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Answered9 days ago

What airlines offer fully refundable onward flights from Thailand?

Amanda **********
asked Oct 28, 2026
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i am looking to purchase a fully refundable onward flight from Thailand to anywhere I cant find any airlines that do them - anyone know any airlines that do? The cheapest flight out is £50 non refundable there used to be £20 ones
Answer summary
The inquiry focuses on finding airlines that provide fully refundable onward flights from Thailand. The responses suggest various alternatives including booking through platforms like trip.com which may charge a fee, using airlines with higher tier refundable options, or considering cheaper alternatives like train or bus tickets to neighboring countries like Laos. Suggestions for specific airlines include Air Asia and Emirates, which have refundable ticket options, and also mention that some travel sites offer 'dummy tickets' or temporary tickets for immigration purposes. Additionally, the importance of confirming with airlines regarding acceptable forms of onward travel for visa compliance is emphasized.
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MagentaCra**********
MagentaCra**********
Cheap is very cheap
Charmae *******
Charmae *******
Why???
Paddy *****
Paddy *****
I always booked an airline award ticket so I can cancel and get miles returned to my account and tax refunded.
Hannah ********
Hannah ********
Buy a cheap refundable bus ticket to cross the border ours was £13 each
Amanda **********
Amanda **********
OP
Hey guys thanks for all the advice. So it turns out Air Asia do a 1 free date change at no extra cost so when entering on the 60 day visa I will show my flight out in 60 days time and once i get my 30 day extension i can change it for free as I needed a outward flight for my 30 day extension last time. I am off to Cambodia after Phuket so it all works great - hope this helps anyone else
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Either you fly to Thailand WITHOUT a visa, or you are flying on a Thai e- visa

*** VISA EXEMPT ENTRY:

You will get stamped in for a 30-days stay permit upon entry, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1,900 THB. This allows for a total stay of at least 8 weeks.

Theoretically, you could exit Thailand, stay in a neighboring country for a week and return visa-exempt for a second time, but you would need to show an onward or return flight ticket out of Thailand within these last 30 days.

The CRUCIAL POINT flying without a visa is that the airline might refuse to let you board the flight if you cannot provide proof of onward travel or departure from Thailand within the first 30 days.

Most airlines require an actual flight ticket out of Thailand as proof—for example, an inexpensive one-way ticket to a neighboring country.

Some airlines may also accept a bus or train ticket.

Your experience might vary from my advice, but it is not a guarantee for the same experience other people will make.

It is advised to send an email inquiry to the airline. You will then receive a response that you can print out and take to the check-in at the airport. If you call them, the risk is that the person on the other end will just make things up.

WARNING: if Thai Immigration finds out that you used a “fake” onwardticket to board the flight, they will deny entry! Earlier this year Phuket Immigration has issued a strict warning.

Thai Immigration normally is not interested in your onward travel, as long as your entry history does not show repeated and excessive use of visa-exempt entries.

*** WITH A VISA:

You apply online through the e-visa system of the Royal Thai Embassy of your home country.

Actually, you can apply for a tourist visa or a Non-Imm visa type through the online e-visa system of most Thai embassies in any other countries in the World, as long as you fulfill the requirements.

If you show a printed e-visa, the airline will not ask for proof of onward travel. Upon arrival, you will get stamped in for any length of admitted stay according to the visa type.

You should apply for a Thai e-visa at least 6 weeks before your planned departure. Processing times can range from 5 to 20 business days, and applying well in advance ensures you have enough time should any additional documentation be requested.
Adriane *****
Adriane *****
I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your stay in Thailand. Especially just to save a few dollars. If it jeopardize your stay and you want to come back, that will be the most expensive inexpensive decision you’ve made in your life.
Adriane *****
Adriane *****
Air Asia. I bought mine to Hanoi for a fully refundable price
Tom ********
Tom ********
Just get a bus ticket to Laos for about $12
Greg ***********
Tom Jarvis Most airlines require an actual flight ticket out of Thailand as proof—for example, an inexpensive one-way ticket to a neighboring country.

