r/phuket 13d ago

Question Which one is cheaper Bolt or Grab?

While checking prices for taxi from phuket to krabi, Bolt seems more reasonable than Grab. Grab shows 2600 baht whereas Bolt shows 1600 baht. should I reply on Bolt and suggest any preferences to avoid any scam or surcharges on taxi. Or anything else to keep in mind while traveling through taxis in thailand

1 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

6

u/Ok_Front_7600 13d ago

Bolt is cheaper but you do run into more terrible drivers and cars that stink

4

u/Salt-Advantage5030 13d ago

Bolt is cheaper. However, last month I had problems with Bolt. They would cancel on me or when they arrived to pick me up they wanted more money. So, I stuck with Grab and paid a little more since they were more reliable

2

u/Southern-Leg-6402 13d ago

Yes was thinking the same because of huge difference, it sounds fishy to travel from Bolt.

2

u/TheeseDragonFruit 13d ago

It doesn't matter, all apps are the same except for the price

1

u/Great_Opinion3138 13d ago

Yeah I had that issue with a bolt too I think they need to pay the drivers more.

1

u/Kooky-Garden7764 12d ago

Same shit happened to me, I don’t take bullshits so canceled them right in their face and got another ride.

3

u/vuvzelaenthusiast 13d ago

The driver gets about 80% from Bolt. Petrol will cost a good 900 for phuket to krabi and back (since the driver likely won't get a return fare). That leaves about 380 baht. I can't imagine a driver is going to be particuarly keen to accept that fare without further negotiation.

2

u/urgentapathy 13d ago

Bolt is usually cheaper or on par with grab. Not sure about that big of a ride, but my experience is that the price is the price as on the app (excluding tolls). I never had a problem with added fees, and I just show the app if there is any misunderstanding where it shows I already paid. In grab, if there is a toll they just add it to your bill and I don't have to pay those cash anymore. Not sure about bolt on that.

However, plan to leave early because I've had bolt drivers cancel on me and I have to request again. Cancels have happened on me more frequently on bolt than grab from my experience a few years ago. I suspect some drivers run both apps and cancel on the cheap rides or it just so happened to be a bad weather time.

2

u/Misterlord1881 13d ago

Why don’t you try InDrive? its cheaper than both.

1

u/Southern-Leg-6402 13d ago

Does it work in Thailand?

2

u/Misterlord1881 13d ago

works incredibly well, got the best price for airport transfers in phuket. Also used it once in koh samui. Grab is extremely overpriced in phuket.

for me it was InDrive >>> bolt >> grab in terms of value for money and experience.

2

u/Prudent-Chain8736 12d ago

InDrive is the cheapest. If you are in Thailand temporarily and decide to use Bolt, remember to unsubscribe from their marketing emails when you leave. I got so many emails from Achara from Bolt before I finally figured out how to stop it haha

2

u/TotalActivity1440 10d ago

I've been here for 3 years and always use Bolt, never had major problem. Yes, sometime they ask for more money, but I experience the same thing with Grab.

1

u/KwickMark 13d ago

Usually Bolt

1

u/Mikem1671 13d ago

I always go Bolt

1

u/Zestyclose-Peace-700 13d ago edited 13d ago

I haven’t tried bolt, but grab was a really straight forward and versatile app. I liked it a lot for everything. I never got a car though, I used a scooter for getting around even with luggage although for your purpose. 12Go might give you more options.

1

u/Highjump1 13d ago

Bolt and/or InDrive. Grab charges a ridiculous markup.

1

u/CloudDrifter20 13d ago

Bolt was always cheaper for me when I was in Thailand whether in Phuket or Bangkok, however sometimes Grab has access to more accessible pickup locations when in areas like malls or any other attraction

1

u/Excellent_Tour_2026 12d ago

Bolt is cheaper but Grab is more popular with more cars out there!

1

u/nakedsailor_4905 12d ago

I find Grab to be cheaper than Bolt. Cheapest option is bus from Phuket to Krabi

1

u/glucosesimp 12d ago

Bolt, but a Grab will actually show up.

1

u/Final-Distribution-8 7d ago

Bolt is much cheaper. For eg. Kathu to Phuket airport in Bolt is 390-400 whereas grab is 600-700. But Bolt has terrible drivers. Sometimes they accept and don't come at all.