This is among the first questions that most people traveling to Phuket, Thailand for the first time will ask. While Uber ceased its operation in Phuket in 2018, Grab is still operating and it offers different classes of vehicles for both travelers and the locals.
Yes, You can use Grab in Phuket as well as other parts of Thailand have Grab services. Grab is the Uber version in Asian countries and it operates in many countries of Southeast Asia. Grab is also expanding rapidly and people in Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar have been using its services. In addition to cars, Grab offers premium rides in limousines and economy motorcycle taxis.
Grab makes the process of booking a taxi faster, safe, and easy. It will help you avoid scammers and get to the right destination without paying more money than necessary. Below is more information about Grab and other taxi services in Phuket.
Does Phuket Have Grab?
To use Grab in Phuket, you have to download the Grab app from the Google Play Store or AppStore and install it on your mobile device. The app is very easy to use because the user interface is in English. All you will need is a WiFi or mobile internet connection.
To book your ride through the Grab app, start by specifying your point of departure and the destination by address or on the offered map. After that, choose your preferred form of transport, such as a motorcycle taxi, a luxury car, or a budget car. Grab will display the cost of your trip and you can place the order at this point. You will receive the car/motorcycle registration number after the available driver has accepted the order. The app further offers an option for the customer to chat with the driver via text chat.
In Phuket, Grab offers 30 options in three different classes. The classes include the Economy, Plus, and XL classes. Vehicles in the economy class are the regular 4-seater cars. If you opt for the Plus option, you will have to choose a premium car brand such as a BMW or a Mercedes Benz. Cars that fall in the XL category include 8-12 seater cars such as mini buses and vans.
The vehicles are not branded as taxis and they are found mostly around the island but you can get more in Patong and Phuket town. Grab offers reward points to help its customers reduce their travel expenses. The more points you will earn when traveling across Southeast Asian countries the more discounts and offers you will get on rides, entertainment, food, and travel.
Is Taxi Expensive in Phuket?
Phuket is among the places in SouthEast Asia with very high taxi fares. The fares are based on the distance traveled and the time spent on the road. Further, the taxi companies use a taximeter to calculate the price automatically but the travelers have an option of selecting the services of a private Phuket cab or a private shuttle service and paying a fixed rate price.
The number of taxis in Phuket is increasing rapidly because they are among the best ways of getting from the airport to a hotel or any other destination. Unfortunately, a metered taxi can be hard to find and when you find one, you will have to ensure that the taximeter is working properly. So, when traveling to a further destination, you might need to book a taxi that charges a fixed price in advance.
The local taxis are easy to recognize because they are red and yellow vehicles that boast the traditional “Taxi” sign on the rooftop. Unlike what you expect in many other countries, empty taxis in Thailand will have a red light near the front window. Furthermore, most taxi drivers in the country speak English fluently and they will find their way to most attractions and resorts easily.
Is Grab Expensive in Phuket?
Grab can be more expensive or less expensive than other taxis in Phuket at times. The Grab app has a prime-time pricing feature that involves lowering and rising prices depending on the demand and supply. When the demand is very high, the prices increase and this can be an annoyance to the regular Grab customers. Apart from the high demand for rides, other factors dictate the price.
You should expect the price to be high when booking a ride from the outskirts and during rush hours. Booking a taxi during the rush hour is a bad idea because you will spend many hours in traffic jams and pay a hefty amount.
Grab bases the price on vehicle choices too. It offers three types of vehicles based on comfort and capacity, which come at different prices. You can choose limos, saloon cars, or SUV limos depending on your needs and budget. They will charge you more if you select a premium vehicle such as a BMW, limo, or Mercedes Benz.
Speaking of the minimum booking fee, Grab has set it at 20 baht in addition to the fare. Therefore, you should be ready to pay an amount above USD 0.64, EUR 0.56, GBP 0.49 depending on the drop-off and pick-up location.
Conclusion
Phuket has many tourist destinations such as the Southwestern Island of Phuket, which offers white sands, limestone cliffs, and aquamarine waters. When choosing the mode of transport to get you to the attraction, Grab might be the best choice. Grab decides the cost of a ride but you can also negotiate the price depending on the type of vehicle you have chosen. The drivers are polite, happy, and ready to assist their customers.
Uber ceased its operations in Phuket and other parts of Thailand in March 2018 after it merged with Grab, which is a leading ride-sharing service in the country. Uber issued the notice on March 26, 2018, stating that the purpose of the merge was to make ride-sharing easier. The transition was completed on April 8, 2018, and Uber transferred all its services to the Grab platform. Therefore, with Uber having exited the Thailand market, the Grab app is the best bet. This app is similar to Uber, it is reliable and offers the Grab Car option, which is the same as Uber.
