Originally Posted by
ASU Anthony
So I am sure you have heard this question a bunch and sorry for being repetitive. I did try to read around before asking.
I want do a "circle the pacific" but I am not sure what would be the cheapest, most cost efficient manner since I want to visit a multitude of countries. Idealistically I would like something that would allow to have flexible dates. Basic tentative itinerary.
LAX > Toyko
Toyko > Osaka (Via rail)
Osaka > Seoul
Seoul > Shanghai
Shanghai > Hong Kong
Hong Kong > Manila (PH)
Manila (PH)> Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City > Bangkok
Bangkok > Singapore
Singapore > Bali
Bali > Cairns (AZ)
Cairns (AZ) > Bisbane *(Via bus)
Bisbane > Sydney *(Via bus)
Sydney > Melbourne *(Via bus)
Melbourne > Auckland
Auckland to LAX
Is it crazy to expect something like this to cost around $4k-$5k?
What should I be looking at spending?
I do not have to fly everywhere and would actually prefer talking rail/bus if I could. Where is a good place to start?
My only goal is be in New Zealand by mid-October for the World Cup of Rugby.
Thanks!
One option would be to:
1. Buy LAX-NRT return on DL
2. In conjunction with that ticket, buy a SkyTeam Asia Pass (
http://www.skyteam.com/about/products/asia.html) with three coupons which you would use for Osaka-Seoul on Korean Air, Seoul-Shanghai on Korean, and then Singapore-Tokyo on DL (work with me here, although you'd have to check that is permitted under the Pass rules).
3. The rest of your flights are suited to the LCCs which fly around the region:
- Shanghai - Hong Kong -
Hong Kong Airlines
- Hong Kong - Manila -
Hong Kong Airlines or
Cebu Pacific
- Manila - Ho Chi Minh -
Cebu Pacific
- Ho Chi Minh - Bangkok -
Air Asia
- Bangkok - Singapore -
Air Asia,
Jetstar or
Tiger Airways
- Singapore - Denpasar -
Air Asia,
Jetstar or
Tiger Airways
- Denpasar - Cairns -
Jetstar
- Melbourne - Auckland -
Jetstar
- Auckland - Singapore -
Jetstar (and from here you'd pick up your last coupon on the Asia Pass to get you back to Tokyo for the return leg to LAX).
I don't know what the total cost would be, but most of the intra-Asia legs on the LCCs you can pick up for as little as USD $50 if you're booking now for travel much later in the year. You can probably get the total cost of your trip below $4,000.