BKK International to Domestic Transfer
May 30, 2018, 8:23 pm
#31
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I have a question regarding an upcoming flight that would be booked from HEL via Finnair into BKK and then onto USM. All segments booked thru Finnair, but the BKK-USM segment is codeshare on Bangkok Airways.
I would be International Biz on Finnair to Domestic Biz on Bangkok Airways for the BKK-USM segment.
The travel agent has recommended booking me on a 2 hour layover in BKK, but I've heard horror stories about transfers at the BKK airport. I was planning on checking a bag since I'm traveling for a wedding (not mine).
Does anyone know if Finnair can check my bag all the way thru (since all segments would be purchased through them -- even though final segment is on partner)? Or because I'm going on to another Thai destination, is that not allowed?
Do I need to do any kind of customs/border control since I would be transferring on to the domestic terminal, most likely?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I would be International Biz on Finnair to Domestic Biz on Bangkok Airways for the BKK-USM segment.
The travel agent has recommended booking me on a 2 hour layover in BKK, but I've heard horror stories about transfers at the BKK airport. I was planning on checking a bag since I'm traveling for a wedding (not mine).
Does anyone know if Finnair can check my bag all the way thru (since all segments would be purchased through them -- even though final segment is on partner)? Or because I'm going on to another Thai destination, is that not allowed?
Do I need to do any kind of customs/border control since I would be transferring on to the domestic terminal, most likely?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
SWIW, the PG domestic Blue Ribbon Lounge does have a shower though I've never used it.
Jul 13, 2018, 7:55 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
I have a somewhat opposite question 
I arrive on a late night/early morning international flight (2AM) and depart late morning (9AM) on Thai airways to CNX.
Is there a way for me to stay in the international transit area for a while (to catch some sleep at one of the lounges) before heading out through immigration?
Or is there only one way out through immigration on international arrival?
I arrive on a late night/early morning international flight (2AM) and depart late morning (9AM) on Thai airways to CNX.Is there a way for me to stay in the international transit area for a while (to catch some sleep at one of the lounges) before heading out through immigration?
Or is there only one way out through immigration on international arrival?
Jul 14, 2018, 12:40 am
#33
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
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Posts: 5,063
I have a somewhat opposite question I arrive on a late night/early morning international flight (2AM) and depart late morning (9AM) on Thai airways to CNX.
Is there a way for me to stay in the international transit area for a while (to catch some sleep at one of the lounges) before heading out through immigration?
Or is there only one way out through immigration on international arrival?
I arrive on a late night/early morning international flight (2AM) and depart late morning (9AM) on Thai airways to CNX.Is there a way for me to stay in the international transit area for a while (to catch some sleep at one of the lounges) before heading out through immigration?
Or is there only one way out through immigration on international arrival?
Jul 14, 2018, 6:41 am
#34
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I think you are out of luck. You will not be able to enter the international departure area without an international departure BP. You will go through the transit desk and immigration to enter the domestic terminal. There is a TG domestic lounge there, which is modest, and is closed at night. (It opens at 5 am,) BTW TG offers several flights a day BKK-CNX. The first flight is usually 8 am.
Then there's the question of bags. I haven't picked up international bags at CNX in some time but there was always a very long wait when I did. In some cases, like this, it could be preferable to pick up bags in BKK and recheck once the counters open at 5.
Jul 14, 2018, 10:34 am
#35
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This would be spot on if the domestic terminal was open but as OP will be arriving at 2AM, and the area closed, they will have no choice but to head street-side unless deciding to wait until 5AM when transit desks/transfer immi open.
Then there's the question of bags. I haven't picked up international bags at CNX in some time but there was always a very long wait when I did. In some cases, like this, it could be preferable to pick up bags in BKK and recheck once the counters open at 5.
Then there's the question of bags. I haven't picked up international bags at CNX in some time but there was always a very long wait when I did. In some cases, like this, it could be preferable to pick up bags in BKK and recheck once the counters open at 5.
But I did do SYD-BKK-CNX once, and there was no excessive wait for the bags at the international side of CNX. However I agree with you, the OP might well wish to go through immigration in BKK, and pick up his luggage at BKK. He certainly has enough time.
