Thailand: book flights online
Bangkok: book flights online

Thailand is open to international tourism

International travelers may freely enter Thailand if they can provide proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated visitors must present a negative PCR test up to 72 hours before departure. There is no Covid test on arrival or during the stay in Thailand. Health insurance is not compulsory but recommended.

64 nationalities under the Visa Exemption Program can enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. Foreigners may also apply for a Tourist Visa from the Thai embassy or consulate.

Transit through Thai airports is allowed as long as you remain in the transit area in the airport. Ensure that your connecting flight is booked on the same itinerary and ticket.



Arriving in Bangkok

  • If you are flying to Bangkok from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportSuvarnabhumi International Airport BKK (serves mostly full-service airlines), or Don Mueang International Airport DMK (serves low-cost carriers). Both airports have really good public transport service, however Suvarnabhumi has advantage of Airport Rail Link (city train system) that runs every 15 minutes to central Bangkok.

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Bangkok. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Bangkok, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai Smile. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Bangkok can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Bamboo Airways, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, Go First, IndiGo, Jetstar, Scoot, SpiceJet, Thai AirAsia, Tigerair Taiwan, and VietJet Air. If you have a layover in Bangkok and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Bangkok

Best airports to fly into Bangkok:
Bangkok has two world-class airports – Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK (approximately 30 km/19 miles east of city center) and Don Mueang International Airport DMK (23 km/14 miles north-east). Since the distance to the city center is not much different, and both airports are quite well connected to the city, they are equally good options to arrive in Bangkok by air.
Things to know before flying to Bangkok
Airlines flying to BangkokAeroflot, AirAsia, Air Arabia, Air Astana, Air Austral, Air Canada, Air China, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cambodia Airways, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Finnair, FlexFlight, Garuda Indonesia, Go First, Gulf Air, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, IndiGO, Japan Airlines, Jetstar, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Lanmei Airlines, Lao Airlines, Lion Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Myanmar Airways, Oman Air, Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Sky Angkor Airlines, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, SWISS, Thai AirAsia, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Tigerair Taiwan, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Aerolíneas Vietnamitas, VietJet Air, Vistara, y Zipair
Thai airlinesThai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Smile, Thai VietAir
Main airports in BangkokSuvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €800 – €1200 (from Europe)
✈ $700 – $1100 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Bangkok (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Bangkok

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

Duty-free rules

Thailand is serious about the duty-free concession. There is a limit for bringing in certain items. Alcoholic drinks such as wine, spirits or beer cannot exceed one liter per person, and you can carry only 200 cigarettes (or 250g of tobacco). In addition to personal items, you may also carry items in reasonable quantity up to a value of 20,000 baht (~USD 550 /  AUD 810).

Anything above those limits must be declared – at the airport in Bangkok, head to Red Lane to declare your goods.

The cheapest time to fly to Bangkok

Bangkok is a relatively affordable destination all year round, though travelers may find the best bargains on flights during the low (monsoon) season – which runs from July to September.

During these months Bangkok experiences less-pleasant weather conditions compared to the dry, hot months of November to May. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the off-peak season promises smaller crowds and big savings: flights, hotels, tours, activities, and local food are significantly cheaper compared to the high season.

Bangkok, like most of Thailand, experiences its peak tourist season from November to March (or even into April and May) – it’s the time when airfares skyrocket, so remember to book your flights well in advance to avoid overpaying.

When planning your visit to Bangkok, try to avoid national holidays and large conventions, when flight and hotel prices soar (even during the off-peak season). Check out the EverythingBKK events calendar for updated information.

Know your time zone

Thailand uses only one time zone across the country – Thailand Standard Time (THA) or Indochina Time (ICT) – which is UTC+7 (GMT+7). As a result, clocks in Bangkok are 7 hours ahead of London and 11 hours ahead of New York. The country shares the same time zone with Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Western Indonesia. It does not have an associated daylight saving time.

When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure time on your plane ticket is always listed based on the time zone of the departure airport. We suggest resetting your watch during the flight – it will help your brain adjust to the new time zone and to deal with jet lag.

