Flights To Thailand

[alexq]

hey all,

I'm a poor college student who's relatively new to the whole traveling business. I've always wanted to go to thailand though, and I was hoping to do so during my winter holiday off uni. it starts a few days before christmas and ends about a week and half into january.

And I know that this would be considered one of the peak seasons to travel not only because it's the holiday season, but because it's one of the nicer times to go see thailand. But are tickets supposed to be $2,000?? I don't have much experience booking airline tickets online, but everywhere I've looked such as hotwire, STAtravel, travelocity, kayak, etc. it's been that expensive. By the way, I'm coming off the east coast of the U.S.A. I also don't know whether or not to fly directly to the islands at Phuket or into Bangkok city, but I've been putting Phuket as the destination. (changing it to bangkok doesn't make much of a price difference)

I think I would be OK if it was under $1500, but even that is a bit pricey for me.

So are tickets normally that expensive and will they stay that expensive forever? Because I really can't afford anything above $1500.

Please help this is giving me a headache,

alex

[pumpuiman]

You are on the right track...keep checking the discount web sites, deals will appear.

If you are traveling alone, an air courier service could be your answer. There are many reputable companies found on the net.

You will get a discounted rate for transporting documents in place of one of your luggage allowances given by the airline.

It's all perfectly legal, you never touch the documents...you are met by agents at your departure and arrival.

My friend has done this many times....she had to pay a fee of 100 dollars to join the service, then pays about 500 dollars round trip from the east coast.

Here is a link to give you an idea....I tried to call and get the specific company name my friend uses....but couldn't get in touch with her. If I get more specific info, I'll post it here.

Good luck,

Eric

[londonthai]

try this or the next summer holidays - because they are longer and because summer is not the high season in thailand (wet & hot) you have a chance for lower fares. That way you can stay longer than a 2-3 weeks.

don't depart necessarily from the closest airport - check others within a few hundred miles and you might find something.

in your place I would rather go the next summer holidays - in the meantime safe some money, book the ticket well in advance, prepare properly your travel. Go to the library and read all travel guides about thailand, do notes from them - before you set for holiday buy the latest edition of your favourite guide.

[Carmine6]

hey all,

I'm a poor college student who's relatively new to the whole traveling business. I've always wanted to go to thailand though, and I was hoping to do so during my winter holiday off uni. it starts a few days before christmas and ends about a week and half into january.

And I know that this would be considered one of the peak seasons to travel not only because it's the holiday season, but because it's one of the nicer times to go see thailand. But are tickets supposed to be $2,000?? I don't have much experience booking airline tickets online, but everywhere I've looked such as hotwire, STAtravel, travelocity, kayak, etc. it's been that expensive. By the way, I'm coming off the east coast of the U.S.A. I also don't know whether or not to fly directly to the islands at Phuket or into Bangkok city, but I've been putting Phuket as the destination. (changing it to bangkok doesn't make much of a price difference)

I think I would be OK if it was under $1500, but even that is a bit pricey for me.

So are tickets normally that expensive and will they stay that expensive forever? Because I really can't afford anything above $1500.

Please help this is giving me a headache,

alex

Very tough period to find deals on coming off the East Coast. You may have to try Asian carriers directly such as Taiwanese airlines. http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm For example, China Airlines has some fares about $1,500 out of NY to BKK, but they only fly to certain East Coast cities. Have never flown them and I think they don't get great reviews. Also, there are several airline options from Bangkok to Phuket, so you may be better off looking for fares to Bangkok and doing that last bit on your own.

I'm not sure if prices will drop, but they are generally higher this year compared to last year. The last couple flights I flew were pretty empty and there was still no discounting to load them up. At the end of the year, everything will be pretty full.

Phuket is not the cheapest area to visit in Thailand, especially during busy season, so that's a consideration as well. But since you have time, maybe you can find a cheaper hotel than you planned on and use that toward the airfare. In popular areas, busy season rates are at least several hundred baht per day higher than even mid December, or after mid January. Bangkok hotel prices are less sensitive to busy season, but still likely to be higher.

[Chung noi]

Howdy,

Just an idea.

Call some travel agents in your area, tell them where you want to go and when. Tell them you want to spend, say, $1300.00 and see what they can do. You never know, they might have some good ideas for your trip. Plus, they do all the work, and from time to time you can get some really good deals through travel agents. I usally call two or three to start, then maybe another till I find one that will work for me.

I do my homework, ask others, then ask for a discount when I'm ready to buy. seems we always fly United Airlines, non-stop from Chicago to Bangkok with a 1 hour refueling in Japan, a 23 hour flight. If you don't mind layovers the prices goes down on the tickets. I do not like to fly on India or Korea airlines, but have nothing bad to say about them. Just an idea.

goodluck

*j*

[Chiangmai Foxy]

hey all,

I'm a poor college student who's relatively new to the whole traveling business. I've always wanted to go to thailand though, and I was hoping to do so during my winter holiday off uni. it starts a few days before christmas and ends about a week and half into january.

And I know that this would be considered one of the peak seasons to travel not only because it's the holiday season, but because it's one of the nicer times to go see thailand. But are tickets supposed to be $2,000?? I don't have much experience booking airline tickets online, but everywhere I've looked such as hotwire, STAtravel, travelocity, kayak, etc. it's been that expensive. By the way, I'm coming off the east coast of the U.S.A. I also don't know whether or not to fly directly to the islands at Phuket or into Bangkok city, but I've been putting Phuket as the destination. (changing it to bangkok doesn't make much of a price difference)

I think I would be OK if it was under $1500, but even that is a bit pricey for me.

So are tickets normally that expensive and will they stay that expensive forever? Because I really can't afford anything above $1500.

Please help this is giving me a headache,

alex

basically dont book a flight for at least a few months.i always fly out to bangkok just before christmas for at the most £750(1500$) and thats with a good airline such as emirates(thai airways cheaper,maybe £600)

the prices for the week i want to fly are currently £950,what happens is the prices come down to the proper level around september time for some reason!

not sure where you are from(if usa and not britain,not sure what airline is cheapest for you)

suggest you try - ebookers,travelbag or airline-network if british

good luck

edit-sorry,obviously you are american

Edited July 17, 2007 by Chiangmai Foxy

[ballbreaker]

Ticket prices are up but you should be able to find a cheaper price than $2k. You might try finding an asian travel agency located in major city like NY or Washington. I've always found they have good connections with all asian airlines. Try finding a Thai owned and operated agency since your coming to Thailand.