My Detailed Booking and cost Sydney to Chiang Mai and return for 30 Days for Wife and Self

[Netease]

 

 

Not sure if posting in right section

Normally 5 minutes to book return trip Sydney to Chiang Mai this time a couple of days researching Flight connections. Hotel booking with Test & Go, Insurance policies and Thai Pass.

   I got all my documents together Passport, Vaccine Certificates Hotel Confirmation, Flight Booking in one folder on computer converted all to JPEG which is easy for me, if you’re not computer savvy good luck trying to send documents to Hotel, Insurance and Thai Pass

Started with booking flight to BKK then Insurance then hotel Test and Go. then Pathology test for PCR then Flight to CNX then flight back to BKK all to coincide with each other NOT EASY

16 confirmation and approved emails later. 30 documents in the folder I created. I am fairly computer literate.

I can see why companies charge to do this service

If I didn’t need to go and see my new house which was completed in December 2019 and hasn’t even been lived in I wouldn’t go normally cost for the trip is about $1,400 return this time it cost $3,606.97

I have put a rough table together to show what you are in for if you take this journey

A friend of mine used a travel agent in the USA to get to CNX he thought everything was ok until I told him there are no Test and Go Hotels in Ching Mai his Travel agent didn’t know big headache for him

All I am waiting for now is Thai Pass Approval which could stuff all my plans if not approved

Talk about stressful

I hope this can be of some help to some of you

Anyway, good luck to everyone I’m off to the Pub for a couple of Jugs

 

[bojo]

Very helpful post in that the detail helps one decide either way whether to come or not............................

[Will B Good]

Some people have all the fun.

[4MyEgo]

29 minutes ago, Netease said:

I hope this can be of some help to some of you

Thanks for the detailed information, as much will appreciate the details

 

29 minutes ago, Netease said:

Anyway, good luck to everyone I’m off to the Pub for a couple of Jugs

Yeh, nah, pass, we are looking to go to Sydney in July, however if there is the slightest BS like this, we won't even contemplate it, like you said, unless you didn't have to, you wouldn't.

 

Anyway, hope the build went well while you were absent, exciting times ahead for you.

[gearbox]

I very much doubt that you can buy 2 X return tickets before covid for $1400 SYD-BKK to start with... that's the peak travel season and I haven't seen tickets sub $1200 especially if booked a month or two in advance.

 

There is  a Jetstar sale "return leg free" for $379 Sydney-Phuket, travel period 13 Jan-13 Apr starting tomorrow. Easy to fly to Chiang Mai from there.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, Netease said:

I have put a rough table together to show what you are in for if you take this journey

A lot less than it was for me to go to the UK in August.

Going to the UK I had to take 4 x PCR tests at a cost of about £250 and I had to self isolate for 5 days at a cost of £500.

Coming back to Thailand I was about £150 for test and accommodation at the airport, would have been more than that to be tested locally.

For the COE I had to pay £876 for the quarantine but fortunately some of that was refunded and I also escaped any cost for insurance.

This was all for one person and not including flights, be grateful costs are heading in the right direction.

[RJRS1301]

2 hours ago, gearbox said:

I very much doubt that you can buy 2 X return tickets before covid for $1400 SYD-BKK to start with... that's the peak travel season and I haven't seen tickets sub $1200 especially if booked a month or two in advance.

 

There is  a Jetstar sale "return leg free" for $379 Sydney-Phuket, travel period 13 Jan-13 Apr starting tomorrow. Easy to fly to Chiang Mai from there.

BS often flew Thai cattle class Syd CNX $900 AUd return 

 

 

[gearbox]

15 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

BS often flew Thai cattle class Syd CNX $900 AUd return 

 

 

When...during the December/January school holidays? Yeah...

[RJRS1301]

3 minutes ago, gearbox said:

When...during the December/January school holidays? Yeah...

I will stand correcting myself it was mostly BNE to CNX, and various times of the year, most ever paid for cattle was about 1400Aud.

Perhaps as I only ever needed one seat made the difference, how mostly had no one seated near either direction

Then get to airport and purchase upgrade for penny or two

[gearbox]

7 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

I will stand correcting myself it was mostly BNE to CNX, and various times of the year, most ever paid for cattle was about 1400Aud.

