Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Kiribati

Direct flight routes to Kiribati

Direct flights to Kiribati from Australasia are limited and operate on specific days of the week.

• Brisbane (BNE) to Tarawa (TRW) – Fiji Airways – 6h 45m


• Nadi (NAN) to Tarawa (TRW) – Fiji Airways – 3h 30m


• Honiara (HIR) to Tarawa (TRW) – Solomon Airlines – 3h 15m

Layover/stopover options

Nadi International Airport (NAN) serves as the primary hub for connections to Kiribati. Fiji Airways operates most connections with typical layover times of 5-8 hours. The airport offers decent shopping and dining options, plus access to day rooms for longer waits.

Honiara International Airport (HIR) functions as a secondary hub via Solomon Airlines. Connection times average 6-12 hours, with limited airport amenities but good access to local tours for longer layovers.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save considerable travel time. Multi-stop itineraries through Nadi or Honiara often cost 20-30% less but can double total journey time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book direct flights at least 3 months ahead for best availability and pricing


• Consider overnight layovers in Nadi to explore Fiji if budget allows


• Tuesday and Wednesday flights typically offer lower fares


• Fiji Airways’ multi-stop tickets often include free stopovers in Fiji


• Check separate ticket combinations through Nadi for potential savings during peak season

• Fiji Airways offers the most reliable connection to Tarawa via Nadi, with typical layovers of 4-6 hours. Their Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft serving this route features a 32-inch seat pitch in economy, which exceeds the regional average by 2 inches. Flights from Auckland or Sydney to Tarawa via Nadi typically cost 15-20% less than other routing options.
• Flying through Nauru Airlines from Brisbane offers a unique alternative route, operating twice weekly services to Tarawa with a technical stop in Nauru. The airline’s 737-300 aircraft provides a more basic but functional service level, yet fares are often 25% lower than Fiji Airways options during peak seasons.
• Consider booking multi-city tickets combining Solomon Airlines from Brisbane to Honiara, then connecting to Tarawa via different carriers. This “mix-and-match” approach can save up to 30% on regular fares, though it requires separate bookings and longer layovers.
• Travelers from Melbourne or Sydney can benefit from package deals offered by specialized Pacific travel agencies that combine Fiji Airways flights with local accommodations in Tarawa. These packages often include airport transfers and can reduce total travel costs by up to 20% compared to separate bookings.
• For departures from New Zealand, utilizing Air New Zealand’s frequent codeshare services with Fiji Airways from Auckland provides access to their advance purchase “Pacific Saver” fares. These fares, when booked 3-4 months ahead, can offer savings of up to 35% compared to standard rates.

1. Ignoring the limited flight options Many travelers don’t realize that flights to Kiribati from Australia/NZ operate only twice weekly via Fiji (Nadi) on Fiji Airways, leading to inflexible itineraries and missed connections.
2. Booking separate tickets to Nadi Purchasing separate tickets to Fiji instead of a single through-fare to Tarawa can result in missed connection protection and additional baggage fees between carriers.
3. Not considering seasonal weather patterns Planning travel during the November-April wet season can lead to flight disruptions and delays due to adverse weather conditions at Bonriki International Airport.
4. Underestimating transit time in Nadi Travelers often book tight connections in Fiji, not accounting for the frequently lengthy immigration processes and potential delays at Nadi International Airport.
5. Assuming direct routing options Despite Kiribati’s location in the Pacific, many travelers incorrectly assume they can fly direct from major Australian cities, when all routes require a connection through Nadi, Fiji.

Fiji Airways

Best for: Most frequent connections to Kiribati with extensive network from Australia and New Zealand.

Operating from 6 Australasian airports (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Auckland, and Wellington) to Tarawa via Nadi. The three biggest departure points are Sydney (5 weekly), Brisbane (4 weekly), and Auckland (3 weekly). Offers comfortable Economy Class with 32-inch pitch on A330s and 737s. Full-service meals include Pacific-Asian fusion cuisine. Passengers rate their Kiribati service 3.8/5, praising efficient connections in Nadi averaging 2-3 hours.

Solomon Airlines

Best for: Shortest total flight time from Brisbane to Tarawa with technical stop in Honiara.

Operates from 2 Australasian airports (Brisbane and Sydney) to Tarawa. Brisbane is the main hub with 2 weekly flights. Their A320 aircraft feature standard 31-inch pitch in Economy. Basic but fresh meals served on all segments. Passengers give 3.6/5 rating, highlighting quick transit through Honiara where passengers typically stay on board.

Air Nauru (Nauru Airlines)

Best for: Direct routing via Nauru with convenient daytime schedule.

Serves 3 Australasian airports (Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne) to Tarawa via Nauru. Brisbane leads with 3 weekly services. Operates 737-300 aircraft with basic 30-inch pitch Economy seats. Simple meal service includes snacks and light refreshments. Receives 3.4/5 passenger rating, with positive feedback for daylight flights and straightforward connections.

Air Kiribati

Best for: Only native Kiribati carrier offering authentic local experience from first moment.

Connects from 2 Australasian airports (Brisbane and Auckland) through partnerships with other carriers. Brisbane handles most traffic with 2 weekly flights. Operates Embraer aircraft with 29-inch pitch Economy seating. Traditional Kiribati meals served on international routes. Rated 3.3/5 by passengers, who appreciate the genuine I-Kiribati hospitality but note limited legroom.

Getting to Kiribati via regional APAC carriers

Reaching Kiribati from Australia or New Zealand requires strategic booking to maximize savings. While direct routes are limited, utilizing regional carriers can reduce costs significantly.

Key booking strategies

1. Split ticketing: Book separate flights with Fiji Airways from Australia/NZ to Nadi, then connect to Kiribati via their regional service. This often costs less than a single ticket booking.
2. Flexibility with dates: Mid-week flights through Fiji typically offer better rates than weekend travel. Consider traveling Tuesday through Thursday.
3. Seasonal timing: Book during shoulder season (April-May or October-November) when demand for Pacific Island routes is lower.

Money-saving opportunities

Join Fiji Airways’ Tabua Club for discounted fares and additional baggage allowance. Monitor sales from both Solomon Airlines and Fiji Airways, as they occasionally offer competitive deals on South Pacific routes. Consider purchasing a multi-stop ticket if visiting other Pacific nations, as this can reduce the per-leg cost significantly.

Remember that while budget carriers like Jetstar serve some Pacific routes, they don’t fly to Kiribati. Focus on regional full-service carriers for the best combination of reliability and value.