The hubby and I want to go to a couple spots in Thailand, Siem Riep in Cambodia and Saigon, Vietnam. Our closest airport is PDX. I have tried several combinations, checking flights from San Francisco and from Seattle. I'm not interested in 25-35 hour long flights:) So, from what I've researched, the quickest flight is the direct flight to Toyko (under 11 years) from PDX and from there, recuperate from jet lag and leisurely make our way toward our destinations. I'm thinking take the train ride to Osaka and avail ourselves of that lowcost Peach airline to Hong Kong, then to Saigon ... . We have about 6 weeks.
Anyone else who lives here on the West coast have a better suggestion?:) Is there some miracle connection I'm overlooking? Thanks in advance for any input!
Posted by
Portland
3592 posts
I don't know if this will be of any help, but we are going on a tour to Vietnam in January. The price includes airfare, so I'm not sure of the details. I do know, however, that we're flying on Korean Air, from SFO, with a change in Seoul. I'm pretty sure it's not going to be 25 hours. Fingers crossed!
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
881 posts
When I flew to Vietnam/Cambodia some years ago flew Korean Air from Vancouver to Seoul and Seoul to Saigon, coming home Siem Reap to Seoul and back into Vancouver. Long stopover (12 hours) in Seoul but Korean supplied hotel accommodation and meals at a nearby hotel (Hyatt, I think).
As I recall it was about 10 hours from Vancouver to Seoul and another 5 hours to Saigon. Excellent flights, plenty of legroom even in the back of the plane and least amount of jet lag ever. This was 5 years ago.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, Washington, United States
59 posts
Thank you for your input, ladies! I'm a couple hours' flight from the other Vancouver and had indeed checked some Air Canada flights. Likewise, less than 2 hours flight from San Francisco. But for time, money, convenience and kindness to my body, I think the 10-11 hour nonstop to Tokyo is still my favorite.
I found a great map that shows the non-stop flights available from the West Coast. I hope it's ok if I share the link:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1XfPMqJxC_9a0I2Qvfa26zzStBGU&hl=en_US&ll=25.46935239623058%2C171.21646888750007&z=3
Of course, no flights directly to the Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam.
Most flights I've checked average 20 hours with layovers. If my layover was in a city I really wanted to see -- can't stand that!ha! To be so close and yet not have time to leave the airport and explore.
Posted by
Edmonton Canada
327 posts
From your description, this trip sounds like you could use the expertise of an experienced travel agent to assist in booking some of your flights. TAs can often see flight options and fares in their systems that you might be overlooking, especially if you have some flexibility over 6 weeks. What is your priority - cost or convenience? Depending on when you are going, you might find flights from Portland to Hong Kong cheaper than flights to Tokyo (and only slightly longer). For example, from where I live, a flight to Tokyo (with a connection in Vancouver BC) is 3 hours shorter than a flight to Hong Kong, but costs $200 more.
If you want to see some of Japan, the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Osaka doesn't allow for much in the way of sightseeing - it travels too fast. Japan is a fabulous country and there is certainly lots to see - but not from the window of a train.
When travelling inter-Asia, the devil is in the details. Be aware of baggage regulations, and often the airplane seats and pitch are designed for "small Asian sized" passengers which some North Americans find uncomfortable. There are many low-cost carriers in Asia to choose from. Also, there is a oneworld Asia Air Pass you might want to consider.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, Washington, United States
59 posts
Mardan, thank you for telling me about that Visit Asia Air Pass! I hadn't heard of that. Good point about not seeing anything on the bullet train. I was indeed picturing a typical train ride:)
Posted by
Houston
3517 posts
You could try Hawaiian Airlines.
They have flights to many airports in Japan, China, and South Korea as well as Australia and other points in Asia.
From SEA, to Seoul, South Korea for example is only 16 hours of flight time. Depending on when you can get to Honolulu, you might make a same day connection, otherwise you will have an overnight layover.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Delta to Tokyo, Japan is your best bet from Portland directly to Asia.
Korean Air from Seattle though will give you a choice of many onward connections at Seoul, including to Phuket in Thailand.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, Washington, United States
59 posts
Well ... decided I didn't care to have my first visit to Japan in the winter, so have decided to suffer through a 17 hour flight to Hong Kong with just a short 1 hour layover in Tokyo. We'll stay there 3 or 4 days to let our bodies recuperate and then make the easy flight to Saigon.
Thanks again for all the suggestions!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4037 posts
The most comprehensive source for US-based flights is the matrix at itasoftware.com, run by Google. It will chart the possible routes to your destination more thoroughly than you can do the combinations yourself. Intra-Asia flights are a different story since some of the no-frills airlines connecting one city to another may not be included, even though the big airlines are. I know of no one search site that covers all of air travel.