I realized that I made a wrong computation with regards to the airfare to Kathmandu. The flight I searched was Cathay Pacific from Manila to Kathmandu via HK and it came out at around 50k. I don’t even remember if that was a weekend or weekday flight, which can affect the rates.
This time I’m looking for separate budget flights since I’ll be staying in HK/Macau for about a week anyway. I also have to check the different months since I don’t know when there are holidays and other events in the different countries that may affect the rates.
There are probably cheaper airlines than Cebu Pacific but Cebu Pacific is probably the most stable in terms of prices (not the actual airplane! Hahaha). I’ll need to book for June to August and December to February according to Madhav. Of course, prices can go up the later I book.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices are exclusive of taxes, boarding fees, etc. For my own reference, this entry was written on March 19, 2009.
Manila to HK
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 2,099PHP = 44USD
Manila to Macau
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 2,799PHP = 58USD
Hong Kong to Kathmandu
Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air (Including Airport Taxes)
23,912.10PHP = 491.51USD June 9, 2009 and August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays)
26,108.75PHP = 536.66USD December 8, 2010, January 19, 2010 and February 2, 2010 (Tuesdays)
I spent hours looking and I can’t find anything cheaper. I also can’t find any cheaper ones. I guess budget airlines don’t go from Hong Kong to Kathmandu.
I also spent some time looking at flights from Kathmandu going out.
Kathmandu to Hong Kong.
Royal Nepal Airlines from Kathmandu
Kathmandu Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport) Taxes
SAARC Countries: NPR 791 = 10USD
Other Countries: NPR 1130 = 14USD
Domestic Destinations: NPR 170 = 2USD
Tourism Service Fee: NPR 565 = 7USD (Should be paid along with airport tax while leaving Nepal.)
SAARC Countries: India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Maldives,Bhutan, Nepal
They don’t have an automated system so I guess these will have to do:
From Kathmandu
Normal Fare
150 to Delhi
265 to Banglore (closer to Hampi but it’s still much cheaper to take a train)
For Foreign Nationals
220 to Bangkok
330 to Hong Kong
To Nepal
240 from Bangkok
595 from Hong Kong
Wow, it’s significantly cheaper to fly with Royal Nepal Airlines to HK and even cheaper to fly to/from Bangkok! If I cut out HK and Macau, maybe I can drop by Indonesia or Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu). Flights to/from Malaysia (KL) and Singapore are just 320USD.
I can’t believe I didn’t think of it but I could cut out Hong Kong and Macau all together and fly to Nepal from Bangkok. They were never really that appealing to me anyway. Not that I don’t want to see HK but, especially with budget flights, it seems like something I can do for a week or a weekend that doesn’t have to be part of this trip.
NEW BANGKOK ROUTE
Clark to Bangkok
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 3,299PHP = 69USD
Bangkok to Kathmandu
Thai Airways (Including Airport Taxes)
14,165 THB = 397USD = 19,104PHP June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 and December 1, 2010
*Royal Nepal Airlines prices above
If I decide to end my trip in Kota Kinabalu…
Kuala Lumpur LCCT (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Air Asia (Including Airport Taxes)
163.50MYR = 45USD (promo), 197.50MYR = 54USD (normal) June 9, 2009 (Tuesday)
107.50MYR = 30 USD (promo) August 18, 2009 (Tuesday), December 2, 2009 (Wednesday) and January 26, 2010
Malaysia Air (Including Airport Taxes)
161MYR = 44USD June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays) and December 2, 2009 (Wednesday)
Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur
Air Asia (Including Airport Taxes)
197.50MYR = 54USD (normal) June 9, 2009 (Tuesday)
107.50MYR = 30 USD (promo) August 18, 2009 (Tuesday), December 2, 2009 (Wednesday) and January 26, 2010
Malaysia Air
161MYR = 44USD June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays)
347MYR = 95USD December 2 (Wednesday)
Websites:
http://www.manang.com/
http://www.smarttravelasia.com/smallairlines.htm
