How to book Budget Flights in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos
 

I just booked my nonstop flights NYC to Hong Kong for January and March!

I'm planning to book my AirAsia flight from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai, Thailand right now, as it is around $100 and it looks like the only affordable nonstop route, and it looks like the flights get a lot more expensive closer to the date of travel. After that, I will be travelling around Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, and then need to book a return flight to Hong Kong for my flight home, though I am not sure yet where my last destination will be.

I was under the impression that flying around Southeast Asia last minute is pretty affordable, but I'm now nervous seeing that flights within a couple weeks of travel seem to cost over $300 USD on a lot of routes.

As I would love to be a bit spontaneous with my plans, how can I book these mythic last-minute cheap flights around Southeast Asia?? Am I missing the right websties??

Thanks!!

Last minute is NOT cheaper and you may not even get a seat...

I book early on the air Asia site or nok air and save quite a bit.

Air Asia have sales all the time. Sign up to their loyalty programmes and you will be advised of them. Fares can vary tremendously by time of day and date so there are bargains around if you are flexible. Generally booking at the last minute is always going to be more expensive.

I am in the process of booking flight in the region for next Jan - Feb and found AA to be the cheapest carrier. Unfortunately they only fly from BKK to Cambodia and not at all to Laos where Vietnam and Lao Air have a virtual monopoly on flights. Vietnam air seemed to have the cheapest flights ( but still v. Expensive.)

Depending on your routes, the Bangkok Airways discovery pass may be worth considering as long as they have three routes you want to take.

There is always the bus ��

Do take a look at the Bangkok Air Discovery Pass, it may well be useful to you, especially if you are going to both Laos and Cambodia.

I think when we talk about cheap and last minute in the same sentence we are reminiscing. It used to be that way but that was, ironically, before the low-fare carriers and fares that have become structured similarly to western airlines.

Travel overland. It's a lot cheaper, loiter a little, see a lot more of the countries you've already paid a lot to see. And also get a chance to meet the real people, not just those that populate the tourist areas.