How to get to Thailand in 2026: visas, direct flights and airport transfers
New entry rules from September 15, 2026 for Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, direct flights and prices, how to get from the Bangkok and Phuket airports and what it costs.
Most international flights to Thailand arrive in Bangkok, at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports; the latter more often handles low-cost carriers. There are also direct flights to Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), Krabi (KBV) and Samui (USM), but the choice of flights there is smaller and depends on the season. This guide covers the new entry rules, direct flights from Moscow, Almaty and Tashkent, and how to get from the airport without overpaying.
Entry rules from September 15, 2026
From September 15, 2026, Thailand abolished the 60-day visa-free regime that had been in effect since 2024. For tourists from our region this means the following:
| Citizenship | Visa needed | Length of stay | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | no | 30 days | up to 30 more days at a Thai immigration office, about 1,900 baht |
| Kazakhstan | no | 30 days, no more than 90 days in any 180 days | check with the immigration office |
| Uzbekistan | yes, in advance | on a TR tourist visa, up to 60 days | per the visa rules |
Citizens of Uzbekistan apply for a visa in advance through the Thai e-Visa system. A single-entry TR tourist visa costs 40 dollars, and a multiple-entry METV costs 200 dollars and is valid for six months. According to Kun.uz, the consular fee is paid at the Thai embassy in Moscow, and the visa requires a passport valid for at least six months, a photo, round-trip tickets, an accommodation booking, a certificate of residence in Uzbekistan and a bank statement.
All foreigners must fill out the TDAC electronic arrival card before entry. It is free: fill it out on the official website tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arrival. Sites that charge for this are intermediaries or scammers. Thailand plans to move the card to a mobile app, so check the current method before departure.
At the border you may be asked for an exit ticket, an address of stay and proof of funds, which is 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 per family. Keep your hotel booking and return ticket on your phone.
Direct flights and prices
Below are direct flights according to Aviasales as of October 2026. Prices are the lowest one-way fares found; they change every day and depend on dates and baggage.
| From | To | Airlines | Flight time | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moscow | Bangkok | Aeroflot, daily | about 9 h | about 36,000 ₽ |
| Almaty | Bangkok | Air Astana (5 times a week), Thai AirAsia X (3 times a week) | 6 h 45 min – 7 h 10 min | about 23,400 ₽ |
| Tashkent | Bangkok | Uzbekistan Airways (Mon, Wed, Thu), Centrum Air (Mon) | 6 h 10 min – 6 h 45 min | about 16,300 ₽ |
Connecting flights from Moscow to Bangkok can be cheaper than direct ones: according to Aviasales, the minimum price on the route is about 26,000 ₽ and the average about 30,000 ₽. To Phuket from Moscow, tickets start at roughly 27,000 ₽. The most expensive months are the high season from November to March and the New Year holidays; it is usually cheapest in spring and early summer.
Direct flight or connection
A direct flight is faster and more reliable, but not always cheaper. A flight with a connection (via Dubai, Istanbul, Doha, Tashkent or Chinese cities) can cost noticeably less, but adds hours of travel and the risk of missing the connection. If the two flights are bought on separate tickets, then when the first flight is late the second airline owes you nothing. So buy a single ticket or allow at least 3–4 hours for the connection.
When connecting in a third country, check whether you need a transit visa, especially if the layover is long or you have to change terminals.
How to compare ticket prices
- Compare the final price with the baggage you need: few people fly to Thailand without a suitcase, and the “basic” fare often does not include it.
- Look at the arrival time: a night flight may add a night in a hotel or an expensive taxi.
- Check dates a day or two earlier and later: the low-fare calendar shows the difference right away.
- Consider the airport: low-cost carriers often fly to Don Mueang rather than Suvarnabhumi.
- For tours of several islands, compare an “open-jaw” ticket: arrive in Bangkok, depart from Phuket.
How to get from the airport
| Route | How to travel | Price, baht | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi to central Bangkok | Airport Rail Link train to Phaya Thai station | 45 | about 26 min |
| Suvarnabhumi to Sukhumvit | metered taxi, including the 50-baht fee and tolls | 300–400 | 40–70 min |
| Suvarnabhumi to Sukhumvit | Grab | 400–550 | 40–70 min |
| Don Mueang to Mo Chit (BTS/MRT) | bus A1 | 30 | 30–50 min |
| Don Mueang to Sukhumvit | metered taxi | 300–400 | 30–60 min |
| Phuket (airport) to Patong | Phuket Smart Bus | 100 | 90–120 min |
| Phuket (airport) to Patong | official taxi, including the 100-baht fee | 700–800 | about 50 min |
| Phuket (airport) to Kata, Karon | official taxi | 900–1,000 | about 1 h |
In Bangkok a metered taxi is usually cheaper than Grab, but late in the evening and in traffic the difference shrinks. The airport fee and tolls are paid in cash, so exchange a little money at the airport. If you arrive at night, with children or in a large group, it is more convenient to book a fixed-price transfer in advance: the driver will meet you with a sign, and the price does not depend on traffic.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight to Thailand?
A direct flight from Moscow to Bangkok takes about 9 hours, from Almaty about 7 hours, from Tashkent 6–7 hours. With a connection the journey takes 12 hours or more.
Do citizens of Uzbekistan need a visa for Thailand?
Yes, from September 15, 2026, visa-free entry and the visa on arrival no longer apply to citizens of Uzbekistan. You need to get a visa in advance through the Thai e-Visa system.
Can I extend the 30 days without a visa?
Russians can extend their stay by up to 30 more days at a Thai immigration office by applying before the permitted period ends. The fee is about 1,900 baht. For other citizenships, check the procedure with the immigration service.
Do I need a return ticket?
Immigration has the right to ask for an exit ticket, and the airline may check it at boarding. It is best to have a return ticket or a ticket to a third country within the permitted period.
What is TDAC and how much does it cost?
TDAC is Thailand's electronic arrival card, mandatory for all foreigners. It is free and filled out online at tdac.immigration.go.th no earlier than 72 hours before arrival.
Entry rules change, so check them on official websites before your trip: the Thai embassy and the immigration service. Below are partner cards (advertising): flight search and airport transfer.