Ideas about getting from Townsville to Japan (either Nagoya or Tokyo)

[eastwest101]

Thinking caps on guys, am looking at flying with Mrs eastwest101 and 4 kids to visit family in Japan in the future. As we are in Townsville there seems to be 2 main ways to go:

Backtrack to Brisbane/Sydney then choice of Qantas, Thai, ANA, JAL, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Eva Airlines, Garuda....others?

or fly to Cairns but then stuck with Jetstar or Cathay Pacific

Maybe fly direct to Bali with Strategic and then change to Garuda?

Nagoya more conveinient for where we are going in Japan but Tokyo is do-able. We both only have a modest amount of QFF points and are obviously looking for something that won't break the bank as most kids > 12yo. Looking for 2 keeks in Japanese spring or autumn to avoid the Japanese summers and winters

 

[medhead]

I would suggest you should take a direct flight.

If it was me I would take starclass on jetstar from cairns. I have done this once and it was bad at all. But with 6 people even on a sale fare that might be out of the price range.

My geography for japan is a bit hazy at best. But jetstar also fly to Kyoto (or is it osaka) from cairns. A better option for Nagoya?
An ex worked in Nagoya for a while so I have block out the details.

Perhaps jump on Webjet and see what options come up.

 

[eastwest101]

You are right - I thought JQ dropped Osaka off their schedule, will look into it further. Webjet seems to only throw out Jestar, Singapore, Cathay Pacific and Qantas fares...no prizes for guessing which is the cheapest and which is the most expensive.

If people have a look at the Continental times and transfer at Guam I think we can throw that one out. Ditto for all the stupid backtracking back through Sydney and Melbourne.

 

[medhead]

You could try ITA website. I have the iPhone app for it so I'm not sure of the website. But a search here should find it. Or even google.

Edit: I just tried the app and it is showing stupid jetstar options via gold coast and Melbourne. ~$1500 per person last week august first week September.

 

[pshepvic]

Jetstar still definitely fly Cairns to Osaka. Would only be a 6-7 hour flight I would imagine?

 

[Timtammi]

Jetstar fly to both Tokyo and Osaka. They used to fly to Nagoya too but it was that one that was dropped. I fly OOL-NRT regularly JQ *class and its pretty good value (especially when on sale! which it is/was just recently again) if you take into account points/SC's earnt.

Cheers

 

[eastwest101]

Thanks for all the tips people, will keep an eye out for Jetstar fares when they go on sale, will have to do the maths on whether its worthwhile going on * class or not. Real problem is the early morning departure from Cairns to Toko or Osaka means you can't get from Townsville to Cairns without overnighting in Cairns which just adds to the cost.

 

[medhead]

Real problem is the early morning departure from Cairns to Toko or Osaka means you can't get from Townsville to Cairns without overnighting in Cairns which just adds to the cost.

Have they changed the flight times? I did CNS-NRT last May and the jetstar flight left at a respectable hour. Late enough that I could fly in from Brisbane that morning. I guess it depends on the flights from Townsville.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Just had a play around on www.jetabroad.com.au for 05-12 May TSV/NRT/TSV & it came up with the following:

Depart Thu 05 May 11:35 AM
Townsville (TSV)
Qantas Airways QF971 Townsville-Brisbane Economy Class Qantas Airways QF533 Brisbane-Sydney Economy Class Qantas Airways QF21 Sydney-Tokyo Economy Class Total travel time 19h 55m
Arrive Fri 06 May 6:30 AM
Tokyo Narita, Japan (NRT)

Depart Thu 12 May 8:30 PM
Tokyo Narita, Japan (NRT)
Qantas Airways QF22 Tokyo-Sydney Economy Class Qantas Airways QF512 Sydney-Brisbane Economy Class Qantas Airways QF972 Brisbane-Townsville Economy Class Total travel time 16h 20m
Arrive Fri 13 May 1:50 PM
Townsville (TSV)

1 Adult AUD 1,871.28 Fare Details Airfare Tax Passengers Subtotal Adult 1,473.00 348.28 1 1,821.28 Booking Fee 50.00
FINAL PRICE: AUD 1,871.28 Show price details Hide price details
Item Price Subtotal 1 x Adult AUD 1,821.28 AUD 1,821.28 Booking Fee AUD 50.00 Total AUD 1,871.28


Many economy airfares are NON-REFUNDABLE and changes may not be permitted once purchased. Changes, if permitted, will incur penalties. Jetabroad booking fees are NON-REFUNDABLE Show Details

Cancellations and Changes
Please note that most domestic and international economy fares are NON-REFUNDABLE. Most business and first class fares are PARTIALLY REFUNDABLE. Where an airfare is partially or completely refundable, a Jetabroad processing fee of AUD $100 per ticket will apply in addition to any penalties levied by the airline(s). Most airfares allow changes to the dates and/or routings, but in most cases, change penalties will apply. Some airfares cannot be changed at all. Jetabroad booking and service fees are non-refundable. If you have any question regarding change or cancellation fees, please contact us PRIOR to completing your purchase.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

But wait there's more.....just had a look at www.jetstar.com.au & there's currently a 72 hour sale on for bookings until 1200AEDST Mon 07 Mar for travel 12 Apr to 22 Jun. Cairns to Osaka (KIX) or Tokyo (NRT) which is about $30.00 more each way. Airfare with taxes for adults return is AUD417.45 x 6 of you is AUD2504.70 - bargain!

I'd drive up the day before TSV/CNS then overnight in a hotel for a leisurely lunchtime departure the next day. On the way home even though you arrive at 0500 ish & it's possible to drive straight back to the 'ville I'd opt for another night's accomm in CNS. I'm sure nobody wants a 5 hour drive ahead of them after a longish red eye flight.

The JQ website only supports one way or round trip fares so if you want to do an open jaw itinerary such as CNS/NRT - KIX/CNS or
CNS/KIX - NRT/CNS you will need to call JQ reservations to make the booking. The JQ option saves you plenty of coupons for a couple of nights accomm in CNS each way.


Mon, May 02, 2011

Departure 12:20 PM CNS
Arrive 19:10 PM KIX (OSAKA)

$145.69 Base Fare
$73.31 Fees & Taxes
$219 Total AUD Per Passenger​

Thu, May 12, 2011

Departure 20:25 PM KIX (OSAKA)
Arrive 5:10 AM (+1) CNS

$145.69 Base Fare
$52.76 Fees & Taxes
$198.45 Total AUD Per Passenger​

TOTAL AUD417.45 per person

 

[yo yo ma]

Thanks for all the tips people, will keep an eye out for Jetstar fares when they go on sale,

Sale on now
*class CNS-NRT / KIX $549^ travel: 4/4-20/6/11
^Excluding southbound flights 28Apr-4May & Northbound flights 4May-9May

Econ CNS-NRT $229 travel: 12/4-22/6/11
Econ CNS-KIX $199 travel: 12/4-22/6/11

Sale end midnight March 7

 

[eastwest101]

Yes - I had found pretty similar info, the $1800-$2000 QF fares via Brisbane are an absolute joke and totally uncompetative when compared with the Cathay Pacific fares and service, it is possible to fly to the US or Europe for that sort of money.

Will be holding out for a more reasonable Jetstar sale when its next on - as May is a little too soon for us.