Crazy Flight Prices

[Bakes]

Ello all.Im trying to get a flight to bkk around christmas time and returning in Jan.From all London airports im getting prices of a grand or more,is this the norm as i hav'nt been out at xmas before.Has anyone got any good sites for flights or have i gota pay up???

[kenk3z]

It seems all the airlines increase their prices a large amount around Christmas time because there is a large demand for their business. People going home and on vacation for the holiday.

It's the worst time of the year to have to actually pay for a flight, especially overseas.

Not a lot you can do about it except possibly advance or delay the trip. I think prices start to go back down by the end of January.

But late December through early January - big price gouging goes on.......

kenk3z

[britmaveric]

Fuel Prices and crissie time!

[Pattaya_Fox]

Try one of the regional airports...you may get a better deal. You will have to shuttle there, but you could still save on the London airports.

[think_too_mut]

The prices go up from 18th of December. I'm going on 16th at a regular price.

Try something into Singapore, almost whole expat population from there is going one way. Then, only 2 hrs flight to BKK.

[Buff-horns]

Ello all.Im trying to get a flight to bkk around christmas time and returning in Jan.From all London airports im getting prices of a grand or more,is this the norm as i hav'nt been out at xmas before.Has anyone got any good sites for flights or have i gota pay up???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i would say you have no chance of a cheapie , maybe a cancelation . flights for xmas are booked as early as the previous February believe it or not.

many thai students are going home as well as farangs going for xmas.

even at a grand i would be surprised if you could get a seat .

try going via the middle east or holland . or via moscow .you might get a flight to schipol and then a flight to BKK from there.

[agsnowdon]

Ello all.Im trying to get a flight to bkk around christmas time and returning in Jan.From all London airports im getting prices of a grand or more,is this the norm as i hav'nt been out at xmas before.Has anyone got any good sites for flights or have i gota pay up???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

have you tried?

airline network

[Adagio]

I know this is no help now but the earlier you can book your ticket the better. Prices do go through the roof over the christmas period and even if you can afford the high prices you can often have trouble getting availability, especially on the return leg. Be as flexible as possible, consider flying into a different airport, even in a different country as you can usually book a local flight very cheaply with Air Asia or Bangkok Air.

[Crossy]

Try here:-

http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Bangkok/London-Area/

There are still seats available at reasonable ( <500 quid) prices, but you'll have to juggle your dates.

A good travel agent ought to be able to get the same deals (and they do the legwork).

[Steve2UK]

I think you're going to have to try all the options mentioned above - particularly being ready for great flexibility on your travel dates. For what it's worth, here's a list of the main candidates.

http://www.travelocity.co.uk/

http://www.trailfinders.com/

http://www.opodo.co.uk/

http://www.lastminute.com/

http://www.expedia.co.uk/

http://www.dialaflight.com/

http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/

http://www.ebookers.com/index.html

http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/flights.aspx

In your situation, you'll probably find the Travelocity site quickest to identify likely dates - use the "My dates are flexible" option when you go through to the Flights page; it will show you potential dates for a given fare quote - though you will still have to try a lot of options to get one that works for a lower price in this period. I did a quick test and it looked like you might get some joy with Qatar (i.e. less than a grand).

[Sunshine]

I just looked a travelocity.com and it had return flights from heathrow to bangkok from 19 december for £886.00

[johnleepbs]

I just looked a travelocity.com and it had return flights from heathrow to bangkok from 19 december for £886.00

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep; I am going "home" on 23 December...it gets more quiet then...but the return leg is the one that puts the prices up. I did £700 for a return in mid january...unbelievably BA were cheaper than Thai Airways. I would prefer to travel Thai...but money talks.

They do gouge you...in April/May its £350 plus the tax....

[cdnvic]

Have you looked at prices from the continent? If they are alot cheaper it may be worth a cheap hop on Easyjet to connect to it.

cv

[johnleepbs]

Have you looked at prices from the continent? If they are alot cheaper it may be worth a cheap hop on Easyjet to connect to it.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That works if you want a 4 or more hour addition to your travel.....or more...remember 3 hour check in times if you do not want to be squirming in a middle seat for 11/12 hours.

The true only answer is to book early!! I know its too late now..and that is not of much help..its New Year on the same date in Thailand and the same rush applies

Ahh well.....imagine a rainy Christmas there..... and a warm day in Thailand... with no nagging relatives boring you in the corner of the room....and the cost snaps into perspective...........

Have fun....

[ding]

Here is an airfare search engine that searches all the usual cheap airline ticket sites;

KAYAK.COM

[Rinrada]

Trouble is as you have been told Crimble time is Peng mak.

Along with Easter,Mid Term and the school hols its gotta be one of the times when you just avoid travelling unless you want to PAY......

I have just booked K.W back to LOS for quick visit...(minor court case signature required in Bangers and also to check the tiling in our new gatehouse in C.M.)and got her a TG r/t for £330+tax.with West E.

They also gave her a r/t to C.M (T.G) for £15... ....called "a Promotion"....

I dont care what they call it but price wise its ..sabai.sabai.....

It is however only available until end of Nov.....

Airline N/Work and Opodo have also got a couple of goodies but you will prob.find only until the middle of Dec.....

[Jack Jones]

You'll be looking at £700+ for a flight at Xmas and I'll be surprised if they're are many seats remaining. I booked a flight a month ago, going out on the 26th - the following week the flight was full.

Grab what you can at the price you can because they won't get any cheaper. I just content myself in the knowledge that the next trip will be in May when the prices are half of what they are now.

[think_too_mut]

Flight full.

That's what I get from the el-chipo travel agency whenever I want to smuggle myself from Tokyo to BKK.

Then, end up paying a reasonable price (instead of 300US$, 700US$ but less that 1400US$).

The plane is usually half empty, a beautiful girl sitting next to me was asked to enjoy 3 free seats in the back, just to balance the craft.

The seats rapidly sold are the middle row, real cattle class. That's what cheap flight places auction and sell.

[ace]

Price can drop a little if you fly out on xmas day, which is what I'm doing.

I went through dial-a-flight a few weeks ago and got Singapore air return (via Singapore) for about £700.

Personally, I can't stand the "festive" season (bah humbug etc.) in the UK. When considering whether to shell out the extra cash, I just visualized myself :

A/ in England for xmas / new year

B/ in Thailand for xmas / new year

Then £700 seemed cheap

-Ace-

[sonthaya]

High ticket prices in Dec. Jan. Feb. to Thailand is quite normal, it's high season for tourists, and you will have great difficulty in finding a seat, most airlines are fully booked for that period.