Can anyone suggest the most efficient route to travel from Brisbane to Bonaire? Via North America or South America? When would be the best time to travel?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I believe Brisbane to LAX and then to BON via Air Jamaica (limited service) or AA (daily via San Juan).

?? Betcha it's 2k USD though!

I first tried seeing what Travelocity had ... but their online service limits the number of connections to just three.

So I ran a sample flight through the http://www.expedia.com site at it came up with a flight:

From Brisbane to Aukland; Aukland to Los Angeles,California, Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, Puerto Rico; and finally San Juan to Bonaire.

Total miles: 11795 mi (18982 km)
Total flight time: 24hr 9mn (46hr 24mn with connections)

I picked sample flying dates of April 15 to April 27th. It came up with a Total price for this trip: $2,202.08 US.

Oops .. that should be Auckland (not Aukland).

If you have the time, why not break up the trip by staying over in the LA area a day or two each direction and doing Disneyland and/or Knott's Berry Farm in Orange County or dropping down to the San Diego area and doing the San Diego Zoo and/or Wild animal Park.

Most airlines don't charge extra for stop-overs, especially if you are changing airlines anyway. I set up my trip through San Juan this summer so I stop for several days each way. I'm flying Continental LAX to/from San Juan and American San Juan to/from Bonaire.

Thanks to all for your input; I travel to the US almost every year so am familiar with most of the standard routes. I was hoping that someone might have a creative (and cheap) way of getting to Bonaire.

The prices a number of you quote come to almost $4000 Aus! I can get an around the world fare which will get me as far as Miami for about $2500 Aus ($300 US) so may go that way and dee a few other places on this trip.

Creative? How about Heron or Lizard Islands? You're so lucky to be as close as you are!!! But I can understand the desire to go to Bonaire...

What about via Amsterdam.... It's a long flight and probably expensive (could not find the fares anywhere). But here's how:

Brisbane - Kuala Lumpur - Amsterdam - Bonaire
Leaving at 16:00 from Brisbane Itl. and arriving on Bonaire at 16:05 the next day. 38 hours of flying, though...

Larry, here's a couple more options for you. My cousin in Australia gave me these WWW's.. Good Luck, Sarah

The most direct route to the Caribbean is by travelling on Air New Zealand non stop service from Rarotonga to Los Angeles and combining this fare with a USA Air Pass from Los Angeles to your destination.

Aruba, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Baermuda, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Guadelope, Jamaica, Martinique, St Thomas/St Croix - US Virgin Islands, St Maaretn, Santa Domiongo, San Juan, Puerto Rico


USA Air Passes Including Caribbean
(Many US airlines have coupon passes with air travel starting in Los Angeles and travelling to the Caribbean).

American Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines
Northwest Airlines
US Air

http://www.travel.co.ck/caribbean.htm

or: Brisbane - San Juan - Air New Zealand

$1,641.00 (includes estimated taxes*)
5 day minimum stay; 30 day maximum stay; Fare effective 1-May-03; Last day to buy ticket is 12-Feb-03; (fare code WKCE1M) more rules...

http://www.expedia.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights-g147319-Puerto_Rico-Cheap_Discount_Airfares.html

Sorry, you can fly direct from San Juan to Bonaire (I think)???