Family holiday to Thailand

TakeThis

socrates wrote: »

Can you expand on these changes - I thought they only affected people from the Middle East

any links?

No changes. Don't worry.

You still get the 30 day Visa Waiver when you arrive...if you have a British Passport.

The change is for people who arrive overland. They only get 15 days.

shaunskankdog

TakeThis wrote: »

Not quite correct. You just missed a deal with Qatar, for £250 return. The catch was that you flew out of Budapest and back into London or Manchester. A one way flight to Budapest was anything from £35 to £78 with Ryanair or WizzAir.

So total price from £285 dependent on luggage and seat reservation....but you had to book by the 19th of April.

Yeah true, forgot about that...my mate was saying to me about having to get to Budapest...Qatar are one of a few 5 star airlines...am off to BKK I hope next year...always good deals if flexible...even via Kul or Sin.

Doshwaster

TakeThis wrote: »

Not quite correct. You just missed a deal with Qatar, for £250 return. The catch was that you flew out of Budapest and back into London or Manchester. A one way flight to Budapest was anything from £35 to £78 with Ryanair or WizzAir.

So total price from £285 dependent on luggage and seat reservation....but you had to book by the 19th of April.

Hmmm - I hadn't heard of that offer but I'm not sure it would be worth the hassle or the risk (Ryanair cancel the flight and you are screwed). But, if your budget really is tight, you are in no rush and you are travelling light then why not?

Similarly, a friend recently found a very cheap flight via Delhi on Jet Airways - but that had a massive layover and you couldn't leave the airport without a visa.

So, yes, there are "creative" ways of getting to Thailand, but for most people they are going to be too much hassle - especially with a family in tow.

It's a shame that the Air Asia X route to KUL was scrapped as that was a genuinely cheap way of getting to a SE Asia gateway.

TakeThis

Doshwaster wrote: »

Hmmm - I hadn't heard of that offer but I'm not sure it would be worth the hassle or the risk (Ryanair cancel the flight and you are screwed). But, if your budget really is tight, you are in no rush and you are travelling light then why not?

Similarly, a friend recently found a very cheap flight via Delhi on Jet Airways - but that had a massive layover and you couldn't leave the airport without a visa.

So, yes, there are "creative" ways of getting to Thailand, but for most people they are going to be too much hassle - especially with a family in tow.

It's a shame that the Air Asia X route to KUL was scrapped as that was a genuinely cheap way of getting to a SE Asia gateway.

Come on now, that's why we have insurance. If they cancel the flight, you just jump on another and let your insurance cover the cost.

You also have EasyJet and WizzAir.

Travelling light? You can purchase 20kgs of luggage with Ryanair. Together with your 10kgs of hand luggage that is 30kgs.

Even with that included, plus the cost of seat reservation, the price was £78(I checked). So a total price of £325.
Easyjet FlexiFare was £100.
WizzAir, less than both, but with a higher luggage allowance.


Families? They can decide for themselves as to how they travel. The point is that this was a viable option, with very short stopover options in DOHA, with a 5* airline.

Your assertions about hassle and risk are just silly. The individual can decide as to whether paying as little as half the usual price for a ticket is worth it to them.

Doshwaster

TakeThis wrote: »

Your assertions about hassle and risk are just silly. The individual can decide as to whether paying as little as half the usual price for a ticket is worth it to them.

That was my whole point. Everyone is different - some are happy putting with some extra hassle, risk and inconvenience in order to save some money. That's great for them but it's just fair to point out the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

If you want a zero hassle, but expensive, trip to Thailand then book a fully tailored package. If you want to do it on the cheapest possible budget then there are ways of doing that too. Most people are somewhere in the middle and enjoy Thailand as a DIY destination.

As I always say about Thailand, the beauty of the country is that you can spend as little, or as much, money as you want. There's a Thailand for everyone.

TakeThis

Doshwaster wrote: »

That was my whole point. Everyone is different - some are happy putting with some extra hassle, risk and inconvenience in order to save some money. That's great for them but it's just fair to point out the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

But your comments were not fair....

but I'm not sure it would be worth the hassle or the risk (Ryanair cancel the flight and you are screwed). But, if your budget really is tight, you are in no rush and you are travelling light then why not?

Anyway, it's a moot point, as it is no longer available.

