Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Solomon Islands - PNG - Palau and back Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
dyownie 06:16 UTC 11 Oct 2011 | Hello, I'm travelling to Solomon Islands in less than a week. Travel arrangements suddenly changed and would need to fly to Port Moresby via Air Nuigini then travel by boat until we reach Palau. The thing is, I need to go back to Solomon Islands, and having a hard time looking for flights as there are no direct flights from Palau to other major South Pacific countries. I'm wondering if any of you have any advice on how to go about my travel arrangements. Palau seems to be so near to Solomon Islands but ironically there is no easy air access. Also, would it be advisable to get an Australian prepaid SIM card for this travel rather than using my local Philippine SIM card (roaming)? My phone has dual network GSM/UMTS so I guess in terms of networks I wouldn't really have problems. Thanks in advance! peace and love, dyownie |
anillos_de_saturno 15:13 UTC 11 Oct 2011 | Probably, the easiest option would be to fly with China airlines from Palau to Brisbane changing planes in Taipei. Once in Brisbane, take a flight to Honiara with Salomon Airways (operated by Strategic Airlines) or Virgin Australia. You'll have to buy two separate tickets (one from Palau to Brisbane and another one from Brisbane to Honiara) and you can't do this route everyday. In addition, perhaps, you'll have to stay overnight in Brisbane. | 1
dyownie 03:36 UTC 12 Oct 2011 | Yes, Flying back to Brisbane is the "easiest" way to go back to Solomon Islands. I already have a transit visa from Australia (yes, I need one for this travel) and I'm not particularly sure how many times I can use it though. I'll be using it for my transit from Manila to Solomon already, and maybe back again. But in between, I'm not sure. I'm already deliberating of going straight back to Manila after Palau and just fly back Manila to PNG again and off to Honiara so I wouldn't need transit visa. (least of the options I want to do, hahahaha) But really thank you :) | 2
anillos_de_saturno 10:34 UTC 12 Oct 2011 | I'm already deliberating of going straight back to Manila after Palau Those flights are really expensive; be aware. Take a look at the fares, perhaps it's easier and cheaper to get another transit visa for Australia. | 3
ozziegiraffe 12:27 UTC 13 Oct 2011 | Transit visas for Australia tend to be either single visit or multiple visit, so the latter would suit you. Even when the Solomon islands sent a group to represent them at the Pacific Festival of Arts in palau, they had to travel by chartered boat, as there are no direct flights and it was cheaper for a large group than flying. | 4
dyownie 10:03 UTC 16 Oct 2011 | Just saw that I actually have "Multiple Travel" transit visa. But more than the costs, I'm keen to shorter travel period. Chartered boats? Whoa! Wonder how long that took? I'm leaving on the 22nd and still haven't finalized my itinerary. -_- | 5