Perhaps as I only ever needed one seat made the difference, how mostly had no one seated near either direction

Then get to airport and purchase upgrade for penny or two

One can get a rtn ticket for around $900 SYD-CNX in Feb/March next year...but pretty much no chance whatsoever during the Dec/Jan school holidays. A friend of mine had to travel urgently (within a week) to BKK from Sydney a few years ago during the school holidays...paid $1600 return.

[daveAustin]

Absolute madness. Commend your staying power. Thai gov will deserve all the grief they get from tourist industry losing out. Double vaxxed, test on leaving, that’s it. Why complicate it! If a few slip through, live with it. Thailand is already well infected. 

 

[gearbox]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

A lot less than it was for me to go to the UK in August.

Going to the UK I had to take 4 x PCR tests at a cost of about £250 and I had to self isolate for 5 days at a cost of £500.

Coming back to Thailand I was about £150 for test and accommodation at the airport, would have been more than that to be tested locally.

For the COE I had to pay £876 for the quarantine but fortunately some of that was refunded and I also escaped any cost for insurance.

This was all for one person and not including flights, be grateful costs are heading in the right direction.

I went to Europe in July and came back last week. The tickets to Europe are pre-covid prices. I'm in the Phuket Sandbox, costs me 10000 baht (7 days 4 star hotel with breakfast, 1 x PCR test 2400 baht, sha+ taxi from the airport booked via the hotel 900 baht) . My gf was allowed to come and join me after my PCR test was confirmed negative. The other extra cost was 45 euro for a PCR test in Europe, I could do it cheaper in Turkey but couldn't be bothered.

 

The hotel in Phuket would be significantly more expensive pre covid times. The accommodation in Phuket is still a bargain, the prices are up since my last visit in March, but nowhere near normal times. The negative was that it rained 6 out of 7 days ????  Limited amount of sunshine collected, many cocktails drank.

 

Overall vast improvement in cost compared to my 15 days ASQ quarantine in January - paid around 45k baht for ASQ jail. Of course the Thailand Pass is a hassle, hopefully will go away soon together with the PCR testing when landing in Thailand.

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by gearbox

[Netease]

11 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

BS often flew Thai cattle class Syd CNX $900 AUd return 

 

 

Sorry for the mistake I was going from memory the price was actually $1500 for 2 people. I will go and hang myself now

[Netease]

The Wife's Thai Pass QR code was approved in 5 hours

[newnative]

Good example of why no tourists are coming to Thailand.  Sheer madness.  

[Ralf001]

This Test N Go appears to be in Chiang Mai.

 

https://www.eastinhotelsresidences.com/eastintanchiangmai/special-offers/Test-Go-Package

[ubonjoe]

15 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

This Test N Go appears to be in Chiang Mai.

 

https://www.eastinhotelsresidences.com/eastintanchiangmai/special-offers/Test-Go-Package

It has been possible since the 1st but the problem is getting a international flight to arrive in Chiang Mai.

[apetryxx]

Done this as well but from AMS and what a giant hassle. My advice; unless you have to come don’t! Thailand just isn’t fun anymore so go somewhere else.

[Netease]

42 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It has been possible since the 1st but the problem is getting a international flight to arrive in Chiang Mai.

Transit in Bangkok to domestic destinations in Thailand is currently not permitted. Arriving passengers must complete the required hotel quarantine on arrival in Bangkok. See link here for more information.

 

[blazes]

The contrast between yesterday's pic of Prayut and his cronies on some Krabi beach and this horror show brilliantly described here in excruciating detail could not be more stark. 

 

Everything about these details and the Krabi beach screams "Stay Home".

[steven100]

expensive,  stressful,  and marred with hassle after hassle .........    no way for many !

I commend you on your determination and success and trust you'll have a good time. 

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, Netease said:

Transit in Bangkok to domestic destinations in Thailand is currently not permitted. Arriving passengers must complete the required hotel quarantine on arrival in Bangkok. See link here for more information.

