London-Bangkok by plane and train for under US$1,000 feels like a bargain with airfares soaring. Did we say it took 9 days?

High demand has made airfares pricey in 2022. Can long-haul travellers save money by taking several cheap flights, and trains in between? The Post has a try

4 flights, numerous trains, 9 days and US$990 in fares later, we land in Bangkok. One decision left: fly to Hong Kong direct or with a 9-hour layover for less?

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The Post flew Indigo Airlines, India’s largest budget airline, from Dubai to Bangkok on a money-saving journey from London, destination Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 7:15am, 18 Aug 2022Updated: 4:21pm, 18 Aug 2022

It’s been a chaotic summer at airports across Europe. Staff shortages have resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights; baggage has gone missing on an industrial scale; and strikes by air traffic controllers and airline workers have caused further disruption.

And all this during the hectic school holiday season.

When I leave Hong Kong on travel assignments, I don’t usually bother buying a return ticket, as something competitively priced usually turns up. Nothing competitive is available this summer.

A scarcity of supply at a time of maximum demand has led to an eye-watering spike in fares for both short- and long-haul flights. Tickets are at least quadruple the usual price and often involve a stop or two en route.

Long queues for summer travellers at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi are a sign of the times. Photo: Getty Images

I could just pay the going rate of £1,300-2,000 (US$1,570-2,400) for a one-way flight between London and Hong Kong, but I recently read a Post article in which the author described how he pre-booked a series of separate but cheap flights, often with lengthy layovers.

The journey from Indonesia to Romania ended up taking a mind- and buttock-numbing 41 hours. Only a fool would try to emulate his feat, surely?