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

Moonchild

agrinnall wrote: »

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).

All Koh Samui flights operate from Suvarnabhumi (or Swampy for short). Bangkok Airways own Koh Samui Airport, thus the one way prices albeit around £70-£90 o/w) don't look too bad, they are twice the price of flights to airports without a monopoly (i.e. Phuket which is equidistant).

Thai Airways were only allowed access (with 2 x daily flights - unsurprisingly at same high price) as they were threatening to build their own airport on Koh Samui. No-one else operates BKK-USM (but Air Asia and a handful of others fly to Surat Thani on mainland, and offer a flight / coach / ferry ticket combination, but I wouldn't bother).

stilltheone

Moonchild wrote: »

All Koh Samui flights operate from Suvarnabhumi (or Swampy for short). Bangkok Airways own Koh Samui Airport, thus the one way prices albeit around £70-£90 o/w) don't look too bad, they are twice the price of flights to airports without a monopoly (i.e. Phuket which is equidistant).

Thai Airways were only allowed access (with 2 x daily flights - unsurprisingly at same high price) as they were threatening to build their own airport on Koh Samui. No-one else operates BKK-USM (but Air Asia and a handful of others fly to Surat Thani on mainland, and offer a flight / coach / ferry ticket combination, but I wouldn't bother).

Actually this is a viable option. You know that travelling is not just about the destination.
Arriving to the island by boat should not be ruled out just because direct flights are available. It's an interesting way to arrive and can also save a considerable amount of money.
Have seen prices with Air Asia on this route for under £10(including the bus and ferry at the other end).
Nok Air has a route to and from from DMK(Don Mueang) . Might be ok once for the novelty value.
If he does choose to fly with Bangkok Airways, it's worth joining their FF program in order to get a higher luggage allowance.

zzzLazyDaisy

So, okay, we have decided to book UK / BKK return flights, and deal separately with the onward leg.

We now have another option - flying Turkish Airlines from Manchester, changing in Istanbul Attaturk for Bangkok.

This has a number of advantages - Manchester is our local airport; he is very familiar with Attaturk Airport as we have friends over there, not to mention that it is cheaper than premium economy (tho without the perks, obviously).

Strangely it is cheaper to fly from Mcr UK, changing at Istanbul, than to start the journey in Istanbul!

I don't know if this makes any difference, but his final destination is actually Koh Phangan. This island doesn't have an airport, hence the advice to fly to Koh Samui and take the ferry from there. But having listened to what you guys have said so far, it might be worth us doing some more research on this leg of the journey - if he decides to go overland, it seems likely that he'd bypass Koh Samui anyway.

Thanks again for all your help.


Daisy

stilltheone

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

So, okay, we have decided to book UK / BKK return flights, and deal separately with the onward leg.

We now have another option - flying Turkish Airlines from Manchester, changing in Istanbul Attaturk for Bangkok.

This has a number of advantages - Manchester is our local airport; he is very familiar with Attaturk Airport as we have friends over there, not to mention that it is cheaper than premium economy (tho without the perks, obviously).

Strangely it is cheaper to fly from Mcr UK, changing at Istanbul, than to start the journey in Istanbul!

I don't know if this makes any difference, but his final destination is actually Koh Phangan. This island doesn't have an airport, hence the advice to fly to Koh Samui and take the ferry from there. But having listened to what you guys have said so far, it might be worth us doing some more research on this leg of the journey - if he decides to go overland, it seems likely that he'd bypass Koh Samui anyway.

Thanks again for all your help.


Daisy

He really shouldn't worry too much about the internal transport unless he is travelling there specifically for a Full Moon Party. You should leave some space for spontaneity otherwise.

If he is not staying on Koh Samui, then Air Asia to Surat Thani is actually a better option.
Nok Air has options from DMK to Koh Phanghan via Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat.(Only of use if he is actually staying in Bangkok)

zzzLazyDaisy

This is all very interesting, thank you so much for your continuing input.

My only reservation is that he is not planning on staying in Bangkok on the way out so the DMK option would mean an extra journey to the second airport. Not a big deal maybe, but in a strange country after a long journey, it may be better to try and make the internal onward arrangements from BKK, as simple as possible.

But coming back is likely to be a different matter, and I am sure he will have made friends and have completely different travel plans by then, Which is why I am only concerned about the internal travel arrangements for the outbound trip.

As a by-the-by... I read that there is no need to book BKK to Koh Samui in advance as he can do it at the airport, like buying a bus ticket, so he can leave his options open until the last minute. That doesn't sound like any airline that I have travelled on, although I know from our travels in Turkey that internal air and bus travel there is much easier than here, so I wouldn't be too quick to rule it out - do you have any views/experience on this?

Moonchild

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

As a by-the-by... I read that there is no need to book BKK to Koh Samui in advance as he can do it at the airport, like buying a bus ticket, so he can leave his options open until the last minute.

Absolutely ignore that. At busy times Bangkok Airways runs 100% full. Ok, in November might be options - but there are no savings on last minute tickets with Bangkok Airways.

The reality of all of the Don Muang / Surat Thani / Train and then ferry options is: One way on Bangkok Airways, connecting flight is £70. So the most you will save is £70 minus the other options.

