Is it really 24 hours to Australia?
Absolutely not! Australia is approximately 14 hours flying time from the West Coast of the U.S. Generally flights depart in the evening and you will arrive in the morning local time ready to go! Our partner airlines will pamper you, feed you well, keep you amused with state of the art entertainment systems and make your journey as comfortable as possible.
Australia (East Coast) 14 hours
New Zealand 12 hours
French Polynesia 8 hours
Fiji 10.5 hours
Cook Islands 9 hours
Asia 18 hours (depending on destination, normally not non-stop)
What time of year should I travel and what can I expect?
Some parts of Australia and Asia have four distinct seasons like New Zealand while other areas tend to be tropical or sub-tropical. For seasonal information please contact our Travelscene staff and they will be happy to advise the most suitable time for you to travel.
Island destinations such as French Polynesia, Fiji, and the Cook Islands have a rainier season and a drier season, but are great travel destinations all year long, with tropical climate and fairly constant year-round temperatures.
Do I need to get shots?
Always check with your health care provider for detailed information.
Drinking water is safe in both Australia and New Zealand and hygiene standards are very high. Vaccinations are not required if you are traveling directly to either of these countries.
Vaccinations are not required for any of the South Pacific Islands.
Depending on which parts of Asia you are traveling to, some vaccinations are necessary or at least recommended.
Am I expected to tip?
Tipping is not customary and therefore not expected in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific Islands or Asia and service charges are not added in hotels and restaurants. It is always at your discretion to tip if you have received exceptional service.
What is the voltage downunder?
Australia and Fiji and most of Asia operate on 220/240 volt AC50Hz. Electrical outlets are two or three pin angled plugs depending on your destination. You may need both an adaptor and a converter. Often, these are available at your accommodation but we suggest you take your own to avoid any inconvenience.
Note: Japan’s electrical current is 100 volts.
Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand and the Cook Islands at 240 volts via a slant pin outlet. Hotels often provide a 110 volt socket for electric shavers only.
Tahiti: 220V, AC 60 cycles with European style plugs.
What about the food?
Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the islands of the South Pacific offer a wide range of cuisine, from Pacific Rim specialties, Asian dishes, to Italian and French cuisine. Prices are generally comparable to dining out in a major city in the USA, though prices in French Polynesia may be a bit higher.
Dressing up doesn't appeal to me - how "fancy" do you have to be in the evenings?
You rarely need to dress up in the evenings - a simple, cotton dress or shorts outfit will do for ladies and the gentlemen are fine with a sport shirt and either trousers or shorts. Don't forget your swimsuits, sunblock and sun hats! Another essential to bring with you is rubber-soled or plastic shoes, preferably shoes you can wear in or out of the water to protect your feet from coral when visiting reefs in Australia, French Polynesia, and Fiji.
Please note that there are particular dress requirements when visiting many temples in Asia – usually shoulders need to be covered and not too much skin can be shown.
Do I need a visa?
Australia:
You must have a passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival. In addition, visitors also require a tourist visa which can be issued electronically (ETA – electronic travel authority). Our Travelscene staff can take care of the ETA for you for a nominal fee.
New Zealand:
You must have a passport, valid for at least 6 months following your departure from New Zealand. No visa is required for citizens of Canada and the United States for a stay of up to 90 days.
Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Islands:
You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in the Islands. No visa is required for citizens of Canada and the United States for a stay of up to 30 days.
Asia:
You must have a passport, valid for at least 6 months following your departure from Asia.
Hong Kong: Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status.
Bali (Indonesia): U.S citizens can apply for a 30-day visitor visa upon arrival.
Vietnam: You do require a tourist visa to enter Vietnam visa. This visa must be obtained prior to arrival.
Thailand: Tourist visas for stays of thirty days or less are issued on arrival at Bangkok airport.
Cambodia: Tourist visas for most nationalities can be obtained on arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airports for $20USD cash. A visa form will be issued to you on the airplane or on arrival. You will also need one passport photo to accompany your visa application.
India: You will require a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages. A visa will need to be organized prior to your arrival. For this you will require a completed application form with two passport photos) and your passport. Allow 5-10 working days for processing.
China: You will require a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages. A visa will need to be organized prior to your arrival. For this you will require a completed application form with one passport photo (two for US citizens) and your passport. Allow 5-10 working days for processing.
Japan: Temporary visitor visas are issued on arrival (at no cost) for holders of Australian, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canadian and United States of America passports.
It is your responsibility to ensure all visa (if required) and entry requirements are met prior to arrival at your destination.