Connection times Suv - DM

[Liquorice]

I'll be returning back from a trip to the UK in May.

My landing time is 0935 at Suv and I can get an onward flight at 1220 from DM.

Is just short of 3 hours enough time to transfer and check in at DM?

Is there a shuttle service between the airports?

Having never transferred between the airports or visited DM before, some advice would be appreciated.

[KhunBENQ]

Well, best case.

Flight in time and not crowded, immigration not busy (maybe, as May is off-season).

Out with bags at 10:00h.

Free shuttle bus goes about every 12 min at this time.

So continue at 10:20h.

Easy traffic on toll road, travel time 1h.

Arriving DMK at 11:20h.

5 min walk to check-in.

This was best case.

You want to know what can go wrong

I am a pessimist and wouldn't book this.

What day of week (better exactly what date) do you arrive?

Where does your flight from DMK go to? (or when does next flight go)

[Liquorice]

Land Friday 13th May (Yeah Friday 13th, I know!)

Going to Roi Et.

Only 5 flights a day from DM to RE, 2 early morning, 2 late evening.

1 midday flight 1220 but only operating Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat by Nokair.

If I can't get the 1220, next flight is about 1830, so a long wait after a long flight LHR - BKK.

Other option is to book Air Asia, Suv - Khon Kaen.

No change of airport.

I believe they have a shuttle van from KK to RE leaving the bus station every hour???

[Khun Han]

Air Asia fly from Don Muang Faz, but the late afternoon flight to KK would be an easy make.

Air Asia's bus transfers tie in with the flight arrival, even if the flight is late:

http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do;jsessionid=44E38B9507FFECB1CE611B678A537819.tomcat1?id=741&name=New+City+Transfer+Service+to+Charming+Destinations+in+Thailand!

[KhunBENQ]

Other option is to book Air Asia, Suv - Khon Kaen.

ThaiSmile (spin off of Thai Airways) operates that route.

10:40h also "tight". That would be another very optimistic connection.

13:00h is next.

DMK to ROI on Fr, May 13th: the Nok Air website (currently) shows NO midday flight on this date (only 6:10 and 18:40).

On other days the midday flight is 11:50.

Maybe related to their current trouble (lots of flights canceled).

Seems to point to Khon Kaen?

[Liquorice]

Air Asia fly from Don Muang Faz, but the late afternoon flight to KK would be an easy make.

Air Asia's bus transfers tie in with the flight arrival, even if the flight is late:

http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do;jsessionid=44E38B9507FFECB1CE611B678A537819.tomcat1?id=741&name=New+City+Transfer+Service+to+Charming+Destinations+in+Thailand!

Your correct, my error.

I meant to state Thai airways, but had just been looking at the Air Asia site as I wrote.

[Liquorice]

Other option is to book Air Asia, Suv - Khon Kaen.

ThaiSmile (spin off of Thai Airways) operates that route.

10:40h also "tight". That would be another very optimistic connection.

13:00h is next.

DMK to ROI on Fr, May 13th: the Nok Air website (currently) shows NO midday flight on this date (only 6:10 and 18:40).

On other days the midday flight is 11:50.

Maybe related to their current trouble (lots of flights canceled).

Seems to point to Khon Kaen?

Bangkok (Don Mueang) - Roi Et Bangkok (Don Mueang) - Roi Et Roi Et - Bangkok (Don Mueang) Flight Departure Arrival Flight Departure Arrival DD9114 05:40 06:45 DD9115 07:15 08:15 DD9116 12:20 13:30 DD9117 14:00 15:10 DD9118 19:30 20:30 DD9119 21:00 21:55 Travelling periond: 25 October 2015 onwards

http://nokair.com/content/en/destinations/roi-et.aspx

Yeah, it's a funny one. The midday flight doesn't appear in their search facility, yet advertised on the homepage.

I know there is a midday flight because a local expats arrived back only last week on that flight.

How long before the scheduled flight time can you check in for a domestic flight?

[KhunBENQ]

ravelling periond: 25 October 2015 onwards

What is missing there: schedules (often) change at end of March (27 this year).

Depending on location flight frequency might be reduced (due to tourist off-season).

And indeed on a Friday in March the 12:20h is shown.

Completely different schedule from May.

How long before the scheduled flight time can you check in for a domestic flight?

For Thai (Smile): check-in counters are permanently opened during the whole operation period (early morning to late night).

I repeatedly checked in "hours before" (4 to 5 hours before). Don't know about a restriction.

Never been to DMK so early before departure, but counters are also opened all day (for all major airlines).

So drop off the big bags and move on.

In the era of rail link you could even risk a short excursion to Bangkok if you have a couple of hours to kill.

[Khun Han]

Just to add: A couple of small bonuses using Thai Smile are free 20kg hold luggage and Star Alliance flyer miles.

[Liquorice]

Many thanks for your input.

Nok Air flight schedules do seems uncertain and unclear at the moment.

Safest option is Thai Airways to Khon Kaen.

30Kg Baggage allowance, no change of airport and even better I've had an offer to be picked up at KK.

[Khun Han]

All worked out well then . Just be careful with the checked luggage weight. Thai Smile's allowance is only 20kg, unlike parent airline Thai's 30kg, unless you book a Smile Plus ticket.

https://www.thaismileair.com/en/BaggagePolicy

[KhunBENQ]

You can pay additional weight at the check-in counter.

And usually they are not that fussy about overweight like the LCCs.

Cost:

Between Bangkok and

Khon Kaen/ Udon Thani 55 THB/KG.

[Liquorice]

I'll be booking through Thai Airways.

If they want to put me on a Thai Smile flight then charge for anything above 23kg, there's going to be an argument!

To be honest I'm going back with literally empty bags.

I'll be returning fully loaded up to my International flight quota, which is 23kg for hold luggage.

I actually get 23kg hand luggage allowance, but I'm guessing 10kg will be enough.

I don't mind paying 55 baht per kg over a total of 30kg.

I especially want to bring back a few hand tools, including my Hitachi 18v 4amp Battery drill.

The batteries will be in my carry on bag.