Thailand, otherwise known as the 'Land of Smiles', is a country in Southeast Asia best known for its gorgeous beaches, mouth-watering cuisine and stunning natural landscapes. It's a land of energetic cities and ancient temples, with a north-south distance of just over 1000 miles!
That being said, the most efficient way to explore all of Thailand's different regions is with domestic flights. In this guide, we'll look at why you should consider booking domestic flights in Thailand, which airlines operate domestic routes and which airports offer the most domestic routes for your trip.
If you want to get started straight away with your search for domestic flights in Thailand, simply fill out our search form at the top of the page.
Sure, there are other more affordable ways to travel around this remarkable country, but if you're restricted to a certain travel plan and don't have all the time in the world, domestic flights can save you lots of time. With domestic Thailand flights, you can significantly reduce travel time between major cities and popular tourist destinations, allowing you to make the most of your time exploring different regions.
If you'd like to visit one of Thailand's many islands, or perhaps venture through the country's mountainous regions in the north, this might be a challenge with buses and trains. With Thailand's extensive domestic flight network, you should have no problem reaching the most remote areas of the country.
Thailand's climate is hot and humid year-round, so bus and train journeys aren't the most comfortable experiences. Why not travel more comfortably with a domestic flight instead? Most domestic airlines in Thailand will have aircon onboard, while some will also offer complimentary refreshments throughout your flight. It's especially beneficial if you're travelling with lots of baggage!
Bangkok Airways is a regional airline known for its excellent service and comfortable cabins onboard. It flies to many popular tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi, primarily operating flights out of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
Domestic destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao, Rayong, Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Sukhothai and Lampang.
Bangkok Airways domestic baggage allowance:
Nok Air is a low-cost Thai airline offering affordable tickets on many domestic routes across Thailand. It uses Don Mueng Airport in Bangkok as its hub, with its most popular destinations being Chiang Mai, Phuket and Udon Thani.
Domestic destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Buriram, Ubon Ratchathani, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Phitsanulok, Nan, Chiang Rai and Mae Sot.
Nok Air domestic baggage allowance:
Thai AirAsia is a joint venture between Thailand's Asia Aviation and Malaysia's AirAsia. It's the largest low-cost carrier in the country, with an extensive domestic network connecting Bangkok to a variety of cities and tourist hotspots. Its primary hub is Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.
Domestic destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phitsanulok, Loei, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani, Hua Hin, Chumphon Province, Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang and Narathiwat.
Thai AirAsia domestic baggage allowance:
If you're looking for affordable domestic flights within Thailand, Thai Lion Air is another low-cost option. The airline is a subsidiary of Lion Air, offering competitive fares on domestic routes across the country. You'll find that the majority of Thai Lion Air's flights operate out of its hub in Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok.
Domestic destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, U-Tapao, Rayong, Pattaya, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang.
Thai Lion Air domestic baggage allowance:
Thai Airways is Thailand's national carrier. It primarily operates international flights to major cities across the globe but does have a small domestic network. With Thai Airways, you can fly domestically from Bangkok to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Hat Yai and more popular cities.
Domestic destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani.
Thai Airways domestic baggage allowance:
Cheap domestic flights in Thailand are readily available with Thai Vietjet Air. This airline is a joint venture between Bangkok Airways and VietJet Air, offering low-cost fares on many popular domestic routes in Thailand. You can find them based at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.
Domestic destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Surat Thani.
Thai Vietjet Air domestic baggage allowance:
This is Bangkok's main international airport, handling a large amount of domestic traffic daily. It's currently a major hub for Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways who offer many connections to most major cities within Thailand.
This was formerly Bangkok's main airport. It now primarily serves low-cost carriers like Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Thai Vietjet Air. If you're a budget-conscious traveller, consider flying to/from this airport where you can find affordable domestic routes across the country.
For travellers heading to northern Thailand, Chiang Mai International Airport will likely be your starting point. It's a hub for Thai AirAsia and Nok Air, providing connections between Bangkok and other major Thai cities, as well as popular tourist hotspots like Chiang Rai and Pai.
On the island of Phuket, this airport acts as a major gateway into southern Thailand's luxurious beaches and islands. The main airlines that operate here are Bangkok Airways, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia, all connecting Phuket with other major cities in Thailand.
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Flying domestically in Thailand instead of travelling by bus or train means you can reduce your travel time between destinations and make the most of your trip.
You can also reach some very remote areas of the country with domestic flights that may be hard to reach on the ground, especially if you're planning to visit Thailand's islands in the south or mountainous regions in the north.
Air travel also provides a more comfortable and convenient travel experience, especially if you're travelling with lots of baggage and need to do long distances between cities.
Certainly! You can easily book Thai domestic flights with Alternative Airlines. Use the flight search tool at the top of the page to start searching for your domestic Thai flights.
The following airlines operate domestic flights in Thailand:
The airports that provide the most domestic flights in Thailand are:
To start searching for domestic Thailand flights at Alternative Airlines, simply fill out our search tool at the top of the page.
Tell us when and where you'd like to fly to/from in Thailand, how many passengers you're taking with you and the cabin class you'd prefer to fly in. It's worth noting that Premium Economy and First Class may not be available on all domestic Thailand flights due to the short journey times.
View the search results and pick the domestic flights that best suit you. You can secure your domestic flights with one of our 40 ways to pay including Buy Now Pay Later plans and cryptocurrencies! After your booking is confirmed, we'll send you your e-ticket(s).
Although many airline's rules will differ, generally, you will not technically need your passport for a domestic flight in Thailand, because you won't be leaving the country and therefore you won't have to go through immigration. However, you will most often require this for identification purposes. See what other travel documents you need when travelling to Thailand, here.
Baggage allowance is dependent on the airline travelling and the type of ticket you have purchased. Although domestic flights often have more baggage allowance, this is not always the case because sometimes airlines use smaller aircraft for domestic flights, and so there is less room for baggage. You can see the baggage allowance on your e-ticket, or in your Account. If you decide you want more baggage, you can book that with us here, depending on the airline you are travelling with.
Some people use domestic flights to commute to work, or to visit family for a holiday period. However, many tourists will also fly domestically to get around the country more easily and be able to see more places.
Not only is Thailand a diverse and amazing country, it is also one of the cheapest in all of Southeast Asia, especially for food! Taste your way around this country with domestic flights, sampling everything from pad thai to noodle soups. For bustling and vibrant street food, head to Bangkok, or for a relaxing beautiful beach visit Ko Phi Phi Island. Thailand really has everything to offer from impressive cities, relaxing beaches, historic and cultural temples, intriguing nature and serene mountains.
Flying domestically within Thailand can prove a time-efficient way of getting around the country, and can even often be cheaper than travelling on the ground. For example, the example above of BKK to PRH takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes by air, but over 7 hours when driving, or 9 hours using public transport.
Top Tip: Plan on discovering Thailand? You may be required to fill out an arrival card and departure card before travelling!
