Travelling to Thailand-advice needed

[Throughtheroof]

I will be travelling to Thailand next year, probably for 2 weeks.
I've never booked anything like this before (I'm staying with a friend so accommodation is not an issue), but I want to break the flight and stay somewhere for a few days en route.
I don't know where to start!

Is it possible to book a flight for the first leg-break-second leg - all as the same flight? (So one price) Or would I need to book to the first destination and then from there to Thailand (I would want to break the journey on return too)?

Could I get some sort of package that would get me there with break in the flight and a few nights in a hotel? I'm guessing that would be the most expensive way of doing it?

I am such a novice I don't know what exists!

Any tips / advice greatly welcomed.

My PIL were booking flights to Bangkok this morning, cheapest airline was Qatar and they stopover in Doha. Only 5hrs, but they might allow longer.

(It was still over 3K for both of them return)

Just phone one of the flight/travel operators likeTrailfinders/Travelbag. There will be lots of options.

Where are you planning on breaking the flight?

I don't know yet @SkeletonFight I suppose that was one of my questions too!
Thanks @Aroundtheworldin80moves & @Turmerictolly a travel agent is probably a sensible option.

I wouldn't break the journey on the way for a layover, your only real options are going to be a Middle East Hub on the way there or back if you're coming from the U.K? Can't honestly recommend Qatar, or the UAE.

If what you are doing is trying to extract maximum value from the trip, then would recommend you go direct to Thailand and use it as your hub, regional "budget" airlines like Airasia are generally excellent out of Bangkok to elsewhere in Thailand and the region.

Jealous this sounds amazing!

When I've been that far I've always changed plans in Doha or elsewhere in the Middle East. The flight and the jet lag can be gruelling but don't let that put you off!

If there are a few DAYS between flights then yes, they are separate bookings.
Fish out a map of the world and see where you might like to stay en route.
It's not hard booking flights and accommodation these days, you do it all on the internet. Have a look at Expedia and booking.com, lastminute.com etc to see what's out there.
But get travel insurance sorted FIRST because not only does it cover you while you're there, it covers things like trip cancellation if something crops up if you can't go.
So job list is:
0) sort out passport!!

1. get a good idea of what you want to do
2. travel insurance
3. THEN book trip

Sort out a card like Halifax Clarity or Revolut which doesn't add extra onto the exchange rate and get currency out of ATMs when you are there. Also check out which mobile providers do free or cheap roaming for your chosen destinations (if "none", buy a local SIM card at the airport). You can download maps and Google translate dictionaries before you go.

Moneysavingexpert is your friend and also cheapholidayexpert

It does take a while but it's worth it. Enjoy your trip!

If you tell us WHY you want to break the trip, perhaps we can advise more. What are you hoping for?

Thanks for the tips!
I want to break my trip because I can't face a 12 hour flight (I have done longer flights in the past and absolutely loathed it.).
I have reservations about UAE also (because of human rights abuses) so would be open to elsewhere. The good thing about UAE is that it seems to be almost exactly half way! (Time wise).

@Fenella123 thanks the info about whether I'd need to book separate flights if staying for a couple of days is exactly what I wanted.

UAE is the only sensible place to stop off but I wouldn’t want to spend a few days there. I would spend that money on upgrading to business if you can stretch your budget. The 12 hours will be much more doable. Look out for deal / airlines you can sometimes get deals in a business flight and the ones with a few hour layover so you can use the lounge take a shower and stretch your legs will be cheaper anyway.

You can sometimes get much cheaper business class flights by having the long haul section of your trip start outside the UK.
Why do you want to have a few days' break rather than just (say) a long layover where you spend the night in an airport hotel?
Basically is it all about avoiding the unpleasantness of a long overnight flight in Economy, or are you hoping to see more of the world and have 2 trips for the price of one?

I’ve been to Thailand three times and have never flown direct, twice had a change over in UAE once in Dubai, if you just don’t want to do a 12 hour flight you can do that.

From memory it was 3-5 hours each time before the next flight.

I think maybe a little bit of both.

Thanks I will look into that possibility. Could work!

If you go to the Skyscanner app and use the multi-city option you can try many different combinations of locations with different dates

I agree with a previous poster, phone up an agent like Trailfinders. They’re excellent and will help you explore all your options.

I would suggest Oman as a stop over. Your alternative would be India but I'm not keen on it and wouldn't willingly step foot in it again. Thailand is so much nicer and cheaper than any of these places.

When going to Bangkok we travelled directly with EVA air which is the nation airline of Taiwan. It was incredibly comfortable/spacious even in Economy with very courteous staff. 11 hours from London which is manageable? I watched entire last season of Veep!

Now travelling within Thailand, I wasn't so keen on - the overnight train journeys and ferries so I'd look at sorting internal flights.

Bangkok was quite the highlight of our trip & worth a few nights.

I completely disagree, loved the overnight train and thought the internal flights were death traps 😬

If you're going to Thailand for 2 weeks then spending several days in Dubai or similar is such a waste. Try to find business or premium eco on a nice airline and the 12something hours will be fine.

We also went direct with EVA air, their premium economy price was very good at the time. Might be better than breaking your journey.

I don't know where you are starting from

You can get direct flights from UK to Bangkok or Khoh Samui
I find that it is easier if you fly at night, then everyone sleeps

If you look on Sky scanner, you can change the dates & check the prices yourself. Pre covid I've paid approx £500 for return flights

You can book flights to Dubai, Doha, then on to Bangkok

You will need travel insurance

You will need an NHS covid pass

You will need to pay a tourist visa on entry to Thailand, valid for 30 days

You do not need to pay for a visa on arrival if UK passport holder. You get 30 days visa exempt.

Thanks, yes I'm starting in the UK.

My main advice is lose 1/2 stone before you go so you can stuff your face guilt free whilst there. The food is out of this world!