crellston

We are flying into Suvarnabhumi with an ETA of 15.55 and are looking to fly out to Chiang Mai on Air Asia at 18.35. Is 2.5 hours enough time to get through immigration and to AA check in assuming our inbound flight is on time. We will probably be travelling with hand baggage only so won't need to worry about baggage reclaim but have heard tales of very long queues at immigration. Is it possible to transit in BKK and go through immigration in Chiang Mai?

Any info or recent experience would be much appreciated.

MichaelBKK

That time of day Immigration is usually not too crowded, so I don't see a big problem, but of course you never know. I normally figure on getting from plane to the public area in under an hour, and have rarely taken more than that.

A handy tip: use the self check-in kiosks at the entrance to the Air Asia counter area to check-in and then just drop your bags at the special counter set aside for that. That usually takes a lot less time than queuing up for the regular check-in and seat assignment counters.

Edgar_Degas

You should have enough time at that time of day.

Smeagol

crell, that is about the time when Thai and EVA arrive ( when we normally arrive) and it can be busy, however I suspect you will have enough time. I have caught several flights with similar timings to yours ( assume you are arriving from the UK) you will have to clear immigration at BKK though as I don't believe they have a transfer facility??) it "may" be a bit tight but I think you can do it.( I suspect you will do it easily)

crellston

Many thanks for the info. I have now booked flights and will keep my fingers crossed! Still trying to find out if they have a transit facility which will enable us to pass through immigration in Chiang Mai. Can't seem to find any info on the airport website re transit passenger & immigration.

Smeagol

I don't think you can as you will need to collect you luggage off Thai and to do that you would need to clear immigration! No airline checks luggage through to AIr Asia.
Did you book the cookery school?

crellston

Smeagol - we are travelling with hand baggage only so baggage reclaim won't be an issue. I have just received boarding passes by email so that is one less thing to hold us up. I will try and check the situation direct with Thai or Air Asia. Just hoping that the planned strikes at the end of Nov don't last for too long and don't affect LHR!! -

I am in correspondence with the school to organise 4 days there (3 beginners and one advanced lesson) and hope to finalise over the weekend.

rhkkmk

fine, we did it yesterday at about 2:15 in less than one hour---touchdown at 2:20, in a taxi by 3:05PM

rhkkmk

btw, that was without rushing and one toilet stop

Smeagol

Well good luck Crell, let us know if it is possible to just transit through BKK. Be great info for others.

Edgar_Degas

Arrival on Thu night was ultra fast. Touched down at 2230 and was at my hotel on Sukumvit at 1135. Always amazed at how much activity there is here late at night.

Edgar_Degas

sorry, that should have been 2335. Early enough to go have a beer or two, or.......