Phuket Thailand

The Viking · #1 10-08-2006, 02:02

I'm trying to book a flight and need some advice about stops.

I can get a one way flight to Bangkok for about £260 inc all taxes if I go via Doha. Although I've flown a lot of short hops, I've never flown long haul, at least not one requiring stops. The flight I'm thinking about has a 55 minute stop in Doh, whereas others have much longer stops. My question is this: will the stop be just for fuel/new passengers etc before continuing onto BKK, or will it include having to get off the plane and boarding another? If it's the latter, how long will I reasonable need between flights to make sure I make the connection? What about luggage - will that be automatically transferred to the new flight or do i have to do that myself?

Also, as I'm planning on going for a long time (6-12 months), would it be better to get 2 singles or an open return? I can't find much info from the travel sites about open returns - I take it they are quite expensive? Any visa concerns with single tickets?

Anyone got an experience or advice? I have searched, honest!

DREW · #2 10-08-2006, 02:22

This is really very straight forward and whoever you buy the flight from will be able to give you all these details.

If you are booking with just one airline (and it has a stop) then the airline will usually just be refuling or stoping to collect onward bound passengers; and the airline will not off load your bags. Depending on the airline you may be asked to leave the aircraft for a walk round duty free and a quick drink etc, but some airlines will ask you to remain on board until you take off for your final destination.

If you are travelling and changing airlines at Bangkok or Singapore etc then your bags will have to be transfered (usually by the airline) to your next flight. Your original airline will inform you at check in if the bags will be transfered automatically or you need to collect then and then check in again before your final destination.

As long as your bags are tagged, then even if you make the connection and your bags miss it; you simply report it at your final destination airport and they will deliver it to your hotel when it lands on the next flight.

Nothing at all to worry about really.

Concentrate your searches on Women, Booze and Beaches

Regards

Drew

mars · #3 10-08-2006, 02:30

Looks like your flying with ana irline from Doha so yes you will be swapping planes, If they let you book the flight with the times given that means they will usually guarentee that the connection times will be ok and you will pick up your luggage in bkk.

Open returns are slightly more expensive, If give a return date and get a cheaper ticket there will be a charge to change the date.

You do need a return ticket so they can be assured you can get home, when you arrive you will only have a one month visa, to stay longer you will need to apply in advance.

And this is all covered numerous times on the board. Maybe try the search again

landofsmiles · #4 10-08-2006, 02:59

>>You do need a return ticket<<

No you don't. I came back out on a oneway in March. If you get asked about a return ticket you just say something like you're going on to Malaysia or Hong Kong or wherever in a few weeks but not sure exactly when.

Sounds like you're on QATAR via Doha. My usual route. Don't worry about the 1 hour connection...it's normal and the BKK flight won't go without you because there'll be many others in transit like you.

The Viking · #5 10-08-2006, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

>>You do need a return ticket<<

No you don't. I came back out on a oneway in March. If you get asked about a return ticket you just say something like you're going on to Malaysia or Hong Kong or wherever in a few weeks but not sure exactly when.

Sounds like you're on QATAR via Doha. My usual route. Don't worry about the 1 hour connection...it's normal and the BKK flight won't go without you because there'll be many others in transit like you.

That's the baby. What are they like? The price is good.

dawsey · #6 10-08-2006, 03:09

Mars has the correct info here(and LOSmiles)

Your flight ends in Doha,and you will go into the transit area of Doha Airport,which is quite nice and small, and re board another aircraft onto BKK. Your bags are automatically transferred to the new flight.

Qatar are a good reliable airline and I'd have no problems using them again

The Viking · #7 10-08-2006, 03:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by mars

Looks like your flying with ana irline from Doha so yes you will be swapping planes, If they let you book the flight with the times given that means they will usually guarentee that the connection times will be ok and you will pick up your luggage in bkk.

Open returns are slightly more expensive, If give a return date and get a cheaper ticket there will be a charge to change the date.

