


AIR NEW ZEALAND SOUTH PACIFIC AIRPASS FULL
“The new Asia Airpass, with its extended routing possibilities, reflects the growing desire for travellers to explore the full Asian continent on an Airpass journey, a need which was not fully met in the past,” said Horst Findeisen, Vice President Commercial and Business Development at Star Alliance. Its scope has further been extended to include all Star Alliance destinations in Japan and additional flights to India. When it comes to lodging, the beach fales of Samoa offer budget travelers the chance to sleep on the beach for a low price (plus two meals).Īt the same time, homestay programs in American Samoa are a great way to meet locals in authentic villages for just a few dollars per day.FRANKFURT, Germany – February 19 th, 2013 – Star Alliance is launching an enhanced Asia Airpass for travel across the Asian continent, which in addition to the 15 countries and territories already offered, now includes Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
AIR NEW ZEALAND SOUTH PACIFIC AIRPASS FREE
On the transportation front, use buses when you can (it's quite the experience in Samoa), hitch a ride with locals, and rent a bicycle to get around parts of the island (or choose accommodations that offer free use of bikes). When you feel like eating out – dine where locals eat, supplement imported meat for locally raised chicken, and you get the point. In the food department, eat whatever is in season (fruit, vegetables, and fish). Still, in the South Pacific, it's a rule of thumb that carries with it immense savings because nearly everything – from gasoline to cheese – must be imported. This is a no brainer for budget travelers in any destination. Small planes shuttle travelers from one island to the next 6. Therefore, it's wise to focus on islands connected by ferries, islands with hostel-style accommodations or even campgrounds (make sure they offer cooking facilities), and more populated islands where buses and other forms of public transport exist and island-nations connected by at least one or two short direct flights.īudget-friendly South Pacific islands include the Yasawa group in Fiji, Efate Island in Vanuatu, Savaii and Upolu in (Western) Samoa, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, Tahiti and Moorea in French Polynesia (plus a couple more in this magical destination). Your most expensive line items will be the travel between the islands, accommodation, getting around the islands, and moving from one island-nation to the next one. Make sure to do your research or hire a travel agent. You shouldn't just go for the main island, but don't pick remote islands or small islands unthinkingly either. When it comes to budget travel in the South Pacific, choosing the right mix of islands can make or break your vacation, not to mention your bank account.īut with an abundance of islands to choose from, the real challenge is knowing where to place your bets. This isn't an ordinary trip, and it's not for the average traveler. This will not be the same as a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia.īut what you'll lack regarding dirt-cheap accommodations and backpacker perks (fruit shakes, massages, and the likes), you'll compensate for by having to share the dream islands with so few others, connecting with exotic and rarely visited cultures, and so much more! The first thing to remember when pondering an island-hopping journey to the South Pacific is to set the right expectations (with yourself). I spent over six months traveling between these amazing islands, and, in this post, I'll share with you nine ways to island-hop in this popular destination on a budget. However, if you find the right tour operators and follow the right planning process, you can make a round trip to this part of the world for a great price. The last specks of land to be colonized by humans due to their isolation, it's no surprise that budget travelers are often put off by the challenges of exploring this remote location.īut a wise person once said that the most beautiful places in the world are also the hardest to reach, and in the case of the beautiful beaches of these remote archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean, this overused proverb is spot on. In reality, the islands are not far from this stereotypical image, but they offer a wealth of experiences far beyond fancy beaches.įrom the Solomon Islands to New Caledonia, the Pitcairn Islands, Papua New Guinea and Easter Island, these island groups and volcanic islands offer turqoise water, coral reefs, sea turtles, humpback whales, boat trips, beautiful tropical beaches, water sports, scuba diving-anything you can dream of. The South Pacific Islands conjure images of a tropical paradise, where azure waters meet white sand beaches and time slowly ticks. It's easy to get used to scenes like these in the South Pacific.