Some airlines may also accept a bus or train ticket. It is advisable to send an email inquiry to the airline; you will then receive a response that you can print out and take with you to the check-in at the airport.
Tom ********
Greg Alexander I can only go on personal experience and it worked for me no issues.
Greg ***********
Tom Jarvis that's why I wrote "some" and "may" . . . a personal experience is no guarantee that someone else will experience the same
Peter *******
Peter *******
Autobus to Laos
Sefton ********
Sefton ********
***************************
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
***either you fly to Thailand WITHOUT a visa, or you obtain a "single-entry Tourist Visa (Leisure Activities)."

*** WITHOUT A VISA:

You will get stamped in for a 30-days stay permit upon entry, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1,900 THB. This allows for a total stay of at least 8 weeks.

Theoretically, you could exit Thailand, stay in a neighboring country for a week and return visa-exempt for a second time, but you would need to show an onward or return flight ticket out of Thailand within these last 30 days.

The CRUCIAL POINT flying without a visa is that the airline might refuse to let you board the flight if you cannot provide proof of onward travel or departure from Thailand within the first 30 days.

Most airlines require an actual flight ticket out of Thailand as proof—for example, an inexpensive one-way ticket to a neighboring country.

Some airlines may also accept a bus or train ticket. It is advisable to send an email inquiry to the airline; you will then receive a response that you can print out and bring with you to the check-in at the airport.

WARNING: if Thai Immigration finds out that you used a “fake” onwardticket to board the flight, they will deny entry !

Thai Immigration normally is not interested in your onward travel, as long as your entry history does not show repeated and excessive use of visa-exempt entries.

*** WITH A TOURIST VISA:

A "single-entry Tourist Visa Leisure Activities" - as it is designated in the e-Visa system, must be applied for online. The Royal Thai Embassy of your home country is processing these applications. Actually, you can apply for a SETV though the online e-visa system of a Thai embassy in any other country in the World.

If you hold a printed 60-day tourist visa, the airline will not ask for proof of onward travel. Upon arrival, you will get stamped in for a 60-day stay permit, which can be extended for another 30 days at an immigration office for 1,900 THB.

You should apply for a tourist visa at least 6 weeks BEFORE your planned departure. Processing times can range from 5 to 15 business days, and applying well in advance ensures you have enough time should any additional documentation be requested.

