Phuket Thailand - Estimate of airport internal transfer time

Caerphilly · #1 16-09-2007, 15:17

Can anyone advise on the estimate of time required between arriving in Bkk and getting all the customs and luggage collected to get onto an internal flight to Phuket (arive and depart new airport)

I've always gone straight through with Thai Air previously and not had to concern myself over this but will next trip

thanks in advance
dave

IRISH JONNY · #2 16-09-2007, 15:22

1 hr........

LivinLOS · #3 16-09-2007, 15:35

Dunno customs / immigration are slow lately.. Took us 45 mins just to clear.. Then check in again.. Often with a 45 minute min checking.. I would want more than an hour these days.

Also take care as flights are going from DM and Sawanawhatname..

cotambear · #4 16-09-2007, 16:03

Try flying uk-singapore-phuket. One fuel stop, no silly airport change in bkk.

LivinLOS · #5 16-09-2007, 16:18

No but 2 sets of customs..

Masterwoodsman · #6 16-09-2007, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

No but 2 sets of customs..

If he's in transit through Singapore, and luggage not collected its illegal to leave the airport, therefore only the customs in Phuket to deal with. Only if he has a day in Singers and collects his luggage would he have 2 customs.

By the way Caerphilly, if you do go the Thai way and change planes if you only allow 1 hour you'll miss your plane, be on the safe side and allow 1.5 - 2 hours as the new airport is very slow

LivinLOS · #7 16-09-2007, 16:41

Only if your stay airside or have checked through bags.. Getting checked through on transit flights seems to me to be getting rarer, I havent had checked through bags on any hops in ages.

Maybe thats because I bargain hunt my tickets tho.. Reminds me, neet to sort out my jetstar / tiger Bali tickets

sishow · #8 16-09-2007, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caerphilly

Can anyone advise on the estimate of time required between arriving in Bkk and getting all the customs and luggage collected to get onto an internal flight to Phuket (arive and depart new airport)

I've always gone straight through with Thai Air previously and not had to concern myself over this but will next trip

thanks in advance
dave

Took me an nearly 2 hours to get through immigration the week before last. It was beacuase a flight from India arrived just before mine, and they only had half the desks going because it was very early in the morning. They gave every Indian the third degree. In the end they were pulling all the farangs out and sending them through the diplomatic channel.

But the trip before, only 5 min. Totally depends on how amny flights land and the where there from. I would at least give it 2 hours at a min considering the check in time like LIL's says.

faultytowers · #9 16-09-2007, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by sishow

I would at least give it 2 hours at a min considering the check in time like LIL's says.

Agree with 2 hours , you could get lucky and get straight through but there are too many uncertainties.

Not flying Thai , so could land at 'remote' gate.

Time of arrival , 'peak time' with many other flights arriving just before you.

Number of Immigration desks open.

Delay/wait for luggage.

Long lines at Domestic check-in.

Best I have done is 25 minutes from landing to checking-in for Domestic , worst is just under 2 hours.

LivinLOS · #10 16-09-2007, 18:08

Also with 2 hours if running late queue jumping is fair enough.. Airports understand that its sometimes required.

Still under 1 hour is too tight.

Caerphilly · #11 16-09-2007, 23:31

thanks for yor advice I'll be getting off an EVA flight at 15.05 (if on time) and Air Asia have 2 later flights to Phuket both are on special offer for next few days.....but seems 2 hrs minimum is the best option

all info spot on as per normal

faultytowers · #12 16-09-2007, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caerphilly

Air Asia have 2 later flights to Phuket both are on special offer for next few days.....but seems 2 hrs minimum is the best option

Book the later flight , if you do manage to get through everything quickly you can always ask if they can put you on the earlier flight.

cybernator_uk · #13 17-09-2007, 00:31

Last time I cleared customs in Bangkok, i did it in 15 minutes. However that was an early morning flight (Landing at 6.40am)

Internal flights, flying from the new airport, I checked in at BKK straifght away for a flight to phuket (No waiting time)

if your booking it all in advance, my advice would be to get a flight departing 3-4 hours after your landing time. That allows you 1 hour customs and allows you about an hour to check in again.

brit · #14 17-09-2007, 02:02

Sod's law is you'll book the later flight and then when you get there breeze through customs in 20 mins. Then have another long wait at the departure gate because the Air Asia flight got delayed

But it has to be done that way I think, and like faulty says it's possible they'll allow you onto the earlier flight if you make it.

Mav · #15 17-09-2007, 08:18

l stepped off plane other day and was in nana pestering within 45 mins last Sunday nite

Mav · #16 17-09-2007, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfie

and 45 hours later, back on the same plane?

thats a lie

it was 145

Nanook · #17 17-09-2007, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

Last time I cleared customs in Bangkok, i did it in 15 minutes. However that was an early morning flight (Landing at 6.40am)

Internal flights, flying from the new airport, I checked in at BKK straifght away for a flight to phuket (No waiting time)

if your booking it all in advance, my advice would be to get a flight departing 3-4 hours after your landing time. That allows you 1 hour customs and allows you about an hour to check in again.

I had the same experience. One time it took me about 15 minutes and the 2nd time it was about 30 minutes. Both the time from walking off the plane until I was walking into the arrival hall. Also both flight arrived with the China Airlines flights from Amsterdam around 6.40 am.

But in general I would use 3 hours changing time, as you never know if you arrive just after a plain full of people from India or the Middle East. Moreover, you can always check with the next airline to see if you can go on an earlier flight, if available.

Captain · #18 17-09-2007, 15:11

New airport immigration sucks. If you see an Asian jumbo landing and discharging Chinese, Korean, Viets or whatever start running to reach immigration before them. Otherwise you are in for a long wait. Those Chinese can't fill in their papers OK.

Nanook · #19 17-09-2007, 15:15

That is true. Hence, usually I book my seat as far forward in the cattle class as I can. Then walk with a reasonable pace towards immigration.
I always avoid cues with lots of Indians, Arabs or too many Chinese. It is better to wait in a bit longer cues with farangs. Eventually, you will pass it faster.

When passed immigration, I take my time, since I cannot control the luggage belts...

sishow · #20 17-09-2007, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by faultytowers

Book the later flight , if you do manage to get through everything quickly you can always ask if they can put you on the earlier flight.

Good advice especially if flying in low season as most flights are half empty (If they take off!). This could be especially true considering recent press and news coverage over LCC.