What to know about Bangkok
Bangkok is on the bucket list of just about anyone who has ever felt their wanderlust drive them towards the Asia-Pacific. Knowing how popular the capital city of Thailand has become, several airlines have established direct or one-stop flights from countries across Europe to get to one of the most exciting places in the world.
Aside from the activities and sights to see within the city, Bangkok is surrounded by natural splendour. You have the hillside caves of Khao Chong Phran, the hill overlooking the Bight of Bangkok, Khao Sam Muk, and Khao Yai National Park to the northeast.
As one of the world’s top tourist destinations, your only issue with flying to the Thai capital is narrowing down what to do there! Temples, palaces, beaches, museums, incredible nature reserves, iconic cuisine, copious shopping opportunities, and much more awaits in ’The Big Mango’.
If you're planning to enjoy a holiday in Bangkok, you've come to the right place. Here at Opodo, you'll not only be able to find last-minute flights from the UK to Bangkok but also the best deals!
Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Bangkok to your destination and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.
FAQs and practical information for travellers
What’s the name of the Bangkok airport?
There are two airports in Bangkok, Don Mueang Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). BKK boasts better connections, being the only one of the two airports that offer flights directly to the UK but DMK is closer to the city centre, so it has its advantages.
Which airlines offer direct flights to Bangkok?
The airlines that offer direct flights to Bangkok are Thai Airways International and EVA Air. Both offer the same England to Thailand flight time of around 11 hours and 30 minutes, and both set off from the UK for Bangkok from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Both are respected airlines.
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
To request assistance for children travelling alone to Bangkok, you need to contact the airline that you’re using. You need to do this with at least 48 hours to spare before the flight. They will contact the airport or all of the airports to inform them that assistance is required.
How can I travel with an assistance dog?
Anyone who has a disability-related requirement can get access to assistance dogs by informing the customer service team of the airline. You’ll always be permitted to fly with an assistance dog, but you need to inform the airline at least 48 hours before takeoff so that they can make arrangements.
How do I find cheap flights to Bangkok that have flexible change policies at Opodo?
When you book with Opodo, you can add the Opodo Flexible Fare additional service with compatible flights. To claim this and get flexible dates, post-booking changes, and even handling charges removed when you make changes, you need to add it when buying tickets. You can’t add it at a later date.
How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo in Bangkok?
All that you need to do is click on the ‘Hotel’ button at the top of the Opodo website to find all of the hotels that you can choose from. For flights to Bangkok, change the filters to Bangkok, input your dates, and sort by the lowest price option.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
Each ticket package will give you a different size and weight for your hand and cabin luggage. Anything that exceeds those sizes and weights needs to be checked in. You also need to check in any luggage that contains dangerous items or materials, like liquid containers above 100ml.
How can I check in with Opodo?
When the time comes for you to check in, you need to do so directly through the airline. You may book flights and hotels with Opodo, but you can’t check in through the Opodo platform. See what your booking confirmation email from the airline says to do for check-ins.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from England to Bangkok?
Unless you take out a special policy, the chances are that you’ll be charged a cancellation fee if you cancel your flight from England to Bangkok. If you’re not charged a cancellation fee, however, any refund gained through Opodo is subject to a €25 admin charge.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
All airline passengers are eligible for compensation when they get delayed for two or more hours – depending on the length of the intended flight – if they cancel the flight within 14 days of takeoff, or if your luggage is lost or damaged.
Best month to fly to Bangkok
The best month to fly to Bangkok is November. There are many elements to support this, but the main ones are the weather and the cultural festivals that take place across the capital city. First, the core part of any holiday: the weather.
November tends to be one of the warmest months in Thailand, climbing as high as 32.5oC with lows of around 24oC. That said, 40oC isn’t unheard of in November. There’ll be around five to six days of rain each November, so your odds of a sunny holiday are high, and the water temperature is sublime at around 27oC.
Spending a long weekend or even longer in Bangkok during November could also position you with a perfect view of the Royal Barge Procession around The Grand Palace. You may also be lucky enough to be present on the night of the full moon, during which, rivers are filled with lit krathongs (floating lanterns) to sail under the moonlight.
However, those scorching temperatures and the one-in-five chance of rain aren’t for everyone. In December, the average temperatures decline by a couple of degrees, but the rainy days tend to be cut to one or maybe two. When January comes around, the temperatures have been noted as picking up a little, but rainfall remains minimal.
Now, most Brits will be looking at the cheap flights to Bangkok in July as it’s the usual summer month, and they do get very cheap in July. However, monsoon season tends to get going in July and runs to October. It feels very hot, very humid, and the rain will fall for around two to three weeks in July alone.
For all of these reasons, November presents itself as the best month to fly to Bangkok from the UK, with December a close second.