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Is a 2:20 layover enough time for a domestic flight connection at BKK?

BKK airportlayover advicedomestic flight connectionsvisaimmigrationVietJetfast trackbaggage claim
Dec 21, 2023
a year ago
Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Not exactly visa related, but anyone have insight on current timing at BKK?

My daughter is arriving at BKK on an international flight, with only a 2:20 layover to catch to a domestic flight on VietJet. She has 1 bag to check (on a Deluxe ticket so theoretically should be a slightly faster check-in).

I'd usually guess around 1 hour to pass immigration and collect baggage, which would leave 1:20 for check-in & domestic security, but if queues are longer, I fear that's too tight.

Also, unfortunately the next flight I can change to is 4 hours later, but would save our money from getting burnt up from a late check-in.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Concerns are raised about a 2:20 layover at BKK for a domestic flight, highlighting the challenges of immigration, baggage collection, and check-in timings. Comments suggest while it's possible, it's tight due to unpredictable wait times at immigration, especially during peak hours or with flight delays. Suggestions include booking FastTrack through immigration to minimize delay risks. Ultimately, the author decided to opt for a later flight due to their daughter's delayed arrival, which would alleviate the risk of missing the connection.
FAST TRACK RESOURCES / SERVICES
Maxim ***********
Went my layover is tight I just talk to security or whoever is there and get escorted into whatever fast lane. Work everytime, lol!
a year ago
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Bill ********
a year ago
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Bill ********
Its bad...
a year ago
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Alain ***************
Skyboss or whatever they call it, have a fast lane and my last flights with them were always delayed 😱
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks all for the helpful advice.

Ultimately, her incoming flight left 1:30 late last night, so I just went ahead and pushed back to the 6:20 layover (instead of 2:20).

However, if it would've been on-time, she would've made it even with the tight layover. We booked FastTrack, but the agent didn't show (or disappeared somehow while she was coming through). She got through immigration and collected baggage in about 1 hour.

VietJet was booked on Deluxe fare which gives priority check-in, so that took 5 minutes. Security was a breeze (about 20 minutes, including the walk to gate).
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Micah *******
 sorry the agent not showing is all to common. It’s happened to me before I got a visa that allows me fast track. Also to a few friends of mine- terrible
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 That's disappointing to hear. They sent me a picture that the agent supposedly took at the original schedule time, but I'm guessing they left when the arrival was 20 minutes late. My daughter checked all the other agents that were there and even asked around--nothing.

They're refusing to refund, but I'm guessing my card company will come through.
a year ago
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Micah ********
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James *********
Do it with fast track. What's the worst that can happen,,, get bounced to the later flight? 😃
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ********
 I suppose worst would be no refund and have to purchase new ticket. A bump would be fine by us
a year ago
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Micah ********
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Bent *************
Don’t do it!
a year ago
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Luc ************
Take fast track at immigration. 2 days ago 50min waiting time, fast track took 2min
a year ago
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Luc ************
From Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang with Vietjet?
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luc ***********
 Suvarnabhumi. Someone else suggested Fast track too so we're gonna run that route. Hopefully they're quick with the baggage.
a year ago
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Micah ********
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Jo **********
what time does she arrive?
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 6:20, so fairly early
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Micah *******
 that could, be a good time. could. not definite
a year ago
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Jo **********
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Ulrik *********
Take into account that vietjet close for check-in 45 mins before departure. A few months ago I got refused check-in because was 4 minutes late.
a year ago
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Jan **********
@Micah *******
***************************************************************************************************************
*******
/18/suvarnabhumi-airport-recommends-3-hours-for-new-years-check-in/. and Thaivietjet isn't the best organised operator, to use an understatement.
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks to all for the helpful feedback. I think we'll stick with the tight window, book the FastTrack through immigration, and hope they're efficient with the bags. I did look at this flight history and it generally arrives between 5 minutes late, and 30 minutes early--so that's good.

Fingers crossed!
a year ago
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Paul ********
Same Airport?? Why Immigration wait till end
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
 Flights weren't on the same booking, so will have to claim checked bag and check-in for VietJet, sadly.
a year ago
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Paul ********
@Micah *******
 It will be tight
a year ago
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Paul ********
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Steve ********
It's doable, but it's tight. I'd prefer a three hour window, because you're at the mercy of immigration queues, depending on which other flights arrive around the same time.
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Same. I originally booked a 10am flight (4 hour layover) but they cut that flight and essentially we had to choose 2:20 or 6:20.
a year ago
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Mark *********
@Micah *******
 I was stuck with such a choice a few weeks ago thanks to Air Asia changes. Always go with the extended time between flights. Perhaps especially at this time of year as in long queues but also possibility of hung-around poor weather. The changes were for my return to Bangkok but on the out journey, wonderful tailwinds, brilliant timing ....... then the storm hit. Result plane 50 minutes late on the short hop KL - Kuching. It landed on the third attempt! We live in an ever less predictable environment, natural as well as human.
a year ago
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Mark *********
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Wayne *********
If worried can always book a fast track through immigration but will still need to wait for the checked in luggage
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 I'm not familiar with this. That's an interesting idea...
a year ago
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Wayne *********
@Micah *******
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 That looks perfect! She'll be coming in Visa Exempt from the US-- I assume that's the standard clientele?
a year ago
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Wayne *********
@Micah *******
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
*****
-suvarnabhumi-airport-immigration-fast-track-service-bangkok/?aid=5881&utm_medium=affiliate-alwayson&utm_source=non-network&utm_campaign=5881&utm_term=
a year ago
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Wayne *********
@Micah *******
 I have OX visa and use them. Exempt is also fine. Great service from them.
a year ago
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Wayne *********
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Wayne *********
@Micah *******
 I do it regularly if I don't have checked luggage can be through and out of airport in 15 minutes.

They meet you at the plane
a year ago
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Wayne *********
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J ******************
Depends if inbound flight is on time
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J *****************
 Yeah, and it's on FinnAir--not sure about their track record, but I've generally had good experience with international flights and timing
a year ago
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J ******************
@Micah *******
 Thaiviet jet uses new satellite terminal I believe which requires more time to get there on the internal train.It only opened in September so not much history
a year ago
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J ******************
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Martin *********
Should be fine .. it’s only if her flight gate is the opposite end of terminal .plus she won’t be the only person transferring I’m sure .and the connections flight will be aware of that
a year ago
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Micah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks all. Yeah, they were unfortunately booked separately.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Martin ********
 Yes agree with Wayne, the flight will not be delayed because of possible late transfers from other flights. That's the beauty of a through booking, they might delay the second flight if there's a number of passengers transferring, otherwise they are compelled to put you on a later flight. With a separate booking there's no obligation.
a year ago
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Martin *********
@Steve *******
 yeah I never noticed that 👍🏼
a year ago
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Martin *********
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Wayne *********
@Martin ********
 booked separately then vietjet will have no idea where the passenger is coming from so would not wait
a year ago
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Wayne *********
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