Australia and New Zealand Travel Specialists in Alberta
Our Australia and New Zealand Travel Specialists in Alberta have over 30 years of designing customized itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, and Fiji.
We were born and raised in the Land Downunder. When planning your Australia and New Zealand Vacation, you are given their local knowledge, and you can feel assured that they will be with you from the start of your trip until the very end!
Here are some tips from our Australia and New Zealand Travel Experts on what you need to be mindful of when planning an Australia and New Zealand Vacation from Calgary or Edmonton.
Do Canadian Passport Holders need a visa to travel to Australia or New Zealand?
If you are a Canadian Passport Holder, you will need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) when you vacation in Australia and New Zealand, attend a conference or are on a business trip- your Australia and New Zealand Travel Agent can assist you with these. You must have at least six months of validity left on your passport from arriving in Canada and declare any prior criminal records upfront. We advise having the ETA visa issued before your airline ticket so you have pre-approval.
What time should I check-in for my flight to Australia or New Zealand?
The weather in Alberta can be an issue; it is essential to stay on top of things by checking the Calgary and Edmonton Airport websites for delays.
Remember, even if the weather is fantastic in Alberta, your aircraft will be coming in from somewhere else. They could have delays from bad weather in another area of the country. Please leave plenty of time if you are departing from Calgary or Edmonton Airport and driving from regional areas, i.e., Red Deer, Lloydminster, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Stony Plain, Edson, etc. It is always better to be checked in early at the airport- so you can relax- than starting your holiday in Australia and New Zealand very stressed out! We advise three hours at an absolute minimum, even if your first flight is domestic!
How long is the flight from Calgary and Edmonton to Australia?
Flying time from Edmonton/Calgary -Vancouver- Sydney, Australia is just over 17 hours in one direction without the stopover included. If you are only planning a trip to Australia with no other stopovers, Air Canada is your best choice to start you in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane.
How long is the flight from Calgary and Edmonton to New Zealand?
If you plan on traveling to New Zealand, it is advisable to connect your international flight in Vancouver with either Air New Zealand or Air Canada for your onward journey to Auckland. The approximate flying time for this route is 14 hours, not including your flight from Alberta to Vancouver and connection times.
Can I stop in Fiji, The Cook Islands, or Tahiti?
If you wish to vacation in The Cook Islands, Fiji, or The French Polynesian Islands, Air New Zealand has the best connections to these islands in the South Pacific. There are not always daily flights between some of these destinations and Canada, so you may need to fly one way via the USA at least. Your South Pacific Travel Expert will assist you with the best flight routing for your trip so you can enjoy a stopover.
Will I get Jet lag?
Jet lag always hits the hardest when traveling back to Alberta from Australia and New Zealand. Always allow yourself an extra day or two of rest before returning to work after your vacation! You will be thanking us for this suggestion!
How far ahead do I need to arrive in Australia and New Zealand before my Guided Coach Tour?
It is always a good idea to plan your vacation to Australia or New Zealand in such a way that you can arrive a day or two early if you have already booked a guided tour in either country. By arriving early, you will give yourself enough time to adjust to the local time zone and will not be stressed in case your flight is delayed. However, if you encounter any problems, you can always rely on your Aussie and New Zealand Travel Experts, who are available 24/7 to assist you with their emergency number.
When should I book my trip to Australia and New Zealand?
Book early! We need time to plan and design you a once-in-a-lifetime customized holiday Down Under. The earlier you book, the better your chance of staying in the best accommodation options and having your first choice on small group tours. Australia and New Zealand can get very busy with conferences and other events these days- plus, you need to be mindful of the little things like the weather and school holidays. Don’t worry; your Australia and New Zealand Vacation Specialist will guide you through it all and make it very stress-free!
What are my accommodation choices in Australia and New Zealand?
Consider having a mixture of accommodations when planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand. There are tight luggage restrictions on some domestic flights these days, and if you are going for several weeks or more, you will need to do some laundry. We suggest a mix of apartment stays and hotels. If you are really after a treat, consider a luxury stay in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands in Australia or overnight on Doubtful or Milford Sound in New Zealand. We work closely with you to determine what suits your wants and needs when designing a tailor-made trip to the South Pacific. If you are traveling with children, we can also assist you in making sure the accommodation suits your family’s needs!
Are there different time zones in Australia and New Zealand?
Yes! Like Canada, not all Australian and New Zealand regions have daylight savings. When on your flight, always listen to the flight attendants to check if the time has changed. Even states that sit above each other have different time zones during daylight saving within Australia, i.e., Sydney and Brisbane. Just think of how the time zones are split between Canada, and you will find they are pretty close to Australia.
What do I do if the airline makes schedule changes?
Keep an eye on the Calgary and Edmonton Airport websites on your day of departure! You must double-check the airport website departures to ensure your flight operates on time. You also need to watch the airport website where your International flight departs. Most airlines these days do not advise if there are any schedule changes or delays right before the flight date. If you discover your flight has been delayed or the flight number has changed, speak up to the airline delaying you or contact your Australia and New Zealand Travel Specialist for assistance. We may need to change your arrival transfer times!
I am departing from a regional area in Alberta. How do we connect to International flights?
Please leave plenty of time to connect in Edmonton or Calgary for those folk planning connections from Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, High Level, Cold Lake, or any other regional Airport in Alberta. There may be bad weather, and delays in your area or in an area your aircraft is coming from that could upset your whole itinerary. As you all know, often, in these destinations outside of Edmonton and Calgary, there are limited flights. The last thing you wish to do is miss your International flight departing from Vancouver or LA to commence your Vacation.
How do we book a trip with your Australia and New Zealand Travel Specialists in Alberta?
Make contact by clicking on the Contact Us box below.
You can read how our process works here.
We look forward to designing a customized itinerary for your vacation from Edmonton or Calgary to Australia and/or New Zealand.
We can tailor-make you an amazing once-in-a-lifetime trip whether you are planning an action-packed family holiday, attending a conference, celebrating a wedding anniversary, taking advantage of that well-deserved graduation gift, Seniors escaping the Canadian Winter as a Snowbird, Tramping, and Hiking in New Zealand, enjoying retirement and Golfing in New Zealand or at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club or finally getting to relax on that luxury romantic honeymoon.
Click the link below for more information on planning a vacation from Calgary or Edmonton to Australia and New Zealand with your New Zealand and Australia Travel Specialists.
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