Mr_Wang

Doshwaster wrote: »

That was my whole point. Everyone is different - some are happy putting with some extra hassle, risk and inconvenience in order to save some money. That's great for them but it's just fair to point out the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

If you want a zero hassle, but expensive, trip to Thailand then book a fully tailored package. If you want to do it on the cheapest possible budget then there are ways of doing that too. Most people are somewhere in the middle and enjoy Thailand as a DIY destination.

As I always say about Thailand, the beauty of the country is that you can spend as little, or as much, money as you want. There's a Thailand for everyone.

Got to agree with this. I would never go to Thailand just for two weeks and so I would have the time to linger in places along the way.
I just don't see the point in people unwilling to travel in Thailand, it's pointless, yes the beaches in Thailand are nice, they aren't the best in the world. Actually Chaweng beach is lovely it really is, but Jumeirah beach in Dubai rivals it easily, ok the nightlife isn't there but then if you want nightlife you don't even have to leave Europe.

Thailand in my opinion should be somewhere to go amongst a list of other places to go. I love the country and have been to just about every corner of it, but I certainly wouldn't pay £600 for a fortnight there. Not a chance.

Voyager2002

TakeThis wrote: »

Come on now, that's why we have insurance. If they cancel the flight, you just jump on another and let your insurance cover the cost.

You also have EasyJet and WizzAir.

snip

I agree with the rest of the post (snipped), but I do not think it is possible to insure against the risk of missing a long-haul flight because of a problem with the flight taking you to where you catch the long-haul flight. If you know of any insurers who offer this kind of cover, please post details.

TakeThis

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I agree with the rest of the post (snipped), but I do not think it is possible to insure against the risk of missing a long-haul flight because of a problem with the flight taking you to where you catch the long-haul flight. If you know of any insurers who offer this kind of cover, please post details.

Huh? What?

What are you saying now? You wrote first of RyanAir cancelling the flight.
You are covered under the EU directive in that case.

As to Ryanair delaying the flight....there are many hours between the flights, so it would have to be a mighty delay to scupper the plans.

So if you know there is going to be a five hour delay or some such, refund that ticket and buy another with EasyJet or WizzAir. It is not advanced algebra.

If you were the nervous type, then you could book with WizzAir and default to Easyjet if it went pear-shaped.

If you've already checked in with Qatar online, you only need an hour anyway and I'm sure the Hungarian airport is not the busiest...

This is all worst case scenario of course.

shaunskankdog

Anyway Mrs Mum...the peaceful warrior (ie...me) lol would like to add....

Ayuthaya, 2 hrs minibus or train N of Bangkok is a fantastic historical city taking a full day or more to see the main sites and sights...can be done with bicycle hire too although with children and heat...dont know.. train cost THB 20...about 40p...amazing.

Chiang Mai is fantastic for the hills, temples and tours, and for the genuine Thai life just outside, very easy from Bangkok with train (12 hrs) or flying Air Asia or others...and then you can easily fly from there to Phuket/Ao Nang area, which has some of the most amazing natural scenery on earth. Only three hours government bus hours at £4 from Phuket Town to Krabi ( Ao Nang)...the beaches and islands around there are amazing, and so easy to get back to Bangkok by plane.

Thailand is scorching and humid, so sun cream from UK as it costs a bomb in T. I have never used repellent.

Spend about 3 days in Bangkok, maybe pop over to Kanchanaburi and see the river Kwai. 3hrs on bus or 2Hrs minivan...max a fiver each. The train crosses the river if you want but next stop is a fair way, or you can walk over the bridge or take a sight seeing train which just tottles over and back. So much to see and do...you will need more than two weeks. Just book a flight and off you go. Best time is Dec - May...May hotels cost about a third as much...try with Agoda checking dates out and see the difference. I went in May and it rained heavy once every three days for an hour as per.

Take £20 notes and dollars to change anywhere free esp the kiosks. Wine is expensive, food..you can really eat out, even in Phuket for £1.20 each... Rice and chicken etc outside many 7/11s and get water or alcohol or whatever from there.....

Like many say, T can be as cheap or as expensive as you like....
PS I would recommend going April for the Songkran...Thai NEw Year..where everyone throws water at each other...fab for the kids and to cool down. Just sun cream all over lol. You will remember the day for many a year..

Anyway enjoy...this was your question post after all, not a place for others to squabble...but I love reading them anyway, and to be honest everyone has good info...esp Mr Chang.... and Bob the Saver.

Enjoy Amazing Thailand