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Ireland to Koh Samui

  • 19-02-2019 6:30pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,047 ✭✭✭


    Hi everyone

    Looking for a bit of advice on best airport Ireland or UK and best value airline to travel to Koh Samui with in September.

    Thanks


Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 2,245 ✭✭✭WishUWereHere


    Hi everyone

    Looking for a bit of advice on best airport Ireland or UK and best value airline to travel to Koh Samui with in September.

    Thanks

    Hi there

    Mind me asking why September? You do know July to October is high season for monsoons?

    As for airport? My Mrs. is from BKK & we do DUB-BKK at least once a year. We always fly out from Dublin via the ME..usually Qatar ( Find Emirates very expensive these days ), then onwards from Doha to BKK. I don't think there are any international flights to Koh Samui. There are from BKK down though. But personally, we don't like KS...too commercialised for our liking.

    Any other assistance - feel free to ask, either here or PM.

    Best of luck!


  • Registered Users, Subscribers Posts: 13,408 ✭✭✭✭antodeco


    I went Dub - LHR, LHR - KUL (Malaysian airlines A380) and then KUL - USM (Bangkok Air)


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,490 ✭✭✭Noxegon


    I went DUB-DXB-SIN-USM. USM is a rather cute airport :)

    I develop Superior Solitaire when I'm not procrastinating on boards.ie.



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭Donegal Storm


    Finnair do some good deals to Bangkok, not quite as premium as the ME airlines but still perfectly fine when I've used them. Stopover in Helsinki which is far more pleasant than Dubai or Abu Dhabi

    From Bangkok I'd guess you'd have to book a standalone flight, domestic flights from BKK are usually a lot more expensive than DMK so if you fancy a day or two in Bangkok you'd probably get a much cheaper flight with Air Asia from DMK


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,178 ✭✭✭killbillvol2


    Finnair do some good deals to Bangkok, not quite as premium as the ME airlines but still perfectly fine when I've used them. Stopover in Helsinki which is far more pleasant than Dubai or Abu Dhabi

    From Bangkok I'd guess you'd have to book a standalone flight, domestic flights from BKK are usually a lot more expensive than DMK so if you fancy a day or two in Bangkok you'd probably get a much cheaper flight with Air Asia from DMK

    Except that Air Asia don't fly to Samui.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 896 ✭✭✭geecee


    Finnair do some good deals to Bangkok, not quite as premium as the ME airlines but still perfectly fine

    I find Finnair far superior to any of the ME3, their A330 is a 2-4-2, whilst their A350 is 3-3-3, a lot more comfortable than Emirates 3-4-3 on a B777 and Qatars 3-3-3 on the B787

    Finnair also have an economy comfort product for an extra €80-90 each way, well worth taking for the extra 4 inches of leg room and VERY high probability that you will have no neighbours


  • Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭mx5ire


    Have done this routing many times over the years, mainly though Bangkok. However, a really good option would be Cathay Pacific direct from Dublin to Hong Kong, then a 2 hour or so wait for a direct connection to Samui with Bangkok Airways. They are a decent airline to fly with, always clean and reliable and have used them many times around Asia.

    Doing this routing means avoiding 3 flights, avoiding LHR or CDG etc, and less time hanging around airports and an overall shorter travel time. I think that those Hong Kong to Samui flights are code share with Cathay, so a single ticket should be do-able for more peace of mind in case of delays etc. This would be my first choice over 3 flights if at all possible.


  • Registered Users Posts: 162 ✭✭mayo londoner


    Anyone fly to Bangkok via Helsinki before? I've noticed the stopover time is very short, approx 1-1hr 15mins in most cases, is this cutting it too tight?

    Also what are people's experiences of flying to Bangkok via Moscow on the evening flight? Seems to be a 17hr stopover, is it worth leaving the airport? From what I've googled Russian visa seems to be steep at about €70


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,178 ✭✭✭killbillvol2


    Anyone fly to Bangkok via Helsinki before? I've noticed the stopover time is very short, approx 1-1hr 15mins in most cases, is this cutting it too tight?

    Also what are people's experiences of flying to Bangkok via Moscow on the evening flight? Seems to be a 17hr stopover, is it worth leaving the airport? From what I've googled Russian visa seems to be steep at about €70

    The connection on the return flight via Helsinki is very tight. I've missed it twice out of the last 5 trips. That said, Finnair have become more inclined to hold connecting flights recently so I made the Dublin flight in January despite only technically having 25 minutes to connect.

    Helsinki is really quick to transit through - the problem is always a late departure from BKK.

    I've looked at Aeroflot as an option and ruled it out because of the long layover.


  • Registered Users Posts: 13 BettyBoo74


    I did Dub-CDG-Bangkok

    CDG is an awful airport and I was there for about 6 hours.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 896 ✭✭✭geecee


    Anyone fly to Bangkok via Helsinki before? I've noticed the stopover time is very short, approx 1-1hr 15mins in most cases, is this cutting it too tight?

    I've done this route 4 times in the last year, never a problem with the connections, there is no security to clear for the DUB-HEL changeover and the gate is an easy 5 min walk away from your arrival.

    I had a delayed departure by 30 mins on the HEL-BKK leg as they were waiting for a connecting flight, but we made up the lost time en-route

    I have never had delays out of BKK like Killbill had (I always take the 9am flight. Perhaps he takes the 23.00 flight?)

    Also they run an Embraer ERJ-190 around 50% of the time on the Dublin-Helsinki route which is a really comfortable & spacious plane


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭Donegal Storm


    Except that Air Asia don't fly to Samui.

    Wasn't aware of that! Looking at wikipedia Lion and Nok don't serve it either, must be one of the few airports in the region none of them serve

    In that case then I'd say mx5ire's idea of going through Hong Kong sounds best


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,245 ✭✭✭WishUWereHere


    BettyBoo74 wrote: »
    I did Dub-CDG-Bangkok

    CDG is an awful airport and I was there for about 6 hours.

    Can only agree with BettyBoo about CDG...truly ( imho ) one of the worst airports anywhere.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,047 ✭✭✭Clonmel1000


    Has anyone ever done BA from Heathrow on this route? It would mean we could fly from cork to London and then transit. That’s a lot easier than going to Dublin for us. Thanks.

    Had a look at the Cathay pacific flights they are unfortunately twice the price of finn air or BA.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,996 ✭✭✭two wheels good


    Hi there

    Mind me asking why September? You do know July to October is high season for monsoons?

    As for airport? My Mrs. is from BKK & we do DUB-BKK at least once a year. We always fly out from Dublin via the ME..usually Qatar ( Find Emirates very expensive these days ), then onwards from Doha to BKK. I don't think there are any international flights to Koh Samui. There are from BKK down though. But personally, we don't like KS...too commercialised for our liking.

    Any other assistance - feel free to ask, either here or PM.

    Best of luck!

    Where are the unspoiled islands nowadays? Not that I'm planning to travel - just having a nostalgia trip.
    I visited KS many years ago before the advent of full moon parties and big resorts. Only transport option was a ferry with deck space. It was idyllic.


  • Registered Users Posts: 770 ✭✭✭afkasurfjunkie


    Has anyone ever done BA from Heathrow on this route? It would mean we could fly from cork to London and then transit. That’s a lot easier than going to Dublin for us. Thanks.

    Had a look at the Cathay pacific flights they are unfortunately twice the price of finn air or BA.

    Did BA from Heathrow to Bangkok years ok. Got upgraded to business class. Only time it ever happened to us. Grand flight.


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,198 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    Christ, don't go to Samui as a destination. For 2-3-4 nights, sure, but not as a destination. While Thailand is over-populated with tourists (myself included), there are far more authentic options out there. You may aswell be in Tenerife than Samui.... except the locals in Tenerife won't rob you blind.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,047 ✭✭✭Clonmel1000


    JohnCleary wrote: »
    Christ, don't go to Samui as a destination. For 2-3-4 nights, sure, but not as a destination. While Thailand is over-populated with tourists (myself included), there are far more authentic options out there. You may aswell be in Tenerife than Samui.... except the locals in Tenerife won't rob you blind.

    Where would you recommend in September in Thailand?


  • Registered Users Posts: 10,198 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    Where would you recommend in September in Thailand?

    Nowhere. It'll be hot and wet. Thailand is best explored November - February.

    That said, you won't be there for the worst of it


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,047 ✭✭✭Clonmel1000


    Unfortunately September is the only time we can travel we had heard Ko Samui would be our best bet.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,245 ✭✭✭WishUWereHere


    Where would you recommend in September in Thailand?

    Hi, being married to a Thai, can I give my tuppence worth? Nowhere escapes the monsoons in September, and believe me, those monsoons never fail..not like our typical Irish weather.

