Flights to Thailand.. sooo expensive

wdmfapq4zs83hv

Thinking of going to Thailand in July for a week or so, possibly Koh Samui or Phuket. But the flights are so bloody expensive!! Looking to be around €2000 for two people return.
Anybody getting any good deals? I read somewhere on here recently about Air China doing good deals but they don’t fly from Ireland. Are people booking from UK??
Any help appreciated!

Clanket

Yep Air China were the cheapest last time I went. Cost about €750. Unfortunately, it's an expensive place to get to.

However, on the flip side, it's the best place in the world imo

wdmfapq4zs83hv

Alofthedunnes wrote: »

Yep Air China were the cheapest last time I went. Cost about €750. Unfortunately, it's an expensive place to get to.

However, on the flip side, it's the best place in the world imo

Did you fly Air China from the UK?

Also would you reccomend Phuket or Koh Samui for the ultimate beach paradise type holiday?

daveyboy_1ie

Booked on China Airlines web site itself in January for end of April flights (I know you might be pushed for time) and we got two adults for €618 each. That includes connecting flights to Amsterdam.

As said previosly, its an expensive place to get to but once there you won't regret it.

daveyboy_1ie

Oscar Massive Dipstick wrote: »

Also would you reccomend Phuket or Koh Samui for the ultimate beach paradise type holiday?

We chose to go to Koh Samui as we are going in April/ May and the West coast (Phuket) suffers from Monsoon season then. However the East coast 'should be' clear (fingers crossed). You need to do a little research on when going and then decide which coast you want to go to.

Clanket

Oscar Massive Dipstick wrote: »

Did you fly Air China from the UK?

Also would you reccomend Phuket or Koh Samui for the ultimate beach paradise type holiday?

I flew with KLM last time I went from Ireland in 2005. Was with Quantas coming from Australia last time I was in Thailand. My mates met me there and they flew Air China. They had a connection in Amsterdam if I remember correctly (but could have been somewhere else).

I prefer the Samui/Phang Yang/Toh side of Thailand. Koh Samui is gone very touristy and expensive the last few years. It's still good craic but you'll want to get out of there after 2 days. That's when you hop on a boat and get out to Phang Yang. Best place in the world for me. It's a major party island and the full moons are the business. Then when you get wrecked from partying so hard get on another boat and get out to Koh Tao for some serious relaxing and a bit of diving.

Phuket is good but didn't really do it for me. Very built up and full to the brim of tourists. It;s also a lot bigger than the main spots on the islands noted above which I don't like. However, Phi Phi is close and is amazing. No roads and very chilled out yet a party hotspot at night if you want.

Have you been before? I'd say your wasting your time for a week, especially if that includes the days your travelling? If you can get the time, make it at least 2 weeks then go Bangkok - internal flight to Samui - boat to Phang Yang then onto Koh tao. Then you can get a boat to the mainland and a bus to Phuket. Then from there a boat to Phi Phi.

The best part of Thailand imo is the fact it's really easy to get around by boat and bus. It really makes you feel like your having 3-4 holidays by moving about.

Tiesto

shop around.. i booked flights for 570 euro return with SAS from Dublin..
And I just checked there, and they still have very reasonably priced flights... 670 euro return.. Cant say thats expensive...

rakmator

I just booked flights to Bangkok for this summer with the Kingfisher Airlines (www.flykingfisher.com), which is actually one of the few 5* airlines.

The return ticket from London to BKK cost me about 390 pounds all in! I have neve flown with them, but the reviews of the airline are very good.

You can book it either directly on their website, or through different websites such as opodo, or lastminute.com, which in fact offered the same tickets 5 pounds cheaper compare to the Kingfisher Airline's own website.

And of course, in addition, we had to buy return Aerlingus tickets from Dublin to Heathrow, and that was about 130 euro extra (and that includes bags payments).

wdmfapq4zs83hv

Alofthedunnes wrote: »

I flew with KLM last time I went from Ireland in 2005. Was with Quantas coming from Australia last time I was in Thailand. My mates met me there and they flew Air China. They had a connection in Amsterdam if I remember correctly (but could have been somewhere else).

I prefer the Samui/Phang Yang/Toh side of Thailand. Koh Samui is gone very touristy and expensive the last few years. It's still good craic but you'll want to get out of there after 2 days. That's when you hop on a boat and get out to Phang Yang. Best place in the world for me. It's a major party island and the full moons are the business. Then when you get wrecked from partying so hard get on another boat and get out to Koh Tao for some serious relaxing and a bit of diving.

Trying to avoid the whole full moon party & backpacker vibe! Def dont want to be in the middle of a spring break type holiday!

wdmfapq4zs83hv

Tiesto wrote: »

shop around.. i booked flights for 570 euro return with SAS from Dublin..
And I just checked there, and they still have very reasonably priced flights... 670 euro return.. Cant say thats expensive...

