Singapore/Australia/New Zealand advice

chocolatepennyfarthing

Son is planning on going on holiday to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand – would welcome any advice on the best way to book flights as I am unsure how to get the best deals – whether we should book all flights at once, or individually?
Planning on going 12/13th August from London to Singapore; spending approx. 2-3 days there before flying to Sydney. Then will continue to do a bit of travelling in Australia, then heading to New Zealand end of August, early September – to be back in the UK by the 8th.

Also – any recommendations of hotels / things to do in Singapore or New Zealand would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

knightstyle

It all depends on budget but have a look at relocating a camping car. We did it here...http://www.wickedcampers.co.nz/campervan-deals/relocation-specials.html
Flew down to South Island, picked up the camper and drove slowly back to Auckland, they even paid for the ferry.

comeandgo

The first time we did this trip we used Trailfinders, they put together our flights and short stop in Singapore. We flew with Singapore Air who allow you to stop over in Singapore at no extra cost.
When we have booked the flights ourselves we have found that the longer the journey the cheaper it works out.
Look on skyscanner for cheap flights but book directly with the airline if you are not using a travel agent. If any delays or flight cancellations the airline contacts you direct, no chance of messages going missing.
He must have his flight out of New Zealand arranged before they will let him in.

richardw

Parts of Australia and New Zealand in winter would be a bit dull. Perhaps do a bit of weather research.

Voyager2002

Contact Singapore Airlines and enquire about TIC (tour-inclusive) packages. Essentially this means booking his hotel in Singapore through them, and thereby gaining access to airfares that are lower than those offered by themselves.


He might find it cheaper to buy the ticket between Australia and New Zealand separately from the main flight, so consider this option.

zagfles

richardw wrote: »

Parts of Australia and New Zealand in winter would be a bit dull. Perhaps do a bit of weather research.

And parts would be far better. Ideal time to go to Northern Queensland for instance, as it's the dry season and don't get problems with box jellyfish etc. I know someone who went in Jan and it rained constantly and was too dangerous to go snorkelling on the barrier reef.

We went to NZ north island in Aug and it was lovely.

zagfles

chocolatepennyfarthing wrote: »

Son is planning on going on holiday to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand – would welcome any advice on the best way to book flights as I am unsure how to get the best deals – whether we should book all flights at once, or individually?
Planning on going 12/13th August from London to Singapore; spending approx. 2-3 days there before flying to Sydney. Then will continue to do a bit of travelling in Australia, then heading to New Zealand end of August, early September – to be back in the UK by the 8th.

Also – any recommendations of hotels / things to do in Singapore or New Zealand would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Solo trip? If so stay in hostels (private rooms usually available if don't want dorms). What to do - what are his interests? Bungee jumping, sky diving, ski-ing? Natural wonders? Culture? Sightseeing?

chocolatepennyfarthing

Interests would be natural wonders, sightseeing & wildlife. Interested in diving with sharks.

wriggly

Definitely try Trailfinders for the flights - they are excellent for this type of trip. With several airlines you can get the Singapore stopover included free in the ticket to Australia.



With some Qantas tickets you may even get the Sydney - New Zealand flight at a reduced cost with free changes. If not, you can still get a Sydney - Auckland open-jaw which covers all legs except Sydney - New Zealand. Buy that separately, looking at budget airlines (Virgin Australia, Jetstar) as well as Qantas, Air New Zealand.

wriggly

As for the interests, Singapore has a Night Zoo, which is a refreshing change from seeing nocturnal animals asleep.


August-September is winter, so I'd recommend doing more Queensland (Cairns/Port Douglas, Airlie Beach/Whitsundays, Brisbane/Gold Coast), with a week or so in Sydney.



To travel in Australia, you may well end up flying from Sydney, so you should get together an itinerary of must-sees, and then get a travel agent to work out where flights can be included or cheaper booked together, or where you might want to do a road trip instead.



For example, there's little point flying from Singapore to Sydney, and then flying back to Cairns. Do it as another flight stopover.

chocolatepennyfarthing

Really appreciate info. Thank you.