Trip to Australia - need help planning please

[snemrose]

My 82yr old dad would like to go visit his other dd (my sister) in Adelaide. It will probably be the last time he goes out there (he last went 15 years ago) and it’s unlikely she can get back to the Uk anytime soon.
Therefore he wants to throw money at it (within reason obviously, he’s not a millionaire) to make it the most comfortable journey. He is thinking business class/premium economy? He doesn’t particularly mind what time of year he goes but would prefer not unbearable heat. What are the best options? Where are the best layovers to help combat jet lag? He is planning to go for a month.

I know I could google flight prices but I also know there are many Aussie mners on here and others who do these trips regularly so hoped you may have some tips. He is relatively fit and healthy (type 2 diabetes) walks a lot so wouldn’t need any physical assistance. But can at times struggle to deal with people hence me wanting to see what I can do to help him in planning. I can’t go with him but would like to help him plan it before he feels as though the chance has passed.

Any tips gratefully received !

It was 16 years ago, but DH, DD(15 months) and I took my mother (then 78) over to Sydney to see my brother's family so it is not dissimilar. The rest of us just used it as a base for about a week before/after we went off to explore Queensland. We always use a specialist travel agent so they can flip the itineraries around mid booking (we've been caught by hotel closures and Queensland flooding in the past, with no alternatives nearby - perhaps less of an issue for an Adelaide-centric trip).

Organising insurance for your DF might take a bit of work, but it is vital. We pulled together a list of the various medications/hospital referrals and stays and phoned for a couple of quotes (I probably used Money-Saving Expert /Saga/Age UK for suggestions). I seem to remember that I did most of the talking and then put DM on to confirm what had been recorded (NB It will be cheaper is you keep away from USA)

DM had visited independently several times and had probably seen more of NZ and Oz than any of the rest of us. She was quite insistent that we went via Singapore (having previously gone via LA and Hong Kong, she much preferred S'pore as it is cleaner and just, err, nicer). We stayed for 2 or 3 nights in an hotel with 2 beds and a kitchenette as I figured that either DD or DM would not adjust to the time difference. That worked really well. Coming home, by which point we were in Perth we stupidly decided to fly home in one go from Perth (just switching planes). If you can spare the time, break the journey properly.

When to visit? You probably need to ask a local. If the wind is coming up from the Antarctic it can be chilly in winter. I would have though either April/May or late Sept/October would be a good option.

Where to visit (as adults)?

• We did a lovely drive over a few days along the coast from Melbourne to Adelaide (google 12 Apostles/Port Fairy/Apollo Bay)
• Kangaroo Island is a short (small plane) flight from Adelaide (it looks as if you can get a car ferry too): https://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/visit/travel/getting-to-kangaroo-island We did a 2-3 night small group tour.
• Vineyards (we did Hunter instead, but we always enjoy an organised tour)

Thank you!

It’s unlikely dad will be able to hire a car so would only want to travel an hour on bus/train/plane once he is there
When you say re medications/hospital referrals do you mean literally everything? His diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, cataracts etc?

I would fly emirates business class with a stop over in Dubai for 2 or 3 nights, get a private transfer to/from hotel ... contact Emirates and im sure tgey will provide you with options, including being accompanied through airport.

Otherwise ring Trailfinders and they will sort it for you.

Trailfinders are good for this. But I’d also second Singapore as a great place to stay over. The hotel at the airport is great for him to break the journey.

Via Singapore is usually the nicest way, if he wants a stopover but isn’t comfortable with visiting a city alone, there’s a hotel in the airport. Though I would also investigate going on the direct flight to Perth then taking the shortish flight to Adelaide, I think it’s the quickest possible way of doing it flying hours wise and he could book a hotel in Perth to adjust to jet lag before taking the domestic flight to Adelaide as an option.

Yes to comprehensive travel insurance, we use Staysure, just answer every question carefully and don’t minimise

Which UK airport would he be flying from? Would he want a stopover en-route? One option could be a direct, 17hr Qantas flight London to Perth, then change to an internal flight to Adelaide. Singapore air used to offer a stop over deal with a free city tour and other things. The franca lingua is English and signage is in English, pubic transport very easy to use. I've also stopped in Bangkok or Hong Kong, but it depends if he'd want a few days somewhere on his own, or just to get there and then relax?

Skyskanner and lots of other sites let you set up a price alert. Generally, Mar/Apr used to be the cheapest time to travel from UK-Aus. Its nearly Feb though, so the cheaper flights for Mar might have gone- if he is thinking of going this year? Check the Easter dates incase he arrives on a bank holiday etc though.

Emirates business class offer a pick up/drop of service up to 50miles from the airport. I 'think' its applicable at the other end too, but not sure. My in-laws used them often and loved being collected by the chauffeur. I'd be asking for assistance. Airports can have miles of walking and they will assist him with check in etc. My first fight after covid, I was amazed how much is now self check in, self weigh your bags, self go through customs/airport control etc. Yes, there are people to assist, but if you specifically book assistance for him, its one less stress.

You will see cheap flights with China Eastern and China Southern- avoid these airlines. Singapore and emirates are very good. I've also gone with British airways, Qantas, Cathay, Thai and China airlines (its actually Taiwanese) and they were all fine too.

