Organising a "split trip"...

[bobsi18]

Hey all, I'm trying to organise a trip for my parents to come visit me in Japan, around Christmas time. The catch is that they want to fly here (Japan), take the boat to China, then fly home from Shanghai/Hangzhou.

I'm trying to figure out the best way (cheapest!) to organise this. They can only get time off around Christmas time, so probably something along the lines of:

MEL-KIX (would prefer to cough (Fukuoka), but I can sort out a domestic flight from Osaka to Fukuoka, so that's not a biggie) - 25/12 or 26/12

KIX-cough next day (but I can organise this easily enough from here). I can organise the ferry to China (I've done this one before).

PVG - MEL around the 5/1 or so.

I figure I could do something like Jetstar to Osaka, then domestic flight to Fukuoka. Then for the return, one of the airlines (China Air? China Southern?) one way?

I'm wondering if it's possible to use an airline that flies to both Osaka and Shanghai (JAL? I'm not sure who does this), and skip the "middle section" of the flights, ie the Japan to China segment. Is this reasonable?

Any suggestions on what would be a good way to organise this? TIA

 

[Travel Guru]

I would suggest in this instance you may want to enlist the help of your local TA, as they'll access open jaw tickets far easier than you'll find online.

TG

 

[harvyk]

Yes this is very reasonable. I'm with Travel Guru on this one, get a TA to organise it.

That said if your determined to organise it yourself airlines usually give the option via their websites to place in ground sectors which mean you can arrange travel via another means (such as through a different airline or via driving \ boat \ train). It's also possible to book two one way tickets with different airlines. Sometimes there will be a premium for doing this, othertimes it'll be the same price as having all flights booked under the one ticket.

Personally I've used both methods without any hassels.

 

[bobsi18]

I would suggest in this instance you may want to enlist the help of your local TA, as they'll access open jaw tickets far easier than you'll find online.

TG

I think you may be right there... I'll see what I can do... Only problem is I don't have a local TA, I have always arranged everything myself!

Does anyone have any suggestions of online travel agents that will help organise these kinds of trips? I have in the past emailed a few of the big ones (flight centre etc), but never received responses. I'm currently in Japan, and don't think I'm up to explaining all of this in my limited Japanese to a local TA.

 

[straitman]

Does anyone have any suggestions of online travel agents that will help organise these kinds of trips? I have in the past emailed a few of the big ones (flight centre etc), but never received responses. I'm currently in Japan, and don't think I'm up to explaining all of this in my limited Japanese to a local TA.

I have a very good TA in Oz who could/would sort for you BUT she is OS on holidays at the moment:!: