AirAsia Questions

[jimbowx 341]

I am making plans for my next Thailand trip. Basically I am going to fly to Bangkok in early January. I might fly to khonKaen for a couple days. Then pick up a friend, fly to Koh Samui for 5 days or so then back to Bangkok. Then meet another friend and fly to Phuket for 5 or 6 days. I have points for the flight to Bangkok and for the hotel in Phuket. I (as would be expected I think) am covering the airfare for me and the friends. It looks like flights from BKK round trip run in the $300.00 area on Thai Airlines. So I am looking at $1,200.00 in airfares. I noticed Air Asia has flights to both places in the under $100.00 range from Don Mueang. Since I don't care if I fly from swampy or Don Mueang this could save me a bunch of money.

1. Anyone have experience with Air Asia that I should consider?
2. It looks like the flight to Samui goes to a mainland airport and then a ferry to the island. It appears that it is inclusive in the price. Has anyone done this and what are your thoughts?

If it was a case of saving $100.00 I would not even think about it but this is a savings of over $800.00, that is a lot of bar fines.

Also any thoughts on how to get from Phuket to Koh Samui without going back to Bangkok? I could fly my friend down and save the flights for me. I see Bangkok airways has a flight. Any other ideas?

Edited October 9, 2013 by jimbowx

[cluster 14]

I was in Koh Samui earlier this year, but went via Bangkok. Speaking to some other Aussies they had flown in from Phuket direct to Koh Samui.... can't help you with the airline (maybe Bangkok Airways) but someone is servicing the route..... hope that helps.

[teelack 9,640]

Things to bear in mind.

 

AA

Check the weight limits for baggage. Could surprise you.

Make sure that you check AA add on's such as excess baggage and that the ticket price includes all the airport fees.

Make sure that you are always well on time as there are no rules of forgiveness!

 

Other than these items I think that travelling AA is great but for the best deals open an on-line account and pre book.

[jacko 8,815]

You think you are flying to the mainland then taking a ferry to Koh Samui. Check the airport code.

Nearest mainland is Surat Thani (URT).... but Samui (USM) has a perfectly fine airport with plenty of flights.

Unless you fancy the adventure I wouldn't consider the ferry, it also involves a good bit of overland travel.

Phuket to Samui, Bangkok Airways,

[BeerBelly 1,026]

I've never flown Air Asia to Surat Thani, but have flown them to/from Krabi, Phuket, Trang, and Chiang Mai. The only issue is that they will nickel and dime you to death. Even after paying to increase my baggage allowance and for the privilege of picking my seat, it still turns out to be a fairly good deal. If you book online, be very careful about the insurance, I believe it's selected by default, so you have to remember to deselect it.

 

Flying to Samui is very expensive as Bangkok Air owns the airport, so they have a monopoly and won't let low cost carriers land there. Last time I did Samui, I took the ferry to Koh Tao and stayed there a few nights, then I took the ferry to Chumphon (CJM) and flew Happy Air. Happy Air has a fleet of one aircraft that holds around 30 passengers. The plane lands, lets people off, then new passengers get on, kind of like a bus. Nok Air flies out of Chumphon as well. I've flown them once to Phuket and liked them, although lately they've been having trouble keeping their planes on the runway.

 

In any event, I don't recommend Lomprayah ferry service. Just search for them on tripadvisor, and you'll see quite a few negative scores, including mine.

[teelack 9,640]

Another thing worth recalling is that you can leave baggage at the Left Luggage Office at the airport and only take what you want and this may mean carry on baggage which is a real bonus.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Another thing worth recalling is that you can leave baggage at the Left Luggage Office at the airport and only take what you want and this may mean carry on baggage which is a real bonus.

 

I can't see what the real bonus is. Simply fly with Nok Air and you'll not have to worry about Left Luggage fees. It's not as if the connecting bus/ferry service is going to leave any earlier because you only have carry-on baggage.

[teelack 9,640]

Whatever. Sorry that I mentioned it when you obviously know it all and can speak for everybody. Perhaps some thinking rather than shooting from the hip might improve your aim

 

 

I can't see what the real bonus is. Simply fly with Nok Air and you'll not have to worry about Left Luggage fees. It's not as if the connecting bus/ferry service is going to leave any earlier because you only have carry-on baggage.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Whatever. Sorry that I mentioned it when you obviously know it all and can speak for everybody. Perhaps some thinking rather than shooting from the hip might improve your aim

 

What's with all the personal crap? Do you have some sort of issues that you need to deal with, or what? Have you ever flown domestically with either airline? If so, when and where to?