Staying for 60 days on a tourist visa works out much cheaper than entering without a visa, and save you time otherwise spent at the Immigration office.
Sylvia ********
Sylvia ********
You can research on an airline website and they have options of addd on with free cancellation but the flight purchase price will possibly be double.
Dave ******
£50 ticket? Wow I can see why you're reluctant to lose 2000tbh.
Dave ******
Dave ******
£50 ticket? Wow I can see why you're reluctant to lose 2000tbh.
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
Try Qantas. I’ve booked fully refundable tickets with them only recently. The tickets are much higher priced, as you can imagine.
Gerard ********
Ralph Tyson Bed bugs, cancelled flights and rude cabin crew.
Ralph *******
Gerard Oldman Even if that was true, she isn’t going to take the flight anyway. That’s why it had to be fully refundable.
Andy *****
Andy *****
Onward ticket.com
Nita **********
Nita **********
Planning to visit Thailand but don’t want to spend £50 to leave? Sounds like your holiday budget is already in trouble. 🤣
Jo ****
Jo ****
Tight arse.
Stephen **********
Stephen **********
£5 - £7 border bus tickets I've used this past year with 12Go & never ever been near the borders or used the tickets. Little monies for peace of mind.
Wanda ******
Wanda ******
alot of airlines and/or booking agents online give you a 24 hr/48 hour refund if you change your m ind. i literally had to do this somewhere , they wouldnt let me in till ibought a ticket right there in their border crossing office on my laptop, crossed the border and cancelled it an hour later.
Elías ********
Elías ********
All airlines do
Emma *********
Emma *********
If you book on trip.com flights are fully refundable but with a £25 fee
Stephen *****************
Don Mueang to Danang will be the cheapest you will find
Jamie **********
Jamie **********
don't get a cheap flight, get a more expensive flight and they allow refunds
James **********
James **********
What is the the purpose for this ticket? Unfortunately lots of people post incorrect information about being refused boarding, when in reality they just repeating misinformation
Stephen *****************
Stephen *****************
Don Mueang to Danang will be the cheapest you will find
Carol ********
Carol ********
Stephen Harry Newstead out of interest how much is that on average?
Stephen *****************
Stephen *****************
Carol Samuel I find Agoda or Skyscanner will get you cheapest....normally about £110 for return flight
Motivate*********
Motivate*********
Stephen Harry Newstead how much
Stephen *****************
Stephen *****************
MotivatedFrog4797 I find Agoda or Skyscanner will get you cheapest....normally about £110 for return flight
Chris *******
Chris *******
Stephen Harry Newstead And as she only needs a one-way flight, it will probably be about half that price.
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Air Asia offers one-way flights from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur for as cheap as 42 US Dollar
Jim *********
Buy a dummy ticket, many sites online such as onwardticket
Jeff *************
Get a train or bus ticket
Jeff *************
Jeff *************
Get a train or bus ticket
Andreas *********
Jeff Hoffmeister that depends on the Airline. Not every airline will accept bus, ferry or train tickets
OutgoingCat***********
OutgoingCat***********
Krabi to Kuala Lumpur, normally less than £40
D.M. *********
D.M. *********
Emirates
Jim *********
Jim *********
Buy a dummy ticket, many sites online such as onwardticket
Mario **********
Mario **********
Jim Skinner you’re already on their black book 📖
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Jim Skinner why keep laughing like a stoopeed 🤡🤡🤡 when you can easily google it . . . .
Ian **********
Ian **********
Jim Skinner they are not dummy tickets, they are genuine bookings, but they are only good for
*****
hours
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Ian Morrison just let this stoopeed clown keep on laughing. . . . he has seen nothing yet
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Jim Skinner have always. . .exactly, they HAVE. In the past. But no more. You are welcome to find out for yourself
Jim *********
Jim *********
Andreas Mueller why do you keep using threatening language? Dummy tickets have always been accepted by Thai immigration, how on earth do you know if people are being rejected. I am laughing at your pathetic jibes at me and using rude capital letters in an attempt to make your point.
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Ian Morrison they are neither tickets nor bookings. They are just a "reservation to a booking" and that's why they are regarded as an attempt of fraud by Thai Immigration ! You can easily google it
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Jim Skinner WARNING! I am not kidding. Phuket Immigration earlier this year published a statement, that if they see you use a "fake" onwardticket, they will deny entry. There is nothing to laugh about. LAST WARNING!
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Jim Skinner WARNING!!! . . .if Thai Immigration asks for the onward travel and you show them a dummy ticket, they will deny entry!
John *********
John *********
Jim Skinner not advisable to break the law and fall on the wrong side of immigration, they are all powerful and could easily deny you entry.
Jeffrey *********
Jeffrey *********
Jim Skinner on to that scam now buy normally one cheepsgatte
Adventurou***********
Adventurou***********
Train & bus can be denied. Flights your best transport out. I’ve looked into everything and depends on who you’re flying with but train/bus not 100% guaranteed. Thai friends said not to chance it your flight might allow it but then if you’re pulled up by Thailand immigration, they would not allow it now days
Lizzie *****
Lizzie *****
I use Etihad Not cheap ticket but can change and cancel with no fee when you choose higher tier tickets
Alfie ******
Alfie ******
Do the airline accept a train ticket when flying to Thailand
Andreas *********
Alfie Hart that depends on the Airline. Not every airline will accept bus, ferry or train tickets
Tara ********
Onward ticket
David ***********
I showed a £15 ferry ticket
David ***********
David ***********
I showed a £15 ferry ticket
Andreas *********
David Warburton that depends on the Airline. Not every airline will accept bus, ferry or train tickets
Jeff *************
Andreas Mueller what airlines? If you can’t name the ones then don’t keep saying it
Andreas *********
Jeff Hoffmeister call the airline and find out
Ralph *******
Andreas Mueller I have a letter from the embassy saying these tickets are fine.
Andreas *********
Ralph Tyson how ridiculous! . . . .and every airline accepts this interference into their rules and regulations? The Airline won't f...g care what your embassy says
David ***********
Andreas Mueller never yet had a problem. Infact i spoke to a Thai immigration officer only last week and they made it perfectly clear a ferry ticket was perfectly fine. Only been asked once by airline and fine then to
Ralph *******
Petr S. Van Valkenburg It’s everything to do with immigration. The airline doesn’t want to be responsible for your flight back if immigration refuse entry.
Andreas *********
David Warburton what an Immigration officer tells you, doesn't say anything about an airline policy 😂
Petr *********************
David Warburton nothing to do with Thai immigration, airline won't issue boarding pass without onward ticket unless you have a proper visa !!
Alfie ******
David Warburton immigration or airline
David ***********
Alfie Hart immigration 3 times
Tara ********
Tara ********
Onward ticket
Andreas *********
Tara Clancy WARNING!!! . . .if Thai Immigration asks for the onward travel and you show them a dummy ticket, they will deny entry!
Ian **********
Andreas Mueller WARNING: they are not dummy tickets. They are genuine bookings, but they only last for
*****
hours, and then they get cancelled.
Andreas *********
Ian Morrison the "onwardticket" is just a reservation for a booking you have to pay for, and if you don't book, the reservation will become void after
*****
hours
Tara ********
Andreas Mueller just buy a bus ticket to Malaysia then
Andreas *********
Tara Clancy many airlines don't accept a bus ticket
Martyn ***********
Martyn ***********
Bestonwardticket.com
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Martyn Rollinson WARNING!!! . . .if Thai Immigration asks for the onward travel and you show them a dummy "onward" ticket, they will deny entry! Your advice is a VERY BAD ADVICE !
Martyn ***********
Martyn ***********
Andreas Mueller i would agree, but.... It isn't a 'dummy' ticket. Its a real ticket, all booked...not a 'dummy' ticket.

