Two Steps to Europe - via Asia and Somewhere ??

[Gold60]

Hi All,

Any ideas how I can do a two-step Y flight, or similar, from AUS to Europe?.

If I cannot afford Y+ and J, but still want to go to EUR/LON, can I city hop at a reasonable price?

Main reason for city hopping is due to health issues - I can’t tolerate the 10+ hours flights on a one stop flight.

Can throw in some train travel in EUR if need be.

Any ideas please??

TIA

 

[Limewood]

To HKG, then DXB look for long layover, then to Europe. Have done this twice be it in J.

 

[Gold60]

WOW. Top idea Limewood. I never thought of that one. It might also work in PE too if i can squeeze some extra juice out of the lemon.....

To HKG, then DXB look for long layover, then to Europe. Have done this twice be it in J.

 

[RooFlyer]

Do you have an airline/alliance preference?

Similar to Limewood's suggestion via Hong Kong, you could go to either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Colombo (the latter departing from Melbourne) then to any of the Gulf ports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Qatar and from there to many European ports.

Probably through Singapore would give you the most evenly-spaced lengths.

You may have to work hard to get it on one ticket though - cheaper than separate legs on un-related airlines.

 

[Gold60]

No Roo, no particular airline preference - so long as they are reasonably safe and comfortable. Would be looking at an air-side, or close by, transit hotel if possible. Other than that, i am pretty flexible....

Do you have an airline/alliance preference?

Similar to Limewood's suggestion via Hong Kong, you could go to either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Colombo (the latter departing from Melbourne) then to any of the Gulf ports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Qatar and from there to many European ports.

Probably through Singapore would give you the most evenly-spaced lengths.

You may have to work hard to get it on one ticket though - cheaper than separate legs on un-related airlines.

 

[dajop]

You may have to work hard to get it on one ticket though - cheaper than separate legs on un-related airlines.

I haven't checked, but ex-BNE it may be possible to do Emirates or Qantas + /Qantas codeshares on Emirates with long layovers in Singapore and Dubai in one ticket.

Otherwise it's entirely possible that two return tickets - one to Asia and one from Asia with stopover or layover in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat or Doha, may well be cheaper than a return with two layovers.

 

[Limewood]

We have used CX, QR and EH in J outa HKG to Europe then back to HKG or home to OZ to avoid those awful Qantas award fees. Not purchased any long haul in a decade, used QFF points or purchased AA or AS miles instead.

 

[Scarlett]

If traveling Y and cost is a factor also look at Royal Brunei Airlines. They often have cheap flights via Brunei then Middle East then London.

 

[Gold60]

i think it is more comfort, rather than cost, although cost does follow along fairly closely. There have been some very good ideas here so far - Thank you to EVERYONE !!!

If traveling Y and cost is a factor also look at Royal Brunei Airlines. They often have cheap flights via Brunei then Middle East then London.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

People from the office flew Royal Brunei, they said it was fine. All the sectors are ~7 hours, so it's neatly divided up. But only departs from MEL.

You can look at the various alliances and non-alliances through googleflights for combinations.

There are also some like Thai and Egyptair, all on one ticket, with breaks in bangkok and Cairo (either stay in Cairo or immediately transfer onwards to Europe).

From Kuala Lumpur Oman Air breaks the journey nicely in Muscat, again with 7 hour sectors.

 

[jase05]

People from the office flew Royal Brunei, they said it was fine. All the sectors are ~7 hours, so it's neatly divided up. But only departs from MEL.

You can look at the various alliances and non-alliances through googleflights for combinations.

There are also some like Thai and Egyptair, all on one ticket, with breaks in bangkok and Cairo (either stay in Cairo or immediately transfer onwards to Europe).

From Kuala Lumpur Oman Air breaks the journey nicely in Muscat, again with 7 hour sectors.

Have done BI in J with no complaints, very comfortable 787 all the way from Melbourne. Seats in Y appeared fine and flight was only 3/4 full in Y. Be aware that it only stops in DXB for about an hour to refuel so no getting off. You can book a stopover in Dubai though to break it up.
Oman is another good option, from Melbourne they use MH to KUL and then on to Muscat and then Europe. Have flown them in Y and J are they are brilliant. Would rate their service and meals on par and perhaps even better than their big middle eastern friends.
TK would be another if have no hestitation flying with again. SYD-BKK with Thai and then BKK to Europe via Istanbul, once again very comfortable in Y but has a longer leg between BKK-IST of nearly 11 hours for memory but then only a few hours into Europe

 

[docjames]

Yep if wanting three "equal" legs, then Royal Brunei is the go. Also relatively cheaper J option too.

Note it's a "dry" airline but you can bring duty free to consume on the first leg.



