Australia Travel Specialists Chicago
G’day!
Thanks for visiting our Down Under Travel website. We at Go Walkabout Travel are your New Zealand and Australia Travel Specialists for Chicago, Illinois.
With over 30 years of experience designing customized itineraries for our clients traveling from Chicago to Australia and New Zealand, we have a wealth of knowledge to assist you.
Our New Zealand and Australia Travel Specialists for the Chicago region were born and raised in Australia and New Zealand. You are guaranteed to receive specialized knowledge when you book your luxury travel package with us, but you will also get all the handy tips that only a local would know.
Here are a few tips from our Luxury Travel Experts to get you started on what you need to be aware of when planning a trip to Australia or New Zealand.
1/ If you are a US Passport Holder, you will need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) when enjoying a vacation in Australia and New Zealand. Your Australian and New Zealand Travel Specialists can assist you with these. You must have at least six months of validity left on your US passport from when you arrive back in the USA and also declare any criminal records upfront when applying for your visa- otherwise, you may be denied entry. Our Down Under Travel Specialists prefer to issue visas (ETA’s) before issuing your international airline ticket to Australia and New Zealand.
2/ Like anywhere in the USA, traffic and flight delays can cause mayhem and a lousy start to your vacation! If you are traveling to Chicago Airport from other areas in Chicago, i.e., Peoria, Rockford, or Naperville, please leave yourselves plenty of time. It is way better to be checked in and enjoy a drink than to be stressed at the beginning of your personalized holiday to Australia or New Zealand.
3/ Flying times from Chicago via Los Angeles to Sydney in the land Downunder is approx 19 and a half hours in one direction with Qantas- this does not include the airport transfer time. You can also connect with Qantas in Dallas as well. Of course, you can always fly with Air New Zealand and have a stopover in New Zealand, The Cook Islands, Fiji, or beautiful Tahiti/French Polynesia. Air New Zealand departs from Houston, San Francisco, and LA.
4/ Returning to Chicago after a luxurious vacation in Australia or New Zealand can be tough due to jet lag. We recommend taking a couple of extra days off work to allow yourself time to recover. Following our advice will make you feel much better and ready to tackle work again.
5/ Always plan your flights to arrive a day or two early if you have booked a guided tour in Australia or New Zealand. This will allow you time to adjust to the time zone and avoid stress if your flight is delayed when connecting with your coach tour. Of course, your Australia Travel Agents are always there to assist you with any problems with our 24/7 emergency number. We also have 24/7 emergency contacts in New Zealand, The Cook Islands, Fiji, and Tahiti- we always have your back!
6/ Plan and book early! We need time to start planning and designing you a once-in-a-lifetime custom itinerary to travel Down Under. The earlier you book, the better your chance of staying in the best accommodation options and getting the first choice on small group tours. Australia is getting busier and busier with events and conferences, so play it safe and have your customized and personalized vacation package tailor-made early!
7/ It is wise to have a mixture of accommodations when you plan a trip to Australia. There are some tight luggage restrictions on domestic flights, and if you are going for several weeks or more, you will require laundry access. Your accommodation choices range from high-end luxury island retreats like Hayman Island in the Whitsunday Islands region or Lizard Island on The Great Barrier Reef; the apartment stays in which you can do your cooking and laundry, or hotels that range from 3-5 stars… i.e., The Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney Australia. Booking early is especially important if you also plan to travel to New Zealand. New Zealand is smaller than Australia, so the options are fewer. Your accommodation choices in New Zealand are hotels, apartments, farm stays, and romantic luxury lodges.
8/ Time Zones! Like in North America, not all areas of Australia participate in Daylight Saving. On a flight in Australia, always listen to the flight attendant to check if the time has changed. Even cities that sit above each other have different time zones during daylight saving, i.e., Sydney and Brisbane.
9/ Please watch the Chicago Airport website on your day of departure! You must double-check the Chicago Airport website departures to ensure your flight to Australia is operating on time. Most airlines do not advise if there are any schedule changes or delays right before the flight date. If they do, it is usually way after the incident! If there have been any schedule changes, your Down Under Travel Specialist will assist you!
We are excited to create a personalized vacation for you, starting in Chicago and ending in Australia or New Zealand. Our team can craft a unique and unforgettable travel experience, whether you are seeking a fun-filled family getaway, attending a conference, commemorating a special anniversary, using your hard-earned graduation gift, or indulging in a luxurious and romantic honeymoon.
For a personalized vacation from Chicago to Australia or New Zealand, click the link below to consult with a South Pacific travel specialist. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter!