How to get to | Palau

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Palau

Source: Peter R Binter

Options to get to the Palau island state are very limited. Continental flies to Koror from Guam and Manila. There are sometimes charter flights from Taiwan and South Korea.

TIP - air fares are high. Star Alliance awards and around the world fares provide affordable alternatives to regular fares, but have limited availability - book as far ahead as possible.

How to get to | Comoros

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Comoros

Source: Sascha Grabow

Other than catching a ride on a supply ship from Madagascar (in itself difficult to travel around), the only way to visit Comoros is by air. A few airlines fly to the capital of Moroni, including:

• Star Alliance - none
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - Kenya Airways
• Other selected - Comores, African Express, Air Austral, Air Madagascar

TIP An award or around the world ticket on Sky Team (Kenya Airways) is a good option for travellers from central and northern Africa, Europe or beyond.

TIP Otherwise, if not starting from Kenya or Tanzania it is difficult and expensive to reach Comoros. Allow plenty of time for connections across separate tickets and infrequent flight schedules.

How to get to | Sri Lanka

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Sri Lanka

Source: Bernard Gagnon

The main way to reach Sri Lanka is by air. Airlines flying to Colombo include:

• Star Alliance - Singapore, Thai
• Oneworld - Cathay Pacific (from Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore), Royal Jordanian
• Sky Team - none
• Other selected - most Indian airlines, many Persian-Gulf and Malaysian airlines

TIP There is plenty of competition from Chennai, Bangkok and Singapore. If you cannot get a reasonable fare to Colombo from elsewhere in Asia or further afield check the option of separate tickets via one of these 3 places. Don't forget to allow plenty of time to connect (eg a day).

TIP There are not many low cost airlines flying to Colombo. Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur, a couple of European airlines during northern winter season and several Indian airlines.

TIP Around the world or longhaul award tickets to Colombo on Star Alliance or Oneworld are fairly easily obtained via Bangkok or Singapore, as long as the booking is made early enough. This may change as Sri Lanka returns to being a popular tourist destination now the Tamil-related violence is gone.

TIP Several airlines operate a triangle flight with short hop between Male and Colombo in either or both directions connecting to a longhaul destination in Europe, Middle East or Asia. If fares to/from Colombo are high check them to/from Male instead with a separate ticket for the extra flight.

TIP In the past Colombo has had very low longhaul premium (ie first and business class) fares (to North America, Europe or around the world). So low that many people travelled to Sri Lanka to get these cheap tickets. The best bargains are long gone due to fare increases and currency movements, however from time to time there are some cheap longhaul fares that are worthwhile as long as you can get to Sri Lanka cheaply or easily.

How to get to | Samoa

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Samoa

Source: Robyn Gallagher

Some cruise ships and freighters visit Samoa from other South Pacific islands and also Australia and New Zealand. However, most visitors to Samoa arrive by air at Apia. Airline options are limited to regional carriers.

• Star Alliance - Air New Zealand from Auckland, Tonga and Los Angeles)
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - none
• Other selected - local airlines to Pago Pago (American Samoa), Air Pacific from Fiji, Virgin Blue subsidiaries from Sydney Brisbane and Auckland

TIP Fares from Auckland, Fiji and Australia are relatively cheap, except in school holidays or if there is a major event on in Samoa.

TIP Air New Zealand has through-fares from UK and USA to New Zealand and Australia that allow an en-route stopover at Cook Islands, Samoa or Tonga for little or no extra $.

TIP Awards in business class between USA and New Zealand are easier to get via the islands than on non-stop flights.

TIP On a Star Alliance round the world fare, which is distance based, it is much more efficient to fly Auckland to Apia to Los Angeles or vice versa than doubling back via Auckland (Los Angeles to Auckland to Apia to Auckland).

How to get to | Paraguay

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Paraguay

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Visitors to Paraguay arrive by bus from all neighbouring countries (except Bolivia), by cargo boat from Brazil, or by air at Asuncion. Airlines flying to Paraguay include:

• Star Alliance - none
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - none
• Other selected - TAM and other South American airlines

TIP Paraguay cannot be included on the standard alliance around the world fares, and no major airlines fly to Asuncion. However, TAM is a partner of some frequent flyer programs and thus awards are possible.

TIP From outside South America, first fly to Buenos Aires (see the how to get to Argentina post for some tips) and then get a separate ticket to Asuncion by bus or air.

