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 Ko Samui

  • If you are flying to Ko Samui from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportSamui Airport USM, located on the northeast coast of the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand.

    The airport is privately owned and operated by Bangkok Airways – most flights to and from the island are operated by this carrier (often under code-sharing agreement with other airlines). USM has two terminals, domestic and international, and is known for its distinctive open-air layout.

    In close proximity to Samui Airport, passengers can conveniently access two major piers for island-hopping adventures. The Big Buddha Pier, situated nearby, offers ferry services to Ko Pha-ngan, while high-speed ferries to Ko Tao and Chumphon are available at Maenam Beach Pier, located approximately 6 km northwest of the airport
    .

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Ko Samui. 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 Ko Samui, 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 Ko Samui can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, and Scoot. If you have a layover in Ko Samui 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 Ko Samui

Best airports to fly into Ko Samui: Samui Airport (USM)
Ko Samui has one airport – Samui Airport USM (also known as Koh Samui Airport), located on the northeast coast of the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. The airport is situated approximately 2.5 km (1.5 miles) north of the popular tourist spot of Chaweng Beach, and 10 km (6 miles) from Lamai Beach.
Things to know before flying to Koh Samui
Airlines flying to Koh SamuiAir Astana, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Gulf Air, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, KLM, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, Vietnam Airlines
Thai airlinesThai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Smile, Thai VietAir
Main airports in Koh SamuiSamui Airport (USM)
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €800 – €1200 (from Europe)
✈ $700 – $1100 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airline promotionsSee ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from March to May

Book cheap flights in the region

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 Samui Airport, head to Red Lane to declare your goods.

The cheapest time to fly to Ko Samui

Ko Samui 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 Ko Samui 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.

Ko Samui, 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 Ko Samui, try to avoid national holidays, when flight and hotel prices soar (even during the off-peak season).

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 Ko Samui 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).

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Flights to Ko Samui from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Ko Samui. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Ko Samui, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. The best option is to fly direct from the US or Canada to Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong, and then take a shorter, connecting flight to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways (the only airline that serves Ko Samui).
  • Ko Samui is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Ko Samui 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.
  • The best airlines to fly to Ko Samui from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, ANA, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United 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.
  • For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Ko Samui, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.

Ko Samui from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24

Real-time economy class airfares to Ko Samui from the US and Canada. Shown are the top three deals for flights departing in the coming months (March to November).

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Use Grab to get around island

Uber is no longer available in Thailand – 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.

If you don’t have Grab Taxi yet, download it for your Ko Samui 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 Ko Samui are reasonably priced and short. For example, to fly from Ko Samui to Bangkok 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.

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 Ko Samui during popular Thai holidays – adjust travel dates to avoid expensive tickets. Cheap flights to Ko Samui 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).

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Flights to Ko Samui with stopover

Direct flights to Ko Samui are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.

So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.

When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Ko Samui. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.

Big cities in Asia and Pacific are known for their rich culture and history — making them a great idea for a stopover during a longer journey. Here are a few suggestions for a stopover while en route to Ko Samui.

Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Ko Samui with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.

A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Ko Samui will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.

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

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Ko Samui — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. The best option is to fly direct from Europe to Bangkok, Phuket, or Singapore, and then take a shorter, connecting flight to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways (the only airline that serves Ko Samui).
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Ko Samui include Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Thai AirAsia, 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 Ko Samui from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.

    We recommend checking prices for flights to Ko Samui from these European airport hubs: 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 Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

European airports with the cheapest flights to Ko Samui

Find the lowest prices for flights to Samui Airport in Ko Samui from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.

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How to book SuperDeals?

At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Ko Samui is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.

Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.

One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.

Booking deals with Google Flights: price history
A visual representation of the flight price. In this example, the SuperDeal saves more than 50% compared to the regular fare.

If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.

For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:

YouTube video

If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Ko Samui). Signup now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!

Last-minute flights to Ko Samui. 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 Ko Samui 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 Ko Samui is around 60-90 days before the departure date.

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Domestic air travel from Ko Samui

Most domestic routes in Thailand are operated by local airlines. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, Phi Phi, and Surat Thani, from Samui Airport, you’ll be flying with one of these domestic air transport companies: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai Smile. In most cases, it is the best (the fastest, the most convenient, and the cheapest) way to travel around the country.

If you plan to fly domestically from Ko Samui check the latest prices here, then book your flight ticket online.

Flights to Ko Samui from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Ko Samui. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

    Direct flights and flights with one layover to Ko Samui are available from all major airports in Australia – Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, and in New Zealand – Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, Dunedin DUD.
  • In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Ko Samui with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Ko Samui are Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, and Scoot.

    Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Ko Samui. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.

Prices of flights to Ko Samui from Australia and New Zealand

Real-time economy class fares to Ko Samui from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.

Prices in Australian Dollar.

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Get cheaper business class by bidding on airline upgrades

A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Ko Samui, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, visit the airline website and place a “blind” bid for an upgrade by providing your Booking Reference number.

There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed by email, and your seat will be upgraded.

Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade),  Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).

Why should you book an early morning flight to Ko Samui

It is a seemingly simple but often overlooked strategy: fly at dawn for smoother travel and cheaper tickets. Booking an early morning flight to Ko Samui can pay off in numerous ways:

  1. Cheaper airfares. Early morning flights – between 4 am and 8 am – are usually cheaper than other day schedules. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early.
  2. Lower chance of delay. The thin traffic in the morning leads to fewer delays – all the flights from the night before have already landed, and there is no other air traffic to contend with. Air traffic and delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying to Ko Samui with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
  3. Fewer crowds at the airport. By heading to the airport before rush hour, you can at least halve the time spent in city traffic. With fewer travelers at the airport, there will be no long lines at the check-in and security, and waiting areas will be less crowded.

    Early morning flights
    Taking an early morning flight is the best way to avoid crowds at the airport
  4. Less turbulence. Early morning flights offer a smoother ride, with less turbulence. Thunderstorms and unstable air, which can cause turbulence (including its worst kind – convective turbulence) are more likely to occur in the afternoon.
  5. Fresher crew. You’ll be flying with a crew that has had a good night’s sleep and is mentally ready to provide better service and ensure a safer flight experience.
  6. Cleaner plane. On its first flight of the day, your aircraft will be as sanitary as possible. Airlines generally take extra care to thoroughly clean planes between flights, but boarding that morning flight gives you the greatest chance of a spotless plane.

Looking for the best deals for Ko Samui? Check different departure airports.

Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Ko Samui 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 Ko Samui, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.

For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Ko Samui, 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.

The same goes for long-haul flights to Ko Samui 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!

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

  • Only a few airports in the Asia Pacific region have direct flights to Koh Samui: Bangkok BKK, Chengdu CTU, Hong Kong HKG, and Singapore SIN.
  • 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 Ko Samui 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 Ko Samui 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.

Flights from major Asian airports to Ko Samui

Asia is home to some of the busiest and most connected airports in the world. All major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Ko Samui — 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.

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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 Ko Samui, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.

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)

Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips

Every year, airlines handle millions of bags, and a small percentage of these bags never make it to their final destinations. Globally, airlines mishandle around 0.7% of bags checked in, which translates to seven bags out of every 1,000. Losing the luggage on your trip to Ko Samui can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of this happening to you.

  1. Use GPS-Trackers. A luggage tracking device such as Apple AirTag or Samsung Galaxy SmartTag comes with a smartphone app and is an excellent way to locate your bag if it goes missing.

    Flights: lost baggage prevention
    Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag are small, trackable devices that can be attached to the check-in luggage
  2. Label your luggage with your name, address, phone number and the name of your destination airport in Ko Samui. Put these details inside the case as well.
  3. Remove old tags. Tags are printed with a barcode for identification and tracking, so the old tags from previous flights can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners.
  4. Avoid tight layovers. Give yourself and your luggage time to get aboard the next plane by picking a flight to Ko Samui with a longer layover.
  5. Don’t overstuff your suitcase. Heavy bags are more likely to get damaged and stuck on the belts, causing the bag to be misdirected.
  6. Make your bag stand out. After arrival at Ko Samui airport, most people just want to grab their luggage and get out of the airport as soon as possible. In their haste, a case of mistaken identity can sometimes occur.
  7. Take a picture of your bag and the contents, and keep it on your phone. This can be helpful if you need to make a claim for lost or damaged items.
  8. Use a TSA-approved luggage lock. This will secure your bags and will help deter theft.
  9. Keep your valuables in your hand luggage. The airline liability is notoriously low (around €1,000 in most cases) and it usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.
  10. Consider purchasing travel insurance. It can act as a safety net as it can often cover the full value of your luggage. Travel insurance may also reimburse you for any emergency purchases you need to make while you wait.

Hidden-city ticketing hack

Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.

It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.

Booking a hidden city ticket isn’t as easy as booking a standard itinerary. There are some things to be aware of: (1) don’t check baggage — bring only hand luggage that can fit under the seat or an overhead compartment; a large checked bag will end up in the final destination C; (2) don’t use it for return flights — airlines often void any subsequent tickets if any segment of the first ticket is missed; (3) Do not overuse this tactic with the same airline — hidden-city ticketing is legal but airlines don’t like it and may try to punish you; (4) Don’t associate your frequent flyer account — the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.

How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Ko Samui.

Hidden-city ticketing flight hack
An example of a hidden-city ticketing flight hack. The layover city is actually our final destination (source: Skiplagged).