Which for a first time, jet lagged newbie to Thailand strikes me as pointless, particularly as the emphasis (i'm reading) is to get to his friends first and foremost, and then have free time. I've done the 'Arrive in Bangkok for first time when 17, get buses, save money, find fleapit in Khao San Road' stuff. I was so tired, and hot, and hated my first experience of Bangkok, the next day I jumped the first train south (ended up in Chumphon). Took me 8 months before I went back to Bangkok, and low and behold, it's now my favourite city.

I wish I had spent a few extra £, got a transfer from the airport, booked a cheapie hotel that didn't have bedbugs, or chicken wire, or motorbike noise for a few days. Would have made a massive difference to my experience!

Just book the flight from Bangkok to Samui. If he's talking Premium Economy, money is not a massive issue.

And i've heard good things about Turkish Airlines long haul - hopefully will fly them one day!

stilltheone

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

This is all very interesting, thank you so much for your continuing input.

My only reservation is that he is not planning on staying in Bangkok on the way out so the DMK option would mean an extra journey to the second airport. Not a big deal maybe, but in a strange country after a long journey, it may be better to try and make the internal onward arrangements from BKK, as simple as possible.

But coming back is likely to be a different matter, and I am sure he will have made friends and have completely different travel plans by then, Which is why I am only concerned about the internal travel arrangements for the outbound trip.

As a by-the-by... I read that there is no need to book BKK to Koh Samui in advance as he can do it at the airport, like buying a bus ticket, so he can leave his options open until the last minute. That doesn't sound like any airline that I have travelled on, although I know from our travels in Turkey that internal air and bus travel there is much easier than here, so I wouldn't be too quick to rule it out - do you have any views/experience on this?

Low cost airlines, so no penalty for booking one way flights.

Booking won't be a problem, though things do get busy around the Full Moon party.

Keep your eyes open for sales by Air Asia/ Nok Air/Bangkok Airways. If a really good deal comes up, book it.

stilltheone

Moonchild wrote: »

Absolutely ignore that. At busy times Bangkok Airways runs 100% full. Ok, in November might be options - but there are no savings on last minute tickets with Bangkok Airways.

The reality of all of the Don Muang / Surat Thani / Train and then ferry options is: One way on Bangkok Airways, connecting flight is £70. So the most you will save is £70 minus the other options.

Which for a first time, jet lagged newbie to Thailand strikes me as pointless, particularly as the emphasis (i'm reading) is to get to his friends first and foremost, and then have free time. I've done the 'Arrive in Bangkok for first time when 17, get buses, save money, find fleapit in Khao San Road' stuff. I was so tired, and hot, and hated my first experience of Bangkok, the next day I jumped the first train south (ended up in Chumphon). Took me 8 months before I went back to Bangkok, and low and behold, it's now my favourite city.

I wish I had spent a few extra £, got a transfer from the airport, booked a cheapie hotel that didn't have bedbugs, or chicken wire, or motorbike noise for a few days. Would have made a massive difference to my experience!

Just book the flight from Bangkok to Samui. If he's talking Premium Economy, money is not a massive issue.

And i've heard good things about Turkish Airlines long haul - hopefully will fly them one day!

Have to disagree with you here.
The cheapest option(other than the 6am departure) is over £75 and goes up to the princely sum of £150. Then you pay for a transfer to the ferry terminal(taxis will be rubbing their hands in glee) and then again for a boat to Pha Nghan.


It's not all about the money, leave some space for the experience. Flying to Surat Thani and taking the bus/boat combination to the island(350 baht or so at Surat Thani airport) is an interesting and hardly ardous experience and you have more time to gel with others. The bus and boat should be included in Nok Air's pricing.
As I wrote before, on a good day you can do the whole thing for a song.

Either way, don't rule anything out, go with the flow. If he is just going directly to Koh Pha Nghan, It may make sense to check his luggage all the way through to Samui. But then you'll need an airline with a suitable arrangement.

zzzLazyDaisy

Moonchild wrote: »

And i've heard good things about Turkish Airlines long haul - hopefully will fly them one day!

Just checking Turkish Airlines website, and discovered that they have introduced premium economy for the Manchester to Bangkok flight. So that is looking promising.

I am coming back round to him booking a one way ticket to Koh Samui to go straight through from BKK though. The primary focus is to get to his friends, kick off his shoes, and enjoy himself. The money isn't an issue, but comfort and lack of stress is. Coming back may be a different matter, he will have acclimatised and may want to travel a bit before picking the return flight up in Bangkok for UK, so I think it is a mistake to pin the return trip down too tightly.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's input and comments - we have gone from feeling completely in the dark, to having a good idea of what we need to look for in just a few hours.

That's the magic of MSE!!

If anyone thinks of anything else we need to know, about this trip, about Koh Phangan, or any other general hints and tips about travelling in Thailand, please do keep posting, your comments have been invaluable.

Daisy

Johnnyy_Boy

I have been going to Samui for the last 5 years every November.
Use EVA Premium and then Bangkok Airways. I always only check-in to BKK and clear myself there. Then you just go upstairs to check-in for
Bangkok Airways. I would def advise to buy your ticket online in advance for USM.
Only problem using Turkish is you will have a stop in Istanbul and change aircraft so adding more travelling time.