How to get to | Algeria

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Algeria

Source: Damien Boilley

Most of the land borders other than with Tunisia are closed. There are some ferries between Marseilles and Alicante and Algiers and Oran. Airlines flying to Algieria include:

• Star Alliance - EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Spanair, TAP, Turkish
• Oneworld - British Airways, Iberia
• Sky Team - Air France, Alitalia
• Other selected - Air Algerie, some North African airlines

TIP Some longhaul fares in business and first class are relatively cheap from Algeria (compared with from Western Europe).

TIP On a Oneworld around the world fare, Algeria is treated as part of Europe.

Online around the world booking

A few days ago I decided to buy one more Oneworld around the world ticket to take advantage of their 10th anniversary 10% off sale which ended 3 November.

This time I booked it using the online tool, as I have booked others before (on both Star Alliance and Oneworld). Normally the booking is ticketed very quickly (within hours) as most of the validation of the complex rules is done automatically by the tool. It has been a few days since I made the booking and there is no sign of an eticket yet.

This is the downside of using online tools - less customer support than booking with a travel agent (who can hurry the ticketing airline along).

How to get to | Oman

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Oman

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Oman can be reached by land from United Arab Emirate and Yemen, or by air at Muscat. Airlines flying to Oman include:

• Star Alliance - EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Swiss, Thai, Turkish
• Oneworld - British Airways, Royal Jordanian
• Sky Team - KLM
• Other selected - most Persian Gulf and major Indian subcontinent airlines

TIP There are a limited number of fifth freedom flights between Muscat and other places in the Middle East, eg British Airways and Lufthansa between Abu Dhabi and Muscat, or Swiss between Dubai and Muscat. These can be relatively inexpensive.

TIP On Star Alliance round the world tickets (which are mileage based) use a combination of Asian (ie Thai) and European (eg Lufthansa) to visit Muscat and avoid high mileage wastage of back-tracking. On Oneworld round the world (continent based) tickets you can backtrack with British Airways (limit one visit to Middle East though) or with Royal Jordanian. Backtracking to Asia is not allowed because Middle East is in IATA TC area 2 and Asia is IATA TC area 3.

How to get to | Ethiopia

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.



Ethiopia

Source: Jialiang Gao

Ethiopia is the easiest of the East Africa countries to reach. There are buses from all neighbouring countries except Eritrea. There is also a train between Addis Ababa and Djibouti City. Allow plenty of time for land travel - distances are deceptively big. Airlines flying to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia include:

• Star Alliance - bmi, EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Turkish
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - Kenya Airways, KLM
• Other selected - Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates

TIP The best around the world option is on Star Alliance, because there are more flights and less back-tracking required.

TIP Ethiopian Airlines has some attractive fares from Europe and North America and codeshares on many different airlines. These codeshares generally are not available on alliance products or awards.

How to get to | Qatar

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.



Qatar

Source: Shahin Olakara

The only land border is with Saudi Arabia and a visa or transit visa is required to use the bus or taxi services. Airlines flying to Doha include:

• Star Alliance - EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Turkish
• Oneworld - British Airways, Royal Jordanian
• Sky Team - KLM
• Other Selected - Qatar Airways, most Middle Eastern airlines, some Indian airlines

TIP Several airlines operate fifth freedom flights between Doha and other Middle East hubs (notably excluding Saudi Arabian airports). These can be relatively inexpensive.

TIP If visiting somewhere else in Middle East and flying on Qatar Airways it is usually worthwhile on paid tickets to make the other place the destination with a stopover in Doha. The cost is the same or very little extra compared with Doha as destination. The opposite applies if flying other gulf airlines (ie if flying Emirates Gulf make Dubai the stopover and Qatar the destination).

TIP If including Bahrain in a Star Alliance or Sky Team around the world ticket (which have a mileage limit) take a surface sector from one of the other Middle East hubs to avoid the need for lengthy backtracking due to lack of Asian connection.

TIP On a One World explorer around the world ticket (which is not mileage-based) you can back-track via London on British Airways or Amman on Royal Jordanian, or fly on to Bahrain on British Airways to connect with Cathay Pacific.

How to get to | Grenada

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.




