London – Auckland flights

neil7

Any suggestions welcome.

18th February London – Auckland

4th April Auckland  - London

Dates are flexible after 18th February flying out from London and also anytime from the 2nd April leaving Auckland.

I have not done this type of long haul journey.

I was thinking London and stop over 2-3 nights half way ish. Then onto Auckland, and the same back from Aukland with a stop half way ish for 2-3 nights and then back to London. I cannot sleep on planes and would be happy with 2 shorter journeys and a few days break either way. I looked into Singapore as a stop over option for this and found booking 2 sets of return flights pricey.  Any type of ticket or way to approach this that helps with cost? Maybe a different stop over location would help?

I have also looked at flights with 1 long stop over as part of the ticket, for example London -  Shanghai Pudong International Airport with 18 hours stop over (hotel for rest/sleep) and then fly to Auckland, however I would probable need to book 2 nights hotel, as arrive at the hotel 8am and leave 10pm ish… So the return flights with the long stop overs, result in 4 nights of hotels required at the Shanghai airport. Although this return flight ticket is cheaper so the 4 nights hotels booking is not such an issue.

I am thinking this through with little knowledge of long haul, any suggestions very welcome.  

Ballard

When you’ve looked at prices, have you looked at a multi city ticket rather than two returns? It might work out cheaper that way and it would also give you the option of returning via a different city. 

Going on your proposed 18 hour Shanghai stop, you’re probably aware that you’d need a visa for a stop in excess of 24 hours but I’m pointing it out just in case you’re not. Hong Kong would be another option, although the political situation might make that somewhat awkward.

Other potential stopover cities might be Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok & Kuala Lumpur. 

I’d say that all of those cities are worth visiting. 

neil7

Thanks, that is useful to know. Do you know if visa is required over 24 hours for Singapore or any of the others you mention?

Ballard

The only one I’ve needed a visa for is China out of those but you should check before you book anything as things might have changed.

If you were to choose Tokyo, it might coincide with cherry blossom season which would be cool, but perhaps more expensive. 

DullGreyGuy

What are your priorities? To make it as cheap as possible? Something interesting to do on your layovers? Days on a beach? In an airport hotel? Sightseeing? 

What's your maximum single leg? Suggestions so far are all far east meaning one long leg and a shorter leg, your could have more even legs by stopping elsewhere.

Do you want the same journey both ways or consider going different routes?

What's your minimum time in NZ? You say after 18 Feb outbound, so could it be very late Feb?

Would you consider a higher class of travel and avoid the 4-6 days costs at your layover?

Given the vagueness you may be better off speaking to a good travel agent that can explore all the options with you.

Ballard

I don’t think that the OP need give further information at this point. All they’ve asked for is ideas of what options are available. They can now go and investigate and may or may not come back with more detailed questions. 

neil7

What are your priorities? To make it as cheap as possible? Something interesting to do on your layovers? Days on a beach? In an airport hotel? Sightseeing? 
cost and intresting layovers - a balance between the 2, for the right arrangment I will apy somethign extra

What's your maximum single leg? Suggestions so far are all far east meaning one long leg and a shorter leg, your could have more even legs by stopping elsewhere.
1 layover each leg 2-4 days each time

Do you want the same journey both ways or consider going different routes?
diffrent routes
arrive NZ by the 21st or 22nd Feb

What's your minimum time in NZ? You say after 18 Feb outbound, so could it be very late Feb?
as above

Would you consider a higher class of travel and avoid the 4-6 days costs at your layover?
i would rather have 2 layovers in diffrent locations

Look forward to hearing from you and thanks for your time

eDicky

neil7 said:

I have not done this type of long haul journey.

I cannot sleep on planes

You may well find sleep possible, or even unavoidable, on long haul flights with better comfort and periods of tranquility and dimmed lighting.

For a few days' stopover in each direction on different routes, without excessive additional stops and journey time, you probably need two separate airlines with the stopover in their home cities. If they are both in the same airline alliance, such as Thai Airways (Bangkok) and Singapore Airlines (S'pore), the overall fare as a single (and reliable) booking is likely to be optimal.