Air Asia or Thai Air

Post by **Kudjap or Bust** » September 25, 2007, 7:38 am

A bit of recommendation please.

I have a female family member coming out for her first visit to Thailand in October. Obviously arrives at the new airport and I will need to book her flight to Udon.

I've never used Air Asia so would appreciate some feedback on the service, using them would mean she doesn't have to transfer to the old airport, flight times are not a problem.

If I book her with Thai Air she'll need to transfer, now I've done this a few times and can communicate / negotiate with the Thai's for a taxi or bus, she obviously can't. Can I book a courtesy car / decent taxi for the transfer? I know there's a limo... service just as you come out of arrivals but when I spoke with them they wanted initially 1500 bht for transfer, they wouldn't budge from 1200..... taxi outside (a new camry) 550 bht......

Any thoughts / experience would be appreciated

Post by **Ricohoc** » September 25, 2007, 7:49 am

I've taken a taxi from one airport to the other for 500 baht. No problems.

I've flown in on Cathay-Pacific and then gone to Udon on Thai Airways.

Post by **dougness** » September 25, 2007, 8:04 am

Hi I flew Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Chaing Mai in 06 and they seem professional.They were voted best budget Asian airline in 2006.You have to buy your own food,but its only a short flight anyway.For what its worth I will fly with them again this year.

Post by **jackspratt** » September 25, 2007, 8:37 am

Flown Air Asia a few times Bkk - UT or return. No problems at all.

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » September 25, 2007, 8:46 am

Think Nok Air. It has more flights to Udon Thani than the other two combined, and it is easy to transfer to Don Meuang from the new airport. I think it costs somewhere around 1500 baht or less to fly on Nok Air to Udon.

Post by **Kudjap or Bust** » September 25, 2007, 9:39 am

Thanks for the repiles,
I was looking at Air Asia so she didn't have to make the transfer, as I said it's her first trip to Thailand and I don't want any hiccups for her getting here. No problem going back as me and the TW are going to BKK with her.

I looked at NOK but they have such a low baggage weight, 17kg and I know this woman will bring all but the kitchen sink, well she is here for a month....... something I should check with Air Asia as well now I come to think of it...

Has anyone done or seen pre-booked taxi's to go between airports or know of any companies in BKK that I can get the TW to call?

Post by **briang** » September 25, 2007, 4:09 pm

Air Asia has a 15kg baggage limit. They charge 80 baht per kg excess. Not had a problem flying with them. Seats are not pre allocated. Best check what Air Asia's excess baggage charge would be V's cost of a transfer to Don Muang and a Thai Air ticket with a 20kg limit. I would guess Air Asia to be your best bet unless she is bringing 30kg+

Post by **Kudjap or Bust** » September 25, 2007, 5:37 pm

Thanks Brian, I've kinda worked it out the same, I'm using 1,000 bht as a price for transfer, I know I can get it cheaper but she wouldn't. I actually just asked her son to get her to keep her luggage weight down if possible then we'll go down the Air Asia route I think............

Post by **Fred the Farmer** » September 25, 2007, 5:44 pm

I would tell you female family member, that after clearing customs and getting luggage to exit on the ground floor of the airport, where they have 2 taxi stands. Go to the stand and tell them airport.

Get someone to write in Thai "Don Muang Airport", and have your family member show this.

The only other instruction to give is for to keep saying "meter" if he does not turn the meter on in five seconds start to exit the car. He will either start the meter or let the person out.

But easier still fly with Air Asia

Cheers

Post by **Frankie 1** » September 25, 2007, 6:13 pm

I've also used Air Asia from Bkk to Udon on a previous visit. I booked the ticket online.
Everything went fine.

The check-in for domestic flights is at the left side of the departures area.

And ask her to ignore the "guides" who want to "help" her while arriving at the airport in Bkk.
There are official information desks she can go to if she has questions.

Post by **Irish Alan** » September 26, 2007, 2:08 pm

I've used Air Asia a few times (including this trip) and I have no complaints. I just didn't want the hassle of changing airports and the time was fine for me too. I had about 5kg excess baggage so I had to pay a few thousand Baht. Is the 1,500/1,200 Baht fare from Udon Airport? I haven't got a taxi from UT airport in about 3 years but I thought last time was only 500 Baht (to central Udon.)

Post by **Kudjap or Bust** » September 27, 2007, 7:21 am

Thanks Alan, can you tell me exactly what the overweight cost is for Air Asia... Have sent them a mail but not had any reply, am thinking about running down to the airport and ask the counter dollies there.......but if you know it woild save me a drive....
And you're right of course, 500 bht is a normal price for a taxi, I just quoted what the 'limo' service on the left when you come out of arrivals wanted to charge me when I came in last time.....

Post by **banpaeng** » September 27, 2007, 7:57 am

I have flown Air Asia and did the same as you are saying coming in on an international flight and ended up paying around 70US as it was two people carry the max for an international flight which is 70 pounds.

I think if you will check with Thai Air, if you are coming in via or leaving via international they will not charge you. That is coming and going to the US. I think and only think it also pertains to Europe and Australia also but only think. I also think if you are flying Thai on the overseas portion then the fee is waived. As stated I am not sure. Please check.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » September 27, 2007, 8:08 am

There are no weight chaeges if you take the train!

Post by **Irish Alan** » September 27, 2007, 12:38 pm

I will have a look around for the receipt but I am terrible for throwing things like that around and I cannot remember the exact charge...

If and I mean if it was 3,000 Bht I was relieved as once I was 20kg over with Gulf Air and they wanted to charge me 1,000 Baht per kilo overweight. Just as well it doesn't apply to me, that would be another 30 kg over...

Post by **Kudjap or Bust** » September 27, 2007, 1:59 pm

Thanks Stan, this is a lady in her 60's and has never been to Thailand before I don't think she'd want to catch a train to Udon...................

Just found on the Air Asia web they charge 80bht per kg overweight, not too bad and we've already made sure she has some Thai currency with her for arrival, so I think we'll go woth AA.........

Thanks all for your replies.........

Post by **papaguido** » September 27, 2007, 3:32 pm

FYI...

Don't if you're aware, but Air Asia is running a 1bt airfare promotion. Booking period is 24- 30 Sep. And travel period from 8 Oct-31 Jan. So you still maybe saving money even if you have to pay excess baggage fees.

Here's the link to the promotion:

http://www.airasia.com/site/my/en/promo ... =bkk070940

Post by **Kudjap or Bust** » September 28, 2007, 7:11 am

Thks papa, Yes I did see this online, when I went to the airport yesterday the girl there told me all 1bht seats were sold ?????? Lost me a bit but hey ho I booked the flight anyway, 399bht