Best way to book a flight to Koh Samui (USM) Thailand

zzzLazyDaisy

My son is thinking of going to Thailand early next year. Accommodation will be arranged, so he only needs flights. I am not sure if you have to fly into Bangkok and then out again, or whether it is possible to fly direct to Koh Samui.

Normally when travelling in Europe I just book a flight on the internet with the relevant airline, but I have never flown long haul, so have no idea what to advise him other than to consider going through one of the flight booking services such as Travel Bag.

So I just thought I'd drop by and pick the brains of other MSE'rs for any advice/tips/ etc

Many thanks in advance

Daisy

stilltheone

There are no direct flights as such, though it is possible to book all the way through, as it is an International airport. That way there will be no need to pay airport tax at both BKK and USM.

As for specific flights and prices, state what you find and we'll see if we can beat it.

jamesbrownontheroad

If you have some flexibility, using Skyscanner to search for flights from all UK airports to Koh Samui for all of the coming twelve months is a fun first step:

http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/usm/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-koh-samui.html?rtn=1

zzzLazyDaisy

Thanks to both of you for your input. He is still finalising the dates, but wants to travel direct for the first leg (UK to Bangkok) and possibly premium economy, which will of course bump the price up.

On the issue of premium economy does anyone have any views on the relative merits of BA, Quantas, and EVA (which seem to be the three airlines which offer this service)

Thanks

Moonchild

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Thanks to both of you for your input. He is still finalising the dates, but wants to travel direct for the first leg (UK to Bangkok) and possibly premium economy, which will of course bump the price up.

On the issue of premium economy does anyone have any views on the relative merits of BA, Quantas, and EVA (which seem to be the three airlines which offer this service)

Thanks

I've flown BA & EVA Premium Economy on this route, and would tend to EVA (despite grumpy staff and rubbish beer), which is fortunate as they tend to be the cheapest 9 out of 10 times.

They also have a deal with Bangkok Airways (who operate 9/10ths of the Bangkok to Samui flights) which makes it cheaper to book the flights in conjunction with each other. However, EVA Air flights (and the onward flights) do not always come up looking online.

So, I would strongly urge you to check online, and also contact the airline direct, and then speak to Travelbag etc. Then you have all 3 options. Depending when you travel £700-£1400 would be standard (because there is a high variance between peak and low seasons).

zzzLazyDaisy

Thanks this is really useful info. He will be traveling Jan coming back Feb - so peak time I guess. His dates are flexible within that period though.

I'll start with the EVA website and take it from there.

Apart from travelbag, are there any other agents that we might consider using for comparison? (I did try e-bookers, but they told me that even with EVA he can't book straight through and would have to check out his bags and then check in again for the next flight, which seems not to be the case, from what you, and others, have said).

One other solution has been suggested and that is to take a bus or train from Bangkok and then a ferry. Admittedly time is on his side, so he could do this in theory, but I do wonder how easy this would be in practice for a first-time visitor to Thailand? Any ideas?

Thanks again for all your help.

Moonchild

My last flight on EVA connected onto Bangkok Airways (although to Trat) and they refused to book my luggage all the way through, even though it was one ticket, and an interline agreement was in place.

Couldn't be bothered arguing, presumed Bangkok Airport immigration would be as quick as ever, forgot that EVA's flight co-incides with 3 x 747's from Thai, BA, Qantas dumping a thousand Brit's (plus many other flights) within a 10 minute window, so it was a close run thing, but I did literally have to run to make my flight.

Thing is to Samui, if your son missed his flight, Bangkok Airways have plenty of other flights to book him on to Samui (not so for Trat), so I wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, bus and train and ferry is a nice option. But first time in Bangkok, fresh off the plane, why bother? Probably take him a couple of days in Bangkok to recover from jet lag and used to the pace of life. Tell him to do it on the way back, when he's used to Thai way of life. Best way of seeing the country and meeting people is on the ground, and I prefer from train carriages!

stilltheone

Moonchild wrote: »

My last flight on EVA connected onto Bangkok Airways (although to Trat) and they refused to book my luggage all the way through, even though it was one ticket, and an interline agreement was in place.

Couldn't be bothered arguing, presumed Bangkok Airport immigration would be as quick as ever, forgot that EVA's flight co-incides with 3 x 747's from Thai, BA, Qantas dumping a thousand Brit's (plus many other flights) within a 10 minute window, so it was a close run thing, but I did literally have to run to make my flight.

Thing is to Samui, if your son missed his flight, Bangkok Airways have plenty of other flights to book him on to Samui (not so for Trat), so I wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, bus and train and ferry is a nice option. But first time in Bangkok, fresh off the plane, why bother? Probably take him a couple of days in Bangkok to recover from jet lag and used to the pace of life. Tell him to do it on the way back, when he's used to Thai way of life. Best way of seeing the country and meeting people is on the ground, and I prefer from train carriages!

Not for Trat. It isn't an international airport. How can they know if you will get through immigration and customs in BKK?

There is the option to fly with THAI too, as they have flights direct to Samui.

To be honest he will be missing out if he does this. Better he gets to the backpacking area of Bangkok and makes a few friends first.

I would avoid the bus journey. There are much better options without losing the experience. Starting with the sleeper train and then bus/ferry(combo ticket available), Flights with Nok Air and Air Asia combined with bus/boat or just direct flights.

On my first backpacking trip I made friends and then travelled with them.

zzzLazyDaisy

Many thanks again for all your input, it is really helpful.

Having discussed it with him, we are now looking at flights through to Koh Samui on the way out, but only an international flight from BKK on the way back, on the basis that this will give him the opportunity to take earlier overland travel and spend a few days in Bangkok if he chooses to do so. He'll have plenty of time to make whatever arrangements he needs to get back to BKK in time for the international leg.

agrinnall

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Many thanks again for all your input, it is really helpful.

Having discussed it with him, we are now looking at flights through to Koh Samui on the way out, but only an international flight from BKK on the way back, on the basis that this will give him the opportunity to take earlier overland travel and spend a few days in Bangkok if he chooses to do so. He'll have plenty of time to make whatever arrangements he needs to get back to BKK in time for the international leg.

In that case he may be better just booking a return flight to BKK and separately organising a one way flight to Koh Samui (which you can do online), when I was last in Thailand a couple of years ago internal flights were reasonably cheap and frequent - although he needs to make sure that the flight goes from Suvarnabhumi rather than Don Mueang unless he fancies a bus transfer (which is actually quite straightforward but maybe not great if it's his first time there).

I don't know how much premium economy flights to BKK are but I flew business class with Lufthansa (change in Frankfurt) for under £2000 and it's a much nicer experience than standard economy.

kazwookie

Remember if he is going for over 30 days, he will need a visa

http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/