In this guide
Thailand is one of the world's most popular destinations, so fares vary a lot through the year. Here's when they're usually lowest and how to find the best deal.
High and low seasons for fares
| Period | Weather | Fares |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-December–January | Cool, dry peak season | Highest |
| February–March | Dry, warming up | High to medium |
| April (Songkran) | Hot, festival | Spikes around 13–15 April |
| May–June, September–October | Rainy season | Often lowest |
| July–August | Rainy, summer holidays | Medium to high |
| November | Dry season begins | Rising |
Compare airports
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK): the main international airport.
- Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK): used by many low-cost airlines in Asia.
- Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV), Chiang Mai (CNX) and Samui (USM): sometimes cheaper on specific routes, and they save a domestic connection.
Fly into one airport and out of another (an open-jaw ticket) to avoid backtracking.
Cheapest days and times
Midweek flights are often cheaper than weekends, and red-eye departures can save money. Use a price calendar to compare every day of the month at once.
How far ahead to book
- From the Gulf or India: fares can be good one to two months ahead, but book earlier for holidays like Eid or Diwali.
- From Europe, Australia or the Americas: start watching two to four months ahead.
- Peak season: book as early as possible.
More ways to save
- Be flexible by two or three days.
- Consider one-stop flights via hubs like Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
- Compare total costs, including bags, on low-cost carriers.
- Book domestic hops (Bangkok–Chiang Mai, Bangkok–Phuket) separately if they're cheaper, but leave enough connection time.
Peak dates to avoid if you want low fares
- Christmas and New Year: demand from Europe, Asia and Australia peaks.
- Chinese New Year: busy flights from across East and Southeast Asia.
- Songkran (13–15 April): many Thais travel home, and visitors fly in for the festival.
- School holidays and religious holidays in your country, such as summer breaks, Eid or Diwali.
Hotel prices follow the same pattern
Island hotels in Phuket and Krabi often drop their prices significantly from May to October, the Andaman monsoon season. Koh Samui's quieter months are around October to December. Combining a cheaper flight with a low-season hotel can cut the cost of the trip considerably.
A simple booking plan
- Pick a rough month using the tables above.
- Open the price calendar for your route and find the cheapest days.
- Set a price alert for those dates.
- Book when the fare drops or when it stops falling as your dates get closer.
Find the cheapest days on flights to Bangkok and flights to Phuket, and read our best time to visit Thailand for the weather.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest month to fly to Thailand?
Fares are often lowest in the rainy season, roughly May to October, outside July–August school holidays. Check a monthly price calendar from your city, as patterns vary by route.
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Phuket?
Bangkok usually has the most flights and competition, so it's often cheapest for international arrivals. Compare Phuket too, and check Bangkok's two airports, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK).
When are flights to Thailand most expensive?
Mid-December to January, Chinese New Year, Songkran in mid-April and holiday periods in your home country are usually the priciest.
Prices are estimates and can change. Check entry rules, opening times and safety advice before you travel. Some links are partner links: if you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
