How much time should I allow for transferring from international to domestic flights at BKK airport?

BKK Airport Flight Transfer International to Domestic Chiang Mai COVID-19 Measures Luggage Handling Immigration Process Qatar Airways Bangkok Airways Travel Tips

Aug 1, 2022

2 years ago

Deveron *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does anyone have any recent experience with transferring from an international arrival to a domestic departure in BKK airport?

How long should I allow time-wise between my arriving flight and my departing flight?

I‘m arriving on the 27th at 13:10 with Qatar Airways and I want to fly to Chiang Mai the same day. I’m looking at a Bangkok Airways flight departing at 16:55 but I’m not sure if this is cutting it too short with any covid measures still going on and with it being increasingly busy at BKK airport.

I have another option departing at 18:15, but of course I’d prefer the earlier option. 

I have checked luggage that I’ll need to pick up and check in again at the domestic flight, which I assume will add some time. 

Anyone have any advice/recent experience?

Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on the time required to transfer from an international flight to a domestic flight at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). They arrive at 13:10 with Qatar Airways and plan to take a Bangkok Airways flight to Chiang Mai at 16:55. They are concerned about potential delays due to COVID-19 measures and the busy airport atmosphere. Responses recommend allowing 4 hours for the transfer, noting that immigration and baggage claim can take less than an hour, and that it is advisable to have backup options for later flights.

Bobby ****

10 days ago I flew in international. Was through immigration and had my baggage within 20 minutes of getting off of the plane. Walk to domestic about 5 minutes. Domestic check in and security took about 10 minutes. This was at 1pm on a Wednesday afternoon.

The only “Covid measures” was a counter halfway between getting off the plane and immigration that wanted to just see your certificate, took 10 seconds. And they didn’t even check on the domestic side.

Almost 4 hours should be PLENTY of time.

2 years ago

Filip ************

Almost 4h… no Problem if the plain land in time

2 years ago

James **********

I have flown into BKK then onto Chiang Mai about 20 times. I have always booked the domestic flight once I am there

2 years ago

Helen ********

@James *********

was there a big difference in the price doing it this way?

2 years ago

James **********

@Helen *******

I never checked

2 years ago

Reply to

James **********

Deveron *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *********

I may actually do this, I can book a flight in a few mins after I pass immigration anyway

2 years ago

Reply to

Deveron *********

Terary **********

At Don Muang, less than an hour from deplane to luggage pick-up. I imagine 2 hours is worst case experience at BKK. I think you will be safe with the earlier flight.

2 years ago

Cliff *********

What will you do if the Qatar Airways flight arrives late?

Consider taking the latest flight to Chiang Mai and also have a backup plan for staying overnight in Bangkok.

2 years ago

Brandon ************

Around 4 hours should be more than enough time. You really just need to get through immigration and collect your bags then check in. I don't even see that taking 2 hours.

As far as Covid regulations go, your airline will check your vaccine cert before you fly to Thailand and then there's a small chance they'll check it again when you arrive. That's it.

2 years ago

Lynnette *******

I usually book my baggage through when transitting Bkk to Phuket, so the flights are linked. See if you can do this to change mai.

2 years ago

Deveron *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

I've tried checking this but the problem is that I will not depart Thailand from Chiang Mai, and in order for Bangkok Airways to through check my baggage I need to have all flights on the same booking.

But who knows, I'll give Qatar a call and see if they can add the lap to Chiang Mai for just my incoming flights.

2 years ago

Lynnette *******

@Deveron ********

good luck. If not, you'll probably have to allow time to go through immigration in BKK then collect bags and check in to domestic flight.

2 years ago

Reply to

Lynnette *******

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