How to get to | Tahiti

I've travelled to a lot of different places (about 100 countries currently depending on which list is used), and intend travelling to a lot more. Sometimes I get asked how to get to country X, where X is perceived to be (and may be really) hard to get to. While I do not mind answering these types of questions privately, if there is reader interest I'll blog about it too. If anyone has a request please feel free to contact me by making a comment or through the email link at top right.



I'll start off with Tahiti (French Polynesia).



Tahiti (French Polynesia)




While some cruises do include Tahiti, most travellers arrive by air. A few main airlines fly to Tahiti:

• Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles, Paris, Sydney and Auckland - they have codeshares and partnerships with both Qantas, Air New Zealand and American Airlines
• Air New Zealand (Star Alliance) from Auckland (the Los Angeles and Rarotonga flights have been dropped)
• Hawaiian from Honolulu
• Air France (Sky Team) from Paris and Los Angeles
• LAN (oneworld) from Santiago via Easter Island

Fares generally are high, especially in premium cabins. Tahiti is difficult to get to on round-the-world tickets due to the lack of onward flights in all 3 alliances and backtracking rules.



TIP book early on a business class award for the best value and a comfortable (long) flight to and from the islands.

TIP Moorea and Bora Bora are far more attractive than the main island of Tahiti but will require a ferry (Moorea) or flight (all the islands on Air Tahiti). These extra flights are unable to be booked on any award or round-the-world ticket. Watch out for schedules as often an overnight stop in Papeete is required to make the connection.