Flights to Thailand: Travel tips and advice

Whether you’re a frequent traveller to Thailand or are visiting for the first time, we’ve put together some tips to help you book your flight. Check out our advice for finding the best fares, who to book with, and what paperwork you will need.

For the majority of visitors flying to Thailand from the UK or Ireland, the arrival airport will be Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK). When booking domestic flights or onward travel, please note that some low-cost carriers use Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) airport. Average travel time by road between the two airports is around one hour.

Flight connections at Bangkok Airport

How to get the best fare to Thailand

As a general rule of thumb, the earlier you book the better. There are always exceptions to this rule, but booking early normally gives you access to more routes and lower fares. The price of tickets tends to go up the closer you get to the travel date. The different options for booking flights all come with their own pros and cons, so choose whatever is best for your individual circumstances.

Booking direct with airline

Booking direct with the airline may not always be the cheapest initially, but does give more flexibility should you need to change anything and can save you money on fees. Booking your preferred seats is also usually easier when booking directly with the airline.

Online ticket broker

Using a flight aggregator like Skyscanner or Google Flights is a convenient way to check flight options and prices. Although fares can sometimes be lower than booking directly with the airline, not all airlines/fares are displayed. You may also be booking through a third-party provider and while some are excellent, there can be issues if you need to contact anybody about your flight. Before booking your flight, make sure the ticket provider is ATOL and ABTA protected.

DialAFlight

DialAFlight is one of the biggest and best-known independent travel companies in the UK. Their buying power means they may be able to offer a fare that is cheaper than can be found elsewhere.

Travel agency

In the Internet age, the idea of visiting a travel agent in person can seem old-fashioned. But there are advantages to this way of doing things, especially if you are looking to book a complete holiday package or you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand.

Direct flights from the UK to Thailand

Direct flights to Thailand from the UK to Bangkok take around 11.5 hours.

Airline	Route	Frequency
Thai Airways	LHR-BKK	2 flights per day
EVA Air	LHR-BKK	1 flight per day
TUI	LGW-HKT	1 flight a week*
TUI	MAN-HKT	1 flight a week*

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British Airways launched flights from London Gatwick to Bangkok in October 2024, operating 3 services a week.
More details

An expanded codeshare partnership between British Airways and Bangkok Airways will allow seamless travel to various locations in Thailand. The agreement means British Airways customers travelling from or transiting through London can connect to their final destination in Thailand on a single ticket.
More details

Indirect flights from the UK and Ireland

Flying indirect to Thailand can be a good option if you’d prefer to break up the long journey. Flying via one of the Middle East hubs like Dubai or Abu Dhabi means you change flights approximately halfway into the journey to Thailand. And flying via Singapore or Malaysia can be convenient too if you are starting your holiday in southern Thailand and want to connect to Phuket or Ko Samui.

Airline	Route	Frequency
Emirates	LHR-DXB-BKK	4 flights per day
Etihad Airways	LHR-AUH-BKK	2 flights per day
Qatar Airways	LHR-DOH-BKK	5 flights per day

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Other airlines operating indirect flights to Thailand from the UK or Ireland include:

• Air France
• Finnair
• KLM Royal Dutch Airways
• Malaysia Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Turkish Airlines

If you are flying to Thailand via another country, check for any additional airline regulations or local laws that may apply. For example, Dubai has stricter controls on travelling with prescribed drugs. Because you will need to pass through security again at your transit airport, also be careful if buying drinks or duty-free products at your original departure airport.

International airports in Thailand

International airports in Thailand:

• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
• Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK)
• Chiang Mai (CNX)
• Chiang Rai Mae Fah Luang (CEI)
• Hat Yai (HDY)
• Krabi (KBV)
• Phuket (HKT)
• Surat Thani (URT)
• Udon Thani (UTH)
• U-Tapao (UTP)

Through tickets

If you are starting your holiday in Thailand somewhere other than Bangkok, it’s possible to book through tickets to destinations including Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Krabi, and Phuket. When booking your flights on a through ticket (i.e. you booked your flights all on one ticket) you are usually able to check your bags all the way through to your destination. This may also be possible on some non-through tickets if your domestic flight is with a full-service airline like Thai Airways. Check with your airline to be sure.

Visa information

If you hold a UK or Irish passport and are flying to Thailand for a 2-3 week holiday, you do not require a visa to travel. You can enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme. If you are planning to stay longer, other visa options are available. Find out more here:
Do I need a visa for Thailand?

Visa rules are subject to change. While we regularly update the information on our site, always check the current rules listed by the Royal Thai Embassy in London and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

One way flights

If you are unsure of your travel plans or are planning to travel around South-East Asia, you may be tempted to book a one-way flight to Thailand. Although it’s possible to book a one-way ticket to Thailand, there are some important caveats:

If you haven’t applied in advance for a Tourist Visa, you need to be in possession of a confirmed flight ticket (an e-ticket is acceptable) to show you will be flying out of Thailand within 60 days. Without this, your airline may stop you from boarding.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Travellers arriving in Thailand from 1 May 2025 onwards, need to apply online for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).
Full details here: https://fanclubthailand.co.uk/thailand-digital-arrival-card-tdac/

How long to clear immigration and baggage collection?

Baggage collection and security at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi is usually efficient. However, delays clearing immigration can occur if your flight arrives at a busy time or the immigration desks are under-staffed. How long you wait to clear immigration can be luck of the draw; it could be five minutes it could be 45 minutes.

If you have a connecting flight, it’s wise to allow some wiggle room for potential delays. You should also factor in extra time if you need to collect your luggage and check-in again for your onward flight.

Flight connections at Bangkok Airport

Tips for beating jet-lag

With a long flight and crossing several time zones, jet lag can be an issue for some travellers. Although there’s no golden bullet for jet lag, there are steps you can take to help reduce the effects:

• Get plenty of rest in the days before you travel
• Drink plenty of water on the flight
• Get up regularly to stretch and walk around the cabin
• Try to adjust to the destination time zone; if it’s night-time in Thailand when you’re in the air, try to get some sleep
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
• After you arrive, change your sleep schedule to Thai time as soon as possible
• Going outside during the day and getting lots of natural light is a good way to help your body clock adjust
• Use an app to help your body clock adjust

Read more advice on how to avoid jet lag on your Thailand flight

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