BKK or KUL for separate tickets?

[JackMiles]

Hi helpful experts!
I'm looking at booking a sort-of-nested itinerary type thing with the upshot being I'd be flying SQ into BKK or KUL and then EK out (and then something similar but in reverse on the way back). Totally separate tickets. Probably in J on both sides (if that factors in at all). Let's assume I have checked baggage. AUS passport. Any thoughts on which airport would be easier, KUL or BKK? Or which would be more pleasant? I've been to both, but not for some years and never to transit in this fashion.

 

[AIRwin]

Heard EK has a new lounge in BKK

 

[Archipelago]

Heard EK has a new lounge in BKK

It does!

Emirates shifted their airside presense from the main concourse (Lounge at G, Gates at E4, E8) to the new-ish SAT-1 concourse, a subterranean APM ride away - on 2nd January 2025

Lounge space is considerably larger, but still a single use Biz/First affair.

First review was posted 14th Jan - long before Emirates announced anything. There was some confusion for a few weeks.

 

[Archipelago]

Hi helpful experts!
I'm looking at booking a sort-of-nested itinerary type thing with the upshot being I'd be flying SQ into BKK or KUL and then EK out (and then something similar but in reverse on the way back). Totally separate tickets. Probably in J on both sides (if that factors in at all). Let's assume I have checked baggage. AUS passport. Any thoughts on which airport would be easier, KUL or BKK? Or which would be more pleasant? I've been to both, but not for some years and never to transit in this fashion.

For the transit points, both work fine for nesting some kind of separate booking-type-thing (as you well put it). From your post, it seems you're assuming you will need to clear into KUL or BKK landside, then check-in again for the onward flight? (and vv?)

Con for KUL - assuming arrival to the satellite concourse of KLIA1 - if a landside transfer is needed, the APM/Aerotrain between satellite and main terminal has been kaput for a while now (nearly 2 years) and the new system is not expected to be in play this quarter. So add additional time to find and use the shuttle buses.

Pro for KUL - If an airside transit isn't possible and you need to clear immigration, collect baggage and check-in again etc - 63 countries can now use the e-gates, and pre-enrolment is done via the required MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card) which is filled out within 3 days of arrival

If staying airside and within satellite concourse at KLIA - then all easy.

Con for BKK - can be very long walking distances between the furthest gates and immigration or other gates. (can be a Pro if you're looking to get your steps in).

If an airside transit is possible for SQ --> EK then its going to be a trek from the arriving SQ gate, to the Transfer counters (West or East) then over to SAT-1

Pro for BKK

As per above post, Emirates now operates from the SAT-1 concourse at BKK, which is a separate terminal from the main building. If doing a landside transfer and having to check in again - then its not far from coming through security/passport control to head to the "S" gates access, down an escalator in the middle of D concourse.

I can't comment on SQ are able to interline baggage onto EK from Oz as origin departure port - but I fly regularly on a very obscure regional carrier (MAI out of Yangon) and am able to check through baggage seamlessly with a separate PNR on to Emirates in both BKK and KUL.

 

[JackMiles]

Heard EK has a new lounge in BKK

Thanks! Something to throw in the equation.

 

[JackMiles]

For the transit points, both work fine for nesting some kind of separate booking-type-thing (as you well put it). From your post, it seems you're assuming you will need to clear into KUL or BKK landside, then check-in again for the onward flight? (and vv?)

Wow, thanks a million, Archipelago, for your comprehensive reply. Very useful info.

Post automatically merged: Monday at 11:11 PM

Wow, thanks a million, Archipelago, for your comprehensive reply. Very useful info.

Yes, I was assuming with checked bags I would have to go landside, collect bags and check in again. Have not looked into interline possibilities yet.

 

[frodo]

Aircraft choice would play a major part in my decision. Seems like a lot easier to get the a380 from BKK than from KUL.

 

[I love to travel]

Immigration lines at BKK can be very long. Would never have short layover time.

 

[JackMiles]

Aircraft choice would play a major part in my decision. Seems like a lot easier to get the a380 from BKK than from KUL.

Immigration lines at BKK can be very long. Would never have short layover time.

Thanks frodo and ILTT, good points. A few more things to throw on the scales....

 

[Archipelago]

Immigration lines at BKK can be very long. Would never have short layover time.

Flying J (OP) gives access to the dedicated Fast Track lanes at the western end of the terminal, and there is rarely any queue.
Even the normal security and immigration areas have seen a lot of improvement over the past year - along with e-gates being rolled out this year.

I haven't spent more than 10 minutes getting through departure immigration in the past year, and no more than 15 minutes arrival immigration. I've spent more time waiting for bags!

 

[JackMiles]

Flying J (OP) gives access to the dedicated Fast Track lanes at the western end of the terminal, and there is rarely any queue.
Even the normal security and immigration areas have seen a lot of improvement over the past year - along with e-gates being rolled out this year.

I haven't spent more than 10 minutes getting through departure immigration in the past year, and no more than 15 minutes arrival immigration. I've spent more time waiting for bags!

Thanks again, Archipelago, for your insights. That is reassuring.
Even so, and though I said I was assuming checked baggage, it's apparent that going HLO would make this slightly crazy plan a lot smoother and easier.