same Grab App or it’s something entirely different?
I will be bringing my parents (my dad has problem walking) so I am kind of worried how I can bring them around and enjoy Bangkok. Would you have any advise on that please?
They are using the same app. :)
Hi Wilbur! I have read several blogs writing about Grab, but I still don’t find the information about pick up point / location in DMK Airport if we order Grab, do you know where it is? And is it possible 5 adults in 1 taxi / car?
Thanks a lot!
It’s usually at the arrival area before the taxi pickup. The driver will usually call you to confirm (in simple English)
Can anyone tell me where is Grab pick up point at rot fai market?