RTW: New Zealand -> Colombia
Replies: 16 - Last Post: Jun 3, 2013 5:02 AM Last Post By: d_stm
jump to
RTW: New Zealand -> Colombia
Hey everyone,I have problems completing my itinerary for my RTW-Trip next year. Some time in the middle of the trip I'll be leaving New Zealand for South America, where Colombia, Ecuador and Peru (or possibly Bolovia) are to be visited. So far I find it next to impossible to find a good connection from NZ to Bogota (or even Lima). In most cases I have to switch planes and least two times, flying via LAX and Toronto for example, which just seems ridiculous. And can't imagine myself being the only one with that problem. Does anyone here have experiences with this connection? I'm grateful for any tip or idea...
Greetings from Germany,
Daniel
1
Lan fly from Australia to Santiago via Auckland.Qantas fly from NZ to Santiago via Australia.
Aerolineas Argentinas are dropping NZ to fly direct Sydney to Buenos Aires.
Lots of cheapish flights between Australia and New Zealand.
Connections from Santiago to the countries you mention are straight forward.
Going via USA is more distance and time. It would want to be cheaper to be worth while.
South America from NZ/Australia is expensive. Flights within Chile and Argentina are expensive.
Try to wrap your internal flights with your international tickets.
Aerolineas Argentinas is in Skyteam.
Both Lan and Qantas are in One world Alliance.
It depends where else you are going. I used a Swiss mini RTW to travel from Australia via Asia to Europe and return via South America. That was in the last few months and cost under USD 2500 all up
2
Flights from Auckland to Buenos Aires used to be cheap with Aerolineas, but I have heard fares have climbed since they dropped out of the market. I went AKL - BA - Lima in a 19 hour flight but was several years ago. Consider booking flights within South America separately as they can be cheaper. Flights thru US aren't much cheaper. Bolivia is definitely worth seeing.3
So far I find it next to impossible to find a good connection from NZ to Bogota (or even Lima). In most cases I have to switch planes and least two times, flying via LAX and Toronto for example, which just seems ridiculous.It's really easy. Take a look at the web of LAN for connections from Auckland to Bogotá or Lima changing planes in Santiago de Chile but be aware they are really expensive. It could be cheaper to book two separate tickets: 1) from Auckland to Santiago de Chile and 2) from Santiago de Chile onwards. If you want to start in Colombia, the cheapest option could be going through the USA (despite the detour it means) and booking 2 separate tickets: 1) from Auckland to Los Angeles 2) from Los Angeles to Bogotá.
Other than that, snoj told you in #1 the options available for direct flights from Australia and New Zealand to South America.
4
I was looking for flights from New Zealand to Central America a few weeks ago. If you don't want to take the detour via US or Canada you could get a flight Auckland to Mexico city, and then book a short flight to Columbia form there.If you like an adventure and time is not an issue you could take the bus from Mexico city south till you arrive in Panama. You have to fly the last part of the trip again, because the Pan-american highway ends in Panama a few miles before the border, and then starts again in Columbia.
If you are looking for a cheap flight rather than a short trip you could quote your price at http://flightfox.com/ and others give you counter offers.
5
If you don't want to take the detour via US or Canada you could get a flight Auckland to Mexico city, and then book a short flight to Columbia form there.The short flight from Mexico to Colombia (BTW, note spelling) won't be a bargain. And going to Colombia through Mexico is a detour as big as going through the USA. Be aware there aren't direct flights from New Zealand to Mexico and you'll need to change planes in China or Japan in order to travel between both countries without going neither through the USA nor Canada.
7
Yes there are no cheap solutions here.Aerolineas to Buenos Aires and LAN/Qantas to Santiago.
Most direct is LAN/Qantas but it will cost what it costs.
Have you looked at Skyscanner? A quick look on Skyscanner shows my flights for $1600 AUD on LAN/Qantas.... not cheap but not expensive for the route you want. Aerolineas return is often around that price, so even with the added flights to Columbia, its an ok price...
Although you can probably get a cheap US flight (around $1000 or less) and a cheap flight from the USA for less than that easily.
10
There are only 3 options to South America from NZ.#1 Auckland to Santiago with LAN (or break this up via Tahiti & Easter Island).
#2 Auckland to Buenos Aires with Aerolinias Argentinas
#3 Auckland to Sydney to Buenos Aires with Qantas.
There are connections all over South America from Santiago or Buenos Aires.
You're unlikely to find a cheap airfare across there because of the lack of competition and regularity of the flights.
11
I could be wrong but I don't think that aeolineas flies thru Auckland anymore.12
Auckland to Buenos Aires with Aerolinias ArgentinasAs hereandtherenz pointed out in #11, Aerolíneas Argentinas doesn't fly out of Auckland anymore. They fly the Sydney-Buenos Aires route though.
13
Probably the most scenic and best route if you have the money IMO. plus you need to time the flights to/from Easter island.#2 Auckland to Buenos Aires with Aerolinias Argentinas
Doesn't fly anymore. Need to go to Sydney.
#3 Auckland to Sydney to Buenos Aires with Qantas.
They don't do Buenos Aires anymore either. They fly to Santiago in partnership with LAN. Rumours were flights to Rio on the 787 were possible, but they cancelled their 787 order.
Which raise the point, its actually not possible to fly to many parts of the Americas direct. It pushes the boundaries of aircraft range. The flight from Sydney to Dallas, stops in Brisbane on the return leg for that reason and is undersold.
