Hat Yai Intl. Airport (HDY) is the sole airport near Songkhla.

Hat Yai Intl. Airport (HDY) is 40 kilometres from downtown Songkhla, so prepare yourself for a bit of a commute into the city.

Hat Yai Intl. Airport (HDY) is the main airport in Songkhla. Before you step on the plane, it’s a good idea to research a little about it. It is located 40 kilometres from the downtown area.

Songkhla is serviced by 7 airlines from at least 9 worldwide airports.

In general, travelers choose to fly with Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air when going to Songkhla. The majority of these flights come from Bangkok, with Thai AirAsia operating this route the most.

Flying to somewhere new is much simpler when there aren’t any stopovers to slow you down. If you’re off to Songkhla, the awesome news is that there are roughly 303 nonstop flights every week.

Flights to Songkhla from Bangkok, Phuket and Kuala Lumpur airports are always popular.

If it’s Bangkok you’re leaving behind, you’ll be in the air for around 1 hour and 28 minutes before you arrive in Songkhla. Terminal to terminal from Chiang Mai takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes and from Singapore, it’s 1 hour and 30 minutes.

We’ve all come across those fortunate travelers who manage to land super cheap plane tickets whenever they fly. Eager to know how to do it for your Songkhla vacation? Don’t leave it until the very last minute to lock in your flight. Don’t stop there, however. Do some research and find out if there is more than one airport at your destination. Fares often differ depending on which airport you go for. Make sure you compare fares across airlines as well. And finally, remember that the early bird catches the worm. Know what a typical airfare costs and be ready to book your ticket as soon as you spot a bargain. The best deals never last long.

If you’re poorly prepared, air travel can be challenging. But don’t hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a hassle-free start to your vacation in Songkhla.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free travel experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and important medications. Next, bring on board items that’ll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It’s also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, don’t forget to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, blades, spray paint and fireworks. Sporting equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to make yourself as comfortable as you can. Dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and bring a pullover in case it gets chilly in the cabin. Always go with roomy, flat shoes as your feet may swell during the journey. Leave the stilettos and heavy hiking boots in your checked baggage.
• Caused by sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that can affect some passengers on long-distance flights. But the great news is there are proven ways to lower your risk of developing it. Stay hydrated, walk around the cabin as often as possible and wear compression tights or socks.

The answer is — be prepared. We’ve pulled together some tips and tricks for a speedy trip through airport security. Watch out Songkhla, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid ID and matching travel documents before anything else. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, must also be separately scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you’re less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They’ll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked luggage.