Flights from U.S. to Phuket

**taiwanatoa** · 5th December 2011 21:05

Hello.Since I will go take the TEFL.PLUS course in Phuket next month,I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the possibility of cheap flights from San Francisco direct,or should I just fly to BKK and take a bus from there?
Thanks in advance.

**The Quiet American** · 5th December 2011 21:55

Check China Air (if they still fly to Phuket). Layover in Taipei.

**Mr Pants** · 5th December 2011 21:59

If you can't get a direct flight, get a connecting flight with Air Asia at Bangkok. A bus from Bangkok to Phuket is going to be miserable.

**taiwanatoa** · 5th December 2011 22:08

Sounds expensive.
My question is:are there "cheap" flights to Phuket,as there are to Bangkok

**Mr Pants** · 5th December 2011 22:13

Yes. Provided you fly at the right time

**taiwanatoa** · 5th December 2011 22:23

Alright,I will check around.

**aesthetics** · 5th January 2012 03:08

If you haven't left yet, I always take a good 2 hours to play around with dates on expedia.com....I find direct flights from LAX for like 500$..so just get a cheap flight there if the only thing coming up from San Fran is 800 ish

And for what its worth don't take a bus to phuket I have done it once and it was horrible! (20 hours) lol was my second day ever in Thailand on vacation and I was with my girlfriend so it was an adventurous experience but nonetheless it was pretty painful.

**zeusbheld** · 5th January 2012 07:44

Originally Posted by aesthetics

nd for what its worth don't take a bus to phuket I have done it once and it was horrible! (20 hours)

seconded. i've not taken a bus but have driven to and from Phuket, and if you're in any way prone to motion sickness, you cross through mountains right before Phuket. wasn't such a problem in a car (aside from the tedium of driving for a whole day) but given the way most Thai bus drivers approach their job, i think i'd probably heave beets on a bus through the mountains.

if you find a cheap flight into BKK then there are several local airlines that fly into Phuket. you can check Air Asia's prices from Bangers to Phuket on the net, i don't know about the other local airlines though...

**HiSo HoBo** · 7th January 2012 04:10

Use Kayak.com to get you to Narita (Japan) from U.S. and then search Air Asia from Narita direct to Phuket. This is what I did two years ago.

**zeusbheld** · 7th January 2012 10:21

if you have to have a layover somewhere, Narita's not bad. they've showers and everything.

**kingdomcome** · 7th January 2012 11:27

Originally Posted by zuesbheld

if you have to have a layover somewhere, Narita's not bad. they've showers and everything.

Nothing beats Manila International. They've got chairs, and, erm, well they have chairs.

**zeusbheld** · 7th January 2012 11:36

ah dude that's way more posh than Clarke.

**manned-rake** · 7th January 2012 11:38

Originally Posted by zeusbheld

if you have to have a layover somewhere, Narita's not bad. they've showers and everything.

Best thing about a layover at Narita is being able to spend a few days in Tokyo. Not taking advantage of that is a missed opportunity indeed.

**PhuketKruu** · 10th January 2012 10:15

I've flown from the West Coast of the US to Phuket at least 10 times. My advice would be to try all channels including your local travel agent. I've found the best prices on airline websites and by using my local travel agent -- sometimes as much as 20% off Expedia, Orbitz, etc. Flying through Japan often incurs a high airport tax. Flying through China or Taiwan is generally cheaper. Good luck!

**pucky** · 9th February 2012 17:52

I've just returned from Thailand and even though I didn't go to Phuket , I'd recommend doing a flight from Hong Kong direct to Phuket via Cathey Pacific. I went to BKK with them from there and their average/below price with a nice nod from me.