All countries
Apps Needed in Southeast Asia
Essential travel apps for Southeast Asia — Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and more.
9 countries 19 guides
Country Guides
Guides & Deep Dives for Southeast Asia
Every article we've published about Southeast Asia, most region-specific first.
The Complete Guide to Travel Apps for Southeast Asia Planning a trip through Southeast Asia? These essential apps will help you navigate ride-hailing, food delivery, payments, and communication across Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and beyond. Thailand · Vietnam · Indonesia +5 more Apr 7, 2026Grab Just Became a Travel Super-App: The New AI Features SE Asia Tourists Need in 2026 At GrabX 2026, Grab launched 13 AI products and four are aimed squarely at tourists: GrabPay for Travel, GrabStays, Discover by Grab, and a Personalised Travel Experience. Here is what is rolling out, when, and how to use it across Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the rest of Southeast Asia. Philippines · Thailand · Vietnam +3 more Jun 2, 2026Bangkok Transport Cards in 2026: Why You Only Really Need One (the Rabbit Card) Bangkok transit changed quietly in 2024 and 2025: the MRT, Airport Rail Link, and SRT Red Line now accept any contactless Visa or Mastercard at the gate. But the BTS Skytrain, the line most tourists actually use, still needs a Rabbit Card. Here is what to get and how to pick one up at Suvarnabhumi on landing. Thailand Jun 3, 2026What Apps Do I Need in Malaysia? The Complete 2026 Guide Visit Malaysia 2026 is here, and most guides get the payments part wrong: as of August 2026, Touch 'n Go eWallet tourist registration is still ASEAN-passports-only. Here is the mandatory MDAC arrival card, what to use instead with a Western passport, and the apps locals actually use. Malaysia Sep 30, 2026Best eSIM for Thailand in 2026: Prices, Networks, and When a Local SIM Wins Thailand registers every locally sold SIM against your passport, which is exactly why travel eSIMs are booming. We compare Saily, Yesim, Airalo, and Holafly on Thai networks and real prices, and tell you honestly when the 299-baht airport tourist SIM beats them all. Thailand Sep 16, 2026Philippines Travel Apps 2026: Essential Downloads Before You Land in Manila Grab, GCash, an eSIM, Waze, and Messenger: the realistic, category-by-category list of apps to install before your trip to Manila, Cebu, Boracay, or Palawan. Philippines Jun 21, 2026Singapore Travel Apps 2026: Essential Downloads Before You Land at Changi From Grab and SimplyGo to contactless payments and the best food apps, here are the essential apps to download before your trip to Singapore in 2026. Singapore Jun 5, 2026Bali & Indonesia Travel Apps 2026: 14 Essential Downloads Before You Land From Gojek and Grab to QRIS payments, eSIMs, and the e-VOA, here are the essential apps to download before you land in Bali or anywhere in Indonesia in 2026. Indonesia Jun 4, 2026Vietnam Travel Apps 2026: Essential Downloads for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City & Da Nang The apps that actually matter for a 2026 Vietnam trip: Grab and Xanh SM for getting around, MoMo and ZaloPay for paying, Zalo for messaging, plus eSIM and e-visa picks for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Vietnam Jun 3, 2026What Apps Do I Need in Thailand? The Complete 2026 Guide The apps you actually need for Thailand in 2026: Grab, Bolt, LINE, Google Maps, Wise, the Rabbit Card for Bangkok, 12Go, Klook, and the best eSIMs, with why each one matters. Thailand Jun 3, 2026Is Bolt Leaving Thailand? What Tourists Need to Know About the May 2026 License Review Bolt's Thai operating certificate is up for review and regulators have threatened non-renewal. As of May 14, 2026, the app is still working — but here's what tourists should do this week, just in case. Thailand May 14, 2026Island Hopping in Thailand: Apps for Phuket, Koh Samui, and the Gulf Islands Thailand's islands — Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Phi Phi — are stunning and surprisingly logistically complex. Here are the apps that make island-hopping seamless, from 12Go Asia for ferries to Maps.me for when you're off the grid. Thailand Apr 9, 2026Bangkok Travel Guide: Apps That Make the City Easy to Navigate Bangkok is one of Asia's most exciting cities — and one of its most app-dependent. From Grab and the BTS to Foodpanda and Wongnai, here's every app you need to navigate the Thai capital like a local. Thailand Apr 9, 2026Songkran 2026: How to Prepare for Thailand's Water Festival Your complete preparation guide for Songkran. Where to celebrate based on your vibe, how to gear up, what to expect in each Bangkok zone, and tips that first-timers always wish they knew. Thailand Apr 7, 2026eSIM vs Local SIM Card: Which Should You Get for Travel? Torn between buying an eSIM online or grabbing a local SIM at the airport? We break down cost, convenience, coverage, and which option works best for different types of travelers. Thailand · Vietnam · Indonesia Apr 7, 2026How to Pay Like a Local: Digital Wallets for Travelers From GrabPay in Bangkok to Alipay in Beijing, every country has its own payment ecosystem. Here's how to navigate digital payments as a tourist without carrying wads of cash. Thailand · Indonesia · Vietnam Apr 7, 2026Best Digital Nomad Countries 2026: Essential Apps for Every Top Destination The top 10 digital nomad destinations for 2026 with verified visa requirements and app recommendations. Includes the real banking situation for each country — where local accounts are accessible and where to use Wise instead. Thailand · Indonesia · Vietnam +1 more Apr 10, 2026Ride-Hailing Apps by Country: Complete 2026 Guide Uber works in 70+ countries, and in most of them it's not the best option. This guide covers the right ride-hailing app for every major travel destination, from Grab in Southeast Asia to DiDi in China and Rapido in India. Thailand · Vietnam · Singapore +3 more Apr 12, 2026Best eSIM for Travel in 2026: Saily vs Airalo vs Holafly Compared Saily, Airalo, and Holafly are the three eSIM providers dominating travel connectivity in 2026. Here's an honest comparison: price by region, coverage quality, setup on iPhone and Android, and which one is right for your trip. Thailand · Vietnam · Indonesia +1 more Jun 2, 2026
Explore Other Regions
Planning a multi-country trip?
Get a combined app checklist for all your Southeast Asia destinations.
Plan your trip →