You do need a return ticket so they can be assured you can get home, when you arrive you will only have a one month visa, to stay longer you will need to apply in advance.

And this is all covered numerous times on the board. Maybe try the search again

I take the point about searches but sometimes it's better to engage with people directly. For instance, contradictory advice has been given within 3 posts on this thread and it can be confusing to follow just by searching other people's threads, who usually have slightly different needs anyway.

Besides, without new threads boards can become dull very quickly. I know it can be boring for old posters to constantly answer the same questions but it does encourage new blood.

landofsmiles · #8 10-08-2006, 03:19

QATAR are excellent. Mostly new Airbuses with seatback entertainment systems. Crews are multinational...only Arabs likely to be a steward and stewardess. Chief stewardess will probably be Irish or Australian...Captain Scandinavian!

The Viking · #9 10-08-2006, 03:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DREW

Concentrate your searches on Women, Booze and Beaches

Regards

Drew

Thanks Drew - I've already done searches on those, hence my need to find a flight!

The Viking · #10 10-08-2006, 03:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

QATAR are excellent. Mostly new Airbuses with seatback entertainment systems. Crews are multinational...only Arabs likely to be a steward and stewardess. Chief stewardess will probably be Irish or Australian...Captain Scandinavian!

Ta. As long as the pilot can fly and the stewardesses serve beer, I couldn't give a monkeys.

landofsmiles · #11 10-08-2006, 03:25

>>Any visa concerns with single tickets?<<

No when you apply for the visa they don't ask anything about your travel arrangements. Best to get a 60-day tourist visa...you can extend that here by 30 days without having to leave the country.

landofsmiles · #12 10-08-2006, 03:29

Thai Consuls in Hull or Birmingham will turn your passport round and get back to you within 3 days with 60day visa stamp.

stevem · #13 10-08-2006, 07:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

>>You do need a return ticket<<

No you don't.

You cant definitely say that. All depends on where you are travelling from. If your boarding in Australia back to Thailand and you are on a return portition or a one way ticket, you will not be permitted to check in without either a valid visa or an onward ticket out of Thailand.

The same is for some other countries, best if you check with the airline that you are travelling with. Not nice being told at checkin that you'll need to go and buy another ticket.

ToTheBeach · #14 10-08-2006, 10:03

It has nothing to do with where you fly from. It is a requirement from Thai immigration which can be enforced by airlines due to the fact that they can be penalized and need to transport you back to origine.
In reality immigration is not checking this actively.

As example. I have flown from Sydney to BKK on a one way without problem. Same from numerous airports in Europe, Middle East and Europe.

But, to avoid any hassle or problem it is best to arrive either with an onward ticket, which can be to anywhere so does not need to be return, or with a valid visa.

Qatar Airways is a very good airline. On Skytrax 1 of I believe 5 airlines with a 5 star rating. Doha airport is small and can be crowded but convenient. New business and first class terminal will open soon, first in the world. Complimentary spa treatments by Thai staff for First Class passengers....

stevem · #15 10-08-2006, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToTheBeach

It has nothing to do with where you fly from. It is a requirement from Thai immigration which can be enforced by airlines due to the fact that they can be penalized and need to transport you back to origine.
In reality immigration is not checking this actively.

Exactly, has everything to do with where you fly from, as to whether it is enforced or not. Out of Sydney they DO enforce it, and others on here before have stated that it is enforced from where they fly out of as well. Most Asian airports you fly out of will not enforce it, although Nicke did report that he was questioned about it in KL the other month.

ToTheBeach · #16 10-08-2006, 11:55

I just wanted to make a differtiation between location/airport where you fly from or with wich airline you fly. It is not the departing airport who decides to enforce the Thai immigration requirement but the individual airlines.

You might fly from Sydney with BA to Bangkok, as I did, and be allowed to board but if flying for example Thai they might ebforce it deny you boarding.

landofsmiles · #17 11-08-2006, 13:32

I'd like to see them try and deny boarding just because you can't show a ticket to fly back out of the country. What if you're planning to go out to somewhere overland?