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 Thailand
- If you are flying to Thailand from abroad, you will most likely land at its main international airport — Suvarnabhumi
BKK(the most popular for foreign travelers) and Don MueangDMKin Bangkok, PhuketHKT, Chiang MaiCNX, KrabiKBV, Hat YaiHDY, and SamuiUSM. - Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, Go First, IndiGO, Jetstar, Scoot, Thai AirAsia, and VietJet Air. 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 Thailand
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.
What is the best time to book flights to Thailand?
The best time to book flights to Thailand is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Thailand flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for Thailand flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Thailand, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. 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. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to Thailand using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Thailand less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in Thailand), and check the best time to fly to Thailand. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Book cheap flights in the region
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).
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
YVRin Canada to BangkokBKKwith 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, DallasDFW, DenverDEN, ChicagoORD, Los AngelesLAX, Las VegasDFW, MiamiMIA, SeattleSEA, HoustonIAH, New YorkJFK, and San FranciscoSFOin the United States and TorontoYYZ, VancouverYVR, CalgaryLAS, and MontrealYULin 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, 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 Thailand, 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.
Thailand from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to Thailand from the US and Canada. See the top deals for flights departing from June to February:
Hacker faresto Thailand
Airfares airlines don't want you to see:
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).
Flights to Thailand with stopover
Direct flights to Thailand 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 Thailand. 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.
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 Thailand 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 Thailand 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 Thailand from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Thailand — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Thailand are about 10-12 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to Thailand - 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 Thailand 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 Thailand 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 Thailand from these European airport hubs: LondonLHRand ManchesterMANin the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRAand MunichMUCin Germany, ParisCDGand NiceNCEin France, AmsterdamAMSin the Netherlands, MadridMADand BarcelonaBCNin Spain, RomeFCOand MilanoMXPin Italy, BrusselsBRUin Belgium, CopenhagenOSLin Denmark, OsloOSLin Norway, StockholmARNin Sweden, ZurichZRHin Switzerland, LisbonLISin Portugal, ViennaVIEin Austria, WarsawWAWin Poland, PraguePRGin Czech Republic, and DublinDUBin Ireland.
European airports with the cheapest flights to Thailand
Find the lowest prices for flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, and Phuket Airport in Thailand from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
Can't finda good deal?
Europe to Thailand, up to 80% off.
How to book SuperDeals?
At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Thailand 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.
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.
If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Thailand). Sign up now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!
For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:
Check different departure airports
Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.
For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Thailand will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.
Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.
Last-minute flights to Thailand. 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 Thailand almost always never works out.
Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates 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 Thailand is 2-8 months before the takeoff.
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
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Thailand. 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 Thailand are available from all major airports in Australia – SydneySYD, BrisbaneBNE, MelbourneMEL, PerthPER, AdelaideADL, CairnsCNS, Gold CoastOOL, CanberraCBR, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL, WellingtonWLG, ChristchurchCHC, QueenstownZQN, DunedinDUD. - 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 Thailand with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Thailand are Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, Go First, IndiGO, Jetstar, Scoot, Thai AirAsia, and VietJet Air.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Thailand. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Prices of flights to Thailand from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to Thailand from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Curated dealsfrom flight experts
Fly half-price (or less!) to Thailand:
“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 Thailand, 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.
How much is Premium Economy to Thailand?
Heading for a long-haul or overnight flight to Thailand? The premium economy could be a worthwhile investment, ensuring you arrive rejuvenated.
Positioned between economy and business class, premium economy provides enhanced comfort (5–7 inches of extra legroom, wider seats with 2–3 extra inches recline, adjustable headrests and leg rests, larger personal TV screens) and extra perks (superior meals, larger baggage allowances, priority boarding, access to airport lounges). It’s a favored option for those seeking comfort without the cost of a full-fledged business-class ticket.
The majority of Asia Pacific carriers now feature premium economy class. According to Skytrax’s World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines Awards, the best premium economy is offered by Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, ANA, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.
However, the Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats Award recognized Emirates as the top contender. Their premium economy class, currently available on A380 aircraft, exudes a business-class ambiance and occupies the front of the main deck of the superjumbo.
Premium economy class fares typically range from 25% to 100% more than standard economy tickets on the same flight. For instance, a round-trip economy ticket from the US to Thailand might be priced around $700, whereas a premium economy ticket on the same route could be $1,000 to $1,500. In contrast, business class tickets for an identical itinerary may run between $3,000 and $5,000 or higher.
When booking closer to the departure date, premium economy is generally only 10–30% more expensive than standard economy fare. If premium seats aren’t filled, airlines might offer discounted upgrades at check-in.
To find the current prices of premium economy tickets to Thailand, use our search form (choose “Premium Economy” in the cabin class drop-down menu).
Is the premium economy to Thailand worth the extra cost? This decision hinges on individual priorities. For long-haul and overnight flights, the enhanced comfort can significantly improve the travel experience. If your journey consists of two or more connecting flights, opting for a premium seat on just one leg can still provide a superior journey compared to the standard economy throughout.
However, if the price gap for premium economy appears too steep, consider another viable alternative: hot seats.
Best way to upgrade to Business Class for cheap
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Thailand, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. Alternatively, you can go to the website directly and check if your seat qualifies for an upgrade by providing the Booking Reference number.
There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed via email, and your seat will be upgraded.
How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to Thailand, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.
The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to Thailand – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.
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).
Flights to Thailand 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 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 AirAsia, Cebu 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 Thailand
Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Thailand — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), 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.
Fly half-price(or less!)
Get curated deals to Thailand:
Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips
Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to Thailand by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.
For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.
Booking group flights to Thailand
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Thailand 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.
Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.
Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:
- free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
- free checked baggage allowance
- dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
- cabin crew who speak your group’s language
- flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)
Booking group flights to Thailand is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.
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 Thailand and can help with logistics and scheduling.
“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?
Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Thailand now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Fly Now Pay Later, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.
BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans 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). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.
Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Thailand can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.
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.
