Why Expedia/Travelocity Sydney-Cairns prices so high?
 

I'm going to Sydney (from Baltimore) for a conference in the latter half of July. I am planning on flying up to Cairns/Port Douglas for some snorkeling July 28 and returning to Sydney on Aug 1. Both Expedia and Travelocity produce lowest-cost roundtrip fares of ~$750 US on Qantas. The Qantas site gives ~$300 US ($450 AUS) for the same flights. Is this common (ie. are Expedia/Travelocity really geared for US flights only?)? I was planning on a flight+hotel package through the online services, but at this rate would book things separately. Would I get any good hotel deals through Qantas, or do they just get the lowest-grade rooms?

Hi

We went last year and booked kangaroo passes through Qantas for our separate trips to Cairns, Ayers Rock, Melbourne, Hobart and then onto New Zealand. We found Qantas to be a better price than trying to get from the states to Australia using United or American.

We also researched our own hotels using recommendations we had gotten here on Fodors site and then checked the hotel's internet site for specials. Many times we did find specials and got better prices. We also used sites like Needitnow for last minute great rates.

All in all we had a great time, stayed at some great places (and some average ones too) and would continue to do the planning in the same fashion.

IMHO I've never found the airlines to get good deals at the hotels.

Hi

I just checked the QaNTAS site and can't find anything in the $300 range. for $300 round trip I'd be happy to go back to Sydney. Also is that fare from BWI to Sydney or LA to Sydney?

That's $300 US roundtrip from Sydney to Cairns (not Baltimore-Sydney).

Have a look at virginblue.com.au.

You should certainly be able to get cheaper flights - but perhaps you're flying at peak season. The Qantas site price of about $Aus450 is probably about right.

VirginBlue may be cheaper.

Have fun!

Try Virgin - friends have recently flown Melbourne to Cairns for $99 Aust each way.

In todays sydney press, return flights and transfers sydney-port douglas and 3 nights accomodation at sheraton mirage is listed at $A 977. qantus/holidays

Check price on Virgin Blue. The intra-Australia carrier, might have better fares. But I'd go with the cheapest, and don't hesitate to inquire whether either Qantas of Virgin Blue can provide you with hotel accommodations. Check guidebooks for list of hotels that are of interest and in your price range and see if either can offer these.

Check both Qantas and Virgin Blue, if you have fixed dates which I guess may well be the situation and are ready to confirm then no problem, both will email you back a priontabe e-ticket and it's done.
Do compare both airlines, Qantas have I think it's call 'Red' specials, just compare the 2, not Qantas is full service and Virgin Blue is budget i.e you pay for food but my personal opinion is that Virgin give a good choice of purchasabel food, both use 737s mostly but you might be lucky and get a wide bodied up to Cainrs with Qantas.

As far as accommodation goes I would look at local Australian booking, remember that many of the largest booking services 'might' not have all the available different hotels or other lodgings, certainly a lot of smaller or boutique places might not be listed, but there are cairns / Port Douglas experts on this board and I am sure if you give an idea of what sort of accommodation you want they will come up with gems, I know both places but tend to go for mid 3 star range, the experts will help you there.
http://www.qantas.com.au/
http://www.virginblue.com.au

You can get Virgin Blue for $238AUD. I like to use them, but beware as they are no frills - no pillows, no blankets, etc. On the up side, their service is always wonderful and their fares are cheap!!

OK XZ here you go:

28 Jul Qantas SYD-Cairns 0805 am arr 1110 ( that's on a wide-body 767 departs International terminal, there's another flight later from Domestic a few bucks more )

01 Aug Qantas CNS-SYD 4.45 pm arr 7.45 pm ( 737-800 )

Total fare including taxes AUD 291.08, on a quick currecny conversion that's about USD 219.96 return

Had a look on Virgin but they seem about AUD 50 each way more on those dates.

That is a Qantas Red Special fare, there are naturaly conditions but they say that if you change you can use that as credit towards a higher or equal fare, which sounds reasonable, there are other flights but guessing you wanted to make the most of the time that sounds a good deal, their website is a breeze to navigate, it's real easy.

This gives you travel options up to Port Douglas:

http://www.cityofcairns.com/portdoug...transfers.html

The Post you are replying to was actually dated 2003 - so it is a little out of date!