    Also as another poster says, I would never suggest Koh Samui - I spent my honemoon there anfd after 1 night we left. Unless You want to lie all 12 hours of daylight on a beach, it isn't worth it. Far better places I could suggest, BUT again I have to repeat myself in saying the monsoons are in full blast that time of year. And thats why flights are so cheap then, compare September to December...would think there is a big difference.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭theguzman


    Take the overnight train from Bangkok and Ferry option, but be careful petty theft is common I have heard from buses there.


  • Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭mx5ire


    If you are flying only from Cork you are somewhat limiting yourself choice wise, or are at least adding an extra leg to the trip if you wanted to use the middle east airlines etc. You could go to Amsterdam and use KLM, Cathay etc, but BA via LHR is the main connection offered from Cork. They are ok to fly with, its Heathrow itself that i really detest, Amsterdam is much nicer to use, as is Helsinki. BA plane will be an older 777, but get on, put a movie on and sit back and wait for Bangkok to arrive. Connection to Samui in Bangkok is easy, use Bangkok airways, just a bit of a walk, but that is good after a long flight.

    As others have said, Sept will be rainy at times, but having been there in Sept a few times, its normally an hour or two of heavy rain and then dry again, but you might also get a full day washout. Depends what type of holiday you want as well, Samui isn't full of things to do like a big city, but as a sit on the beach holiday, its great. There are some sights, and boat trips, but the weather might be a little limiting on a given day.

    I dont understand all the negativity about Samui though, yeah it can be very commercial/busy in Chaweng or Lamai, but its not like that everywhere, at all. I was in Bophut staying at the Anantara last year, with kids, and its glorious there. Great beach, and easy stroll to the fishermans village area, which is not full of drunk teens and drugs, and has lots on the beach restaurant choices. No issue in recommending it.

    And if you do route through Bangkok, take a few days there. Do a cycling tour, day or evening, and you genuinely get to see things that you wont without a guide. Local life, trips on the canals, proper street food, stops at the main temples etc. Great experience. PM me if you want more details.

    And if the weather does put you off Samui, look at Bali, Sept is still dry there, and its also great for beach time....Also, just because it rains doesnt mean you cannot swim etc, its still warm, and lets face it, you'll be wet anyway!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,245 ✭✭✭WishUWereHere


    mx5ire wrote: »
    If you are flying only from Cork you are somewhat limiting yourself choice wise, or are at least adding an extra leg to the trip if you wanted to use the middle east airlines etc. You could go to Amsterdam and use KLM, Cathay etc, but BA via LHR is the main connection offered from Cork. They are ok to fly with, its Heathrow itself that i really detest, Amsterdam is much nicer to use, as is Helsinki. BA plane will be an older 777, but get on, put a movie on and sit back and wait for Bangkok to arrive. Connection to Samui in Bangkok is easy, use Bangkok airways, just a bit of a walk, but that is good after a long flight.

    As others have said, Sept will be rainy at times, but having been there in Sept a few times, its normally an hour or two of heavy rain and then dry again, but you might also get a full day washout. Depends what type of holiday you want as well, Samui isn't full of things to do like a big city, but as a sit on the beach holiday, its great. There are some sights, and boat trips, but the weather might be a little limiting on a given day.

    I dont understand all the negativity about Samui though, yeah it can be very commercial/busy in Chaweng or Lamai, but its not like that everywhere, at all. I was in Bophut staying at the Anantara last year, with kids, and its glorious there. Great beach, and easy stroll to the fishermans village area, which is not full of drunk teens and drugs, and has lots on the beach restaurant choices. No issue in recommending it.

    And if you do route through Bangkok, take a few days there. Do a cycling tour, day or evening, and you genuinely get to see things that you wont without a guide. Local life, trips on the canals, proper street food, stops at the main temples etc. Great experience. PM me if you want more details.

    And if the weather does put you off Samui, look at Bali, Sept is still dry there, and its also great for beach time....Also, just because it rains doesnt mean you cannot swim etc, its still warm, and lets face it, you'll be wet anyway!

    Have to echo mx5ire here. Bangkok is a fabulous city - one of my favourite anywhere in the World. Am available also for pm'ing if You wish.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,245 ✭✭✭WishUWereHere


    Where are the unspoiled islands nowadays? Not that I'm planning to travel - just having a nostalgia trip.
    I visited KS many years ago before the advent of full moon parties and big resorts. Only transport option was a ferry with deck space. It was idyllic.

    Our personal favourite is Tarutao & LiPe. But it isn't easy to get to, and is only accessable for 6 months of the year.


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