Need advice re:flight to Australia,time in Thailand advice pls-no real long haul exp!

lexa34

Hi,

I am trying to work out how to do the following and really apreciate any guidance/ ideas/ advice!

• Flight to Sydney with scheduled stop off for 1/2 weeks in Thailand/similar or flight to Thailand then one on from there to Oz seperately? When cheapest to go and how to source best price advice please!

I need to get a flight to Sydney. Or possilby Camberra as I need to go to somewhere sort of half way between to visit my natural Father's grave. However, I understand that flights to Sydney are normally the cheapest when going from the UK- not sure if this is really true though!?

Unlike most of my friends I didn't travel when I was younger I worked! I have only ever been to European places, Turkey (most different culture!) and New York (long haul flight!). My main reason for this trip is not the most fun but important. However, I want to try and get the most out of it. Plus, I have a friend who is currently travelling and will most probably be in Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia ( I may be able to influence her where to be to tie up with me!) in a month or two. If I get to meet up with her on the way there or back for a week or two it should add a more fun element to the trip and not quite such a resource intensive undertaking-trasping all that way which out taking advantage of seeing another country, particulary as it seems you have to stop off somewhere anyway when flying to Oz!!! I also have a friend who now lives in Sydney, married with 2 kids I will try and see, maybe even stay with and may even get to meet some cousins/ brothers!

I can be flexible on times but looking to leave mid- end of March to beg May at the latest ( just cos I want to get going as soon as I can!). I can go from any London based airport and probably couldn't afford to be away for more than 4-6 weeks. I am not working at the moment so trying to find a silver lining to the situation and also do something I really need to do.

I am inexperienced in booking flights for the best value so really need some advice on the best way of doing this- obviously I have a limited budget.

HGLTsuperstar

Its CaNberra, and there's no international airport there so its Sydney you need. Or Brisbane or Melbourne - both on the east coast, depends where you're going.

Caz3121

have a look at kayak.com and select Multicity

putting in some estimated dates it gives Emirates - Gatwick to Bangkok via Dubai, then on to Sydney the back from Sydney to Gatwick (again via Dubai) for £873...you may want to play with some random dates but I think that is a pretty good fare and have heard many positive things about Emirates

jamesbrownontheroad

^^^ re Emirates, I'm just back from a three week trip to Malaysia, Thailand and the UAE with Emirates, and have nothing but positive things to say about their service in economy. Dubai is an excellent hub to transfer through, and you I was impressed to discover that (provided seats were available) I could make mid-trip changes to my return flights for just £75: handy for trips that have to get shortened at short notice.

Kayak and Skyscanner will give you an idea of the airlines that fly the routes you are looking for. Almost all airline websites and the major online travel agents (Expedia, Ebookers, Opodo) will allow you to build a 'multi-city' itinerary, eg. A-B, B-C, C-D, D-A.

Finally, have a look at Air Asia. They're a major low-cost airline in Asia based out of Kuala Lumpur's dedicated low cost terminal and Bangkok. They have a handy low cost long haul flight from London Stansted to Kuala Lumpur. As a low cost, you only pay for the extras you need (food etc) but you can book one-ways and use their extensive short / mid haul networks out of Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. They fly onwards to Australia, so KL could be a good stopover for you.

Voyager2002

I do not advise you, as a first-time long haul traveller, to use Air Asia for the long flight from Britain. The extra comfort that a full-service airline provides really makes a difference when you are stuck in your seat for ten hours or more, and the cost difference is not huge.

Emirates are indeed an excellent airline, and their telephone booking service is also very helpful. They should enable you to buy a ticket that allows you to break your journey in Bangkok and/or Singapore, as well as Dubai.

You should also speak to an agent such as Trailfinders.

SaveTheEuro

Flying to Sydney, with a stopover in Bangkok, is a very straight forward requirement. You may want to choose a different stopover for the return journey, if you have the time and money to explore another place.

You could discuss your requirements with an agent such as Trailfinders, who may have useful suggestions on the best deals. Or a website such as Expedia will give you a good over view of the airfares available.

Be aware that Thailand is a hot country and April is about the hottest month of the year. But at least you'll be visiting before the rainy season.

lexa34

Ah yes!! Rainy season. I had not thought of that. Thank you for all the tips people. I will follow all of them up.

Typically I like the idea of paying less with Air Asia but think I was climbing the walls (metaphorically!)a bit on the way back from New York. I was lucky to get an upgrade on the way there so was a shock to the system- what a pamered princess!!!

Anyone flown with Air Asia? Hmmm... thing is I am tall and not a small dress size so that is a consideration- seat sizes and leg room.
Thanks again everyone- nice to get advice from real people.