Flying around Brazil: airpass?

chalkbored — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:45:13 -0800

Where can I buy a Brazil airpass in Toronto? Or is the airpass a terrible idea? Any travel tips to the Brazilian Amazon (and Rio) generally? I'm headed to Rio in August, and my girlfriend and I would like to make some side trips to interesting places. We're leaning towards flying to Manaus and heading from there to a lodge somewhere in the Amazon basin, but would also like to check out Iguacu falls if possible. We only have about a week, give or take, for side trips.

Plane tickets within Brazil, however, appear to be surprisingly expensive, and in some cases (e.g. on TAM) difficult to purchase without a Brazilian credit card. Rather than stringing together flights from Rio to Manaus to Foz do Iguacu (IGU), we've been eyeing the "Brazil airpass" offered by TAM, which seems to be a comparatively good deal. (There's a summary on TAM's website and some discussion on Flyertalk.)

The airpass looks like it has to be purchased outside of Brazil, and issued by a travel/ticketing agent of some sort. Because this may end up being a little complicated, and because I'd like to hear about the pros and cons of the airpass versus whatever fares can be book within Brazil (by someone more adept than me), I think I may need to talk to a travel agent. I'd prefer to be able to go in and chat with someone in person (hence the Toronto bit), but I'm also up for working with someone via the intertubes if he/she is especially knowledgable about this sort of thing. Alternatively, if anyone has any other great tips about buying flights within Brazil, I'd love to hear them. (Has anyone here successfully bought tickets on GOL or TAM from abroad?)

While I'm querying the hive mind: anything you feel like telling me about that part of the world? Anything I shouldn't miss? Any places to stay that you especially recommend?

Thanks!

Making the best of few weeks down under?

adamk — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:09:35 -0800

AussieVacationFilter: I'm a young guy in Los Angeles seriously considering a solo trip to Australia. The Qantas Aussie AirPass seems like an amazing way to build a great trip without breaking the bank. However, with the level of freedom the AirPass would give me, I want to make sure I'm using my time and multiple cities wisely. Any advice and itinerary recommendations you'd be willing to make would be greatly appreciated! (I've seen this thread before and threads like it, and while some of the advice given will prove quite useful, my situation seems different enough to merit a new question)

I'm a single 24 year old guy. I've done the hostel thing in Europe thing before and had a great time moving from city to city, meeting new people to see the sights with by day, and soaking up the nightlife. I'd like to embark on another memorable adventure sometime in the coming months, and since I've always wanted to visit Australia it seems like a great fit.

Working way too hard and generally not having a life for the last few years has left me with gobs of paid vacation in the bank. I can definitely take a 2 week vacation. If I feel compelled and ask very nicely, they'll probably let me take 3 of my weeks at once.

With the AirPass I'd have a flight into some major city, and then 3 domestic flights within Australia. I like city life, and while I'm not sure I want to spend time in the heart of the Outback, I'd like to spend SOME time taking in some of the natural beauty available. Additionally, I'm a SCUBA diver and would like to spend a few days diving the amazing reefs.

So, wise natives and veteran travelers, I'm dying for advice about a sequence of locations to hit and the associated can't-miss events. The AirPass costs different prices based on which "Zones" you visit, but I'm willing to travel anywhere if it's worth it. Then again, as I learned on previous trips abroad, it's never fun to spend a huge portion of your vacation in transit. If I end up being based in NSW, ideas like "a day trip to Perth" are probably not going to work.

I'm happy in clean hostels, but can splurge for proper hotels from time to time if need be. I have some money saved, so I'm neither poor nor rich.
That said, prices do seem to drop as more time goes by due to change in the in the season and move to colder weather. What's the latest I can visit and still stay warm on land and in the water?

Thanks!

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Flying around Brazil: airpass?

Making the best of few weeks down under?