Journey from the UK
How long is the flight to Thailand?
About 11 to 12 hours direct from London to Bangkok. With a stop in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, allow 14 to 17 hours. Thailand is 7 hours ahead in winter, 6 in summer.
- Under 3 hours
- 3 to 6 hours
- 6 to 10 hours
- 10 hours or more
For Phuket or Samui, most people connect in Bangkok or a Gulf hub. Jet lag flying east is worse, so plan an easy first day.
Getting there
- Bangkok (BKK)10 hours or more
Direct flights from London.
- Phuket and Krabi10 hours or more
One stop, usually 14 to 17 hours total.
- Koh Samui10 hours or more
Via Bangkok, with a short hop.
The journey at a glance
Straight-line estimate for a direct flight from Heathrow. Real flights often take longer.
Connecting to the islands
- Phuket and Krabi: about 1¼ hours from Bangkok.
- Koh Samui: about 1 hour from Bangkok, with higher fares as the airport is private.
- Chiang Mai: about 1¼ hours from Bangkok.
- Overnight trains run from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and the south, a memorable alternative.
Direct or one stop?
A direct flight to Bangkok saves several hours, but one-stop fares via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi are often cheaper and can fly straight to Phuket. If you connect, allow at least two hours, especially on separate tickets.
Before you go
- Book an airport hotel if your connection is tight.
Stay and do
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