Ellgie

I only have 14 days to spend in SEA, I fly into BKK and will make my way to Chiang Mai for two days at the Elephant Nature Park after which I would love to go to Luang Prabang before going to Siem Reap, meeting friends there. From Siem Reap to some beach somewhere(not sure where yet) and then return to BKK to fly home to Vancouver BC Ca. I would have loved to do some train travel but even the journey from BKK to Chiang Mai is about 12 hours. So I have been researching all the domestic airlines that service those areas. It appears the best fares are with Air Asia and Bangkok Air. The flight from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap with Lao air is very expensive so I think I will have to skip Luang Prabang.
I would be very grateful for any observations or comments about Air Asia and Bangkok Airlines, is there anything in particular that I should watch for etc. I have never traveled this area before and and a woman traveling solo, therefore I am trying to get as many details preplanned as possible. Thanks for any and all advice.

Kathie

Air Asia is a budget airline, so has the disadvantages of budget airlines. Some of the disadvantages you can pay more and have it not be a problem, like no assigned seats and luggage allowances. Others are ot easily solveable. The biggest one os that if you are taking two Air Asia flights back to back you have to pick up your luggage and check back in - this is especially a problem for international flights as it takes so much time.

Bangkok Air is a "boutique" airline - small, but with good service. Their Discovery Pass is a real bargain. Check and see if the Discovery Pass covers the Luang Prabang flight you are interested in.

BTW, you only have 14 days there, but you are planning for Chiang Mai, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang if you can and a beach. That is hard to cram into 14 days - even if you have all 14 days on the ground. In that length of time, plan for three destinations. Note that you may also need to spend one night in Bangkok on your way out to ensure you can make your flight home.

3sistahs

I used Bangkok Air two weeks ago for domestic flights between Bangkok and Phuket. I researched Air Asia and Bangkok Air and chose the latter because of various factors. I highly recommend Bangkok Air and will use them again in the future. I booked online and checked in at the airport. The agents were great and there were no problems with seat assignments, luggage, etc. Their lounge at BKK is excellent and although there is also one in Phuket, it is much smaller with limited offerings. The flights were delayed one hour in both directions and I don't know if that is typical of the airline (weather was perfect so no explanation of delay). That was the only glitch and I can't really complain because the planes, flight crews and everything else was great. Have a nice trip!

sf7307

<<<The biggest one os that if you are taking two Air Asia flights back to back you have to pick up your luggage and check back in - this is especially a problem for international flights as it takes so much time>>>

We had plenty of time between flights (Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur and KL to Hong Kong), but be aware you also have to pay twice for checked luggage (and as I recall, we had to check our luggage because even a typical 20" carryon is not a "carryon" on a budget carrier).

lcuy

I like flying Air Asia, but don't believe the first price you are quoted on their web site. It's pre-tax, which can double the fare and is also before the third round of fees such as the credit card processing fee, baggage fee, the "printing your boarding pass at the airport fee", assigned seats or food fees, etc. And since each flight is treated like a separate journey, the fees are charged on each leg of your trip.

You need to find out the full cost, as it sometimes costs about the same as Bangkok Air or even the big guys.

Bangkok Airways is a nice airlines, though their monopoly on Siem Reap is pretty irritating. If you can work out your trip using the Discovery Pass, that can be a great deal.

Another way to get out of Siem Reap for less is to fly Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur and then fly to your beach from there.

Or, you could hire a cab or bus from Siem REap, and go to a beach in Cambodia (Sihanoukville or Kep) before heading back to Bangkok. That would be really cheap, and land travel in Cambodia is fun.

gmoz

Like Kathi says try and cut down the number of 'moves". Every time you move from one place to another you loose at lease half a day when you consider check out taxi/bus checkin flight baggage pick up taxi checkin etc etc.

Air asia is certainly the most economical airline. To save money you may want to rework your hole scedule eg fly to Bkk then fly AA to SR then AA back to BKK then to CM then to Phuket for a beach break then back to BKK.
This would be cheaper for airfares, however Phuket isnt the most unspoilt of beaches.

gmoz

Sorry , my mistake . Air Asia dont have a Bkk to SR flight. I was getting confused with the Bkk to PP flights.
Like what was posted previously you would have to do that from KL. to SR.