Phuket Thailand

Raval · #1 26-07-2007, 16:14

Hi,

I am arriving the 15th of august at Suvarnabumi airport.. 9:50 am. From other posts I understand that some domestic flights are leaving from the old international airport.... Is this true? and if yes..... How many hours do I have to allow myself to get in time to the old airport to catch a fligt to Phuket? And which domestic airlines leave from Suvarnabumi to Phuket? And what transport possibilities do I have to go from Suvarnabumi to Don Muang?

I think it's rather confusing right now.

Cheers,

Raval

IRISH JONNY · #2 26-07-2007, 16:21

THAI AIRWAYS, AND BANGKOK AIRWAYS LEAVE FOR SUV....I THINK ITS THE LCCs LEAVE FROM DM...............IJ

MrDK · #3 26-07-2007, 16:39

That is true.
Thai Airways have 50% of the flights to Phuket leaving from Suvarnabhumi and 50% from Don Muang.
Bangkok Air and Air Asia depart from Suvarnabhumi.
Nok Air departs from Don Muang

If you change plane in Suvarnabhumi and can check your luggage through from your destination to Phuket on Thai Airways (not sure of the others), then 1.5 hour connect should be sufficient. If you need to clear immigration in BKK and check in for the domestic flight you should figure an extra hour.

If your connection is from Don Muang, then figure 1.5 hours additional for the taxi ride (500+ baht) for a total of 4 hours.

These are minimum connect times IMO.

Nanook · #4 26-07-2007, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raval

Hi,

I am arriving the 15th of august at Suvarnabumi airport.. 9:50 am. From other posts I understand that some domestic flights are leaving from the old international airport.... Is this true? and if yes..... How many hours do I have to allow myself to get in time to the old airport to catch a fligt to Phuket? And which domestic airlines leave from Suvarnabumi to Phuket? And what transport possibilities do I have to go from Suvarnabumi to Don Muang?

I think it's rather confusing right now.

Cheers,

Raval

Raval, I used Nok Air in both March and May to fly to Udon Thani. In May I had to switch airports. I arrived in BKK on a early Saturday morning and within 20-25 minutes I was at the taxi stand where you get the taxis using the meter. I forgot on which level it was.
The ride to Don Mueang took not more than 45 minutes and it costed 375 Baht including the toll for the express way and the handling fee of 50 Baht at the taxi stand, so not too much I think.

Since you arrive on a Wednesday morning, the traffic will be much more heavy and I think you should allow yourself about 90 minutes for the ride to Don Mueang.
Hope it helps you a bit.

Raval · #5 26-07-2007, 18:03

Thanks guys.... I just checked out the site of Air Asia.... They fly from Suvarnabumi to Phuket..for about 1600 thb. I think that's more convenient than going to Don Muang.

Thanks for the info

Does anyone have recent experience with this airline??

Cheers,

Raval

Werwolf · #6 26-07-2007, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

That is true.
Thai Airways have 50% of the flights to Phuket leaving from Suvarnabhumi and 50% from Don Muang.
Bangkok Air and Air Asia depart from Suvarnabhumi.
Nok Air departs from Don Muang

If you change plane in Suvarnabhumi and can check your luggage through from your destination to Phuket on Thai Airways (not sure of the others), then 1.5 hour connect should be sufficient. If you need to clear immigration in BKK and check in for the domestic flight you should figure an extra hour.

If your connection is from Don Muang, then figure 1.5 hours additional for the taxi ride (500+ baht) for a total of 4 hours.

These are minimum connect times IMO.

I think you dont need 2 1/2 hour to get your connection fligth at the new airport.

Last time in April it took me about 25 minutes to go from one gate to the another including the immigration. Did also a visit at the toilet and did smoke a cigarete and did buy some cigarettes at the airport.

One hour to get the domestic flight is enough...

MrDK · #7 26-07-2007, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werwolf

I think you dont need 2 1/2 hour to get your connection fligth at the new airport.

Last time in April it took me about 25 minutes to go from one gate to the another including the immigration. Did also a visit at the toilet and did smoke a cigarete and did buy some cigarettes at the airport.

One hour to get the domestic flight is enough...

