Flights to Australia

Qdos · 24 Aug 2009 at 23:07

Another one here going to Oz

Booked it through Flight Centre as I'm taking a month off work to go on holiday - going out via Hong Kong for 2 nights, then 3 and a bit weeks in Sydney (am going to Melbourne and anywhere else I can get to in that time) - coming back via San Francisco for 3 nights.

Flights, visa and hotel stay (in HK only, but it is a 4 star hotel) came to £1089. Possibly a bit on the expensive side, but getting it all done as a package is worth the extra cash. I'm off in just over 6 weeks, can't wait!

ironman · 24 Aug 2009 at 23:09

[TW]Fox;14743264 said:
Not yet, been focusing on my dissertation as its due this week. Will then have far too much spare time so I'll get something written up.

In for Friday too? I'm on around 9000 of my 10000 limit, with approx 2000 of writing still to go

Thanks for the advice too, will have to look at what the other guys are willing to do, renting car sounds like a good option.

[TW]Fox · 24 Aug 2009 at 23:16

Matt said:
There are 4, and they are the structures each end of the main arch

$9.50 to go up... compared to $180 for the bridge climb!

I'm sure its more than that to go up the Pylon? I remember commenting that it seemed a bit steep compared to the Skytower when we walked past the entrance.

Matt · 24 Aug 2009 at 23:30

[TW]Fox;14743997 said:
I'm sure its more than that to go up the Pylon? I remember commenting that it seemed a bit steep compared to the Skytower when we walked past the entrance.

All the websites say $9.50

[TW]Fox · 24 Aug 2009 at 23:31

I will forever wonder why I didnt stump up the fiver now

Ironic Namesake · 24 Aug 2009 at 23:36

I might consider going to Australia sometime next year - with AirAsia X you can get return flight to Melbourne from KL for around £150 - very reasonable (although, it is a no frills airline!)

[TW]Fox · 24 Aug 2009 at 23:39

Ironic Namesake said:
I might consider going to Australia sometime next year - with AirAsia X you can get return flight to Melbourne from KL for around £150 - very reasonable (although, it is a no frills airline!)

I doubt it's much more with Malaysia Airlines though? Only 7 hours though so not that bad.

ironman · 25 Aug 2009 at 14:31

Just received my itinerary, looks like i'm flying with Malaysian Airlines!

[TW]Fox · 25 Aug 2009 at 14:35

gurdas said:
Just received my itinerary, looks like i'm flying with Malaysian Airlines!

Thats who I went with

ironman · 25 Aug 2009 at 14:36

Awesome, the journey seems a lot more bearable now

Are there any perks with MA? When I went to Dubai with Emirates, little things like the usb charger in the screen really pleased me

[TW]Fox · 25 Aug 2009 at 14:48

gurdas said:
Awesome, the journey seems a lot more bearable now Are there any perks with MA? When I went to Dubai with Emirates, little things like the usb charger in the screen really pleased me

You get personal at seat audio with movies etc but thats it, unless you are in Business or First there are no power sockets or anything like that.

The big selling point is 34" seat pitch, the largest of any airlines economy. Plus the cabin service is fantastic.

And bi-lingual announcements

JBuk · 25 Aug 2009 at 15:03

Jez said:
Fox did you do the bridge climb?

Matt said:
I was going to do the bridge climb for my trip in December, but am not sure i'll bother now. You can't take a camera which really puts me off. I think i'll just go up the pylon, as thats wayyyyy cheaper, and you can take your camera!

[TW]Fox;14743115 said:
No because its absolutely extortionate. It's something like $180 each.

The first time I went to Sydney I was with 3 mates and we thought about the bridge climb, then we found it wouldn't cost much more for the 4 of us to hire a helicopter and do a flight around the city then to the blue mountains

It was amazing, seeing so many things from a totally different perspective

something for anyone heading there to think about doing anyways

Zarf · 25 Aug 2009 at 16:35

Found flights with Malaysian Air via Opodo for my trip this summer - cost me £560. Could have got cheaper ones, but I wanted to spend a couple of weeks in Malaysia on the way back.
Food was surprisingly good, cabin staff friendly, decent selection of in flight entertainment.

ironman · 25 Aug 2009 at 17:58

[TW]Fox;14747503 said:
You get personal at seat audio with movies etc but thats it, unless you are in Business or First there are no power sockets or anything like that.

The big selling point is 34" seat pitch, the largest of any airlines economy. Plus the cabin service is fantastic.

And bi-lingual announcements

Excellent! Now the flight lands at 17:25 in KL and flight to Sydney is at 22:10, is that enough time to go outside for a little wander? Do they let you leave the airport?

HangTime · 25 Aug 2009 at 18:08

Flights to Oz flucatate all over the place, I suspect it's because it uses a lot of fuel (obviously) and also you have stopovers so there are probably quite a few tax permutations. Qantas did have a special ashes promotion where you could fly to Sydney for £215 return, but that was a very limited offer and will have sold out by now. I think the Singapore offer has ended now too.

Generally speaking you are looking at around £500-600 +/-, I remember when I first starting looking last year it was around £750, probably due to the price of oil.