looking for flights to New Zealand around next Easter

richardw

Sorry, forgot that the total cost difference can be significant.

Does this page help http://www.britishairways.com/travel/fx/public/en_gb?eId=111024

I've been to Hong Kong, worth a stop over.

Trailfinders do hotels http://hotels.trailfinders.com/tailormadehotels.nsf/hotels?readform&continent=asia&country=Hong%20Kong

VixxAnn

Richard - thanks for all the advice and help you are offering

I tried the BA page you linked to and entered the multi stops but on the route home Auckland to Hong Kong it kept showing flights via LA and Heathrow and then Hong Kong! Couldn't get it to bring up a direct flight Auckland to HK although it was showing one when I get the complete return package from them - just no chance to get a stopover there. I sent an email enquiry to BA and I'm going to try ringing them later this morning.

VixxAnn

ok - didn't get anywhere with getting stopovers inserted into those BA/Quantas prices - and thought of four flights to get us there (and another four back) began to worry me a bit - I'm back pedalling a bit here

Bit the bullet and we've gone for Singapore Airlines from Manchester with just the one stop in Singapore (Richard - can I hear you taking big sigh of relief!)

Got best price I could though Thomas Cook online, much cheaper than TravelBag, Dial a flight, Expedia and Trailfinders. Paid avg of £807 a ticket (4030 for five of us - still a bit of a shock for me:eek: ) but I know its going to be for the best. In the end we also get two extra days in NZ due to flight times available with SA and limited ones BA had.

So we are BOOKED :j

Fly out manchester 10am sat 24 March arrive Singapore 07.10 Sun 25th
leave singapore 21.00 arrive Auckland 10.30 Monday 26th

Leave Auckland 00.50 Friday 13th April (!!) Arrive Singapore 06.15
leave s'pore 23.50 arrive manchester 06.50 Saturday 14th
(kids back to school on the monday!)

So here's another question for you knowledgable ones out there..

On both in & out journeys we get a full day at Singapore - do we have to stay in the airport within Transit area or something. What are we going to have to do?! Or can we leave airport (but not have to take luggage)? Having booked online without speaking to anyone I am a bit in the dark as to airline requirements and what happens....

lozkate

Try https://www.changi.airport.com.sg

There is loads to do at the airport inc a swimming pool - but you can take a trip around the city. We are doing that on the way back from Australia

Kate

richardw

Glad to hear the flights are booked. You did shop around and found some interesting possibilities, which is what this moneysaving lark is all about.

alison74

Vixxann, I have pm'd you again.

As for your transit times in Singapore - fantastic. They do bus trips into Singapore for however many hours you want it to be to see the sights and back to the airport in time for your flight. You will need to check with the airport what the currents rules and regs about immigration / transit are.

Since you are doing 2 stops in total, you will see the highlights of Singapore no problem, plus you will tire yourself out in the heat and sleep on your night flights !!

abisnail75

Not sure if it would work out cheaper but it may be worthwhile getting a flight to Sydney then grabbing a Virgin Blue (low cost airline) flight to NZ as it might work out cheaper. (You'd have to look at the Virgin Blue website and book in dollars).

E-bookers have been doing flights to Sydney for around £620 all inc. via Bangkok or Singapore with BA/Quantas recently for Feb/Mar 07. That's cheaper than last year at the same time of year but not sure if hols would put up the price.

swizzle_2

Singapore airlines used to offer sigh seeing trips free or small charge.

I went to NZ on same flight about 9 years ago! They don`t alter times much.

Sure their website or airport one will have details. i went on 1 trip in the am and another in pm. Only thing was you can`t take your hand luggage with you-to stop you selling duty free? Had to leave it in a luggage locker and just take a carrier.

Hotel at airport has rooms you can book for a few hours- also as already said there`s a swimming pool.

Have a great trip.

VixxAnn

thanks everyone

Looked at the changi (sp?) website -the airport looks fantastic !! - never mind going into Singapore I think you could spend days occupying yourself in the airport! Would love to do the bus tour though - that sounds like a really good idea - not having to do lots of independant travelling and sightseeing as we are only there for one day - just get shown the best bits and then took back to airport:D

Not sure about luggage requirements - what we will be able to carry and what we can leave in airport. Presume suitcases will be held over for connecting flight later that day? (don't want to have to check them out and carry them round all day)

swizzle_2

It`s normal for your suitcases to be booked straight through to your final destination.

Check them in at Manchester and do not pick them up until you get to Nz.

I am sure that you will be able to ring customer services in the Uk about your hand luggage whilst in Singapore and trips etc or email them?

Wish we were going on that route, instead we are flying Emirates and changing planes in Duabi, and Melbourne. But it was over £1k more for the 4 of us- thats our spend!!

Now you`ve done the hard bit sorting the flights out- you have the fun of sorting out what to do when you get there- FAB