Domestic Flights in Thailand: Complete Resource & Airline Directory (2025)

Travelling in Thailand is quick, comfortable and unexpectedly cheap due to the well-developed system of domestic flights to large cities, tourist locations and islands. Between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Phuket/Koh Samui, the tourists have the option of low-cost airlines, like AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air, or full-fledged airlines, including Bangkok Airways and Thai Smile, offering varying degrees of comfort, baggage carry, and convenience. Flights are mostly short in nature; they rarely take more than two hours, and thus, air transport is friendlier than land or water transport to visitors who are time-conscious. During the peak seasons from November to February and the Songkran festival, renting will be expensive and flights will be fuller; however, those in the off-peak time will be cheaper. It is important to know airline policies, baggage handling, and access to airports so that one may have stress-free travel in the varied parts of Thailand.

Domestic Airlines in Thailand (2025 Directory)

Thai AirAsia

• Type: Low-cost carrier
• Hubs: Don Mueang (DMK), regional airports
• Routes: Bangkok ↔ Phuket, Bangkok ↔ Chiang Mai
• Booking: Direct on the AirAsia app or website
• Baggage policy: Cabin 7 kg (56×36×23 cm + personal item). Checked baggage 15-40 kg (buy in advance).
• Tip: Pre-purchase baggage to avoid heavy counter fees.

Nok Air

• Type: Low-cost carrier
• Hubs: Don Mueang (DMK)
• Routes: Bangkok ↔ Chiang Mai, Bangkok ↔ Phuket
• Booking: Nok Air official site
• Baggage policy: Cabin 7 kg + personal item. Some fares include 15-20 kg checked baggage.
• Tip: Confirm baggage allowance by fare class.

Thai Smile Airways

• Type: Full-service regional airline
• Hubs: Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
• Routes: Bangkok ↔ Chiang Mai, Bangkok ↔ Phuket
• Booking: Thai Smile or Thai Airways official site
• Baggage policy: Includes checked baggage and seat selection.
• Tip: Best option if connecting to an international Thai Airways flight.

Bangkok Airways

• Type: Full-service / boutique regional carrier
• Hubs: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), operates Samui (USM), Sukhothai, Trat airports
• Routes: Bangkok ↔ Koh Samui, Bangkok ↔ Chiang Mai
• Booking: Bangkok Airways official site or hotline (+66 2270 6699)
• Baggage policy: 23 kg in economy, 32 kg in business
• Tip: Only airline with access to Samui Airport; higher fares but unmatched convenience.

Thai Lion Air

• Type: Low-cost carrier
• Hub: Don Mueang (DMK)
• Routes: Bangkok ↔ Chiang Mai, Bangkok ↔ Phuket
• Booking: Airline’s official channels
• Baggage policy: Base fares exclude baggage; add online for the best price.
• Tip: Double-check schedule reliability.

VietJet Air (Thailand routes)

• Type: Low-cost, seasonal operations
• Routes: Leisure-focused routes during high demand
• Booking: VietJet official site
• Baggage policy: Fully unbundled; baggage is extra.
• Tip: Expect irregular schedules, mostly high-season demand routes.

Checkout: Airports in Thailand

Major Domestic Airports in Thailand

Airport	Code	Region	Key Routes	City Transfer Time	Transport Options
Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok)	BKK	Central hub	Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Samui	30 min	ARL, taxis ₹800-1,200, shuttles
Don Mueang (Bangkok)	DMK	LCC hub	Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi	45-60 min	Shuttle, taxis ₹700-1,000, train
Chiang Mai	CNX	Northern gateway	Bangkok, Phuket	15-30 min	Taxi, Grab, hotel transfers
Phuket	HKT	Andaman coast	Bangkok, Krabi, Samui	45-60 min	Airport taxi, van, shuttle
Krabi	KBV	Andaman coast	Bangkok, islands	30-45 min	Taxi, minibus, direct to Ao Nang
Koh Samui	USM	Gulf island	Bangkok, Chiang Mai	10-20 min	Private cars, hotel vans
Hat Yai	HDY	Southern hub	Bangkok, local routes	15-30 min	Taxi, minibus
Chiang Rai	CEI	Northern city	Bangkok, regional	15-30 min	Taxi, van, rental

Pro tips:

• BKK ↔ DMK transfer takes 45-60 minutes; allow buffer.
• Samui Airport is privately run by Bangkok Airways, offering faster check-in and exclusive lounge-style services.

