flights to thailand advices please

[bboy154]

sounds fun, I love water

 

[hellfire]

OP, AirAsia won't necessarily be the cheapest to Phuket. Price around on Nok, Bangkok Air etc (do a Google search for Thai airlines)

 

[Dineshg]

Hi All

I am planning to go to Thailand (Phuket and Koh Phi Phi) in March 2014. I have read many comment here that I should DIY my trip as it works out cheaper that going with a Travel Agent.

So can someone give me tips/advice one how to book my flights. I am looking to a cheap option from JHB to Bangkok, dubai, Doah etc. (not sure where please advice)

Which airline?

I know once I am in Asia I can user Asia Air to book to Phuket.

We 2 adults and 2 kids (7,8)

I am also going to Thailand in March. We taking a flight from Durban to Dubai and then from Dubai to Phuket. Both flights are with Emirates. Only annoying part is we stuck in transit for 7 hours at Dubai. You can also use Bangkok Airways to fly from Bangkok to Phuket. If you are flying from Jhb I think Thai Airways has a direct flight to Bangkok.

 

[lived666]

The 787 is an engineering masterpiece. And Ethiopian Airlines is world class.

Yeh, the only issue it takes around 2 hours to board, but indeed a great airline, will probably overtake SAA as number 1 in Africa, just their airport is a tad meh.

Wait time is only 4 hours there and 2 hours back, so prefer them for Thailand than the various Emirates airlines, which I try and avoid where possible.

 

[Brawler]

It doesnt seem like Ethiopian Airlines flies to Phuket?

 

[lived666]

It doesnt seem like Ethiopian Airlines flies to Phuket?

err no, to Bangkok, and then you hop onto to whoever has the best deal at the time to get to Phuket.

 

[F1 Fan]

I doubt anyone can access the .co.za one The .com one works though

Yep, but does not have specials for SA flights. Even if you choose country SA, you cannot access it.

 

[Mila]

Air Ethiopia was the cheapest when we went. Stop over in addis abba.
Pray hard then they over book you and bump you to business class.
Bangkok is an experience you would not want to miss.

 

[bwana]

I always start off planning with Kayak - usually the tablet app. It gives me a good idea of what prices I'm likely to find.

 

[bboy154]

thanks for all the helpfull post everyone

 

[jambai]

Qatar Airways?

 

[poffle]

Is there a reason why no-one ever mentions www.travelstart.co.za? I've found they usually to have the best deals. I used them with my flight to thailand it was easy peasy -- i flew with Qatar and i all i can say is WOW. Absolutely excellent airline. Spacious (only 3 seats in the middle isle), good entertainment system + food + staff

 

[bokka1]

You can also use Pick n Pay to check out flight prices. http://www.pnptravel.co.za/

Once you get a good price then check out the Airline's website to see if you can match or get a better price. I always prefer booking with the airline directly because if there is a **** up then you can sort it out at the airport.

The golden rule is that you don't want a long stop-over, that kills you.

Also remember that Air Asia and Nok Air fly from the old airport in Bangkok so you may have a problem if you want to fly on to Phuket the same day. Contrary to all the suggestions but Bangkok Air is the most expensive airline in Thailand. Air Asia and Nok Air is okay but you have to book well in advance to get good prices. I don't book anything ahead and found that Thai Air offers the best prices with the least hassles if you book a day or two before you fly.

I came back from Thailand yesterday and can not recommend Patong, Phuket if you are travelling with kids. It really is a place just to go to party, the food and restaurants are generally over-priced and there are too many people. The place have really deteriorated the last few years. Rather have a look at Nai Harn or Kata.

A much better place to go to with family is Khao Lak. I stayed at Nang Thong Beach Resort and it was great. Big clean rooms and a great beach. http://www.nangthong2.com/index.htm The cheapest rooms are perfect at 2000 Baht.

A Similan snorkelling trip is a must do and you can split it in two and sleep on one of the islands in tents, the kids will love it. Just ask for an open ticket. The one day trip costs 1500Bht and the overnight trip costs 2500Bht with an extra fee of 570Bht per tent.

Khao Lak is 75 km's from Phuket Airport and the taxi costs 1500 Bht. There are no mini-buses to Khao Lak.

Bangkok is a great city and if you decide to stay then have a look at Khao San Road or Soi Rambuttri for a place to stay.

You can also visit my website in my sig for more tips although it has not been updated with the new Khao Lak stuff.

Feel free to contact me if you need any further advice.

 

[Willie Trombone]

fiddle around with your dates and see?

Always clear your cache before getting second / third etc quotes - they track you and bump prices up to scare you into rash bookings. Google it - its a well known ploy.

www.kayak.com are good too... And if you need hotel booking to secure visa then do it at www.agoda.com - you get 100% cash back when you cancel. I've even made money on the exchange rate twice that way.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9300 using Tapatalk

 

[Brawler]

Always clear your cache before getting second / third etc quotes - they track you and bump prices up to scare you into rash bookings. Google it - its a well known ploy.

www.kayak.com are good too... And if you need hotel booking to secure visa then do it at www.agoda.com - you get 100% cash back when you cancel. I've even made money on the exchange rate twice that way.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9300 using Tapatalk

Thanks for Tip on the cache.

Visa for Thailand?

 

[techead]

Thanks for Tip on the cache.

Visa for Thailand?

not required

 

[Brawler]

Thats what I thought but the post above stated something about "securing a visa"

 

[techead]

perhaps for other countries that require a visa (which you need bookings for) so you can then cancel your bookings and still have the visa in hand. (and all your $$$)

allowing you to travel and do whatever you wanna do/feel like doing

 

[goofball]

South African passport holders do not require a visa for Thailand for stays up to like 30 days or something. Other passport holders might need a visa.

Check the Visaexpress website for visa info for SA passport holders.

 

[bokka1]

Yes, you get a free 30 day visa on arrival if you come in via air. The visa is only for 15 days if you come in overland.