Getting to Central Asia from Australasia
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Sep 2, 2012 4:42 PM Last Post By: juanitanz
jump to
Getting to Central Asia from Australasia
Hi, I'd like to hear from anyone who has flown from Australia or NZ to Central Asia. I want to fly into Ashgabat and out of Bishkek.The local travel agent suggested I go via Frankfurt (!) or Istanbul, but it seems ridiculous to fly so far past the region and then have to fly back just to get there? That's a big carbon footprint :-)
I found some flights from Dubai in and out, with FlyDubai, but there are a lot of complaints about the airline on TT.
I wonder if Delhi or Bangkok is a better option, but can't find any Bishkek - Bangkok flights.
Any other ideas? Of course flying into Istanbul and then traveling overland to Beijing and flying home from there is the preferred option, but unfortunately I have a job.
Thanks heaps
1
To the best of my memory, no airlines offer any services from Bishkek to anywhere in East Asia or the Indian Subcontinent. You would have far more options flying out of Almaty, Kazakhstan.3
China Southern Airlines will be your best bet. They fly to both Ashgabat and Bishkek (they also fly to Almaty if you prefer it) and they fly to several airports in Australia (e.g.: Sydney or Melbourne, among others). The route would be Outbound: Australia-Guangzhou-Urumqi-Ashgabat. Inbound: Bishkek-Urumqi-Guangzhou-Australia.The local travel agent suggested I go via Frankfurt (!) or Istanbul
Ask him/her to be more updated/knowledgeable/professional.
4
Fly from Bangkok to Ashgabat with Turkmenistan Airlines; fly from Almaty to Bangkok with Air Astana. From memory, both airlines also have services to Kuala Lumpur but these might fly only once or twice a week. On a reciprocal basis, Thai Airways might also have occasional actual or code share flights to these cities. Otherwise, look into routes via Urumqi (a useful regional hub for Central Asia) with sectors that include China Southern.You're across the visa issues for the relevant countries, right? It could take you two weeks to get the TM visa, and you'll need to find a city with an embassy to collect it.
5
Thanks for the advice, that definitely gives me some better options. I don't usually use a travel agent (swore off them years ago) but thought I'd see if they had any bright ideas.... Bangkok would mean I could skip Australia, but I'll definitely check out China Southern Airlines too. I did say to the travel agent "don't worry about it, I'll ask LPTT" . I knew you guys would come through - thanks heaps!!6
China Southern also flies to NZ (to Auckland). I don't know if their schedule to/from Auckland will be fine to make the necessary connections in your route without staying overnight in some place along the route though.Sorry, I didn't read your first post properly, I thought you were departing from Australia.
7
Hi, yes I just saw that while I was searching for the airline. From what I can see, might need to go via Australia on the way home. However, a stopover never hurts either. Thanks again.