I know dozens ok people who used it and some last week.

So calm yourself down and understand fully before commenting...
Dan ********
Dan ********
Martyn Rollinson my understanding and experience with a website of a very similar or same name, is that they are not alwats a confirmed seat that can be checked directly with the airline itself. Depending on route and availability.

You say someone used them last wesk, AND their onwards tixkets were checked ?
El *****
El *****
if you have airline points that can be an almost free way to do that. mine charges a refund fee but the points are refundable
Ian *********
Ian *********
Get train from udon thanni to Laos Vientiane , £4-8 ,that’s what I use. If I have to show it
Roman *********
Roman *********
Ian Thomson I just have done a Tourist eVisa demand (single entry) and they refused my train booking as a proof of Outbound travel ...
Andreas *********
Andreas *********
Ian Thomson that depends on the Airline. Not every airline will accept bus, ferry or train tickets
ImTheJesusC************
ImTheJesusC************
Andreas Mueller mach dich hier doch nicht zum Clown mit dem Schwachsinn. Ein Ticket ins Nachbarland wird immer akzeptiert.
Dan ********
Dan ********
Petr S. Van Valkenburg Petr S. Van Valkenburg Petr S. Van Valkenburg that was the airline before departure or Thai immigration upon entry ? Depending how much time you got before departure gates close, they got no business only accepting a return flight to the US. That says you can't go on to any other country in the world without first returning to, or at least paying for, a return flight. And if they accept that your paying for, but not nessesarily using that flight out, then they understand the requirement more than they are showing, just to boost sales, which is moody. Also could just be some check-in counter "computer says NO" operator who has never been to Thailand or anywhere outside of the US, like many others..

But as it is written, an official and confirmed and paid ticket, leaving Thailand before the expiry of your Visa. It doesn't specify 'flights', however, that would be the most convincing and sensible option to have with you. With time to waste you could've bought a short haul ticket out, presented that to a different check-in counter, and ultimately asked nicely to speak to 'whoever the feck is in charge here' and then kindly told them the way it is and the way it's going to be. This is simply that being denied entry, you then become the problem/expense of the airline that bought you here, even though you can be denied entry for many other reasons, and I believe still be the responsibility of the arriving airline, I think. Did they also check you had 20,000 baht in cash and confirmed/paid accomodation booking for the entire duration of your stay ?
Dan ********
Dan ********
ImTheJesusChristHimself by Thai immigration on arrival, hopefully/probably yes. But he is speaking about the airline checking before departure, who may well, although wrongly, only accept flights, due to wording on a memo, something lost in translation, or a misunderstanding at either end. Of course an airline will think 'flight ticket' in the first instance.