 

Or are you suggesting that some of the information is/was wrong? I'll attach a screen shot to help you decide. The prices include flight, bus and ferry fares as well as 15 kg baggage allowance and seat selection, but not domestic airport charges.

 

 

Edited October 10, 2013 by CheshireTom

[Severn 109]

Check again in the air asia fly to khon kaen. I believe that it is only Thai Smile on that route

 

posted from my Samsung using Tapatalk 2.

 

 

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Check again in the air asia fly to khon kaen. I believe that it is only Thai Smile on that route

 

posted from my Samsung using Tapatalk 2.

 

Thai AirAsia start the Khon Kaen route later this month - the OP is travelling in January.

 

 

[Greg_B 306]

Remember you will use the old airport for any low cost carrier, allow for the additional taxi time

[Severn 109]

Thanks for that update Tom. I use that route quite often and it has previously been more expensive than to the more distant Udon Thani. Perhaps competition will reduce the Smiles price.

 

posted from my Samsung using Tapatalk 2.

 

Thai AirAsia start the Khon Kaen route later this month - the OP is travelling in January.

 

 

posted from my Samsung using Tapatalk 2.

 

 

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Thanks for that update Tom. I use that route quite often and it has previously been more expensive than to the more distant Udon Thani. Perhaps competition will reduce the Smiles price.

 

LOL. I was dreading you calling me a "know it all".

[MM 6,562]

Whatever. Sorry that I mentioned it when you obviously know it all and can speak for everybody. Perhaps some thinking rather than shooting from the hip might improve your aim

 

Come on, that's not called for (in this situation, at least).

[jimbowx 341]

Thanks for the information. I think I have decided the ferry thing is not worth the lost time. I can do BKK-Samui-Phuket-BKK for about $350.00. The Nok Air suggestion at least into Phuket will save me $200.00. So I have reduced the $1,200.00 in flights to $700.00 that is livable. I think this is shaping up, all I really need to do now is sort out a hotel in Samui and get the ladies lined up.

[teelack 9,640]

Come on, that's not called for (in this situation, at least).

 

Perhaps you might like to re-read my comment. I suggested that there is a good case to be made to make use of storage facilities when you are making short trips around Asia. I have flown to all sorts of places and have just taken a carry on. This has saved me time and trouble and I enjoy the freedom. Recall that the OP asked about flying on Air Asia. I have flown with them many times and like the experience but when I come to Thailand I usually bring my full quota of luggage and need to off-load some for easy onward travel. I have in times past not even left the airport after an international flight and jumped straight onto a flight to Cambodia.

 

This OP asked for tips and information. I gave him these with pleasure in the two mails that I posted only to be shot down for so doing. If this is the way that an honest attempt to assist a boardie is treated then I may as well not bother posting here. I also answered as best I could about Air Asia, not Nok Air, not Bangkok Air our any other regional airline. As far as the publishing of time tables go well this information is open to all who own a computer. As far as opinion goes, well take it or leave it but don't shoot the messenger.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Perhaps you might like to re-read my comment. I suggested that there is a good case to be made to make use of storage facilities when you are making short trips around Asia. I have flown to all sorts of places and have just taken a carry on. This has saved me time and trouble and I enjoy the freedom. Recall that the OP asked about flying on Air Asia. I have flown with them many times and like the experience but when I come to Thailand I usually bring my full quota of luggage and need to off-load some for easy onward travel. I have in times past not even left the airport after an international flight and jumped straight onto a flight to Cambodia.

 

This OP asked for tips and information. I gave him these with pleasure in the two mails that I posted only to be shot down for so doing. If this is the way that an honest attempt to assist a boardie is treated then I may as well not bother posting here. I also answered as best I could about Air Asia, not Nok Air, not Bangkok Air our any other regional airline. As far as the publishing of time tables go well this information is open to all who own a computer. As far as opinion goes, well take it or leave it but don't shoot the messenger.

 

Nobody flamed you, or "shot you down" as you claim, for expressing your opinion. However, you seem to have taken exception to me making "an honest attempt to assist a boardie" by expressing mine (that I can't see any bonus in trying to do 10 days in Samui and Phuket with nothing more than 7 kg hand baggage) and providing him with additional, pertinent, money-saving information in response to his request for "Any other ideas?". Whatever your issues are with that, you need to get over them - it's not as if it's the first time you've indulged in one of those silly personal rants.

