Flying to Bangkok

If you're not already in Thailand, chances are you'll want to book an international flight arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. We've put together some information you might find useful. Please note, we are not affiliated with any airline or airline booking agent; our recommendations are made according to the personal experiences of our staff and customers.

Which Airline?

Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok is the centrla hub for Asia, serviced by a number of airlines:

Choosing Your Flight

Choosing the right flight for you can be tricky; it certainly doesn't all come down to the cheapest flight. Here are some things to check:

Price: Price is the most important consideration for most of us. Remember that prices of flights usually increase dramatically the closer you get to the travel date, and it's quite normal for a passenger to have paid nearly double the price paid by the passenger sitting next to them because they booked at different times. Although late deals do exist they can't be relied upon, so Master Divers recommends that you book your flights as early as possible.

Time: If you're taking a short holiday, it's best not to spend any more time than you need to on the plane getting to and from your final destination - go for a direct flight with no stops en-route.

If you're planning to stay for a few months or more, it might be worth keeping the extra cash in your pocket and spending more time on the plane, sometimes with the option of a stopover.

Also check the time of day of the flight - a convenient time to take off can be offset by landing at the most inconvenient time in Bangkok - especially if you don't already have onward travel or accommodation arranged. Remember time differences when trying to work out the time of your flight, as take-off and landing times are always shown in the time zone of the country you will be in. If you have a connecting flight to Koh Samui, make sure you have sufficient time to make the connection, whilst avoiding spending a rather dull day at Suvarnabhumi airport.

Stops: Few of the more affordable flights that arrive in Bangkok fly direct. If you are stopping somewhere en-route, find out what actually happens. Staying on the plane whilst it re-fuels is dreary at best. If you change planes, you should have some time for duty-free shopping, usually at much lower prices than you'll find in Europe.

If you have a long wait for the connecting flight, can you leave the airport, maybe stopover? Sometimes this is a welcome break in your journey, sometimes an expense you didn't consider, as accommodation near the airport will be expensive and you may need to pay for a transit visa in the stopover country.

Airline specifics: Make sure the airline satisfies your needs. Fortunately, most are now reasonably comfortable even for the most long legged passengers, but you may want to check on the availability of in-flight movies, a power socket for your laptop/ipod, blankets, pillows, toothbrush, etc. if only so you can make sure you have everything you need in your carry-on luggage. Will they cater for your dietary requirements? Do they have a satisfactory safety record?

Our recommendations

For direct flights, EVA Air is an excellent option. Modern aircraft, comfortable seating, personal video screens with a good choice of new movies in multiple languages, better than average in-flight fayre, and attentive hostesses who don't wake you up and hassle you if you're trying to sleep. If booked sufficiently early, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the price - usually only a few pounds more than indirect flights that take up to ten hours longer each way.

For quick indirect flights, Qatar Airways stopping at Doha (the airport's Homer-esque three letter code of DOH is a source of amusement for all). Flights are as comfortable as those with Eva Air, but they take longer and you will have to change planes. Be ready for the wall of heat to hit you if you exit the plane in Doha - daytime temperatures typically exceed 40 degrees Celsius. The length of time you will spend at Doha varies according to flight, so choose carefully.

However, always be sure to check the competition as there may be better options available at the time you choose to fly.

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