Most-Booked Domestic Flight Routes in Thailand

• Bangkok ↔ Phuket flights (~1 hr, fares ₹2,800-₹7,000 depending on season).
• Bangkok ↔ Chiang Mai flights (~1 hr, high frequency, fares ₹2,500-₹6,500).
• Bangkok ↔ Krabi flights (~1 hr, fares ₹3,000-₹6,800, peak in beach season).
• Chiang Mai ↔ Phuket flights (~1.5 hr direct, limited availability, fares ₹4,000-₹8,000).
• Bangkok ↔ Koh Samui flights (~1 hr, premium pricing via Bangkok Airways, fares ₹6,000-₹10,000).

Baggage and Policy Comparison Across Thai Airlines

• Thai AirAsia: 7 kg cabin + add-on checked baggage (15-40 kg). No refunds on base fares.
• Nok Air: 7 kg cabin + variable checked baggage. Cheapest fares are rigid.
• Thai Smile: Checked baggage included; more flexibility.
• Bangkok Airways: 23-32 kg included, depending on class; premium rebooking options.
• Thai Lion Air / VietJet Air: Strict 7 kg cabin; all extras charged. Cheapest fares are non-refundable.

Traveller Tip: Always book baggage with your ticket online to avoid higher counter fees.

Booking Tips and Ground Transfers for Domestic Flights in Thailand

• Use aggregators like Skyscanner to compare options, but always book via the airline’s site for baggage and flexibility clarity.
• Allow buffer time for self-transfers, especially when switching between BKK and DMK.
• Airport transfers in Thailand:
  
  • BKK → City: Airport Rail Link (~₹120), taxis (~₹800-1,200).
  • DMK → City: Taxis (~₹700-1,000), vans are cheaper.
  • Phuket → Patong: 45-60 min, taxis (~₹1,200-1,800).
  • Samui: Hotel vans/private cars due to private airports.

Domestic flights are the most effective means of connecting major cities and islands in Thailand as the schedules are frequent, flights are short, and fares are low. The flights between Bangkok and Phuket and Bangkok to Chiang Mai are high-end routes, such as Bangkok to Koh Samui, making the Bangkok network a secure connecting flight throughout the nation. Whether you’re choosing low-cost airline options that are cheap but offer limited services or full-service flights that include baggage, knowing routes, fares, and booking hints will make you a smarter traveller in Thailand. To make travel seamless, many Thailand tour packages now include domestic flights, helping you explore multiple destinations conveniently and affordably.

FAQs on Domestic Flights in Thailand

Q1. Is flight in Thailand safe?

Yes. The safety standards are met by overseeing the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). Use established carriers.

Q2. How many pieces of baggage are you able to carry on a domestic flight in Thailand?

Low-cost airlines (AirAsia, Nok Air, Lion Air, VietJet) generally have 7 kg carry-on baggage and do impose additional charges on checked baggage. Full-service airlines such as Bangkok Airways and Thai Smile also have the contents of the baggage (20 to 23 kg economy).

Q3. What are the domestic flight ticket prices in Thailand?

Normal fares are between 2500 and 10000 rupees based on route, season and the airlines. The most expensive flights are the Koh Samui flights.

Q4. Is it possible to make Thai domestic bookings online?

Yes. The best prices and baggage regulations have been found on the direct airline websites and applications. Comparisons are good with aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google Flights.

Q5. What are the busiest domestic flights through Thailand?

Bangkok to Phuket, Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to Krabi and Bangkok to Koh Samui are the most booked routes.

Q6. Are seat selections being billed by domestic airlines in Thailand?

Low-cost passenger airlines utilise advance seat reservation as another fee, whereas full-service aircraft companies tend to incorporate it with the fare.