Well, there're so many moving parameters -- because obviously I can try to change the order of the trip somehow.

But I'm ready to leave on Dec. 29 (a Friday) after work. I must return to NYC on or before Jan. 15 (a Monday). The wedding is on Jan. 5 (a Friday) near Adelaide.

Why do you think the London r/t + RTW to Australia will be the cheapest, by the way? I think you wrote on my other thread that the RTW from London is about 2600.

Right now it seems like I can fly China Airlines for about 1100 + another 1100 (for Taipei to Australia), so that's 2200.

What are the allowances for the stopovers for the RTW in Australia, by the way? I know that I'll have to buy all these separately.

Anyway, thanks again for your help. As you can see, I'm still up trying to figure out how to book this more efficiently and cheaply....

I think your best plan is to buy a round trip to Taipei and then a second round trip to Oz from there. Forget the RTW, you don't have enough time to make one work because they book into discount coach inventory that is filling fast. The longer you wait, especially for travel to Australia around New Years, the less likely it will be that there are seats available in that group.

Don't forget the loss/gain of a day in transit due to the IDL.

Good luck.

Thanks. I'm still checking, but I think I'll take a break from this. While I can book the TPE to SYD roundtrip online with China Airlines, I'm checking to see if I can get it for cheaper through travel agents in Taiwan.