A return flight from London to Bangkok for November 2025 travel costs around £1,150 to £1,400 on direct carriers such as Thai Airways or EVA Air, according to the fare site Air Traveler Club. That is roughly double the 2019 price. Even stopovers on Qatar Airways or Emirates start at £850.
Three things are behind it.
First, European airlines can no longer fly over Russia. A Helsinki to Bangkok flight used to take nine and a half hours and now runs closer to thirteen, which means more fuel, more crew time and higher costs passed on to passengers.
Second, there are not enough big planes. Thai Airways retired its jumbo jets during the pandemic and is still waiting for replacements, so fewer seats are on sale. Third, it is peak season, with Europeans fleeing the cold. The site expects no bargain soon. The airspace ban is not going away and new aircraft take years to arrive, though fares may ease slightly after the holiday rush.
Ways to pay less
Air Traveler Club says its monitoring turns up “Superdeals” with 40 to 80 percent off. A typical return from Europe to Bangkok costs €700 or more, and it says such deals often bring it to around €250.
Turkish Airlines sells cheaper tickets from secondary cities such as Manchester, Lyon and Hamburg, often €150 below direct fares. Its Touristanbul program gives a free hotel stay on layovers of 20 to 24 hours.
Baggage changes the sums. Finnair, Lufthansa and KLM now sell “Light” fares to Thailand with no checked bag, and adding a 23kg bag costs €100 to €140 return. Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad include 25 to 30kg. Comparing the final price with luggage matters more than the first number a search shows.
Timing counts too. Economy fares from Europe jump from €700 to €1,300 or more when booked after October 15 for December and January. The site recommends booking high-season trips between late August and mid-September, and for Songkran in April, by January.
Before you fly
Thailand introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization in 2025 for visa-exempt visitors. Travelers apply online at least 48 hours before departure, and airlines check for approval before boarding in Europe.
The Destination Thailand Visa suits longer stays of up to 180 days. It costs 10,000 THB, is valid for five years with multiple entries, and requires proof of 500,000 THB in savings.
Most standard travel insurance excludes motorbike accidents unless the rider holds a valid motorcycle license from home and an International Driving Permit. E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal in Thailand, with on-the-spot fines of 20,000 to 50,000 THB.
At Bangkok airport, official taxis on Level 1 often refuse meters and ask 500 to 800 THB flat. The Grab app usually charges 350 to 450 THB to Sukhumvit, from the ride-hailing pickup point on Level 1 near Gate 4.
Sources
- Why are Flights to Thailand so Expensive Right Now?
- Europe to Thailand: Why Flights Are So Expensive