Thanks, just chekced this, got a quote of €3586!!!!! :eek:

wdmfapq4zs83hv

rakmator wrote: »

I just booked flights to Bangkok for this summer with the Kingfisher Airlines (www.flykingfisher.com), which is actually one of the few 5* airlines.

The return ticket from London to BKK cost me about 390 pounds all in! I have neve flown with them, but the reviews of the airline are very good.

You can book it either directly on their website, or through different websites such as opodo, or lastminute.com, which in fact offered the same tickets 5 pounds cheaper compare to the Kingfisher Airline's own website.

And of course, in addition, we had to buy return Aerlingus tickets from Dublin to Heathrow, and that was about 130 euro extra (and that includes bags payments).

Sound good, will have a look

Tiesto

Oscar Massive Dipstick wrote: »

Thanks, just chekced this, got a quote of €3586!!!!! :eek:

Thats strange because I checked literally before I posted and got the price of 670. what are ur dates?

consultech

Myself and my girly booked Etihad through Abu Dhabi from London with www.thewisemiser.com by calling their London office direct (I think their physical travel office is called Benz Travel). The pricing structure seemed very amateruish though. The sales dialogue went as follows:

Me: "I'm looking for cheap flights to Bangkok from Heathrow."
TWM: "OK... What is the cheapest you've been quoted?"
Me: "Oh, erm, about £570 with X"
TWM: "Oh ok, we can actually offer flights for £550, amazing huh?"

So it might be worth your while coming in and low-balling them, see what happens. Especially with British tourism suffering so badly due to the drop in Sterling value. Word to the wise though; you're playing a dangerous game booking connecting flights with different carriers; We were left completely fucked when Etihad decided to delay our returning ABD-LHR by six hours and caused us to miss the last EI flight and wouldn't so much as dignify us with acknowledgement. That was a long oul €150 sleep in Heathrow English/Irish departures.

Kotek Besar

Consider Ryanair to London Stantead, Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia to Bangkok.

starfish12

really would not reccommend phuket if you are hoping to experience thailand, as its like any other package holiday destination, with stip shows thrown in. phi phi is an amazing palce, as is koh tao, samui is also quite packagy but not to the same extent as phuket, agree tho with other posters, waste of cash if only going for a week, esp. if you are going to have to take multiple flights to keep costs down.

Kenny_D

http://www.markstravel.co.uk/offerdetails.asp?oid=2291

+ Cheap ryanair flight to london = win

Tiesto

GStormcrow wrote: »

http://www.markstravel.co.uk/offerdetails.asp?oid=2291

+ Cheap ryanair flight to london = win

THats for Pattaya though. I wouldnt stay there if i was paid

MiCrOMaN1

If you fly from London its much cheaper - personally I would go with Qatar Airways from London for 492euro

Kotek Besar

MiCrOMaN1 wrote: »

If you fly from London its much cheaper - personally I would go with Qatar Airways from London for 492euro

Yup and Eurolines / SailRail to London.

MiCrOMaN1

Ryanair flights would probably work out cheaper then sail and rail + less hassle:cool:

Kotek Besar

MiCrOMaN1 wrote: »

Ryanair flights would probably work out cheaper then sail and rail + less hassle:cool:

hmm.. maybe. Maybe not though.

podge018

I dont know who's talking the mickey in here or not.

What's the cheapest way of getting from Dublin to Bangkok?

Where is the best resort in Thailand for a paradise beach, quietish resort but with decentish nightlife, nice restaurants etc.

seldone

hey I booked mine for 550EURO .found a site where poeple scan the net for cheap flights to anywhere with dates included .londons the way to go .fly there for 70 rtn and the heathrow to abuie dabby (i know) 6-7 hrs then on to Bangkok another 6-7hrs.cant remember the site but I saw flights from uk as low as 440 euro .if your interested just say and Ill check see if I can remember .

seldone

also Im just back from one of the smaller and beter Islands called koh tao real mellow ,total paradise .almost zero sex trade ,best diving check it out..bankok train or bus to chumpong ,ferry to the island ,i can hook you up with all the travel plans and cheap places to eat and stay ,no worries .
Off to Pattaya meself next week for study .caaaaaaaaaaaaaaant wait,

consultech

Pattaya's a hole, it's no wonder that hotel's cheap.

Clanket

podge018 wrote: »

I dont know who's talking the mickey in here or not.

What's the cheapest way of getting from Dublin to Bangkok?

Where is the best resort in Thailand for a paradise beach, quietish resort but with decentish nightlife, nice restaurants etc.

Noone is talking the mickey.