I am aware of that. That is why wrote that the problem is getting a international flight to Chiang Mai.

There have been some semi commercial flights (aka charters) that arrived in CM.

[Netease]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I am aware of that. That is why wrote that the problem is getting a international flight to Chiang Mai.

There have been some semi commercial flights (aka charters) that arrived in CM.

I posted that as information for everyone to see so they wont waste time booking a flight that doesn't go first to CNX. I thought Singapore Airline might fly direct from Singapore but couldn't find any If someone knows how to get direct to CNX please share 

[CygnusX1]

Thanks, well timed. I’ve just sent this to a mate of mine who seems keen on going to Thailand.

[Netease]

1 minute ago, CygnusX1 said:

Thanks, well timed. I’ve just sent this to a mate of mine who seems keen on going to Thailand.

Now I hope I don't get Arrested in Bangkok if I have put anyone off Traveling to Thailand

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, Netease said:

Now I hope I don't get Arrested in Bangkok if I have put anyone off Traveling to Thailand

Its not just your thread.

BTW thanks for detailed info you provided.

 

Personally I initially was excited to read Oz announcing change in restrictions for Oz citizens to enter Australia withouts the 14 day quarantine etc.

Hoping to return to see family for couple of weeks.

After reading the 72 page thread on the TP and other nightmare threads, I've decided to push those pans back into next year.

 

OP, I understand your desire to see your completed new home and I can understand folk now coming to Thailand as many have family here. 

As for the average tourist they must be unstable to consider a holiday here in Thailand with the current hoops.

Edited November 19, 2021 by DrJack54

[sandyf]

15 hours ago, gearbox said:

I went to Europe in July and came back last week. The tickets to Europe are pre-covid prices. I'm in the Phuket Sandbox, costs me 10000 baht (7 days 4 star hotel with breakfast, 1 x PCR test 2400 baht, sha+ taxi from the airport booked via the hotel 900 baht) . My gf was allowed to come and join me after my PCR test was confirmed negative. The other extra cost was 45 euro for a PCR test in Europe, I could do it cheaper in Turkey but couldn't be bothered.

 

The hotel in Phuket would be significantly more expensive pre covid times. The accommodation in Phuket is still a bargain, the prices are up since my last visit in March, but nowhere near normal times. The negative was that it rained 6 out of 7 days ????  Limited amount of sunshine collected, many cocktails drank.

 

Overall vast improvement in cost compared to my 15 days ASQ quarantine in January - paid around 45k baht for ASQ jail. Of course the Thailand Pass is a hassle, hopefully will go away soon together with the PCR testing when landing in Thailand.

 

I couldn't do the sandbox. 

I had one jab in Thailand and one jab in UK, as far as the London Embassy was concerned I was unvaccinated.

[Lazybones]

36 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Its not just your thread.

BTW thanks for detailed info you provided.

 

Personally I initially was excited to read Oz announcing change in restrictions for Oz citizens to enter Australia withouts the 14 day quarantine etc.

Hoping to return to see family for couple of weeks.

After reading the 72 page thread on the TP and other nightmare threads, I've decided to push those pans back into next year.

 

OP, I understand your desire to see your completed new home and I can understand folk now coming to Thailand as many have family here. 

As for the average tourist they must be unstable to consider a holiday here in Thailand with the current hoops.

For those who may be interested Jetstar are flying Bangkok to Melbourne from the 15th December but through Singapore at the moment.

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Lazybones said:

For those who may be interested Jetstar are flying Bangkok to Melbourne from the 15th December but through Singapore at the moment.

Didnt see that one.

Had email from Jetstar today and they have fly Melb, Sydney to Phuket return flight free. Fares apply to various months 2022.

Not of interest if flying to Oz from Thailand.

Edited November 19, 2021 by DrJack54

[RJRS1301]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Didnt see that one.

Had email from Jetstar today and they have fly Melb, Sydney to Phuket return flight free. Fares apply to various months 2022.

Not of interest if flying to Oz from Thailand.

Generally in the "return" free concept, getting a seat is the major problem, as they only allocate a few seats at those rates per flight, forcing most to pay a higher than average for return seat.