Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Australia
Reload this Page >

Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Old Jun 21st 2005, 11:27 am
  #1  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
BobbyDazzler's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: North Staffordshire
Posts: 400
BobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of light
Default Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

We quite fancy breaking up our flights to and from Oz next year by taking a stopover in one or more locations

At the moment we like the idea of spending some time in Dubai on the way out there, and then spending some time in Singapore (or somewhere else) on the way back.

We've never flown to Oz before and are not really sure what to expect or what options are available to us. Emirates (in the main) seems to be a popular choice of airline so Dubai would be the obvious stopover.

Can anybody advise what stopover options we have got, what's involved, costs & discounts etc etc??

Any recommendations in terms of hotels & locations would also be a great help.

We'd rather ask the experts on here before calling the airlines direct and making fools of ourselves

Many Thanks

BD
BobbyDazzler is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 12:00 pm
  #2  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Southwest UK
Posts: 825
Jensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to beholdJensen Healey is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
We quite fancy breaking up our flights to and from Oz next year by taking a stopover in one or more locations

At the moment we like the idea of spending some time in Dubai on the way out there, and then spending some time in Singapore (or somewhere else) on the way back.

We've never flown to Oz before and are not really sure what to expect or what options are available to us. Emirates (in the main) seems to be a popular choice of airline so Dubai would be the obvious stopover.

Can anybody advise what stopover options we have got, what's involved, costs & discounts etc etc??

Any recommendations in terms of hotels & locations would also be a great help.

We'd rather ask the experts on here before calling the airlines direct and making fools of ourselves

Many Thanks

BD
Stopped off in Singapore both ways a few years ago. Two nights outbound with a few local tours organised by Travelbag - Raffles, River Trip, Sentosa etc. Can't rememer costs, but I didn't think it unreasonable. Only a 6 hour stopover on return trip, but long enough to hire an airport hotel room for a quick kip and a shower. Went on Singapore Airlines and thought they were pretty good, but I don't have much to compare them with!
Jensen Healey is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 12:13 pm
  #3  
BE Forum Addict
 
ali south's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mona Vale, Northern Beaches, Sydney
Posts: 1,076
ali south has a brilliant futureali south has a brilliant futureali south has a brilliant futureali south has a brilliant futureali south has a brilliant futureali south has a brilliant futureali south has a brilliant futureali south has a brilliant future
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
We quite fancy breaking up our flights to and from Oz next year by taking a stopover in one or more locations

At the moment we like the idea of spending some time in Dubai on the way out there, and then spending some time in Singapore (or somewhere else) on the way back.

We've never flown to Oz before and are not really sure what to expect or what options are available to us. Emirates (in the main) seems to be a popular choice of airline so Dubai would be the obvious stopover.

Can anybody advise what stopover options we have got, what's involved, costs & discounts etc etc??

Any recommendations in terms of hotels & locations would also be a great help.

We'd rather ask the experts on here before calling the airlines direct and making fools of ourselves

Many Thanks

BD
remeber that Dubai is not far away compared to the long journey to Australia

We have done

Singapore - great (but some people hate the cleanliness and sparkness)

KL - Great but not for kids

Bangkok - fantastic

next we are going to do Hong Kong - so many people rave about it!

you'll have fun where ever you go

Emirates also stop down for fuel in Singapore, we flew with them in April, they were very good
Tara
ali south is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 12:31 pm
  #4  
Forum Regular
 
flumper's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 184
flumper is just really niceflumper is just really niceflumper is just really niceflumper is just really niceflumper is just really niceflumper is just really niceflumper is just really niceflumper is just really nice
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
We quite fancy breaking up our flights to and from Oz next year by taking a stopover in one or more locations

At the moment we like the idea of spending some time in Dubai on the way out there, and then spending some time in Singapore (or somewhere else) on the way back.

We've never flown to Oz before and are not really sure what to expect or what options are available to us. Emirates (in the main) seems to be a popular choice of airline so Dubai would be the obvious stopover.

Can anybody advise what stopover options we have got, what's involved, costs & discounts etc etc??

Any recommendations in terms of hotels & locations would also be a great help.

We'd rather ask the experts on here before calling the airlines direct and making fools of ourselves

Many Thanks

BD
Hi,
We have used Singapore and Emirates airlines both good. Used Emirates on the way out here from Scotland 3 x 7hr flights quite manageable.We stayed in the Traders hotel in Singapore booked through Trailfinders stay for 2 nights get 3rd free cumulative + free buffet breakfast cost approx £42pn hope this helps.
Flumpers hubby
flumper is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 12:57 pm
  #5  
Proudly Deplorable
 
Amazulu's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Amazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
We quite fancy breaking up our flights to and from Oz next year by taking a stopover in one or more locations

At the moment we like the idea of spending some time in Dubai on the way out there, and then spending some time in Singapore (or somewhere else) on the way back.

We've never flown to Oz before and are not really sure what to expect or what options are available to us. Emirates (in the main) seems to be a popular choice of airline so Dubai would be the obvious stopover.

Can anybody advise what stopover options we have got, what's involved, costs & discounts etc etc??