 

Thanks for the information. ... The Nok Air suggestion at least into Phuket will save me $200.00. So I have reduced the $1,200.00 in flights to $700.00 that is livable.

Edited October 11, 2013 by CheshireTom

[jacko 8,815]

Perhaps you might like to re-read my comment. I suggested that there is a good case to be made to make use of storage facilities when you are making short trips around Asia. I have flown to all sorts of places and have just taken a carry on. This has saved me time and trouble and I enjoy the freedom. Recall that the OP asked about flying on Air Asia. I have flown with them many times and like the experience but when I come to Thailand I usually bring my full quota of luggage and need to off-load some for easy onward travel. I have in times past not even left the airport after an international flight and jumped straight onto a flight to Cambodia.

 

This OP asked for tips and information. I gave him these with pleasure in the two mails that I posted only to be shot down for so doing. If this is the way that an honest attempt to assist a boardie is treated then I may as well not bother posting here. I also answered as best I could about Air Asia, not Nok Air, not Bangkok Air our any other regional airline. As far as the publishing of time tables go well this information is open to all who own a computer. As far as opinion goes, well take it or leave it but don't shoot the messenger.

Yes I have done that...left my suitcase at left luggage in Bangkok while I did a short side trip someplace.

Very convenient.

Might have been when Air Asia or another budget carrier was still at Swampy though.

Edited October 11, 2013 by jacko

[MM 6,562]

Perhaps you might like to re-read my comment. I suggested that there is a good case to be made to make use of storage facilities when you are making short trips around Asia.

 

It appears you have taken umbrage where none was given.

 

Methinks there is a buildup of precious bodily fluids that need to be taken care of by a trip to LOS as soon as possible.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

It appears you have taken umbrage where none was given.

 

Methinks there is a buildup of precious bodily fluids that need to be taken care of by a trip to LOS as soon as possible.

 

It appears that some people think that if you plan to fly from the US into BKK and then on to a beach resort(s) for 10 days (5 days in Samui and 5 days in Phuket - not a "short trip" by any stretch of the imagination) it's a good idea to leave your checked bags at Don Mueang. Cool! Or maybe he meant the OP should fly to Samui before flying back north to Bangkok to change his bags over and then fly south again to Phuket when there's a perfectly good flight between the two islands. Either way, I don't see what the bonus is of trying to do a 10 day twin island break (not a short side-trip) with a total of 7 kgs of baggage. Maybe teelack could clarify exactly what it is and quote which part of my post he finds so offensive.

Edited October 11, 2013 by CheshireTom

[Odense 492]

Nok Airways is nice - but tbh I have flown Air Asia several times without any real complaints. I don't really need to pick my seats and the price for any additional luggage is not really high.

I agree - it is good that Thai get some competition on the KK flights :-)

Edited October 11, 2013 by Odense

[teelack 9,640]

Nah, your neither worth the time or effort. If the OP has you responding to his question you don't need me.

 

It appears that some people think that if you plan to fly from the US into BKK and then on to a beach resort(s) for 10 days (5 days in Samui and 5 days in Phuket - not a "short trip" by any stretch of the imagination) it's a good idea to leave your checked bags at Don Mueang. Cool! Or maybe he meant the OP should fly to Samui before flying back north to Bangkok to change his bags over and then fly south again to Phuket when there's a perfectly good flight between the two islands. Either way, I don't see what the bonus is of trying to do a 10 day twin island break (not a short side-trip) with a total of 7 kgs of baggage. Maybe teelack could clarify exactly what it is and quote which part of my post he finds so offensive.

Edited October 11, 2013 by teelack

[jimbowx 341]

Some of you fellas will fight about anything. But I did learn something that was useful to me. Sure am glad I didn't ask about ladyboys or something 555555. Really thanks for the information.

[jacko 8,815]

Nok Airways is nice - but tbh I have flown Air Asia several times without any real complaints. I don't really need to pick my seats and the price for any additional luggage is not really high.

I agree - it is good that Thai get some competition on the KK flights :-)

I thought Air Asia had changed their format anyhow, and that seating was preassigned and baggage needs sorted when booking.

I certainly didn't like any 'free seating' arrangement and always paid for 'Pre-boarding' and the seats near the front. ... even though at some locations it didn't happen. I once boarded to find an orange on my seat, and many others at the front, and was surprised that Air-Asia was giving out anything free. Actually a Chinese lady had pre-boarded and was trying to reserve seats for the rest of her party as they boarded after her. Bloody cheek.