But if being scrutinized by immigration upon entry, already flagged for one or more reasons, would you rather have a $6 train ticket, or a $60-$600 flight ticket, as it is down to the immigration officer at the counter who can and do deny entry, even with a train/ferry ticket, even a flight. If they don't like you, they can just say 'not today'.
Jeff *************
Jeff *************
Petr S. Van Valkenburg what airline was that?
Petr *********************
Petr *********************
ImTheJesusChristHimself no, won't, I had one way ticket and only return ticket they would accept was back to the U.S. United airline, I had to quickly book return ticket to the U.S. even I didn't know exactly how long we will stay, my wife is Thai her's didn't matter, but I could not book any to neighboring country either, had to be return to the U.S.A. !
Karl *********
Karl *********
Wtf stay in thailand and wont pay £50 for a flight. You do know were in a world fuel crisis right now🤣🤣🤣
Brett *********
Karl Hopkins clearly don't u derstand why he needs to book an exit out of Thailand do you ?
Karl *********
Brett Mcgowan err i clearly do. To renew visa exemption. Only 2 land border crossings per year. So he clearly does either need the damn flight or go immigration jomtien and wait all day for 1900 baht. Dont presume everyone is a clown mate. This is clearly an attention seek post. Besides his info is very little so how do ypu know🤣🤣🤣
Roman *********
Karl Hopkins you must be fun at parties
Amanda **********
OP
Lars-Göran Ingvarsson Yeah spot on - i know they are cracking down now on everything, entering on a 60 day and hope to extend for 30 so dont want any issues at immigration as we all know it can be hit or miss on who you get at immigration, some times i get asked for onward flight some not so just couldnt find any airlines fully refundable so thought i would ask
Lars-Göran ************
Karl Hopkins More likely, she is planning to enter 30 days visa exempt and prolong a further 30 days in Thailand. The airline taking her there might want to see an onward ticket out of Thailand within the original 30 days. But since she is planning to stay longer, she doesn't really need that ticket.
Chris *******
Karl Hopkins Who would want to pay £50 for a flight they're not going to use?
Andreas *********
Chris Blunt that depends on the Airline. Not every airline will accept bus, ferry or train tickets
Chris *******
Andreas Mueller I didn't say they would. I was comparing fully refundable tickets with throwaway tickets. Nothing to do with trains, buses or ferries.
Karl *********
Chris Blunt so why ask then thats my point? Dont make plans if your not gonna keep them🤣
Chris *******
Karl Hopkins She was asking the question to see if it were possible to get a fully refundable ticket. Then she would need to waste money on a ticket that not going to be used.
Paul *******
Karl Hopkins. Would you just give me £43 from your money for the fun of it 🤔.

No you wouldn't. So why should the OP want to just waste their money
Stace*****
Stace*****
Onward ticket
Andreas *********
Stacey8300 WARNING!!! . . .if Thai Immigration asks for the onward travel and you show them a dummy ticket, they will deny entry!
Stace*****
Andreas Mueller it's not a dummy ticket. It's an actual live flight that just gets cancelled afterwards
Andreas *********
Stacey8300 are you stoopeed? The "onwardticket" is just the "reservation of a booking"
Andreas *********
Stacey8300 BS! A "fake" onwardticket isn't even a ticket. It actually is just the "reservation of a booking". I did not call it "dummy ticket", that was Jim Skinner. A fake onwardticket is blocking the airline's ETIX system, the airlines hate it
Amanda **********
Amanda **********
OP
does it not have to be an onward flight ticket at immigration? Is train allowed?
Betty *********
Amanda Bleakley normally a flight out if you enter Visa Exempt.
Betty *********
Amanda Bleakley are you going to use the Ticket? If not, Try Air Asia late night or early morning flights to cambodia. Cheaper.and not on a weekend.
Betty *********
Amanda Bleakley havevuou tried Air Asia Bangkok Phnom Penh or Bangkok Siem Reap ?
Paul *******
Amanda Bleakley train or bus are allowed
Andreas *********
Paul Green that depends on the Airline. Not every airline will accept bus or train tickets
Mike *******
Mike *******
Many major carriers offer fully refundable tickets (usually in J class).
Rock ********
Rock ********
Train is cheap.
Sefton ********
Rock Theape air travel only.. overland doesnt qualify.
Andreas *********
Rock Theape that depends on the Airline. Not every airline will accept bus or train tickets
Rita *******
Rock Theape 🇵🇸❤️🇵🇸
David ***********
Rock Theape FREE PALESTINE!
Heiko *********
David Barbarash From Arabs
John **********
John **********
For what purpose? Try a train ticket if its for a visa
Shea *******
Shea *******
I usually book through trip.com and on some flights they have thats offering....but once you pay their fee its hardly worth it...usually.

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