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

stilltheone

Johnnyy_Boy wrote: »

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.

Why don't you check your luggage all the way through??

Samui check-through

zzzLazyDaisy

Johnnyy_Boy wrote: »

Only problem using Turkish is you will have a stop in Istanbul and change aircraft so adding more travelling time.

That is true - but if he flies from LHR, he would have to either fly to Gatwick or take the train to London and then transfer to LHR which would probably also mean an overnight stay with friends in London. With Turkish Airlines he can fly from Manchester (20 minutes from us). So even with the change in Istanbul it is probably less hassle, and less travelling time over all.

Edit - but having seen stilltheone's post about checking through to Samui, I see TA is not on the list of participating airlines.

I think this weekend we will go through those airlines and see what they can offer, and make a list of prices, flight changes, so we can can decide what is important, since he may not be able to have everything.

One other thing - he is meeting his friends in Istanbul next month and they will finalise their plans then. He'll be sorting out the flights immediately after that - so late August or beginning Sept at the latest. I have been given dire warnings by Travel Bag and E-bookers not to delay booking because prices are likely to rise significantly between now and then. I know he is planning to travel at peak season, but since you guys seem to be seasoned travellers to this part of the world, maybe you can comment on this?

stilltheone

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

That is true - but if he flies from LHR, he would have to either fly to Gatwick or take the train to London and then transfer to LHR which would probably also mean an overnight stay with friends in London. With Turkish Airlines he can fly from Manchester (20 minutes from us). So even with the change in Istanbul it is probably less hassle, and less travelling time over all.

Edit - but having seen stilltheone's post about checking through to Samui, I see TA is not on the list of participating airlines.

I think this weekend we will go through those airlines and see what they can offer, and make a list of prices, flight changes, so we can can decide what is important, since he may not be able to have everything.

One other thing - he is meeting his friends in Istanbul next month and they will finalise their plans then. He'll be sorting out the flights immediately after that - so late August or beginning Sept at the latest. I have been given dire warnings by Travel Bag and E-bookers not to delay booking because prices are likely to rise significantly between now and then. I know he is planning to travel at peak season, but since you guys seem to be seasoned travellers to this part of the world, maybe you can comment on this?

No need to panic, sales happen all of the time. His dates aren't really peak.
Christmas and Chinese New Year perhaps.

zzzLazyDaisy

Thanks for that!

I have another question....

In order to keep luggage to a minimum on the way out - since he plans to get there by the quickest, easiest route, and then travel later once he's found his feet - he is planning to just take basic essentials and buy clothes when he gets there. He says is that there isn't much point lugging stuff from here, when he will have to buy new clothes here anyway to take with him, and can find cheap and probably more appropriate clothes etc out there.

I can see the logic, but would it work in practice? Is shopping easy and cheap on the island. What about shampoo, shower gel etc? (Okay, so maybe he's not too bothered about that sort of thing, but I'm his mum )

stilltheone

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Thanks for that!

I have another question....

In order to keep luggage to a minimum on the way out - since he plans to get there by the quickest, easiest route, and then travel later once he's found his feet - he is planning to just take basic essentials and buy clothes when he gets there. He says is that there isn't much point lugging stuff from here, when he will have to buy new clothes here anyway to take with him, and can find cheap and probably more appropriate clothes etc out there.

I can see the logic, but would it work in practice? Is shopping easy and cheap on the island. What about shampoo, shower gel etc? (Okay, so maybe he's not too bothered about that sort of thing, but I'm his mum )

The are few branches of Boots on Samui island, so I think he'll be ok.
As to clothes... it depends on whether he wants to spend his money that way.
I tend to buy cheap stuff for everyday wear and therefore am not concerned about spills and laundry mistakes.
There is a Tesco on Samui too.

zzzLazyDaisy

stilltheone wrote: »

The are few branches of Boots on Samui island <snip> There is a Tesco on Samui too.

And there's me thinking he's going to some tiny half forgotten island somewhere in the middle of no-where.... :cool:

Any idea if Koh Phanghan has similar stores?

Re the clothes - I think his idea is that he'll buy a few really cheap bits locally, wear them to death, and then dump them/give them away so he can travel light on the way home. I don't know how feasible this is - though I can see the attraction if clothes are as cheap as his mates say they are.

stilltheone

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

And there's me thinking he's going to some tiny half forgotten island somewhere in the middle of no-where.... :cool:

Any idea if Koh Phanghan has similar stores?

Re the clothes - I think his idea is that he'll buy a few really cheap bits locally, wear them to death, and then dump them/give them away so he can travel light on the way home. I don't know how feasible this is - though I can see the attraction if clothes are as cheap as his mates say they are.

Cheap clothes are cheap. If you want quality you'll have to pay more. If he wants to go to Tesco he can get on the boat. Stop mollycoddling him.

Getting to Koh Phangan by Boat

zzzLazyDaisy

stilltheone wrote: »

Stop mollycoddling him.

But he's my baby!!!

Johnnyy_Boy

stilltheone wrote: »

Why don't you check your luggage all the way through??

Samui check-through

The connection times mean there is plenty of time to collect and clear yourself at BKK. Its just something I personally find easier.

Johnnyy_Boy

stilltheone wrote: »

The are few branches of Boots on Samui island, so I think he'll be ok.
As to clothes... it depends on whether he wants to spend his money that way.
I tend to buy cheap stuff for everyday wear and therefore am not concerned about spills and laundry mistakes.
There is a Tesco on Samui too.

Boots at BKK airport on way to gate as well.