Cheap Flights to Bangkok

When to fly to Bangkok

Peak Season:
The best time to take airline tickets to Bangkok is between November and March. Temperatures are in the mid 20s (Celsius) and humidity is at its lowest. At this time, hotels are often fully booked and rates can be double those during the off season.

Off Season:
If you don’t mind it hot, humid and rainy visit in May, June, and September. Flights and hotels can be cheaper.

Overview

The shiny new Suvarnabhumi Airport is a fantastic introduction to Thailand’s capital city. Colourful terminals, pieces of traditional Thai art in distinctive red and gold, cutting-edge architecture, excellent restaurants and stores and friendly people, it is a microcosm of Bangkok itself.

In the bustling city outside, Western commercialism and Eastern Buddhist traditions exist side by side. To really take the pulse of the city visitors would need to book cheap flights to Bangkok year after year, but a taster visit would take in the east side of the Chao Phraya where most of the major sights are: Grand Palace, Wat Po and National Museum.

To sample the Bangkok night-life revellers are not restricted to Patpong, the red-light district. The Khao San Road, where backpackers throng, is home to lively bars and clubs, and the central area has world-class clubs and bars. Thai boxing, with its Wai Khru ritual and Ram Muay dance, is the national sport and matches are popular with Thais and visitors alike.

The shopping alone is almost reason enough to visit. Bustling street markets such as Chatuchak and sparkling shopping malls and night markets cater for every whim.

How long is the flight to Bangkok?

Flights from Canada to Bangkok, Thailand range from about 16h-28h. If you’re flying from an airport in the western provinces, such as out of Vancouver or Calgary, you can expect the flight time to be on the shorter end of the spectrum. However, if you’re flying out of Montreal or Toronto airports, the flight will likely be longer.

Besides the starting location, factors like the time of year, your price range, and available flights can contribute to the length of your flight to Bangkok.

Where can you get direct flights to Bangkok from?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from a Canadian airport to Bangkok. If you’re looking for a flight with the least number of layovers, consider flying out of one of Canada’s major airports, such as Toronto Pearson, especially those that service flights from airlines that fly into Thailand regularly. Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific are a couple of such airlines, with Air Canada connecting to these airlines frequently.

How do you get from Bangkok airports to the city centre?

Bangkok has two major airports, Don Mueang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport. When you’re flying in from Canada, you’re likely to fly into Suvarnabhumi, the largest and newest of the two airports. Suvarnabhumi is about 30 km from Bangkok city centre.

You can easily take a BTS Skytrain from the airport to the city centre, which will cost about C$2 and take about 26 minutes. Taking a taxi from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok costs about C$8.75-17.50, with a C$2 fee tagged on, and take about 24 minutes. There are no direct bus lines departing from Suvarnabhumi to the city centre currently, although you can take an airport shuttle to the Public Transportation Centre and transfer there for a bus heading to your destination, which takes about 24 minutes and cost about C$18-25.

What are some things to do in Bangkok?

Bangkok is a popular destination for tourists across the planet, thanks to its natural beauty and rich culture.

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is one of the most ornate sites in Bangkok and a must-see for anyone interested in architecture and Thai history. At Chao Phraya River, visitors can take exciting water taxis to different points of the city while watching temples, shops, homes, and chic hotels pass by. An evening trip to Soi Cowboy will surround you with neon lights, bars and restaurants, and expats alike, making it a fun spot for adults who enjoy the nightlife. If you’re looking to shop, a trip to Chatuchak Weekend Market is the place to be, allowing you to peruse and purchase authentic Thai silks, books, snacks, art, and so much more.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Bangkok?

Canadian citizens do need a passport with at least six months of validity to visit Bangkok, Thailand. However, you may stay up to 30 days without a visa if the purpose of your trip is tourism and you have a return ticket booked.

Bangkok climate

Bangkok climateThe climate varies but hovers between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius (75-91 Fahrenheit). Travellers arriving on cheap flights to Bangkok in March, April and May will experience humidity. Monsoon season covers June through October. November through February is when the weather is cooler and less humid.

Getting around Bangkok

Getting around Bangkok

There are many different ways to navigate through the busy, crowded streets of Bangkok. Hop aboard the Skytrain, which runs on a raised monorail, for great views of the financial and shopping districts. 

The train is connected with the underground, which is easy to use and covers the parts of Bangkok not connected to the Skytrain. 

Buses crisscross the city, but the system can be confusing to navigate. You’re better off taking a taxi or tuk-tuk, both of which are inexpensive. 

Don’t rent a car for your stay. You’ll learn quickly that Bangkok drivers are very aggressive and traffic is a nightmare. If you really want your own car, hire a car and driver for the day instead. 

Heading out on foot is doable, but you’ll move slowly. Foot traffic crawls along, which is great if you want to experience the colour of the city, but slow-going if you’re trying to get somewhere. 

The water taxis lining the Chao Praya River are another popular tourist option. 

You’ll also find that Bangkok is the centre of Thai travel, so you can find a bus, train or flight to almost anywhere else you’re looking to go.  

Bangkok airport overview

Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) (pronounced su-wan-na-poom), or Bangkok International, is located in Racha Thewa, Thailand, approximately 16 miles (26km) east of downtown Bangkok. It is the country’s busiest airport, and the third busiest in Asia, with almost 43 million passengers in 2010.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, meaning “Golden Land” in Sanskrit, features the tallest control tower in the world and the world’s largest single-building passenger terminal. Travellers can expect everything that most international airports offer – an extensive array of shopping and dining, facilities and services. Constructed almost entirely of glass, the interior of the terminal is well lit and airy. Moreover, numerous traditional artworks and fabrics draped from the walls and ceilings are a wonderful introduction to Thai culture.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is clean, modern and well maintained and, like all Thai citizens, staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Expect nothing less than a world-class experience when visiting Thailand’s primary aerial gateway.