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Can I travel from the UK to Thailand with a one-way ticket in January?
Visa ExemptionOnward Travel RequirementsThai Visa RulesAirline PoliciesEntry RequirementsThailand Travel Regulations
Dec 6, 2024
a year ago
Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTERJust back from Thailand
Was told while there that you can now travel to Bangkok from UK with a one way ticket?
Going back January would be grateful for advice on this before I book ticket, just normal entry visa
Cheers in advance 🇬🇧🇹🇭
Was told while there that you can now travel to Bangkok from UK with a one way ticket?
Going back January would be grateful for advice on this before I book ticket, just normal entry visa
Cheers in advance 🇬🇧🇹🇭
TLDR : Answer Summary
Traveling to Bangkok from the UK with a one-way ticket is technically possible, but it involves certain risks. While some travelers report never being asked for an onward ticket, airlines may require proof of onward travel as part of their check-in procedures, especially for those using visa exemption rules. It's advisable to confirm your travel requirements with your airline prior to booking and consider having a dummy ticket or a low-cost flight arranged in advance to ensure compliance with regulations.
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Darren *******
I travelled to phuket from Edinburgh with a 1 way ticket
Mike **********
If you plan to extend your visa once for an additional 30 days and you enter visa exempt with an onward ticket within 90 days would that be ok?
Henrik *****
Why buy a one-way, it’s more expensive than return, special when the return part, will be bought close to departure date.
Depending on what visa scheme you will entre Thailand on, if you need a onward ticket.
If it is a visa for a limited number of days ( as visa excempt), a onward ticket can be necessesary.
Depending on what visa scheme you will entre Thailand on, if you need a onward ticket.
If it is a visa for a limited number of days ( as visa excempt), a onward ticket can be necessesary.
Colin *******
In 12 years I've never bought a return ticket
George *******
I see all these, or most of these replies are by people who have never probably turned up at the airport with a one-way ticket. I have many times, flown to Thailand from many different countries over the last twenty years and have NEVER been asked about return ticket, or onward travel. I understand people's advice about buying a cheap bus ticket or flight before you go to try and leave the UK. I'm just confirming my experiences of never ever being asked.
George *******
I've never been asked in dozens of times. Indeed I've flown from Thailand many times with return tickets bought in Thailand, so when I've gone to Manchester airport on the return leg, never been asked to show how I am going to leave Thailand.
Lewis ********
Personally I have never been asked in over 10 years to show a return airline ticket. Worse case scenario is you book a 1000 baht plane ticket to Cambodia whilst at the airport check in desk if they don’t let you on the flight without an onward journey but most don’t care. Most UK airports are all automated check in machines now anyway, not sure where you are flying from
John *********
That is correct i have just travelled from the UK to Bangkok airport on a one way ticket 👍
Simon ********
Its always been possible, the requirements are for proof of onward travel. The airline may ask to see, but in twenty years I've never been asked. Immigration are unlikely to ask unless they are suspicious. Best option is to have a cheap flight or bus ticket out just in case.
Baz *********
It's quite likely your airline may ask you for proof of onwards travel out of Thailand within your 60 visa exemption entry...
You are expected of course as a tourist to be a temporary visitor and exit Thailand within the rules so sometimes the airlines will ask.
You are expected of course as a tourist to be a temporary visitor and exit Thailand within the rules so sometimes the airlines will ask.
Christopher *************
Why would someone just get a,one way ticket any way, brain dead thing to do
Alan *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Christopher ************
because it's 125 pounds to change a date on a return ticket, one way flexibleChristopher *************
@Alan ******
so whatReply to
Christopher *************
Reply
David ***********
You can technically but you must have a ticket to leave thailand to somewhere within 60 days
Pete *******
Visa exempt entries have certain requirements, an exit ticket within the time you will be stamped in for is one of them. Airline policy will determine how rigorously the requirements are enforced at check in.
Bob *********
You could always travel with a 1 way ticket. The airline may ask for a onward ticket at check-in. If Soo get a dummy ticket for $14
Mike **********
@Bob ********
how do you get the dummy ticket?Steven *******
onwardticket.com is one of many sites.
Luit *****************
@Mike *********
It are not dummy tickets, but just real tickets that will be cancelled after short time.Some companies offer to do this for you when you pay a fee, but you can also do for yourself for free.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Stuart ********
On qatar airways must have return if traveling on 60 day waiver
Robert *********
@Stuart *******
not return ,ongoingLloyd *********
@Stuart *******
so no 30 days extension then 😞Luit *****************
@Lloyd ********
You can have 30 days extension and change returnflight from 60 to 90 days after you got extension.Stuart ********
@Luit ****************
yeah correct bud thats the best wayDavid ***********
@Stuart *******
if its free change. Often notLuit *****************
@David **********
If it is not free change, you can buy a less cheap ticket, or buy tourist visa at embassy. Then the check will be done by embassy, but then you buy ticket that can be cancelled for free and after you got applied cancel the ticket and buy cheaper ticket if you want.Or just stay less than 60 days, that is how visa exempt is meant.
For the extension of 30 days you also have to motivate why you want to stay longer as planned before.
