Getting to Easter Island FromTahiti

hi,

were looking to buy a RTW ticket. The ticket we're interested in routes through Auckland > Tahiti > LA. However, Id love to go to Easter island.

I've read that LanChile operate return(?)flights to Easter island from Tahiti.

- Are these flights still running?
- How much does a return ticket cost?
- How would you advise to book? Did you book once in Tahiti?
- How long is the flight and is it a jet plane?

thanks

Yes, to the best of my knowledge it is still operating. It was around US$600 RT a couple of years ago. It was a widebody jet, flight took four or five hours each way. It went twice a week. I booked in advance through a travel agent. It wasn't full, but I doubt the price is any different once you are in Tahiti. Some times of the year the flights do fill up for a local festival, I think that's in February.

A travel agent can give you an idea on flights and costs. The LAN Chile website actually only showed the flight one way, which of course was wrong! Hopefully they have corrected it.

If you are on the One World alliance, which includes LAN Chile, you might just continue on to Santiago, and then head up to LAX from there. It might be cheaper than doing a separate RT from Tahiti.

Are these flights still running? -- Yes.

How much does a return ticket cost? -- It varies. I picked a random date next march on the LAN website and it quoted US$2,400 return. That's a crazy price. If you shop around you should be able to find a price around what Raro has quoted above.

How would you advise to book? Did you book once in Tahiti? -- Whichever way gives you the best price. Shop around. I flew Auckland - Papeete - Easter Island - Santiago as part of a OneWorld "Global Explorer".

How long is the flight and is it a jet plane? --- About five and a half hours on a Boeing 767 (large jet plane) LAN Chile is a very good airline.

Hey great info - thanks.

My husband and I did this is July of 2006. We spent 3 days on Easter Island and had a blast. Trust me - there is NOTHING that is cheaper bought in Tahiti! We booked in advance through Lan Chile's website. I agree with Raro - backtracking to Tahiti doesn't really make sense as you've already flown quite a ways north. Why not just continue to Santiago and go from there?

We were happy with the flight and the trip in general. Easter Island was awesome and we had a great time. For us it was the perfect destination - great sites, no crowds, relaxing, and reasonably priced.

Happy Travels!

Ian and Wendy Sewell

Photos and information from our trip to Easter Island

I'd actually budget six or seven nights, e.g. take the other flight that week. It takes three days to see most of the major things, but if it rains the tours won't go. Then again, you may be OK scheduling three days, and then extend it a few days if it rains.

Yeah, you could. I'd worry about getting bored with that long, but then I'm pretty hyper-active :). We rented a car and were VERY pleased with that decision. It was very relaxing to putter around. It's pretty hard to get lost and there is no traffic. It's true the roads are dirt, but they're not bad - just go slow. And you have to go slow to spot the Moai anyhow. We're MASTERS of getting lost and even we managed to find everything. We just took a picnic with us and pretty much saw everything there was to see save Orongo in one day. Then we saw Orongo the next morning. We took plenty of time to take pictures, too, since we're pretty obsessed with that.

Have fun!