FINDING PARADISE
The unspoiled beauty of the Cook Islands is in no small part due to their remoteness. But that doesn't mean they're isolated from the rest of the world. With a bit of careful planning, they are accessible from wherever you live. All flights are to the capital island, Rarotonga. If you want to visit the other islands, click here for information on internal travel by land, sea and air.
This page is for guidance only. Airlines change their schedules regularly so it's not feasible to give full details of all the flight timings, routings and options. You are strongly advised to check with your chosen airline for up to date information.
This page is for guidance only. Airlines change their schedules regularly so it's not feasible to give full details of all the flight timings, routings and options. You are strongly advised to check with your chosen airline for up to date information.
FROM AUSTRALIA
DIRECT: Air New Zealand operate a direct flight from Sydney to Rarotonga. It departs from Sydney at 9pm, crossing the international dateline and arriving in Rarotonga at 7am the same day. The return flight leaves on Friday afternoon, arriving in Sydney at 750 pm on Saturday.
INDIRECT: Pacific Blue - partly owned by Virgin boss Richard Branson - has flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. arriving in Rarotonga around 2320 local time. Return flights depart at 0105 local time. It operates via Auckland, New Zealand.
INDIRECT: Pacific Blue - partly owned by Virgin boss Richard Branson - has flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. arriving in Rarotonga around 2320 local time. Return flights depart at 0105 local time. It operates via Auckland, New Zealand.
FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD
The best advice for those wanting to visit the islands from anywhere else in the world is to contact your travel agent or favourite airline. If you're planning a round the world trip with the Cook Islands on your itinerary, one option is the Star Alliance which includes Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa and Asiana Airlines. RTW tickets offer substantial savings over what you would pay if you booked each flight separately.
Or if you're planning to visit friends or family in Australia or New Zealand, I can also recommend an
Either way...you've now got no excuse for a visit!!!!
Or if you're planning to visit friends or family in Australia or New Zealand, I can also recommend an
Either way...you've now got no excuse for a visit!!!!
FROM THE USA AND CANADA
Air New Zealand has a direct flight from Los Angeles to Rarotonga every Sunday. It takes about 9 hours 45 minutes for the journey.
FROM TAHITI
Direct flights operate every Tuesday and Saturday between Papeete and Rarotonga. They're a joint venture between the national carriers, Air Tahiti and Air Rarotonga. Air Tahiti turbo prop ATR-72s, seating up to 66 people, make the two and three quarter hour journey between the two islands.
FROM NEW ZEALAND
The islands are most easily reached from New Zealand. There are direct flights by Air New Zealand every day from Auckland. A direct flight operates from Christchurch on Fridays, and via Auckland every other day of the week. The Auckland flight takes just under 4 hours and the direct service from Christchurch, 4 hours 40 minutes. The Auckland service is also being timed to link up with internal, Air Rarotonga flights to Aitutaki.
A "How To Get There" Guide
SOME OTHER PAGES YOU MAY FIND USEFUL
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS WHERE TO STAY INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS WHERE TO STAY INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL
FROM FIJI
Plans for a new weekly flight from Nadi in Fiji starting this year have been scrapped. The tourism department hope they'll be revived, but there are no immediate plans.
Plans for a new weekly flight from Nadi in Fiji starting this year have been scrapped. The tourism department hope they'll be revived, but there are no immediate plans.
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