Did nsw in September gorgeous weather, not too hot, jacket in the evening.
I'd recommend premium economy, for space alone. Just to say, if he goes via dubai the transfer window was incredibly short. We legged it coming back and we just.made it. I dont know if there's a service to help less mobile passengers get to their flight, know there were lots of golf carts with trailers ferrying people about.
We looked into Singapore and I remember seeing that there are bus tours from the airport for stopovers, so he could stay in the airport hotel, but still see the city.
As comprehensive insurance as possible.

I visited Australia in September this year and if I were to do this again, I would definitely stop over halfway there (and back) for a few days. The 28 hours of travelling back were quite exhausting. I flew with Singapore Airlines and they were amazing.

Thank you all so much. He will be flying from Heathrow. Last time he went he flew via Singapore and spent 4 days there. Hadn’t thought of him flying direct to Perth - that’s a thought. Don’t think he has been there so he could spend a couple of days there. Think he would prefer that than Dubai. Hadn’t initially thought he would need assistance but actually it might not be a bad shout - if nothing else than he doesn’t get confused as to where he is going.

Appreciate all the input

I go to Aus every few years to visit family. I’d really recommend the direct flight to Perth from Heathrow - it’s long but I find it best for dealing with jet lag and no stress of transfers. If he would prefer a transfer to have a break I’d also recommend Singapore airlines, they are the best in my opinion. If he did the direct flight may be worth booking a night or two in Perth, it’s a lovely city, easy to get about and a good range of hotels.
if you can afford business class I would do it, I think the difference between that and premium economy is worth it. If you can only afford it one way do it on the way back when he may be tired from
the trip.
I tend to go in October / November as it’s still spring so not as hot (can be getting v hot by end of November).
I hope he has an amazing time!

I'd be asking for assistance. Airports can have miles of walking and they will assist him with check in etc. My first fight after covid, I was amazed how much is now self check in, self weigh your bags, self go through customs/airport control etc. Yes, there are people to assist, but if you specifically book assistance for him, its one less stress.

I agree with this.
My friend who is 82 went (just to Europe) recently and said she felt a fool when her dd persuaded her to get registered for assistance, as she is well traveled, but she was SO glad she had, when there was a fairly last minute change of departure gate. She can walk, but was very glad of someone taking her on one of those trolleys and making sure she got to the right place during a long day's travel, which was more stressful than before due to the amount of self check in etc you now have to do.

Holiday insurance will try to refuse claims if the slightest thing hasn’t been declared. That might be a whole new thread.

I already posted upthread and suggested the direct flight to Perth. If he wanted to do this, rather than stop over in Asia, there are a few options.

Internal flight options include qantas, jet star and virgin Australia from Perth to Adelaide. Another option is the Indian Pacific train from Perth to Adelaide- or just doing the return way. Its 2 days to Adelaide so might be another option to help re set jet lag, relax, eat, but also see the views etc.

Just wanted to say at 82 forget premium economy he has no choice but business.

I’d go Singapore or Qatar over Emirates

Seconded

At Dubai airport you can get a firm that meets you from your flight & guides you and your luggage through the airport to your next connecting flight…think they use golf buggy things.
Really hope your dad has a holiday to remember!

All depends on his location airport I suppose.

Yes, book assistance. Not outrageously expensive, but check reviews first. I booked it for aged DP once but they got abandoned on the return layover. I think the agent was moonlighting and didn't get back to DP in time for the gate. I got refunded, but what's the use of that? Make sure he has a mobile and can contact you.

Also pre-existing-medical-conditions health insurance - I'd be pricing that up first, not the fares. If in the UK, get him signed up to NHS online and check his GP records to make sure you don't miss anything. You could well end up ringing the insurer, agent or broker to get everything declared, as the online quote engines can miss some conditions.

Yes, everything. See my previous post.
Edited to add: health insurance can cost more than the flight. Not having it can cost more than your house.

Definitely go business if he can afford it. The extra legroom in premium isnt worth it at all, but in business he gets a bed! So mich more comfortable to travel.
I dont think it matters where you layover with the jetlag. The most important thing is to get into a routine once youre there. Stay awake during the day and stay in bed during the night, even when feeling awake.

We used to fly over singapore, because it was the best airline, but recently we have found its gotten much worse, or other airlines have gotten better. We had much better experiences with cathay flying over hong kong in the last couple years. It really depends how he wants the hours to be divided. I would never fly directly to perth, too long in one stretch, but i fly economy, so i love having the layover after 10h and then doing another 10h after a break whre you get to walk around and stretch your legs.
Emirates is ok too, but we fly from germany, so again its a short flight to dubai, then a long one to melbourne. Its all preference though. Maybe look at the different airlines and their start and landing time and whats most convenient.
some people prefer landing in the morning and powering through the day. Others like to get there in the evening so they can get a proper rest as soon as they land.

Another vote for Trailfinders. I have not visited Australia but when we booked our holiday to New Zealand, a couple of years ago, they got all the flights and prices up for us to do a comparison. There was quite a difference in the prices for business class flights.