Any recommendations in terms of hotels & locations would also be a great help.

We'd rather ask the experts on here before calling the airlines direct and making fools of ourselves

Many Thanks

BD
We're stopping in San Francisco & Hawaii which means we get extra US baggage allowance. We stopped in Singapore last year & I rate the place. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok & Hong Kong are all good too.
Amazulu is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 1:18 pm
  #6  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
OzTennis's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
Posts: 7,949
OzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

It goes without saying that the airline you choose dictates the stopover options! It's 'chicken and egg' though - which comes first, do you decide where you want to stopover and then book an airline that stops there or do you book your flights and choose your stopover from fewer options?

Many airlines give a Singapore option, fewer give Dubai, Bangkok, KL etc and someone is even travelling via the States to get the extra baggage allowance. We've had Singapore and Hong Kong stopovers (Emirates and Cathay respectively), thought about Dubai but as someone said we also thought it was too close to the UK but will probably stop sometime.

Another option is to have a stopover in Australia itself which I've toyed with e.g. if going to Melbourne it is possible to book flights so you stopover in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth or even Adelaide. They have open jaw travel also where you go into one city and leave from another with domestic flights in between.

Emirates is an excellent airline so I personally would go for Dubai or Singapore, the two main choices with them. Wait for the horror Emirates stories but we've used them 5 or 6 times, absolutely 'no worries' each time.

OzTennis
OzTennis is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 1:28 pm
  #7  
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
BobbyDazzler's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: North Staffordshire
Posts: 400
BobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of lightBobbyDazzler is a glorious beacon of light
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by OzTennis
It goes without saying that the airline you choose dictates the stopover options! It's 'chicken and egg' though - which comes first, do you decide where you want to stopover and then book an airline that stops there or do you book your flights and choose your stopover from fewer options?

Many airlines give a Singapore option, fewer give Dubai, Bangkok, KL etc and someone is even travelling via the States to get the extra baggage allowance. We've had Singapore and Hong Kong stopovers (Emirates and Cathay respectively), thought about Dubai but as someone said we also thought it was too close to the UK but will probably stop sometime.

Another option is to have a stopover in Australia itself which I've toyed with e.g. if going to Melbourne it is possible to book flights so you stopover in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth or even Adelaide. They have open jaw travel also where you go into one city and leave from another with domestic flights in between.

Emirates is an excellent airline so I personally would go for Dubai or Singapore, the two main choices with them. Wait for the horror Emirates stories but we've used them 5 or 6 times, absolutely 'no worries' each time.

OzTennis
1 night in Dubai on the way out and 1 night in Singapore on the way back would be ideal. I don't know if this is possible though.

Failing that, a night (each way) in Dubai would suffice

Main reason for wanting a stopover is to break up the flight a bit for the kids. Not really fussed about sightseeing etc etc

Not sure whether this can be sorted online or whether we'd need to call Emirates direct

Thanks for the info

BD
BobbyDazzler is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 1:45 pm
  #8  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
OzTennis's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
Posts: 7,949
OzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond reputeOzTennis has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
1 night in Dubai on the way out and 1 night in Singapore on the way back would be ideal. I don't know if this is possible though.

Failing that, a night (each way) in Dubai would suffice

Main reason for wanting a stopover is to break up the flight a bit for the kids. Not really fussed about sightseeing etc etc

Not sure whether this can be sorted online or whether we'd need to call Emirates direct

Thanks for the info

BD
I presume you haven't booked yet because you'd have to book the stopovers then. Sometimes the cheap tickets have restrictions such as no stopovers permitted, or only one stopover; sometimes you can do a stopover in either direction.

I'd suggest booking through an agent such as Quest, Travelbag etc and let them earn their commission by recommending which fares will offer stopovers each way. Having used a few I can recommend the 2 I named, particularly Quest. They have a website www.questtravel.com whereby you can submit a request and they will email a reply. Usually you will not get cheaper fares by dealing with the airline direct.

OzTennis
OzTennis is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 3:43 pm
  #9  
BE Enthusiast
 
longreach's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 493
longreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud of
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
We quite fancy breaking up our flights to and from Oz next year by taking a stopover in one or more locations

At the moment we like the idea of spending some time in Dubai on the way out there, and then spending some time in Singapore (or somewhere else) on the way back.

We've never flown to Oz before and are not really sure what to expect or what options are available to us. Emirates (in the main) seems to be a popular choice of airline so Dubai would be the obvious stopover.

Can anybody advise what stopover options we have got, what's involved, costs & discounts etc etc??

Any recommendations in terms of hotels & locations would also be a great help.

We'd rather ask the experts on here before calling the airlines direct and making fools of ourselves

Many Thanks

BD
As has been said already, you could for example, fly west with BA & QF via US (QF is 1 out of only 2 airlines that fly direct to Oz from USA, United being the other) or about 20 airlines flying east with stopovers in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bankok, Kuala Lumpa etc etc etc. I guess it just depens what your interests are in terms of what you want to see and do. Good luck with whatever you decide !!
longreach is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 3:49 pm
  #10  
BE Enthusiast
 
longreach's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 493
longreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud oflongreach has much to be proud of
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
1 night in Dubai on the way out and 1 night in Singapore on the way back would be ideal. I don't know if this is possible though.