Read back over earlier posts

podge018

seldone wrote: »

hey I booked mine for 550EURO .found a site where poeple scan the net for cheap flights to anywhere with dates included .londons the way to go .fly there for 70 rtn and the heathrow to abuie dabby (i know) 6-7 hrs then on to Bangkok another 6-7hrs.cant remember the site but I saw flights from uk as low as 440 euro .if your interested just say and Ill check see if I can remember .

yeah if you could please, and let me know the airline. THanks.

podge018

Does anybody know what the catch with these flights is, if any? Seems very cheap compared to what others were saying earlier.

http://www.skyscanner.ie/flights/lhr/bkkt/100710/100728/airfares-from-london-heathrow-to-bangkok-in-july-2010.html?si=1&flt=1

Sat 10 Jul 2010
Air India
8h 50 AI112
21:30 LHR London Heathrow
10:50 DEL Delhi

Connect in airport 3h 10

14:00 DEL Delhi
19:15 BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
Air India
3h 45 AI9853

Wed 28 Jul 2010
08:55 BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhum
11:55 DEL Delhi
Air India
4h 30 AI9854

Connect in airport 2h 05

14:00 DEL Delhi
19:00 LHR London Heathrow
Air India
9h 30

podge018

€620.

Kotek Besar

podge018 wrote: »

Does anybody know what the catch with these flights is, if any? Seems very cheap compared to what others were saying earlier.

http://www.skyscanner.ie/flights/lhr/bkkt/100710/100728/airfares-from-london-heathrow-to-bangkok-in-july-2010.html?si=1&flt=1

Sat 10 Jul 2010
Air India
8h 50 AI112
21:30 LHR London Heathrow
10:50 DEL Delhi

Connect in airport 3h 10

14:00 DEL Delhi
19:15 BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
Air India
3h 45 AI9853

Wed 28 Jul 2010
08:55 BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhum
11:55 DEL Delhi
Air India
4h 30 AI9854

Connect in airport 2h 05

14:00 DEL Delhi
19:00 LHR London Heathrow
Air India
9h 30

podge018 wrote: »

€620.

What about:

Sat 10 Jul 2010


(+1) 21:05
10:20LHR London Heathrow
DEL DelhiKingfisher
8h 45IT2 Overnight stay required15h 10 (+2)
01:30
07:15DEL Delhi
BKK Bangkok SuvarnabhumiKingfisher
4h 15IT25


Wed 28 Jul 2010


08:30
11:25BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
BOM MumbaiKingfisher
4h 25IT24 Connect in airport1h
12:25
17:50BOM Mumbai
LHR London HeathrowKingfisher
9h 55IT7

€552.25 (£484.37).

http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/lhr/bkkt/100710/100728/airfares-from-london-heathrow-to-bangkok-in-july-2010.html?si=1&flt=1

Kotek Besar

^^^ note there's 15 hours connection time in Delhi on the outbound flight, between 10:20 arrival and 01:30 departure. Could use it to your advantage, go out and have a look at Delhi!

podge018

would rather not to be honest, for the sake of a few quid.

So is the one I posted kosher?

podge018

what did you alter by the way, to get them cheaper than I can see?

Kotek Besar

podge018 wrote: »

would rather not to be honest, for the sake of a few quid.

So is the one I posted kosher?

podge018 wrote: »

what did you alter by the way, to get them cheaper than I can see?

You don't want the long transfer, no?

How about this:

London (LHR)
10 Jul Sat 21:00 Mumbai (BOM)
11 Jul Sun 10:40
Mumbai (BOM)
11 Jul Sun 13:15 Bangkok (BKK)
11 Jul Sun 19:05



Bangkok (BKK)
28 Jul Wed 08:30 Mumbai (BOM)
28 Jul Wed 11:25
Mumbai (BOM)
28 Jul Wed 12:25 London (LHR)
28 Jul Wed 17:50

^^^ Transit in Mumbai rather than Delhi (shorter wait)

£534.17.

Book direct at www.flykingfisher.com

allybhoy

Have you tried gohop? I used them last year to go to Thailand, flew with Ethiad, Dublin to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi , €680 pps. Very reasonable and a Ethiad are a good airline.

Regarding Thailand, just read your posts, if your looking for a chilled out non commercial holiday then dont go anywhere near Samui or Phuket, head south west to Phi Phi its paradise, then if you have a few days maybe take in Krabi. As other posters have said, Koh Tao is lovely aswell, but its not as nice as Phi Phi.

podge018

gohop is quoting me over 2k.

Dean820

I've never travelled to Thailand before, I've only been on holiday in around Europe. Do I need a Visa or how does it work?

consultech

Dean820 wrote: »

I've never travelled to Thailand before, I've only been on holiday in around Europe. Do I need a Visa or how does it work?

