Thailand
GETTING THERE & AROUND
Getting there & around
Conveniently-timed flights and a modern infrastructure - Thailand is easy to discover
Getting there Direct flights take 11-12 hours.
Thai Airways Frequency ~ Double daily Timings ~ LHR to BKK: 11.50 or 12.30 (arrives 06.10 or 06.05 next morning), 21.30 or 21.35 (arrives 15.05 or 15.55 next day), BKK to LHR: 00.15 (arrives 06.20 same day), 13.30 (arrives 19.35 same day). Service ~ Economy, business and first.
www.thaiairways.co.uk
Eva Air Frequency ~ Daily Timings ~ LHR to BKK: 21.35 (arrives 15.05 + 1), BKK to LHR: 12.50 (arrives 19.15). Service ~ Economy, Elite Class
(premium economy) and Premium Laurel (business class).
www.evaair.com
British Airways & Qantas (codesharing) Frequency ~ Double daily Timings ~ BA: LHR to BKK 22.00 (arrives 1515 +1), BKK to LHR operated by BA: 00.20 (arrives 06.25), Qantas: LHR to BKK 22.15 (arrives 15.35 +1), BKK to LHR 00.45 (arrives 07.00). Service: Economy, premium economy, business and first.
www.ba.com,
www.qantas.com
Airlines offering indirect flights include: Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air, KLM, Malaysian Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.
TOP TIPS Public transport is so affordable in Thailand you’ll rarely need to book car hire. Haggle fares in advance for tuk tuks, unmetered taxis and long-tails. Avoid using roads in Bangkok until evening and always opt for the less congested Expressway toll road Example prices: Bangkok taxis: minimum 35 Baht for first 3km, about 5 baht per km thereafter. BTS SkyTrain: single fares 15-40 baht, day pass 120 baht.
06 Thailand Guide 2011
Suvarnabhumi (Su-Wana-Poom) Airport Bangkok’s main airport is closer to the city centre than its predecessor. The new Suvarnabhumi Airport Link (SARL) is a 28km direct rail link to the City Air Terminal (CAT)in Bangkok’s Makkasan district. There are two transit options: The Express Service is a 15-minute non-stop journey for 150 Baht. Passengers will have the option to check in their baggage at the City Terminal before boarding for Suvarnabhumi (fully functional by end of 2010). The City Line is a 30 minute
journey with eight stops, linking with both Subway and Sky Train stops and costing between 15 and 45 baht. The Airport Express bus stops at
well-known hotels.
www.airportSuvarnabhumi.com
Getting around
Thai Airways • 13 domestic Thailand destinations • Links Bangkok to other South East Asia destinations plus Japan, China and Indo-China and onwards to Australia and New Zealand • Discovery Airpass (domestic flights) US$169 for three sectors, $59 for additional flights to a maximum of eight. Valid three months • Royal Orchid Holidays is Thai’s tour operation
www.thaiairways.co.uk
Bangkok Airways • Seven Thai destinations • Links Thailand with Laos, Cambodia, China, Burma, Japan, Singapore, and the Maldives. Kuala Lumpur and India are also planned • Discovery Airpass coupons (minimum three, maximum six) valid two months from first use. Domestic routes around US$55, selected international routes around $90 • Dedicated airport lounges
www.Bangkokair.com
Other regional airlines include Air Asia, Nok Air, Jetstar and Tiger Airways.
BTS SkyTrain ~ Bangkok’s elevated railway, best for business and shopping districts, runs 6am–midnight.
www.bts.co.th
MRT Metro ~ Bangkok’s underground, operating 6am–midnight.
www.bangkokmetro.co.th
Train ~ Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Malaysia are easy from Bangkok.
www.railway.co.th
Tuk-tuks ~ For short hops – haggle.
Taxis ~ In big cities/resorts, always ask for the meter. Day rates available
Sawngthaew ~ Basic trucks with bench seats travelling set routes
Bus/minibus ~ Government buses and private mini buses link resorts/cities
Long-tail boats ~ On sea and rivers these run like ferries or taxis
Ferries ~ Between islands and linking Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river
Clockwise from top left: Thai Tuk tuk; Bangkok's Skytrain; Bangkok Airways connects the regions; traditional and modern at Suvarnabhumi Airport
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