Use the Thai Post Office to send your bag ahead

You can walk into a post office in any Thai town and send a suitcase ahead to your next destination in Thailand. Just contact your next hotel or Airbnb to notify them of the upcoming package delivery. Even a large, heavy suitcase should cost you no more than 300 Bahts (less than $10).

Next tips

Flights to Bangkok from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Bangkok. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Bangkok, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. There are no direct flights from the US to Bangkok. The only nonstop connection from North America is from Vancouver YVR in Canada to Bangkok BKK with Air Canada. It is an ultra long-haul flight, as it covers a distance of 11,800 km (7,330 miles) and the flight time is nearly 16 hours. The Vancouver - Bangkok route is set to be part of a seasonal service, running from December through to April, four times a week. Air Canada is operating this route using the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft
  • Bangkok is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Bangkok with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada. Air China tends to be the cheapest on routes from the US to Bangkok, and the quickest (only one short layover), while Emirates economy class is the most comfortable (a seat legroom of 33-34 inches and a width of 18 inches, plus a large library of free entertainment).
  • The best airlines to fly to Bangkok from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, ANA, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

US and Canada to Bangkok.
Ticket prices in March 2024.

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Use Grab to get around town

Uber is no longer available in Bangkok – it ceased business in April 2018 and has been replaced by its Asia alternative – Grab. It’s a good way for a cross-city journey: the cars are safe, secure and usually air-conditioned. Similarly to Uber, it has fixed distance-based fees, so drivers can’t overcharge you for journeys.

Bangkok also has GrabBike, where you can hail a ride on the back of a scooter to get to your destination cheaper and faster in congested traffic.

If you don’t have Grab Taxi yet, download it for your Thailand vacation and set up your account, payment options, etc before arriving.

Use Thai budget airlines

It can be time-consuming and uncomfortable to travel on overnight buses or trains in Thailand. Opt for domestic air travel instead, as it is usually cheap, easy, and convenient.

Most flight routes around Bangkok are reasonably priced and short. For example, to fly from Bangkok to the southern island of Koh Samui takes only one hour on a direct flight, at the cost of around 2000 bahts (~60 USD / ~85 AUD / ~55 EUR).

The cheapest flights can be found on Thai budget airlines – Nok Air, Thai Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, Thai VietAir, and Thai Smile. Most of these budget airlines fly out from Bangkok using Don Muang (DMK) airport, and Thai VietAir flies from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

Long waiting times when calling the helpline?

Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Thai AirAsia, Thai LionAir, Singapore Airlines, and others).

When it comes to Twitter there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@ThaiAirways”). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.

Avoid Thai public holidays

Prices skyrocket in Bangkok during popular Thai holidays – adjust travel dates to avoid expensive tickets. Cheap flights to Bangkok are non-existent during popular “red days” such as Songkran (12-15 April), Coronation Day (5 May), Vesak (26 May), Chulalongkorn Day (23 October), and New Year’s Eve (31 December).

Next tips

Flights to Bangkok from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Bangkok — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Bangkok are about 10-12 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to Bangkok – among them are Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Munich, Paris, Stockholm, and Zurich. Those flights arrive at either Bangkok or Phuket, and are operated by Thai Airways, Air France, EVA Air, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Bangkok include Air France, Air India, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Bangkok from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
  • These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Bangkok: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in the Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

Europe to Bangkok.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

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Last-minute flights to Bangkok. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Bangkok almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

Last-minute flight cost spike
Late booking penalty: The flight prices rise as departure draws near. Last-minute flights are almost always more expensive than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Bangkok is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Looking for the best deals for Bangkok? Check different departure airports.

Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Bangkok from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Bangkok, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.

For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Bangkok, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

The same goes for long-haul flights to Bangkok from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!

Domestic flights from Bangkok

Most domestic routes in Thailand are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ko Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phi Phi, Koh Tao, Surat Thani from Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai Smile.

This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Thai destinations.

Flights to Bangkok from Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand to Bangkok.Flight ticket prices today.

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“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Bangkok, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.

Booking group flights to Bangkok

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Bangkok can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Bangkok and can help with logistics and scheduling.

Flights to Bangkok from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Bangkok look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Bangkok will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Thailand and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
  • Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Bangkok — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

Bangkok from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.

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Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Thailand to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Thailand and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)

Fly now, pay later

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.

The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).

When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Bangkok, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.