Why Grocery Delivery Matters for Travelers
If you are staying somewhere for more than a few days, eating out every meal gets expensive fast. Grocery delivery lets you stock your Airbnb kitchen with breakfast essentials, snacks, drinks, and cooking ingredients without navigating an unfamiliar supermarket in a language you may not speak.
Grocery delivery is especially valuable for long-stay travelers, digital nomads, families with young children, travelers with dietary restrictions, and anyone staying in accommodations with a kitchen. The good news: grocery delivery has exploded worldwide, and most major cities now have at least one reliable option.
Best Grocery Delivery Apps by Region
North America
Instacart is the dominant grocery delivery platform in the US and Canada, partnering with stores like Costco, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Whole Foods. Walmart Grocery and Amazon Fresh are strong alternatives. In Mexico, Cornershop (owned by Uber) and Rappi handle grocery delivery from local supermarkets like Chedraui and Soriana. See our Mexico guide for details.
Europe
Europe's grocery delivery landscape varies significantly by country:
- UK: Deliveroo, Getir, and supermarket apps (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ocado).
- Germany: Flink, REWE delivery, and Gorillas (now part of Getir).
- France: Carrefour delivery, Uber Eats grocery, and Gorillas. See our France guide.
- Spain: Glovo, Uber Eats grocery, and Mercadona delivery. See our Spain guide.
- Italy: Glovo, Everli, and supermarket apps (Esselunga, Conad). See our Italy guide.
- Netherlands: Getir, Flink, Albert Heijn delivery, and Picnic.
- Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary: Rohlik (Knuspr), Wolt Market, and Glovo.
Southeast Asia
GrabMart (part of the Grab super-app) is available across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam. HappyFresh operates in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, partnering with local supermarkets. In Thailand, LINE MAN also offers grocery delivery from Tops, Big C, and Makro.
East Asia
In Japan, grocery delivery is available through Uber Eats (which partners with stores like Life and Seiyu), Amazon Fresh, and local services like Oisix. In South Korea, Coupang Rocket Fresh offers same-day grocery delivery, and Market Kurly is popular for premium groceries. Both require Korean-language navigation but can be used with translation apps.
Latin America
Rappi dominates grocery delivery across Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Peru. Rappi partners with local supermarkets and also runs its own dark stores (Rappi Turbo) for fast delivery. Cornershop is strong in Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. In Brazil, iFood and Mercado Livre also offer grocery delivery.
Middle East and Africa
In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Careem, Talabat Mart, and InstaShop handle grocery delivery. In South Africa, Checkers Sixty60 and Woolworths Dash deliver groceries in under an hour in major cities. In Kenya and Nigeria, Glovo and local startups provide grocery delivery in urban areas.
Food Delivery Apps Often Have Grocery Too
Many food delivery apps you already use — Uber Eats, Grab, Glovo, Rappi, Wolt — now include a grocery or "mart" section. Before downloading a separate grocery app, check if your existing food delivery app already partners with local supermarkets. This saves you from creating yet another account.
What to Order: Smart Grocery Shopping Abroad
Not everything translates well to grocery delivery in a foreign country. Here is what works best:
Best Items to Order via Delivery
- Breakfast staples: Bread, eggs, milk, yogurt, cereal, juice, coffee — universally recognizable and easy to order even without speaking the local language.
- Drinks and water: Heavy items like bottled water and beverages are perfect for delivery. No need to carry them from the store.
- Snacks: Chips, crackers, fruit, nuts — great for day trips and in-room munching.
- Fresh fruit: Most grocery apps have a produce section with clear photos. Tropical fruit in Southeast Asia is especially worth ordering.
- Baby supplies: Diapers, formula, baby food — essential for families and easier to get delivered than to hunt for in an unfamiliar store.
- Cooking basics: Oil, salt, pasta, rice, canned goods — if your Airbnb has a kitchen.
Items to Be Careful With
- Meat and seafood: Quality varies and descriptions may be in the local language. Stick to packaged, branded items unless you can read the labels.
- Fresh produce by weight: Some apps let the shopper pick your produce. Quality can be hit-or-miss. Consider choosing "no substitutions" for specific items.
- Specialty dietary items: Gluten-free, vegan, or specific allergy-safe items may have confusing labels in another language. Use Google Lens to scan ingredient lists.
Alcohol Delivery Rules Vary Widely
Some countries allow alcohol delivery with groceries (US, UK, most of Europe), while others restrict or ban it entirely (parts of Southeast Asia, Middle East, India varies by state). Even where legal, some apps require ID verification at the door. Do not assume alcohol will be available on grocery apps everywhere.
