The easiest and currently the cheapest way to get to Thailand is by air. Regular bus services go to all the surrounding countries and are a cheap alternative to planes, especially if you are travelling with large luggage.
By air to Thailand
There are many international airports in Thailand with direct flights to all over the world. Southeast Asia is home to many low-cost airlines, so air travel from surrounding countries tends to be very cheap.
Prices for one-way tickets to Thailand from Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia or Laos range between 30 usd and 70 usd and 150 usd will also take you to Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Philippines or India.
Where to buy flights to Thailand?
Flights are operated by many airlines from all over the world. Compare prices, for example, via the Skyscanner comparison engine. Once you have selected your flights, we always recommend clicking on the link that takes you directly to the airline's website.
Compare prices for flights to Thailand
The following airlines offer the most flights to Thailand.
- Air Asia - Cheap flights to neighbouring countries
- Vietjetair - cheap flights to neighbouring countries
- Thai Airways - national airline flying all over the world, but tickets are among the most expensive
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways - very frequent connections to the Middle East and onwards to Europe or Africa
Major airports in Thailand
Where are the largest international airports in Thailand? Click on the name of the airport below for information on transport, services or how the terminals work.
- Bangkok Suvarnbahumi BKK - The largest airport in Thailand and one of the largest in the world. Most long-haul flights to Thailand from the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Africa, China, Korea or Japan, as well as many regional flights to neighbouring countries, are directed here.
- Bangkok Don Mueang DMK - Thailand's second largest airport is a major hub for low-cost airlines such as Air Asia, Lion Air and Nok Air with a large number of flights throughout Asia.
- Phuket HKT - The major international airport on the popular island of Phuket offers numerous connections to neighbouring countries, Russia, Japan and Korea, as well as direct flights to the Middle East, Europe and Australia.
- Chiang Mai CNX - Thailand's most important northern airport with international connections to China, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Japan in particular.
- Krabi KBV - A smaller airport in the popular Krabi region with flights to Malaysia, Singapore, China, Dubai as well as charter flights to Europe.
- Koh Samui USM - a small airport on the island of the same name with international flights to Singapore, Malaysia or China.
- U-Tapao Pattaya UTP - A small airport near the popular resort of Pattaya offering flights to Malaysia, China, Dubai or Russia.
International buses
If you're heading to Thailand from neighbouring countries, you'll also benefit from fairly frequent regular bus and minivan services.
Long-distance fares can be even higher than air travel, but unlike air travel, large luggage is included.
Buses are also a convenient form of transport for travelling short distances between cities close to the border.
Where to find tickets?
As there are dozens of different companies offering connections, the best way to find tickets is via search engines where you can buy your ticket straight away.
The most used search engine in Thailand is 12go.asia and busonlineticket.co.th is also usable.
Most frequent routes and prices
You can get to all the surrounding countries by bus or minivan except Myanmar, where you can only cross the border on foot from the border towns of Mae Sot or Mae Sai.
Malaysia
- Hat Yai - Kuala Lumpur
- 5-8x daily
- Price from 700 thb
- Travel time approx. 10 hours
- Hat Yai - Alor Setar
- 3-4x daily
- Price from 650 thb
- Driving time approx. 2 hours
- Hat Yai - Penang
- 1x daily + 2x daily to Butterworth
- Price from 660 thb
- Driving time approx. 4 hours
Cambodia
- Bangkok - Phnom Penh
- 5-8x daily
- Price from 1 000 thb
- Travel time approx. 13 hours
- Bangkok - Siem Reap
- 4-5x daily
- Price from 950 thb
- Driving time approx. 9 hours
Laos
- Bangkok - Vientiane
- 1x per day
- Price from 1 000 thb
- Travel time approx. 15.5 hours
- Ubon Ratchathani - Pakse
- 2x daily
- Price from 330 thb
- Driving time approx. 6 hours
International trains
Direct international trains across the border run only once a day on a short section from the Thai town of Hat Yai to the Malaysian town of Padang Besar.
The train takes 45 minutes and the ticket costs around 420 thb. You can buy your ticket via 12go.asia or via the official Thai Railways website railway.co.th.
At Padang Besar, Malaysian trains connect to Alor Setar, Butterworth or Kuala Lumpur. Timetables and ticketing are available on the Malaysian Railways website: online.ktmb.com.my.