Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Aitutaki Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
lekka 21:38 UTC 05 Oct 2008 | Hi All, I have approx 2 weeks booked on my rwt trip in Rarotonga between 25 April 2009 and 09 May 2009. I was hoping to go to Aitutaki for a few days. I have seen that on Air Rarotonga's website the price is NZ 412 return from Raro. Is there any cheaper way of getting there? When we arrive on raro are there loads of tour companies that we might be able to get a package deal to Aitutaki for a bit cheaper and if so could anyone recommend one? We are on a tight budget (approx £500 for 2 weeks) and are worried we won't be able to afford to get to Aitutaki. We were planning on staying at somewhere like Vara's whilst on Raro and are budgeting NZ 20 for food per person per day (got the food budget from other posters). Other than that i think we will be mostly snorkelling and chilling so don't plan to spend much on activities. Is our budget enough to get us there and back? Any help or advice would be massively appreciated. Thanks Lex |
papamike 17:49 UTC 06 Oct 2008 | Hi Lex, The only reasonable way to get to Aitutaki is via Air Raro. There has been some last minute sale prices to and from Aitutaki for around NZ$99. They are last minute and limited, most are for the weekend and feature Sunday returns. The problem is there is no way to know if the flights will be available while you are in Raro and you can only book them a few days before the flight. This would at least give you a cheap possability to visit Aitutaki and is probably your only chance to visit the atoll. Good Luck! It has been nearly a year since I signed up, but back then, to receive the E-Mail notification of special fares I sent a blank E-Mail to specialfares-on@airraro.co.ck Papa Mike | 1
lekka 10:42 UTC 14 Oct 2008 | ok thanks Papa Mike i will send an email and see what happens. | 2
raro 06:23 UTC 16 Oct 2008 | Yes, go into the Air Raro office after you get on RAr. Ask if there are any discounted flights. Occasionally there are special flights for bureaucrats going one way or the other, so the return trip is often empty. It's pretty infrequent, but worth checking out, as well as checking out Mike's idea as well. | 3