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There are three interdependent considerations in planning to circle the Pacific:
Budget - What is your budget for airfare?
Time - How long are you planning to travel?
Goals - What are the main interests determining where you want to go?
Once you answer these three questions you can begin researching Circle Pacific airfares and routings in earnest. This seems simple, but the myriad of available options quickly complicates things. So decide on these three items up front. You can always revise your ideas as you gain more information about circle-pacific air travel.
A limited budget does not necessarily mean a short trip. If you have 3 months but only $4,000 total budget, you can still enjoy a circle-pacific trip. Spending the majority of your time in less expensive destinations such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia will extend your budget.
Are you seeking a beach vacation for relaxation, culture and people, or more adventurous activities such as surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, backpacking, climbing, and/or snow skiing? As the answer to this question becomes clear, make a list of the places you want to visit.
We've observed that those travelers most interested in the open country and natural wonders and landscape like to spend more time in Australia and New Zealand. Travelers interested in history and culture, wanting to visit Buddhist or Hindu temples and ruins, will devote more of their travel to the north Pacific visiting various destinations in Southeast Asia.
Where and when you choose to travel may also be greatly influenced by climate and seasonal weather patterns. In addition to the potential discomfort and inconvenience of excessive rainfall and/or heat or cold, you need to be aware of extreme weather conditions that prevail during certain times of year in some areas of the world. Visit the Air Brokers International, Inc. Newsletter for general climate information or for more destination-specific information, visit this site about climate around the world.
Do you want to visit the northern Pacific, Southeast Asian countries first, or start your circle in the southern Pacific visiting New Zealand and Australia early in your travels. Climate and activities could influence this decision as well as budget. If you want to stop in Bali, it will be less expensive to start in Asia and travel from the north to the south. Once you have your list of preferred Pacific destinations, look at an atlas or globe to figure out the best sequence for visiting them.
While high season is typically the time of year with the nicest climate for any given destination, many of the Pacific Rim and Circle Pacific destinations do not conform to that convention. If you do travel in high season, it's important to book well in advance because flights are fuller and accommodations more scarce. Low season tends to be less expensive with better flight and accommodation availability as well as fewer people at your destinations.
Ironically, some of the destinations in the South Pacific circuit do not have optimum weather at this time. Destinations of note include Northern Australia, Cairns and Darwin, and Indonesia where rains are prevalent from late November through February.
Snow skiers who travel to Southern Australia and New Zealand's southern island at this time often find ideal conditions for this sport. Northern Australia also has good weather conditions at this time.
Circle Pacific travel starting during our (northern hemisphere) summer should be routed from the south to the north.
Circle Pacific trips beginning during northern hemisphere winter should start with Asia and go from north to south.
When you book your flight and purchase your Circle Pacific ticket, you do not have to fly in and out of the same city in every country you visit. In fact it's sometimes less expensive if you do not. If you have the time, we highly recommend as many independent overland trips as possible. That's how you meet local people and fellow travelers who can help you with information on where to stay and what to see. We believe the people you meet while traveling to be your best source for information on the road. For instance, when you stop in New Zealand on your way to Australia, chances are good you'll meet people there who are coming from Australia. They will have the most current information on what there is to see and do there. We've found travel book information is generally 1 1/2 - 2 years old for the best, most traveled routes. In more remote areas, the books will be further out of date. So talk to your fellow travelers and learn about their adventures in Circle Pacific travel.
To accommodate overland travel plans you will use "surface sectors" when booking your Circle Pacific ticket:
When you travel overland between two destinations and catch a flight in a city that you did not fly into. For example, consider the following partial circle pacific route: flight from Bali, Indonesia to Darwin, Australia; overland Darwin to Sydney; flight from Sydney to Christchurch, New Zealand; Christchurch overland to Auckland, New Zealand; flight from Auckland to Fiji. The overland segments in this route are "surface sectors."
Surface sectors can be combined to create some very interesting routings and do not add to the cost of the tickets as they count as one stop - not two. Our travel counselors will do the work for you. Just let them know you're interested in incorporating overland travel and let them help you build your dream trip, book your flights and acquire your tickets.
Bangkok, Thailand, surface to Singapore
Sydney, Australia surface to Cairns, Australia
Auckland, New Zealand surface to Christchurch, New Zealand
Bangkok surface to Shanghai
Hanoi surface to Singapore
Darwin or Perth surface to Melbourne
Get your paperwork together for Circle Pacific travel as soon as your plans are set. Once you know where you're going and roughly how long you're staying, you can research what kind of documents you need for each destination. It's very important to check all of your documents before your trip.
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months following your return from the trip. It is advisable to carry a few passport photos during your travels. For more information regarding passport documents, visit: Frequently asked questions regarding passports and citizenship documents for U.S. Citizens.
For US passport holders, see Foreign Entry Requirements.
For non-US citizens: see Foreign Entry Requirements, and consult the nearest embassy of the country you plan to visit. For the most up-to-date information, inquire at the appropriate embassies or consulates.
Please note, U.S. passport holders do need visas for Vietnam and Australia.
For travel to Australia, Air Brokers can work with ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) for visas via telephone and email for a nominal fee. This results in a tourist visa valid for one year allowing visits of up to 3 months in length at a time, and it allows you to have it taken care of without the paperwork or hassle of dealing with the Australian embassy yourself.
This is very important since the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Travelers used to be able to buy tickets elsewhere in the world to continue their travel. For example, after flying from San Francisco to Thailand, one could purchase a ticket in Thailand to fly to Bali. But things have changed. There is no country left where you can arrive on a one-way ticket unless you have a permanent stay visa, a student visa or a work visa. You must arrive with an onward ticket - a ticket out of that country or region. If you anticipate an issue with this due to overland travel plans, ask your Air Brokers International, Inc. travel counselor to help you with a work-around.
Visit the Buying Tickets section of our site to get the specifics on planning your itinerary and booking your Circle Pacific tickets.