Travel Guide: Cheap flights to Thailand
Thailand Airlines and Airports
Airline and airport information plus insider tips for Thailand
It's not just the cheap flights to Thailand that attract thousands of visitors here each year. There are many reasons why this beautiful country is one of South-East Asia's most popular destinations. Its temples, palaces and shrines are quintessentially 'exotic', as are the shopping, cuisine, and culture. In fact the culture is so different, you won't believe it took you less than a day to get here - flights to Thailand only take 11 hours. There are landscapes to captivate any traveller's eye: rainforests, rice fields, mountains, sandy beaches, long shorelines, exquisite bays, and limestone cliffs.
Step off your flights to Thailand and both backpackers and visitors to luxury resorts alike will have a wealth of attractions from which to choose: sightseeing in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, exploring the southern beaches, meditating with the monks, having a raucous time at a full-moon beach party, or numerous activities including parasailing, scuba diving, jungle trekking, rock climbing and whitewater rafting.
Perhaps the biggest attraction is the people. Thailand has long been a crossroads of cultures and ethnic groups that today are fully integrated. The Thais are known for their family-based culture and hospitality, and they are friendly, generous and gracious to their country's guests.
Find the best flight prices to Thailand
When to fly to Thailand
Peak season:
Northern Thailand's peak tourist season is during the cool months of November-February and it can be hard to find cheap flights to Thailand at this time. The south's peak season is typically March to May.
November is peak season for cheap flights to Bangkok. Prices at this time can be twice as high as in the off season, and hotels are often fully booked.
International visitors come to Chiang Mai in large numbers from December through to May, and Thais tend to holiday there from March through May so avoid booking Thailand flights during this time if you plan to visit this beautiful, historic city.
November to April is Phuket's peak season, while January to April sees the best weather on Ko Samui. The island is particularly busy around Christmas and has another surge of visitors in July and August.
Off season:
The rainy and monsoon seasons are the off seasons. If you don't mind the humid and wet weather this is a good time to find cheap flights to Thailand.
Getting Around
Thailand's trains are comfortable, frequent, and on time. Although a bit slow, it's a great way to see the country. Thailand's buses are very fast (don't watch the road!), well serviced, and air conditioned. If you're pressed for time, consider flying within Thailand - Internal Thailand flights are easy to find, and are available from several regional airports.
Transport in a city or resort is typically a taxi, tuk-tuk, rickshaw, pickup, or hired car and driver. Taxis are usually metered in a city; make sure the meter is turned on. Always negotiate the fare for a tuk-tuk or rickshaw before you set out, and it might be better to order a taxi to get you from the airport to your destination, when stepping off your flights to Thailand.
Flying to Thailand
Major airports in Thailand:
Bangkok International (BKK)
Chiang Mai International (CNX)
Chiang Rai International (CEI)
Hat Yai International (HDY)
Phuket International
Airlines offering cheap flights to Thailand include:
Air Berlin
British Airways
EVA Air
Quantas
Thai Airways International
In-flight Reading
Try our in-flight reading suggestions for your flight to Thailand.
Traveller's Tales Thailand
edited by James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger
An anthology of travel stories that give insight into the Thai people, culture, and country. Read it on flights to Thailand then again when you're back home to evoke memories of your Thai experiences.
Phra Farang
by Phra Peter Pannapadipo
A successful English businessman becomes a Buddhist monk and tells about the pitfalls, twists and turns, and amusing human problems that arise when he starts his new life in Thailand.
Touch the Dragon
by Karen Connelly
The author spent a year in Thailand when she was 17 and relates her exploration of the culture, life, and people of Thailand. This book gives the reader insight into a seemingly confusing culture and you'll be sure to know much more about this exotic country when you get off flights to Thailand, then you did when you got on.
Many Lives
by Kukrit Pramoj, trans. Meredith Borthwick
The book tells the life story of each passenger who drowned when a river boat sank, giving the reader a feel for Thai culture and values, especially as they relate to Buddhism.
Insider Information on Thailand
The cultures and ethnic groups in Chiang Mai reflect Thailand's diversity: skyscrapers surrounding the Old City, monks chanting, hill tribes selling their wares, carved teak houses, modern markets, and condominiums. This is the place to shop for high-quality handcrafts, fine antiques, huge Buddhas, and even furniture. The nightlife is equally diverse, offering the Night Bazaar, discos, lounges, and small bars.
Once you've recovered from your flights to Thailand, head to Phuket (pronounced 'Poo-ket'),Thailand's largest and most popular island. The landscapes alone are fascinating: rocky peninsulas, limestone cliffs, tropical forests, tranquil bays, and white-sand beaches. There's a beach for every budget, from luxury resorts to bungalows. Phuket is well-known for its fine seafood, while the Patong nightlife is wild and has something for all tastes and inclinations.
Ko Samui is an international resort with the attendant comforts, nightlife, and crowds. Most visitors come to have fun and the island offers plenty of it: basking on the beaches, trekking in the hills and forests, scuba diving, parasailing, Thai boxing, sightseeing, or watching working monkeys on coconut plantations. The nightlife reverberates with discos, open-air bars, and dance parties.
Near Samui, Ko Pha-ngan is famous for its monthly full-moon beach party - a free party hosted by DJs. The morning after you can recuperate in a herbal sauna or relax on the beach. Popular with international travellers, Pha-ngan offers a full complement of activities from sightseeing to jungle trekking. For a more peaceful vacation, the island also has laid-back resorts.
Travel Tips
- Finding Cheap FlightsOur golden rules for finding a cheap flight
- Airlines with low-cost ticketsAn essential guide to how the main carriers operate
- Before You GoAdvice on everything you need to do before you set off
- Regional UK and Irish AirportsFlying from the four corners of the UK and Ireland
- Glossary of Flying TermsAn A-Z of common terms you’ll need to know
- Travel Sickness and DVTHow to stay happy and healthy in the air
Travel links
- Currency converterFind the current exchange rate
- WeatherThe weather in Thailand today
- Destination GuideLonely Planet's guide to Thailand