Tauck Charters - Convenience

Lswin

We have taken several tours with Tauck and others and are consider the Australia and New Zealand tour. One of the unpleasant parts of tours we have taken has been the air transfers between cities. It usually meant waking up extra early, going thru the check-in and security process at airports and then often waiting a considerable amount of time for your commercial flight to be called. While certainly not unique to group touring, but with the ever increasing security issues, these air transfers seem to take up more of your time and have become more stressful.

I am curious to hear how travelers found the use of the Tauck charters on this tour improved the air transfer experience.

AlanS

I think if you check the archives, you'll find the few people who have commented, think it is a fantastic improvement- reduces all sorts of real and potential airport hassles- get off the bus, walk to the plane, sip a little champagne, and go.

Check out these by British and Travelgal: https://www.tauck.com/yaf/default.aspx?g=posts&m=23531#post23531

BKMD

Exactly right, Alan.

I did this trip last year. The airplane experience was fabulous. IIRC, with one exception (Cairns?), where going through the terminal was required, the bus went through a back gate to enter the airport and pulled up right next to the plane. So the procedure was board bus at the hotel, exit bus adjacent to plane, walk up the staircase to the plane, sit in your pre-assigned seat, and reverse at the destination. No hassles or waiting at the terminal, no security, etc.

SLT

We were on the 2017 February/March Grand Australia & New Zealand Tour (our first Tauck tour). It was wonderful. Traveling via private chartered planes was a great experience - board bus, bus drives out on the tarmac to the plane, tour director hands out boarding passes and you're off. Same process when you reach your destination. Your luggage is picked up at your hotel and taken to the plane. You don't go through security or check your luggage. We were very spoiled.

We also did the hot air balloon ride in Cairns and zip line in Queenstown. One of the dinner options in Wellington was dining at a Chinese restaurant, an Italian restaurant and a restaurant that offered regional food. Many in our group dined and enjoyed the Italian restaurant.

We've already booked our next Tauck tour - river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam.