Practical tips

  • If you are flying to Thailand from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportSuvarnabhumi BKK (the most popular for foreign travelers) and Don Mueang DMK in Bangkok, Phuket HKT, Chiang Mai CNX, Krabi KBV, Hat Yai HDY, and Samui USM.

    These are also the best (and cheapest) airports to fly into Thailand. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce, and airfare decreases as a result.
Best airports to fly into Thailand:
Thailand has 38 airports, out of which 6 are the key international airports – Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK and Don Mueang International Airport DMK in Bangkok, Phuket International Airport HKT, Chiang Mai International Airport CNX, Krabi International Airport KBV, and Samui International Airport USM.

Flights to Thailand
from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Thailand. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Thailand, 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 Thailand. The only nonstop connection between North America and Thailand 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.
  • Thailand is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Thailand 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 Thailand, 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 Thailand from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, ANA, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, aSingapore 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.

40–80% off flights to Thailand
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Flights to Thailand from Europe

40–80% off flights to Thailand
from Europe

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Things to know before flying to Thailand
Airlines flying to ThailandAeroflot, 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, Edelweiss Air, El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Finnair, FlexFlight, Flyadeal, 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, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Myanmar Airways, Neos Air, Nok Air, 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, TUI Airways, Turkish Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Vistara, Zipair
Thai airlinesThai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Smile, Thai VietAir
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €800 – €1200 (from Europe)
✈ $700 – $1100 (from USA)
Main airports in ThailandSuvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) — Bangkok
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) — Bangkok
Phuket International Airport (HKT) — Phuket
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) — Chiang Mai
Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) — Songkhla
Krabi International Airport (KBV) — Krabi
Samui International Airport (USM) — Ko Samui
Udon Thani International Airport (UTH) — Udon Thani

Low-cost flights from Thailand

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

Use Thai budget airlines

It can be time-consuming and uncomfortable traveling 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 Thailand are reasonably priced and short. For example, to go from the southern island of Koh Samui to Chiang Mai in the north, it takes less than 2 hours on a non-stop flight, at a cost of around 3000 bahts (~85 USD or ~120 AUD).

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).

The cheapest time to fly to Thailand

Thailand 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.

There is an increased risk of flooding in some areas during these months, and 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. Hotel rates, tours, activities, and local food can also be much cheaper compared to the peak season. Moreover, some popular destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi have a more tropical climate, and they can still offer plenty of sunshine, even during the low season. It is also a great time to visit local festivals and events, such as the famous Loi Krathong festival in November, which is celebrated throughout Thailand.

The weather in Thailand varies dramatically throughout the year, and crowds and prices fluctuate accordingly. Most of the country 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.

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 Thailand 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

Avoid peak travel months in Phuket

The high tourist season in Phuket is from November to March with the crowds peaking in December and January. During this season, prices of flights and accommodation go up significantly. Try to be flexible and fly to Phuket in May through October when rains and humidity scare away most of Phuket’s crowds – these are the cheapest months that guarantee the greatest savings.

Plan ahead if you intend to take your chances with Phuket’s peak season.

Use Grab to get around town

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.

Some busier cities such as Bangkok also have 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.

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 during holidays in Thailand – adjust your travel dates to avoid expensive tickets. Cheap flights to Thailand 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

Airlines of Thailand

Airlines in Thailand range from high-end boutique carriers to no-frills budget airlines:

Thai Airways is a full-service airline and the only airline in Thailand that offers in-flight entertainment, free meals, and a generous luggage allowance of 30 kg. Seats in economy class have plenty of legroom, and there’s also a business and first class for more demanding travelers. Its Royal Orchid Plus loyalty program offers flight and hotel packages to popular destinations such as Krabi and Phuket.

Thai Smile is a low-cost subsidiary of Thai Airways, with a free allowance of 20 kg and free snacks and drinks instead of full meals onboard. It has a good reputation for taking off on time.

Bangkok Airways, also known as Asia’s Boutique Airline, focuses on offering an unforgettable experience. This certified 4-Star airline may be more expensive than other carriers, but the seats are comfortable with generous legroom, provided in-flight meal is of top quality, and there’s free baggage allowance of 20 kg. The airline covers many domestic destinations, and popular regional routes including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Maldives, Singapore and Vietnam.

Thai AirAsia is probably the cheapest option when flying around Thailand, especially if you are traveling light. Airfares are low, but there is no free luggage allowance, in-flight meals and add-ons may add up if you want to upgrade your experience. Thai Lion Air and Nok Air (famous for its bird theme) price their services similarly to AirAsia but offer up to 15 kg of luggage for free. Thai VietAir, the newest addition to commercial aviation in Thailand, is also aiming at budget travelers, however, there’s a fee for every kg of checked baggage. Those three airlines only serve snack boxes onboard, instead of full meals.

Flights to Thailand
from Australia and New Zealand

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from Australasia

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Flights to Thailand
from 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 Thailand 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 Thailand 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. 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.

40–80% off flights to Thailand
from Asia

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Flights to Thailand dataset