Cook Islands Travel Guide - Getting There

The Cook Islands are served by Air New Zealand (NZ) (website: www.airnz.co.nz), which offers regular flights from New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji. There are also frequent connections from Australia, North America and Europe. For details, contact the Cook Islands Tourist Bureau (see Contact Addresses).

From London to Rarotonga to is 24 hours (with stopover).

Rarotonga (RAR) is 3km (2 miles) west of Avarua. To/from the airport: Hotel coaches meet each flight (journey time – 10 minutes). Taxis and buses are also available. Facilities: Open according to flight arrivals and departures and include 24-hour luggage storage facilities, duty-free shops, bank/bureau de change, bars, shops and car rental.

Visit the South Pacific Pass: valid with Solomon Airlines (IE), Air Vanuatu (NF), Our Airline (Air Nauru) (ON), Qantas (QF), Air Niugini (PX), Aircalin (SB) and Air Pacific (FJ). The pass allows flexible island-hopping within the South Pacific, for up to 40% off normal airfares.

NZ$30 for passengers over 12 years of age; NZ$15 for passengers aged 2 to 12 years.

Main ports: It is possible to moor yachts at Avatiu Harbour; for maritime matters, contact the Harbour Master, Ports Authority, PO Box 84, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (tel: 28814).

Cargo lines operating to the Cook Islands are run by Express Cook Islands Line Shipping Ltd and Hawaii-Pacific Maritime Ltd.