My Favorite Apps for Food and Grocery Delivery
When you arrive in Bangkok, one of the first pieces of advice you'll likely hear is to download Grab, the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber. While I've appreciated Grab during my travels in Bali, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, I prefer Lineman for various reasons.
Why I Choose Lineman
One of the three most significant factors for me is the cost. Lineman's delivery fees tend to be lower than those on Grab. Additionally, Lineman does not charge an extra fee for using international credit or debit cards, which I find quite convenient. From my experience, Lineman drivers are reliable for food and grocery deliveries, on par with Grab.
Another fantastic feature of Lineman is connecting your Rabbit Line BTS card to your Lineman account for easy payment. Plus, they offer daily discount codes for grocery shopping at popular chains like Tops, Big C, Gourmet Market, and TruMaxx Value. For instance, you can snag 20% off at any Tops Food Hall with a minimum purchase of 900 baht (~26.60 USD) or get 10% off with a minimum purchase of 300 baht (~8.87 USD). I've compared prices and found that the costs for items on these apps are equivalent to in-store prices.
Taxi Services
Regarding taxi services, I also prefer Lineman, as fares are usually about 50% less than Grab. However, I've noticed that finding a taxi through Lineman can take longer, especially during rush hour. On the flip side, Grab allows you to request a female driver, and you can find Grab stations at BKK Airport and Bali Airport, which is a nice touch.
Other Delivery Apps
I also dabble with apps like FoodPanda, Bolt, and Muvvi.
FoodPanda: I sometimes use FoodPanda for its fun and colorful user interface. It offers good promo codes that make ordering a treat.
Bolt: If I'm in a rush, I turn to Bolt. Their motorbike taxi drivers are usually nearby and can arrive faster than Lineman and Grab. However, a downside is that most Bolt drivers don't provide an extra helmet like Grab or Lineman drivers. Also, I've found that Bolt drivers tend to drive as if they're starring in a Fast and Furious movie, so I usually opt for this option only when I have no other choices.
Muvvi: A friend introduced me to Muvvi in April, and I absolutely love it! It's an electric tuk-tuk that can seat up to six passengers, and they recently added seat belts, which I genuinely appreciate. You can book the entire tuk-tuk for yourself or share it with others. All of the drivers I've had were friendly and drove safely. The price is very affordable, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The only downside is that they won't drop you off right at your exact destination. For example, the nearest pick-up and drop-off spot is about 400 meters from my condo.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I've been saving money by ordering groceries through the Lineman app.
If you don't believe me, give it a try! I'd love to hear about your favorite transportation and food delivery apps—what do you recommend?
