Australia 2008 - how do I organise it?

efrieze

Hi

I woudl like to organise a trip for 2-3 weeks to Australia for my 30th Birthday. If you look at packages, they cost around £3k per adult which sounds VERY expensive. I woudl be happy to book everything seperately (to save money) but I would like to do some excursions on the way (day trips or 3 nights - whatever). I can't think how best to organise this.

Plus, I have looked at flights to sydney for January 2008 and at the moment they all seem to be over £1k - is this right? Or is it still a bit early to book the reasonable priced seats?

I want a great holiday (4* plus if possible) but don't want to pay more than I need to - any advice welcomed.

Thanks

richardw

I'd say that you are a little early.

If you avoid the days following Christmas you should be able to get better deals because demand is lower.

There are lots of airlines that can get you to Sydney, Etihad is one that will be starting flights soon, so plenty of choice and prices.

Singapore Airlines might also have their A380 flying in January.

Agents such as https://www.trailfinders.com also do good flight+hotel deals, you only have to book one night in a hotel to get them, so that could be a stop over in Singapore, and sometimes you only pay a deposit and the balance about 8 weeks before you go.

So perhaps first to think about where you want to stop on the way, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai....?

efrieze

richardw wrote:

I'd say that you are a little early.

If you avoid the days following Christmas you should be able to get better deals because demand is lower.

There are lots of airlines that can get you to Sydney, Etihad is one that will be starting flights soon, so plenty of choice and prices.

Singapore Airlines might also have their A380 flying in January.

Agents such as https://www.trailfinders.com also do good flight+hotel deals, you only have to book one night in a hotel to get them, so that could be a stop over in Singapore, and sometimes you only pay a deposit and the balance about 8 weeks before you go.

So perhaps first to think about where you want to stop on the way, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai....?

We have been to Bangkok and Hong Kong so I think we would want to go via Singapore (or Bangkok again :T ). Don't really fancy Dubai...

Party_Animal

Just come back from Aus and stopped in Dubai as I'd done Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong before. We loved Dubai.

frankie

We are in the process of booking a trip to NZ + Oz for end of 07 and early 08.

Using trailfinders who we have used before and have found them very helpful and vastly experienced.

They have started our outward flight itinerary but are awaiting 08 return flights as details are not yet available. So maybe you are a bit early yet to do get firm costs. Lots of things could change (TAXES).

Look in lots of travel brochures at trips and hotels to get ideas. Also see:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ for hotel verdicts.

Also look at web sites in OZ for pricing.

Hope this helps.

richardw

BTW Internal flight airlines include

https://www.qantas.com.au

https://www.jetstar.com.au

https://www.virgin-blue.com.au

xzibit

I am off to Australia for 3 weeks in April this year.

I booked everything separately, flights (uk-oz-uk and 2 internal flights), hotels, transfers. I am staying with relatives for 1 week of the trip, but I have paid £1200 so far, and I have to add on excursions I do, which I will book when there, but I can't see it costing more than £800 for what I will want to do.

I did look into package trips, but none did exactly what I wanted to do, and cost nearly twice as much as what I could book it for myself.

finallydebtfree!!

I went to australia in 2005 and travelled from brisbane to cairns for 16 days.

my flight cost a little under £800 with quantas and in total the trip cost me £1600 but that was on a budget staying in hostels and motels (and 2 nights camping on fraser island) and using our own transport (I met a friend out there who had a car) it also included a few excursions, ie great barrier reef trip, australia zoo, champagne evening cruise was also budget meals alot of the time and self catering.

It was one of the best experiences ever and I would love to do it all over again!

Hope you have a fantastic time! (is there room in your case for a little one??)

EDIT also meant to say I only booked my flights before I went I organised everything else whilst I was there (with help from my friend of course, he rganised the first nights accomodation ready for my arrival) excursions are best booked whilst you are there in my opinion as there is such a great variety!

bluetimone97

Went back in 2000, we researched alot and used austravel to compare prices with airlines and such like, they also do what is called a flag (I think) hotel pass when you pay for so many nights in advance but do not have to choose your hotel, then you just show up on the day you want to stay, we paid just £11 a night for hotel accomodation per person!
We used Gazebo hotel in Kings Cross in Sydney and a hotel on the gold coast for most of it!

kay74

we went via los angeles ( 3 nights there), Fiji (5 nights), Auckland(1 night) and then Cairns for couple of weeks before home. flew with Air NZ - were very cheap indeed - but not v good airline! Sister just back - did HK to Cairns but cost £1100. Dad was looking at the summer - BA and Qantas doing some deal that included internal flights and think was under £1000.
Have found trailfinders to be quite good, sometimes worth trying flightsavers etc - they have loads of Aus branches so can give good info.

Party_Animal

Did a similar trip a few years ago. we stopped off at Raratonga ( highly recommended) and Fiji going out and Hawaii and LA on the way back. ANZ were ok. If you're going long haul in economy its uncomfortable whoever you fly with.