Other options - I agree via SIN/BKK/HKG and DXB make the most sense. Otherwise GA to CGK then on to IST with TK off the top of my head. AY via a number of intermediate ports then via HEL but the middle leg is still quite long.

There may be a fare option that can take you via MNL and DXB but not sure if it's bookable online from Aus (routes you direct MNL-London??)

 

[Melburnian1]

You could use PR (excellent refurbished A333s) from MEL or SYD, or A320/A321 from BNE to MNL and then a host of options to get you two stops to London/ Europe, though PR flies nonstop to LHR.

I've been on BI but due to it being a dry airline I can't recommend it. Also it only flies from MEL in Oz and has just four long range aircraft (which it needs every day: three for the BWN - DXB - LHR route and one for BWN - MEL return) so if any problems with one of these, you'll find a flight is cancelled. Of course other airlines also have problems but in many cases at their hub they have spares or can rejig flights fairly quickly: BI cannot do this.

Train travel in Europe is fantastic. Buy a rail pass or point to point tickets: the end result is enjoyable travel all round.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You could use PR (excellent refurbished A333s) from MEL or SYD, or A320/A321 from BNE to MNL and then a host of options to get you two stops to London/ Europe, though PR flies nonstop to LHR.

I've been on BI but due to it being a dry airline I can't recommend it. Also it only flies from MEL in Oz and has just four long range aircraft (which it needs every day: three for the BWN - DXB - LHR route and one for BWN - MEL return) so if any problems with one of these, you'll find a flight is cancelled. Of course other airlines also have problems but in many cases at their hub they have spares or can rejig flights fairly quickly: BI cannot do this.

Train travel in Europe is fantastic. Buy a rail pass or point to point tickets: the end result is enjoyable travel all round.

BI allows you to bring your own alcohol.

QF is one of the worst perpetrators for equipment cancellations and changes at Dubai. Does BI have a record for cancellations?

Departures from the EU are protected by EU261.

With PR via MNL, what fares do they offer in conjunction with other carriers ex AU? Otherwise with separate tickets and risking a missed connection in MNL it may not be appealing.

 

[Melburnian1]

BI allows you to bring your own alcohol.

QF is one of the worst perpetrators for equipment cancellations and changes at Dubai. Does BI have a record for cancellations?

Departures from the EU are protected by EU261.

With PR via MNL, what fares do they offer in conjunction with other carriers ex AU? Otherwise with separate tickets and risking a missed connection in MNL it may not be appealing.

The only alcohol you can bring on board is those tiny bottles of spirits. BI staff will provide mixers.

As with many combos using differing airlines, I'd go to a good travel agent.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The only alcohol you can bring on board is those tiny bottles of spirits. BI staff will provide mixers.

As with many combos using differing airlines, I'd go to a good travel agent.

AFAIK there’s no restriction on the size of the bottle of alcohol you can bring on board, subject to local restrictions. Departing MEL you could buy a full bottle of wine duty free if you wanted and consume that. Or the larger sized (200ml) bottles of spirits they also sell at DF.

The miniatures would be all you could likely take through a transit stop, unless Brunei allows the sealed bag thing.

You’re suggesting a two-stop via manila on PR. Do you have ball-park fares as a guide? It could be a long trek via numerous travel agencies to find something. Other two-stops are readily available for pricing on line.

 

[jase05]

BI allows you to bring your own alcohol.

QF is one of the worst perpetrators for equipment cancellations and changes at Dubai. Does BI have a record for cancellations?

Departures from the EU are protected by EU261.

With PR via MNL, what fares do they offer in conjunction with other carriers ex AU? Otherwise with separate tickets and risking a missed connection in MNL it may not be appealing.

Yep, BI cops a bit of stick but we fly with them regularly to MNL and have flown with them to LHR and never had an issue. I’m not a huge drinker on flights so we just buy some at duty free if we want a couple for the journey. Have flown J and Y on the MEL-BWB leg and the staff have always been courteous and helpful and the seats are comfortable. Meals are tasty enough and although their IE isn’t extensive as others it is more than adequate. Have never had a cancellation or a delay of more than 15 minutes, would fly them over QF any day of the week.

 

[Quickstatus]

2 stop into EU:
Check out
Oman Air (WY) BNE-KUL via MH then WY to MCT and EU
Finn Air (AY) BNE-SIN or BKK or HKG on QF then AY to HEL and EU

Or any of the LCC into KUL/SIN/BKK first

@Melburnian1 may have some tips about trains in the EU

 

[NinnyPoo]

Another plug for Oman Air combo with MH to KL. Oman Air Economy is very roomy and business is also good. Modern planes. Also get a chance to spend a night in Muscat, which is a great taste of Arabian culture.

 

[dajop]

Another option from BNE although the third sector is 11 hrs, would be BR (EVA) to VIE via TPE and BKK.