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 which airlines operate domestic routes and which airports offer the most domestic routes for your trip.
If you're looking for destinations, visas, and public transport information, then check out our Thailand Travel Guide page after this one.
If you want to get started straight away with your search for domestic flights in Thailand, simply press the button below or fill out our search form at the top of the page.
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 venture through the country's mountainous regions in the north, this can be challenging 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. 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!
Planning to fly within Thailand? Here’s a quick guide to the main domestic airlines, so you can choose the one that suits your travel needs.
| Airline | Hub | Domestic destinations | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Airways | Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) | Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Hat Yai, Sukhothai, Lampang | 5kg + 1 personal item | Economy: 20kg · Business: 40kg |
| Nok Air | Don Mueang Airport (Bangkok) | Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Udon Thani, Chiang Rai, Nan, Mae Sot | 7kg | Nok Lite: none · Promo/Nok Eco: 15kg · Fan Club: 20kg · Smile Plus: 25kg |
| Thai AirAsia | Don Mueang Airport (Bangkok) | Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Hat Yai, Udon Thani, Surat Thani | 1 bag + 1 personal item, 7kg combined | Pre-purchase options 15–40kg |
| Thai Lion Air | Don Mueang Airport (Bangkok) | Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Udon Thani, Trang | Max size 30 × 40 × 20cm | Promo & Economy: 15kg · Extra up to 32kg available |
| Thai Airways | Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) | Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai | Up to 7kg | Economy: 30kg · Premium Economy: 40kg · Royal Silk: 40kg |
| Thai Vietjet Air | Don Mueang Airport (Bangkok) | Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Udon Thani | Basic: 7kg · Skyboss: 10kg | Basic: none · Skyboss: 30kg free |
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.
Are you a fan of The White Lotus season three? Purchasing domestic Thailand flights can help you visit some of the key destinations featured in the comedy-drama.
The White Lotus is more than just scandalous moments and eccentric characters; it's a show full of breathtakingly beautiful destinations.
To avoid long drives between destinations, domestic flights are a must.
If you want to learn more about The White Lotus' season 3 locations, read our page, which details the resorts that appear in the show and what you can find in each area.
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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!