You get a 30 day Visa on arrival, you just fill out a form while you're queuing for customs.

Kotek Besar

consultech wrote: »

You get a 30 day Visa on arrival, you just fill out a form while you're queuing for customs.

Because I'm pedantic..

Irish citizens don't need a visa to enter Thailand for tourist purposes, not in advance nor on arrival. Rather, Irish citizens have visa-free access for up to 30 days and an entry stamp is placed in their passport accordingly (no visa).

Dean820

I'll be going for six weeks, so how would I go about getting a Visa? Or do I get my passport re-stamped after 30 days?

Edit: I've also noticed there's riots going on in Bangkok. Should I stay well clear? How bad it is?

consultech

Kotek Besar wrote: »

Because I'm pedantic..

Irish citizens don't need a visa to enter Thailand for tourist purposes, not in advance nor on arrival. Rather, Irish citizens have visa-free access for up to 30 days and an entry stamp is placed in their passport accordingly (no visa).

Oh ok. How's that working out for you? I was too drunk/having fun to notice the ins and outs when I was going through the process.

Clanket

Dean820 wrote: »

I'll be going for six weeks, so how would I go about getting a Visa? Or do I get my passport re-stamped after 30 days?

Edit: I've also noticed there's riots going on in Bangkok. Should I stay well clear? How bad it is?

I'm not sure about getting extensions. Last time we just left the country and went back in before the 30 days were up.

Was there the last time all this was happening (approx 2006). Didn't notice a thing

Dean820

Alofthedunnes wrote: »

I'm not sure about getting extensions. Last time we just left the country and went back in before the 30 days were up.

Was there the last time all this was happening (approx 2006). Didn't notice a thing

Were you in Bangkok that time?

Clanket

I was for a couple of days. Was up around Koh San Road while all the trouble was somewhere else

flossie

Dean820 wrote: »

I'll be going for six weeks, so how would I go about getting a Visa? Or do I get my passport re-stamped after 30 days?

Edit: I've also noticed there's riots going on in Bangkok. Should I stay well clear? How bad it is?

You can do a special 'visa run' when you are there, just involves taking a minibus to one of the borders, walking through for 20 minutes then coming back. I went through to Burma for mine.....

Been to Thailand a couple of times, cheapest has been return for about €350!!!. Caution though, that was with Aeroflot via Moscow, and i didn't see my luggage for a week on the way back, and i got yelled at on the flight by a large, smelly air hostess cos i wanted milk in my tea Oh, and the planes were like something you'd put together yourself from Ikea......I was a student at the time so it served its purpose!

jus

hi i got flights in december for 670 return with travelpaths.ie aerlingus to amsterdam then china airlines to bangkok good service will use again this year

who what when

starfish12 wrote: »

really would not reccommend phuket if you are hoping to experience thailand, as its like any other package holiday destination, with stip shows thrown in. phi phi is an amazing palce, as is koh tao, samui is also quite packagy but not to the same extent as phuket, agree tho with other posters, waste of cash if only going for a week, esp. if you are going to have to take multiple flights to keep costs down.

Yep phuket is just 1 big brothel. Samui is nice enough, nice beaches, plenty of bars and restaraunts, some shopping etc.
But for me phi phi was amazing. Such a beautiful place

consultech

who what when wrote: »

Yep phuket is just 1 big brothel. Samui is nice enough, nice beaches, plenty of bars and restaraunts, some shopping etc.
But for me phi phi was amazing. Such a beautiful place

Phuket has it's nice spots. I stayed at la Flora hotel with herself for 4 nights and it was beautiful. The nightlife is fairly sleazy though, I'll give you that.

Phi phi has become disgustingly commercialised imo. It's an absolute rip-off. We left for Phuket early. Stear well clear of the PhiPhi island cabana. The andaman resort further down the harbour is quite nice for the (much cheaper) price. There's actually 3 Andaman somethin or others, but it's the furthest one along, past the bars with the pool tables etc.

beagle001

We use etihad airways all the time,good service and nice entertainment onboard the flight.
Jet airwasy to Mumbai-Bangkok out of Heathrow is a good option also,got a great price on them this time last year.
I would recommend Samui if you want comforts of the west and good entertainment,Phuket is great as well never mind people saying how commercial it is I lived there 10yrs ago and go back regularly places have to change and it still has beautiful parts to the island if you know where to look.
Koh Tao is great if you want a very relaxed sort of isolated holiday but as other posters suggest don`t even bother spending all that money for 1 weeks holiday,14 days at the minimum as you will be kicking yourself once you are out there if you book too short.
Best of luck and enjoy los

turbobaby

Ryanair to Berlin Low Cost Airport

Air Berlin from normal airport to Bangkok.

The transfer between airports is a piece of p1ss and costs less than 3 euro.