Phuket Thailand

Rizzamabob · #1 13-07-2005, 16:29

This is hard, i have found a flight on Thai airways that goes direct from Melbourne to Phuket, which costs $4076.28 AU, total for the 3 of us (3 adults) But im wondering if there is a cheaper way to get there, and if so how, and what airline. Ive looked up many airlines and Thai is the only one that goes direct to Phuket from Melbourne, so maybe i can go threw a city or something to get there cheaper. Im not sure what sites to lookup :? Any sites for australia

Thanks guys !
BTW i will be flying on the 9th JAN 06
OK. Done some more research, Qantas is cheaper from Singapore to Melbourne, so we are doing that. Now i need the cheapest flight (good airline though) from Melbourne to Phuket, and Phuket to Bangkok, and Bangkok to Singapore

What also makes it hard, is i want a good airline like Singapore, with good inflight entertainment, Qantas doesnt have built in TV's etc

Which makes the flight boring, but im not sure how that will change by Jan 06 next year ?? Any ideas

aussie dollar · #2 13-07-2005, 17:09

try malayasian airlines via KL leave sydney 10 pm arrive KL 3am 6 hours transit hotel $40 aust 11am flight to phuket in hotel by 1 pm
or singapore airlines via Bangkok little longer trips but cheaper even try domestic flight to sydney then above
australian airlines are doing some direct flights but earlier than your dates.
singapore airlines (singapore)then silkair (phuket)has a very good stopover in
direct flights are nearly impossible to find !

aussie dollar · #3 13-07-2005, 17:24

try this link
http://www3.travel.com.au/everest/index.cgi

http://www.malaysiaairlines.com.au/index_flash.html

http://www.siaholidays.com.au/

http://www.australianairlines.com.au/aahome.html

or flight to bangkok then

http://www.bangkokair.com/ to phuket

Rizzamabob · #4 13-07-2005, 18:44

Looks like im just going to stick on the direct Thai airways flight from Melbourne to Phuket to save troubles. And stick with thai airways from phuket to bangkok, and bangkok to singapore, unless someone can recommend a better airline (safer) better entertainment systems etc. with good prices

Ok so now im only worried about phuket to bangkok, and bangkok to singapore

Any nice airlines !? Is bangkok air safer than thai air

steveski · #5 13-07-2005, 19:51

I do not know if you are aware but that is peak time i would suggest you book your flights and accomodation early. I have arrived around Xmas New Year and could not get accomodation in quite a few places in Thai.
Just a suggestion.

stevem · #6 13-07-2005, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizzamabob

unless someone can recommend a better airline (safer) better entertainment systems etc. with good prices

An airline with better IFE than Thai, well that just about means every other airline flying. The IFE in Thai aircraft is the same as you would have experienced back in the 80's, thats is the aircraft operating to/from Oz ports.

Your not going to get a real answer from anyone on the board about fares, go see your local flight center or your favourite local travel agent.

Rizzamabob · #7 14-07-2005, 06:07

whats IFE mean

stevem · #8 14-07-2005, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizzamabob

whats IFE mean

InFlight Entertainment

shauno · #9 14-07-2005, 14:00

Have a look at tigerairways.com

You can generally get flights from singapore to phuket for 30 or 40 sing including tax. At the moment the deal is about 14 sing plus tax. They fly twice a day. So just look for a cheap melbourne to sing flight.
Silkair and Thai are allways much more expensive.

aussie dollar · #10 14-07-2005, 14:41

also check bags can be put on connections by the airlines if not have to go through customs and back again have been caught with this with cheap flights and baggage allowance

shauno · #11 14-07-2005, 15:05

Yeah thats true. With tiger you have to pick up your bags first then go and check your bags in to tiger. Thats no great problem unless your pressed for time. I did the same in May flying in from India on Singapore Airlines arriving at 630am hung over, actually still abit pissed and had to get the connecting flight at 745 to Phuket. I was ok because i didnt have checked lugage but my mate did and he got through with about 20mins to spare.

Rizzamabob · #12 14-07-2005, 16:32

Oh well

Lets just hope by Jan 06, the 747 on route to Phuket direct from Melbourne will be updated

Where can i find out about specific updates on routes etc !?

stevem · #13 14-07-2005, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizzamabob

Oh well

Lets just hope by Jan 06, the 747 on route to Phuket direct from Melbourne will be updated

Where can i find out about specific updates on routes etc !?

Dont hold your breath. Last I heard TG where upgrading the front cabins, and economy stil wasnt getting individual screens. You can always goto the thai airways web site and check it out for yourself.

Also if your travelling on an international flight, you really dont want to be transfering to cheap airline midstream. The difference you pay to Phuket as compared to Singapore is neglible. You also need to checkout luggage allowances, as the cheapies normally have lower luggage allowances.

Also if your inbound flight is late and you miss your cheapie connection, dont expect your inbound carrier to be too concerned about it.

Rizzamabob · #14 15-07-2005, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

Dont hold your breath. Last I heard TG where upgrading the front cabins, and economy stil wasnt getting individual screens. You can always goto the thai airways web site and check it out for yourself.

Also if your travelling on an international flight, you really dont want to be transfering to cheap airline midstream. The difference you pay to Phuket as compared to Singapore is neglible. You also need to checkout luggage allowances, as the cheapies normally have lower luggage allowances.

Also if your inbound flight is late and you miss your cheapie connection, dont expect your inbound carrier to be too concerned about it.

Yer, it seems that i will stick on the Thai airways direct route from Melbourne To Phuket

Just hope that MAYBE they have updated the airlines

seafox · #15 15-07-2005, 06:41

relax, you are going on vacation and, as I remember, not until November. Lots of times airlines do upgrades on equipment during low season to get aircraft ready for high season. And you will not have to change planes and go through another security check, so airlines do not have chance to lose bag in transit and you do not have to run through airport and then stand in line at security check.

joeblow · #16 25-07-2005, 18:32

Quote:

What also makes it hard, is i want a good airline like Singapore, with good inflight entertainment, Qantas doesnt have built in TV's etc Which makes the flight boring, but im not sure how that will change by Jan 06 next year ?? Any ideas

Qantas does have built in TV's on all classes of travel from Melbourne to Bangkok. I travel Qantas everytime and have never been without.

Qantas Entertainment

stevem · #17 25-07-2005, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeblow

Qantas does have built in TV's on all classes of travel from Melbourne to Bangkok. I travel Qantas everytime and have never been without.

Qantas Entertainment

QF1 SYD/BKK/LON and QF9 MEL/BKK/LON are scheduled to be operated by upgraded aircraft. You are better off travelling Singapore Airlines though

1) short flight time to Singapore
2) better inflight service
3) better to transit in SIN than BKK