Flights to Truk and / or Palau

[billt4sf]

We are based in Bali, and convenient jumping-off points for us are Singapore or Taiwan. We're looking at a trip to Palau or Truk or both. Maybe two trips, unless time and money can be saved by combining them into a single trip.

Apparently, all flights to Truk go through Guam? And it's only through United? (I prefer to avoid US-based carriers if I can).

And all flights to ROR go through Manila?

Is there any easy way to go through Taiwan for either of these two places?

Also, are there times of the year when we "should go", or times of the year to avoid?

Thanks,

- Bill & Emily

 

[Damselfish]

China Airlines has direct flights some days between TPE and ROR. Palau is a popular tourist destination from points in Asia, also look at Asiana or Korean Air.

Truk is tougher.

 

[Russjstewart]

Air Niugini do twice weekly flight from Port Moresby to Truk and then onto Pohnpei. Then back to Port Moresby.
We are booked for the start of July, so we can dive Truk, then go to Pohnpei for a few days diving.

If you want I can post an update in mid July.

i have no idea about getting from Denpasar to P.M. Other than a quick web search that seems to indicate flights via Cairns.

 

[WetPup]

Yes. Flights to Moresby are easiest through Cairns or Brisbane, both of which have good connections to Bali. You can then fly through Moresby to get to Truk.

And hey, if you do it via Cairns, spend a couple of days visiting the GBR on the way through...lol

I did the United flight from Guam to Truk. I think there's a thread on the forums about that trip somewhere - I met a fellow SB member without even knowing it at the time on that flight...JFC. I hate United.

 

[Peter69_56]

Just be careful with Air Niugini as they can decide not to provide a flight sometimes or have long delays of hours thus causing problems with connecting flights.

last time we used them we got there fine, however had a huge delay on the way back thus causing our group to all miss their connecting flight from Brisbane.

 

[runsongas]

Palau is about to hit their rainy season, so may want to hold off for a few months.

No other options than united for truk. The flight is pretty short though at least.

 

[Peter69_56]

I think from memory the best times in Truk are March and august/sept. Thats when I went on 2 trips and it was good weather and conditions. And another time in June which was fine, but next time in March was wet and windy.

 

[billt4sf]

Yes. Flights to Moresby are easiest through Cairns or Brisbane, both of which have good connections to Bali. You can then fly through Moresby to get to Truk.

And hey, if you do it via Cairns, spend a couple of days visiting the GBR on the way through...lol

I did the United flight from Guam to Truk. I think there's a thread on the forums about that trip somewhere - I met a fellow SB member without even knowing it at the time on that flight...JFC. I hate United.

Thanks but United has one thing going for them -- I would choose them over Air Nuigini / Port Moresby any day.

- Bill

 

[billt4sf]

China Airlines has direct flights some days between TPE and ROR. Palau is a popular tourist destination from points in Asia, also look at Asiana or Korean Air.

Truk is tougher.

I see it now. China Airlines does ROR Wednesday & Saturday $500 one way or $677 R/T from TPE.

Truk looks difficult and expensive.

- Bill

 

[Russjstewart]

Just got back from Chuuk and Pohnpei flying Air Niugini. For Bill and Emily's info Air Niugini do fly from Bali (Denpasar) to Port Morseby, and then from POM to Chuuk and Pohnpei.
If you do fly with Air NiuginI I strongly suggest that all flights are booked with them. Our return flight to POM was delayed by 12+ hours meaning we missed the connection to Brisbane and then domestic flight to Melbourne.

As we were booked with Air NiuginI to Brisbane they provided our accommodation in POM, and re-booked us on the next flight to Brisbane. The really bad news was that the domestic carrier Qantas charged us $900.00 to change flights to the next day, they said that if we missed a connecting flight on the same day, they would re-book us at no charge, but 24 hours later was a new ticket.

One couple in POM who were on the delayed flight missed their connection to Australia with Virgin, who apparently said they were on their own.

The lesson here is one carrier all the way.

On the plus side we had 30kg of baggage each plus 15 kg for scuba gear each on all legs where Air NiuginI was the carrier and the in flight meals where good