FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - BKK to HKT: How long to clear immigration & get to the domestic terminal?
Old Oct 15, 2024 | 9:53 am
  #7  
troubleonline
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Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by moretimeoffguy
Trying to decide on a connecting flight after arriving in BKK from HKG, with the onward destination being Phuket. Is 2 hrs 15 min sufficient assuming my flight lands on time? The next option is 3 hrs from landing in BKK. No earlier option.
We did in 2023 albeit with 3.5 hrs transit time (all on one AF ticket and bags checked to right through to HKT on PG) and it was way more than ample time even though the flight connections desk and immigration is indeed a fair walk. In fact it was so much easier than arriving in BKK and not connecting onwards as were the only people going through immigration when we did so it took only 5 mins. The signs you are looking for actually says "Connecting flights to Chaingmai, Chaingrai, Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Hat Yai, Trat.." We felt that we were hanging around for ages and there is not much to do in the Domestic terminal. Previously we pre-booked the PG Blue Ribbon lounge which is nice to relax in but we were unable to purchase it or prebook PG seats in advance on the PG site using our booking reference and they refused to let us purchase walk-in access (change in policy apparently). We used the Coral Lounge which was fine but had no toilets or showers.

NB likely won't impact you if carry on only but if you arrive at HKT with luggage checked though from an international flight you have to collect your bags from the international terminal and exit from there. You get a sticker at the transfer desk at BKK to wear showing that you have transferred from an international flight and there is a person leading a group of everyone through HKT to the international arrivals hall. Relevant if you have a pick up organised from the domestic terminal as we did but we were able to get a message through whilst in the BKK lounge.

Next year we are doing on KLM with 2h35m connection time. I am relatively relaxed given our experience last year but if we land late at BKK and get put on next PG flight it would potentially trigger EU261 delay compensation.
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