Thailand - How to get there

By Air

There is one main international airport in Thailand, in the capital Bangkok. All scheduled flights fly in and out of Bangkok, with a wide range of European and international airlines flying every day. We start most Thailand tours in Bangkok, though we can also combine Vietnam or Cambodia (or both) in many itineraries, and there are good options to fly into one country and out of another for this type of tour. Flights between Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh & Siem Reap are also regular with Bangkok Air, Vietnam Airlines, Air Asia and Dragon Air operating several flights every day.

Flying from the UK

If you are flying from the UK, then the only direct flights to Bangkok are from London Heathrow, with either British Airways, QANTAS, Eva Air or Thai Airways. The flight takes around 12 hours. Fares range from around £700 if you book well in advance, but do increase significantly during busy periods. Prices are often cheaper if you choose an indirect flight with a Middle Eastern airline such as Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways. Turkish Airlines and Jet Airways are also a cheaper option. In general, the earlier you book the better, as flights tend to get more expensive closer to departure. Flying from regional airports such as Manchester, Newcastle or Glasgow will require a stop-over in London, Europe or the Middle East and normally is a little more expensive than flying from London.

Where to book

We hold an ATOL, and you are welcome to book your flights with us. Please discuss your ideal dates and departure airport with our sales staff, and we will send you a selection of airlines, flight times, and prices. You can then choose whether to book your flights through us, or to make your own arrangements. If you book your own flights, we will still include both your arrival and departure airport transfers.

By Land

Laos

One of the easiest and most common ways to enter Laos from Chiang Rai, Thailand is by boat along the Mekong River. There are 2 types of boat, fast and slow, with the overnight (Pakbeng) slow boat being the safest and most popular.

You can also get a train from Bangkok to Vientiane. There is a daily overnight sleeper train direct from Bangkok to Nong Khai and a special connecting local train to the new international rail terminal at Thanaleng, 13km outside Vientiane.

Cambodia

Take the daily 5:55am train from Bangkok's main Hualamphong station to Aranyaprathet arriving at 11:35. Aranyaprathet is just a few kilometres from the Cambodian frontier.  The fare is only 58 baht (about £1 or $1.60).
At Aranyaprathet, take a tuk-tuk (about 40-60 baht) or the bus (about 10 baht), from the station to the Cambodian border at Poiphet (15km).  The border is open 07:00-20:00, and visas can be bought there.  Don't get sidetracked into a travel agency, make sure the tuk tuk driver takes you to the official border post to buy your Cambodian visa (or buy an e-visa beforehand). Then take a Cambodian taxi, bus or pickup truck from Poiphet to Sisophon (48 km) and Battambang (112 km).  You will need to spend the night in Battambang. In the morning take a bus from Battambang to Phnom Penh.  Buses run many times daily between 06:30 & 12:45, journey time 5½ hours, fare around 14,000 Riel ($4).