Domestic Flights

Thai Airways ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• • National carrier
  • 20kg checked bag included
  • Meals included
  • Comfortable
  • Price: Most expensive
  • Reliability: Good

Bangkok Airways ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• • Boutique airline
  • 20 kg checked bag included
  • Free airport lounges
  • Premium service
  • Price: Expensive but worth it
  • Monopoly on Koh Samui (only airline)

Thai Smile ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• • Thai Airways subsidiary
  • 20 kg checked bag included
  • Light meal included
  • Good value middle-ground
  • Price: Moderate

AirAsia ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• • Largest budget carrier in Asia
  • Reliable, on-time
  • Nothing included (bags cost extra)
  • Price: Cheapest
  • NEW 2024: Better app, easier booking

Nok Air ⭐⭐⭐

• • Thai budget airline (bird logo)
  • Competitive with AirAsia
  • Slightly better service
  • Price: Cheap

Thai Lion Air ⭐⭐

• • Budget airline
  • Mixed reviews on delays
  • Cheapest sometimes
  • Price: Very cheap (but check reviews)

Thai Vietjet Air ⭐⭐⭐

• • Newer budget option (since 2022)
  • Reliable
  • Competitive pricing
  • Price: Cheap

Note: Prices vary wildly by season.

Peak Season (Dec-Feb, July-Aug): +30-50% on all prices
Low Season (Apr-June, Sept-Nov): -20-30% on all prices

Tims tip: Check 12goAsia.

While Koh Samui → Bangkok might cost ฿15,000 ($190) in February, the flight from Surat Thani (including ferry and transport to the airport) costs only ฿1900 ($61), but the whole trip takes 8 hours.

• Seat (assigned or auto-assigned)
• 7 kg cabin bag (one small backpack/purse)

AirAsia:

• • Checked bag 20 kg: ฿600-900 (online) / ฿1,200-1,500 (airport)
  • Checked bag 25 kg: ฿900-1,200 (online) / ฿1,500-2,000 (airport)
  • Checked bag 30 kg: ฿1,200-1,500 (online)
  • Cabin bag upgrade to 10 kg: ฿300-500
  • Seat selection: ฿80-400 (depending on seat)
  • Meals: ฿120-250
  • Priority boarding: ฿150

Nok Air:

• • Checked bag 15 kg: ฿450-700 (online) / ฿900 (airport)
  • Checked bag 20 kg: ฿700-1,000 (online) / ฿1,200 (airport)
  • Seat selection: ฿100-350
  • Meals: ฿100-200

Huge Money-Saving Tip: Always book baggage online when buying a ticket. Up to 50% cheaper than at the airport!

1. Book 3–6 weeks ahead (not too early, not too late)
2. Fly Tuesday-Thursday (cheapest days)
3. Avoid holidays:
4. • Songkran (April 13-15/19)
   • Thai New Year (Dec 31-Jan 2)
   • Chinese New Year (varies, Jan/Feb)
   • Long weekends
4. Pack light (7 kg carry-on only = no baggage fees)
5. Buy baggage online if needed (50% cheaper)
6. Check-in online 24 hr before (free, avoids ฿200 airport fee some airlines charge)
7. Bring your own snacks (don't buy on the plane)
8. Compare all airlines on Skyscanner or 12Go
9. Sign up for airline newsletters (flash sales, promo codes)

• 12Go.asia
• Shows flights + trains + buses + ferries all together
• Pros: Great for comparing all transport options
• Cons: Small booking fee (฿50-100)
• Best for: Multi-modal trips (flight + ferry combos)

• Domestic flights: Arrive 1.5-2 hours before
• Check-in closes 40–45 minutes before the flight
• Budget airlines are STRICT (if late, you miss flight, no refund)

• Don Mueang (DMK): More domestic. Most AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Vietjet. The airport is smaller, less stressful, and has faster security
• Suvarnabhumi (BKK): More international. Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways. The airport is bigger, more stressful, and has stricter security
• They're DIFFERENT airports 45 mins apart - don't mix them up!

MRT subway to Bang Sue station. Interchange: State Railway to Don Muang (takes around 90 minutes)

MRT subway to Petchaburi. Interchange: Makkasan, Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi (takes around 45 minutes)

• If flying international → domestic on different tickets: Allow 4+ hours
• Domestic → domestic: Allow 2+ hours
• Domestic → international: Allow 3+ hours