Cheap flights to Thailand...

[PeterNem]

Out of interest, if I book the flights and hotel through the same company, but they decide to use different airlines for the connections, whats the situation with regards to a connecting flight being missed due to delays further back? Is there any protection, or is it 'unlucky sunshine' and probably some sort of admin charge to get on the next flight ?

I believe if the flights are issued under the same itinerary (e.g., booked through a single airline even if there is a partner airline involved for the connection) then they are liable to make good if a connection is missed due to the first flight arriving late. This would likely be a case of providing food/drink at the airport and providing overnight accommodation if the next flight isn't until the next day. If the flights are booked separately you'd be looking at goodwill as the airline isn't deemed to have responsibility for your ability to complete the entire trip from origin to final destination.

Make sure you have a good shop around before just booking the whole lot through an agent.

As well as sky scanner take a look at these (expect you'll likely get the same results, but always worth checking!)

http://matrix.itasoftware.com
http://www.kayak.com

 

[Paul11]

as mentioned, its very very easy to book the internal flight once you arrive in bangkok (and probably cheaper) and then you wont have any issue with delays and missing flights

worst case you have to wait a short while and grab a coffee , but they fly frequently.

 

[Conanius]

Thanks for the comments guys.

As much as I'm sure those other flight options could work, I'm not hugely keen on risking a different price. Sure it could be cheaper, but at least I'm certain now. If we were going backpacking for 3 months I'd think differently.

We aren't going to chawang beach on Koh Samui, and instead are going to a much smaller beach near a fishing village. A bit less western !

Appreciate the other comments. Hotel recommendations welcomed

 

[Conanius]

I believe if the flights are issued under the same itinerary (e.g., booked through a single airline even if there is a partner airline involved for the connection) then they are liable to make good if a connection is missed due to the first flight arriving late. This would likely be a case of providing food/drink at the airport and providing overnight accommodation if the next flight isn't until the next day. If the flights are booked separately you'd be looking at goodwill as the airline isn't deemed to have responsibility for your ability to complete the entire trip from origin to final destination.

Make sure you have a good shop around before just booking the whole lot through an agent.

As well as sky scanner take a look at these (expect you'll likely get the same results, but always worth checking!)

http://matrix.itasoftware.com
http://www.kayak.com

Cheers Pete.

If you book hotel and flights through a single agent, is there greater protection Pete?

Bangkok airways and Ethiad airways are partners, so fingers crossed for goodwill.... Would they pass on your luggage in that instance or would you have to check in again?

 

[TripleT]

Thanks for the comments guys.

As much as I'm sure those other flight options could work, I'm not hugely keen on risking a different price. Sure it could be cheaper, but at least I'm certain now. If we were going backpacking for 3 months I'd think differently.

We aren't going to chawang beach on Koh Samui, and instead are going to a much smaller beach near a fishing village. A bit less western !

Appreciate the other comments. Hotel recommendations welcomed

Bo Phut? Stayed there for a few nights when I was there after visiting when exploring the island on a scooter. We stayed in Lami too, avoided Chawang but went during the day as the beach is pretty awesome and huge.

A scooter is a must by the way, great way to see the island and very safe as there are scooter lanes and drivers give you a friend toot when passing (unlike on Phangan!). Just don't try driving at night in to Chewang like we did, big mistake!

 

[Conanius]

Correct first time great knowledge !

 

[TripleT]

It's very nice, quiet yet has some good bars and restaurants.

Our view from our little place we stayed at for a couple of nights, great view B)


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[Conanius]

Sounds and looks perfect. Exactly what we want

 

[Rotty]

EVA would be my recommended airline for LHR to BKK

 

[coopsjc21]

Went to Thailand in December, flew Emirates via Dubai. Was cheaper than the direct flights to Thailand in Thai airways. Had about 4 hours connection in Dubai.

Are you spending any time in Bangkok? We did 3 days but wasnt really enough. If you are I recommended Grand Palace, Siriraj medical museum (a bit grim but worth a visit), MBK shopping centre.

 

[sHo0sH]

Ok, quick update.

Been offered £602 per person return using Ethiad Airways and Bangkok Airways connection from Bangkok to Koh Samui.

The connection flight is only an hour, so don't really care how terrible that flight might end up being (even sat on a 4 seater cargo plane next to a goat would be ok), but curious how good Ethiad are.

General reviews appear ok, but interested in any ocuk personal experiences

Is this direct to Thailand, then onward, or indirect then onward?
If direct, that is not a bad price. The Koh Samui bit alone is about £70 usually.

I've always used EVA air, and go direct to their website for a price.

Bo Phut was really nice, surprisingly good French restaurant there to. I also found a really cheap new build bungalow in a place called Au Ban Thai, which was closer to the ferry port which you catch to Phangnan. If you make it to Phangnan, check out Coco Gardens, great place!

 

[panthro]

EVA would be my recommended airline for LHR to BKK

Me too, travelled with EVA almost exclusively when I was working in Thailand. Direct flight, good food, good entertainment, nice hostesses and well priced tickets.

 

[burzy]

Word of advice avoid Samui at all costs. I have been to Thailand four times now and went back to Samui last year trying to relive the old days. Its a right turd of a place now. Full of wannabe back packers, large groups of girls on daddy's money and Big groups of lads ****ing it up generally being knobs. If i wanted this i would stay in the UK.

If you want a good time in Thailand head north, the south has been taken over by tourism.

 

[-Ad-]

EVA would be my recommended airline for LHR to BKK

Agreed, I'm flying with them to BKK for Xmas this year. Just a pity that Air Asia are switching to the other airport from October

Why Koh Samui, many better places to go to than there! Take the advice from multiple people saying this on here!

 

[Paul11]

If you want a good time in Thailand head north, the south has been taken over by tourism.

there are plenty of good places in the south, that statement is far to general

 

[pcoltrane]

Thanks for the comments guys.

As much as I'm sure those other flight options could work, I'm not hugely keen on risking a different price. Sure it could be cheaper, but at least I'm certain now. If we were going backpacking for 3 months I'd think differently.

We aren't going to chawang beach on Koh Samui, and instead are going to a much smaller beach near a fishing village. A bit less western !

Appreciate the other comments. Hotel recommendations welcomed

I stayed at Tongsai bay which isn't far from Bo Phut. I thought the hotel was fantastic.

 

[Conanius]

I stayed at Tongsai bay which isn't far from Bo Phut. I thought the hotel was fantastic.

We considered that for our Honeymoon last year, some of the rooms are truly incredible there.

For those saying OMG DONT GO TO KOH SAMUI I'd appreciate knowing recommendations of hotels in these other locations. I've spoken to a friend at work who went to Boh Phut in January and he said it was the best place in Koh Samui and near the Fishermans Village which he thought was great. Accept that Chaweng is a bit.... interesting.