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How to get to Thailand
Thailand is easily reached from the UK, with flights to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) from all the major UK airports including London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), Birmingham International (BHX) and Manchester (MAN).
Airlines that run flights to Thailand include Thai Airways, Etihad Airways, Virgin, British Airways and Emirates. The majority of travellers land in Bangkok, with flight times to Thailand’s capital of around 11 hours.
Airlines that run flights to Thailand include Thai Airways, Etihad Airways, Virgin, British Airways and Emirates. The majority of travellers land in Bangkok, with flight times to Thailand’s capital of around 11 hours.
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Flying to Thailand
Direct flights to Thailand from London are fairly frequent. However, if you’re travelling from the UK’s regional airports you’ll find that all flights to Thailand are indirect, and will require a stop, either in London, Europe or the Middle East, depending on which airline you’re using.
The cheapest Thailand flights can be found during the spring low season, which runs from February to May. Fares start to increase during July and August when school holidays drive up prices, so it pays to book tickets for 2017 well in advance.
Visiting from November through to January is also expensive, as this is when the weather is at its best – sunny and hot, but without the humid fug of the wet season.
Bangkok and beyond
Bangkok is Thailand’s main hub, but you can find low-cost domestic flights to other parts of the country. In fact, if you’re trying to get to Thailand’s islands, such as Phuket, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Phi Phi or Koh Samui, going by air is likely be your only option, with the odd boat trip thrown in for good measure.
If, on the other hand, you want to travel to mainland areas beyond Bangkok – Krabi or Chiang Mai for instance – you should compare services from regional airlines such as Air Asia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways with other options such as taking the train.
Finding cheap flights to Thailand
Cheap Thailand flights can be found as part of a package holiday, especially if you are willing to travel in the low season. Another possibility, if you’re not concerned about how the long the flight is, is to start your journey to Thailand from an airport outside the UK.
This can sometimes result in lower fares, as you’ll avoid paying the government’s air passenger duty. You’ll still need to buy a connecting flight, however, and depending on the cost, may end up paying more than for the cheapest direct Thailand flights.
| Popular airports in Thailand | Average flight time | Average price |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok (BKK) | 12 hrs | £250 - £300 |
| Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok (DMK) | 17 hrs | £350 - £400 |
| Phuket International Airport (HKT) | 15 hrs | £350 - £400 |
| Koh Samui Airport (USM) | 16 hrs | £400 - £450 |
| Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | 14 hrs | £300 - £350 |
| Krabi International Airport (KBV) | 14 hrs | £250 - £300 |
| Surat Thani Airport (URT) | 16 hrs | £300 - £350 |
| Trat Airport (TDK) | 14 hrs | £300 - £350 |
Taking a cruise in Thailand
Not sold on flying to Thailand? Then it might be worth taking a cruise, which can be a good way to visit islands such as Phuket, while skipping the frenetic pace of Bangkok altogether.
Some cruise companies are offering itineraries for 2017 that include Thailand, as well as a host of other stop-offs such as Malaysia, the Maldives and Singapore, or as part of an extravagant round-the-world tour.