Flying HKG to Laos = quite expensive; any better way to book?
Jun 20, 2010, 7:41 pm
#1
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Flying HKG to Laos = quite expensive; any better way to book?
Been looking at flights from HKG to Laos in early August, using U.S. travel engines like Expedia and Orbitz. Prices are no lower than about US$700, which seems expensive for such a relatively short trip.
Are there any Asia-specific websites that might offer better prices (in English, preferably)?
Are there any Asia-specific websites that might offer better prices (in English, preferably)?
Jun 21, 2010, 12:03 am
#2
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Been looking at flights from HKG to Laos in early August, using U.S. travel engines like Expedia and Orbitz. Prices are no lower than about US$700, which seems expensive for such a relatively short trip.
Are there any Asia-specific websites that might offer better prices (in English, preferably)?
Are there any Asia-specific websites that might offer better prices (in English, preferably)?
-jr
Jun 21, 2010, 4:18 am
#3
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The best value flight to Laos is with Air Asia from KUL. Even on a legacy carrier you should be able to get HKG-KUL for US200 or thereabouts, and lower on an LCC.
When i flew the KUL-VTE route in December 2009 the flight cost just US$25, you can read about the experience in my SE Asia TR below.
The last idea i have is only relevant if you have a Chinese visa; flying HKG - Kunming might be good value given they are both technically Chinese cities. From Kunming extensive bus services operate into Laos, you will enter from the less touristed north and be travelling in the opposite direction to the tourist hordes. On the downside, it will take you several days to reach VTE.
When i flew the KUL-VTE route in December 2009 the flight cost just US$25, you can read about the experience in my SE Asia TR below.
The last idea i have is only relevant if you have a Chinese visa; flying HKG - Kunming might be good value given they are both technically Chinese cities. From Kunming extensive bus services operate into Laos, you will enter from the less touristed north and be travelling in the opposite direction to the tourist hordes. On the downside, it will take you several days to reach VTE.
Jun 21, 2010, 4:40 am
#4
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Please continue to follow this thread in the Asia forum. Thanks for your understanding.
Jouy31
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Jouy31
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Jun 21, 2010, 8:57 am
#6
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Priceline Hong Kong sometimes offers good deals, even on full-service carriers. The booking engine is -mildly said- difficult to use, but you could also call them. Don't give up when it shows astronomical prices at first.
As already said, flying on AirAsia via KUL will probably be the cheapest.
If you hold a chinese visa, there's a direct flight from Kunming to Vientiane on China Eastern, which is usually around 1,000 Yuan and you could connect from Shenzhen (?) or Guangzhou. Book on www.ctrip.com or www.elong.net. If you have enough time and a visa, I would go for this option. (Less adventurous version of AfterDawn's recommendation
)
As already said, flying on AirAsia via KUL will probably be the cheapest.
If you hold a chinese visa, there's a direct flight from Kunming to Vientiane on China Eastern, which is usually around 1,000 Yuan and you could connect from Shenzhen (?) or Guangzhou. Book on www.ctrip.com or www.elong.net. If you have enough time and a visa, I would go for this option. (Less adventurous version of AfterDawn's recommendation
)
Last edited by Chinatrvl; Jun 21, 2010 at 9:07 am
Jun 21, 2010, 11:20 am
#8
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Tommyleo: You'll probably get your best deal on Air Asia. They might be a lot cheaper from MFM (Macao) to KUL or BKK than HKG. They don't fly from BKK to VTE (Vientiane), but they do fly to UTE (Udon Thani) really cheaply which is about 50 min. bus ride to VTE. Nok Air flies up to UTE 3 times a day too (from Dom Mueang). They're super cheap too. You might wanna look at a 'Discovery Airpass' on Bangkok Air also. They fly Lao Airlines into Luang Prabang which is much cooler than Vietiane. LINK: http://www.bangkokair.com/discovery-airpass/index.php. They have a 2fer if you use a Visa too. Oh. yeah, Thai Airlines has a similar pass and some good fares (during their 50th Ann.) right now too. Are you thoroughly confused yet ? wj
Last edited by whackyjacky; Jun 21, 2010 at 11:37 am
Jun 22, 2010, 10:11 am
#9
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It may also depend somewhat on your destination in Laos. Are you going to LPQ or VTE? Obviously several more airlines service VTE. If you go to the airport's website or check out the Wikipedia entry and it will show you the airlines that operate there and destinations served. Then I would just search each carrier's own website. You will often find special fares there.
Jun 24, 2010, 1:17 pm
#10
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Expedia & Orbitz Generally do not work for intra-Asia Fares
That is a basic truth. Most of the time, the fares that you find on these sites are considerably higher than those available on both the legacy airlines and low cost carrier websites.
Real world example from last week. One way JOG-PEN on Expedia with Garuda in excess of $600USD. Can be booked in USD from the U.S. and one gets immediate confirmation. Same city pair on Lion Air booked in Jakarta by hotel conceirge less than $200. Downside: Lion Air and all Indonesian LCCs except Air Asia cannot be booked on-line with a North American credit card. Must be booked in country. This is strictly limited to Indonesia and Laos. Required payment in cash or credit card with 3% surcharge. Cash required three ATM withdrawals since ATM limit was 1mm rupiah. Ticket came to 1.98mm IDR so 3 withdrawals. Seat pitch on both airlines are comparable. Garuda buses one to the plane, Lion Air you walk.
Rarely have I found the fares on Expedia to be lower than what I can book direct. YMMV.
The recommendation that you fly out of MFM is a good one, but often HKG-BKK or SIN on legacies are as cheap as taking the hydrofoil to Macau and using Air Asia. Try JetStar Asia or Tiger Air. Buy a separate ticket from KUL, SIN or BKK on a LCC. Note: Bangkok Air is not a LCC.
Real world example from last week. One way JOG-PEN on Expedia with Garuda in excess of $600USD. Can be booked in USD from the U.S. and one gets immediate confirmation. Same city pair on Lion Air booked in Jakarta by hotel conceirge less than $200. Downside: Lion Air and all Indonesian LCCs except Air Asia cannot be booked on-line with a North American credit card. Must be booked in country. This is strictly limited to Indonesia and Laos. Required payment in cash or credit card with 3% surcharge. Cash required three ATM withdrawals since ATM limit was 1mm rupiah. Ticket came to 1.98mm IDR so 3 withdrawals. Seat pitch on both airlines are comparable. Garuda buses one to the plane, Lion Air you walk.
Rarely have I found the fares on Expedia to be lower than what I can book direct. YMMV.
The recommendation that you fly out of MFM is a good one, but often HKG-BKK or SIN on legacies are as cheap as taking the hydrofoil to Macau and using Air Asia. Try JetStar Asia or Tiger Air. Buy a separate ticket from KUL, SIN or BKK on a LCC. Note: Bangkok Air is not a LCC.