The 2 1/2 hour scenario was in case he could not check his luggage through and would have to clear immigration and customs (figure 1 hour) and check in with another airline for a domestic flight (1 hour minimum recommended) and add 1/2 hour for delays, etc. Remember if he is late for check-in he may not be entitled to compensation or free re-booking if he jumps from one airline to another. Last time I went through immigration/customs in Bangkok (2 weeks ago) it took me nearly an hour.

If the luggage is checked through and the connection is like your, I would agree that one hour should be enough. Depending on airline(s) flown, I would still consider extra time for delays. If flying on only Thai or Star Alliance it doesn't matter as long as the connection is valid. The will book you at no charge on the next available flight.

Werwolf · #8 26-07-2007, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

That is true.
Thai Airways have 50% of the flights to Phuket leaving from Suvarnabhumi and 50% from Don Muang.
Bangkok Air and Air Asia depart from Suvarnabhumi.
Nok Air departs from Don Muang

If you change plane in Suvarnabhumi and can check your luggage through from your destination to Phuket on Thai Airways (not sure of the others), then 1.5 hour connect should be sufficient. If you need to clear immigration in BKK and check in for the domestic flight you should figure an extra hour.

If your connection is from Don Muang, then figure 1.5 hours additional for the taxi ride (500+ baht) for a total of 4 hours.

These are minimum connect times IMO.

Sorry.. did it read in an another way..

If you have to change the airline and have to collect your baggage it would take longer- like you did say-

Raval · #9 26-07-2007, 19:41

Thanks again..... I found this flight with Air Asia from the new airport(see picture). I think it will give me enough time.

Cheers,

Raval

MrDK · #10 26-07-2007, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raval

Thanks again..... I found this flight with Air Asia from the new airport(see picture). I think it will give me enough time.

That gives you 3 hours, should be more than enough time.

When you check in with your carrier to Bangkok, ask them if you can check your luggage through to Phuket (make sure you have a copy e-ticket with Air Asia), also ask Air Asia if you have to clear immigration in BKK or if you can proceed to the transfer desk (provided you luggage is checked through). Further is you are lucky and arrive on time (or early) and all goes smoothly, ask at the transfer desk if you can get on the earlier flight which has a connect time of 1 hour.

shanghai · #11 26-07-2007, 21:11

I flew recently with Air Asia from BKK to Phuket. They are fine. The only thing is, they are strict on the weight allowance. They will charge you for every kilo over 15 in your checked baggage.

dawsey · #12 27-07-2007, 00:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raval

Thanks guys.... I just checked out the site of Air Asia.... They fly from Suvarnabumi to Phuket..for about 1600 thb. I think that's more convenient than going to Don Muang.

Thanks for the info

Does anyone have recent experience with this airline??

Cheers,

Raval

Be careful to allow yourself plenty of time returning from Phuket to BKK.

Air Asia do from time to time cancel flights without much warning. Also, they have a high charge to change your ticket should you need to change your itinery.
As stated in another post, be under the 15kg weight limit if possible as you will be charged for being over weight.
No boarding passes as such are issued, just a slip of paper like a supermarket checkout bill, and no seat allocation either. Every man for himself once inside the plane. They are OK to save some money, but I prefer the reliability of Bangkok Air or Thai.

gregor200 · #13 01-08-2007, 13:10

You will have to pay 80 Baht for one excess kg. That means with a bag of 21 kg you will have to pay an additional 500 Baht. But still a lot cheaper than ThaiAir.

There is one daily flight with 1-2-go from Sumsibumsi to Phuket.

Raval · #14 04-08-2007, 06:24

Yesterday I booked the flight with Air Asia on their website. I payed with creditcard.....but something went wrong. I called them and they helped me in a good way. They send me a confirmation email and now everything is Ok. I payed about 1600 THB one way.

Cheers,

Raval

ThaiLearner · #15 05-08-2007, 16:46

air asia do not go to Don Maung check the link another thread had been created saying the flew from Don Maung

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

Raval · #16 07-08-2007, 03:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaiLearner

air asia do not go to Don Maung check the link another thread had been created saying the flew from Don Maung

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

I know they don't fly from Don Muang..... and that just what I want... I arrive with LTU from Dusseldorf at the new airport and continue with Air Asia to Phuket also from the new airport.

Cheers,

Raval