Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Pacific Islands ideas Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
vodskibandit 04:40 UTC 04 Mar 2011 | Hi guys, My friend and I are traveling round the world and plan on heading to the US West Coast (LA, but if necessary Vancouver or San Fran) from Auckland via the Pacific Islands. We plan on doing section of our travels at the beginning of November, and have roughly around 5 weeks. Basically, it's a long way off but I know the Pacific Islands can be very expensive, both accommodation and particularly flights, so wanted to get some ideas off people in the know about a rough feasible route and a vague budget. I know this is very vague but as I say I'm just trying to get ideas an estimate of cost as we're backpackers and are on a very tight budget, and by then will have been traveling for 2 years solid. I was thinking (and please tell me what you think would be better, if something's unfeasible etc): Auckland to Fiji; Fiji to either Samoa, Tonga or Nuie (please advise lol); then to Raratonga, go to Atituka on a return flight from Raratonga; then fly to LA..... Would this be a good way to do it? Like I said, we have around 5 weeks. If people could tell me roughly if this is a sensible way to take in the islands, and how much (very) vaguely it'd cost overall at the cheapest possible end of the scale, staying in the cheapest possible accommodation and with the most budget airfares, I would hugely appreciate it. Many thanks, I know it's vague but any imput would fantastic, Jono |
calumet 07:03 UTC 04 Mar 2011 | where ever you decide to go in Polynesia your trip will be more adventurous and educational with the help of this blog. http://amsamoa-busycorner.blogspot.com/ The podcasts offer a nice introduction into Polynesian culture, cosmology, society and nature spirit. Tutuila is surprisingly cheap. Double share room $45. 3 meals $10. Activities free. Beer $1.50 From Pago Pago, JW | 1
ozziegiraffe 10:40 UTC 04 Mar 2011 | I suggest you read this part of the FAQ to work out which flights actually go where in the Pacific, then come back with specific questions about your destinations. | 2
Laszlo 00:05 UTC 05 Mar 2011 | Of the islands you listed, Fiji is the only one that MAY have a connection to Rarotonga by the time you get there (proposed link, not yet running). Otherwise, Tahiti has connection to Raro, but it's about the most expensive corner of the region, while Fiji is actually the cheapest. In Fiji, you could live on US$30 per day. | 3
hurricanes87 11:35 UTC 07 Mar 2011 | I flew from LA to rarotonga to auckland . im also a backpacker and have been travelling for 6 months and aitutaki is still on the top of my list (checkout a couple posts before this). If you have any questions feel free to shoot me a pm | 4
vodskibandit 23:27 UTC 07 May 2011 | Thanks very much people, sorry I haven't been on here in a while! Really appreciate the replies. It's still a long way off so I'll do some more looking into the specifics of flights and further locations etc. Aitutaki does indeed look incredible so that's high on the route list. Fiji clearly will be the hub as such of my travels in the region, as I will probably spend the longest time there by far, so that's encouraging that it can be done on $30/day, and if this new flight connection that you mention comes into being then that would be fantastic Laszlo and I'd be settled on a very simple plan (Auckland - Fiji - Cook Islands - LA) which would then be easily achievable....... I don't suppose you have any more information on that do you? Thanks again | 5
vodskibandit 23:30 UTC 07 May 2011 | Oh and that blog looks great btw Calumet, thanks, I'll have a proper look through it for some more ideas | 6
Laszlo 13:56 UTC 09 May 2011 | No more info. It was reported in the local media, but nothing official as yet. All you can do is keep hoping... ;-) | 7
Laszlo 05:08 UTC 10 May 2011 | BTW, no one has commented on Niue. ASFAIK, it is now only linked to Auckland so can only be visited on a RT ticket from there. Probably not worth it with only 3 weeks. | 8
vodskibandit 05:02 UTC 10 May 2011 | Ah, right, well thanks Laszlo..... fingers crossed eh! | 9
vodskibandit 05:17 UTC 10 May 2011 | No, Niue looks lovely (all the islands obviously seem to have their charms, and heaps of it at that!) but as you say, realistically due to time frame and budget - and the bloody awkward lack of flight network, I think I'll narrow it down to just Fiji and Cook Islands, and like we said, hope that this mythical flight might come into operation... as me (and my wallet) don't really want to have to go back to Auckland :-( | 10
Laszlo 05:22 UTC 10 May 2011 | If budget is an issue and that new link doesn't materialize, I suggest that you pick Fiji, Tonga and maybe Samoa from your original list. You could visit Tonga and/or Samoa cheaply from Fiji on Air Pacific's Bula Pass, buying that as an add-on to an Auckland-LA flight with a Fijian stopover on Air Pacific. BTW, the Raro link is supposed to be on Air Pacific as well, so there would be little to lose by emailing them to ask. You may not even get a reply, but if you do, post it here. | 11