Granada

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Grenada can be reached by cruise ship, boat from Saint Vincent, or by air. Airlines flying to Grenada include:

• Star Alliance - Air Canada
• Oneworld - American, British Airways
• Sky Team - Delta
• Other Selected - local Caribbean airlines such as LIAT & SVG Air & Air Jamaica, Virgin Atlantic, some low cost airlines (European and North American)

TIP On the Caribbean airlines the cheapest fares tend to be only available booking directly (on website if airline has one).

TIP Grenada is a useful stop on a Oneworld RTW or award ticket. The prohibition on mileage earning and redemption for American AAdvantage on British Airways trans-Atlantic flights and BA Executive Club on American trans-Atlantic flights does not apply for flights via the Caribbean.

How to get to | Abu Dhabi

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.




Abu Dhabi

Source: Ian Anderson

Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can be reached by land from the other UAE Emirates and from Oman at Al Ain. Airlines flying to Abu Dhabi (the city) include:

• Star Alliance - EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Singapore, Thai, Turkish
• Oneworld - British Airways, Royal Jordanian
• Sky Team - KLM
• Other Selected - Etihad, most Persian Gulf and Indian subcontinent airlines

TIP There are some fifth freedom flights between Abu Dhabi and other places in the Middle East, eg British Airways between Abu Dhabi and Muscat. These can be relatively inexpensive.

TIP It may be relatively cheaper to fly via Abu Dhabi with a stopover than to fly a simple round trip, whether on a paid ticket or an award ticket. For example Australia to Abu Dhabi is often not much less than Australia to Europe via Abu Dhabi.

TIP If visiting somewhere else in Middle East and flying on Etihad it is usually worthwhile on paid tickets to make the other place the destination with a stopover in Abu Dhabi. The cost is the same or very little extra compared with Abu Dhabi as destination. The opposite applies if flying other gulf airlines (ie if flying Gulf make Bahrain the stopover and Abu Dhabi the destination).

TIP On Star Alliance round the world tickets (which are mileage based) use a combination of Asian (eg Singapore) and European (eg Lufthansa) to visit Abu Dhabi and avoid high mileage wastage of back-tracking. On Oneworld round the world (continent based) tickets you can backtrack with British Airways (limit one visit to Middle East though). In both cases backtracking to Asia is not allowed because Middle East is in IATA TC area 2 and Asia is IATA TC area 3.

How to get to | Mongolia

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.



Mongolia

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Trans-Mongolian train runs between Beijing & Moscow via Ulan Batar, and there are also local trains from Beijing, Hohot and Irkutsk. Buses run from Ulan Ude in Russia to Ulan Batar. Airlines flying to Mongolia (all to Ulan Batar) include:

• Star Alliance - Air China
• Oneworld - Japan Airlines (charters)
• Sky Team - Aeroflot, Korean
• Other Selected - MIAT

TIP Land travel is slow, not only because of the great distances involved but also due to slow border crossings.

TIP The Japan Airlines charter flights are not available for use on frequent flyer awards or Oneworld alliance fares.

TIP For round the world travel, Sky Team is the easiest option with flights to both Europe and elsewhere in Asia.

TIP If visiting in summer, book flights well in advance. Especially for awards and discounted business class fares.

How to get to | Djibouti

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.




Djibouti

Source: Wikimedia Commons

There is no easy way to arrive and depart Djibouti. There is an infrequent train from Addis Ababa. Otherwise there are some bus/taxi services with neighbouring countries on an irregular schedule (generally less than daily). Very few airlines fly to Djibouti, and they include:

• Star Alliance - none
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - Air France, Kenya Airways
• Other selected - Djibouti Airlines, Ethiopian, Yemenia

TIP With few travellers and scarce flights, fares are high. Book early if using frequent flyer miles or a Sky Team around the world fare.

TIP A few airlines fly between Addis Ababa and Djibouti (city), which is the only route with meaningful competition.

TIP If travelling by land allow plenty of travel time as both trains and buses are very slow on poor tracks/roads.

How to get to | Bangladesh

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Bangladesh

Source: Wikimedia Commons

You can arrive at Bangladesh by land (bus) from India or by air. Airlines flying to Bandladesh include:

• Star Alliance - Singapore, Thai
• Oneworld - Dragonair
• Sky Team - China Southern
• Other selected - Biman Bangladesh, most airlines from Persian Gulf and Indian subcontinent

TIP fares to/from Bangladesh tend to be high compared with India.

TIP check out fares to Malaysia, with flights to/from Bangladesh on low cost airline Air Asia.

