Is it cheaper to book a round-trip or two one-way tickets?

For Thailand, a round-trip ticket is almost always cheaper. Multi-city tickets are rarely cost-effective unless you are using specific airline alliances.

Which airlines offer the best value?

EVA Air, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines offer the best balance of price and comfort. Budget carriers like Scoot can be cheaper but charge for every bag and meal.

How to find cheap flights to Thailand

To get the best price, book your flight 3 to 4 months in advance and fly into Bangkok (BKK) rather than regional airports like Phuket or Chiang Mai. Use Google Flights to track prices and avoid traveling during the peak season from December to February.

Use Google Flights 'Track Prices' feature. Search for your route (e.g., LAX to BKK). Toggle the 'Track prices' switch. You will receive an email whenever the price drops significantly, allowing you to strike when fares are at their lowest.
Fly into Bangkok (BKK) first. International long-haul flights to BKK are significantly cheaper than flying directly into Phuket (HKT) or Chiang Mai (CNX). Book a separate, cheap domestic flight on a budget carrier like AirAsia once you land in Bangkok.
Choose the right travel window. Avoid the December and January holiday rush. Aim for May, June, or September. These months are technically the low season due to the rainy season, but flights are often 30-40% cheaper.
Be flexible with your departure hub. If you live near multiple airports, check flights from all of them. Sometimes flying out of a major international hub like SFO or SEA instead of your local airport, even after factoring in a domestic connection, saves you $200+.

Is it cheaper to book a round-trip or two one-way tickets?: For Thailand, a round-trip ticket is almost always cheaper. Multi-city tickets are rarely cost-effective unless you are using specific airline alliances.
Which airlines offer the best value?: EVA Air, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines offer the best balance of price and comfort. Budget carriers like Scoot can be cheaper but charge for every bag and meal.