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Today I want to talk about traveling long haul with hours of layover in between flights. Is it worth it? Or should you pay extra for a direct flight?

I think it is! Read on to see why.

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Z and I recently finished a 35-day trip to Thailand, and I wanted to share how we actually got there. We flew with Air China from London Gatwick, and it was a pretty smooth experience.

Even though it’s a budget-friendly airline, we had enough room for our legs, and they served us both dinner and breakfast.

The movies and games were okay, but they did the job for such a long flight. The biggest part of the trip was the 8.5-hour stop in Beijing.

At first, that sounds like a long time to wait, but it actually went by really fast. I spent a lot of time walking around the shops and writing in my travel journal, which helped the time fly.

When we finally landed in Bangkok in the evening, it took about an hour to get through the airport checks and fill out the forms about where we were staying, but we were just happy to finally be there.

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Why you’ll love this flight route

If you are looking to save some money so you can spend more while you are actually in Thailand, you will really like this flight.

It’s much cheaper than the direct flights, and you still get fed and have enough space to sit comfortably.

Z and I found that having that extra money for our 35 days of exploring was much better than spending it all on a fancy flight.

You will also like having a break in the middle of the trip. Instead of being stuck in a seat for 13 hours straight, you get to get out, walk around a new airport in China, and stretch your legs.

It makes the whole journey feel a bit more like an adventure right from the start.

Next year we are planning to have a layover in Shanghai and visit the toen for the day.

Self-guided vs. Group Travel

Z and I almost always prefer to travel on our own because we like to make our own schedule.

When you fly and travel this way, you don’t have to wait for a big group of people. You can choose when you want to eat or when you want to just sit quietly and read.

Traveling with a partner like Z is really helpful for long trips like this. We can take turns watching the bags or finding the right gate in the airport.

Some people like having a guide to meet them at the airport, but we found that using apps made it very easy to do everything ourselves for a much lower price.

How to get to your hotel from the airport

When you land in Bangkok, the best way to get to your hotel is to use the Grab app. It’s like Uber, and it’s very safe and cheap. Our ride was about 25 kilometers and only cost us 500 Baht, which is about £12.

Make sure you go down to Level 1 at the airport to find your driver. You have to cross the street to the pick-up areas labeled A, B, C, or D. Don’t bother with the expensive hotel transfers; Grab is much easier and saves you a lot of money.

If you have very little luggage (which never happens) or you are trully on a budget, you can take the train line right from inside the airport at Level B.

Head straight for the Bangkok Airport Rail Link (ARL). It is a brilliant, cheap option that connects you directly to downtown Bangkok, completely bypassing the city’s nightmare traffic.

The City Line train runs daily from 05:30 until midnight, takes only about 30 minutes, and costs between 15 and 45 THB (literally pocket change). It is super fast, reliable, and the perfect way to save your budget for the night markets instead.

Top things to do during your travel day

• Get an eSIM ready: We used the Airalo app and chose the Dtac plan for £27. It gave us 30 days of unlimited internet, which was a lifesaver for finding our way around. Do it before you leave for Thailand or use the airport free wifi to install the app and activate the eSIM.
• Explore Beijing Airport: Take a walk through the terminal shops during your layover to see some interesting Chinese snacks and gifts. We had an interesting KFC chicken dinner with chicken that was grilled, not fried.
• Organize your notes: Use the quiet time on the plane or during your stopover to write down your thoughts, just like I did with my journal.

Did you know?

• Fun Fact 1: Air China is the only airline allowed to fly the Chinese national flag on its planes.
• Fun Fact 2: Beijing Capital International Airport is so big it has its own indoor automated train to take you between different parts of the terminal.
• Extra luggage Weight: If you plan on doing a lot of shopping, it is much cheaper to buy an extra 23kg suitcase allowance on the app than to pay for it at the airport desk. You can nt buy extra KGs, you will have to buy a 2nd luggage of 23kg.
• Security Codes: Make sure you have a way to receive text messages if you need to log into your airline app or any app that sends a code to your phone number while abroad, as this can be tricky with a Thai SIM card.

Tips For Your Flight to Thailand

• Download the Air China app: You need it to book extra luggage, but do it before you leave the UK so you can still get your text message security codes.
• Stay hydrated: Flying for 11 hours can make you feel tired and dehydrated, so drink plenty of water.
• Check the rates: Don’t exchange all your money at the airport; use a card like Revolut at an ATM for better rates.

Is Air China good for long-haul flights to Thailand?

If you are wondering if Air China is a good choice, I would say yes, especially if you want to save money for your actual holiday.

Z and I found the flight to be very steady and the seats had more room than some of the other cheap airlines we’ve used before.

You get two full meals, so you won’t go hungry, and the staff are helpful even if they don’t speak perfect English.

Just remember to bring your own headphones or a tablet with movies if you are picky about what you watch, because their movie selection is a bit basic.

Do I need a visa for a layover in Beijing?

The good news is that if you are just staying in the airport for a few hours like we did, you don’t usually need a visa.

China has a special rule called “24-hour visa-free transit” for most travelers. This means as long as you have your ticket for your next flight to Thailand, you can just walk through the transit area without any extra paperwork.

It makes the 8.5-hour wait much less stressful because you don’t have to worry about complicated border rules.

How long does it take to get through Bangkok airport?

When you arrive in the evening, you should plan for it to take about an hour to get out of the airport. You have to stand in a line for passport control and fill out a form that asks for your flight number and the address of your hotel.

Z and I found that collecting our bags was very quick after that, and everything was safe and sound. Once you are through, just head straight down to the lower floors to find your taxi or train into the city.

Is the food on Air China any good?

The food is actually quite decent for airplane meals. On our flight, they gave us a dinner and a breakfast.

You usually get a choice between a Chinese-style dish like rice and chicken or a more Western-style dish like pasta.

It’s not a fancy restaurant meal, but it’s warm and filling, which is exactly what you need when you’re in the air for so many hours. If you have a special diet, just make sure to tell them online a few days before you fly.

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Final Thoughts

Our 35-day adventure got off to a great start with this flight, and I’m so glad we chose a budget-friendly way to get there. Saving money on the flight meant we could stay longer and see more of Bangkok and Pattaya.

If you’re planning your own winter trip, definitely consider a stopover flight—it’s not as scary as it sounds! Make sure you save this post so you can check these tips when you book your own tickets.

Check flight prices on the Air China Website

Learn more about Bangkok

• Suvarnabhumi airport arrival guide: My step-by-step tips for landing in Bangkok
• 
  UK to Bangkok with Air China: Surviving an 8-Hour Beijing Layover

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