Pick a city
Bangkok
Temples, river boats, markets and the gateway to the islands.
Phuket
Andaman Sea beaches, island boat trips and Phuket Old Town.
Krabi
Limestone karsts, Railay and boat trips to the Phi Phi islands.
Pattaya
A beach resort about two hours by road from Bangkok’s main airport.
Chiang Mai
The walled old city, temples, night markets and the northern hills.
Journey times are approximate and include any change of plane; check airline schedules.
Flights from Kolkata
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) sits about 17 km north-east of central Kolkata. Bangkok is the nonstop option, roughly two and a half hours in the air, landing at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang. Both airports handle onward domestic and regional flights. Schedules, carriers and terminals change, so confirm with the airline and check the Airports Authority of India.
Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai usually need one change of flight, most often in Bangkok, giving roughly four to six hours in total. Pattaya has no airport of its own on these routes: fly to Bangkok and take the road transfer, about two hours. Nonstop services come and go with the season, so build a buffer before any onward connection.
Choosing where to go
Bangkok suits a first trip. The old city holds the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, with river boats linking the piers. Markets, museums and shopping fill a rainy afternoon. From Bangkok, short flights reach the Andaman coast and the north, and the road to Pattaya is straightforward. Two or three nights in the capital works before or after a beach stay.
Phuket and Krabi are the Andaman beach bases, each with its own airport and a busy cool season. Chiang Mai sits in the northern hills, cooler and slower, with temples inside a moated old town. Pattaya, on the Gulf, works as a short break rather than a long stay. Pick one coast base and one city rather than moving every night.
- Bangkok: Nonstop from Kolkata in about two and a half hours; temples, river boats and onward flights.
- Pattaya: Fly to Bangkok, then about two hours by road; a Gulf coast resort town for a short break.
- Phuket: Andaman island with its own airport, usually one change from Kolkata, four to six hours.
- Krabi: Limestone coast and islands, one change from Kolkata, then a short transfer to the beaches.
- Chiang Mai: Northern hill city with a walled old town, one change from Kolkata, four to six hours.
When to go
The cool, dry months from November to February are the easiest across most of Thailand. March to May turns hot before the rains. The south-west monsoon runs roughly June to September, when the Andaman coast, Phuket and Krabi included, takes the heaviest rain. The Gulf coast around Pattaya follows a different pattern. Check the Thai Meteorological Department for current conditions.
Festival dates move with the lunar calendar. Songkran, the Thai new year, falls in mid-April and closes offices and some shops for several days. Loy Krathong arrives in November. Both fill trains, flights and rooms, so reserve early and confirm the current year's dates with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Weekday travel is calmer than weekends and public holidays.
Practical tips
Carry a passport with at least six months of validity remaining. Entry arrangements for Indian passport holders are reviewed from time to time, so confirm the current position with the Royal Thai Embassy before booking. Keep printed copies of the booking and the insurance policy. Arrange travel insurance in Kolkata, since some policies must be bought before departure rather than after arrival.
Thai baht is the currency. Cards and QR payment work in malls, hotels and larger restaurants; markets, songthaews and street stalls want cash. Change money at banks rather than back-street counters. Thailand runs one hour and thirty minutes ahead of India, so no jet lag adjustment is needed. Book flights and rooms early around Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas.
- Documents: Passport validity and entry rules change; confirm both with the Royal Thai Embassy before booking.
- Money: Thai baht; cards in cities, cash for markets, local transport and small eateries.
- Time difference: Thailand runs one hour and thirty minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time, so routines adjust quickly.
- Peak booking: Flights and rooms fill around Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas; reserve well ahead.
Entry rules for Indian passport holders change; check the Royal Thai Embassy before booking.
FAQ
How long is the flight from Kolkata to Thailand?
Bangkok is the nonstop run from Kolkata, roughly two and a half hours. Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai usually take four to six hours with one change, often in Bangkok. Pattaya means flying to Bangkok and adding about two hours by road. Confirm schedules with the airline and the Airports Authority of India.
Do Indian travellers need a visa for Thailand from Kolkata?
Entry rules for Indian passport holders change periodically, so check the Royal Thai Embassy before booking anything. Apply through official channels only and allow time for processing. Carry a passport with enough validity left, plus copies of the approval, the return ticket and the insurance policy. Airlines may ask for these at check-in in Kolkata.
Which Thai city is easiest to reach from Kolkata?
Bangkok, without question. It has the nonstop service and the widest choice of onward flights, plus a metro and an airport rail link at the city end. Pattaya follows, using the same flight and a road transfer. Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai all need at least one change.
Can you fly from Kolkata to Phuket without changing planes?
Occasionally, but such services appear and disappear with the season, so nothing should be assumed. Most journeys involve one change, usually in Bangkok, giving roughly four to six hours in total. Compare routings on airline websites and leave a comfortable gap if a separate booking follows.
When should you travel to Thailand from Kolkata?
November to February is the cool, dry stretch and the easiest choice for a first trip. The Andaman coast, including Phuket and Krabi, is wettest from roughly June to September. Pattaya and the Gulf coast follow a different pattern. Check the Thai Meteorological Department before fixing dates.
How long a Thailand trip makes sense from Kolkata?
Short breaks suit Bangkok and Pattaya, which need the least travel. Longer trips can pair Bangkok with a beach or with Chiang Mai, but each change of base costs half a day. Fewer bases and longer stays work better than a rushed circuit, especially on a first visit.
What should you pack for Thailand from Kolkata?
Light cotton clothes for most of the year, a layer for air-conditioned coaches, and a rain shell if travelling in the monsoon. Temples require shoulders and knees covered, so carry a scarf or a longer shirt. Chiang Mai in December and January can be cool in the mornings. Comfortable shoes matter on temple steps.
Is Thailand expensive compared with Kolkata?
Costs depend on the city and the season. Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai in the cool months are the dearest, while street food, local buses and market shopping stay modest. Beach resorts and island transfers add up. Carry a mix of cards and cash, and check current rates with your bank rather than assuming.
Do flights from Kolkata to Thailand fill up around Durga Puja?
Yes. Durga Puja, Diwali and the Christmas to New Year stretch are when Kolkata holidays meet Thailand's busy season, so seats and rooms tighten and fares rise. Book well ahead, keep dates flexible, and check airline and airport websites for schedule changes. Weekday departures are usually calmer than weekends.
← All destinations from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official immigration authorities. Editorial review: 3 November 2026. Times and entry rules change; check before you travel.