Halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, the Cook Islands in the South Pacific are renowned for having beautiful beaches, a rich Polynesian culture and relaxed vibe.

Flying to the Cook Islands has never been easier, with Jetstar and Air New Zealand offering flights to the archipelago’s capital, Rarotonga. Once you’re there, Air Rarotonga provides domestic flights to and from Aitutaki.

Weather-wise, the best time to visit the Cook Islands is during July and August but you’re likely to be joined by every other Aussie wanting to escape the winter cold. Price-wise, you’re more likely to score a great deal on flights for travel during May, just after storm season.

How long it takes to fly to Rarotonga depends on which city in Australia you’re coming from and which flight you choose. On average, though, flying time is about seven hours. With multiple airlines to choose from, you can tailor the journey to suit your time and budget. Better still, let Spacifica Travel use their expertise to do the work for you!

Important details

You’ll need a passport valid for a period of at least six months beyond your departure date to enter the Cook Islands. Authorities will issue you a 31-day visitor visa on arrival. Upon arrival, you’ll also need to show proof of:

• An onward or return ticket.
• Sufficient funds for your stay.
• Proof of accommodation during your stay in the Cook Islands (print or digital booking confirmation).

Travel insurance isn’t compulsory, but highly recommended in the event your plans need to be changed.

Getting there

Finding the perfect flight to Rarotonga really comes down to time and budget. A web search will reveal myriad options, with travel time to Rarotonga varying from 10 hours to 30 hours depending on what flights you choose and where you’re coming from. Why the big difference when it’s only seven hours flying time? Well, if you have one or two stops along the way you need to factor in airport layovers, which from Australia could be in Sydney and/or Auckland. Here’s an overview of how you can travel to Rarotonga from Australia’s capital cities.

Flights to the Cook Islands from Sydney (direct or via Auckland)

Sydney is the only Australian port to offer direct flights to Rarotonga with Jetstar, up to five times a week. Flight time is about six hours. Alternatively, you can break the journey into two with Air New Zealand and fly via Auckland, which is roughly three hours to New Zealand and then four hours to the Cook Islands. Inclusions on your flight will depend on the type of ticket you choose – with Jetstar you’ll pay extra for luggage and inflight meals, which are included in Air New Zealand flights.

Flights to the Cook Islands from Brisbane (via Sydney or Auckland)

Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand have one-stop flights to Rarotonga which include a stopover in either Sydney or Auckland, with flight time being about six hours 45 minutes. When booking flights, be sure to check layover times – both Sydney and Auckland airports have plenty to keep you entertained in between flights. If you’re travelling via Sydney, you’ll need to transfer from the domestic terminal to the international terminal – shuttle buses and the train network are available, as are taxi’s and ubers. If you’re travelling via Auckland, your bags will be checked all the way through to Rarotonga from your first departure point and you won’t need to change terminals.

Flights to the Cook Islands from Melbourne (via Sydney or Auckland)

You can fly from Melbourne to Rarotonga via Sydney or Auckland depending on what airline you choose. Flight time is around seven to eight hours and departures are from Tullamarine airport. Total travel time, including layover, is about 10 hours. Remember, if you’re travelling via Sydney you’ll need to transit to the international terminal. Flying out of Sydney means you score an extra day of Cook Island time – despite leaving Australia at 9pm, by crossing the international dateline you’ll arrive in Rarotonga at 7am on the same day!

Other Australian Cities: Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart (via Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland)

No matter where you live in Australia, you can plan a trip to the Cook Islands from your nearest capital city. Flight times vary from 7-8 hours (ex-Adelaide) to 10-12 hours (ex-Perth). It may be a slightly longer journey than flying direct from Sydney, but the minute your feet hit the sand, and you breathe in the Cook Islands air, you’ll know it was worth it.

Cook Islands Airports Overview

Rarotonga International Airport welcomes more than 100,000 visitors annually from all over the world. When you arrive, you’ll need to clear immigration and customs just as you would at any other international airport. Once that’s done, you’re on your way to enjoying everything the Cook Islands has to offer.

There are two baggage storage facilities for the airport – The Islander Hotel across the road has short-term bag storage, so you can drop your bags off and enjoy their food and beverage options, or enjoy some time in town, before checking in. Air Rarotonga Baggage Storage offers a short and long-term baggage service for Air Rarotonga customers travelling to the outer islands.

There are several places in and around Rarotonga International Airport where you can stop for refreshments before or after your flights. Check out The Domestic Gate Lounge with its garden seating area and Ka Kite Café, the International Gate Lounge adjacent to a range of Duty-Free shops, and Reefside Rarotonga which offers hot and cold drinks and café style snacks. All lounges only accept New Zealand and Cook Island currency – a 24-hour Bank South Pacific ATM is in the international arrivals area, which dispenses New Zealand currency.

Best Time to Book Flights to the Cook Islands

To score the best of both worlds – beautiful weather and lower prices – aim to travel to Rarotonga during the shoulder season (April/May and September/October). The cheapest season coincides with our Australian summer months (January – March) which is the period when most discounted airfares are available. Storm season runs from November to April, while the dry season is from May to October.

FAQ - Flights to the Cook Islands

• How long is the flight to the Cook Islands from Australia?

Depending on where you’re flying from, flight times vary from around six hours (ex-Sydney) to around 10 hours (ex-Perth). If you have one or two stops along the way you need to factor in airport layovers, which from Australia could be in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and/or Auckland).

• Can I fly direct to Rarotonga from Sydney?

Absolutely! Jetstar offers direct flights between Sydney and Rarotonga.

• What airlines fly to the Cook Islands?

Two airlines fly to the Cook Islands from Australia – Jetstar and Air New Zealand.

• Do I need a passport to travel from Australia to the Cook Islands?

Yes – all travellers must have an international passport valid for a period of at least six months beyond their departure date from the Cook Islands. Authorities will issue you a 31-day visitor visa on arrival.

• Are there budget airlines that fly to the Cook Islands?

Jetstar has some great deals on flights to Rarotonga. As a budget airline, you can tailor your trip with inclusions such as extra baggage and meals, or save money with a no-frills fare. 

• What is the flight time from Melbourne to Cook Islands?

The flight time from Melbourne to Rarotonga is about seven to eight hours.

Why Book Your Cook Islands Holiday with Spacifica Travel

Having so much choice when it comes to flights to the Cook Islands can make it hard to decide on the perfect one. The experts at Spacifica Travel have the knowledge and experience to find the right flight for you based on your time and budget. In fact, the travel team can take care of every aspect of your Cook Islands holiday with a range of great value packages available. Let them handle the logistics so you can focus on the fun stuff!