Phuket Thailand

Mizzamzz · #1 08-03-2007, 12:40

Hi!

I'm travelling from Australia to Phuket in Oct.

I've been told that it's cheaper to buy my ticket FROM Bangkok TO Phuket when I get to Bangkok instead of having the travel agent arrange this before we leave. Does this sound right?

Would anyone be able to give me an idea as to how much a return flight between Bangkok & Phuket would be at all?

Cheers,
Mizz

Bello Uomo · #2 08-03-2007, 12:55

Hi

The cheapest options for flying Bangkok-Phuket are Nok Air, Air Asia, and 1-2 Go. I recommened Nok Air - they are the low-cost subsidiary of Thai Airways, and I thought they were excellent.

More expensive options are Thai Airways itself and Bangkok Air. Thai Airways could be useful for the return leg if you have to connect with a Thai Airways International flight back to Australia.

I flew Bangkok-Phuket (return) with Nok Air in December and paid around 3000 Baht which included taxes. That is not much more than 100 Aussie dollars. You might even get it cheaper!

I booked it on the internet. Most people on this site don't use travel agents to organise their trips.

aussie dollar · #3 08-03-2007, 13:15

all the above mentioned can be booked on line,with an e ticket.just be aware your luggage cannot be transfered to these flights from oz.
must collect baggage and re book in for flights at bangkok.

Bangkok Airways :: Asia Air Travel, Airlines, Flights, Samui Thailand
http://www.airasia.com/site/en/home
One-Two-Go Airlines

Welcome to NokAir.com -Low fares airline

Mizzamzz · #4 08-03-2007, 13:18

Thanks for the advice!! We're staying in Bangkok on the way over so I might just book a flight from Bangkok to Phuket while we're there but thats a good point about having connecting flights so we're prob best to book that part through our travel agent.

Cheers.

Mav · #5 08-03-2007, 13:23

l always book via the internet for this type of light...usually 5 - 8 days b4 l plan to fly......should only cost you about $80AUD

Mizzamzz · #6 08-03-2007, 13:25

Thanks Mav!!! Do u have a preferred site that you use?

Mav · #7 08-03-2007, 13:52

l usually use Air Asia for this route

Welcome to AirAsia.com...now everyone can fly...

They are a low cost airline....and sometimes a little unreliable, but l have never had trouble with them on this particular route.....15kgs max luggage allowance though...so u need to be careful u ain't got heavy bags......and with u being a female....no better not be sexist on International Womens Day....lol

Another option:

One-Two-Go by Orient Thai Airlines

steve w · #8 08-03-2007, 16:27

get your tickets online now with any of the airlines mentioned and it will be dirt cheap.
make sure though you make allowences for delays and such on the flight home,you do not want to miss it.
i get a low cost airline down to phuket but on the connection to an international flight i go with thai air.
much more reliable.

SirDougless · #9 08-03-2007, 20:09

Pity you live in Victoria. The direct Sydney to Phuket Jetstar flight is great, if a little slow (Airbus vs 747). Econ can be very cheap, but Star Class at less than $2,000 is great value and you get Qantas FF/Status points at their normal business class rate. Within Thailand I try to use Thai and I pay the extra $30 a leg for business class (using the Thai lounge between connections is worth it in my opinion), however, Thai economy is about 75% more expensive than Nok (THB 3,500 vs 2,000) so Thai is not an economical option.

What ever you choose, I don't think you will save much, if anything, by buying the ticket in BKK when you arrive. Nok tickets get more expensive as the flight fills up and around the peak periods (Dec, Jan, Apr) all flights (Thai, Nok etc) from BKK to Phuket can be fully booked a month before departure so you could find yourself spending more time in BKK than planned. Or you'll have to get the bus and I would not wish that on anyone (unless your in your 20's)!

Checkout the various websites for the exact prices and make sure they include taxes & surcharges - you usually have to start the booking process to find that info out.

sarsbuk · #10 08-03-2007, 20:14

I flew nok air 3 weeks ago and it was $80 USD return from BKK to Phuket.

I booked this online a month before going though... If I did it earlier the price would have been cheaper.

Mizzamzz · #11 09-03-2007, 06:03

Thanks Mav, Steve, Sars and Sirdougless.

