Kolkata is the closest metro city in India to Thailand, making travel from this part of the country convenient. There are plenty of direct flights to Bangkok, with costs starting from 8000 INR and onwards. Kolkata to Thailand distance is roughly 3,381 km and it takes a 2-hour 30-minute flight when landing in Bangkok.
Kolkata to Thailand by flight
Depending on which part of Thailand you want to travel to first, you have to book your flight. For example, we wanted to go to Krabi first, so we booked a connecting flight via Bangkok. From Krabi, we went to Phi Phi Islands by ferry. We also took another ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket. When traveling to Bangkok at last, we took a flight from Phuket.
When planning your Thailand trip, you have to consider the places you want to travel. But most places to visit other than Bangkok are likely to have connecting flights via Bangkok. For example, if you want to go to Phuket first, you will have to book a connecting flight via Bangkok, the same we did for Krabi. Similarly, if you want to go to Chiang Mai, you will have to book a connecting flight in the same way.
The reason why you should keep Bangkok at the end is the ease of returning to India. While returning to India, my flight was from Don Mueang Airport to Jaipur International Airport. Unlike Kolkata, the direct flight was 4-hour 30-minute long due to the comparatively longer distance.
When you have multiple places to visit in Thailand, and you keep Bangkok as the last place to explore, you make the return convenient. When traveling to an unknown place for the first time, using such tricks to your advantage makes the process simple.
Kolkata to Krabi via Bangkok by flight
My sister and I went to Krabi via Bangkok from Kolkata in September 2023. We booked a Spice Jet flight past midnight and reached Suvarnabhumi airport in the morning. Kolkata and Bangkok share multiple flights throughout the day and across airlines. Indigo, Spice Jet, Thai AirAsia, and Thai Airways are the standard airlines that are available on this route.
While booking, we booked directly for Krabi, as we were first traveling to Krabi and were not staying in Bangkok. So, while making our booking, we looked for flights from Kolkata to Krabi instead.
There are no direct flights between Kolkata and Krabi. So, you have to first land in Bangkok and then take a connecting flight to Krabi. The layover between flights depends on the option you choose. It is always better to book flights with significant time in between to not face hassle during delays.
The Suvarnabhumi airport is vast, and walking from one corner to another takes a lot of time. We booked a flight that had around 3-4 hours in layover and spent time at Bangkok airport.
Here is the detailed version of what we did to help you plan the same for yourself:
Getting to Kolkata airport
We took an Uber and came to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The gate for domestic flights is different from that for international flights. So, we first went to international departures and got our luggage checked in.
Using credit cards at the travel lounge
There are travel lounges for both international and domestic departures at Kolkata airport. If your credit cards allow you freebies, then you can have a meal for free. If not, you can also pay for lounge access, which comes with a buffet meal.
We got a full-course dinner buffet with two glasses of wine each. Depending on what time you travel, the lounge will serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner meals.
Flying with Spice Jet
When it comes to airlines, we prefer Indigo over Spice Jet. But for this one, we trusted Spice Jet, and it didn’t disappoint. The seats were comfortable, and the lit night sky of Bangkok made the landing special.
Immigration
Once you reach an international airport, the first step to go through is immigration.
Back when we were traveling, visa to Thailand wasn’t free, so we had to get that done. Our visa forms were downloaded online and submitted to VFS Global Services at Rene Towers, Rajdanga. After approval, we were allowed to enter the country, and our visas cost 5,000 INR each.
Visas for Indians have been free to boost tourism in Thailand since the end of 2023, and it continues now. So, if you’re planning a trip for less than 60 days, there are no additional costs incurred other than flight charges.
Exploring Suvarnabhumi Airport
We had a lot to walk, and thanks to the moving ramps, the process became more manageable. There were more than 20 conveyor belts lined up, and it was surprising to see such a big airport for the first time. We took our luggage and went to the DTAC counter to get our SIM cards.
We had pre-booked SIM cards from Klook that were valid for seven days. We needed it right about till that time, and I lost my network before entering Don Mueang Airport and returning to Jaipur.
You don’t need to pre-book SIM cards when traveling to Thailand. You can buy it at the counter right away and make specifications according to the time you need it. However, you would need Baht (currency), and we didn’t have any of it yet.
The standard practice when traveling abroad is to convert your currency to dollars. Dollars are universally accepted, and I am specifying for places like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia (places I’ve been to).
Converting dollars at any of the airports is not recommended, as you don’t always get the correct value for it. Airport charges more, so it is best to bring dollars and convert it once you reach your travel destination. We converted our first set of dollars at Ao Nang after reaching out hotel in Krabi.
Introduction to 7-Eleven
When coming from Kolkata to Thailand, one thing you can’t miss out on is 7-Eleven. While Reliance has acquired the rights to franchise in India, it has only begun operations in Pune and Mumbai.
7-Eleven is a department store from the US that is available all over Thailand. You get ready-to-eat food along with essential products like a regular grocery store. It is a perfect resort to munch on a low budget because you get everything from sushi to sandwiches instantaneously.
There were many more places to eat across the airport because Suvarnabhumi is no less than a mall. But we found kiosks with meat preparations that filled our stomachs before moving to Krabi.
Flight to Krabi
By the time we had our flight to Krabi, it was dawn. We flew with Thai Airways for the first time, and it was a comfortable trip. I had one of the tastiest chicken sandwiches that was served complimentary, accompanied by a facial wipe. It took 1 hour and 25 minutes to reach Krabi from Bangkok, and we were all set for the adventure of the day.
Conclusion
Kolkata to Thailand flights are the quickest and cheapest to purchase. If your city does not have flights to Bangkok, you can come to Kolkata first. For instance, if you’re traveling from Siliguri or Patna, you will have to buy connecting flights that travel via Kolkata. In some cases, it is cheaper to travel to Kolkata and then take a flight.
Delhi to Bangkok flights are around 4 hours long, while Mumbai doesn’t usually have direct flights. Since the distance between West Bengal and Thailand is much shorter, Kolkata is a convenient destination to fly to Bangkok.
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