Grocery Delivery for Long-Stay Travelers
If you are staying in one place for a week or more — whether for work, a digital nomad stint, or an extended vacation — grocery delivery becomes a game-changer for both budget and convenience.
Setting Up Your Kitchen
On your first day, order the essentials: cooking oil, salt, pepper, coffee or tea, sugar, milk, and basic condiments. This "starter pack" costs a fraction of eating out and makes your Airbnb feel like home. Many Airbnbs list their kitchen equipment in the listing — check what pans, utensils, and appliances are available before ordering ingredients.
Subscription and Loyalty Programs
Several grocery delivery apps offer subscription programs that waive delivery fees:
- Instacart+: Free delivery on orders over $35 in the US and Canada.
- Coupang Rocket WOW: Free next-day grocery delivery in South Korea.
- Amazon Prime: Free Amazon Fresh delivery in supported cities worldwide.
- Rappi Prime: Free delivery across Latin America.
If you are staying for more than two weeks, a subscription often pays for itself within a few orders.
Use Google Translate Camera for Labels
When browsing a grocery app in another language, take a screenshot of any item you are unsure about and use Google Translate's camera feature to translate the label. This is especially useful for identifying ingredients, allergens, and cooking instructions on products in languages like Japanese, Korean, or Thai.
Getting Groceries Delivered to Hotels
Grocery delivery to hotels follows the same principles as food delivery to hotels — the driver comes to the lobby, and you meet them there. However, grocery orders have a few unique considerations:
- Larger bags: Grocery orders tend to be bigger and heavier than restaurant food. Make sure you can carry multiple bags from the lobby to your room.
- Refrigeration timing: If you order perishables (milk, yogurt, meat), be ready to collect the delivery promptly. Do not let it sit at the front desk for hours.
- Mini-fridge space: Hotel mini-fridges are small. Plan your order around the storage you have available. Items like bread, snacks, and canned goods do not need refrigeration.
- No kitchen: If your hotel room does not have a kitchen, focus on ready-to-eat items: fruit, bread, pre-made salads, deli meats, cheese, yogurt, and drinks.
Tipping for Grocery Delivery
Tipping norms for grocery delivery differ from restaurant delivery. Grocery orders are heavier, require more shopping time, and often involve substitution decisions. Here is the general guidance by region (for detailed country-specific advice, see our tipping guide):
- US and Canada: Tip 15-20% of the order total, with a minimum of $5. Grocery delivery involves shopping, packing, and driving — it is more labor than restaurant delivery.
- Europe: Tipping is appreciated but not required. Rounding up by 1-3 euros is a kind gesture.
- Southeast Asia: Small tips of $1-2 USD equivalent are welcomed but not expected.
- Japan and South Korea: Do not tip. It is not part of the culture and may cause confusion.
- Latin America: Small tips of 10-15% are customary, especially for large orders.
Payment Methods for Grocery Apps
Most grocery delivery apps accept international credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). Some also accept:
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: Accepted on Instacart, Uber Eats grocery, Deliveroo, and Getir.
- Cash on delivery: Available on Rappi, GrabMart, and some Southeast Asian platforms. See our cash on delivery guide.
- Local payment methods: Some apps require local payment (e.g., Korean grocery apps may require a Korean card). Check our tourist payment guide for workarounds.
Watch for Minimum Order Amounts
Many grocery delivery apps have minimum order requirements for free delivery, typically ranging from $15-35 USD equivalent. Orders below the minimum may incur a small order fee or higher delivery charge. Consolidate your grocery needs into fewer, larger orders to save on delivery costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, grocery delivery is available in most major cities worldwide. For hotels, deliveries go to the lobby. For Airbnbs and vacation rentals, groceries can be delivered directly to your door. Apps like Uber Eats, Grab, and Glovo now offer grocery sections alongside restaurant food in many countries.
It depends on your location. Instacart leads in the US and Canada. In Europe, Getir, Flink, and local supermarket apps dominate. In Southeast Asia, GrabMart and HappyFresh are popular. In Latin America, Rappi and Cornershop are widely used. Many food delivery apps you already have (Uber Eats, Grab, Glovo) also include grocery delivery.
Most international grocery delivery apps accept foreign phone numbers. Apps like Uber Eats, Grab, and Glovo work with your existing account. Some local grocery apps may require a local number for SMS verification. Check our phone requirements guide for solutions including eSIMs and local SIM cards.
Tipping norms vary by country. In the US and Canada, tip 15-20%. In Europe, rounding up by 1-3 euros is appreciated. In Southeast Asia, small tips of $1-2 are welcomed. In Japan and South Korea, do not tip. See our tipping guide for detailed country-by-country advice.