Failing that, a night (each way) in Dubai would suffice

Main reason for wanting a stopover is to break up the flight a bit for the kids. Not really fussed about sightseeing etc etc

Not sure whether this can be sorted online or whether we'd need to call Emirates direct

Thanks for the info

BD
I think I am correct in saying Emirates fly via Dubai and then Singapore on the way to Oz.
If flying direct to Singapore from LHR, then choice is QF, BA, SIA. The problem I find with the Emirates option is the flying time / swapping aircraft. Its a personal thing. No such problem for stopovers I suppose.
longreach is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 3:55 pm
  #11  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: May 2005
Location: North Lakes
Posts: 72
Greg, Michele and Bella is a jewel in the roughGreg, Michele and Bella is a jewel in the roughGreg, Michele and Bella is a jewel in the roughGreg, Michele and Bella is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
We quite fancy breaking up our flights to and from Oz next year by taking a stopover in one or more locations

At the moment we like the idea of spending some time in Dubai on the way out there, and then spending some time in Singapore (or somewhere else) on the way back.

We've never flown to Oz before and are not really sure what to expect or what options are available to us. Emirates (in the main) seems to be a popular choice of airline so Dubai would be the obvious stopover.

Can anybody advise what stopover options we have got, what's involved, costs & discounts etc etc??

Any recommendations in terms of hotels & locations would also be a great help.

We'd rather ask the experts on here before calling the airlines direct and making fools of ourselves

Many Thanks

BD
You will either love or hate Hong Kong. I hate it, but go that way each time to catch up with friends. Also, last time we went to Oz we flew with Cathay Pacific via HK as they were the cheapest airline (well cheapest that we had heard of and had any reputation).

Something to bear in mind is that if this is a trip that you will do regularly, even over a few years, then it is worth considering your airlines and their frequent flyer programs. Keeping it simple British Airways, Qantas and Cathay are all part of OneWorld and so for example with a Qantas card you earn on any of those three airlines - it doesn't take that long to start getting towards upgrades

Greg, Michele and Bella
Greg, Michele and Bella is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 4:06 pm
  #12  
Proudly Deplorable
 
Amazulu's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Amazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Air New Zealand have loads of options in the pacific, Fiji, Hawaii, Cook Islands etc. via Los Angeles. The only thing is that you will have to connect in Auckland for Australia. They also fly San Francisco - Auckland - Australia.

They are not the best of airlines though.
Amazulu is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 4:06 pm
  #13  
BE Enthusiast
 
honeybob's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Northern Suburbs, Perth...
Posts: 555
honeybob has a brilliant futurehoneybob has a brilliant futurehoneybob has a brilliant futurehoneybob has a brilliant futurehoneybob has a brilliant futurehoneybob has a brilliant futurehoneybob has a brilliant future
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Would personally recommend Singapore Airlines, good value for money, fantastic service and Singapore itself is beautiful, small but beautiful.... Plus it's really cheap to stay there! The humidity however is an experience in itself.... Plus, when we flew with Emirates we had to pay extra for domestic flights, Singapore incorporated all of that, no extra...

Hong Kong is something to be experienced, it's so fast and beautiful... I would definitely recommend it!

Haven't been to Dubai, but my cousin lives there and loves it, she lives like a king, never wants to leave, and no she ain't a pro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob
honeybob is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 5:21 pm
  #14  
Forum Regular
 
moomin's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: solihull, west midlands
Posts: 219
moomin has a spectacular aura aboutmoomin has a spectacular aura aboutmoomin has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

www.travelbag.co.uk are worth a try, they do flights to oz with the option of 3 stop offs including singapore, bali, bangkok and more - sturggled to get the info off the web page ( a reflection on me not them) - but there is a number you can call for a chat.

they are reasonable on prices too.

we fancied dubai but understand that this does not always fit with flight paths so can be a more expensive option.
moomin is offline  
Old Jun 21st 2005, 5:50 pm
  #15  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: May 2005
Location: Kiwi living in Pembrokeshire, Wales
Posts: 45
Merlot12 will become famous soon enoughMerlot12 will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Flights to Oz - Stopover Options

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler
Not sure whether this can be sorted online or whether we'd need to call Emirates direct

BD
Do not book your flights directly with the airline! You will pay an absolute fortune.

Specialists in doing this kind of travel are: Travelbag, STA, Travel Nation (highly rec).
Just phone them up, explain what you are doing and they will give you an idea of prices. If you have settled with just one airline, as it sounds like you have, then you may well still save money with the different travel companies.
Then choosing stopover hotels/ sightseeing tours/ transfers etc can be done be email, no need to stand in a queue at the local travel agency.

Stopovers we have done: Bangkok, Singapore, South Africa (Jo'burg + safari), Vancouver. Advantage in going via the US is the large luggage allowance.
Merlot12 is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.