Processing time at Bangkok Airport

[sakh]

Hello,

I will be flying into Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi airport, from Sydney on Thai Airways at 16:20 on a Thursday afternoon. 1 suitcase, 1 carry on. Then I'm flying out to Chiang Mai also via Thai Airways same day. How much time should I allow for immigration, customs, domestic checking, etc at the airport? What is a safe time to book a flight to Chiang Mai for?

Like wise, on the way back, I will be departing Bangkok for Sydney at 19:20. What time should I fly out of Chiang Mai?

Thank you.

[KhunBENQ]

Q: how do you book the flight?

You should take care that it is in a single booking, so that TG is responsible if connection missed.

Just for fun I looked up TG booking SYD to CNX.

Funny they are

The allow to book with 1h (!) connection time.

I would not book this.

The next option is with 2:20h connection time.

That sounds reasonable for a normal weekday arrival.

I would book this.

And as said: get a SYD - CNX in one booking.

Last TG departure to CNX is 19:55h (3:35h connection time, a bit too conservative to my opinion).

For whatever reason I can not find the return path with TG?

Just an error message

Maybe only possible with separate domestic booking.

Edited June 2, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[sakh]

Thank you very much for a detailed response, good to know that 3 hours is plenty.

[anotheruser]

I would book the one hour flight. If You don't make it TG will put on the next one anyway. This of course assumes you book it all through TG.

[sakh]

By TG you mean Thai Airways? Do I need to book directly through their website or can I do it through a third party?

[smokie36]

Through a third party is fine...the one hour connection will probably be doable for you but I'd be amazed if your checked bag made it at the same time

[KhunBENQ]

Personally I hate the rush, but you could try the 1h connection and if TG (Thai Airways) spoils it and the next flight is crowded they might update you to business.

If immigration is crowded you might complain and get a fast track access.

All speculation.

Do I need to book directly through their website or can I do it through a third party?

Every channel that allows you to create a single booking is OK.

Do old fashioned travel agents (offices) still exist?

Try this:

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL
75-77 Pitt Street, GPO Box 7077, Sydney 2001
Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia
Office hours : Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm, Closed Sat-Sun, Public Holidays
Phone: (61-2) 9844-0999, National 1300 651 960 (within Australia only)
Fax: (61-2) 9844-0936,(61-2)9251-1106
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Edited June 3, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[sakh]

Thank you all great help. What about the return flight? There won't be an option of the next flight, should 3 hours be enough for a connection window?

[wooloomooloo]

Like wise, on the way back, I will be departing Bangkok for Sydney at 19:20. What time should I fly out of Chiang Mai?

My wife I always fly down D-1 and stay in a hotel overnight in downtown BKK. There's no way on this planet we want to miss an international flight. Up to you.

[KhunBENQ]

Are you serious?

For a flight that leaves 19:20h / 7:20 PM ??

There are only two TG flights (numbers) in the afternoon.

One arriving 13:30h (MTW*FS*)

One arriving 16:20h (M***F*S)

16:20h would be perfect, but only Mon, Fri, Sun.

13:30h is soo early.

Edited June 3, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[sakh]

Anything fun to do around Bangkok airport if I arrive early in the morning and will have 6-8 hours to spare?

[dddave]

Anything fun to do around Bangkok airport if I arrive early in the morning and will have 6-8 hours to spare?

Lots of "Duty Free" shopping and a few overpriced massage venues. You could take a 30 minute Airport Rail link into Bangkok..an hour each way actually if you allow for waiting times and changes to the Subway or Skytrain.

You could also take a 15 minute taxi ride (B100+-) to Mega Bang Na, one of the largest malls in Bangkok, many restaurants to chose from. If you own a home, they have an Ikea, fun to browse.

Easy to get back to airport when you want to.