I know this is only a formality, but it shows that an extension is seen as an exeption of normal use.
David ***********
@Luit ****************
sure but why would you worry about any of that when a few minutes and 15 dollars buys a ticket out that you can throw away. If you want to stay 90 days you can unless you are deported so book your return for 90 days and buy a cheap bus out for 60 days. Much easier and much cheaperLuit *****************
@David **********
There are a lot of possibillities, but I always wonder why tourists want to stay for 90 consecutive days without getting out of the country, and without income. Who are these people?Wealthy people who can afford long holidays, can afford flexible tickets, and young people who want to explore the world, travel from country to country and most times work in some countries, which is not allowed in Thailand for tourists.
Stuart ********
I work 8 months in uk , winters in thailand ,
Luit *****************
@Stuart *******
My idea, 8 months Netherlands, 4 months in winter to Thailand.You almost might save the ticket costs by not heating your house.
And I know airco is also costing money and electricity, but you will get used to the higher temperatures, also without airco during daytime.
Luit *****************
@David **********
Of course, nothing in life is for free, but why should it be a problem.If you on such a tight budget, you should reconsider traveling at all. A small premium is worth the money.
David ***********
@Luit ****************
if you have enough to travel, then travel, why wouldnt you. If you can do exactly the same for less money, why wouldnt you.?. Only a fool spends more than he needs to achieve the same thing surely ?. Youve them got more money to do even moreLuit *****************
@David **********
well that is the point, the cheaper options are not exactly the same.The final result may be the same, but the way you reach can be different.
Comfort and ease of use are also things costing money, but might be worth it.
So I like to have the possibility to reserve seats, and not wait till check-in and then pay extra for 1 person because the algoritm of the airline puts us apart so we will also pay extra.
Stuart ********
@David **********
thats why i booked with qatar you get 1 free changeDavid ***********
@Stuart *******
free admin change yes but if the flight youre changing to was on a more expensive date ie over xmas etc, you still pay the difference. Its only the admin thats free, the difference in actual flight cost you still pay. Much easier to book for 90 days then buy a $15 bus ticket outStuart ********
@David **********
it wont be more exspensive i leave low seasonLuit *****************
@Stuart *******
Besides that do more flexible tickets most times also have other advantages like seat reservation and more luggageDavid ***********
@Luit ****************
you do pay a premium for those sorts of ticketsReply to
David ***********
Reply
David ***********
@Lloyd ********
in theory no as the 30 days isnt a given. Ive had this problem. I just bought a $15 train ticket to malaysiaReply to
David ***********
Reply
Bob **********
It’s up to your airline and the visa you have
Robert *********
Just be sure to have an on going ticket .
Many get away with not having one ,some do not .
It is the RULE
Many get away with not having one ,some do not .
It is the RULE
Stuart ***********
Do you mean visa exempt?
The risks you have by not getting an onward flight is that your airline might refuse your boarding from the UK and if you get past that hurdle Thai immigration might refuse your entry to Thailand.
The only way you are guaranteed to not require an onward flight is if you have a long term Thai visa (e.g. retirement visa).
The risks you have by not getting an onward flight is that your airline might refuse your boarding from the UK and if you get past that hurdle Thai immigration might refuse your entry to Thailand.
The only way you are guaranteed to not require an onward flight is if you have a long term Thai visa (e.g. retirement visa).
Luit *****************
@Stuart **********
any visa will do, not only long term visa.Stuart ***********
@Luit ****************
yes, that's why I stated it (retirement) was an example (e.g.).Graham ******
@Luit ****************
Proof of onward travel is a requirement for a tourism entry which, of course, includes a Tourist VisaLuit *****************
@Graham *****
it does not include tourist visa, only visa exempt. For the tourist visa the requirements are checked on approval for the visa.Graham ******
@Luit ****************
That's your opinion.Luit *****************
@Graham *****
just opposed to your opinion...And my opinion is also shared by Thai embassy.
"Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must show the documents below at the port of entry:
Proof of adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand i.e. traveller’s cheque or cash equivalent to 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family.
Proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date (**otherwise a tourist visa must be obtained)."
Obviously they forgot to change 30 into 60 at this place, but in this case that is irrelevant
Graham ******
I'll leave this here. The requirement for entering Thailand as a touries i.e. with a Tourist Visa or by Visa Exempt entry is the tourist has an onward travel ticket exiting Thailand within the number of days granted on entry. It is recommended thay any tourists (Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt) contact their airline (email or some message service) to seek their policy for such entries to safeguard against being denied boarding at check-in.
Graham ******
@Luit ****************
That is something from a third party website which specifically addresses Visa Exempt entry and, as you point out, contains outdated key information.Luit *****************
@Graham *****
Since when is the Royal Thai Embassy in London a third party?They simply forgot to change 30 to 60 at this place, for this discussion that is totally irrelevant and certainly not key information.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
J ******************
Check with airline,they for the most part decide embassy has not much to do with it
Ralph *******
I haven’t heard of this.
Amanda *********
Don’t believe what youve been told!
Confirm it on Thai embassy web site
Confirm it on Thai embassy web site
Reply to
Amanda *********
Reply
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