TIP Bangladesh is tricky to include on an award ticket from Europe or a mileage based round the world ticket due to the absence of flights to/from Europe (other than Biman Bangladesh).

How to get to | Colombia

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Colombia

Source: Matthew Riche

While there are buses from all neighbouring countries (except Panama), most visitors arrive by air. Airlines flying to Colombia (mostly Bogota) include:

• Star Alliance - Air Canada, Continental
• Oneworld - American, Iberia, LAN, Mexicana
• Sky Team - Air France, Delta
• Other selected - Avianca, several Central and South American airlines

TIP Fares between Colombia and major cities in USA are relatively inexpensive compared to other routes to/from Colombia.

UPDATED November 2009 - Continental switch from Sky Team to Star Alliance.

How to get to | Svalbard

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.


Svalbard

Source: Jens Kube

Svalbard are a group of islands to the north of mainland Norway. Visitors to Svalbard arrive by cruise ship during summer (some Iceland to Greenland cruises also visit Svalbard) or by air at Longyearbyen. The only scheduled flights are on SAS from Oslo and Tromso, and Norwegian Air Shuttle from Oslo. There are also a limited number of charter flights from Russia.


TIP Fares are very high so including Longyearbyen on a Star Alliance around the world ticket or award is good value.

How to get to | Bahrain

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Bahrain

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Visitors to Bahrain arrive across the King Fahd causeway, or by air. Flight options include:

• Star Alliance - EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Turkish
• Oneworld - British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Royal Jordanian
• Sky Team - KLM
• Other Selected - Gulf Air, most Middle Eastern airlines, some Indian and north African airlines

TIP Several airlines operate fifth freedom flights between Bahrain and other Middle East hubs (notably excluding Saudi Arabian airports). These can be relatively inexpensive.

TIP If visiting somewhere else in Middle East and flying on Gulf Air it is usually worthwhile on paid tickets to make the other place the destination with a stopover in Bahrain. The cost is the same or very little extra compared with Bahrain as destination. The opposite applies if flying other gulf airlines (ie if flying Emirates Gulf make Dubai the stopover and Bahrain the destination).

TIP If including Bahrain in a Star Alliance or Sky Team around the world ticket (which have a mileage limit) take a surface sector from one of the other Middle East hubs to avoid the need for lengthy backtracking due to lack of Asian connection.

TIP On a One World explorer around the world ticket (which is not mileage-based) you can either connect with Cathay Pacific or back-track via London on British Airways or Amman on Royal Jordanian. Backtracking via Hong Kong is not allowed because Middle East is in IATA TC area 2 and Asia is IATA TC area 3.

How to get to | Eritrea

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Eritrea

Source: Wikimedia Commons

It is difficult to visit Eritrea with all 3 land borders subject to either permanent or temporary closures. Very few airlines fly to Asmara in Eritrea, and they include:

• Star Alliance - EgyptAir, Lufthansa
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - none
• Other selected - Saudi Arabian, Sudan, Yemenia

TIP Getting a visa for Eritrea takes time. I have had to reroute an itinerary (dropping Eritrea) when a visa failed to be issued in time, and Chris Guillebeau had the same experience several months later.

TIP With few travellers and scarce flights, fares are high. Book early if using frequent flyer miles or a discounted alliance product (Star Alliance Africa airpass or around the world).

TIP As with any destination with infrequent flights (only a few times a week from a handful of places), allow a few extra days in your trip for airline schedule changes.

How to get to | Turkmenistan

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.


Turkmenistan

Source: Jozef Lang

Visitors to Turkmenistan arrive by taxi from all neighbouring countries (change taxi at/near the border) or fly. There is no land transport across the border. A few airlines fly to Ashgabat the capital of Turkmenistan, including:

• Star Alliance - Lufthansa, Turkish
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - China Southern
• Other selected - S7

TIP Turkmenistan is currently impossible to visit on a Star Alliance around the world ticket due to back-tracking rules because Turkmenistan is in Asia and the only flights are from Europe. A surface segment between Ashgabat and somewhere else in Asia is required. Turkmenistan is also virtually impossible to visit on a Sky Team around the world due to the enormous distance to double back to an Asian hub.

TIP On some Star Alliance frequent flyer programs longhaul awards to Turkmenistan are a bargain (the ones which ignore the transit through Europe) and on others very expensive (the ones which take the routing into account).

TIP Some longhaul fares to Europe include Ashgabat for a relatively small surcharge.