Think i'll have to do a bit more homework seeing as everyone has their own ideas. Will look into them all. Ta!!

blog401 · #12 09-03-2007, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mizzamzz

Thanks Mav, Steve, Sars and Sirdougless.

Think i'll have to do a bit more homework seeing as everyone has their own ideas. Will look into them all. Ta!!

Bottom line is, don't pay an agent commission for your Thai domestic flights, and don't wait til you get to bangkok - book them yourself on line.

dawsey · #13 10-03-2007, 00:02

Plenty of good advise here, and I would only reiterate, buy your ticket in advance.
The LCC all have seats a lot cheaper than Thai and Bangkok Air, but can sometimes be less reliable. Bear this in mind when returning back to Bangkok for your connection back home.

One other thing, you may find you cannot book too far ahead with Air Asia for instance, so you will just have to wait until your departure month appears on the calendar. Its usually only 3 -4 months ahead.

Pussy Whipped · #14 10-03-2007, 00:24

Thai Airways.

Not the cheapest but not a huge difference. IMO worth it for peace of mind If you are connecting out of BKK to OZ then because there are so many TG flights you won't miss your connection, but don't get the latest connecting flight out of Phuket. Get the second to latest, then if there is a delay (TG practically NEVER cancel a flight from Phuket) you still can make your connection and if not TG will take proper care of you.

What is unknown is which airport.
My guess is TG flights to from Phuket will stay at the new airport whatever, but who knows for the budget carriers

Mizzamzz · #15 12-03-2007, 17:08

Ahhhh i'll work it out. Will see what specials come up between here and then and then decide

floppy · #16 12-03-2007, 18:24

There are some pretty good prices on the net that time of the year ex aus bkk and then onto phuket , me personaly I would book both back here and all done in 1 tap of the keyboard and save the hassles..Ive found you might only save $50 ..but then again Im flying out of perth

Mizzamzz · #17 04-07-2007, 10:22

Hi Floppy,

Are you aware of the new Tiger Airways flights? They look to be pretty cheap if you catch them at the right time from Perth!

Wish they'd bloody hurry up and depart from Melbourne!!

nelsonone · #18 04-07-2007, 11:21

did you get your Flights yet Mz.....????

I saw that Jetstar has direct flights to PHT out of Sydney....posted at around A$600 recently

easyrider_au · #19 04-07-2007, 12:53

I could not book Nok or Air Asia tix from here in Oz, due to the fact the puter wouldn't accept my c/card.

This was back in May............Things may have changed.
BTW my card is AMEX....Although the sites say that's an accepted card??

Bello Uomo · #20 04-07-2007, 12:55

Easyrider, I have had a few problems using CCs too when booking flights. In some cases I resorted to calling them and doing it over the phone.

They dont make life easy do they?

Bello Uomo · #21 04-07-2007, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonone

did you get your Flights yet Mz.....????

I saw that Jetstar has direct flights to PHT out of Sydney....posted at around A$600 recently

N1, there was an article recently (.....here it is: Air price war as Tiger roars | NEWS.com.au Business) which speaks about Tiger Airways entering the market and sparking a price war.

Return Melbourne-Singapore fare of $499, including T&C. You can get from SG to PHK for another $50 on top of that.

Tiger's legroom not so good, however, for that length of flight.

mars · #22 05-07-2007, 02:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyrider_au

I could not book Nok or Air Asia tix from here in Oz, due to the fact the puter wouldn't accept my c/card.

This was back in May............Things may have changed.
BTW my card is AMEX....Although the sites say that's an accepted card??

There are threads on the subject of which cards they will take online as they dont take all, have a search, been well discussed.

Mizzamzz · #23 05-07-2007, 09:26

Not yet N1... thanks will check it out. Not flying out till Oct so not in too much of a hurry yet unless there's some crazy 24hr sale on

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonone

did you get your Flights yet Mz.....????

I saw that Jetstar has direct flights to PHT out of Sydney....posted at around A$600 recently

sledge038 · #24 05-07-2007, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mizzamzz

Not yet N1... thanks will check it out. Not flying out till Oct so not in too much of a hurry yet unless there's some crazy 24hr sale on

i wouldnt leave it to late MM.
all the flights ive been on to LOS have been full and ive only once left the dates ive wanted to.

Bello Uomo · #25 05-07-2007, 19:43

I am surprised you have your hotel booked (according to the other thread) but not the flight?

Most people do it the other way aroiund.