Jul 15, 2018, 5:58 pm
#37
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You won't be alone. There will be a few hundred other people overnighting landside (there are at least that many air-side overnight on intl-intl connections), along with the usual cast of characters. You could opt for a nearby budget hotel, which would at least afford the opportunity to take a shower, change clothes, maybe grab something to eat, and maybe snooze for an hour or two. There are some eateries within the main passenger terminal building which may be open 7x24, landside on level 3, and a local style prepaid food court down on level 1. The good news is that the domestic flight the next morning is relatively stress-free re: check-in and security. No dealing with immigration, obviously, so assuming OLCI/kiosk and no checked bags, you could leave for the airport at 07:00 ~ 07:30, assuming you're staying in nearby Lat Krabang.
Jul 20, 2018, 11:13 am
#38
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
I have a Finnair flight from HEL-BKK and a TG flight from BKK-CNX (separate ticket). Will have hand lugguage only.
Question 1) Can I proceed to the domestic transfer area, rather than the usual landside immigration exit?
Question 2) My TG flight leaves around 3 hours later, but there is another which departs 1.5 hours earlier. I have a flexible ticket with TG, is it easy to change to the earlier flight at the transfer area, assuming all goes to plan?
Question 1) Can I proceed to the domestic transfer area, rather than the usual landside immigration exit?
Question 2) My TG flight leaves around 3 hours later, but there is another which departs 1.5 hours earlier. I have a flexible ticket with TG, is it easy to change to the earlier flight at the transfer area, assuming all goes to plan?
Jul 20, 2018, 4:39 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
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I have a Finnair flight from HEL-BKK and a TG flight from BKK-CNX (separate ticket). Will have hand lugguage only.
Question 1) Can I proceed to the domestic transfer area, rather than the usual landside immigration exit?
Question 2) My TG flight leaves around 3 hours later, but there is another which departs 1.5 hours earlier. I have a flexible ticket with TG, is it easy to change to the earlier flight at the transfer area, assuming all goes to plan?
Question 1) Can I proceed to the domestic transfer area, rather than the usual landside immigration exit?
Question 2) My TG flight leaves around 3 hours later, but there is another which departs 1.5 hours earlier. I have a flexible ticket with TG, is it easy to change to the earlier flight at the transfer area, assuming all goes to plan?
2) Are you sure you have a flexible ticket which allows changes? I am not sure the Thai transfer desk can do this. Also, is the earlier flight TG or WE (Thai Smile)? Thai Smile is a separate airline. Good luck.
Aug 13, 2018, 2:40 am
#40
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
Yes I have a fully flexible J ticket on TG for the BKK-CNX leg. Where would be the best place to change it if I arrive early?
Aug 13, 2018, 3:23 am
#41
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Or you can just go direct to the TG ticket office on the 4th floor by clearing regular immigration and heading upstairs.
Or, if you have a working SIM car, just call once you're off the plane.
Apr 9, 2019, 2:51 am
#42
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Just double checking for a similar situation to the poster above, except I am on Bangkok Airways. I am arriving on QR DOH-BKK, then have a flight (separate ticket) on PG from BKK-USM. I am not checking bags. Can I use the midfield transfer and not go out and re-enter?
Apr 22, 2019, 4:42 am
#43
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I'll answer my own question - yes, this was no issue with Bangkok Airways. The only issue - they do not accept printed or electronic boarding passes at the midfield transfer, so you have to go to the Bangkok Airways counter first to get a boarding pass printed on PG stock before going through immigration and security.
May 18, 2019, 8:18 pm
#44
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I'll answer my own question - yes, this was no issue with Bangkok Airways. The only issue - they do not accept printed or electronic boarding passes at the midfield transfer, so you have to go to the Bangkok Airways counter first to get a boarding pass printed on PG stock before going through immigration and security.
I'm thinking of flying into BKK on EK and then connecting to a separate PNR TG flight to HKT [HBO] and would like to use the CIQ/midfield option as it would be a tight connection but would likely have a mobile BP for TG
May 31, 2019, 6:38 pm
#45
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Similar question but in reverse.
I'm traveling CNX-DMK-SIN on one ticket. Will I clear immigration at CNX or DMK? I presume CNX but having never flown internationally out of DMK I'm unclear as to whether it's equipped to facilitate the CIQ sticker process.
I'm traveling CNX-DMK-SIN on one ticket. Will I clear immigration at CNX or DMK? I presume CNX but having never flown internationally out of DMK I'm unclear as to whether it's equipped to facilitate the CIQ sticker process.