What airlines fly between BKK and Bali?
 

I'm really sorry if this has been asked. I'm having a hard time figuring out which airlines fly directly between Bangkok and Bali that don't charge a small fortune. A co-worker told me that its cheaper to buy the flights once I'm in already in SEA. Is this true?

Thanks!
Tracy

The easiest/best is the daily Thai Airways non-stop, takes just over 4 hrs.
You can also connect using Singapore Airlines over singapore or Malaysian via Kuala Lumpur.
If you don't mind a budget airline then Air Asia via Kuala Lumpur ( but note strict conditions, baggage allowance etc, if your inbound from Bangkok to KL is late and you miss the onward to Bali then the airline won't compensate, you loose and then get stuck getting another ticket, but if you say overnighted in KL to be on the safe side could be a way ).
You can get quite reasonable fares from Seatours in Bangkok ( I will dig out the email if you need it ). You can book with them in advance, a very rough ballpark figure might be about USD 150-180 one way.

However - much of this can be irrelevant because it it often cheaper to incorporate this with your entire routing, if you can tell us where you are flying from and which airline 'to' Bangkok and where you are heading 'after' Bali then it is very often cheaper just using a routing/airline incorporating that sector.

Here you go:

Replace the <AT> with @ and <DOT> with '.'( I've done it that way otherwise it comes as a link and that can get spammed Eddy wouldn't be happy )

aniwat<AT>seatoursthai<DOT>com

They are the Amex Travel representatives in Thailand, so you have that security but at the same time they are great for cheap fares, I've been using them for more than 10 years and many others on this board have too, just say you want a 'cheap fare' preferably on Thai but can he also give you Malaysian and Singapore Airlines if they are cheaper. Allow a couple of days for an answer due time difference and this great relaxed way of life.

But do let us know your long haul routing as you might be able to incorporate that sector/s in your long haul ticket.

JamesA, thank you so much for your response. I am still struggling with my itinerary, so this is pretty rough but here goes:

2 nights Singapore
7 nights Thailand (mainly Bangkok)
3 nights Bali

We are planning on using our AA miles for the flights, so we will have to fly AA and One World carriers. I would like to fly into Singapore and out of Bangkok, and would love to somehow get from Bali to Bangkok on a stopover of some sort to avoid the added charge, but I'm not too familiar with the whole awards flights/mileage thing yet, so I'm confused, if you can't already tell....

Thanks!
Tracy

I should also mention that we are considering taking out Singapore altogether and adding the extra 2 nights to Bali, if that would/could make a difference.

Thanks so much for the e-mail address! Once I figure my itinerary out a little better I will send the e-mail.

Thanks again!
Tracy

Bali is 2 hrs 30 hrs from Singapore and about 4 hrs 20 from Bangkok, if doing Bali then from Singapore would be quicker.
One important point, what is your origin? Is it East Coast or West Coast?
Star Alliance is good in South East Asia as both Thai and Singapore are Star Alliance, with One World it's Cathay Pacific and Finnair of use in the area.
Finnair have a daily flight Singapore-Bangkok and vv which could be of use to you. Their regular one way on that sector is about USD 130 Coach.

The big question though is whether you are leaving East or West Coast to see if Cathay plays a part in the routing or not.

If you are flying from West Coast you can use Cathay Pacific into Hong Kong and connect / overnight HK to Bali ( leaves HK to Bali about 10 am , 4 hrs 40 mins flight), you can also use them on a lunchtime daily flight from Singapore to Bangkok, then from Bangkok connecting back thru HK with Cathay back to the West Coast, then you only have to deal with a one way Bali to Singapore , Singapore Airlines has 3 flights a day ( you can do it budget with Jetstar Asia but they only have about 3 flights per week I think, that would be around the USD 100-120 price for a one way including taxes etc - you can book and pay online) , with Jetstar you would overnight in SIN anyway.
OR
Cathay via HK to and from Bangkok and then BKK-Bali return ( is Bali a priority ? )

I'd vote to cut out Singapore - it can wait. A mere three nights in Bali is not enough. A combination of Thailand and Bali would be good.

I'd vote to leave Singapore in. I'm glad I left it in when I first went to SE Asia. Why not? It'll probably be a free or inexpensive stopover anyway...then that's one less place you'll have to put on your list when you take your second SE Asia trip. I personally happen to adore Singapore and have returned many,many times. Now, have we confused you even more? Smiles. Happy Travels!

I just noticed that you want to fly into Singapore and out of Bangkok. That's exactly what I did on my first trip and am glad I did. You will either arrive Singapore very late at night...like 11PM or early in the morning around 6AM. I don't fly the same airline that you're planning to take,so I don't know their schedule. If you arrive early in the morning, then I'd just transfer on to the next plane and fly on down to Bali first and start the trip there and then spend time doing Singapore after leaving Bali and after Singapore just fly on up to Bangkok. By putting Bangkok last, you'll be over the jetlag and ready to take on the big city. Happy Travels!

Thank you everyone for your replies!
Between this and my other SEA post, I definitely have a lot to think about!

James, we will be flying from St. Louis on American Airlines or one of the One World alliance carriers, as we will be using miles for business class tickets. It seems as if most flights from St. Louis to SEA have a layover in LA or SFO, so we would more than likely be flying from the west coast to SEA.

Guenmai, thank you for your thoughts on Singapore. We both considered leaving it out, but we are interested and thought it would be worth at least a few days. On our original itinerary we had Hong Kong but I think we will take that out because it seems like it deserves more than a few days, and I would like to spend a majority of our time in Bangkok.

Bali isn't really a priority, although it looks wonderful and we would like to visit. We aren't really "beachy" people, but it looks like it could be a great relaxing point in between the two cities (Singapore and Bangkok). Plus, I'll be honest, I saw pictures of some beautiful villas with private pools and I would love to stay in one for a few nights! However, Bali seems to be a little bit of a problem because I am just having problems finding flights to/from Bali. I wouldn't really mind laying over somewhere en route to Bali, but I want to make it as easy as possible. I can find reasonable flights from Singapore to Bali, but the Bali to BKK is what I am currently working on. Maybe it would be easier to skip Bali in favor of one of the island/coasts in Thailand instead?

Thank you again everyone! I am leaving early tomorrow morning for a long mother/daughter weekend getaway with my mom, so I won't be able to respond back until Tuesday, but I so appreciate all the help you have so very graciously given me!

Tracy

No question, it would be easier to substitute a Thai beach for Bali, if a beach is what you are interested in. If you are looking for relaxation, not necessarily a beach, there are some lovely resorts in Northern Thailand such as the Anantara at the Golden Triangle that would fit nicely into your itinerary.

Flying to Bali, as James says, it over 4 hours each way. Save it for the next trip...

haven't read the whole thread but thai air has a daily flight...i got a great price from eddie at sea tours...saved me about 40%...his address is:

[email protected]

it is an american express agency...